Is Integrity that important?

Personal Study on Integrity

What is Integrity?

In Dictionary it means the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, moral uprightness: the state of being whole and undivided.

In Youth With A Mission, to communicate with integrity is one of our foundational values. It says, YWAM affirms that anything exists because God communicates. Therefore, YWAM is committed to truthful, accurate, timely and relevant communication. We believe good communication is essential for strong relationships, healthy families, communities and effective ministry.

As I read the Book of Job, I wonder about his integrity. What is it with integrity that he cannot let go of? Is integrity more important than comfort or anything else?

In Job 2:3 it says, have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.

…Far be it from me to say that you are right, till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. (Read Job 27:1-5)

Job has strong moral principles. He holds fast to his integrity even when his wife asked him to deny God because of the suffering he is experiencing. As I read his story, I have seen how he talks to his friends. They could judge him as a self-righteous man but for Job, he knows his stand, he knows it deep in his heart that he does what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Integrity is keeping a commitment even after circumstances have changed.

Samuel is also a good example of integrity (1Samuel 12:1-4). We can see that Samuel shows integrity in his possessions, his business dealings and his treatment over people. Samuel hold himself accountable to the people he led.

Integrity does not apply to one area but to EVERY area of our lives. People want to know that we can be trusted and we follow through commitments. It also applies in keeping our words. It’s doing what we said. We walk the talk not just talk.

Biblical Integrity is not just doing the right thing, it’s a matter of having the right heart and allowing the person you are inside to match the person you are outside. It is doing the right thing even no one sees you. 

Integrity is one of the characters of our God. He never changes. When He speaks, he fulfills. In Hebrews 6:18 where is says God did not lie, that means He is the reliable source of our Hope. God’s commitment towards His people extends from generation to generations.

 *Image is from Google.

Praise the Lord in His Sovereignty

WINTER NEWS

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Workers Gathering: January 3-6

 We started the year joining the YWAM Norway Workers Gathering in Grimerud base. It was a great start to worship the Lord and hear from Him as YWAM.
We have also met Filipinos during the program when they called our country. We are not that many but 4 is a good number :) Also, to Benjie’s surprise, he also met Antonio from Mexico. They met sometime ago in  YWAM Philippines. When you are in YWAM, the world seems smaller :)

When we came back from Grimerud, the base seems so empty since all the DTS are on their outreach but it didn’t last that long. There were 2 weekends. We invite the base’ Partners to come and fellowship with us. As staff, we all worked together, prepare rooms for them, make good food and welcome them with a grateful heart. They have been partnering the ministry here for a long time.

January seems a bit calm.  We joined (and still join) some of the Mission Adventures Team Activity like Reading the Bible in a coffee shop in town where we read it loud (enough) and then discuss it afterwards. We truly believed this will bring such a great atmosphere in that place. Our heart is for people to go back to God. We continue doing our normal ministry in town as well. 

In February 17-28, Benjie joined the Mission Adventures Trip to the West Coast of Norway where they travel to visit different schools and Christian Youth Groups to take part in their Bible Study and Devotions and also they share about YWAM and DTS. They have been driving almost 2,000 km. With a lot of good people to meet, very beautiful sceneries in the West Coast and great opportunities to share the Word of God, they really had so much fun.

This is Benjie sharing on a morning devotion in one of the schools they have visited.

He shared from 1 Timothy 2:8 saying, “I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.”

 KIC Bible Group

Teaching How to Study the Bible

 We had the opportunity to share a certain tool we learned from YWAM to Kristiansand International Church. Benjie did most of it and Christina continued some of it. It was a good team work. We really cannot limit how the Lord can work.

No matter how much knowledge of the Bible we have, if we fail to apply it - its useless!

Are you assured of your visa to heaven?

VISA seems to be a common challenge for many people working in Missions. Its so great that our VISA to HEAVEN doesn’t have to be approved by anyone else but GOD and JESUS paid it all, what an amazing truth!

VISA SITUATION in January, we got stressed of the news that we have to pay for our visa (again!). We have paid before we arrived here in August 2012 and its suppose to be good for 1 year. They started giving this ID which I think is new. We saw that the validity is only to March 2013, we asked about it before they even print it and they said, we can go back to the Embassy  1 month before it expires so to that understanding, we thought that’s just what we have to do. When we called them in January, they are requiring us to pay the same amount for extension which will costs us 6,000 kr (about 1000 usd/800 Euro). We sent our complain and they said to wait for 1 month, and now 1 month after, it seems that we complain for nothing because we still have to pay. We don’t feel its right, but we have to pay. Its still cheaper compare to buying a plane ticket in March.

Should you wish to help us, please keep in contact with us and may the Lord lead you. We are targeting to pay as soon as we can since its already March, we have sent our application and we’ll be schedule the 12th of March as soon soon as we have paid the fee.

Please include us in your prayers and May you continue to see and walk in God’s righteousness.

 

What's Next?

March 10 - Benjie’s 30th Birthday!!!!!!!

March 12 - Please pray for our visa interview

March 22 - Philippines will be the featured country for the “Verdens Middag” (International Dinner) in KIA (our partner in Ministry). This time, Benjie will be responsible to cook Filipino Food :)

Starting April - we will be responsible for the Kitchen (Cooking and Ordering) since our Cook will be gone by then for a YWAM School in Switzerland.

