Goodness of God

This phrase was an anthem for my team throughout the summer. On our first Sunday in South Korea, our worship leader sang the Bethel Music song “Goodness of God.” Unknowingly, these lyrics would become a team bonding focal point, a source of encouragement, and a ministry tool. Since our team was comparatively smaller than others, it was so evident that the Lord had strategically given each of us talents and gifts in areas where the others lacked. Luckily for Julia, myself, South Koreans, and Filipinos alike, Makenzie was blessed with such a beautiful voice. 

So since we didn’t have access to music for 2 months, Makenzie filled that void. Let me explain further... Afternoons in the Philippines are hot, and for me personally they were the time where most of my spiritual battles took place. I remember vividly laying next to Julia under our mosquito net listening to the constant sound of geckos and roosters. We were exhausted. We went many days prior to that specific day without “siestas,” because the children were always begging to play Pato, Pato, Manok (duck, duck, chicken) and obviously no one can say no to those precious faces. So, while laying on our bed mats, Makenzie sang “Goodness of God” on repeat (because we couldn’t remember or look up lyrics to other songs). I wouldn’t have had it any other way because the Lord met us in our physical and spiritual valleys that afternoon and many other similar July afternoons. 

By the end of the summer, we were able to teach our South Korean and Filipino teammates the lyrics as well. Then our Filipino translators began teaching/sharing this song with our church children, high school students, and other people living in our island village. 

After almost two months back in the States, it is so easy to look back and see the Lord’s hand, faithfulness, and goodness in every small detail. This song continues to remind me of my experiences in Southeast Asia, my teammates who became some of my very best friends, and the work that still needs to be done in SE Asia. I deeply long to be back on my bed mat singing this song or playing Pato, Pato, Manok with the barangay children. However, I understand that the Lord has each of us placed in strategically different regions around the globe for our specific purpose in fulfilling His kingdom ministry. So, in this transition phase I am encouraged by the bond created over lyrics to a song, but more importantly I am encouraged by the eternal impact that one summer, one team, one song, and one God will have on people in South Korea, the Philippines, the USA, and all over the globe in the coming months and years.

Team with their Philippine church family

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never failed me
All my days, I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah!

-Camden Studstill
Multinational Advance 2019, South Korea & Philippines

I miss... all in His time

Stand in the Gap & Island Magic Teams

I miss these people more than words can describe. 

I miss Kassi doing my hair in the morning joking about the last time that we had a good hot shower. 

I miss sitting with Emma in the afternoons while she plans our next Bible study for Kuya Marc’s house while I try and read A History of the World in 6 Glasses for WHAP. I miss my “moms” yelling at me to actually read A History of the World in 6 Glasses for WHAP when I just wanted to take a nap. 😂 
I miss Amelia presenting me with a new verse that she found during her quiet time, using it as encouragement for me when when i’m going through a rough time. 
I miss yelling for Tucker to get his camera when a millipede the size of my hand is crawling across our house or yelling for him to come get the giant lizards off of our beds and mosquito nets. 😬
I miss checking the chore chart to see who’s turn it is to go fetch water this time. I miss complaining about the fact that it is my turn to go fetch the water lol. 
I miss joking with Jadon every time he burnt the rice and told him to “leave it to the women.”😉
I miss yelling for Phoebe and Golden every 10 seconds to help us translate something that a child was trying to tell us. 
I miss those stressful grocery shopping days when all Kassi &  want to do is just curl up in a ball on the ground bc there is so much going on (ok maybe I don’t miss that one too much haha). 

I miss the afternoon siesta that would always end up being interrupted by children wanting to play volleyball before our next Bible study. 
I miss those happy faces pictured, always joyful and excited to hear what topic we would be preaching on next. 
I miss these people so much right now and it is so hard to carry on with my “normal” life right now, knowing that these people are back in the Philippines eating chicken adobo as usual and going about their day, waiting for the moment when they can get on Facebook messenger to contact us again. 
I wish with all of my heart that I could be back with these people, but I know that right now, I need to be here. I need to be in Zachary, Louisiana attending Zachary High School so that I can be a light in someone’s life here in America. 

These Filipinos became my life and soul this summer and it was so hard to say goodbye, knowing that I may never see their beautiful, smiling faces again. I hope that one day I will be able to return to my new found friends and check up on them. and I hope that one day, I can see Kassi, Emma, and Amelia’s faces again. God only knows, and for that reason, I have peace. Because I don’t know what is around the corner for me. Only God does. God’s got some great stuff coming for me. I just need to learn to be patient and wait for when He is ready to reveal those things to me. All in His time...

“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.”

-Revelation 7:9

-Maddie

2019 Stand in the Gap, Philippines

Just say "Yes"

Words cannot describe just how incredible it was to see God move and work this summer. This summer was one of the best I have ever had. It has been a little bit since I returned to the US after having spent two months in Southeast Asia. School has started back and has been keeping me busy. It has been a bit of work transitioning back to being a student. I learned a lot this summer and have been looking for a way to bring that with me to campus. 

You see, this summer, I got to see God move in amazing and incredible ways. I made many incredible friends and just love the relationships i was able to form with them. I am thankful that they were willing to take a chance  to hang out with and get to know the weird Americans. It was awesome to see God transform the many people we became friends with, and how He was using and transforming me too. 

