God must love me...

This summer in the Philippines we had the opportunity to have Bible study with a lady in our village who was suffering from paralysis due to a recent stroke. The lady used a plastic chair to get around on the rocky, uneven ground, and God laid it on my heart and my teammate's, Lauren Dalrymple, heart to buy this lady a cane. When the lady received the cane, she said, "God must love me because he sent you." Who knew the gift of cane could so perfectly demonstrate the message of God's grace! 1 John 4:7-1

-Catherine
Rural Healthcare Team, Philippines

Heart for the Nations

He has chosen us to carry the treasure of the gospel to the nations.
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
 
This is a command.
 
How many of us treat it as optional?
 
To all of you adventure-seekers out there... do you know the adventure of saying yes to God and throwing yourself into His plan, dying to yourself, and then the miracle of how He uses you to take light into the darkness and live on the edge and see beauty and experience cultures where no one has gone before?? That is the best kind of adventure.

Oh my brothers and sisters...  I know there are people here (in the USA) who need Jesus. I know. And God has convicted my heart this summer more than ever before about sharing the gospel everywhere I go, here and across the ocean, and talking about Jesus daily because after all, we were created to glorify Him. The truth I am trying to convey is that we often use the excuse that "there are still so many people who need Jesus here" as a reason not to go... but we forget... they have access to the gospel- it's in their language and down their street and in their bookstores and millions of others do not.
 
There are also internationals who have come here- in our schools and our workplaces and these people have come to us... but are we welcoming them? God literally hands us the nations in these instances and so many (myself included) overlook them or don't take the time to know them because they're different or "they just wouldn't understand me anyway."

I hope you hear my heart. I am burdened for the gospel. Y'all, it's all we have, and the only thing worth spending your life for because it's the only thing that has eternal value. You hold a treasure of hope and love and joy and peace and LIFE. Who are you sharing it with?
 
So maybe you can't go right this minute. I understand. My heart is burning with the knowledge of the need among the nations, but right now I just don't have the money to go and I have to go to school because that is where God has placed me for this season. But that doesn't let me off the hook. I can PRAY ...oh don't get me started on the power of prayer! Maybe you don't know yet. Maybe you haven't seen how God delights in answering the requests of His children when they are praying for His will to be done... test Him and see.  

Pray boldly for the missionaries, for the persecuted church, for God to send laborers to the fields ripe for harvest, for your lost friends and family, and for the sick and the burdened and the stress that you yourself are under. 
Pray with the knowledge of the power--that raised Jesus Christ from the grave!!-- that is in you as a child of God. Keep praying...and watch what God can do.
 
You and I can give to missions, and not just tossing a few coins in the plate as it passes by but really sacrificially giving... find a ministry that stirs your heart where the needs are written plain and the gospel is the message they carry... and dig deep. Give that money you would use at Starbucks to sit over coffee and talk about world change and give it to someone who is in a place to use it to literally change the world for Jesus (I'm preaching to myself here- y'all know how much I love my coffee)! 

Oh friends, do you see it?
 
You have the potential in you- and I know you want your life to make a difference in the world- to really change things. You truly do! Love the person next to you. Remember those serving and those in need of the gospel among the nations. Pray and give and look for opportunities to go. God has already given you the go-ahead... and time is short. Life keeps ticking by, people are born and die, and today won't come again. Make it count, my friend. If you see me wasting time with trivial things- call me out on it.

 

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.

 

I want all nations to know Him because that is His heart. So it is my heart. When I get home (in heaven) I want to worship beside every tribe and tongue. I think my generation can do this. We have the resources and the passion and the adventurous spirit... but are we selfless enough to spend our lives for A Story that is so much greater than my story? 

 

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Acts 20:24

 

-Amanda

2014 Rural Healthcare Team, Philippines

Does your heart break?

They warned us it would be hard. Coming back. Everyone says welcome home and wants to hear about my journey but there are some problems: 

1. I'm not home. This summer taught me more than ever that only heaven is my home... and until I am kneeling up there before my Jesus, surrounded by the nations worshiping Him in every tongue, my heart will be restless and my feet will keep wandering this wide earth to carry the gospel to those without hope. 

