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| Participants to the 2014 Northern Luzon Presbytery Women's Conference |
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| Maimai, Ms ?, Ms., and Pioneer Ate Josie |
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| Councilor Aliguyon of Poblacion, Kasibu, the active encourager |
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| Maimai, Mother Rosa, ?, Sis Julia Buyuccan |
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| Ptr Marlon, one of the speakers |
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| Ptr Pedring, another speaker |
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| Maimai and Ms. Grace of Kabuuan Presbyterian Church in Bayombong |
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| Mother from Bokiawan, Ifugao (she had to walk 1.5 hrs to reach the road only to be able ride another 6 hours to attend the conference) |
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| Kasibu Faith Presbyterian Church, the venue |
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| Maimai and women from all over Nueva Viscaya |
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| Sumusunod pa rin ang palay siyempre |
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| At ang burning of rice straw |
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| after harvesting |
(I have been attending research conferences in the last two decades as part of my job yet this conference was like no other. It's not just the principles and messages from the Scripture that you get to hear non-stop (with morning devotions and night sessions), but the sustained interest, energy and enthusiasm of the women who attended that makes it so encouraging. A 50+ mother intently listening and taking down notes, asking questions; a nursing mother listening to the speaker; a mother with a 4-year old listening, engineers and teachers doing the legwork are sights to behold. Oldies, teachers, young mothers, some youth, all blending together so well with one aim - to learn, encourage and be encouraged. The week was very crucial for me in my work--I had to prepare something for a research conference -- but I thank God for the encouragement from the scriptures and from the brethren that refreshed and reminded me of the imminent and essential.
The conference text: Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then...
... with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
... with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
... with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace,
... take up the shield of faith,with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one,
... and the helmet of salvation
... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
... and pray... on all occcasions... be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
It must have been read 20x over during the conference duration by different speakers. Always easier said than done for me in the past and even now, yet as has been said over and over again, by the grace of God, there is now no condemnation and His son already won the victory--'he will crush your head and you will strike his heel'-- we just have to start and strive appropriating this truth.-che)
.JPG)
