Lessons from a cup of ice

When I arrived in Butuan, I was feeling a bit low. While I was in Camiguin, I was constantly hot, and it felt like there was nothing I could do to cool off. No matter what I tried, it seemed like I would never adjust to the heat. My appetite had also disappeared, which meant I wasn't getting much energy throughout the day.

Then I arrived in Butuan and got a morale boost I didn't know I needed: ice.

Before this trip, I never would have imagined that ice could improve my mood. But the moment I dropped some ice into my water, something changed. To be fair, it wasn't just the ice in my cup that night. It was knowing there was a refrigerator and freezer nearby. It was knowing that cold drinks and ice were available whenever I needed them.

Now, the ice wasn't some magical cure that suddenly made me adjust to the heat. I'm still not completely adjusted. But it gave me something to look forward to when I was hot and exhausted. It was a small comfort on those days when all I wanted to do was sit inside an air-conditioned room.

Interestingly, when I was out doing ministry, I wasn't feeling low at all. I was joyful. My thoughts weren't focused on the heat. They were focused on the incredible privilege of spending my time telling people about the love of Christ. I got to share with new friends that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die the death we deserved and then rise from the grave, conquering sin and death.

The difficult moments came back at the house. Even sitting under a fan, I would sweat nonstop. In those moments, all I could think about was how hot and uncomfortable I was. If I'm honest, all I wanted was to be sitting in a house with the air conditioning running full blast.

Those moments taught me something I hadn't realized before: so much of my life revolves around my own comfort.

Comfortable temperatures. Having a space that's just mine. Having more than four outfits to choose from. Not waiting on transportation. Having cold drinks whenever I want them. The list goes on. I never realized how many comforts I take for granted until I spent time without them. 

Without thinking about it, ice is part of so much of daily life. Order a drink at a restaurant, and it usually comes with ice. Come inside after working in the heat, and you probably grab a cold glass of water without giving it a second thought.

So let me ask you a question: How much ice do you put in your water when it's hot outside? How much better do you feel after drinking that ice-cold glass of water? And if ice suddenly wasn't available, how difficult would it be to give up?

It seems like such a small thing, but this summer has reminded me that many of the things I consider necessities are actually luxuries.

I'm thankful that I serve a God who is always working on me. He used something as simple as discomfort to draw me closer to Him. When I didn't know what to do with the heat and frustration, I found myself spending more time in Scripture. What started as a distraction became a blessing. The more time I spend in God's Word, the more clearly I hear His voice.

Who knew God could use a cup of ice water to teach me so much?

Psalm 119:71 says, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes." 

Ministry is in full swing, and I ask that you continue to pray for us.

• Pray for the work being done here and that God would use it to impact the lives of the people we meet.
• Pray that the people we talk with would continue to be open and welcoming as we share the love of Christ with them.
• Pray for our safety throughout the summer.
• Pray for protection from the bugs, the heat, and all the travel that comes with ministry.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. They mean more than you know.

- Kylie                                                                                                                                                            
PH Summer Camiguin and Butuan Teams, Media Intern

Conversations about the Truth

Our team has been finding its rhythm & rhyme. The English conversation clubs have lead to a formation of good friendships. thought the ground is hard, the Father ia at work. We have encountered those who are having spiritual dreams & have led them to question what they know. We are thankful that  many conversations we have had are about the "truth." 

• Pray for the relationships we are building through the English conversation clubs. 
• Pray for opportunities to share the complete truth with our new friends. 

-Central Asia team

Spiritual planting

God has been working through the Cebu Agricultural team. During our training at the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) in the Southern Philippines, we were able to have Bible studies with student interns who were involved in a training at the same facility. Although we've finished our training there & moved to our location for the summer, we continue to pray for those we met & were able to share the Good News with.

We've also been able to have Bible studies with some in the area were we're assigned for the summer. The hearts & minds of those attending are yearning to know more about God. They have been asking lots of questions so they can know more about God.

• Pray for those we are having Bible study with. 
• Pray for open hearts to accept God's love.

