tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49864546531676974782024-02-02T00:34:16.549-05:00An Endlessly Changing Horizon"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon."Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-17095210220738118342014-06-27T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-27T08:00:06.631-04:00Weekend Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past week I've been in Tacloban, the hardest hit area of <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/11/super-typhoon-haiyan.html">Super Typhoon Haiyan</a>. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to visit the communities receiving relief and rehabilitation efforts from E-CARE. I cannot wait to share more about my adventures there. </div>
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Also, I turned 24 this past week. For some reason since I was a child, I've always had the idea in my head that 24 was going to be an amazing year for me. I can't really complain about year 23, though. But can't wait to see what life has in store for me!</div>
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Check out what other YASCers have been up to especially as some of their years come to a close.</h4>
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<a href="http://untotheendsoftheearth.blogspot.com/2014/06/misadventures-in-lesotho.html">Keri </a>shares her first adventures in Lesotho, where she is spending her final two months.</div>
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<a href="http://cfile-yasc.blogspot.com/2014/06/american-football-in-japan.html">Charlotte</a> experienced American football in Japan. </div>
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<a href="http://pilgrimsascending.blogspot.com/2014/05/blog-post_28.html">Sean</a> posts a photo journal of a recent hike led by a Shinto priest.</div>
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<a href="http://beckygleason.blogspot.com/2014/06/pentecostes-pentecost.html">Becky</a> reflects on how Pentacost has a whole new meaning for her this year.<br />
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<a href="http://nogreatthingshaiti.blogspot.com/2014/06/mobile-clinic.html">Julie</a> recently visited rural areas with a visiting medical group to assist with a mobile clinic.<br />
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<a href="http://hannahperls.blogspot.com/2014/06/when-immigration-hits-home.html">Hannah</a> writes beautifully about a recent up close and personal moment with immigration.<br />
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<a href="http://manypartsonebody.blogspot.com/2014/06/frederick-douglass-on-haiti.html">Alan</a> explores how historical figures from around the world were influenced by Haiti.<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-34699969549698624972014-06-23T08:00:00.001-04:002014-06-23T08:00:06.923-04:00Little ThingsI've been to just about every diocese within the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. There were just two left to check off. The first was the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon which neighbors EDS. I had no excuse not to take the two hour trip to visit with Bishop Abibico, who was recently elected the next Prime Bishop of ECP.<br />
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{St. Thomas' Parish, Tabuk where we attended mass}</div>
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On Sunday, June 8, Sir Junior, Carolyn, Jocelyn and I attended mass at St. Thomas' Parish in Tabuk, where the diocesan headquarters are located. St. Thomas' isn't the cathedral of the diocese but the largest parish. It was refreshing to attend a fully packed service with a choir! Afterwards, we headed over to see the cathedral, about thirty minutes away. We ran into the ladies of ECW and Bishop's wife. They had us visit their store which included a guyabano wine toast. They were hilarious!</div>
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To continue the afternoon, we had lunch with Bishop and a few priests of the diocese. Then headed over to where all of Jocelyn's extended family lives and her family home. It was a little bit chaotic but great to meet Jocelyn's mom and neighbors!</div>
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Nothing major happened, but it was a wonderful Sunday filled with many little moments.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipykM0l75BEPG2DlO-AzTPg0FBes-T4GYpB7EgFlV7bQBxwVGxahyZ2vOW8a8_twdMkEM0msmLWi1SnzfEEciMZJK1_umWLRAI7fEC3hF26P07RC8eOaBr4gz-0VZAfUp4W_NoevgaPHg/s1600/Tabuk-3.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></div>
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{A Sunday morning toast of guyabano wine with the ECW ladies of the Cathedral and Bishop's wife} </div>
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{Fell in love with these tattoos representing culture, beauty and rich tradition}</div>
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{Visited where Jocelyn grew up and her extended family}</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i></div>
<br />Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-62967529398652158072014-06-20T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-20T08:00:09.281-04:00Weekend Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The weeks have been flying by! I can't believe it's already the middle of June. I can count down the weeks now until I come home - 9 weeks! And next week is my 24th Birthday- CRAZY!<br />
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This weekend the Diocesan Staff is taking a short retreat to the beach of Dinadiawan, only a couple hours away. Then on Sunday I'm headed to Manila to fly to Tacloban, the area where Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the hardest. I've been wanting to visit ever since the storm hit and excited to give a firsthand report on the relief efforts.<br />
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A majority of YASCers are leaving in July, only a few short weeks away. Check out what they've been up to and how they're closing out their years.</h4>
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<a href="http://manypartsonebody.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-visual-treat-rethinkhaiti.html">Alan</a> shares a few videos on Haiti to give everyone a better idea of where he's been living and working.</div>
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For her last two months, <a href="http://untotheendsoftheearth.blogspot.com/2014/05/saying-goodbye-to-hawston.html">Keri</a> is moving from South Africa to Lesotho to assist at the hospital there. See how she said goodbye to Hawstown.</div>
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<a href="http://beckygleason.blogspot.com/2014/05/pictures.html">Becky</a> shares a photo journal of recent celebrations and fun including graduation of her students.</div>
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<a href="http://pilgrimsascending.blogspot.com/2014/05/clean-food-clean-life.html">Sean</a> reflects on a clean life, humanity and nature.</div>
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<a href="http://teachprayserve.blogspot.com/2014/05/critters-and-creatures-that-crawl.html">Heidi</a> recalls a funny teachable moment on creepy, crawly creatures in Tanzania.</div>
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Hong Kong provides <a href="http://forjusticeandpeace.blogspot.com/2014/05/one-of-my-favorite-things-about-hong.html">Sara</a> with many opportunities to experience other cultural events, which is one of her favorite things. </div>
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<a href="http://rachelcarter2.blogspot.com/2014/06/less-than-2-months-left.html">Rachel</a> has less than two months left in Panama but catches everyone up on recent happenings. </div>
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<a href="http://nogreatthingshaiti.blogspot.com/2014/05/women.html">Julie</a> reflects on the importance of educating women and gender equality.</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i></div>
Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-5188042036972434072014-06-19T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-19T08:00:01.299-04:00We are Gathered Here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are gathered here today, April 25, to celebrate the joining of Challikes and Ayree in Holy Matrimony. And, boy, many were gathered in Bontoc for the wedding of the year. As I said in Monday's post, April began and ended with a Bishop's son's wedding.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAPW1kG7Sma6ksBNfXJLO-P-KT4sg758_Lmqh44bJBiM3PAI1Q9cq_41qp7wtzwW5TwkmKuTMCDpSOTdO8H7bjzoaXpLFRK2y4RqrfSPYSmpjRrJnNE9Yepk-hbjwkQXxqss0yw5KBQI/s1600/Alawas_Wedding-5.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></div>
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Patrick, Sir Junior, Maritess, Carolyn, Noemi, Grace, and I all traveled to Bontoc on Thursday. We stopped for a lovely lunch with a gorgeous view in Banaue. Then the ECARE development staff including me sat through a three hour long meeting that afternoon as the rain pounded on the tin roofs making it impossible to hear anything.<br />
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The wedding was one big reunion! I met up all the CDWs (community development workers) who I hadn't seen in months. The night before the wedding we went to a local place, drank beers, sang karaoke, listened to beautiful live music and celebrated a wonderful fellowship!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_Qnrj0Fy_KLwA9MfRAWsH1mCE4tnRSoxQK51eDJz19mGgfEuMmlp0aHSFGNzn4VQwQpW_9zDSpm-orBjYlZQzr9IVLv1zk3rXwRtpP0rPPKoh34kmWuZCSgp5N4yhXZK53C8vNSXRic/s1600/Alawas_Wedding-1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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{Enjoying the views of our lunch spot}</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfY1hIy_Rpjil0eV4TUNLBafVtVMW70JyzMuMO_iC78IDdRLQ_y9Bq30iOwIcjcTUfRIODROBQfGTfhsfVZ0a5kyCIgU8YRJWbZ8E1kSjfPUK642aObkIjUczuRcNPsLRMYQWu8pn_qo/s1600/10291043_696319333737309_9183536499924991479_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
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{Singing Karoake at Cable}</div>
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{What a beautiful morning for a wedding. View from my hotel room}</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-A1AevbxJq8QsrugGe9_tSnytBNn-Q-B0Nx30HpaYfQOazb-FAqXIwx6KDxNXqk5ci8LmguORCSlzR5syQik3WPdqPTdO349n5G3rmCC8NArBDYUxP3bTa4lYSrIebYx86zMWpZEc6mQ/s1600/Alawas_Wedding-6.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></div>
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{Wedding party gathered outside the church}</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7SrtCLIqbZ2x3-q7rQO2ipdexJQfbXUgzHTCSgCBARA9Evy52CwXbZGpEFGa8WV5NkjPkrKZ7yqhO8RdVOWbaJGJrP1NzIfh3kb_I1U2Ic7yPzdgUJbaHtmuQr06SIFzVcsgw2huCFg/s1600/Alawas_Wedding-9.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></div>
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The morning of the wedding was beautiful. Everyone was buzzing with excitement around the church as the pews began to fill up. One cool thing, Andrew Joyce, another YASCer, was part of the wedding party. Community members from far and wide came to support the Bishop's son during this important day. Here in the Philippines, weddings aren't an exclusive event. It's about displaying the couple's commitment to one another to the whole community. Everyone is invited!</div>
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The ceremony itself doesn't stray too far from a Episcopal liturgy at home. The major difference is the presentation of three symbols - the Bible, the Candle and the Cord. Andrew Joyce was in charge of presenting the cord which binds their love together. Talk about a heavy responsibility! Highlights of the service were the bride's emotional procession, Prime Bishop singing during his homily, and the traditional Igorot offertory procession including gongs and dancing.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGqkYMhRFJ4_P-pIc1_6NofZF-w2GVRWQ8vCHmU7GfI3D5FBE5RR7-7lOxhCPKDkD2wWp9N-hyj2LUHUfVcwq8ES0MMhOsvzTqHd41P-fKXuoMrNJXFZ1W6bBADY_xD6huiyxfLSoxXU/s1600/10155328_696319407070635_8144409560901681283_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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{Selfie fun with Jen and Arriane before the service}</div>
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{Andrew Joyce with the wedding party}</div>
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{Tradition is the bride's parents process three-quarter's of the way down the aisle. Then the Bride walks towards them and the parents together escort her the last quarter to the groom. Joyous tears streamed down Ayree's and her parents' faces, which made me almost cry!}</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaJf1ysWJwAP0BXeLintiUY_BkUES69LItc7FXxzPbX_mfqFcx5flSXN-K97RaDzHsR-3Q5MxCZVBIzsafy63SyjxNWEhsZUukXop96N87WQeQIuhU_pXLy0LBaAN4qIsGpAj4ZLZOZA/s1600/Alawas_Wedding-39.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></div>
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{Binding of Love Together}</div>
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{Procession of Offertory which includes vegetables, rice, and monetary offerings}</div>
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{The altar post offertory. Lovely!}</div>
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{Catching of the Bouquet}</div>
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Once the two hour long ceremony commenced, the bridal party, sponsors, and families gathered for pictures. Then all the community members went outside for reception and lunch. The sponsors, wedding party, and family members, sit under a designated area where they are given preferential treatment. While the community is fed a mass meal and finds places to gather anywhere out of the sun.</div>
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After people have eaten and pictures have been taken, the Bride and Groom take their seats under a tented area. This is where they will sit and greet all the guests and be presented songs and dances from surrounding communities and barangays. And no, they don't get to eat before or during. Hours after the line began, the couple finally gets a break to eat and rest.</div>
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{Bride's and Groom's parents}</div>
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{Area for the sponsors and families. I spy cupcake towers!}</div>
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{Area for the dancing and presentations}</div>
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{Andrew taking his duties as bartender very seriously}</div>
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{As part of the presentations, some of the groups require the Bride and Groom to get up and dance which they teach them as they go along}</div>
