The representatives from the SEJ.

     I was privileged to represent the Virginia Conference and SEJ as a voting delegate to the Global Young People’s Convocation and Legislative Assembly from July 16-20, 2014 in the Philippines. It became a very memorable adventure early on as we arrived at CCT Retreat Center in Tagaytay City the same time as Typhoon Glenda. We were able to shelter in place and later change locations to a safer building at the retreat center during the eye of the storm. Everyone was very patient and flexible which is much appreciated by all when, at times, you have one semi-working bathroom with hundreds of folks trying to, literally, weather a storm together in one building. During the worst parts of the storm many of us prayed and sang together, even if we were exhausted from over 24 hours of travel with less than 2 hours of sleep. We were not able to stay at the retreat center due to the damage it sustained during the category three typhoon but the planning committee spent hours making contacts and working through the situation until they found a place for us to reconvene closer to Manila. Before we left CCT an offering was taken up and at least five denominations of cash were donated from representatives from around the world– over $1,500 was collected to help CCT as they begin to repair their facility. Once things began to calm down and the convention actually began we enjoyed meals, Worship, fellowship, Communion, and awesome music together! Our wonderful Filipino brothers and sisters blessed us with amazing hospitality! During the convention there was time to help fill food bags to help those devastated by the typhoon we experienced, a time of Worship to celebrate the Young Adult Mission Fellows from around the world who will be going out shortly to serve, and a time to discuss legislation. All items that passed will be sent to General Conference in 2016. The most amazing work to come from our short, hot, busy, emotional time together was a statement of unity which can be found here. We are all thankful for the prayers sent up for us during the GYPCLA and I encourage all to continue to support the young people in the church around the world as they work towards unity and work to fulfill the mission of The United Methodist Church.

My photos are available here.
The password is rachelmiller.

A video of our time in the Philippines can be found here.