Who would expect that a simple, ordinary Roman Catholic family, living what might seem like mediocre lives, would say yes to an exceptional and extraordinary life with the Lord?
Our journey in the community
Having been an integral part of the community for many years, I became a member of Singles for Christ in 1997, while my wife Lynjie previously engaged with both Youth for Christ and Singles for Christ.
Our parents were also active participants in the community. My parents served as Couple Coordinators of YFC, and Lynjie’s parents were Unit Heads in our local CFC chapter. The passing of Lynjie’s father in 2000 and my mother in 2012 distanced our families from the community. However, we encountered no reluctance when invited to rejoin CFC activities.
Now, Lynjie and I are on mission as Youth for Christ Provincial Couple Coordinators, while serving as government employees for the Davao de Oro Municipal and Provincial Government. Our children are active members of Kids for Christ and Youth for Christ, and some of them have already been entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
Service amidst challenges
A life of simplicity, the privilege of attending church on Sundays, and having little on my mind beyond the provision for my family—these serve as a profound source of solace for me, yet challenges within the family unit are ever present. As ordinary government employees, the formidable task of managing our children’s education, with their school situated a hundred kilometers away, presents significant obstacles.
Despite such trials, we consistently wear smiles on our faces. Our hearts overflow with love as a testament to God’s grace that alleviates our burdens. Even when we find ourselves grappling with personal difficulties, we recognize that every occurrence unfolds with divine purpose.
Moreover, our commitment to touching the lives of other families not only aids in renewing familial bonds but also serves the underprivileged and disseminates Christian values throughout the local community.
Despite certain obligations causing us to drift away from CFC for several years, we trust that God is aware of our journey. Considering the opportunities we have been afforded in our professional lives, we resolved to return our services to the Lord. We proclaimed our renewed commitment to the community in CFC, bringing along our children, who have all become fervently dedicated leaders in various capacities within Youth for Christ.
How families serve
Service within the CFC community is purely altruistic, devoid of monetary compensation and is fundamentally rooted in the teachings of Jesus, as exemplified in Mark 10:45. Galatians 5:13, which advocates for serving one another through love, underscores that authentic service is rendered “heartily, as for the Lord,” assuring us that such endeavors will be rewarded.
And for me, these verses affirm the kind of missionary life that epitomizes the essence of service.
What is particularly remarkable in CFC is that this journey in service is not undertaken in isolation. It encompasses not only oneself and their spouse but also extends to sons and daughters. CFC has cultivated a variety of ministries catering to diverse life stages, including Kids for Christ and Youth for Christ, with an emphasis on revitalizing families as a “domestic Church.” This initiative is grounded in Christian values and provides essential support for nurturing children in the faith.
Through the endeavors of CFC missionary work, our family has been able to significantly amplify our service within the community. My wife, daughters, and I are deeply engaged in our parochial commitments, and I currently serve on the Parish Pastoral Council.
Serving as a family
I am passionate about what we do and treasure the bond we share as a family. I often find myself contemplating how I arrived at this point of service. It is a seemingly straightforward question, and articulating an answer proves to be challenging; however, our actions as a family speak volumes. While I acknowledge that, in the eyes of others, we may not be a flawless family, I firmly believe that in the eyes of God, we are indeed perfect, for He has created us.
Family is paramount, anchored in God’s love. Indeed, family is the basic unit in the society where Christian values fundamentally rooted, and the calling to be Family Missionaries is the most important work in revitalizing families bringing them back closer to God.
Written by Dandie Evan E. Llaban | Ugnayan Correspondent
