Crossing Cultures

Earlier this summer we met a group of men who were involved in homosexuality. They all played volleyball all day and every day. In fact, volleyball is how we met them. They are all around the age of 20, but some are younger and some are older. Two of the boys on our team (Joseph and Ben) asked them to come over for a Bible study. The leader of the team, J, texted us not long after meeting him. He even brought a few of his volleyball friends with him. We began doing Bible studies with them a few days every week. Each Bible study had a different group of guys that J had brought to us. 

One of the groups contained a man named T. T was a lot like J at first and kept coming back to hear more about God's word. One night we decided to have dinner with them. As always, T and J were there with a few new faces. After dinner J had a long conversation with our team leader Ben. Ben shared his testimony with him and was able to share more about his relationship with Jesus Christ. Meanwhile the other guys were talking to the rest of the team and some of the other Philippine Nehemiah Team members that live with us. T got to hear a testimony from one of our Philippine friends that completely changed his heart. He hadn't realized that what he was doing was wrong according to God's word, but it wasn't too late to fix it. 

Ever since that night T has been at our house and disciplining with us just about every night. In fact, he was even able to lead a Bible study with his friends at our house just the other night. His appearance, mannerisms, and heart for God have changed drastically. He goes to work and comes to our house every day leaving no room for him to be tempted by his past lifestyle. God is truly working in that man's life. J is still bringing more and more of his friends to our house for a Bible study every night and learning how to be more obedient to God. 

Through this group of men our team has been able to see what God can really do. All it took was Joseph and Ben being obedient to God. They heard him tugging on their hearts for these lost men. All the men on our team and on the Philippine Nehemiah Team have truly been amazing examples for the volleyball team on what godly men look like. Also, the girls at our house have played a great role at comforting them and showing them that they are capable of over coming their temptations with Jesus Christ fighting for them.

Please pray for T, J, and the rest of the volleyball team. 
Pray that after we leave they will continue to come back to the Philippine team members to learn more and more about God. 
Also, pray that they continue seeking others to disciple. Some of them are dealing with persecution at home, work, and from friends. Please pray that they will be able to have the strength to fight those persecuting them the righteous way.

-Megan
Self-Defense Team

God's Divine Appointment

The second week we were in the Philippines I found a Muay Thai guym. We are here to teach self defense as a way in to sharing the gospel. So I figured why not try going to an actual martial arts gym? My first day there it was just Kate and me. When we walked in the gym the coach immediately treated us with great hospitality. He asked why I was here and I was able to tell him about our Bible studies we have been doing. His face lit up with excitement. I eventually brought the whole team with me to the gym and we all felt that something great could come from that gym. We also though that Coach Ed could even be the person of peace. 

Tuesday afternoon, Caleb and I decided that we should go to the gym. I was feeling extremely tired and down about going. I prayed that God would show us that something good was going to come from this. As soon as we walked in something seemed different. Two guys were doing Jiu Jitsu for the first time. (That's the martial arts that i do.) Coach Ed asked us to teach them some moves rather than us being the ones who were being taught. So Caleb taught Coach Ed and I taught a guy named Kevin. 

Kevin is very outgoing. He eventually told me his entire life story. With that I was able to share the gospel with him. He understood what I was telling him and agreed to come over for a Bible study soon. Coach Ed then asked Caleb if he and I would be willing to teach self-defense to a group of young adults. We agreed to do it. Coach Ed then asked how much money we wanted and Caleb said we'll teach a lesson in exchange for a Bible study. Coach Ed agreed to letting teach both self-defense and a Bible study to the young adults. Thursday afternoon we were able to teach our first lesson. The girls and guys all loved learning the self defense moves, but even better they loved learning the moves just as much!

-Megan

The sticky note

The self-defense team in Batangas City is teaching martial arts and self defense to young ladies, and just going around the city engaging people in conversations that lead to the gospel. This week they walked through the cemetery at the back of the big Catholic church and found a sticky note on the bench. Someone had written a prayer to God and signed with the initials P1. Two of the team members, Joe and Ben, left another sticky note reply beside it saying if the author wanted to talk and know more about God to contact them. Then they put their phone number. The next day, the original sticky note author texted to meet and talk, and they took Mark to translate and they met her there in the garden behind the cathedral. It was a 19 year old going woman and they shared the Gospel to get and she was eager to give her life to Jesus!!

Self-Defense in the Schools

We've been praying for God to open up new opportunities for us as we went prayer walking. God definitely provided us with several opportunities through that, but we finally received a phone call from the school we were waiting for. There was no better way to start our second week here! We were praising God for finally receiving this call, but God didn't stop there. We ended up getting another phone call from another school. One of the schools provided us with a hundred girls and a few boys to teach self defense and do a Bible study with. While the other provided us with thirteen girls the first session and then thirty girls and one boy the second. The team agrees that nothing has been more rewarding than teaching the girls and some boys how valuable they are in God's eyes, and they are capable of defending themselves. 

Prayer request from our team:

• That God will work in a group of boys who really need to have examples of godly men in their lives.
• That God will continue to move in the heart of the students at the schools.
• That God will reveal himself to those who attend Elite boxing gym.
• God will continue to use coffee shops as a ministry for our team.
• That Edna, Mary Joe, and Katteen can be godly examples to their friends.
• That Candy can build up the courage to finally accept Christ into her heart.

-Megan