Author Archives: bukallifeministries

Repost: Are You Listening? Really Listening?

Craig Thompson's avatarClearing Customs

[My family is moving across town this week, so I haven’t been able to work on the blog much lately. So here’s a repost from about a year and a half ago. This transition thing can feel like Frost’s “miles to go before I sleep.” But until that rest comes, I’ll look for a park bench along the way.]

Finding good listeners is very important to missionaries. In fact, when member-care trainer Brenda Bosch surveyed missionaries about what they wanted from their mission agency, the top answer was “someone to listen to me.”

German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes that listening is necessary in Christian community. He calls it the “first service” that Christians owe each other:

Just as our love for God begins with listening to God’s Word, the beginning of love for other Christians is learning to listen to them. God’s love for us is shown by the fact that God not only…

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April 2014 Updates

A lot going on. Here is some.

1. Our Disaster Response team (partnership of PBTS and Bukal Life Care) is continuing its work in the Visayas particularly with Stress debriefing. They will return to Baguio on April 9th.

2. March 24. Bukal Life Care (led by Cori and Jehny) are training AV-STM missionary trainees in “Basic First Aid” and “The Baggage Cart.” AV-STM will send out its “STMers” in April.

3. March 26. We start CPE 2014 Summer Intensive.

4. March 31. Didactics start CPE. Monday (March 31), we will be presenting an Introduction to Pastoral Care. The focus will be on (1) The roles of pastoral care from a historical standpoint, (2) an overview of the Clinical Pastoral Care movement, and (3) present models for relating psychology and theology in counseling. It will start at 8:30am and continue until 11:30am. Although this seminar is primarily for CPE trainees as their first Didactic, others are welcome to join if they wish. It will be held at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, Baguio City. There is no charge, but we would appreciate letting us know if you are attending. Text 0933-302-0373.

Training in Guindulman

We have a partnership with PBTS (both seminary and student council) for work in the Visayas. The first step was to do training in Guindulman, Bohol. The team includes Alexis, a member of the staff of Bukal. Joylene, who has been a trainee of Bukal, assisted. From PBTS, Ptr. Ronnie, Fritz, and Jeremiah (JB) joined. This was done in partnership with Vis-Con Southern Baptist Churches (represented and supported by Ptr. Rolly, and Dr. Erlyn). Ptr. Erwin from Guildulman served as host along with his church. 1558457_860227857327046_1302833837_n 22 trainees from all over Bohol joined. Training from Bukal was primarily in pastoral care, crisis care (and psychological first aid), and teaching methods. PBTS and Vis-Con supported training in church planting, church growth, discipleship, and Baptist Distinctives. The training went well. Following the training, two had to continue on to other work. However, Alexis, Fritz, and JB continue their work in crisis care (in response to the earthquake and typhoon in the Visayas in late 2013). They will be in Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, and Iloilo for the next two weeks in this work. Guindulman 1

What is “Life Care

Okay, have to admit the term “Life Care” is somewhat of a made-up term. Of course there are a lot of mad-up terms that have become accepted ways of describing different types of care. For us, the expression describes much of what we do, and can be divided into three broad areas of care:

1. Pastoral Care. Pastoral Care is a broad term for care within a faith context. There are four broad categories that pastoral care cover. These are:

  • Healing
  • Guidinglife care
  • Sustaining
  • Reconciling

2.  Crisis Care.  Crisis Care focuses on lives  torn apart due to major loss, disaster (particularly group or community disasters), and trauma. The focus is on defusing, debriefing, and education. Care applies to primary victims, secondary victims, and “hidden” victims.

3.  Member Care. Member Care covers the broad network of support associated with the life cycle of a professional in ministry (and family and team). Most commonly, member care here relates to missionaries or ministry professionals.

You could say that Crisis Care is Pastoral Care for those suffering from excessive stress or trauma. Member Care is Pastoral Care for those with long-term stress due to professional ministry.

Mar 2014 Activities

A few dates for a busy month.

Mar 5. Staff meeting
Mar 12 PMHA training for support of women and children (Nueva Ecija)
Mar 14 Graduation, PBTS.
Mar 17 AV-STM prefield Training (2-weeks)
Mar 18 Staff Meeting
Mar 20-22. Bohol Mission, part II
Mar 24. Training Day with AV-STM (first aid, and group work)
Mar 26. Start of CPE Intensive (continues for 10.5 weeks)
Mar 30. CPSP Plenary starting (Va Beach, VA) and continuing to April 2nd.

