Global Youth Ministry Network - Asia

I came to Metro Manila in the summer of 2009. There are three things that I planned to do here- go to school again, volunteer for the Global Youth Ministry Network and watch a movie at IMAX movie theater (but I will not talk about that in this article).

I have been exposed to GYMN and its various mission-related ministries about six years ago. In the past years, I have offered some services for GYMN like writing an article for the blog and designing the promotional poster for the tenth anniversary. During the tenth anniversary at Boracay, I finally decided to become a volunteer. I was so excited to finally be part of the GYMN family here in Metro Manila. My primary function is to support the GYMN-Asia staff. I identified three areas that I can help with, namely, the Youth Connections, the blog and the bulletin board. My classes are scheduled in the evening so I am usually at the GYMN office during weekdays. For the last two months, I have done many things that I was more than willing to do. I was able to mail a hundred of Youth Connections to the post office, lay-out the June issue of Youth Connections, design birthday cards for GYMN trainers and staff and facilitate in GYMN events like the recent Coffee Consultations.

So far, my most memorable experience as a volunteer was when Ate Ghie, GYMN Asia Director, asked me to accompany two visitors from US to go shopping at Greenhills and meet a friend at SM Mall of Asia. The two were actually staying at GYMN’s staff house and they needed a tour guide in the city. The following day, they invited me to go with them as they travelled around Manila’s historical churches, the Intramuros and the Smokey mountains. Before lunchtime, we went to Tagaytay City and witnessed the breathtaking view of the Taal Volcano while eating Filipino dishes at Dencio’s.

My studying here in Manila would be for the next two to three years. I hope that I will have fruitful and meaningful stay here in the big city. I am excited to continually support GYMN, to be part of a family that is global in scope and eternal in purpose.