God Continues to Work

I'm wishing with all my heart to be back on the river with my team, but praying that God will continue to work in the lives of those who we made contact with.

-Kara
Dolores River, Philippines

Challenges in coming home...

If you know somebody coming home after living in a different country for a couple of months (aka NTers) love on them. Listen to them, act interested, set up coffee dates, pray for them, and be patient with them. One of the biggest challenges I have faced coming home after living overseas for the summer was transitioning from living like a minimalist to.... not. 

In this pic I'm holding a basket with clothes in it. Those are all the clothes I had for two months. I could wash all of them at once. And I LOVED it. Every aspect of it. (Side note: contentment comes when worry goes away. That's a battle for all females I know for sure when it comes to outward appearance.) Coming home to having much more than that made me angry honestly. Extremely angry. (Which isn't good, I know. I have had to work through that.) 

There's a lot more I could say about that, but the Lord molds people into who He wants them to be through times like that. Two months isn't that long at all, but it can leave it's effect on someone without outsiders ever knowing. So love on those around you who did just come back or will be back soon. It is a struggle.

For those who stay months or years longer, you are my heroes. I respect you more than most on this planet and want you to know that I am praying for you, by name if I know you personally. The cost is great but the rewards are greater.

-Carley H, Riverboat Team, Philippines

Riverboat & Mountain Trek Summer Video

Take a few minutes and watch an overview of the ministries of the Mountain Trek & Riverboat teams
from Leyte & Samar, Philippines.

Don't waste Your Accidents

Last week as I was pulling into a parking spot I turned too sharply, and my back tire cover broke the plastic tail light cover on a pickup truck in the space next to me. Face palm. Due to various complications, it cost not only the money for the tail light replacement, but multiple hours and meetings with the other party and the traffic police to figure out the solution.  I found myself frustrated and thinking that the problem could have been easily fixed in 15-20 minutes if I had my way.

While sitting with the other driver and the traffic officer in the station I told them that I was a missionary in the area. They asked the normal questions like how long have you been here and where have you gone. However, when we were almost done the officer asked me, “Since you are a missionary, do you have any words of wisdom from God to share with us?” I replied that I did and proceeded to share the gospel with them, which led to the officer asking 3 questions related to salvation that he had clearly been wondering about before. The next day we gave him a gospel tract and he sent me a friend request on Facebook.

1 Peter 3:15 says “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” God continues to teach me about this. I was frustrated over some lost time and money, which in the grand scheme mean nothing. He has greater and eternal purposes He wants to use us for.

-Joe

Read more about Joe & Elizabeth's Journey to the Philippines on their blog

Encourage one another

One of the villages that Riverboat Team C visited already had a small church established. The pastor would travel four hours away to work as a carpenter during the week, come back late on Saturday, preach on Sunday, and then head out early Monday morning to return to his job. On top of this, the number of people who were coming to the church were dwindling. The pastor and the church were in desperate need of encouragement.

During the week, we were able to go house to house, checking up on members and sharing with those who weren't, helping the pastor's wife with outreach. One of our guys, Carter, offered to preach on Sunday to give the pastor a break... the pastor graciously accepted his offer. During Sunday's service and Carter's preaching I looked over at the Pastor and saw him smiling, truly smiling, while he reached up his hand to wipe his tears. He had not only desperately needed a physical break, but also to be filled with the Word from another believer. He was so encouraged, clapping and dancing with the music. We've learned a lot about our different roles here, encouraging being one of those. We love to see how the Lord is using us to encourage those who really need it.

-Carrie Grace, Riverboat Team

When God wills it...

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs- he wants to please his commanding officer." -2 Timothy 2:3-4

We have to cross the gap in between the island we are staying at and doing ministry. If it's low tide, we walk. If it's high tide, we use any boat available. One day, we came to the dock to find very choppy waves, heavy wind and no boats. We pray and hope for a way to get to these people across the way. Then, almost out of nowhere, are three boats and young men to help us get across the rough water. The Lord made a way for His word to cross over any obstacle! We know Satan didn't want us there, but when God wills it, it gets done.

-Carrie Grace, Riverboat Team

Dolores River Boat Final Ministry Report

I have been avoiding posting about the last week of our ministry because posting about it means it is over and it makes the situation a little more real- we are leaving the Philippines in two days. I am leaving a lot of my heart here on the Dolores river. The Lord has taught me so much and shaped me in so many different ways. Putting all that information into words is impossible.