2. Words. Can't. Even. I try, genuinely try, to communicate all God did this summer and how He changed me, but words fall short. How can I put into the words the ache in my heart for the people we left and the burning in my soul for the nations to know Him and the jittery feeling of frustration as I observe the "Christian hipsters" of our generation complacently talking of world change while sitting over coffee doing nothing with this treasure of the gospel???

I don't mean to offend anyone but oh I just want the ones who call themselves followers of Christ to wake up to the need that is surrounding us!! I think I understand a tiny bit more of the heart of Jesus... Did you know that the entire Bible is full of scripture pointing to God's heart for the nations? From Genesis to Revelation 7:9 "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (other references: Genesis 1:28, 9:1, 12:1-3, 26:4; Deuteronomy 4:4-6; Joshua 2:9-10; 1 Kings 4:34; Matthew 24:14, 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8, Romans 10:14-15... just to name a few)

Did you know that there are over 3.5 billion people who haven't heard the gospel??? The easy places have already been reached. The places that are left are the hard to reach (which is why they are still unreached) ...in the deep jungles and on the tops of mountains... the places without water and the places that flood... the places wrecked by the elements and considered "harsh" and unlivable"... the places filthy and disease-infested in the middle of cities and trash dumps where the people are "nobodies" and don't even speak the common language and they haven't heard because no one is taking the time to learn their language and love on them.... and oh if this isn't breaking your heart yet, do you remember where they are going? Those who have not heard the gospel and do not know what Jesus did for them on the cross are dying and going to hell because John 14:6 makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is the only way and their blood is crying up from the earth... "if only I had known the truth, if only someone had told me about Him, I knew there was something bigger than me that's why I worshiped idols because I thought maybe...." and Jesus is looking at His church and crying out... Do you not see? Can you not hear above the noise of your Christian music and comfortable culture the sound of people dying without ever knowing they can have a relationship with me??? 

-Amanda

2014 Rural Healthcare Team, Philippines 

One week since Good-Bye!

It has been a week since I said goodbye to these precious people and the beautiful country I spent the summer serving. The Philippines and especially the village I lived in, Maguinda, will always have a very special place in my heart. Salamat sa Ginoo. Thanks be to God. Worthy is the Lamb.

-Maddison

The Adventure of Saying Yes

You have to be some sort of brave to say yes to God. After all, He rarely outlines His plan and all the details in advance. The key to this type of adventure is faith.

Trusting God has it all together when you can't see how the pieces fit. After all, adventures aren't always fun. Sometimes they are hard and exhausting. Your purpose in adventuring determines whether or not you keep going. 

In this missionary journey, the purpose is to share the story of Jesus. I've learned a lot on this adventure- hard to believe there is only a week more on this bit of earth before the journey back to the states. But I have a feeling this adventure will linger. I've learned much about myself and my Jesus that I cannot wait to share, but there is also a fire deep in my heart that cannot be quenched. I need to talk about the hope and love and grace and greatness of my Jesus. Like a fish needs water. I'm not especially brave nor do I have much faith. More often than not the "Oh you of little faith..." statements of Jesus prick this doubting heart... 

But I've learned the secret- just say yes. 

Saying yes brought me to the Philippines- the opposite side of the world from where I thought I would be. Saying yes brought several new brothers and sisters in Christ and many new friends.
Saying yes brought laughter and joy and countless new experiences with a team that God designed. 
Saying yes put me waaaay out of my comfort zone and made me fall only on God. 
Saying yes brought struggles and sickness and tears and scraped knees and exhaustion.
Saying yes brought chipped toenail polish from kneeling on cement praying fervently for His kingdom to come, His will to be done.
 
My prayer is to never stop saying yes to God. The day I stop is the day I have forgotten what is truly important, and I might as well stop wasting oxygen. 

