12 Ilonggo missionaries off to 'Mission Africa 2008'
"I want to be the light of the nations. I want to be the salt of the earth to show forth your Glory. And tell the story of your magnificent love."
With candles lit and eyes closed, twelve Ilonggo missionaries, all coming from various and varied backgrounds prayed and were prayed upon as said lyrics of the Praise song "Light of the World" was sung.
Chosen and commissioned for "Mission Africa 2008," a teacher turned Royal nanny, a government-certified wellness trainor, a Freshmen college student and a doctor are among those out to do volunteer work in Mozambique, South Africa.
"Mission Africa 2008" is the latest missionary work under Kayang-Kayang Missions International. Reaching the hinterlands of Valderrama, Antique, the tribes and tribal kids of Thailand, far-flung communities of Cambodia, the Kayang-Kayang team has since reached out and changed lives of thousands.
Years of hard work and dedication of the Kayang-Kayang Team were not your everyday missions. All working for God's Glory without any financial rewards nor a single centavo in pay, Kayang-Kayang Team has since redefined the true and real meaning of volunteer missionary work.
"Not a single centavo in pay for we are inspired by the Lord and inspired to serve the King of all Kings," Isabel Grace Villegas, an Ilongga Kindergarten teacher turned Kayang-Kayang Missions International prime mover said with a big smile.
Her sister, "Maam Eva," has shared her passion to serve and is among the Mission Africa 2008 volunteer-missionary.
And it has been a fruitful service with the presence of partners in God's Love Christian Fellowship, Isabel said as she welcomed Saturday the men and women of Kayang-Kayang Team in a gathering that formally launched "Mission Africa 2008."
"Our heart is not only here in the Philippines... and we are giving back to God," she said amidst loud "Amens" from the group. "And give God the best of what you can offer because only then you will have the right to withdraw. After all, there is no 'offline' in Heaven."
Local Pastor Boy Siloterio in praying for Mission Africa team sought for guidance and strength saying all twelve volunteers are "precious jewels from the Kingdom of God."
Kayang-Kayang Missions International marks its 7th year of volunteer-missionary work. Among the places ministered were the Mundo Tribe in the Province of the Antique, communities in Iloilo towns of San Enrique, Pavia, Oton, Guimbal and Concepcion.
Foreign missionary works reached villages in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Austria, London and Australia.
"Thanking God for His sustaining grace and mighty works in the team, our secular jobs and busy schedules never hindered us from doing His work," Isabel shared. "From smaller and simple tasks to greater and strategic opportunities and even job positions. The urgency is to share His saving grace and marvelous touching of lives faithfully offered to God as we keep on ministering to the nation and the nations beyond."
Target areas of Mission Africa 2008 team are the Mseleni Hospital in Mozambique with connecting group the YWAM and South Africa Tribal Groups. Also set are art workshops for Sunday School teachers here, tract distributions to schools and universities as the team plans to reach out to the widows and orphans in Mozambique. The team will also conduct medical missions in Mozambique villages.
The twelve Ilonggo volunteer missionaries led by Isabel are sister Eva Villegas, Joenar Lopez, Ryan Triño, Atho dela Cruz, Beverly Triño, Ruth Fegoro, Noami Villegas, Aida Caberoy-Machitar, Elvie Salvacion, Rosario Edith dela Cruz, Ian Machitar and John Mark Sotaridona.
Mission Africa 2008. Caring and sharing one child, one heart, one nation at a time. This, as the Kayang-Kayang Team ends their Praise song with this line, "Lord, use my hands to comfort and hear them. Lord, use my heart to break for the world. For if we don't show them just how much you love them and tell me how – will they know?"
(Reach out to the Kayang-Kayang Team through isabel_grace2001@yahoo.com or see their wondrous works at www.geocities.com/kayangkayang or www.flickr.com/photos/kayangkayang)