I Will Praise You in This Storm

We are unable to blog last week because of a four-day brown out (power outage) due to Typhoon Glenda. Both teams were as safe as could be at a sturdy, two-story house. The area where both teams were was not hit as hard as other parts in the Philippines, so please pray for those who were heavily affected by Typhoon Glenda.

The first week after our last post was very intense physically, emotionally and spiritually. Our first team encountered some real spiritual warfare. Nightmares, demons, and restless nights were really wearing on them physically. Our second team began encountering more injuries and sicknesses than they had all summer and was missing home very badly and desperately needed some time off. Of course, God provided exactly what we needed!!

The typhoon was a giant blessing for our group. Both teams were able to spend time together worshiping the Lord and pouring into each other. Before returning to our locations, the father of one of our team members was able to share with his daughter that God had revealed to him that the storm had literally blown away all of the forces of opposition that they had been facing. And when they returned, they confirmed that that was true! Purihin ang Panginoon! Praise the Lord! Our second team was able to get the peace that came with the refuge that the Lord provided for them and that the break they needed just in time.

The area surrounding the home we stayed the morning after Typhoon Glenda passed.

This last week has been a great one for both teams as we have have been blessed enough to see the results of God's work in our locations. Bible studies have been very effective and people are responding well. Our first team is also expecting to baptize two people before they leave.The most important part is that they want to continue having Bible study and keep leading others after we leave!

Prayer Requests:

- those heavily affected by Typhoon Glenda

- that the people of our last location continue to grow in the Lord

- that the people in our current location continue to respond and grow in the Lord as well

- opportunities to share the Gospel with as many people as possible during these next few days

- physical, emotional, and spiritual endurance which is much needed

- safety as we travel home

- emotional and spiritual preparation for the struggles we know we will face when we return home

You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Since our last post, Bicol Teach and Heal teams have left their first location and entered their second one! Both teams left their locations with joy, knowing that there is a system in place to follow up with anyone who has been attending Bible studies or who has been baptized. Right before leaving, one team celebrated their barangay's fiesta (village's festival) with multiple, delicious pork lunches. The last day for the second team started off a little discouraging because they were unable to find many of the friends they had met, but finished the day by seeing everyone and having dinner and karaoke with their host family. God is good!

Team A's first location.

Team B's first location.

Both teams were a little discouraged after entering their new locations because we did not know nearly as much about our new location as we initially knew about our first locations. We started our ministries, unsure of where to go or who to talk to, but God has guided us and shown us His sovereignty. Both teams have had many Bible studies set up and have high hopes!

Team A's second location.

Team B's second location.

Prayer Requests:

• that friends from our first locations continue to grow in their faith
• that the Holy Spirit will help the Bible study participants understand what God wants to teach them
• physical endurance (these new locations are much larger than the previous ones and require much more walking)
• emotional endurance (the longer we are away from home, the more we miss loved ones)
• spiritual endurance (we need to remember that God is always working, even when we cannot see it)

Winning Souls!

This week has been an exciting one! Our team had the chance to join a medical mission on a nearby island. We were able to help bring dental care, physical therapy, and medicine to some remote islands without access to, or the the resources for, these types of health care. We were also able to share the Gospel with some children during the mission!

Back in our locations in Camarines Norte, many are committing their lives to Christ and publicly demonstrating their decision through baptism! One of our teams has baptized three people this past week and one of our teams will be baptizing at least three more this weekend! Praise God!!!

One of the three who were baptized this week, 
celebrating and demonstrating her joy!

 One of our two teams with a few of our Bible study friends. Three of these women have decided that they want to be baptized this weekend!

Prayer Requests:

• health and recovery for both teams from any sickness 
• that those who have been and will be baptized continue to pursue Christ after we leave 
• fellowship and empowerment for the beginnings of churches in our locations 
• softened hearts to the truth of God's Word

First Week Finished

We've had an exciting first week in the locations where we have been serving. Our group of 6 has been broken into two teams of 3 plus a national translator. The two teams will be spending 3 weeks in separate villages and then serving in two new villages for another 3 weeks. Both teams have been busy with checking many blood pressures, conducting numerous Bible studies, and playing with the many children! 

 

Our first Bible study with the children. They are singing the children's song He's Got The Whole World in His Hands. Please be praying that their desire to know God is greater than their desire to know us. Please be praying that they understand, remember, and share our Bible studies with their families.   

Tuesday, we will be going to on a medical mission to the beautiful island called Calaguas for the next several days.

Prayer Requests:

-that our persons of peace may be encouraged

-that the hearts of the people here continue to be open to the Holy Spirit working

-that God would continue to convict people over idol worship

-safety during the upcoming medical mission

-opportunities & boldness to share the Gospel with others during the medical mission