My prayer for you, right now reading this? That somehow, someway, you see Jesus in these words and realize that saying "Yes Lord, your will be done in my life, yes Lord I will go, yes Lord I will speak, yes Lord"... is the only way to truly live because He alone knows all you are capable of accomplishing in Him. Be brave because He is worth it all, and walking with Jesus is the best kind of adventure.
be brave

-Amanda

Physical birth

Photo thanks to team leader, Amanda Gaster

We recently were able to share with a man in our village who had been seriously injured in an accident and the Lord used it to bring him to salvation. (see former post) The very pregnant wife of this man has become very special to our team. We've been going every other day or so to monitor her and check on her little family. Yesterday, the young woman told us that she was feeling a lot of pressure and felt the baby would arrive within the week.  So, Sunday morning as we were preparing to leave for church, the pregnant woman’s child ran to our home to let us know that the baby was coming — and the village midwife could not make it.  On our walk to church, we stopped by the woman’s home, and the wife of our host family “rolled up her church skirt, squatted on the floor, and delivered the baby” while I held the mother’s hand — and witnessed wide-eyed the entire birth which only lasted about 15 minutes. I was amazed at some of their procedures/practices... but the baby was born! I laughed that while the newborn was lying on the dirt floor, the brother and sister were already running around the house and then through the village calling out with glee that they had a new brother. What a great way to start a Sunday!

Pray for this young family. 
Pray for good health for the new child and mother. 
Pray for spiritual growth for these new believers.

-Grace

Today is the day of salvation

We met a man who had been in a horrible altercation, and as a result had been left with life-threatening machete wounds to his head and face. When he was taken to the hospital, he was so near death that the medical staff chose not to repair his wounds and informed his wife that he would surely die.  As he lay dying, the man held his wife's hand and told her that they needed to turn to God.

And now the good news!  God was not ready for this man to leave this world — He, obviously, had other plans for him!  Three days later when the man had not yet passed, the medical staff decided they would address his wounds and mangled face.  He survived with major deformities-- his nose and one ear partly gone, front teeth missing, one eye drooping, and a large triangular skin graft on his face.  And when he was eventually released from care, he and his wife showed up on the doorstep of the house where our team was staying, asking to hear The Good News!  Incredibly, Jenky, our Filipino team mate, was especially able to relate to this little family’s situation because when she was three years old, her own father had suffered similar injuries from a machete fight — he survived, but was never able to speak again, however her family came to know the Lord because of that life-altering event.  This man wanted the same for his entire family (very pregnant wife and 2 young children.)  The man shared that on at least two previous occasions in his life, he had nearly met with death, but it took this tragic near-death experience for God to finally get his attention.  We were able to share the wonderful plan of salvation with him and his wife, and he accepted Christ into his heart!  God's love and mercy is infinite!

-Grace

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

Encouragement

This past week has been one of encouragement. Island healthcare, Mercy Midwives, and Rural Healthcare teams were able to join together for a few days to fellowship and see the sights of this beautiful country. This gave us the chance to rest and regenerate so we can finish our trips strong. It was an encouragement to be with each other and discuss the struggles & joys that we’ve experienced this summer. It was great. However, what we came back to afterwards was even more encouraging!

While we were gone, the ladies we had been ministering to held our usual Bible study... but with even more ladies! At our first Bible study back they told us all about what they had learned. They had studied the story of Jesus calming the storm – what a perfect topic to study with Typhoon Glenda making its’ way through the Philippines. They asked to copy the songs we sing in house church so they can learn it themselves. During this Bible study our good friend joined us so he can continue with them after we leave. We studied Jesus calling His disciples and what it is to be a Fisher of Men. I remember the first time we opened the Bible with these ladies… it was like pulling nails to get them to converse about it! But now it is so wonderful to hear everyone talking and talking about what we study.  We only have one more week with these beautiful people. It breaks our hearts to think about it. However, knowing that they will be able to continue without us gives us great joy!

Please pray this last week will be one of teaching them and trusting... and that they will continue in their faith after we’re gone.

Man can make a plan but the Will of God prevails

"Many are the plans in a man's heart but is is the Lord's purpose that prevails" - Proverbs 19:21

This past Monday we began a Bible study with several mothers who prayed to receive Christ at House Church on Sunday. We were so excited to have a time with just the mothers away from all the distractions and children studying the Word of God! After spending time with the mothers in class, morning exercise, afternoon hangouts and lunch dates we realized that we knew a lot of superficial information and less about the condition of their hearts. We knew that as Catholics they believe in God and that He sent Jesus to take away our sin but what else specifically? The only thing we could think of was the importance of works. So in our excitement to share the Word of God with them we planned, planned, planned! Bible study was to start at 9am, we would pray and then ask the question: How do you think you get to heaven? 