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{Me, Arriane, and Jen dying in the heat of the afternoon}</div>
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I've come to the conclusion that Filipinos are exhausting for the couple. They are an all-day community affair without any breaks. This wedding went from 9am to midnight! While the celebration is about the couple, they really have to be "on" the whole day and put on a good face. It's not like weddings in the states where it's a big party with your closest friends and family. For me, it was a wonderful time! I'm glad I was able to make it and support Bishop and his family on that special day!</div>
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On Saturday, we all headed back to Santiago. We stopped again in Banaue for lunch but at a new spot, Sanafe Cafe. It's recommended by TripAdvisor and its no secret why. There were many foreigners there enjoying the views and delicious filipino dishes. I loved their map where you can pin where you're from. Unfortunately, somebody already pinned Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia area. </div>
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{Me and Noemi, Patrick's daughter}</div>
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{Fried bananas with honey and sesame seeds}</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-26745036060651969922014-06-18T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-18T08:00:10.307-04:00Little ThingsDuring the first week of June, St. Mark's and the Diocese of Santiago welcomed nine members of the SE Asian Anglican Communion who are here in the Philippines for six weeks of intensive Church and Community Development Leadership training. St. Mark's felt honored to host them for only a couple of days. They trained them on cooperative financial management, bookkeeping, and governance and management. In addition, the trainees, who are mostly from Myanmar and one from Papua New Guinea, visited an <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/09/sri.html">SRI field</a> and the Processing Center.<br />
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{The group at dinner on the first night/}</div>
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On the first night we took them out for dinner at a local restaurant. Then on their final night here we showed them how Filipinos do karaoke! Also, we surprised Andrew Joyce, who's overseeing and facilitating the trainings, with a birthday cake as his birthday was June 11. As a parting gift, we gave a custom polo shirt with a patch of the Foundation's logo.<br />
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{We even got one of the Myanmar visitors to sing!}</div>
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{Me presenting the polo shirts.}</div>
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{Happy Birthday to Andrew!}</div>
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{Sandra with three of the Myanmar Visitors}</div>
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Those are some of the little moments from our short visit with other members of the Anglican Communion!<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-4443462158988095312014-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-17T19:56:19.281-04:00Let me Tell you About the ECPLet me tell you about the Episcopal Church in the Philippines...<br />
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I’ve realized over the past couple of years that even though I’ve been an Episcopalian basically my whole life, I don’t know much about the actual history of <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/">The Episcopal Church</a>. Maybe you feel the same way?<br />
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After meeting with the ECP National Office staff with Buck and Emily in late March and then again with the JCPC (Joint Committee on Provincial Companionship) in early April, I’ve been awed and inspired by the journey and history of the <a href="http://ecphils.com/">Episcopal Church in the Philippines</a>. Unfortunately, I cannot tell the same story with as much passion and gumption as Attorney Floyd, the Provincial Secretary of ECP and National Development Officer of E-CARE, who lived through and had an influential hand in the process. However, I’m going to do my best.<br />
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When I say “The Episcopal Church,” I mean the Episcopal Church of the US or legally known as the “Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of PECUSA” (DFMS). Its headquarters reside in New York City, NY with staff working all around the globe. Although, you can’t even call it The Episcopal Church (TEC) of the US because of the inclusion of Province IX which includes Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. In addition, there is Haiti, the largest diocese in TEC, which is part of Province II.<br />
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And then we can’t forget that Mexico, Cuba, Liberia and the Philippines previously were part of The Episcopal Church. Mexico and the Philippines were former missionary districts of TEC and have since become autonomous provinces in the Anglican Communion.<br />
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Confused yet?<br />
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What I’m getting at is the Episcopal Church in the Philippines used to be a district within The Episcopal Church. In the late eighties and early nineties TEC made major budget cuts and decided the Philippines, Mexico and Liberia would become their own autonomous churches. Thus, the Joint Committee of the Philippine Covenant was born. The JCPC, made up of representatives from TEC and ECP, worked together to assist the ECP throughout the time of transition.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{Group shot from JCPC April 2014. I'm not pictured because I was ill}</span></div>
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1990 was the year autonomy began when the sources of revenue for ECP were 60% from The Episcopal Church and 40% from the ECP. The phasing into autonomy was a shared responsibility. First, the plan was a “10 year capital resources” plan to build up 272 million pesos in capital funds from 1990 to 1999. However, for whatever reasons it failed to materialize. In 1992, JCPC came back to the drawing board and conceptualized the 15-year step reduction plan. The annual subsidy of TEC would be reduced every five years allowing for a gradual phase out.<br />
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Throughout the gradual phase out, ECP landed in a financial crisis. They faced recurring budget deficits and salaries were constantly frozen. Everyone in the ECP began questioning the autonomy asking, “what have you led us into?”<br />
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With 10 years left in 1997, they stated their Vision to refocus efforts and energies - “by the year 2007, we envision the Episcopal Church in the Philippines to be a RENEWED Church, full SELF-SUPPORTING and REACHING OUT to proclaim God’s love in the far reaches of the nation.”<br />
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Although by 2003 they thought they had reached their limits with a 6.5 million peso deficit. Then the next year 2004 with only 3 years until the end of the phase out, they saw local income overall had increased from 40% to 86% with the subsidy of TEC being only 14%. However, that 14% subsidy amounted to 10 million pesos. People were still asking, “where will we get 10 million pesos in 3 years?”<br />
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People saw the only answer to be returning to the JCPC to ask for an extension past 2007. Then someone tossed out the unthinkable. What if the ECP did away completely with the subsidy of 10 million pesos? It became a contentious issue. In the end, that’s exactly what they did. Starting the 1st of January 2005, ECUSA subsidy, for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007 would no longer be used for budget operations but would be added to the Endowment Fund.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{The JCPC meets every 18 months and switches between meeting in the USA and the Philippines}</span></div>
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As Floyd explained, “we needed to stop looking to others. We needed to start looking at ourselves and start appreciating what we have.”<br />
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Filipinos love basketball. You’ll find basketball courts everywhere. Recently you could find the NBA playoffs on any TV of a restaurant or bar. When explaining the decision of 2004, Floyd equated it to the last two minutes of a basketball game. For any basketball fans, you know you can sleep through the whole game because it is really only the last minutes that count where the whole game can change. Teams can feel a surge of energy, a surge of brilliance in order to win the game at the sound of the buzzer.<br />
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According to Floyd, 2005 was ECP’s last two minutes. They felt a surge of renewed energy. They felt a surge of brilliance. And at the sound of the buzzer, they won the game.<br />
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In 2005, they saw a series of miracles. First, they had their first budget surplus in 15 years and were completely autonomous. Second, the ECP built the largest number and most beautiful churches throughout the country in ECP’s history. And third, they saw their biggest enrollment in seminary. <br />
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It’s a story of Faith.<br />
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It’s a story of Trust.<br />
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It’s a story of nothing short of a Miracle.<br />
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The ECP took a leap of faith and found the full Glory of God, the full Glory within their own church, within their own people. Now it’s a thriving church, but not without its struggles. They are a glowing example of successful development and relief projects. They look outside the four walls of their churches to serve those in their communities who don’t necessarily fill the pews on Sunday. They realize they are part of something bigger than themselves. The ECP truly follows the new commandment Jesus said in John 13:34-35:<br />
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<i>“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will now that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”</i></div>
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“The ECP realized that it can actually achieve as a community of faith whose local congregations must survive, grow and mature from the gifts and labors of its members.”<br />
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The ECP isn’t the only church that has struggled with financial burdens and decreases in support from outside parties. Many others are facing the same challenges especially as membership declines. However, they looked inside themselves and outward to their brothers and sisters in Christ to find the gifts of God they already had among them.<br />
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Let the story of the ECP be held as a shining example that when one takes a leap of faith, God will catch them.<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
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Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-56669695765070590272014-06-16T09:04:00.001-04:002014-06-16T09:04:23.984-04:00A Big AffairThis post is way overdue, like months past its prime, but I'm still posting it. April began with a Bishop's son's wedding and ended with a Bishop's son's wedding. First up was my bishop, Bishop Wandag's, son's wedding in Santiago. It was a big affair with Bishop's wife and son flying in from Canada!<br />
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I would say this wedding had more of a modern feel to it with a photo booth and cupcake towers! However, it wouldn't be a Filipino wedding without gongs, dancing, and singing! On April 5, we were still in the middle of summer. I felt like I was melting the whole day especially with an outdoor reception. But it was still a good time had by all!<br />
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{The Cathedral beautifully decorated for the affair}</div>
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{The groom with one of the flower girls}</div>
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{Father of the groom greeting guests as they arrive}</div>
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{Happy parents dancing to the processional hymn}</div>
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{Time to play the gongs}</div>
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{Reception hall only for sponsors}</div>
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{Some photo booth fun!}</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i></div>
<br />Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-2454227090741808382014-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-16T08:00:07.846-04:00Weekend Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>While I'm enjoying the sun, sea, and sand, catch up on what other YASC volunteers have been up to lately!</b><br />
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<a href="http://undiscoveredbrother.blogspot.com/2014/04/will-you-be-there.html">Paul</a> shares a sermon he beautifully wrote for Palm Sunday Evensong.<br />
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<a href="http://manypartsonebody.blogspot.com/2014/04/les-cayes-yet-another-haiti.html">Alan</a> traveled to Les Cayes to view another unique version of Haiti.<br />
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<a href="http://pilgrimsascending.blogspot.com/2014/04/this-is-africa-this-is-indonesia-india.html">Sean</a> started teaching English classes at ARI in Japan.<br />
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Spring has sprung in South Korea, <a href="http://cmvanschaik.blogspot.com/2014/04/lazarus-and-blossoms.html">Carlin</a> enjoys the new season and cherry blossoms!<br />
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Watch this fun video of <a href="http://nogreatthingshaiti.blogspot.com/2014/04/under-sea.html">Julie</a> snorkeling off the cost of Haiti!<br />
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<a href="http://ninaboe.blogspot.com/2014/04/settling-in-to-rio.html">Nina</a> is settling in to her new placement in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.<br />
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<a href="http://rachelcarter2.blogspot.com/2014/04/visitors-and-visit-to-machuca.html">Rachel</a> showed visitors around her school and tried out her green thumb with local farmers.<br />