On the last day in our fourth village, we were able to take an afternoon to travel to the river with a group of believers. At the river we had a picnic and five believers were baptized!God has done amazing work in so many lives. Please continue to pray for this work and growth to continue and that the Bible study that was established will continue! 

This last week of ministry also consisted of following up in the villages we visited during the beginning of the summer. In two days, we visited 3 villages. The past three days we have woken up at 3:45 am, ridden a lot of tractor trailers and boats, and moved our stuff from one barangay hall to the next. Needless to say, we are all so tired, but it has been so worth all the traveling and moving.

In one village we returned to we were allowed to baptize three women. The first two women had accepted Christ when we were in the village, and the third woman was saved when attended an established Bible study after we had already gone.  We praise the Lord for how He is growing and multiplying the gospel in this village! Please pray that people will continue to share to their friends and that more people will come to Christ though this! 

Once we returned to the second village for a follow-up visit, we were immediately asked by the barangay caption if we could have a prayer meeting in the plaza! We walked the village streets inviting people to attend the prayer meeting later that night. Before the prayer meeting, we were able to share some Mountain House meals with some of our friends in the village (they enjoyed the chicken and rice meal, but most of them did not like the American style spaghetti). After eating, we sat out in the street under a street light for our prayer meeting. It was so encouraging to see a lot of believers gathered together. Please pray that this group can stay strong and continue to meet together. The number of believers who regularly attend Bible study has gotten smaller since we left. Please pray that those leading the Bible studies can be encouraged to continue leading.

Finally, we arrived in the third village. This was the village we visited at the beginning of the summer. Several people were in town because of a meeting, so we were not able to follow-up with everyone; however, those who were home came to the prayer meeting. The boys on the team lead a time of encouragement out of the book of Ephesians, and then we had a time of prayer. Please pray that the believers will continue to meet with each other, and that they will continue to have the desire to read and study their Bibles. Saying good-bye at this village was so hard. The reality of it being our last village, our last follow-up, and the last time seeing our friends really hit some of us hard. However, while that is a little sad, we are praising the Lord because we will all meet again one day in Heaven.

-Kara

Lazy & deaf

We shared with an older woman who seemed interested but when we invited her to Bible study, she told us she was too lazy and deaf. That day we prayed God would open up the ears of the deaf, eyes of the blind, and move the feet of the lazy. 

The next morning we arrived at our Bible study and the normal older man who speaks often wasn't there. I was feeling discouraged because of both of these let downs. But, his wife then explained that she had invited friends since he was gone. Turns out that the friend was the older woman from the day before who told us she was too lazy and deaf. She came and heard the truth for the first time! Continue to pray people would be moved to hear the truth.

-Carrie Grace, Riverboat Team

Saying Goodbye...

It's hard to believe doing ministry here has come to a close, it feels like yesterday I got off the plane and was overwhelmed by heat and humidity. I remember my first thought was, "What in the world have I gotten myself into?" But in these last two months i've seen God work in ways I could have never imagined. Not just in the people here but also in me and my team. I pray that I will be able to come back next year, and not just me but other student given the opportunity, these people need Christ. 

Keep us in your prayers as we get ready to fly back to the US.

-James, Riverboat Team

"Please forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God."    -Jim Elliot

We are done with our last "day of ministry" in the Philippines! The Lord has done amazing things here, and we are so grateful! Continue to pray for the believers here, that they will grow in their relationship with Christ and that they will continue to meet together to study God's Word! God's work has been just as evident in our lives, also: growing in knowledge of Scripture, vision for missions, and patience in working with teammates and not time-conscientious people. God has definitely moved, and His word is not returning void! Pray for our safety as we travel back, also.

-Alex, Riverboat Team

They say getting to know a person/people are difficult but I should say parting time is more difficult. haizt...this feeling of whirlwind?  but serious, this 2 month short term missions is almost over and saying goodbye is hard but beyond this are the smiles and laughter each can keep knowing and witnessing God's hands were working. It could have been other people. It could have been not here. But why this happens? It's not my thoughts, not our working, not accident, but all God's perfect plans. Thank You Lord for what You've done and will be doing!  

-Lovely Mae, Riverboat Team national partner

My goodness this is so crazy!...3 days more left...oh gosh, I can't explain my feelings right now...but thank you so much Lord...working with them is a such a great pleasure and so blessed beyond measure....so thankful for them...

