Category: Cultural Issues

Angeles City: Two Weeks In

I’ve been living in Angeles City for about two weeks now.  So far I’m loving it here–it’s already starting to feel like home.  I’ll share just a few of my impressions:


Chillax:

There’s something innately relaxing about this city.  I have so many of the amenities of Manila without the hassle.  Most of the stuff I need for day-to-day life (grocery store, laundry mat, gym etc) is within walking distance of my place.  I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy this more relaxed pace of life.

Night Life:

Angeles City is known as the “entertainment capital” of the Philippines.  We all know this has some (well-deserved) negative connotations.  That’s a spiritual stronghold I may talk about some other time.

But there is an upside to a city that prides itself on partying: most places stay open late.  The mall next to my old place (SM City Manila) usually closed around 9:00 p.m.  I know Manila has an active nightlife of its own, but I’m not really into bar hopping.  Sometimes just I wished there was just a coffee shop or restaurant near my place where I could go in the evening to hang out.  That isn’t a problem here–plenty of places stay open until midnight and beyond.

Expats Everywhere:

I used to go days without seeing another Westerner when I lived in Manila.  Here I see one every time I leave the house (many live near or in my neighborhood).  I talked to a Brit, a German, and two other Americans during my last gym visit.  This has taken some getting used to–kind of a reverse culture shock happening within my own adoptive country.

But Filipinos are still curious as to why I’m here, so I have several opportunities for outreach in day-to-day activities.

Kapampangan:

People are appreciative (and shocked) when I converse with them in Tagalog.  But there’s also a local language here in Pampanga.  I may try to learn it, but I’m not going to commit to that just yet. 

In Awe of His Divine Direction:

I happened to run across an old email I sent to a friend back in July (my 9-year anniversary here in the Philippines).  Here’s what I told him:

“I’m praying about what God wants out of me for the next few years.  I’m asking Him to show me if there’s a slightly different direction He wants me to go, such as pastoring or starting a new work here in a different part of the Philippines.”

I’m still amazed at the process that brought me here.  The Lord has been so good to me.  

Philippines, Youth Ministry, and Technology

Vintage

Much has changed since I first arrived in the Philippines over nine years ago.

One of the most precious possessions I brought was my Dell laptop.  I believe it was an Inspiron 8100, and it was a pretty good computer in its time.  Having a laptop was kind of a big deal in those days.  I remember my roommate discouraged me from carrying it around with me, afraid someone may try to steal it.  I don’t guess leaving the apartment with it would have done much good anyway, since WiFi spots weren’t that common (I don’t even remember if that particular model had a WiFi card).

A few years later I upgraded to a Dell Inspiron 8600.  That one is still sitting on my desk at my apartment–a monument to how quickly technology becomes obsolete.  It still works pretty well, though it looks like I’ve cooked it in a microwave.  That old Dell is my “public” computer: I allow students to use it if they want to check their email, type something, or play around on Facebook after Bible study.

Filipino students also introduced me to social networking.  I dropped by an internet cafe one day during lunch and noticed almost everyone was on the same website: Friendster (this was back in 2003 or 2004 I guess).  I figured I should start my own account–one more way to connect with students.

How times have changed!

Laptops are no longer a rare commodity, even among college students.  Students no longer ask me if I have a Friendster account, but Facebook is another story.  The jury is still out on whether or not Google+ will be the “next big thing.”

There’s a point to my rambling (I think): technology gives us unique opportunities in terms of ministry–especially when it comes to reaching students.

This blog, for example, began as an experiment of sorts (back in 2006).  The whole TLW/purity seminar thing was growing beyond my expectations.  I wanted to have some way to inspire and encourage those students whom I may not get to interact with personally.  The ongoing blogging adventure has resulted in two books, a radio show, and a few TV appearances (I’m still waiting on my modelling contract with Clear Dandruff Shampoo).


I hope those of you in ministry are also taking advantage of technology–I’m afraid some ministries are still under-utilizing this invaluable medium.  I’ll give you a few suggestions:

1. Start a blog for your church or ministry.

Don’t be intimidated–it’s really pretty easy: if you can use email (like gmail or yahoo), then you can blog.  Still afraid you can’t do it?  Ask one of the students in your church to give you some pointers.  There are plenty of free blogging platforms (like Blogger or WordPress).

It’s fine to also create a Facebook page (more on that later).  But I think you should focus more of your energy on a blog or website independent from Facebook (or other social media sites).  This allows people to learn about your ministry anonymously if they wish (they don’t have to “like” or join the group to read your content). Your own blog/website will also help ensure your content remains accessible and in a relevant format.  Many people now regret the time they spent developing ning and multiply blogs/groups.

2. Create a social media team. 

You already have church members (especially students) who know how to blog and use social media.  Ask for a few volunteers to redeem the time they are now wasting on Farmville or Mafia Wars.  This team can help you keep everyone updated about ministry events, sermon topics, etc.

3. Use Social Media to Disseminate Information

It’s fine to create a Facebook fan page/group for your ministry (I’ve done this myself http://facebook.com/kuyakevin).

But don’t stop there: encourage members to post events from your ministry blog on their Facebook wall, Twitter accounts, etc.  Most of your church members (especially students) have a Facebook account with at least a few hundred friends in them–it is a 100% free way to advertise and invite people to worship and other ministry events.

I hope this post has given you some helpful suggestions.