It was such an amazing opportunity where I got to share the Gospel and God’s love to people who had never heard it or experienced it before. This trip continually opened my eyes to how important it is to be willing to say “yes” when God calls us to do something, even when it is something we don’t particularly want to do. I definitely had those moments this summer. What I saw God do in those moments when I did say yes a bit reluctantly, showed me just how little I know and how great God is. This summer I got to see what God could do through people that were devoted and surrendered to Him and it leaves me without words to describe how amazing it was.

-Jordan B
Southeast Asia

Go to www.nehemiahteams.com to see where you can serve this summer.... just say "Yes!"

Hands On Students Needed!!

Students are needed to fill strategic opportunities in Southeast Asia during spring 2020 through the IMB's Hands On program. Click on the links below if you'd like more information... or email us. Most of these positions will be working with supervisors who have requested Nehemiah Teams for the summer.

Dates: February 3 - August 8, 2020
Application Deadline: October 15, 2019
Cost: $3950

Media Network Volunteer- Thailand (11855) 
The Media Network Volunteer role is to participate in IMB's Media Network through the volunteer's media, marketing, communications, and/or technology skills, experience and insights; as well as to enrich the IMB Media Network community through their participation. The work is designed to further the task of partnering with churches to empower missionary teams who are making disciples and multiplying churches among unreached peoples and places for the glory of God. More details or to apply...

National Student Mobilizer- Philippines (12236)  
Every mission movement in modern history has begun with college students. Be involved in a nationwide movement of reaching the lost & raising up the next generation of missionaries, both American & Filipino. More details or to apply...

Student Evangelist/Speech Therapist  (12310)
Come be a part of a team reaching the lost in Southeast Asia. You will have opportunities to meet incredible people and see amazing sights in this tropical setting. There are opportunities every day to meet with Muslim university and high school students and discuss with them who Jesus is and how He has changed your life. Besides this opportunity to share your life with students, you can be a part of a team who is doing the same in our city of almost 5 million people. You will also have opportunity to use your skills/interest in Speech Therapy to bless a family serving on the field. More details or to apply...

HomeSchool Teacher  (12315)
Mom and Dad are looking for someone to come and volunteer, teaching 3rd & 8th grades. The curriculum will be provided. Our children have been home schooled since pre-K. Mom and Dad run a preschool in the local country while overseeing church planting efforts. In order to free up Mom and Dad's time for the preschool and church planting efforts a volunteer with some teaching experience is needed. More details or to apply...

Urban Risk Taker  (12656)
In our city of 3.5 million there are people from all walks of life who are trapped in darkness. We need students who are ready, able, and eager to get creative and look for ways to engage our city with the Gospel. You will have opportunities to build relationships with young adults through an English language community. They are waiting to be your friends and hear about the Hope that's only found in Jesus. Though personal conversations over dinner, music, games, sports, etc. you will have the opportunity to make friends and share Truth. Through an outreach ministry and employment center for victims of human trafficking you can apply your gifts and skills to make a difference in the lives of these women and children. Other ministries may include prison ministry, working with street kids, deaf ministry, and exploring the streets of the city looking for open doors. Beyond these opportunities, we want you to discover how God wants to use you in a unique way to impact our city. Volunteers need to be disciplined and self-motivated to complete this important task.  More details or to apply...

Student Center Gospel Spreading Team- Philippines  (13313)
Come, work near a college campus & see what God can do through you! Students are open to hearing the Good News, especially if they can practice their English. Make a difference in their lives this semester. Team will work at a student center near a college in Daet. The only public college in the area, many students come from outlying areas to study. Spend time with small groups that you could disciple & mentor as they grow in their faith. Additional ministry opportunity could include paving the trail for a Disciple-Making Movement among the Deaf with Daet as a central training base.  More details or to apply...

Eco-Tourism Consultant- Indonesia  (13555)
You will be based on an island as a guest of an adventure tour company, working with the local guides and exploring remote areas. At times, you will backpack around small tropical islands, live in local homes, and share the love of Christ with those you encounter. You'll hike village to village, and as you experience everyday life with these people & share meals with them, you will have opportunities to share about the Bread of Life. You will be some of the only Americans on these remote, "Ends of the Earth" islands. If living on a tropical island in a laid-back culture, shopping in the local market, eating fresh seafood (and lot of rice!) every day, and enjoying year-round summer, while sharing the Good News to a people group that has zero believers sounds appealing to you, then this is the trip for you!  More details or to apply...

Ag & Animal Husbandry Consultant- Indonesia  (13556)

pend the semester on a trip like none other. You will be based on an island working with an agriculture & goat farm business. They need help as they set up the business to be successful for many years to come with expertise in working with animals & agriculture. At times you will join a team & backpack around small tropical islands, live in local homes & share the love of Christ with those you encounter. You'll hike village to village, and as you experience everyday life with these people and share meals with them, you will have opportunities to share about the Bread of Life. You will be some of the only Americans on these remove "Ends of the Earth" islands. If living on a tropical island in a laid-back culture, shopping in the local market, eating fresh seafood (and lots of rice!) every day, and enjoying year-round summer, while sharing the Good News to a people group that has zero believers sounds appealing to you, then this is the job for you!  More details to to apply...