Featured Friend

When people ask me what church I am affiliated with I always hesitate.  It is not because I don't want to tell them, but rather because I know they haven't heard of the denomination because it is a distinctly Filipino denomination.  That being said the denomination is: Evangelical Church of Christ Universal.  From what I can tell, they originated sometime in the late 1960's and had their roots in the Presbyterian Church.  I am sharing this as a way of introducing this Featured Friend.

Pastor Generoso Cajigas

Aged: 87 years young!

He is the father of many as he was one of the founding group for the ECCU.  However, I know him as father to Jonah Cajigas and Melina Dupalco as well as Lolo to Precious, Faith, Mark, Ken, Klent, and Chloe.  This picture was taken during my 2015/6 visit and he was just turning 85.  Lots of spunk for an old man!  I have been told that he likely started over 60 congregations within the ECCU church.  He is still actively visiting many of these churches across the Visayan Islands.

Pastor Generoso still travels a lot and most of us just call him Lolo which means grandfather in Cebuano.  Lolo is known and loved by many, but when he gets to preaching you had best prepare for a long service :)  I saw him studying his scriptures many times while I was there as he prepared for preaching and was doing his own studies.  His Bible and notes were well used and loved with highlights, underlines, and circles.

I don't remember if it was when Jonah came or after my 2010 visit to Bohol, but Lolo shared a great treasure with me.  It was his Cebuano/English dictionary.  It is well worn and I still have trouble finding what I need most of the time, but I will cherish that book for a long time to come 💗

Two of my favorite memories of Lolo from my most recent visit were both at the table in Ate Jess and Kuya Jonah's kitchen.  The first was during dinner when we were having shrimp.  I have always struggled with shelling crabs and lobster, but usually shrimp is no problem.  This particular day I was struggling.  I soon had, Lolo, Kuya Jonah, and Junrey all taking turns peeling shrimp and adding them to my plate.  Between the three of them I couldn't eat fast enough so I finally had to tell them it was enough and they should stop!

The second memory was just Lolo and I sitting at the table finishing breakfast.  I don't remember how the conversations started, but he was saying how proud he was and excited for the classes I was going to come back and teach.  He said, "If I am still alive when you come back, I will be your first student!"  I am so glad to have students already wanting to have me teach them English.  All ages will be welcomed!