-Ate Gigi, Riverboat Team national partner

My team and I will be flying home on Monday! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel. I am so excited to share about my summer and see everyone!! Thank you for all the prayers,encouragement, and support. I am so blessed by this summer and will miss the Philippines so much. Praise God for all he has done!!!

-Summer, Advance Team

Tonight is our last night in Tanauan, our Filipino hometown. We have been crying all week long at the thought of leaving. It will be so hard! Tomorrow through Tuesday we will be traveling a little more around the Philippines, then we will leave for the US on Monday night. After a few days of debrief on Alabama, I will finally be able to see my family Thursday night! So excited to see them! Please pray for safe travels, continual good health and to beat jet lag!

-Caroline, Tropical Campus D'Maker

it has been a great summer. Please pray for this place and the people here. For laborers.. and maybe to consider that you are that laborer. It is crazy to think that its been near two months since i've been here and now it is almost over. God has taught me so much and is still doing so. What an honor it is to be welcomed in by God to be a part of is work. The work has just begun. Please pray for me as I move back to the states and move share about what God has done here. Thank you all for the prayers! Our God is moving whether we see it or not.
-Avery, Riverboat Team

From Closed to Open

It's really hard to sum up this past week of ministry. It was hard, but it was also full of joy at the same time. This past village was different from other villages in that there were many, many walls that needed to be broken down. The first few days we saw little response to house visits and Bible studies. We prayed that God would help us and connect us with the right people- and He did just that and more.

By the end of the week the Lord provided us with about five responsive Bible studies, and yesterday we had the privilege to baptize six individuals. What started out as a village that seemed to be unreachable turned into a village that was open to God's word. We are so thankful to have been a part of God's work in this village. We are leaving the village in confidence knowing that God will continue His work in lives of His people. 

Please be in prayer for the believers we leave behind- pray that their personal relationship with Christ will continue to grow and that they will continue to meet for Bible study and read God's word together. Also pray that they will stand strong in the midst of persecution that may come their way.

We are down to just two weeks left in this beautiful country. Everyone on the team is doing well (no sickness- PTL). Please continue to pray for energy, strength, and joy as we finish out our summer with two last villages.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. Without them this trip would not be the same!

-Kara, Riverboat Team

What are you here for?

Let me say that God works in mysterious ways. We had a discouraging ministry day a couple of weeks ago where no-one was wanting or willing to talk with us or have a Bible study. Even though we were discouraged, we had a change of heart and went to the basketball court to play with some kids. It was when I was playing ball with some little children that I heard a voice speak out to me. “Hey, what are you here for?” 

A lady named M.B. was calling to me so I began a conversation with her, sharing the Word with her. This led me to finding out she was my age and that she really wanted to learn more about God. We continued to meet with her on a regular basis and I was able to teach her lyrics to “How Can It Be” by Lauren Daigle. She seemed very interested in learning more about the Bible and she had a very open heart. I’m excited to see how she grows in the Lord and I pray that she will begin to disciple. 

Please pray for Ate M.B.

-Rebecca

Opportunity

...making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Ephesians 5:16-17

Pray for team members to seize opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray they would ready themselves through prayer and the reading of God's Word.

Team of the Day

Riverboat

Country of the Day

Philippines

Pictures from Riverboat teams

Sharing the Good News

Encouraging the local believers

Bible study with those who are interested

Travel on the river... THE only way to go!

National team members become close friends

Simple Needs are Met

It seems as the summer goes on, the days begin to pass faster and faster. We have made it to our second barangay- Village #2. In the two days we have been here, we have seen the Lord already begin to work. The people are very friendly and welcoming. As we do house to house visitation, many homes are quick to offer us banana-q (fried banana in sugar- SO GOOD) and a glass of Coke. 

We have encountered many who understand the Bible, but they do not fully grasp the beautiful truth of having assurance of their salvation. 

Please pray that the Lord can use our team as we try to point them to the Lord.
Please pray that the Lord will give us, and our wonderful translators, the words to say- and pray that the people will have understanding.

As a team we are doing great! This next week we will be getting really close as our living space is like a tree house. However, we are so very thankful because the Lord has provided a fan, a roof over our heads, a place to cook over a fire, and people willing to listen to the gospel. 

Personally, the Lord is showing me how to really love His people no matter what the cost. Nothing about this summer has been easy, but it is nothing compared to the cost Christ paid for my sin. Thank you Lord.

