by Bro Nic Tolentino, BCBP Quezon City

“Our family grows stronger as we join the BCBP’s family retreats each year.” Bro Nic shares how the BCFR enables his family to cope with life’s stresses and strengthens their parental-child relationships. He enjoins us: “Be a blessing to each other. Discover each other…”

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is written, “You are the Salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? You are the Light of the World. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men.”

I am the eldest of seven children born within nine years. My parents raised 7 children. I brought up my own children based on how I was raised by my parents.

My children were very young when Ene & I joined the Brotherhood in 1993. I began a spirited-filled servant-hood, typical for many of us. My boss invited me to my first breakfast meeting in 1991 at Alfredo’s Restaurant. Later I attended BCLP22 of the QC Chapter. The Lord touched me. It was like I had this insatiable thirst for Him. Servant-hood became my priority in life. During this time, my children grew fast! I was so engrossed with the BCBP.

One of the best retreats that I experienced in the BCBP is the forerunner of the Brotherhood Christian Family Retreat—Family Encounter #1 – Metro Manila North Sector in 2000. The retreat is a defining moment in our family’s BCBP way of life. It completed the circle of life retreats since Ene & I became members of BCBP-QC Chapter in 1994. The Family Encounter Retreat enabled me to put in order family life, relationships and the BCBP such that I have come to serve each aspect more profoundly.

I am grateful to the families before us who initiated the retreat. It provided the impetus for my family to become more open with one another. It enabled us to know each other in a deeper way. Through the years, each member of my family learns something new about each other. One of the biggest blessings we reaped from the BCFR is the opportunity of serving as a family. Case in point, I learned how my children observed me and they mirrored how I acted on occasion. This enabled me to realize my shortcomings and improve my relationship with them in the process..

I note that there have been many instances in the past where BCBP couple members who were not as active in the past became very active after attending the BCFR. It was their children asking them to attend regular activities. I surmised that it was probably because their children have begun to understand and appreciate the BCBP community and why their parents attend its’ activities. The children are now able to bond with children of other members and start participating in BCBP activities.

Our family bond was enriched. The family is stronger as we join the family retreats each year. We better understand the unique stresses of life nowadays. We unify and serve each other more during trials that arise in day-to-day living. We gained skills to help sustain healthy interactions throughout the trials of family life. Important concepts have become tools of understanding one another. I know that my children are ready to face their own future with the family experiences that we’ve all gained since Family Encounter # 1.

We’ve had the honor to be part of the North Metro Manila Region’s family retreat team that conducts BCFR’s every year. Our family’s sharing is heard by BCBP families attending the BCFR. We pray and hope that they are blessed all the more because of this family retreat.

The BCFR is an opportunity for my family to remember and review our family life with the Lord. We bond in gratitude for the many blessings, graces and mercies that we receive from the Lord. You cannot imagine the joy that our family feels after serving other families in the BCFR.

Service in the BCFR is the crowning glory of our membership in the BCBP. Ene, my children and I “serve with all our mind, with all our soul, with all our strength. My children serve in the BCBP PALS, and are being integrated into the BCBP-QC Young Professionals Group. It’s becoming a family with a uniquely intergenerational BCBP inclination. I pray that many of you come to join us and discover the beauty of the BCFR for your families. All Glory be to the Lord!

God continues to take care of us. I love my family so much. What more can I ask from Him? I shout out that it’s all because of God’s mercy and grace that my whole family continues its spirited service to the Lord.

Be a blessing to another. Discover each other…find out God’s awesome grace for your family in the BCFR!

God bless your family!

Nic Ene Bea Chia & Ikee