We assumed they would answer through good works so we of course planned our scripture around this answer. We are sure that God was laughing at our attempt to plan how the Holy Spirit would lead. When we arrived, the Bible study didn't start until 9:30 (Filipino time) and their answers were nothing like we thought. Right from the beginning they began talking about purgatory where we reference Luke 16 then somehow we ended up talking about how to pray (Matthew 6) and then idols (Exodus 20). 

The Holy Spirit was there and working in Nanay’s house as we read and discussed Truth. At the next Bible study on Wednesday, our conversation went from the Fruits of the Spirit to a mother asking if it is necessary to worship Mary. Friday, we had the opportunity to share the cost of following Jesus. After much planning and worry over how to gently bring up different topics of Catholicism that needed correction, God showed His sovereignty. 

Each day we can see the Holy Spirit working in their hearts and it is both humbling and a blessing. It is a reminder that not only has God paved the way for us that His Will prevails but that His Word is sharper than any double edged sword. His Word is living and active and as long as we are willing and obedient to open the Bible and read the Scripture then the Holy Spirit is faithful in penetrating hearts however He pleases. Pray that God will continue to give these ladies a heart of curiosity and us the wisdom needed through Scripture to guide them to the Lord. 

David and Goliath

What an awesome sight to see and a great reminder to us of how we should approach God. Mark 10:14-15 says “But when Jesus saw it, He was indigent and said to them, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” We traveled to a near by school to tell and act out the story of David and Goliath. Entering the school we had to step over a huge pile of slippers! It filled us with excitement knowing that we were at a public school about to tell over 50 kids about God. We had never seen such excitement over a Bible story in our lives. Not only were the kids excited to learn about David and Goliath, they couldn't wait to go tell their mama and papa about what they heard. This should be our mindset and reaction about the Word of God! We get stuck in the rut of going through the motions when it comes to reading God’s Word. We are all guilty of it. But what better way to be reminded of how happy and excited we should be to learn more about God than from God’s little children.

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)

Once upon a time in Camiguin..

Our sweet friend wrote a blog for me to share with you all. I hope you enjoy it!

Once upon a time in Camiguin there lived a pretty mom and at the same time a dad to her children because the father of her children worked so many miles away from the Philippines where she lives. Before I forget she is Ate Maricel for long... That's me. 

I have 3 children named Christian 12, John Alfred 9, and a cute little girl Amiah Ace 6.
One day, I think 9th day of June if I'm not mistaken... I was shocked of the shouts of almost all the children in the elementary school just beside our residence shouting "Hi, Hello!" repeatedly. 

I'm wondering "What's that mean? Let me see who is inside in that white service truck." I cannot see it clearly because they were just passing by and by... then that day I just heard a news somebody told me: there's a group of foreign ladies including their translator who chose to visit our place for about two months. And they are staying at the daycare center. Their team is called Nehemiah Team.

On that day, I said to myself.. "Oh man this is my time to shine. haha. It's my time to let my American language out that I hide in my cabinet for a long period of time. That might get rust already."

And that's the reason I go almost everyday in the place where they stay. Because I want you to enjoy your staying here even if i know you're not that comfortable in your situation, the hardships you encounter, there's no bed and there's no air conditioning and mostly poor water supply so we must go to fetch first so that we can have water to use. But I also know you guys have that heart to survive behind your back, there is God. Continue on man!

Babies, babies, babies!

"My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body."  Psalm 139:15

During a fetal heart rate check-up I had my hands on this very pregnant belly searching with the doppler when the baby inside leapt with such gusto that I could feel, see, and hear the baby as he/she moved around inside. In this moment, there was so much life. You could see the joy in the mother's eyes for her unborn child.

