""
Bringing the Light of Christ to Asia
Âť
o c l>
::tJ m -4
by Jon Escoto, CYA Staffer
)
:ll
S
everal years ago, Pope Paul VI in his visit to Manila called the Philippines "the Bethlehem of the Far East" from which the Word of God would go forth to Asia. In CVA, we have been attempting to respond to the /\oly Father's words. Over the past few years we have invited "delegates from several Asian countries to participate in our Summer Training Conferences. Starting last year we began sending Mission Teams to Singapore and Brunei. Last August 11-25, four CYA staffers went to Brunei at the invitation of Rev. Cornelius Sim, the only priest in that tiny Islamic nation. The Mission Team was led by Raoul Roncal, and included Renee Punzal, Vanessa . Villarosa, and myself. We were asked to lead several evangelistic activities in different parts of Brunei, and to train their youth leaders in evangelization and follow-up. Raoul and I organized a training ~ousehold for 30 young men, while Renee and Vanessa had a separate one for 22 women. For two weeks, we lived together, building brotherhood and sisterhood, growing in Christian life and apostolic service, and learning how to serve one another in practical ways. I had expected the households not to work so well. The main reason was the size: III Manila, for a group of over 20 members, we would attempt to have a leadership core made up of several CY A staff workers. Here, we had two leaders per household. "God have mercyl" I said, "This won't work." But God proved me wrong. Almost immediately, the brothers and sisters began to show signs of growth in their love for the Lord, and to make decisive steps to deepen their relationship with Him. It became a common sight to see one or two of thorn at prayer in the
middle of the day. "I don't normally sing Christian songs, but now I'm enjoying it," said a young man named Jason. They also began to serve one another in practical. ways: cleaning the house, preparing meals, washing dishes, and so forth. For many of them, it was the first time in their lives that they did those things! In the town of Seria, we gave a Christian Life Series to 260 young people, some of whom came from another town, Kuala Belait. "We've never before had this big a group of young people gathered together I" said Fr. Sim happily.
Continued on Page 2
Staffers Gil Galeste (far left) and Mike Munarriz (standing) first led a men's training household in Brunei last year. Here is the household at table together.
r-
-<
-c c: m I o
l> -4 0 Z
0
" 0 :t
:ll
-
~
-4 "oM
(J)
-<
0 C -t
:::I: z
- t
l> o -t
c J J
-
0 Z
â&#x20AC;˘0 o -t
.....L
!~
CD CD
t
I\)
I
1
J