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<a href="http://joseph-mission.blogspot.com/2014/04/happy-easter.html">Joseph</a> shares his Holy Week in Panama.<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
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<br />Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-80557324221068370062014-05-12T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-17T21:40:12.686-04:00Little ThingsI'm in Palawan with my cousin, Lindsay! I'm super psyched to have family here and be on vacation! The two weeks prior, I was catching up on things around the office and cleaning my house - nothing too exciting. I don't even have many little things to share with you. But there will be plenty of fun stories and adventures to share upon my return!<br />
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{Please Welcome the new members of the neighborhood}</div>
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{These 3 pups are always there to welcome me home after work}</div>
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{ECW National Triennial Convention was held in Santiago - Big Deal!}</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-68123673220721904392014-05-10T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-10T08:00:03.171-04:00Weekend Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Happy Saturday!</b><br />
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As I mentioned in my <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2014/05/weekend-reading.html">last Weekend Reading post,</a> I'm in Manila picking up my cousin, Lindsay! We will be heading to the island of Palawan for one week. I'm taking a true vacation and becoming a beach bum. But we'll also be doing some island hopping and snorkeling. I can't wait to share our adventures!<br />
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<b>I'm still trying to catch up on my lack of Weekend Reading posts. The YASCers are doing many great things - too many to share all at once!</b><br />
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<a href="http://pendletonyasc.blogspot.com/2014/04/walking-tour-of-havana.html">Will P.</a> gives us a walking tour of Havana, Cuba.<br />
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<a href="http://beckygleason.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-things-everyone-everywhere-would.html">Becky</a> writes beautifully about "10 Things Everyone Everywhere Would Understand."<br />
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<a href="http://willbryantyasc.blogspot.com/2014/04/when-in-rome.html">Will B.</a> announces he'll be volunteering for another year with YASC by moving from Hong Kong to Rome!<br />
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<a href="http://untotheendsoftheearth.blogspot.com/2014/04/nom-nom-nom.html">Keri</a> explains the exotic foods of South Africa.<br />
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<a href="http://joseph-mission.blogspot.com/2014/04/machuca-and-then-some.html">Joseph</a> gives an update on recent happenings in Panama.<br />
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<a href="http://nogreatthingshaiti.blogspot.com/2014/04/happy-birthday-to-me.html">Julie</a> celebrated her birthday in Haiti!<br />
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<a href="http://serviceandstories.blogspot.com/2014/04/jcpc-friendship.html">Margaret</a> gives a deeper explanation of the JCPC meeting we attended.<br />
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<a href="http://pilgrimsascending.blogspot.com/2014/04/community-event-bonfire-of-song-and.html">Sean</a> shares another photo update from his life in Japan.<br />
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<a href="http://rachelcarter2.blogspot.com/2014/04/after-visit-to-machuca-i-had-another.html">Rachel</a> updates us on recent visitors and her Holy Week in Panama.<br />
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<a href="http://teachprayserve.blogspot.com/2014/04/easter-production.html">Heidi</a> shares her school's annual Easter Production.<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-74878651255473656282014-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-14T19:25:23.551-04:00"Philippines: Mission in the midst of crisis"You could call this another "guest post." Emily wrote another wonderful article about the ECP and the Diocese of Davao after our visit. Everyone knows about <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/11/super-typhoon-haiyan.html">Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda which hit back in November</a>. While it may have left the thoughts of many, it is still the present for a number of Filipinos. Even though it's been six months since the storm struck, the Episcopal Church has not stopped relief efforts. Please read on to learn more!<br />
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This <a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/04/08/philippines-mission-in-the-midst-of-crisis/">article</a> was posted on <a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/">Episcopal News Service</a> blog on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 and written by Emily Cherry, Communications Director for <a href="http://www.thediocese.net/">the Diocese of Virginia</a>:<br />
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Philippines: Mission in the midst of crisis</h3>
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Global partnerships deepen as typhoon response continues </h4>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The island of Bantayan counts children in its team of volunteers. The Diocese of Davao</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> supports a continuing relief and economic redevelopment project in Bantayan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: Gideon Bustamante</span></div>
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Just over a week after the bishop of the newest diocese in the Philippines was consecrated on Nov. 23, 2012, Super Typhoon Bopha hit, killing more than 1,000 people and destroying homes and land. Almost 12 months later, in November 2013, came Super Typhoon Haiyan, killing as many as 10,000 people, making it one of the deadliest storms in the Philippines to date. As the Rt. Rev. Jonathan L. Casimina, bishop, put it, “We began our diocese with a typhoon, and we ended our first year with a typhoon.”</div>
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In between those environmentally catastrophic bookends came plenty of struggles for the Diocese of Davao in the Episcopal Church of the Philippines, which today is a year and a half old. While facing the usual start-up challenges of staffing, finances and vision-building, the diocese also had to look outward to its community, and quickly determine what role disaster response would play in its ministry. But it’s those struggles that have helped formed the new diocese, according to the bishop. “Even in crisis, there’s always an opportunity for mission,” said Casimina. “And that’s where our church is actually being defined.”</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Following destruction caused by Typhoon Bopha in 2012, representatives from the Diocese of Davao provided relief to residents of a small mountain village. Those residents asked the diocese for spiritual support, as well, and Chapel of the Transfiguration, pictured here, was born. Photo: Emily Cherry</span></div>
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In March 2014, staff from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia visited the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, where Young Adult Service Corps volunteer Ashley Cameron of Virginia is stationed. “Our goal in making this trip to the Philippines was not only to visit with our YASCer Ashley Cameron, but also to learn how the Episcopal Church in the Philippines approaches its ministries,” said Buck Blanchard, the Diocese of Virginia’s director for mission and outreach. “The staff at the Episcopal Church Center had expressed interest in having more dioceses reach out and get to know the Episcopal Church in the Philippines,” he added. “It’s important for us to make those personal connections with our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Communion to see what unites us.”</div>
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The Episcopal Diocese of Davao is located on the island of Mindanao, in the southern Philippines. When Haiyan – or Yolanda, as it is known locally – hit, it targeted victims a bit further north. As a group that had previous experience responding to natural disaster with Typhoon Bopha, the Diocese of Davao started to mobilize. Within one week, the diocesan youth and the Episcopal Church Women group had hosted a “Dinner for a Cause” to raise funds to support the typhoon victims. High-school students had gone door-to-door to collect more than $2,000 to donate to diocesan relief efforts.</div>
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And on the day Typhoon Haiyan struck, the Diocese of Davao released a Letter of Appeal: “As people of faith we are yet again reminded of the powerful symbols of wind and water being both as destructive, as in the case of storms such as this super typhoon, as well as nurturing and life giving, especially in relation to scriptural and sacramental reflection of our liturgical life. Let us not be overwhelmed nor disheartened by all this tragic destruction we see and hear on the news.”</div>
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The diocese identified in the tragedy an opportunity for ministry – an opportunity to claim an identity in the face of disaster. Casimina looked at the situation like this: “If we make ministry our priority, God will definitely provide for our needs.” So three weeks after the storm, the diocese organized a team of 30 people – including almost all of the diocesan staff members, some local clergy and a team of medical volunteers from the Diocese of Sebah in Malaysia – to take a disaster response trip to Bantayan Island.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Coconut trees on the island of Bantayan will take a few more years to recover from the damage </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">caused </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Typhoon Haiyan. The Diocese of Davao supports a continuing relief and </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">economic redevelopment project in Bantayan. Photo: Gideon Bustamante</span></div>
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Situated in the Visayan Sea, Bantayan is a small island where almost all of the homes were destroyed. Most of the area was completely flooded, groves of coconut trees destroyed and farms leveled. “People were holding onto anything just to survive,” said Casimina. But media and relief efforts seemed to focus primarily on the area surrounding the city of Tacloban on Leyte Island, where the devastation was severe. So the Diocese of Davao decided to focus its efforts on Bantayan instead. The group distributed relief packs full of food, soap and supplies. The medical team performed minor operations, and provided medicine and supplies.</div>
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The Episcopal Church in the Philippines does not have any congregations on Bantayan, where the population is mostly Roman Catholic. But, as Casimina explained, “It feels good to help your neighbor… but it feels better to help a stranger … It is incumbent on our part to really help, regardless of what their religion is. That is one of the strengths of the Episcopal Diocese of Davao.”</div>
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During their visit, the Virginia team toured several dioceses in the north to learn about their ministries and development projects, in addition to a trip to the Diocese of Davao in the south. “We specifically went to Davao because it is a brand new diocese that is looking for international friends,” said Blanchard. “We want to make sure that we are open and receptive to those sorts of opportunities to connect with people who are so eager to share their story.”</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Staff of the Diocese of Davao, pictured here with Ashley Cameron of the Young Adult </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Service Corps </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">and Emily Cherry and Buck Blanchard of the Diocese of Virginia, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">joined together in a disaster relief project following Typhoon Haiyan. Photo: Emily Cherry</span></div>
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The Virginia team spent time with national and diocesan staff, learning about rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts. “The Episcopal Church of the Philippines’ approach to typhoon relief is community-based – and by no means limited to Episcopal communities,” said Blanchard. The Diocese of Santiago, for example, is home to a center that produces food to be shipped to the typhoon victims. And in the Diocese of Davao, Blanchard added, “I was impressed at their willingness to be fearless and to simply go where they felt called, without a lot of hand-wringing – and that’s something we can learn from.”</div>
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Now, five months after Haiyan struck, the Diocese of Davao continues its efforts on Bantayan island, moving from the development and relief phase of rebuilding structures to the economic rehabilitation phase. “Maybe we cannot provide all their needs, but at least we can do something to help their livelihoods,” said Gideon Bustamante, program coordinator in the Social Ministry Unit for the Diocese of Davao.</div>
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On a recent trip back to Bantayan, Bustamante reported that, while many homes had been repaired, as much as 40 percent of the population was living in shelter boxes and tents in some cities. As a large fishing community, many residents’ incomes are suffering as a result of destroyed boats and nets, and the diocese has plans to help rebuild and refurbish those. They continue to distribute food and relief supplies, as well. Bustamante is coordinating with the national church office to discuss future plans for economic rehabilitation. And the group from Malaysia is making plans to return, along with a youth group from Japan.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Members of St. Mary’s Chapel in the Diocese of Davao. Photo: Emily Cherry</span></div>
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Typhoons are a constant for the 7,000+ islands that make up the Philippines, and likewise, typhoon response is a top priority for the Episcopal Church of the Philippines, which became an official missionary district of the Episcopal Church in 1901 and later was a diocese of the Episcopal Church. In 1990, it became an independent province of the Anglican Communion, and continues today in a covenant relationship with the Episcopal Church. Following Haiyan, the Episcopal Church issued a statement about its approach to disaster relief: “If there is any bright spot to the catastrophic landscape brought about by the destructive typhoons, it is the immediate response of the Filipino people, even those directly affected, wanting to help fellow Filipinos.”</div>
