He Was Kind

Kindness. That’s all it took for Mr. M to sweep Mrs. M off her feet, and 69 years later, his love for her has never felt different.

On the team’s first day of ministry, we strolled under colorful banners and through the intimate tin homes. We found nothing but a community filled with hospitality and kindness. It made all the difference when they opened their home to offer a place to sit and an ear for conversation—and how blessed we were that they were free to sincerely receive prayers. Prayers to heal the sick and for security. 

One house, however, sheltered an elderly couple with a rare bond. They had been married at the age of 17, and when our team leader asked “What is your favorite thing about him?”, the wife exclaimed, “He was kind.” 

As they told their story, Mrs. M said that Mr. M had originally lived in on a nearby island, and after taking a rowboat over to her island, they met. He worked hard to win his future wife’s love despite other suitors waiting for her hand in marriage. They are now in their late 80’s sitting next to each other in wheelchairs, carrying the same love they had before. She spoke about her favorite moments in life, such as the house they owned surrounded by red and yellow flowers and a vegetable garden; and how proud to have a grandson who was the first to receive an  education and become a doctor.

As the conversation slowed, we felt that it was the right moment to pray over them. But not only the couple, but over the rest of their family and what God has in store for their lives. Our hope is to go back to their home for more conversation & to share the Good News. 

• As we spend time with Mr. & Mrs. M, pray for opportunities for us to share the Good News.
• Join us in praying for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through our conversations.

Skylar

PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

NT365 Semester Deployment: the Guys!

Our main task is helping with an English club. This enables us to spend a lot of time with the students. We also have language classes that are-- hopefully --helping us learn the local language. Time is also spent doing direct evangelism, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are also helping with a company that is providing solar power in the local slums.

Prayer requests: Pray we will be super-sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we go through our days. Pray for boldness as we share the Good News... for clarity as we learn the local language... for compassion as we work in the slum areas. 

-Corban, Mark & Jackson

Asia Pacific Rim NT365

NT365 Semester Deployment: Landree & Katie

We've been serving at an English center where we help host activities like sports days, hikes & casual hangout events. These create space for friendships & conversations. We've also had opportunities to be involved in outreach ministries for women in difficult situations.

Day to day life includes spending a lot of time with teammates & local friends-- often filled with games, laughter & some late nights together. We are really thankful for our team & the friendships we're building. We are learning so much through each part of the experience!!

Prayer request: As we approach Ramadan, pray we will be able to engage in spiritual conversations during this season. Pray for energy as we have late night hangouts which will enable us to spend more time with our new friends. 

-Landree & Katie

Asia Pacific Rim NT365

NT365 Semester Deployment: Charlotte & Sam

We've been helping host events through the local community center. Our favorite part of these events is going out to eat after. It's during this time that we are able to have Gospel conversations.

We've also been mapping out a college campus & building connections for future team members to potentially begin another ministry center. 

Prayer requests: 

Pray for students who have herard the Gospel several times through the community center. Pray for them to consider a personal relationship with Jesus.

Also pray that would mapping efforts would find a Christian on this campus who can help the field team spread the Gospel.

-Charlotte & Sam

NT365 Semester Deployment: Bekah & RuthAnn

We're working alongside a family on the field, helping to homeschool their son a few days a week. When we aren't doing that, we have the opportunity to go out with friends we've met at local college campuses. 

The first few weeks were a little slow because students weren't in school yet. But we have been able to have good Gospel conversations & share!

Prayer requests: 

We start language classes soon... pray the Lord will use that opportunity to open door to meet more students. 

Pray for wisdom & guidance as we prepare the teach in the homeschool classes each week.

-Bekah & RuthAnn

Filipino culture: What we're learning... part 2

What have you learned about Filipino culture??

I love how inviting the Filipinos are. Everytime I have entered a home or a shop, I never feel like I'm imposing. During AOT, when a couple of team members & I were on a run, we were stopped by a family. They asked us to go eat chicken intestine with them. After that, everytime I go for a run, I get to spend time with them & hear updates about their lives.     -Charlotte

I've observed that Filipinos are kind but shy... it's been my experience that if I approach them, they are quicker to open up & talk.     -Corban

Adapting to a new culture is harder than I thought it would be. I struggled at first, but I am starting to get  the hang of it & trying to really immerse myself in the culture. One thing I've learned is that Filipinos are always willing to have a conversation... it may be political, cultural or religious in nature. They are also always happy to open their homes to us also or stop in the store to talk to us.    -Ruth Ann

Filipinos seem shy & it takes a little while to open up to us as Americans. I've also learned that it seems like the entire country has a set nap time every day!!     -Rebekah

Filipinos LOVE their food! They have a lot of pride in their native dishes and it is rude for someone not to eat at least some of what they are served. They are also the epitome of true hospitality.    -Katie

Why Advance Operations Training (AOT)... Fuad

As I was going into my second gap year after high school, I knew I wanted to go on a mission trip. I wanted to use the time to grow my faith in the Lord and have opportunity to share it with others. The field workers in my home country told me about the AOT program in the Philippines. I was very interested!

It has been a great experience, learning so much about evangelism, discipleship & missions. I pray the Lord will use what i've learned in my local church as I return to my home country.

-Fuad

North Africa & the Middle East

Pray for Fuad as he returns to his home country in mid-December. Pray that he will be used by the Lord in his local church to lead other young adults in choosing a life that lives out the Great Commission.