BENJAMIN & CHRISTINA BUSTOS

CONTACT INFORMATION:
+47 94479637 (C) +47 47948657 (B)

ACCOUNT INFORMATION:

Christina Bustos                            

Skandia Bank 9722.19.63621

Benjamin Bustos                                 

Bank of the Philippine Islands 

Account#4179195017

or you can send your help through paypal account benjiechris.bustos@gmail.com                                          

Sola Gratia

Why Sola Gratia?

Sola Gratia is from the Latin word meaning “by grace alone”. It is teaching that salvation comes by divine grace. This means that salvation is unearned gift from God for Jesus’ sake. In Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.”

Short history

This project started 6 or 7 years ago by Rodel Estrebor, in partner with Pastor Jeovanni De Los Reyes of the Green Pasture Baptist Church in Samal Island. Their desire is to see young people grow in both spiritual and physical. Supporting them to be able to finish their education. Rodel, together with some other friends funded this project while Pastor Jeovanni and his partner Pastor Michael helps in keeping the kids spiritual growth by regular Bible Studies and follow ups.

In August 2012, both Rodel and Ptr. Jeovanni went home to the Lord. The project was left with unknown future but by the grace of God this project will continue.

You can be a part of it by sending a one time gift or even regular gifts to help these kids in Samal Island finished their schooling. 

  
Samal Island

Samal Island is an island outside Davao City. It is known as tourist place due to its good beaches. You can check for more info here:(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samal_Island) The church is currently supporting 11 students from 2 different schools in the island. These students are in primary and in high school years. They are from a not so privileged family who strives hard to earn a living. Our heart is to continue to help them until they finish their education.


The government school in the Philippines is not expensive. The amount of 2000-2500 pesos (250-350 kroner/50 USD) depending on their school projects should suffice their needs for a year. 

The students usually walk from their houses to the school so it doesn’t cost them that much.
Helping them to go to school means helping a Filipino to have a good future.

How can we help?

The School Year starts every June and ends in March. For this upcoming school year, you can start sending your help if you wish to. Enrollment for the students will start in May.

If you wanted to help. You can send your help to any of the following:

Any money transfers like xoom, western union or cebuana lhuillier. 
Recipient will be Ptr. Michael Emperado in Samal Island

Skandia Bank Account         
Ma.Christina Estrebor Bustos    
9722.55.29616                            
Swift Code: DNBANOKK  

paypal account is benjiechris.bustos@gmail.com

Bank of the Philippine Islands 
Benjamin B. Bustos         
4179195017                                
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Should you send some help, please notify us through our email account
benjiechris.bustos@gmail.com

or you can call or text us:            
Benjamin and Christina Bustos
+47 94479637 or +63927-6984612

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

This scripture reminds me of my brother.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Growing up as the youngest and surprised child, kuya has always been present in my life. When our father died 1 month I was born, he took the responsibility and helped Nanay earned a living. He’s a very responsible person.

No one’s perfect as we all know and I have seen kuya’s “life in the world”. I was young then but I remembered it. He got a lot of friends in our place and most of the weekends they’re gathered in the “kubo” in front of our house with some drinks and endless stories. I have never seen him picked up a fight but I saw him mediating when the alcohol hits some of the “tropas” brains.

I was 9 turning 10 when I first got a nephew. Kuya and Ate Rose’ first born, Sydel. He was named after their names. When Sydel was growing up, I remember Kuya’s time of searching for the truth. He tried to join another sect but he didn’t find the truth in their belief. There was one time when we got visitors from this sect, and my cousin Susan was there too. They were discussing about the truth. I knew I was present by then. That was the first time I heard the scripture from John 8:32 “the truth will set you free” and that was the very time (I think!) Kuya was set free. I didn’t know so much details but I remember he started going to Agape and we followed after him.

He’s a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come. Transformation happened in the life of my brother. I noticed his change. There’s no more Friday Night happening in front of our house. He got new friends but I don’t think he’s forsaken his old friends. He remained friends with them but he was too busy discovering the new life he’s found. He found the greatest thing in life. He’s a lost sheep found by the Shepherd of his soul. He found Jesus, his Lord and Savior.

I have seen his devotion to God. He sought God continuously and blessings followed him. Of course, he has ups and downs as well but he lived a life that trusts the Lord.

There was a crucial time in my life when he really made me realized what kind of life do I want. It was a special time we had in Hong Kong. He told me how my decisions and choices would affect my future. His life showed me how important it is to be faithful in the Lord and to have the fear of God. I have taken it in my heart and forever will I be grateful for that moment.

You’re my “online” and “on call” counselor, a very caring and thoughtful son to Nanay, a loving and funny husband to ate Rose, a good brother and supporter to ate Mel and kuya Allan. A generous tito Rodel. You are a faithful employee and a humble boss. You are Denan’s number 1 fan, Airah’s caregiver and Sydel’s encourager and friend. You have shared your wisdom, love and even resources to us.

I miss you so much Kuya and I know you are enjoying your life now with Abba Father. Maybe you are having the best coffee now that no one has ever seen.

I want people to know that your life impacted me so much and I am grateful to God for allowing us to have you and to experience a life with you.

I miss you kuyakot!

--Tinz--