-Mnason
Cebu Agriculture Team

When Missions Meets Culture

Before coming to the Philippines, I tried to do as much research as possible. I read about the country, the people, the culture, and just about anything else I could think of. I talked to people who had been here before and asked them what I should expect. By the time I boarded the plane, I felt like I was pretty well prepared.

What I've learned, though, is that there is a huge difference between reading about something and actually experiencing it for yourself.

My first few days in the Philippines have been great, and I've really enjoyed my time here. But there have already been several moments where I thought, "Well, that's not quite what I pictured."

One of those moments happened at the market. I knew before coming that most grocery shopping would be done at local markets. That wasn't a surprise. What surprised me was the meat section.

Now, some of y'all reading this might think I'm about to say that I wasn't prepared to see whole fish or freshly cleaned fish sitting out. Honestly, that part didn't bother me at all. What caught me off guard was seeing the meat simply laid out on the counter.

I've been to places before where large cuts of meat and whole fish were displayed out in the open. Usually, though, they're sitting on ice or inside a refrigerated case. Here, the meat is just sitting right there on the counter.

At that point, I know what some of y'all are probably thinking... "Hot weather plus raw meat sounds like a terrible combination." Honestly, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.

The biggest thing I noticed was the flies. There were quite a few of them trying to land on the meat. Thankfully, the vendors have a simple but effective solution. They use sticks with strips of plastic attached to the end and gently wave them back and forth over the meat.

It's kind of like watching someone casually conduct an orchestra whose only members are flies.

Before I ever bought anything, I found myself standing there just watching everything happen. Reading about a market is one thing. Standing in the middle of one, hearing the conversations, seeing the vendors work, and watching people buy their food for the day is something completely different.

Then came the actual buying process.

One thing I learned pretty quickly is that haggling matters. Another thing I learned is that if you happen to have a Filipino with you, and they do all the talking, your chances of getting a better deal seem to improve dramatically.

So let's imagine a completely hypothetical situation that definitely happened.

Let's say you're looking to buy some pork.

You walk over to where the pork vendors are and look through the different cuts until you find one you like. After a little negotiating, the seller places the entire chunk of pork on a large wooden block. You point to exactly where you want it cut so you can get the amount you need for whatever meal you're planning to cook.

A few chops later, you've got your piece of pork. The seller weighs it, figures up the price based on what was negotiated, and you hand over your money. Then the pork gets dropped into a small plastic bag.

And that's it. No foam tray. No plastic wrap. No refrigerated display case.

Just a piece of pork in a little plastic bag making the trip home with you until it's time to cook dinner.

As strange as it felt at first, experiences like that are exactly why I love learning about and experiencing new cultures. God has made this world incredibly diverse, and one of the perks of being on mission and following where He leads is getting to experience that diversity for myself. The market wasn't better or 

worse than what I'm used to back home. It was simply different.

That's something I've been reminded of several times already during my short time in the Philippines. No matter how much you read or how much people tell you beforehand, some things just have to be experienced for yourself.

And if my first few days are any indication, I'm sure there will be plenty more stories to tell before this trip is over.

Acts 17:26-27 says... "From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." 

As always, thank you for your prayers.

• Please continue praying for us as we adjust to life and ministry here in the Philippines.
• Pray that we would be quick to learn, humble in our interactions, and faithful in our witness.
• Also pray for the Bible studies we hope to start in the coming weeks, that God would bring the right people into our paths and use His Word to transform lives.

- Kylie PH Summer Camiguin and Butuan Teams, Media Intern

Standing in the Water Trough

At training, there were so many things I learned, so many people I got to meet, and countless stories I had the privilege of hearing. One of my favorite parts was listening to the different ways God was calling people to serve Him this summer. I could spend pages writing about everything that happened during training, but for now I want to focus on one moment in particular. It was by far my favorite part of the week, and I am sure many others would agree.

On the last night, after worship and after Kuya Jess shared a captivating and encouraging message about what it means to serve the Lord, something special happened: a baptism.

Before we headed back to the trail shelter, we were told to gather around the water trough near the clothesline. When we arrived, one of the students was standing in the trough, and beside him stood Kuya Jess.