Three Days in February

Three great activities in three consecutive days.

Day 1 (February 20). Asia Vision-STM invited us to Wood Nymph Restaurant for a planning dinner. AV-STM is a Philippine-based organization that trains Filipinos in missions through training and Short-Term and Encounter missions. AV-STM is committed to proper missionary member care for those who go. We have been working with them with personality evaluation and training. We are presently working with each other to develop a program that meets the needs of AV-STM. Thanks to Jehny and Fhey for taking the lead on developing this program.

Feb 2014 a

Day 2 (February 21). At the invitation of Serving Neighbors Network, we were invited to do a training in Intentional Conversation. We did a similar training at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary a month before. SNN trains children in Baguio through the ALS (alternative learning system) program. Attendees were teachers and barangay workers. There were approximately 20 in attendance. Bob led the primary training, with roleplay and group discussion work by Celia, Becky, and Cori.

Feb 2014 d

Day 3 (February 22).  We carried out another topic in our series of Mini-Workshops. This training is in Conflict Mediation, led by Dr. Sim Dang-Awan. Doc Sim is an expert in mediation and tribal confict resolution. The training was held at Philippines Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS) , to a group of around 25. We had a very positive response to this and discussion is underway for follow-ons to this important topic.

Feb 2014 g

2013 Activities

Here are some of our activities over 2013.

January.  Pastoral Care Basics. Led by Celia Munson. At Serving Neighbors Network, Baguio City. Training. 2 days. 8 trainees

February.  ALS visitation and gift-giving at Crystal Cave, Baguio, (12 helped) and Mother and Children’s Health Outreach, San Isidro, Agoo (80 helped). Organized by Angie Gomez.

February 22-23  Life Care Training Led by Bob and Celia Munson. At Sefton Village, Santiago, Isabela. 1.5 days. 20 trainees.

March   AV-STM Member Care Training. Celia: Basic First Aid for STMers.

May. Missionary Member Care. Led by Robert Munson. (2-week Summer module). PBTS.11 trainees

May 23   Stress Management. Led by Dr. Sim Dang-Awan. Dept of Agriculture, Banaue.

May.  Missionary Member Care Trip to Cambodia. Jehny Pedazo. AG Team and AV-STM.

June 8  Crisis Care Training. Led by Celia Munson. At “The Hub” Student Center, La Trinidad. 1 evening. 7 trainees

June 13-14.  Disaster Response,Buguias, Benguet. 100 people. Training and Stress Defusing.

June 25. Formal Agreement with PBTS on partnering on ministry, facilities, and training.

July.   Loss and Grief seminar. Led by Celia. At Trinidad Baptist Church.

August.  Growth Groups. Led by Joyce Gray. August – October 2013. PBTS.6 trainees

September 26.   Solidarity for families and PWDs. AVRC Region 1. Led by Celia.

October 4.   Child Abuse. 1.5 hour lecture by Celia Munson at Benguet State.

November.  Disaster Response/NOVA training, PBTS, 4 hours, 25 trainees.

November.  Crisis Care/Child Traumatic Stress, AV-STM, 4 hours, 15 trainees. Led by Jehny.

November.   Disaster Response, Ormoc and Tacloban. Led by Dr. Nori Lacquian. Alexis joined. Relief work and defusing.

December.   Disaster Response, “Iloklan Team.” Numancia, Iloilo, and Baliguian, Concepcion, Iloilo. Defusing, Relief Goods, Training.

December. Disaster Response, Cebu and Ormoc. Stress Defusing, Training for ministry leaders in Cebu.

December.  Disaster Response, Bilar, Bohol. Relief goods, Defusing, and Training led by Bob, Celia, and Dr. Erlyn Santos.

December 27-28. “Project Leyte” Crisis Debrief/Defuse Training. Organized by PNA-Baguio/Benguet, PGCA-Baguio/Benguet, Zero Distance to the Philippines, and Bukal Life Care. Dec 27/28. Modules led by several including Celia and Jehny.

