Sis. Melita Estera served in the MV DOULOS from 2001 to 2003. “MV DOULOS is one of Operation Mobilization’s (OM’s) ships used for missions. It was built in 1914 just two years after the Titanic. Today, Doulos is the world’s oldest active ocean going passenger vessel bringing hope, knowledge and help to different countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Europe. On board is the world’s largest floating bookshop.
The Doulos is the unique platform for an international community service and cultural exchange project. Three hundred twenty (320) people from forty five (45) different nations serve voluntarily on board. My personal involvement with them was an enriching experience.
It had caused me to grow socially; being able to live, work and minister harmoniously with international crew and staff with different personalities, cultural and educational backgrounds. Spiritually, I have always experienced God’s presence, protection and guidance during rough and smooth sailings and in ministry times with animists, Muslims, and radically progressive groups.
Despite the difficulties, restrictions, limitations and dangers faced in the mission field in an effort to show and share God’s love to different tribes like the Karen tribe of Myanmar, Orang Asli tribe of Malaysia, Pygmies of Gabon, the orphans, street children, HIV-AIDS victims in Africa, it had brought fulfillment and joy to my life.
The experience also widened my knowledge and understanding of the different religions, tribes, cultures and ways of life. Wherever a person’s origin is, they all need Jesus in their lives. Let me take this opportunity to once again thank you for your faithful and generous financial and prayer support during my time on board MV DOULOS. By the way, Doulos is coming back to the Philippines on January – March 2009 before she will be decommissioned.” says Sis. Melita.
Sis. Divina Pakilo is the first local missionary to have been sent and fully supported by the church to international missions. She went to Cambodia in 2006 and is still ministering there up to present.
“For my first two years in Battambang Province under the ministry of Ptr. Sam Raguingan, I was involved in the ESL program – Teaching English as a Second Language, which is our tool for evangelizing the youth of Cambodia.
Another involvement is in teaching English Bible Classes in which we use the Bible as our text book in teaching English. I was involved also in the discipleship program and the cell group. In my English class, I was able to help these students learn English as a tool for them to get a better job in their country; more importantly, I was able to impart the word of God or plant seeds in the heart of these young people.
At present I am helping our appointed missionary Ptr. Nora Catipon. I am still involved with the ESL Program under the Lighthouse Christian Assembly here at Phnom Pehn, the Capital City of Cambodia. My ministry this time is more challenging because I don’t only teach but I also manage the whole ESL program. There are four (4) Cambodian teachers who are helping me with this program. We teach grammar from Mondays to Thursdays and during Fridays we teach the Bible to the whole class – we call it enrichment class.” says Sis. Divina.
Sis. Divina belongs to the Barnabbas project – a special project of the PGCAG assisting our appointed missionary. This means that she is now officially listed as Filipino missionary of the PGCAG to Cambodia and is entitled to raise funds or support from other Assembly of God churches which is properly recorded and accounted by the PGCAG.
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