Vacation Postcards: Part 2

We had a wonderful time and even when in rest, were introduced and given the opportunity to share the Gospel with whomever was put in our path. It was truly a great experience being able to witness the Holy Spirit working in the group—as I turned around at the nail salon some of the women on our team were sharing the good news, and the same day the employees at the hotel heard the Gospel. I learned that no matter the moment, God may turn it into a beautifully written opportunity for someone lost to be found.   

Please continue to pray for our last week of ministry and that the days will be long, full of gladness and of spreading the good news! 

-- Skylar 

PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

PH Summer: The Flower Woman

 

One way our team has been moved spiritually has been in meeting a variety of people. From the hospitality offered by a Lola to playing basketball with over twenty kids. We’ve learned that regardless the person we all need Jesus and have that in common. This motivates us to walk as far as needed, no matter the distance because that is exactly what Jesus would do for us. Even if it was the last house on the street.

I was going door to door with a few other members when we ended up at a “dead end.” It felt like our options had run out and it was time to head back. However, we caught sight of movement in the last house, where two women sat at their window fixing their eyelashes. When we introduced ourselves the first thing I noticed was the warm yellow-pink curtains and handmade flowers aligned on the shelves. They were so intricately made, and we found out that the woman whose eyelashes being done had curated the flowers by hand, and even so shared them with the rest of her neighbors.

“Have you ever made something and loved it?” That was the question I had asked her that led into sharing the Gospel, and oh the joy she had in her eyes as if they had lit up. When she begun to share her experience, she expressed that she was already saved and was starting to build a relationship with Christ. Some of the things she struggled with was the people’s judgement of her in the church, and that she didn’t have a Bible to read and study. Thankfully, our translator had one to give to her and we ended up setting a Bible study in the future. When we came back, she told us she had read and delved into the Word often, and after our study she wanted to share the same good news with her family in Manila. I was thankful that she was not only wanting to grow in her faith, but we had the privilege in witnessing the importance of spiritual support and mentorship when walking with Christ. That’s an important takeaway for our team, and in hope we may continue to support one another, and may go back to be there for the woman at the end of the street as well.

-Skylar 

PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

Vacation Postcards: Part 1

This past week the group ventured off to Siargao Island to take a couple of days of rest from the ministry. With lots of memorable moments and jokes made, the group continued to grow closer. Here are a few postcards they are sending home to highlight their favorite memory!

Prayer Requests: 

• As the team goes back to Socorro, we may continue to build relationships with the people in the community whether that be in Bible studies, door to door evangelism, and through many prayers.
• That all the seeds we planted will continue to grow after we leave, and that we may finish strong in ministry. 

-- Skylar 

PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

 

    

Ministry at the Beach

Pastor Rudy’s adventure was a surprise and exciting day to look forward to. The team was told the night before they would be going to the beach to share the gospel. With it being the celebration for John the Baptist, it was a perfect bridge to connect and speak about the good news of Jesus, and His true story.        

As they ventured off by boat to another part of the island, they began practicing fellowship in food and games, and when people gathered around the table, Kuya Zuriel (our translator) taught those gathered about the difference between John the Baptist and Jesus. He explained that John the Baptist would want them to celebrate and worship Jesus, rather than him. With the time they had left, the group broke apart to swim and to talk to people at the beach, some on the rocks and some back on shore.             

The group ended the day having built trust and relationships with people in the hopes of sharing the gospel with them when invited to have dinner or play basketball. God opened many doors today, and they cannot way to see what happens next.

- Skylar
PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

The Festival of Fellowship

The festival to celebrate the founding of our island was this past weekend, and it couldn’t have been more of an opportunistic time to go door to door to spend quality time with the community. Spread throughout the plaza was a different street vibrantly decorated, such as one with rows of jellyfish and the other flowers and banners that swayed in the wind. As the smell of pork cooking rose in the early morning, the whole group walked together to visit families who had invited them for the festival. From rice, fruit salad, shrimp, pig ear and tongue, a whole plate of watermelon, and more rice, they were full by noon!