Over the past week there has seemed to be a pattern in the work we've been doing: Babies! We've had the opportunity to work with these precious little people both born and unborn. We've taught all we can on healthy pregnancies, breastfeeding, and early child development.  We've taken fetal heart rates, mother's blood pressures, and assisted in infant immunizations. We've watched babies compete for "healthiest baby" at the nutrition day celebration. We got to watch the cutest baby crawling race. All we need now is to see a birth (the whole team is still rooting for that)!

Baby race!

Every time we see a baby or any child under 4 years of age, all we want to do is hold them! They are all so precious and innocent. How much more precious are they in the eyes of their mothers and even still more in the eyes of their Heavenly Father. You have knit me together in my mothers womb. God knew the existence of these children before they were ever a thought in their mothers' minds and stitched them together perfectly according to His will for His glory. 

Now we are blessed to have the opportunity to share knowledge of earthly things with their mothers to raise them physically but also to share the true message of Jesus with their mothers to hopefully raise them spiritually in the Lord. We pray that these precious babies grow up knowing and loving the Lord and fulfilling the Great Commission in response to the seeds that are being planted.

Pray for the mothers who have heard the good news. Pray they will recognize their need for a relationship with the one who created them.

Halfway

God is here.
God is moving.

Yesterday, church was so full that we had to bring in chairs.
 
Spending time with the team on our knees in prayer and God is leading our hearts to the same thing-- Isaiah 44:3 "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground..." God is pouring His Spirit out and all I can say is amen, come Lord Jesus and church, keep on praying!

We are at the halfway point of the summer and we are realizing more than ever that although missionary life is h.a.r.d., there is so much joy in serving the Lord and obeying His command to go and tell the nations.

We talk often about how words cannot express what God is doing and what we are learning... but one thing we can share is that there is a NEED in the world and a deep hunger for hope and the ONLY one that can fill that is Jesus Christ. I would so much rather be uncomfortable for the rest of my life, feet dirty and dusty from going and telling, than clean and comfortable and content in America. This is my heart and the wellspring of Life in you should motivate you also to want to go... because people need to know. But I won't get on my soapbox now because my internet time is limited... ;)

An excerpt from the story of the missionary Amy Carmichael: "Dear, you are coming to a battlefield. You cannot spend too much time with him alone. You are soldiers and soldiers don't ask for ease or expect it. You are warriors and when did warriors ask for an easy time? Or no wound? Or no heart-breaks?"
 
As disciples of Christ, our lives are not our own. The road will be hard, but God has promised that His word does not return to Him empty and we are simply commanded to go and tell. I am getting the awesome privilege of seeing God move as I walk in obedience, in spite of the hard.
 
Keep praying for us and for the work God is doing here!
Thank you for all of your love and support. I couldn't be here without you.
God is faithful, and He is the Provider.
 
Much love!
-Amanda

Befriend Faithfulness

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3-4

My team and I have been challenged this week to live in our village as if we were going to be living there for the rest of our lives. For us "dwelling in the land" means learning the language better, remembering more names, and investing with our whole hearts into the children and teenagers that come see us every day. We befriend faithfulness as we grow closer as a team and seek the wisdom of national believers. When we delight ourselves in the Lord--the desires of our hearts become his desires. Our desires become to see more people glorify the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, and to see more people hold the Bible in their own language.

I am so grateful for your prayers, support and birthday wishes! My team had planned a surprise party for me, so turning 19 was very memorable!

Much love from Maguinda,
-Maddison

Surgery by flashlight

Rural Healthcare Team: Maibu

15 circumcisions: In very warm room with headlamps because if we opened the windows the whole village would watch. Never a dull moment!

Not called... Commanded

If there is one thing that God has been teaching me since I have been here it is that no one is exempt. Exempt from finals, exempt from chores, exempt from punishment, but NOT going to finish the great commission. Isaiah 44 says:

For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,
    and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass
    like willows by flowing streams.

This one will say, ‘I am the Lord‘s,’
    another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord‘s,’
    and name himself by the name of Israel.”

This has been our prayer as a team for our community of Maibu. And God is doing it. He is pouring water from the sky and from us and from the Holy Spirit. The kids listen, the adults listen, and we are seeing fruit. At the halfway point we are beginning to see fruit! How good our Savior is! My team and I have made promises to each other, to ourselves and to God, to help to finish the Great Commission in OUR generation. So I am going to put a journal entry up to show you a little of what those promises look like. 

