I can say that before, I was a man who didn’t have any direction. A man who I can say was always blown and tossed by the wind. Yes, I went to church but then I did not know why I do. Maybe because it was a requirement in my studies. I did not even know the real essence of worship. I knew that there is God but I was una-ware that He’s really working and I didn’t recognize that He is the source of every-thing that I have. Af-ter I received Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord four years ago, everything changed.

Knowing and ex-periencing Christ's love and grace really changed my perspec-tives. Indeed His grace abounds in very mysterious ways. I never expected to be in the place where I am now and to have the title that the Lord had blessed me more than I deserve. Highest glory belongs to our Loving God for indeed He is good and His love en-dures forever. He really knows my needs and is able to sympathize with my human nature.

I knew that my family did not have sufficient or enough income so I did not expect to finish my ter-tiary education. As what my parents said, "Ta, tama na siguro nang two years mu nga skwela kay wala nata kwarta." (“Ta, maybe two years is just enough because we lack the fund to continue your studies.”) I smiled and said, "Sige nay ah, pero mangita japun ko pama-agi nga makatapos ko". (“Okay Mom, but I’ll find a way to finish my course.”) Filled by God's fa-vor and grace, I became a caretaker of Kabacan Southern Baptist Church which served as an avenue for me to grow spiritually and where I was able to

apply my learning in IVCF. I be-came an effec-tive Sunday school teacher and at the same time a President of the young peo-ple for almost two years. Out of my expecta-

tion, I was able to finish my tertiary edu-cation in USM-Kabacan while actively participating as an IVCF student-leader and as a church worker all because of His favor and grace. The same is true after I graduated. I did not expect to take the board exam due to lack of financial pro-visions but God is really our Jehovah Jireh. He met all my needs. God used

some IV-grads, churchmates and professors to support me during my review especially the monetary support I needed. Yes! I did. I took the Licensure Ex-amination for Criminologists and our living God who is alive, active and beyond measure, allowed me to pass the exam. His favor really surpassed beyond my expectations. It is so overwhelming. I am joyful and glad serving the Almighty, the One who initiates and keeps on pursuing an intimate love relationship to-wards me.

I owe my learning, skills and everything in the Lord! He significantly uses Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship to equip and prepare me to obey Him. Re-sponding to His call is a privilege and opportunity. Giving Him the prime years of my youth, I’m com-mitted to be a Staff Representative of IVCF in South-ern Mindanao Regional Unit in the next three years. (Written by: Efren “Tata” G. Rubino, the region’s new Staff Representative who came from IVCF USM-Kabacan.)

Favored Beyond Expectation

February 2016 Volume 5, No. 8

Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of the Philippines, Inc.

R A D I A T E ! Southern Mindanao Regional Unit

*RLS — Regional Leadership Summit. The gathering of chapter core leaders for prayer and planning prior to the start of a School Year. *IV Day — IVCF Philippines’ founding anniversary celebration of God’s faithfulness. *Staff Representative — a regionally appointed team-mate who does a regular monthly pastoral and resource development visit.

Nat’l Web: www.ivcfphil.org Reg’l Web: www.ivcfsmphil.org Paypal Account/Email: ivcfsmru@ivcfphil.org

RLS 2014 @ IVHome Kabacan

I.V. Day Dec. 2012 @ IVHome Kabacan

Page 2

Volume 5, No. 8

Like us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/IVCFSouthernMindanao

IMPORTANT DATES! 4th Regular R.A.C. Meeting - Feb. 20

Project Cycle Mgt. W/S 1—MIF MEP - Feb. 24

OMF’s Missions Fair (Dvo. Evan’l. Ch.) - March 5

Day/Night of Prayer - March 5

Third Quarterly Report - March 6

Tribute to the New Graduates - March 18-19

Staff Prayer Retreat - March 21-22

Day/Night of Prayer - Apr. 2

Kawayan Camp 2016 - Apr. 6 - May 3

ISCF SIBOL Camp - Apr. 18 - 22

ISCF LCDC - Apr.18 - May 4

Praise the LORD for: Randy Franz G. Selim of San Pedro College-Davao City as top #7 of the recent January 2016 Pharmacist Board Exam result. Franz was an IS-CFer and college IVCFer;