 

 

2012. Some Activities

  • Jan 5-10 Return to CDO for Disaster Response.
  • Jan CPE-Manila Batch begins
  • Feb 19-20 CPO final evals and graduation
  • Feb 29 Doc Raymond arrives in Manila
  • Mar 2 Doc Lawrence Seminar, PCMC
  • Mar 3 Peer Review
  • Mar 5 Doc Lawrence Seminar, St. Lukes
  • Mar 9 Doc Lawrence departs for US
  • Mar 12 Northridge School Recollection
  • Mar 19 CPE Summer Intensive in Baguio
  • Apr 14 Christian Counseling Seminar with Rudy French
  • Apr 18 Training lectures at CSBC youth camp
  • Apr 30 Graduation of CPE-Manila Batch
  • May 12 Graduation of CPE-Intensive (Baguio)
  • Jun 9 CPE Office dedication in Quezon City
  • Jul 16 Start of CPE-Manila new Batch
  • Jul 31 Rev. Aguirre resigns as Executive Director
  • Aug 18 CPE Orientation in Baguio
  • Sep 1 CPE-Baguio started (50)
  • Sep 1 CPO with CSBC-WMU started (8)
  • Sep 1 Brent Group Training (at Brent School, Baguio).
  • Sep 19 CPSP-PI BOT Meeting
  • Sep 28 Completion of Bukal Life Journal
  • Oct 6 Board of Trustees Meeting. Baguio City
  • Oct 20 Espineda Seminar at CPU, Iloilo
  • Oct 23 Espineda Seminar at PBTS
  • Oct 25 Espineda Seminar at UC Baguio
  • Oct 27 Espineda Seminar in Manila.

2011. Some Activities

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  • Jan 4. Shepherd in Every Classroom training for teachers at Union School International
  • Feb 3. Recollection Retreat for High School students from CCDC, held at Mount St. Paul’s Retreat Center, La Trinidad
  • Feb 12. Parents Training at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, La Trinidad
  • Feb 23. Psychology of the Family Training, Bang-Ar group, Naguilian, La Union
  • Mar 4. Conflict/Confrontation Training, Psychology Group, University of Cordilleras
  • Mar 29. Basic Health & First Aid for Short-Term Missionaries. Asia Vision-STM, at PBTS
  • Mar 21 – May 28. CPE Batch 1. 23 students, 5 supervisors-in-training. Baguio.
  • Apr 20, 23. Inauguration of CPSP-Philippines, and Certification of Bukal Life as training center for CPSP.
  • May 9. Workshop for Special Needs Ministry, At PBTS
  • May 10-13. Workshop/Seminars at Calvary Baptist Elementary School
  • May 14. “The William & Viola Farrell Pastoral Care and Counseling Symposium.” Baguio City
  • May 21. Medical Mission, Irisan Dumpsite
  • May 31. Crisis Care Seminar. Dalicno, Itogon.
  • Jun 14. Parenting Seminar II. Immaculate Heart of Mary School
  • Jun 18. CPE Batch 2 started. 6 trainees. Baguio
  • Aug 6. CPE Batch 3 started. 17 trainees. Baguio/Manila. Start of Bukal Life-Manila.
  • Sep 3. Annual Board Meeting. Baguio
  • Sep 29. Family Day, AVRC-1. Dagupan.
  • Oct 20. Dinner For a Cause/1st Anniversary Celebration. CPE Batch 2 and 3A Graduation
  • Nov 7. CPE Information Meeting, PBTS, Baguio City.
  • Nov 12. CPE Graduation, Bukal Life-Manila
  • Nov. 12. University of the Cordilleras, Commerce Graduating Class. Seminar, Stress and Time management.
  • Nov. 14. CPO class start 1-4pm, Mid-City Christian Church. 17 Trainees
  • Nov. 14. CPE Batch 4A begins. 11 Trainees
  • Nov 28-29. CPO Training with Highlands Convention, UCCP, in Tabuk Kalinga. 25 Trainees
  • Dec 10. CPO class with UCCP, Highlands Convention
  • Dec 16. Christmas Party (Bukal Life-Baguio)
  • Dec 26-30. Disaster Response Crisis Intervention, Cagayan de Oro

Mediation Mini-Workshop

Date:              Saturday, February 22. 9am – 11:30am.279983_445972805443399_1745547751_o
Location:       Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. 19 Tacay Road, Baguio City
Topic:             Mediation
Facilitator:    Dr. Simplicio Dang-awan

Doc Sim presently heads “New Heights Coaching and Development Center.” He is a retired military chaplain and is former pastor of UCCP-Baguio. He has years of experience with conflict resolution and tribal war mediation. Space is limited.

Text 0933-302-0373 to reserve a seat.