Before being baptized, the student shared his testimony with us. He told us how, several years ago, he made the decision to truly follow Christ and dedicate his life to Him. He also explained that he had been baptized as a child, but wanted to be baptized again, this time as a personal act of obedience to the Lord.

As he shared his story, he also explained what baptism means. His words were spoken with clarity and eloquence, but more importantly, they were filled with joy in the Lord. He reminded us that baptism itself does not save us. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Baptism is an act of obedience, a command that Christ has called believers to follow. It is a public declaration that you have placed your faith in Jesus and that you belong to Him.

Watching that baptism was a powerful reminder of God's work in people's lives. It was a simple moment, standing around a water trough under the night sky, but it was one I will not soon forget.

Romans 6:4 says... "Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life." 

• Join us this summer by praying for the students and young adults who are setting out to reach the nations. Pray that God will give us strength and endurance throughout the months ahead.
• Pray for the people we will meet, that their hearts would be open and receptive to the message of the Gospel.
• Most importantly, pray that God's will would be done and that He would be glorified in all that happens this summer.

-Kylie PH Summer Camiguin and Butuan Teams, Media Intern

A Sketch of a Dress

A small act of curiosity can make all the difference. On the last day of the Medical Center’s Mission Pop Up, I finished documenting the action at the clinic stations and sat down on the steps to rest. A little girl came up and pointed to one of the pages in my journal, a sketch of a dress. I nodded to her and asked if she liked to draw. She shook her head no. “Would you like me to teach you how to draw?”  She shook her head again and sat down. “Do you want me to draw you a dress?”  A grin spread on her face. 

As I started drawing I handed her a piece of paper and pencil and told her it was ok not to be good at something, if she was brave enough to start. As I continued to draw, she drew flowers and leaves on her paper. I shared with her that it was okay to be afraid to try something new. “However, even when I’m scared, God gives me courage because even when I’m not, I know He is. He helps me to be brave and get through troubles in life.”

By the time I was finished, all her friends had gathered around to watch. I realized it was an open opportunity to share the story of Daniel and the Lion’s den—to teach the simple but powerful story that as Daniel trusted God to keep him safe, we can also be brave and trust in God. 

“The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”  (Daniel 6:23) 

I have found that every member of our team has experienced some creative way to share the gospel with kids—handing out Bible stickers or books with illustrations or even playing basketball. One can connect so much through a small act, and I hope we may encounter more of these small, but precious moments during our time here.

-Skylar
PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

Medical Mission opportunity

Using the skills God has given us for His glory... it's important to share the Gospel using these talents. The body is temporary as our life on earth is temporary, and that’s exactly what the mission team sought to do for the local community. This past weekend, a FIlipino mission team contributed to evangelism through a pop-up medical clinic sponsored by Bethesda’s Medical Mission in partnership with “God Works Medical Mission Team: God's Victorious Ambassadors Association of SBC.” 

As patients filed into the empty basketball court, they would listen to the Good News of the Bible while they waited for medical aid. The idea was patients would understand that their soul needs healing more than their temporary bodies do.

Nehemiah Team members paired with a national partner at a counseling station as they saw firsthand how the Gospel was shared to all age groups. 

One medical team member, Eve, a teacher in Alaska who came to help with the clinic used a Wordless Book. This book filled with colored pages represented the need for salvation, such as:

Red: Jesus’ blood shed for us,

White: our sins being washed away clean from Jesus defeating death 

This was one of the many methods used to help especially the children understand the Good News. 

The Holy Spirit not only filled the court, but through the patients’ lost hearts. At debrief, the leader of the mission team, Pastor Soc, shared that 1317 total services were offered: orthodontic, free medicines, haircuts, dentistry, blood work, chiropractic, and more. 854 of those attending indicated a decision to follow Christ. These will be followed up by the Nehemiah Team and the local church planter.  

• Pray for the follow up efforts by the national church planter & the PH Summer Socorro team. 
• Pray for continued spiritual hunger in those who indicated a first time decision to follow Christ.

Skylar

PH Summer Media Team