Proud to be an American... but Excited to be in the Philippines

America’s Independence Day is the most famous holiday celebrating one country’s autonomy. We eat food off the grill, swim with friends and family, and at night, shoot an unrealistic amount of fireworks into the sky. And do not get me wrong, I absolutely missed being with my family on the 4th of July, but I am glad that I was not in America at the time. Instead, I was in the Philippines on  midsummer break with all of the Nehemiah Teamers from my orientation family group.

We went to Siargao, the surfing capital of the world, and we made the most out of our two-day vacation. We went island hopping, snorkeling, swimming, everyone eating off a gigantic banana leaf, and yes... surfing. But the best part was getting to hang out with people from the other teams and hearing stories from the first half of our summer and seeing people that you really care about. And if I was not in the Philippines on the Fourth of July, then there would be numerous people who may not have been able to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Pray for all of our teams as we finish the summer. We have less than three weeks left, so we want to be extremely effective in sharing the Gospel and forming relationships that will allow others to reap the harvest. 
Pray also for our physical health. Between just being very tired to having stomach issues, we have been fighting the missionary sicknesses since day one, so pray the Lord gives us the energy and strength to persevere.

Read James 1:2-4. It’s what we are striving for the rest of the summer.

We must be doing something right because we are right in the midst of this verse. Thanks to everyone who has been praying and supporting not only us, but also anyone who is obeying the command to take Jesus’s name to the nations.

-Christian
Tropical Harvesters Team- The Journey Church

Philippines