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The church’s response focuses on sustainability and community loan programs – and it’s a churchwide effort. Throughout the process, they’ve found, “Disasters usually bring out the best in communities,” said Floyd Lalwet, provincial secretary for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. “Our people have become more open to giving to others,” said Lalwet. “There’s an openness to share not only money, but [products] of our own communities.”</div>
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A long-standing partner of the U.S.-based Episcopal Church, the Church in the Philippines also has found support from the global community in its typhoon relief efforts, including from Episcopal Relief & Development. In the aftermath of Haiyan, the relief organization spearheaded fundraising efforts, in addition to providing rebuilding support. Sean McConnell and Sara Delaney of Episcopal Relief & Development recently returned from a trip to the Philippines. “When it comes to typhoon relief, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines exemplifies the best in asset-based methodology,” McConnell said. Individual communities analyze their resources and then determine how best they can use those assets to benefit others while sustaining themselves.</div>
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The Diocese of Davao, through its ministry to typhoon victims, is an example of a church that has grown in its openness to giving. The diocese is proud of its Episcopal identity, and dedicated to nurturing it. “The Episcopal Church is too good not to be shared with others,” said Casimina. That maxim held true in the mountains surrounding Davao city. Following the December 2012 Typhoon Bopha, known locally as Pablo, diocesan representatives traveled to outlying areas to offer relief and rebuilding services. In one area, after receiving aid from the Diocese of Davao, the local residents wanted to join and worship in the Episcopal Church. “They asked us not only to sustain their material needs, but to sustain their spiritual needs, as well,” said Casimina. And so the Chapel of the Transfiguration was created in the Diocese of Davao. By reaching out to help a community, the diocese actually grew and strengthened their church.</div>
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<a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/files/2014/04/ens_040814_typhoonDavao4-500x333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/files/2014/04/ens_040814_typhoonDavao4-500x333.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Following destruction caused by Typhoon Bopha in 2012, representatives from the Diocese of Davao provided relief to residents of a small mountain village. Those residents asked the diocese for spiritual support, as well, and Chapel of the Transfiguration, was born. Here, members of Transfiguration welcome visitors. Photo: Emily Cherry</span></div>
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That mentality and outward-reaching focus has served the Diocese of Davao well in its inaugural year. They’ve created an ambitious agenda which features HIV/AIDs awareness, evangelism and communications, and environmental advocacy. Most recently, the diocese was awarded a United Thank Offering grant for the construction of a cathedral that also will host a sanctuary center for female and child victims of abuse.</div>
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It’s this commitment to community that has made their typhoon relief efforts all the more powerful. The Diocese of Davao’s letter of appeal following Typhoon Haiyan continues: “Let not the howling winds nor crashing waves deter us from listening to the still, small voice of God whispering in our hearts to remember and lift up all the typhoon victims in our prayers and, in the compassionate spirit of Christ, to become his hands in reaching out and bringing comfort and consolation to their suffering and grieving hearts in anyway and manner we can in extending our help to them whether in cash or in kind assisting them towards eventual healing and rebuilding of their shattered lives in further strengthening their fervent hope for a new and better life.”</div>
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Today, in the Diocese of Davao and the greater Episcopal Church in the Philippines, that commitment to heal, rebuild and strengthen continues.</div>
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Learn about Episcopal Relief & Development’s response to Typhoon Haiyan <a href="https://www.episcopalrelief.org/press-and-resources/press-releases/2014-press-releases/churchs-typhoon-response-builds-resilience-boosts-economy">here</a>.</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i></div>
Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-24538027221733289142014-05-08T09:21:00.001-04:002014-05-08T09:21:35.113-04:00BE in the Philippines - Down SouthThe Diocese of Davao, the last stop on our Philippine whirlwind, or better known as the “Battle with the Durian.”<br />
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Durian is Davao’s pride and joy. A fruit they say that “tastes like heaven, smells like hell.” Well, it definitely smells like Dante’s inferno and I’d go as far to say it takes like it to. But I’m getting ahead of myself.<br />
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{Me and Bishop Casimina with the Durian}</div>
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Buck, Emily, and I boarded a plane to Davao early Wednesday morning. First stop was the Diocesan office and guesthouse. The breakfast spread was full of new, colorful foods. I think we were all a little frazzled and overwhelmed after the 3:30am wake up call. I kept the coffee flowing. Next thing we all know Bishop is saying, “well they’ll have to try it at some point. Yes, let’s bring out the durian.” Now, long before this trip I heard from Andrew to stay away. I didn’t quite understand his warning until the durian aura enters the room and your mouth immediately snaps up to cover your nose while your throat slowly closes shut. This is when the battle began.<br />
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With all eyes on me, I was the first to entertain our hosts by trying their precious fruit. They did say it takes like heaven so my hopes were up. The insides don’t look like any fruit I’ve ever seen. I would go for more of a whale blubber description with a pale yellow and gray coloring. I managed to swallow it and say, “interesting.” That was the closest of a warning I could give Emily without insulting Davao’s pride. I guess in some ways it was good we got it over and done with. We could say we tried it, but would definitely not be eating it again.<br />
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{The inside of the durian fruit}</div>
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{new and colorful food to try}</div>
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The Diocesan staff was kind to take in to account our early travel and let us have a long break at the hotel before an afternoon meeting. The meeting was similar to the one the day before. We took time to listen, learn, and share. Each office gave a presentation some included wonderful videos of their work!<br />
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It’s important to note that the Episcopal Diocese of Davao (EDD) is the newest diocese of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP), the daughter diocese of Episcopal Diocese of Southern Philippines. Bishop Casimina’s consecration took place in November 2012, only six days before devastating Typhoon Pablo hit the Mindanao Island. Then in November 2013 as EDD was celebrating the one-year mark, Super Typhoon Yolanda swept over the Philippines.<br />
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Instead of seeing the two natural disasters which bookended the first year as bad omens, Bishop Casimina and his wonderful staff saw it as an opportunity to spread God’s good works and assist in Typhoon relief. The diocese isn’t even two years old, it struggles month to month financially, and is the smallest in terms of baptized members, but those factors don’t deter it from extending a hand to its neighbors.<br />
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{Development Officer, Gideon Bustamante, sharing their work with Typhoon Relief} </div>
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{Group photo with the staff and a couple of clergy}</div>
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We continued to be astounded and energized by EDD the next day when Bishop Casimina and some of his staff took us to meet some of his congregations. At each one young and old congregation members joyously welcomed us. We had great fun introducing ourselves, explaining why we were there, meeting them as they stood to share their names and history of the church, and sometimes singing a song. Unfortunately, the battle of the durian continued as each church presented numerous fruits to the Bishop as a gift for his visit. The smell couldn’t be avoided as it wafted through the air aiming at Emily and I’s noses as searched for fresh air as quickly as possible. The durian lost some ground as we persuaded the other car to transport the fruit for the Bishop.<br />
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{Buck was in his element and loving life!}</div>
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{Emily is the one who "takes the pictures" - that's motion she's making}</div>
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{Bishop Casimina}</div>
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{Group shot with St. Bartholomew}</div>
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{No, that child is not wearing a wig}</div>
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{Wacky-Wacky shot with St. Mary the Immaculate}</div>
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{Introducing ourselves to St. Mary the Virgin Parish}</div>
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{One of the founders of the parish}</div>
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The most inspiring visit took place at Transfiguration Church. Upon arriving, we learned that the members of the church were not yet baptized Episcopalians. As one of the newest mission stations, the parish formed after the staff of the diocese assisted the community after a typhoon. While receiving the relief efforts, the community realized not only did they want to be fed physically but also spiritually. Hence the church building was constructed and the mission station formed. The only regret the community has is not learning about the Episcopal Church sooner.<br />
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{Diocese of Virginia World Mission hats for everyone!}</div>
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We returned back to the guesthouse to an overwhelming, delightful feast. Buck, Emily, and I shared our reflections and impression on our visit to Davao. It was their first time hosting international guests in such a way and wanted to hear feedback, but it will not be their last! It became difficult to share as durian was brought in as we began. Let me tell you it is hard to only breathe through your mouth and talk at the same time! Of course, we only had fabulous things to say. By visiting the congregations, we could see Bishop and his staff pour their heart and soul into these parishes and mission stations. It's hard not to when met with such joyous people in every congregation. Lastly, we received wonderful gifts for our visit and said our goodbyes as we were leaving early the next morning.<br />
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You could say we lost the battle to durian as we retreated far, far away from fruit that tasted like hell and smelled even worse. Even in the airport and on the airplane it lingered. It wasn’t until we were safely inside Manila’s airport that we had finally escaped our combatant.<br />
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Otherwise, it was a fabulous end to a fabulous trip!<br />
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{Map of our road trip}</div>
<br />
10 days,<br />
36 hours on the road,<br />
6 different languages/dialects,<br />
5 dioceses,<br />
4 bishops,<br />
2 islands<br />
and numerous wacky, wacky photos,<br />
led to a trip of a lifetime with two wonderful friends! Bridges were built and friendships are just beginning to blossom.<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
<i>Photos by Emily Cherry and me</i><br />
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<i>Check back tomorrow for a wonderful article by Emily detailing EDD’s Typhoon Relief Efforts.</i><br />
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Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-6261173968497258752014-05-07T09:14:00.000-04:002014-05-07T09:14:27.753-04:00BE in the Philippines - Longest DriveAs the road trip continued, Monday, March 24, was our longest on the road. We made the 13-hour trek from Tadian to Manila with a stop in between.<br />
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The stop over worked perfectly as it was six hours between our two endpoints and was the location of another YASC placement. Yup, you guessed it – Baguio!<br />
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Before arriving there, the Philippines’ beauty continued to impress as we glided through rolling countryside and climbed towering cliffs where we skirted along the tops of the mountains through the clouds. I’d never driven this route before. We made two stops to take in the fresh, cool air and the impressive views. One stop was marked the “Highest Point in the Philippines Highway System.”<br />
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We met Margaret at Easter College where she took us on a tour around the campus. Summer break had started and graduation was happening later in the week, so the campus was mostly empty of students. We met fellow teachers, Ma’am May, principle of the high school, Ma’am Bridget, and Padi Alice. Another small world moment, Padi Alice had just returned from Virginia Theological Semiary (VTS) where she was a guest speaker at a conference! Who knew we’d find so many connections to the Diocese of Virginia throughout the Philippines!<br />
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We enjoyed lunch at one of my favorite places, Health 100. It’s completely vegan and organic – the type of food I never get in Santiago. I learned they aren’t lying about it being organic by finding a little inchworm in my salad! Ma’am Fe, the Social Justice Ministries Officer of the Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines, joined us. We learned all about the advocacy work she’s developing especially serving migrant workers. She’s quite an impressive lady!<br />