Sander’s significant contribution to the movement for 18 months as Staff Representative. We also praise God for Tata’s availability for the next years to come. Let’s warmly welcome him!;

the 12 students who were trained to share the Gospel using Any3 Approach that enabled them to engage with some ethnic* individuals; and

the successful Creation Care events in four regional are-as. Last January 30, nine students and graduates cleaned the coastline in South Bay, R. Castillo, Davao City; 56 students and graduates planted 800+ cacao trees at Purok Bamboo, Pangibiran, Mabini, ComVal; and 24 students and graduates did a clean-up drive in Gen. Santos Public Market. This event was featured in the IFES blog (http://www.ifesworld.org/en/blog/2016/02/ivcf-philippines-cares-creation). Last Feb. 5, seven students did a clean-

up drive in Abellera St. in Poblacion, Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Pray to the LORD for: wisdom, passion and strength for the Staff, Reg’l. Staff

Interns and Volunteers—to balance their tasks and re-sponsibilities for self, family and ministry;

various Love Month (TLW/LCM) events; the key roles of the student-leaders including the passing

-on of leadership to the next batch of leaders; the graduating students for who will soon be welcomed

and exposed to the market place; the regular R.A.C. meeting on Feb. 20 in Davao City; the financial provision of P107,783.84 as regional fund

deficit as of Feb. 18, 2016; the safe travel of our Staff and Reg’l. Staff Interns for

the Jr. Staff Training on Feb. 23-27 in Q.C.; and the upcoming summer camps—ISCF Sibol Camp and

LCDC (high school) and Kawayan Camp (college). Pray for the Lord’s provision of the needs of the campers and the camps [Sibol Camp-P21k & LCDC-P22k].

Southern Mindanao Regional Unit 903-2b Quezon Boulevard, Brgy. 37-D, Davao City

Landline: (+6382) 321-1351 Darby: +63917-7077394 / (+6384) 216-1538

Ricky: +63917-7297196 / Raffy: +63917-6555038 Gretchen: +63917-7041363 / Fennyrose: +639392910187

For pledges/donations, pls. contact:

Efren G. Rubino @ 09464016164 or you may deposit to:

Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of the Phils., Inc. or “IVCF” Banco De Oro—Davao-Rizal Branch

Peso Savings Account#: 194000-8016

We have a new phone # in IV-Home

Davao! (+6382) 321-1351 Please save!

Join! Inter-Varsity Graduates (IVG) gathering! IVG Kapalong meets every Satur-

day, 6am @ Kapalong Town Square. Contact: Mercy Dela Cruz @ 09215092403.

IVG Tagum meets every 2nd & 4th Saturday, 4pm to 8pm @ IVHome. Contact: Rowena Riño @ 09153048248.

IVG Davao (Young Grads) meets every 2nd & 4th of Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00pm @ IV Home Davao. Con-tact: Christian Rey Pasiliao @ 09223565280.

IVG Davao (Seasoned Grads) meets every 1st & 3rd Tuesday, 7:00pm @ Clemente Residence, Bacaca Rd. Contact: Juvee Pascua @ 09175178362.

IVG GenSan (Young Grads) meets twice a month, 6:30-9:00pm. Contact: Josie Artos @ 09075045706 and Fenny Nunala @ 09392910187.

IVG GenSan (Seasoned Grads) meets every Wednes-day, 7pm @ Magan Residence, Dela Cuadra (Morales) Subd. Contact: Dr. Neneth Magan @ 09274915037.

IVG Koronadal meets every 1st/2nd Tuesday, 6:30-9:00pm @ Migrande Restaurant. Contact: Joy Poral @ 09102870782 and Jasher Gasataya @ 09173050963.

IVG North Cotabato meets every last Friday of the month, 6:00pm @ IV Home Kabacan. Contact: April Joy Trance @ 09089238839.

IVG Midsayap meets every Thursday, 7:00pm @ Sevil-la Residence, Trumata Subdivision. Contact: Sidney Se-villa @ 09157163170 or 09213086988.