CFC Project ReForm, Couples for Christ's program for the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers, conducted training on counselling for 87 new counselors from Cebu, Bohol and Northern Samar from March 31 to April 2, 2017.
The training was held at the CFC Cebu Provincial Mission Center in Guadalupe, Cebu City. The training started with worship led by Ric Martinez, the head of the event. It was followed by the welcome remarks by Arnel Sacris, Provincial Area Director of CFC Cebu. Orientation on CFC Project ReForm was given by Onnel Tolentino, followed immediately by the training proper conducted by Jojo Apolo of CFC Indonesia.
On April 1, 2017, sessions started with opening exhortation and worship by CFC Social Development Program Head Arnel Santos. Jojo Apolo trained the participants on the rudiments of Calibration and Editing Sub-modalities, with practical exercises.
By lunch, Fe Barino, one of the founders of SuGOD (Surrender to God), a drug recovery program initiated by the Archdiocese of Cebu, spoke to the participants about how the Archdiocese and Couples for Christ can work together to help drug surrenderers in the province. SuGod is the Archdiocese of Cebu’s program or movement similar to the Archdiocese of Manila’s Sanlakbay. The afternoon sessions opened with worship and sharing by Noel Deang of CFC-Rizal and CFC Project ReForm facilitator.
Apolo shared his knowledge and skills on Establishing Rapport, Overcoming Cravings, Resolving Dilemma, Forming Commitment, Creating Positive Anchors and Collapsing Negative Anchors, which will be the basic technique the participants would use for their practicum counseling. The day closed with a prayer by Neil Balite, Provincial Area Director for CFC Bohol and an anticipated Mass.
On the last day of the training, April 2, Ace Elevera, fulltime pastoral worker for Singles for Christ assigned in Bohol, and also a CFC Project ReForm volunteer, led the powerful opening worship. Elevera, himself a former drug user, ministered to the youth in Operation Second Chance while he was a YFC fulltime worker. Apolo continued with the sessions on Removing Phobia and Traumas.
The participants then prepared for the practicum counseling throughthe Healer’s Prayer, composed by Apolo. After a quick lunch, the participants proceeded to Operation Second Chance, a facility for children in conflict with the law. The facility, located at Bgy. Kalunansan, houses 212 children aged 13 to 19, whose offenses include drug abuse, rape, theft, human trafficking, and multiple murder.
After the team conducted their practicum counseling, they were inspired to pray over Operation Second Chance Executive Director Merlina Mitante, former BJMP officer on whose shoulders rest the burden of running the facility after it was turned over to the city government last year.
The experience brought a new sense of commitment to CFC in the Visayas as far as drug rehabilitation and recovery is concerned. For one, the province has committed to “adopt” Operation Second Chance and help support the needs of the children in the facility, over and beyond ministering to them spiritually.
CFC Bohol has likewise expressed a desire to bring the program to the province via a separate training, which will be scheduled sometime within the second quarter. Moreover, CFC is also looking at collaborating with the Archdiocese in parish-based counseling of drug surrenderers.
The weekend has indeed opened countless opportunities for CFC in the Visayas to help the Church in ministering to those affected by the government’s war on drugs. (CFC Global Communications)