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After a short tour of the Cathedral and diocesan offices, located right next to Health 100, it was time to pile back into the car for another six hours to Manila. By 9pm we were collapsing on our beds in the hotel.<br />
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Tuesday brought another chance to continue building bridges between the Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. My home parish, St. James’, Leesburg, lovingly sent the most precious tote bags made by the Kids with Purpose group filled with craft supplies for kids affected by Typhoon Yolanda! Everyone at the National Office was touched by the labor of love and couldn’t wait to deliver them.<br />
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Buck, Emily, and I met with Attorney Floyd, the Provincial Secretary of ECP, and other National Office staff. The meeting allows a bond to form that can only take place by sitting down together and listening. We both shared stories, our hopes and our goals about our churches. In addition, we learned how this newly formed relationship can continue to grow and reach others.<br />
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Afterwards, we shared a scrumptious Filipino lunch. The afternoon we had off to chill. It was a welcomed break. That night we planned to get dinner with Attorney and a visiting Episcopal Relief & Development staff member. Unfortunately, ERD got a late start back to Manila from the field. Our break continued while we enjoyed reflecting on first seven days of our trip. Then headed to bed early as we had an early 4am start to fly to Davao on the southern island of Mindanao.<br />
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I would say the road trip continues but it kind of stops as we flew to the next stop on our whirlwind journey!<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
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<i>Photos by Emily Cherry</i></div>
Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-87889855859299554082014-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-05T08:00:09.788-04:00Be a Shepherd of God's FlockEvery Monday morning the diocesan staff starts the week of with Morning Prayer. Two people are assigned to read the lessons, one old testament and one new testament, and share on them. It works out to everybody sharing once a quarter. Somehow every time I was scheduled to share, something came up and it got cancelled.<br />
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This Monday, Cinco de Mayo, I (finally) got my chance to deliver a sharing on 1 Peter 5:1-14.<br />
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1 Peter 5:1-14:<br />
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<i>"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's suffereings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - no because you must, but because you are willing to and wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. </i><br />
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<i>Young men, in the same way be submissive in those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' </i><i>Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.</i><br />
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<i>Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.</i><br />
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<i>And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.</i><br />
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<i>With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. </i><br />
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<i>She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. </i><br />
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<i>Peace to all of you who are in Christ."</i><br />
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<b>Here's what I reflected:</b><br />
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Jesus was the ultimate shepherd. He was a good shepherd to the Lord. In John 10:14 he says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.”<br />
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And so he did.<br />
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Jesus laid down his life for his sheep, for us, for his followers. He laid down his life as a shepherd so he could take it up again.<br />
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We all know the story – we just celebrated it a few weeks ago during Easter. The resurrection which showed there is always light and righteousness with Jesus.<br />
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Now in today’s new testament reading, Peter tells us, “be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers.”<br />
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Jesus knew his fate. Before he died, he made disciples and what did he tell those disciples? “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”<br />
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Make disciples of all nations. Create followers throughout the world. Become shepherds of God’s sheep. As we await his coming and glory we must be God’s shepherds of God’s flock as we make disciples.<br />
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Sheep need shepherds for guidance, protection, and guarding. Without a shepherd, sheep are defenseless creatures who can destroy themselves or be destroyed with equal ease. Sheep need to be led away from the cliff by their shepherd. They need to pulled out when they get their horns stuck in the fence by their shepherd.<br />
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And as Peter writes, “and God of all grace, who called you to his eternal Glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself to restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”<br />
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Just like the sheep, we need God to pull us out of our own suffering away from the cliff and out of the fence. Everyone needs a shepherd to guide, protect, and guard them. A good shepherd, a good leader, will have those who are behind him, follow him.<br />
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That’s all God is asking – for us to lead in the spirit of him once he himself has made us strong, firm, and steadfast. He is asking us to be disciples so we can make disciples of every one.<br />
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Discipleship is really about what we do with our feet. It’s about getting and walking and following Christ. Follow Jesus with your feet because he is the way, the truth, and the light.<br />
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As Harold says from <i>The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry</i>, “If I just keep putting one food in front of the other, it stands to reason that I am going to get there. I’ve begun to think we sit for more than we are supposed why else would we have feet?”<br />
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Why else would God have given us feet if we were not supposed to follow?<br />
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Why else would God have given us feet if we were not supposed to lead through his example?<br />
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AMEN.<br />
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Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-67663684651952544032014-05-04T22:16:00.002-04:002014-05-04T22:16:54.072-04:00Weekend Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Sunday Funday!</b><br />
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Not really, unless you count fun as reading in the warm sunshine and watching a movie you can barely hear as a summer thunderstorm pounds down on the roof. It may not necessarily be "fun" but it's exactly what I needed.<br />
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To show how much I've been on the go, last week was my first five day work week in three months. Maybe three and half months? I'd grown accustomed to it, that by Thursday it felt like Friday and I was ready for the weekend. At the same time, it's nice not to be go-go-go. I have two weeks to catch up on things in the office.<br />
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I'm happy to announce my cousin, Lindsay, will be visiting for a week! She flies in this Saturday night. then we will be heading to Palawan for a true vacation filled with island hopping, beach bumming, and snorkeling. I'm super excited and can't wait to see a different part of the country! Also, can you believe I've been living on an island for eight months now and have yet to see the beach?!<br />
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<b>The last time I did a <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/search/label/weekend%20reading">"Weekend Reading"</a> post was March 17. There is much to catch up on in the lives of other YASCers!</b><br />
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<a href="http://pendletonyasc.blogspot.com/2014/04/what-it-means-to-be-missionary-in-cuba.html">Will P.</a> does a wonderful job of explaining what it means to be a missionary in Cuba.<br />
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<a href="http://manypartsonebody.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-journey-continues-yasc-year-2.html">Alan</a> has an important announcement! He'll be staying a second year in Haiti, but splitting time in South Carolina.<br />
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<a href="http://willbryantyasc.blogspot.com/2014/05/from-russi-mean-ukraine-with-love.html">Will B.</a> reflects upon how small the world is and how the happenings in Ukraine are affecting his ministry to seafarers in Hong Kong.<br />
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<a href="http://hannahperls.blogspot.com/2014/05/if-music-be-food-of-love.html">Hannah</a> reflects on how music has been a place of comfort and love during her time in El Salvador.<br />
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<a href="http://beckygleason.blogspot.com/2014/04/holy-week-in-central-america.html">Becky</a> shares about her Holy Week in Central America where part was spent in Panama!<br />
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<a href="http://cmvanschaik.blogspot.com/2014/04/sorrow-lanterns-and-plants-this-week-in.html">Carlin</a> experiences a South Korean tradition - the annual lotus lantern parade.<br />
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<a href="http://teachprayserve.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-day-in-life.html">Heidi</a> walks us through a day of her life in Tanzania.<br />
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<a href="http://undiscoveredbrother.blogspot.com/2014/04/dont-you-wish-something-to-smile-about.html">Paul</a> had the wonderful opportunity to meet Gcina Mhlophe, a South African poet.<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-75814834758985551842014-04-30T08:30:00.001-04:002014-04-30T08:30:41.280-04:00BE in the Philippines - On the Farm<div>
"Go ahead, take a whiff," encouraged Erwin Alawas referring to smelling the fermenting organic fertilizer. </div>
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{It actually smelled a little like bourbon - not bad}</div>
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One of the main reasons we were scheduled to visit the Tadian Training Center and Demonstration Farm was to see Andrew and the work of another YASCer. Unfortunately, Andrew got called away to the United States at the last minute. However, we still stopped by the farm, about an hour drive from Sagada, to check out his placement. His partner-in-crime, Erwin Alawas, was a wonderful host and guide.</div>
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Vision: <i>The Tadian Natural Farming Enterprise aims to be a leaser in innovation and a champion of the environment, and a repsonsible partner and guide in the improvement of the health, wealth, and livelihood of the people of the Philippines.</i><br />
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They spruced up the farm and made additions <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/12/tadian-farm.html">since the last time I was there in December</a>. It looked great with labels detailing their organic farming and natural production information and procedures. They added a new pig pen with more pigs. The warehouse and classroom is ready for instruction!<br />
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Besides touring and learning about the farm, it was a pretty relaxing late afternoon and evening. I think Buck and Emily were starting to feel their jet lag. We'd also been on the road for 15 hours in 4 days. A long day in the car awaited us the next day. We needed to relax and take in the gorgeous views Tadian provides.<br />
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{Can't get a morning more gorgeous than that}</div>
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The next morning, Monday morning, we got an early start for a long day. We were off to Manila with a stop in Baguio for lunch with Margaret.</div>
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The road trip continues!</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i></div>
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<i>Photos by Emily Cherry</i></div>
Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-71240410784202235692014-04-29T09:04:00.000-04:002014-04-29T09:04:11.921-04:00BE in the Philippines - On a Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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“It’s called St. Simon Peter because the church literally sits on top of a rock,” explained Bishop Brent.</div>
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He wasn’t kidding. When we drove up it was exactly as he said. The Sagada part of the trip wasn’t planned, but flexibility is always called for during trips like these. </div>
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It ended up being one of Buck’s favorite stops. Patrick and I went back and forth on adding Sagada to the itinerary but I could never find a good enough reason. Therefore when Bishop Brent invited us to accompany him for baptisms and confirmations in Sagada, we couldn’t say no. </div>
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We packed up our things in Bontoc early Sunday morning, hopped in the car, and drove 45 minutes higher into the mountains of Mountain Province. Breakfast was served at St. Joseph’s Rest House, the Anglican guesthouse and restaurant. I believe there was enough coffee served to wake the dead. </div>