-Kara, Riverboat Team A

Mid-Summer Update: James

Finally a much needed break after a month of ministry. The only way I can put this last month into words is "Straight Gospel", and seeing people with literally nothing gain a life worth living and an eternity of joy has shown me just a little bit more of who our God is. The shadow of the almighty is so much bigger than we can ever imagine and you don't truly realize it until you are standing in it with nothing to hide behind. I've been tested and broken physically, mentally, and spiritually this past month and had nothing to look to except Christ, and every time I can only stand in awe of his grace. Time and time again I've fallen flat on my face and every time He has picked me up.

-James
Riverboat Team

Mid-Summer Update: Avery

Today is a day of rest. I am so thankful that God has been both before me, beside me, behind me, and all around me. It has been a tough month of ministry but a good one. It is one thing to see someone in a church come to know Christ after hearing the gospel time and time again... It is another to present the TRUE gospel to a grown man and see him break down in tears at finally hearing and knowing the truth. There is a difference between lost and un-reached, because the lost are just lost and not un-reached. I'm facing a little home sickness so please be in prayer for that.

A bacon-cheeseburger would be great right now, but by the time I leave here I would have lived here for around 52 days. Once I return home I will spend 10 months before returning back to Nehemiah Teams for the next summer (God has called me back already) and in those 10 months I will realize that the homesickness I will face will be in reverse. We are called to peoples and not places... please be in prayer for the waray waray people. You have a part in this war and that is through prayer.

Grace and peace, Oh how can this be?

For lawbreakers and thieves, 

for the worthless, The least.

What an amazing mystery that his Grace has come to the whosoever. To God be the Glory!

-Avery

Riverboat Team

Mid-Summer Update: Alex B

Well, we have made it to our mid-summer break! It has been a great journey so far! Now, we get to just hang out with the other teams and talk about what God has done so far! We have seen many people come to faith in Christ and 17 people baptized! Praise God for all He is doing! Please continue to pray for each team's unity in vision and ministry goals (there are 4 different teams) as each team and member is definitely tired at this point. Thank you for all the love and support so far, and please keep it coming! We definitely need prayer warriors backing us!

-Alex
Riverboat Team

Good News from Riverboat Team A

Our team has spent our first two weeks in one barangay (village). God has been so faithful and allowed us to encounter many persons of peace. Many people have accepted Christ- praise God! In our time here we have been able to have many Bible studies with out new brother and sisters in Christ. 

The first Sunday in village 1, the Lord allowed us to host a church service. We had a small attendance, but their hunger for God's word was huge. After the service, we were able to baptize four believers. Praise the Lord. 

This past Sunday was our last day in village 1. As we helped with another church service, God over exceeded our expectations. Saturday night we were able to have a church planning meeting with a few believers in the village. A young man who accepted Christ the first week we arrived and Ate M participated in the service by leading music, giving a testimony, and making some announcements. Ate M shared why she got baptized the Sunday before, and as a result of her testimony, four others decided to be baptized as well. 

Although our time in village 1 was short, God has shown us His power, grace, and mercy in so many ways. We didn't want to leave our new friends, but we felt that we must move to a new barangay to share the love of Christ to others who may have never heard.

Please pray for the new believers in Village #1. Pray that they will persevere & continue meeting together.

-Riverboat Team A

Mid-Summer Update: Lindsay

Officially made it to the halfway point of the summer. I have been so blessed to see the way God has changed lives through both my team and the people we have ministered to. Glory to Him for his faithfulness and sovereignty. Please continue to lift up my team and the people we will be sharing the Good News with in prayer.

-Lindsay
Riverboat Team

I'm Ready!

One of the primary things God has been teaching me is that He truly is Lord of the harvest. One night at the end of a Bible study we were conducting, we asked if anyone was ready to trust in Jesus as the Savior of their sins. Almost before our translator was done translating the question, Kuya A's eyes shot up from the Bible he was holding and he said "I'm ready! I'm ready!" This was the first time he had attended a Bible study and the first time he had been invited to become a follower of Jesus. As soon as he heard the Gospel, he jumped at the opportunity to embrace it. 

God had been preparing his heart to see and hear the truth, God had been preparing the harvest. How many more people are ready and waiting to hear the truth? How many more are waiting to exclaim, "I'm ready!" Who will go with God and reap the harvest He is preparing? Who will be the instrument God uses to proclaim the Gospel to the many that are waiting to hear it? The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Pray for more harvesters to be willing to go to the hard places where people are waiting to hear the Good News.

-Carter H
Riverboat Team C