See ya later... in Heaven! - Lydia

When we had attended & helped lead the recent youth fellowship, I absolutely loved seeing young, brave people go up to the front after the message to be prayed over by the pastors & to receive Christ. I did cry tears of joy because of what the Lord was doing & how He was moving.

Following the fellowship, our team went back to our weekend ministry church for the final time. On Sunday morning there were tears shed, hugs given, and prayers prayed over us and over the church. We did not say goodbye… we said, “See you later in heaven!”

I may not see my beloved youth & kids and the wonderful Ates (older sister), Nanays (mothers) and Tatays (fathers) on this side of heaven; but I know that because Jesus lives, I will see them again one day.

-Lydia

Group photo from the youth fellowship

The Treasures of Heaven - Zuriel

We met a Nanay (mother) who welcomed us with a big smile. She was 60+ years old & cares for her 7 grandchildren. She’s also very sick. I led a Bible study on her porch about the woman with the bleeding disease. She had very good insight such as, “I only trust in the Lord now, just like that bleeding woman. Especially now that I feel my days are already numbered.” (Many Filipinos will trust in saints or idols and even praying to spirits for healing.)

When I asked her, “Are you sure that you are going to the Father/Creator when you die?” She said yes, with a big smile and teary eyes. She had been crying for much of the Bible study. I asked her why she was crying, and she said that it’s been over 15 years since she had a Bible study in her home. The last time was with an IMB missionary who was doing ministry in her area. Before we left, we prayed for her & gave her a Bible.

We obey God for moments like this. I believe that the more we mature, the more we realize that God indeed rewards us for our work (effort) but not necessarily with the things of the world, but rather with moments like these. Moments like these, I believe, are the treasures of Heaven. Nothing can ever be as rewarding as meeting the people you minister to in Heaven someday.

-Zuriel

Island Deployment: Camille

I met a young lady named Kate while at the school on the island. She was so sweet & friendly. She told me she learns memory verses & her favorite is Proverbs 3:5-6. After our group performed the program at the school, Kate indicated that she had asked Christ to be her Savior. Coming from a Catholic background, this is a big step for her.

Please pray for Kate. Pray she will continue to listen to Holy Spirit. Pray also she will get connected through the follow up that is done at the school by the local believers.

-Camille

*NT365 students recently spent a week on another island, coming alongside a national church planter. They were involved in house to house evangelism, shared the gospel in a local school through drama, music & testimonies.*

Reflections: Cambree

Lately the Lord has been showing me that He is in control & He knows best. He is omniscient and that takes the pressure off me to try to figure out what I am doing with my future, etc. 

I can rest and obey, even when it doesn't make sense, because God knows what He is doing. This really helps me step out in boldness and faith because God is in control of the outcome. It doesn't depend on me or what I know, but on God and HIS sovereignty and power. Praise the Lord!!

-Cambree 

Reflections: Geoffrey

Patience is something I have learned about God in a new way. I learned when I was saved that His patience is constantly calling me to a relationship with Him, even though I continually rejected giving Him everything. I would ignore His convicting me even when that very day I had asked Him to convict me.

What I learned is His patience in teaching me the same lesson I had already learned before. I have struggled with not seeing results, feeling like I'm not helping, but once again, I called out to God, wanting to know why. And God gently just told me, "I've already taught you this before. Remember and trust I will use it for my glory again."

It's amazing how lovingly patient He is when I forget what He's already taught me.

-Geoffrey

Farm Week Thoughts: Geoffrey

One of my favorite parts of farm week was hearing the training staff, who are all pastors, talking about their specialities in Community Development, Agriculture and goat herding. 

One was talking about renewing the land using the SALT (Sloping Agriculture Land Technology). The trainer naturally moved into talking about how God is the great agriculturalist, the great farmer. That trust in Him is really the most important thing. While the farm can feed the body, God is the only one who can feed the soul. 

It was so natural that at first I didn't even realize it was a Gospel presentation. It's just so cool how they just flow from talking about their work to sharing their faith.

-Geoffrey

Reflections: Andrew

I've recently been reflecting on & learning about the holiness of God. During my quiet time, I just finished going through Leviticus. Leviticus, in the grand scheme of things, is about God's holiness and our sinfulness and brokenness. 

All the laws God prescribed were there due to God's holiness & our sinfulness. A phrase that is repeated throughout the entire book is, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." It's reflecting on this which makes me even more grateful for Christ's atoning work on the cross. For on my own, I would never be able to meet the holiness requirement to stand before the one Holy One.

-Andrew