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. the decision has been made. I am his disciple. I will not look back, let up,slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap diving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, or praised. I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the face of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I’ve stayed up, prayed up, stored up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner is clear. I am a soldier of Christ.

I am a soldier. I am a warrior. Am I taking this seriously? The Lord has convicted my heart. As much as I love America and the dreams it gives me, I will not let my love for it or want for marriage or a family stand in my way and keep me from forsaking all for the Gospel. WE ARE NOT CALLED WE ARE COMMANDED. I will run the race laid before me with a smile, never looking down, keeping my eyes on my Savior. I will begin to trust him with more than just provision for money or joy or grace but for all plans in my life. I will imitate the faith and life of those before me, like Joseph Hagan, Judy Norris, and Rhonda Collier. Generations that love the Lord. I will wear out the toes of my shoes before the soles. I will take everything to the Lord in prayer. Though trials may come, the testing of my faith produces perseverance. I will not doubt the Lord. I will not ever leave the presence of my Father. I am a vessel. I am to be used to catty the Good News to the NATIONS. When every tribe hears the Gospel in their own tongue the end will come. And the Lord will know me because my flag will fly white and pure.

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
    and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last;
    besides me there is no god. ⁷ Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.^[a]
    Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people.
    Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. ⁸ Fear not, nor be afraid;
    have I not told you from of old and declared it?
    And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me?
    There is no Rock; I know not any.

From the times of the ancient people in Isaiah 44 until now, GOD HAS COMMANDED US.
WE ARE WITNESSES.

What is your excuse?

Obedience to the command of Christ nearly always costs everything to 2 people, the one who is going, and the one who loves that one.

-Grace

Bearing the Fruit of Patience

Between the rain, the courtesy calls, and public events, at times we have felt as though we were not able to do the task the Lord has called us here to do. This week was on of those weeks in the midst of John the Baptist Day, meeting the Vice-Mayor, and prenatal observance we fear our purpose was not being fulfilled. Little by little though, we see the Lord proving His perfect timing while He is teaching us patience. Despite all of these events that we were afraid of eating our time away our week has been amazing! 

For the first time this week we were able to connect with some of the mothers in our mothers class. The Lord blessed our first house church on Sunday with 23 national adult attendees and we had about 60 very excited kids at Vacation Bible School who got to learn the story of creation. God is slowly revealing the beauty in patience and trusting in His perfect timing. Building relationships is everything here. It's not always easy because of the language barrier but it's how we are best able to share the love of Christ. We have faith in Isaiah 55:11 that says "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." 

We pray in all things that we will show Jesus and only Jesus.
We pray in all things that we look to our Guide to go exactly where He wants us to be no matter what it takes.

We love our mothers!

We love our mothers! All around the world there are mothers trying their best to give their best to their children. It is no different here in the Philippines. A big part of the ministry we are doing here is working with the mothers of the community.

52 women gather together with us three times a week to learn basic nutrition for both mother and child. They also learn basic home keeping skills. These beautiful women are so eager to learn and I love their enthusiasm! They show such strength everyday. They smile and laugh all the time and are such a joy to be around. Not only are they willing to learn, they are also willing to do! Three days a week they join the team at 5am to go jogging. I can hear them outside my window ready to go before I'm even out of bed. If there was anything that could get me out of bed that early, it would be the motivation of these ladies.

They laughed and smiled the whole time we were jogging up and down this beautiful mountain. While I was ready to give up on a steep hill, the lady next to me said the first English words she had said to me since we met, "I'll beat you." and we raced from there! The ladies cheer each other on and are so encouraging to each other - laughing the whole time. We lead them in relays, playing basketball, and stretching.

They are interested in our lives. Where we come from, how old we are, schooling, etc. They ask many questions! This is a great opportunity for us! It opens the door to share our lives and what God has done in them. They listened intently last week while Erin shared her testimony.

We are so excited to share the love of Jesus with these ladies and pray for their hearts to be opened to the Gospel. I praise God for the precious moments we spend with these precious mothers.