USA Leg of Apostolic Visit to CLSF Churches Completed!

Barely a week after their arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport last July 1, Canada Day, the Apostolic Team of Bishop “Kuya” Dan A. Balais, the CLSF Senior Pastor and Spiritual Director; together with his wife and International Elder, Ate Tanette Balais; and Ate Myrna Fetalvero, the CLSF International Coordinator for North America, were able to minister to CLSF Mississauga, pastored by Ate Liza Serrano, Kuya Gil Palero and Kuya Philip Esguerra last July 5, Sunday. The following week, July 7, Kuya Dan, together with Ate Liza Serrano, officiated the most awaited wedding of Kuya Robin Azarcon and Ate Dannah Mae Diarios, both youth leaders of CLSF Mississauga, held at the beautiful Royal Ambassador Event Place in a garden wedding by the lake at Caledon, Peel in the Greater Toronto Area. With practically just a day of rest at their Markham abode of Kuya Ed and Ate Vel Padua, Kuya Dan and B the A-Team prepared for their flight to Los Angeles, California on July 10 for the first phase of the USA leg of the apostolic visit. Landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Toronto Pearson after a 5-hour flight, the team was met by Kuya Noli Hipolito and Kuya Strauss Dimaranan, who drove them to Anaheim, California, a one-and-a-half-hour drive to the house of Ate Ciely Nation, pastor of CLSF Long Beach. Kuya Dan preached at the Sunday Worship service of CLSF Long Beach in Cerritos, California, last July 12.

After a day of rest at Anaheim, Kuya Dan and Ate Tanette went to Burbank, driven again by Kuya Strauss, to the luxury condo of Ate Josie Quidez, who is living with her daughter Katrina and granddaughter Phoenix, to sleep there for the night and together, fly the following day to Spokane, Washington via Salt Lake City International in Utah, to visit Mom Lil Tinsley, now 87 years old, and her youngest son, Jesse Tinsley who himself in in his 60’s. Kuya Dan and Ate Tanette, this time, were accompanied by Ate Josie to visit their spiritual mother during the Jesus People days in the ‘70s. It was Kuya Dan and Ate Tanette’s long desire to visit Mom Lil and Jesse during their trip to the USA. Ate Josie was instrumental in making it happen through her extraordinary generosity. They arrived last July 14 at Spokane and were excitedly met at the airport by Jesse. From the airport, they decided to go straight to Mom's place at North Point Village Care home, some 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Kuya Dan and the team had a sweet fellowship with Mom in her room 405 on the 4^th Floor of the nice 50-room building. North Point Residences is a modern facility for the elderly. After a short 45-minute meet-up and fellowship with Mom, Jesse drove Kuya Dan and Team to his vintage 120-year-old house, where they stayed for 2 nights and 3 days. It was a very rewarding three-day visit to Mom Lil and Jesse as Kuya Dan, Ate Tanette and Ate Josie made every minute with them count by expressing their love and gratitude for her, the late Dad Bill, and their children Karl, Elaine, and Jesse. Flying back to Burbank to continue their California visitation, they were met by Check and Kuya Benjie Velarde and their son, Benjairo, together with Ate Myrna, who stayed with them the whole time Kuya Dan and the team visited Mom Lil. They drove them back to Ate Ciely’s home in Anaheim. Ate Josie was met at the airport by her daughter, Katrina. Ate Precious Hernandez of CLSF Calgary flew in to spend the next two weeks helping Ate Ciely in the ministry and exploring the possibility of staying long-term in Anaheim for ministry.

After a day of rest, they were ready for their ministry time in Oxnard, California, at Christ, the Rock of Salvation (CRSF) of Kuya Jun and Ate Vangie Cachin. CRSF is part of the CLSF family of churches in California. While in Oxnard, Kuya Dan and the team were gladly hosted by Ate Sannee Enriquez, a close friend of Kuya Dan and Ate Tanette, and a member of CLSF way back in the mid-’80s when she was still in the Philippines. Ate Sannee is living alone in her beautiful house. Her son, Simon, married last year and lives with his wife, Molly, in another state. Sunday, July 19, Kuya Dan and the Team ministered in CRSF during their morning service. Many attended and were prayed for by the team for their different needs. Another friend, Kuya Eric Reyes, who owns a hair salon, treated Kuya Dan, Ate Tanette and Ate Myrna for a hair trim and treatment. While there in Oxnard, Kuya Dan and the team ministered to Kuya Jun and Ate Vangie Cachin, their sons, Daniel and Joseph, and their leadership. After staying in Oxnard for five days, they had to return to Anaheim to speak at CLSF Long Beach in Cerritos for their 7th Anniversary. The theme of the anniversary was “Blessings of Obedience” based on Deuteronomy 28:1-11. It was a wonderful celebration as Ate Ciely sensed that a new season of blessing is in store for those who will obey God’s word and do His will. It was a long, arduous, but highly rewarding USA leg of the apostolic visit of CLSF churches in North America. The USA leg is completed.

Next stop: Resumption of the Canada leg highlighted by the historic 4th CLSF North American Convention and Prophetic Conference to be held at the Westin Hotel in Calgary, Alberta. Kuya Dan, Ate Tanette, and Ate Myrna thank everyone for their prayers!