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As we drove up to the church, we found out Bishop Brent wasn’t kidding. The church of St. Simon Peter sits on top of some pretty huge boulders. The church was packed with young and old alike buzzing with excitement for the baptisms and confirmations. The service was even a little different for me because it’s in mountain province – different culture, different language. We witnessed two baptisms and around 30 or more confirmations. Buck commented to Bishop how that’s a large number for us in VA. He chuckled back that it’s actually a pretty small number for him! </div>
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Lunch was served afterwards. Some vestry members and a visiting priest joined us. Small world moment – the visiting priest was sponsored by a priest at St. James’s, Richmond in the 60s to attend seminary! </div>
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For lunch they served pinakpikan or better known as beating the chicken slowly (cue <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1eOsMc2Fgg">Roberta Flack</a>). Buck and Emily, regrettably, learned exactly how this dish is cooked. I unfortunately already knew. Yes, the chicken is slowly beaten while someone holds back its wings. This method allows the blood to rush into the meat and plump it up before cooking. Then the feathers are all burned off instead of the normal plucking. You know someone is making this nearby from the familiar burning chicken feather smell. While the method might be distasteful, the dish is quite delicious! </div>
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Once we finished up lunch, we parted ways with Bishop Brent and our lovely hosts at St. Simon Peter. Andrew, our driver, is a native of Sagada and became our tour guide for the afternoon. We walked down to the entrance of Sumaging Cave to see the hanging coffins. Then we hiked straight back up – no <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/12/sagadas-fear-factor.html">caving connection this time</a>! Pulled over to see a stunning sea of green rice terraces. Followed by a stop at St. Mary’s Anglican Church and the cemetery. </div>
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The road trip continues with a stop at <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/12/tadian-farm.html">Tadian Demonstration Farm</a>!<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
<i>Photos by Emily Cherry</i><br />
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Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-8163065232620179552014-04-28T08:50:00.001-04:002014-04-28T08:50:26.410-04:00Little ThingsLast week I attended a baptism, a wedding, and a funeral. Now that's celebrating the true circle of life.<br />
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{Funeral of Fr. William Codpayas celebrated by Bp. Wandag}</div>
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The funeral on Tuesday morning celebrated the life and death of Fr. William Codpayas. He was the priest of the church, St. Mark's, whose preschool where I've been assisting. Only a month ago was he diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, it progressed quickly and on Good Friday he was gone. The church was packed for the funeral and attended by at least 25 clergy representing four dioceses. The service was beautiful and I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend.<br />
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{I swear I'm not a giant! Padi Auhra is just super petite.}</div>
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The baptism on Tuesday was for four-month-old Generosa, daughter of Padi Auhra and Deacon Hilbert. She's the cutest and has the most beautiful, sweetest priest as a mother!<br />
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{Noemi and I at lunch in Banaue on Saturday}</div>
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Then on Thursday I headed to Bontoc with my manager, Patrick, his daughter, Noemi, and a few other co-workers, Grace, Maritess, and Carolyn. Bishop Brent of EDNP's oldest son, Challikes, got married on Friday morning. It was a fabulous, quick, three-day trip where I caught up with people I hadn't seen in months. Even Andrew, fellow YASCer, was a member of the wedding party! We also stopped at two glorious lunch spots in Banaue on Thursday and Saturday!<br />
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{Can you spot Andrew? He's the only white guy. And the tallest.}</div>
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I can't believe the month of April is almost over! My travels are almost over. Can't wait for June where things will greatly slow down!<br />
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{The mango tree in front of my house is finally bearing fruit!}</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-29348490255363399882014-04-25T08:00:00.000-04:002014-04-25T08:00:10.671-04:00The YASCers of the PhilippinesYou could call today a "guest post." I'm cheating a little bit! I'm at Bishop Brent's son's wedding in Bontoc and didn't have time to put together a post. I shared the link a few weeks back via Facebook, but if you missed it here is the ENS article written by Emily Cherry about the three YASCers in the Philippines!<br />
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<i>This <a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/04/04/young-adults-form-faith-through-service-in-the-philippines/">article</a> was posted on <a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/">Episcopal News Service</a> blog on Friday, April 4, 2014 and written by Emily Cherry, Communications Director for <a href="http://www.thediocese.net/">the Diocese of Virginia</a>:</i><br />
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Young adults form faith through service in the Philippines</h4>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As part of her work with the Episcopal Development Foundation of St. Mark’s in the Diocese of Santiago, YASCer Ashley Cameron visits with market shop owners who receive small business loans from the church foundation. Photo: Emily Cherry</span></div>
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Almost everywhere you travel in the Philippines, you see rice: steamed and served in heaping bowls on every table; unhusked and drying in the sun alongside roads; bagged and ready to be milled; packed into trucks along the highway; and growing in fields and towering terraces across the landscape of 7,000-plus islands.</div>
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It’s an industry that the nation – and <a href="http://www.episcopalchurchphilippines.com/1ecp2/">the Episcopal Church in the Philippines</a> – takes seriously. The church is one of the biggest proponents of Systems Rice Intensification, a simple but effective method of planting the fields to produce a higher yield.</div>
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Because the SRI crops are planted far apart, the first 15 days of the growing season finds fields looking remarkably sparse – even barren – compared to neighboring fields farmed with traditional practices. In those initial days, before the results start to show, farmers trying the new technique live in uncertainty, hoping and praying it will bear fruit. With rice farming, one could say, it’s important to have a little faith.</div>
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That’s a lesson that young Episcopalians from the United States are learning during their assignments in the Philippines through the <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/young-adult-service-corps">Young Adult Service Corps</a> (YASC), an Episcopal Church program that sends young adults across the Anglican Communion to grow in service through ministry with local communities. This year, Ashley Cameron from the Diocese of Virginia, Margaret Clinch from the Diocese of Southern Ohio and Andrew Joyce from the Diocese of Kentucky are learning what it means to grow in faith through service in the Philippines.</div>
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The Episcopal Church in the Philippines approaches its ministries holistically, said Floyd Lalwet, provincial secretary. “The church will not just take care of the spiritual lives of the people,” he said, but of the body and mind as well.</div>
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Clinch’s YASC assignment exemplifies that third category. She had requested a placement in the Philippines because of the likelihood of being assigned to a teaching position. Her background teaching through AmeriCorps made her a natural fit for a position teaching at Easter College in the city of Baguio in the Diocese of the North Central Philippines, where she instructs high school students in spoken English and Christian education.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">YASCer Margaret Clinch, pictured here with fellow YASCer Ashley Cameron and Buck Blanchard of the Diocese of Virginia, tours the grounds of Easter College in Baguio, where she’s spending the year teaching. Photo Emily Cherry</span></div>
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One of the most fulfilling parts of the experience was something of a surprise, she said. The Diocese of the North Central Philippines recently launched its first Lay Theological Institute. When the bishop learned that Clinch majored in biology and religion at college, he asked her to teach a course on the intersection of faith and science. It’s a seminar-style class that emphasizes discussion, using storytelling as a frame for conversation about science and religion.</div>
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Storytelling has been a central focus for Clinch’s months in the Philippines, throughout all her ministries. “We understand everything within the context of the stories we tell,” she said.</div>
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Clinch tells her own stories on her blog, Service and Stories in the Philippines. All 26 YASC participants stationed across the globe maintain blogs to chronicle and share their journeys, and they also connect frequently via social media. It’s that community of corps members that cinched the deal for Clinch. After attending a discernment weekend with other potential candidates, “I fell in love with the program,” she said. “It is a really great community, and that’s what drew me there.”</div>
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Unlike many corps members, Clinch didn’t apply out of a love for foreign travel. Her flight to Manila was her first trip overseas. Arriving, she wondered: Where would her meals come from? How would she overcome the language barrier?</div>
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In August, Clinch will transition to an Episcopal Service Corps program in Baltimore, another step out of her comfort zone. But she’ll take some lessons from her YASC experience with her. “I’ll come into the Episcopal Service Corps … knowing how to be in a community that is not my own,” she said.</div>
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<b>Building and sustaining</b></div>
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For Joyce, the “foreignness” of the YASC experience has been part of the challenge.</div>
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“The biggest challenge I have encountered is learning to deal with, and accept, being a minority,” he said. “It’s an eye-opening, enlightening and terrifying experience to walk into a room and have people instantly judge you by the color of your skin.”</div>
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Joyce is serving his second year as a YASC missionary, stationed at the Tadian Organic Farm Demonstration and Learning Center in the Diocese of Northern Philippines.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">YASCer Andrew Joyce works in the greenhouse at the Tadian Organic and Demonstration Farm, where he works on sustainable agriculture projects. Photo: Ashley Cameron</span></div>
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The farm’s goals include expanding the production of organic vegetables and free-range chickens. The grounds house a small laboratory where Joyce and the other farm workers create and test organic feeds, fertilizers and insecticide. Nearby are several stalls for pigs, a large chicken coop and a greenhouse, where the staff test different products. Joyce works with local farmers to show them the benefits – both from a financial and environmental standpoint – to using the farm’s techniques and fertilizers.</div>
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“It is intensely satisfying and rewarding to see people applying methods that you taught them, and that they are being successful at it,” said Joyce. “Their smiles and words of thanks are invaluable to me.”</div>
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Sustainability is a recurring theme in the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. When it was recognized as an autonomous province in 1990, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines still received 60 percent of its income from the Episcopal Church. In 1992, in conjunction with the Joint Committee on the Philippine Covenant, the church made a 15-year plan to reach financial independence. It reached that goal of self-sustainability by 2007.</div>
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A core tenet of the church is its “receivers to Givers” policy. That means focusing on transforming communities with a history of receiving blessings into communities that give back to others. So the church supports Asset-Based Community Development, partnering with communities to analyze their assets and determine projects to generate income and promote sustainability.</div>
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Many of those development projects are part of E-CARE, Enhancing Community Assets through Agricultural Productivity and Rural Enterprise. Most dioceses in the Philippines have an office devoted to E-CARE and development projects, which all focus on providing financial support and social change to local church communities.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">YASCer Ashley Cameron focuses on micro-finance in her work with the Diocese of Santiago. Photo: Emily Cherry</span></div>
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The Diocese of Santiago’s Episcopal Development Foundation of St. Mark’s is another piece of the puzzle, and this is where YASC missionary Cameron fits in.</div>
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Cameron said she always knew she wanted to be involved in international mission work. With her love for foreign travel and helping others, she thought the Peace Corps was a natural match. But a priest at her home parish in Leesburg, Virginia, convinced her otherwise by introducing her to YASC.</div>
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“I already had the passion for mission and service internationally, so adding the Episcopal Church aspect to the work was the cherry on top,” she said.</div>
