On 26-30th July 2011, i attended the Youth Conference as stated above in Kerala, India. It was an awesome experience to be among the 3000 participants all over India and other parts of the world. The theme of POWER 2011 "More Than Conquerors" - Romans 8:37 asked us to be BOLD in our faith and BOAST about Jesus! But before that, we need to do some 'housekeeping' first and check ourselves : Are we walking in the Light of God? :)
I would love to share my testimony with all of you! Cekidaut!!
Peace and all good!
To begin with, I would like to thank Mr. Joseph Roosevelt Pereira, Mr Henry Solibun and my anonymous sponsor for giving me the opportunity to experience and discover God’s real presence and love in India. May God bless your good deeds!
It started off when I received a call from Mr. Henry Solibun, asking me if I can take 5 days working leaves to attend the 6th Youth International Conference at the Divine Mercy Retreat Centre in Kerala, India. Imagining myself asking my strict and assertive Madam Principal, I thought it was impossible. Being a novice teacher, i was advice that it is not recommended for us (newbie) to demand or do something that might affect our confirmation status. I still remember my Principal once said that NOBODY can get 5 straight days leaves except for those (teachers) who are getting married or someone close to you passed away. “With God all things are possible." - [Matthew 19:26 ] I thought to myself , i should give it a try. I send her a text message asking permission to take the leaves and within few minutes, she replied, " Yes, with copy of the calling letter. " I was extremely surprised and excited at the same time! I believe in the saying that if God leads you to it, He will lead you through it." And yes, He just did :)
One of the highlight for me during the conference was when Fr. Michael gave each one of us the Communion Bread and asked us to put it on our palm and reflect upon it. At that time, the video of my life started playing on my head. It flashes back all the things I've done that could have hurt His feeling and that moment was the most remorseful moment i ever had in my life. All this while I've open my hand and stretch out my palm to receive and welcome Jesus in my 'house' every week but i seldom 'clean' and 'tidy up' my house. From that moment on, i can never see the Host the same way again. Thank you Lord!
God is so ever-loving that He showed compassion and love to me through the counseling session. I was fortunate to have Bro. Trevor as my counselor. He reminded me that our God is a forgiving God! All we need to do is just to walk in the Light of the world! And I was very fortunate to have met this beautiful lady named Ms. Susan, a Malaysian volunteer, in the retreat center. She brought us to several shelter homes under the care of Divine-Potta Ministry ,by the Vincentian Fathers ,which provide shelter to the poor, the abandoned woman, the orphaned children, the Aids patients and the mentally ill people. What really struck my heart was this little girl, a HIV positive, sang a song for us joyfully and purely innocent without really knowing what is going on with her right now. She is such a young little girl that supposedly to have a bright future ahead and yet she has shown me HOPE! God, bless these people and keep them close to you!
I never regret attending the POWER 2011 as it leaves a big impact on me! Throughout the 6 days, I made a lot of new friends from many parts of India and the world. I consider myself lucky to have the chance to experience eating the real local Indian food on the first night. I also met few amazing and outstanding lay and ordained preachers. But most importantly, i met God! His presence was so real that i felt peace and love overflowing within me until today! Thank you Jesus!
Pax Et Bonum,
Crispus Mosinoh
St. Mary’s Cathedral,
Sandakan Diocese
Throughout the Youth Alpha journey, i realized that life is more than just a physical experience. No matter how much we own or control the world, there must be certain times that we feel something is not right and we keep on looking and pondering what is THAT exactly we search and yearn for! I’m glad that I found the answers through the Alpha Youth course! I praise God for that! It has been a life changing experience since then. Did i graduate with 1st class honour from this course? I don’t know. But what I’m really sure of, is that “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