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Cameron majored in Spanish during her studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, so an assignment in the Philippines might not seem like a logical match. But her studies in economics and her experience working with micro-finance projects in Honduras during college made her a fit for the St. Mark’s foundation, a micro-lending institution that offers loans of roughly $100 to $1,000 to more than 1,000 clients in the Santiago city area. Santiago Bishop Alexander Wandag calls the foundation the diocese’s “centerpiece for self-reliance.” In 2013, it provided about $50,000 to support the diocese.</div>
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Cameron’s work includes processing loan applications, meeting with applicants and visiting market owners and farmers who receive loans. Recently, a young single mother named Lea came to the foundation. She lived with her parents and had just failed her nursing exams. She needed a loan for her small store to put her life back on track, but she was deemed a potential flight risk, with no collateral.</div>
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Cameron worked with the staff to give Lea a small character-based loan of about $100. After two months, Lea had paid back the loan in full, grown her business and qualified for a second, larger loan.</div>
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“It was exciting to watch her progress,” said Cameron. “I personally fought for this client.”</div>
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Cameron will leave her post in August and plans to move to the Washington, D.C., area to pursue a job in social enterprise or micro-finance. But she will take her YASC lessons with her: the ability to adapt and be flexible; the need for self-awareness and for collaboration.</div>
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“Before coming to YASC … I enjoyed doing everything on my own,” said Cameron. “But it’s really taught me that you can’t do it all by yourself, and you’re not supposed to. You can learn a lot by asking others for help.”</div>
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And the YASC members have provided help.</div>
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The Episcopal Church in the Philippines has a vision: “By the year 2018, we envision a dynamic and vibrant church of caring, witnessing and mission-oriented parishes.” Part of that vision is the church’s heavy focus on key social ministries.</div>
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“Social ministry has always been a part of the vision of the church,” said Lalwet. “One of the few remaining institutions where people can find sanctuary from social injustice is the church.”</div>
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For the three YASC missionaries in the Philippines, links between faith and community, religion and society, have been a crucial part of their formation.</div>
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“We have the opportunity to contribute to the work of a church that is looking outside its four walls to assist local communities regardless if they fill the pews on Sunday,” said Cameron. “It’s truly inspiring work.”</div>
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<i>Thanks for reading! And thanks to Emily for the awesome article!</i></div>
Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-70338479195583345112014-04-24T08:00:00.000-04:002014-04-24T08:00:14.729-04:00BE in the Philippines - Take It Easy<i>Take It easy, take it easy </i><br />
<i>Don't let the sound of your own wheels </i><br />
<i>drive you crazy </i><br />
<i>Lighten up while you still can </i><br />
<i>don't even try to understand </i><br />
<i>Just find a place to make your stand </i><br />
<i>and take it easy </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
If you are planning a road trip in the near future, I highly recommend creating a CD or mixtape (#oldschool) of 94 Eagles' songs with some live versions mixed in.<br />
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{Buck, me, and Emily at Banaue Rice Terraces}</div>
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Thanks to Attorney Floyd, this became the soundtrack of Buck, Emily, and I's tour around Northern Luzon. Just sayin' it might have played 5 or 6 times over but never got old. And thanks to Buck's endless knowledge, Emily and I learned all sorts of fun facts about the band!<br />
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After a fun but exhausting <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2014/04/be-in-philippines-preschool-graduation.html">preschool graduation</a>, we continued on Saturday, March 22 to another Episcopal Diocese, EDNP (Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines). On the way to <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/10/bontoc-mountain-province.html">Bontoc,</a> the diocesan headquarters of EDNP, you pass straight through the <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-8th-wonder-of-world.html">Banaue Rice Terraces</a>, the "8th Wonder of the World." We couldn't not stop.<br />
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Unfortunately, the terraces were in the beginning stages of a new cropping. They weren't as golden with grains of rice swaying along the mountainside as when I went in the Fall. But it was still amazing to see the glorious wonder of these massive terraces carved into the side of the mountain. We also walked down to see a recreation of a traditional Ifugao hut ornately decorated with skulls of recently killed cuisine.<br />
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After stopping at Banaue, an interview with Emily in the car, and listening to more Eagles tunes, we took a quick break at another rice terrace overlook. It's right before entering Bontoc and one my favorite places to stop. I don't know how this little village was formed in the middle of this mountainside but it's truly picturesque.<br />
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Once we arrived in Bontoc we had some time to kill before dinner with Bishop Brent. I won't talk about <strike>how Emily almost became blind in one eye</strike> why we were a little late for dinner. In the end, all was good! Dinner was a feast for 15 people. Bishop mentioned how he invited more of his staff but only Padi Liobac could make it. So a feast for 15 only served to 5. We had lovely conversation about ministries of EDNP, the future of the church, and life.<br />
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The next day, Sunday morning, we were scheduled to attend mass at the Cathedral. However, Bishop was scheduled for confirmations in Sagada and invited us along. We happily accepted and so another Philippine city added to the list!<br />
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The road trip continues! Three days down, six to go!<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
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<i>Photos by Emily Cherry</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-55151746607250897282014-04-23T08:00:00.000-04:002014-04-23T08:00:02.042-04:00BE in the Philippines - Preschool GraduationWhen I asked about the time of St. Mark’s Graduation on Saturday, March 22, I received a “it starts at 8:30am, but come at 9am.”<br />
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“So does that mean it starts at 9am.”<br />
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“No, it starts at 8:30am, but come at 9am.”<br />
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Oh, the beauty of Filipino time. Well, we got there a little after 8:30am and it didn’t even start at 9am. But no worries, Buck loves being the ultimate jungle gym, while I became a model. I thought my smile was going to permanently plastered onto my face after how many pictures.<br />
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Nevertheless, I was super excited to see these little Kinder 2 kids graduate. They all looked so adorable in their white caps and gowns! For the two weeks prior, I’d been helping them prepare their little song and presentations for their parents. It’s strange to think I won’t see most of them ever again because in June they’ll be attending public elementary school.<br />
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This graduation was not taken lightly. The program included a processional march, invocation, national anthem, opening remarks, welcome address, intermission, presentation of candidates for graduation, confirmation of graduates, inspirational talk, distribution of certificates and awards, graduation message, farewell message, and closing remarks. Phew! That doesn’t even include the graduation song and presentations by the different classes!<br />
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{Lining up for the Processional March}</div>
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{Mariolyn giving the Welcome Address}</div>
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{Kinder 2 students sharing a graduation acronym}</div>
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{Kinder 1 students performing a little song and dance}</div>
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As a special guest and teacher’s assistant, I had the special honor of passing out the graduation certificates. But not before I was pulled this way and that way, told to stand here, wait, no, there as Buck whispered “don’t mess it up.” Finally, it was decided where I would stand and how I’d pass out the certificates.<br />
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That wasn’t even the most stressful part. The distribution of the academic and non-academic awards was a work out with me. The kids name would be called, first they’d get their little ribbons for awards, while I would grab a gift bag I put together for all the kids, and search through the stack of pictures to find the correct one. Then I’d sprint back over, put a little medal around their neck, pass them their gift and <a href="http://ashleyecameron.blogspot.com/2014/03/school-pictures.html">pictures</a>, then turn to take a quick picture. Then it was back to the table to find the next kid’s picture and gift. I did this 42 times. With the Kinder 2 graduates, it was easy because I knew all their names. Fortunately, I only gave one kid the wrong picture (whoops!).<br />
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{The distribution of certificates was the easy part}</div>
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{Me attempting to juggle medals, gift bags, and pictures.}</div>
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{Buck even got to shake the graduates' hands!}</div>
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Who knew graduations could be so exhausting?<br />
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I have to say, though, my favorite part was the non-academic awards which included ‘most charitable,’ ‘most honest,’ ‘most neat,’ ‘most behaved,’ and ‘most diligent.’ After more picture taking once the ceremony was complete, we went over to the Rectory for lunch before heading onto Banaue and Bontoc.<br />
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{"Wacky, wacky" with the Kinder 2 students} </div>
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{Group shot with the Nursery students}</div>
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{Group Shot with the Kinder 1 students}</div>
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{Group shot with the Kinder 2 graduates!}</div>
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The road trip continues!<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
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<i>Photos by Emily Cherry</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-89056679057376061582014-04-22T08:00:00.000-04:002014-04-22T08:00:06.148-04:00Holy WeekOne of perks of working for the Church is a nice long weekend for Easter. The offices closed on Thursday and Friday. All I did was sleep, watch movies, read, and attend church services. Most of the people on the compound visited their families, so it was pretty quiet.<br />
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Below is a short photo diary of my Holy Week. I actually missed Good Friday service because a local priest died that day and they moved the time of the service without telling me. While, I had all intentions of going, it didn't work out.<br />
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It was a quieter, simpler Easter than I'm used to but I greatly enjoyed the break after all the traveling I've been doing. And it was simply TOO HOT to do anything at all.<br />
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{Bishop washed my feet on Maundy Thursday} </div>
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{A fire is made for the origin of light for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday}</div>
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{Lighting of the Paschal Candle for the Great Easter Vigil}</div>
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{Taking selfies with Sicado to keep him quiet during Easter Sunday service}</div>
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{Easter Egg Hunt in front of the Cathedral after Easter mass}</div>
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{Homemade treats for after the service. Thanks Mom, for the napkins and plates!}</div>
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{Mom sent Easter Egg dye and it was a great hit with all the kids}</div>
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{Somehow each egg was a shade of pink, purple, or blue and doused in glitter}</div>
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Don't forget to head on over to the <a href="http://yasclenten.blogspot.com/">YASC Lenten Blog</a> to see how other volunteers celebrated their Easter! It's the last post. </div>
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i></div>
<br />Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-34808315366357082012014-04-21T08:00:00.000-04:002014-04-21T08:00:06.193-04:00BE in the Philippines - My PlaceI apologize (again) for going on a blogging hiatus. You could (almost) say I gave up blogging for lent. The case is I’ve been traveling then recovering from traveling and then getting sick that I simply found no time or desire to blog. However, I’m back (for now)!<br />
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As I promised weeks ago, I would share the tale of Buck Blanchard and Emily Cherry’s visit. When planning the trip, I grew tired of constantly typing “Buck and Emily” so I shortened it to “BE.” Hence the title of this post and posts to come – “BE in the Philippines.” I think it’s also symbolic to how (hopefully) when reading these posts you will “be in the Philippines” with us!<br />
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There is something about being able to share your little part of the world with friends that makes it more real.<br />
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Maybe it’s because they can verify it exists. When I go back and share my experience, I can have someone say, “it’s true. I say it.” Not that I think you all think this is made up. I hope you’re getting my drift.<br />
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What I’m trying to say is it was a wonderful experience being able to share my little house, dog, office space, and co-workers with Buck and Emily!<br />
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After arriving in Manila the evening of Wednesday, March 19, it was off to Santiago on Thursday – only the beginning of the epic road trip around the island of Northern Luzon. The first leg equaled 8 hours – record time in comparison to the many times I’ve taken the route. Upon arriving, we ate dinner with the senior staff of the diocese where I impressed Buck and Emily with my ability to choose a delicious Filipino menu.<br />
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Friday was the beginning of many hectic days. With these sorts of trips, it seems nothing ever starts on time or goes exactly as planned, but nonetheless it all works out for the best. It started with a simple meet & greet with the staff, touring the offices, and all around the compound. During the “quick” tour, Buck had to stop to pull out a map and ask like a zillion questions – delay number one. Then we ended up at the Bishop’s house sipping coffee, eating cassava, and sharing stories. A story of the Bishop’s is never short – delay number two.<br />
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Therefore, we were about forty-five minutes late to our meeting with Fr. Ralph and the Holy Spirit Co-Op staff where more snacks and coffee were served. I love the hospitality of Filipinos! They are the most generous people but when going from one place to another to another, there are only so many cups of coffee and snacks one can handle. The trick is small cups of coffee and a little bite here and there. Fortunately for Emily, she doesn’t drink coffee.<br />
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As I’ve mentioned many times before, the Province of Isabela is a rice-farming province. A visit to Santiago wouldn’t have been complete without visiting a rice field. Fr. Ralph and the cooperative staff took us out to their fields, warehouse, and drying pavement. It was harvest time and drying palay was in full swing. Buck jumped on in there to give it a try. He couldn’t quite get the right swish to turn over the palay but it was a good attempt. All the Filipinos got a kick out of it! Right before we left we got the best “wacky, wacky” photo of the entire trip!<br />
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Although the visit with Holy Spirit was short, we were back on our timeline. Lunch with the staff was up next. Scrumptious food was consumed, introductions given, gifts exchanged, and the EDFSM video shown.<br />
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After a group shot on the Cathedral steps, it was time for Sir Junior, Jocelyn, and I to tour Buck and Emily around the chaotic maze of the Santiago Public Market. They were able to see how I shop for my groceries on a weekly basis but more importantly to whom the micro-loans of EDFSM are benefiting.<br />
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The final stop of the Santiago City tour was Calvary Hills/Transfiguration Shrine. I hadn’t been up there since September but it still has a gorgeous overlook of the province. This time the Stations of the Cross were more poignant as it was Lent. We didn’t stay long as it started to drizzle.<br />
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The evening was filled with opening goodies sent from home, catching up over a couple of beers and me cooking dinner for my delightful guests with ingredients freshly bought at the market that afternoon.<br />
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And that was only day two – eight more to go!<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i><br />
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<i>Photos by Emily Cherry</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-4046544706574035032014-04-15T08:30:00.000-04:002014-05-08T03:04:23.099-04:00Lent Reflection: Do Not Be Afraid It is Holy Week! The last week of Lent and the last week of the <a href="http://yasclenten.blogspot.com/">YASC Lenten Reflection Blog</a>. I hope you all have been reading and enjoying it!<br />
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Tuesday, April 15, today, is my third reflection. Here it is in case you missed it on the <a href="http://yasclenten.blogspot.com/2014/04/day-36-do-not-be-afraid.html">YASC Lenten Blog.</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching." </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Mark 11:18</span><br />
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“For they were afraid of him.”<br />
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The leaders of the time were afraid of Christ Jesus. Their fear of losing power, fear of losing their followers, fear of change, fear of the unknown guided them to crucify God’s only son – to kill him. Fear clouded all their judgment and pushed them off the cliff to murder.<br />
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They could have stopped and listened to the Good News of Christ. They should have paused to see who Jesus really was. They would have if fear hadn’t stood in their way.<br />
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We’ve all heard the saying, “shoulda, woulda, coulda.”<br />
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Now I’m sure they justified their actions to themselves and their peers. We can all find reasons or excuses whether they be legitimate or not. We’ve all been afraid. We’ve all let fear at one point or another stop us from experiencing an adventure, saying ‘I love you’, opening up to one another, to seeing the world.<br />
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I could be at home right now telling people, “I could’ve done this amazing year in the Philippines assisting entrepreneurs grow their business, experiencing a new culture, and learning what life is all about, but I was afraid of this, this, and that and passed on the opportunity. I was afraid of the what ifs and unknowns.”<br />
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Life is full of unknowns – one being the unknown of when we will die. But Jesus through his resurrection has shown us that there is eternal life. “Everyone who lives and trusts in me will never die.”<br />
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Fortunately, I trusted in God. I found him by my side feeding me courage to pack up and travel halfway across the world to have an experience of a lifetime – to live fully. Jesus, also, found courage and power with God at his side to say, “I am the resurrection and I am life.” With God by his side he looked fear in the eye and said <i>I am not afraid.</i><br />
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How many times in the Bible do we come across, “do not be afraid.” Fear holds us hostage from the possibilities, opportunities, connections, love, relationships, and experiences that God desires us to be a part of so we can share the incredible news, to come and see.<br />
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“For you, Lord are my hope: you are my confidence, O God,” proclaims Psalm 71 in today’s readings. When we are not afraid, we can hope. When we are not afraid, with confidence God can walk with us out of darkness and into the light of the world. When we are not afraid we can be more open to forgiveness, connection, love, and life.<br />
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For God asks us to not be afraid and we should respond, <i>I am not.</i><br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4986454653167697478.post-86431222848096458842014-04-03T08:30:00.000-04:002014-05-08T03:04:43.932-04:00Lent Reflection: Worthy of LoveThe Lenten Reflection Blog is still going strong! I hope you all are enjoying reading it!<br />
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Thursday, April 3, today, is my second reflection. Here it is in case you missed it on the <a href="http://yasclenten.blogspot.com/2014/04/day-26-worthy-of-love.html">YASC Lenten Blog.</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The LORD said to Moses, ‘Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” ’But Moses implored the LORD his God, and said, ‘O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.” ’ And the LORD changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people." </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Exodus 32:7-8, 11-14</span><br />
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We all have a desire to make connections. We all have a desire to belong. We all have a desire to be loved. It’s part of being human. We are hardwired for it.<br />
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But how do we make these connections?<br />
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Vulnerability. In order to make connections with one another, we have to show up and allow ourselves to be seen.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ted.com/speakers/brene_brown">Brené Brown</a>, author of Daring Greatly and researcher of vulnerability, writes and speaks greatly about the importance of accepting vulnerability in our own lives. As she points out in her book and <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability#">TEDxHouston Talk</a>, nobody wants to talk about vulnerability but we can’t ignore it. To become numb to vulnerability is to become numb to all emotions.<br />
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“Our rejection of vulnerability often stems from our associating it with dark emotions like fear, shame, grief, sadness, and disappointment – emotions that we don’t want to discuss, even when they profoundly affect the way we live, love, work and even lead,” writes Brown. We need to realize vulnerability is the core of all emotions and feelings. Brown explains, “I know vulnerability is the core of shame, and fear and our struggle for worthiness but it appears it is also the birthplace of joy, of creativity, of belonging, of love.”<br />
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If we become numb to vulnerability, yes, we become numb to those dark emotions and fear nobody wants to feel. However, we also numb happiness, joy, gratitude, and then we become lost searching for our purpose and meaning. We lose our connections. We become disengaged. We live in fear. We think we are weak. We believe we are unworthy of love and belonging.<br />
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But why do we become numb?<br />
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We feel shame. We wake up every day and say, “I’m not _____(blank)”. I’m not thin enough. I’m not brave enough. I’m not pretty enough. I’m not good enough. I’m not perfect.<br />
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And it’s that feeling of imperfection that we all struggle with. It’s that desire to be perfect or bulletproof that stops us from feeling vulnerable. It stops us from sharing an unpopular opinion, to asking for help, saying no, trying something new, saying “I love you” first, and not knowing if you’re going to be loved back, having faith.<br />
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When I imagine God, I think of him as all knowing, untouchable, free of shame and vulnerability. However, God’s core is full of emotions. And in today’s reading of Exodus, we see God’s vulnerability out in the open. He opened himself up to make connections. He said, “I love you,” first to the Israelites, who began worshipping a cow instead of finding God worthy enough to worship. A cow! Well, that’s a little insulting.<br />
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Then the feeling of shame started bubbling up. God couldn’t let the Egyptians know he went through all this trouble to free, to engage, to connect with the Israelites only to be rejected by them. He couldn’t let them know he dared greatly and failed. But Moses comes to remind the Lord that everyone is worthy of love and belonging even these who worship the image of a calf. And so the Lord lets go of his shame realizing that opening the possibility of a connection with the Israelites is worth it even if he fails.<br />
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And throughout the Bible, God has the courage, becomes vulnerable, has faith to say “I love you,” “you are worthy of love,” and “you are worthy of this connection with me,” even if he’s unsure the people will accept him in return.<br />
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As Brown says, “vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.” They may not always be comfortable feelings, but they are not weakness. The sense of courage allows for wholehearted living, a deep sense of worthiness. Courage comes from the Latin word “cour” meaning heart. The original definition when it first came into the English language was to <i>tell the whole story of who you are with your whole heart. </i><br />
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Throughout her years of research Brown found she could divide the people she interviewed into those who had a sense of worthiness and belonging and those who struggle for it, those who wonder if they are always good enough. Brown called the people with a sense of worthiness, the Wholehearted. They are the people who have had a spiritual awakening, a sense of belonging, and a sense of courage.<br />
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Brown defines Wholehearted living as “engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, <i>No matter what gets done and how much is left undone. I am enough. </i><br />
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That’s what God is telling us day in and day out, “you are enough. I love you for who you are. I love you for all your imperfections. You are worthy of my love. You are worthy of your own love.”<br />
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Imagine if we all had this spiritual awakening. If we lived a while hearted life embracing vulnerability, not numbing our emotions. Not only would God tell us we are worthy of love and belonging, but we could tell others. We need to open ourselves up to connections and accepting ourselves and everyone else for their imperfections. Because we are all good enough.<br />
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<i>Almighty and most merciful God, drive from us all weakness of body, mind and spirit; that, being restored to wholeness, we may with free hearts become what you intend us to be and accomplish what you want us to do; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. </i></div>
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AMEN.<br />
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<i>Thanks for reading!</i>Ashley Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06336286092163822880noreply@blogger.com0