The moments fell together beautifully as people were open to receiving more prayers and children gathered close together to hear stories in the Bible. It was a weekend full of hospitality and getting to know the people in hope of sharing Jesus’ love.

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

-Skylar 
PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

A Sketch of a Dress

A small act of curiosity can make all the difference. On the last day of the Medical Center’s Mission Pop Up, I finished documenting the action at the clinic stations and sat down on the steps to rest. A little girl came up and pointed to one of the pages in my journal, a sketch of a dress. I nodded to her and asked if she liked to draw. She shook her head no. “Would you like me to teach you how to draw?”  She shook her head again and sat down. “Do you want me to draw you a dress?”  A grin spread on her face. 

As I started drawing I handed her a piece of paper and pencil and told her it was ok not to be good at something, if she was brave enough to start. As I continued to draw, she drew flowers and leaves on her paper. I shared with her that it was okay to be afraid to try something new. “However, even when I’m scared, God gives me courage because even when I’m not, I know He is. He helps me to be brave and get through troubles in life.”

By the time I was finished, all her friends had gathered around to watch. I realized it was an open opportunity to share the story of Daniel and the Lion’s den—to teach the simple but powerful story that as Daniel trusted God to keep him safe, we can also be brave and trust in God. 

“The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”  (Daniel 6:23) 

I have found that every member of our team has experienced some creative way to share the gospel with kids—handing out Bible stickers or books with illustrations or even playing basketball. One can connect so much through a small act, and I hope we may encounter more of these small, but precious moments during our time here.

-Skylar
PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern

Medical Mission opportunity

Using the skills God has given us for His glory... it's important to share the Gospel using these talents. The body is temporary as our life on earth is temporary, and that’s exactly what the mission team sought to do for the local community. This past weekend, a FIlipino mission team contributed to evangelism through a pop-up medical clinic sponsored by Bethesda’s Medical Mission in partnership with “God Works Medical Mission Team: God's Victorious Ambassadors Association of SBC.” 

As patients filed into the empty basketball court, they would listen to the Good News of the Bible while they waited for medical aid. The idea was patients would understand that their soul needs healing more than their temporary bodies do.

Nehemiah Team members paired with a national partner at a counseling station as they saw firsthand how the Gospel was shared to all age groups. 

One medical team member, Eve, a teacher in Alaska who came to help with the clinic used a Wordless Book. This book filled with colored pages represented the need for salvation, such as:

Red: Jesus’ blood shed for us,

White: our sins being washed away clean from Jesus defeating death 

This was one of the many methods used to help especially the children understand the Good News. 

The Holy Spirit not only filled the court, but through the patients’ lost hearts. At debrief, the leader of the mission team, Pastor Soc, shared that 1317 total services were offered: orthodontic, free medicines, haircuts, dentistry, blood work, chiropractic, and more. 854 of those attending indicated a decision to follow Christ. These will be followed up by the Nehemiah Team and the local church planter.  

• Pray for the follow up efforts by the national church planter & the PH Summer Socorro team. 
• Pray for continued spiritual hunger in those who indicated a first time decision to follow Christ.

Skylar

PH Summer Media Team

He Was Kind

Kindness. That’s all it took for Mr. M to sweep Mrs. M off her feet, and 69 years later, his love for her has never felt different.

On the team’s first day of ministry, we strolled under colorful banners and through the intimate tin homes. We found nothing but a community filled with hospitality and kindness. It made all the difference when they opened their home to offer a place to sit and an ear for conversation—and how blessed we were that they were free to sincerely receive prayers. Prayers to heal the sick and for security. 

One house, however, sheltered an elderly couple with a rare bond. They had been married at the age of 17, and when our team leader asked “What is your favorite thing about him?”, the wife exclaimed, “He was kind.” 

As they told their story, Mrs. M said that Mr. M had originally lived in on a nearby island, and after taking a rowboat over to her island, they met. He worked hard to win his future wife’s love despite other suitors waiting for her hand in marriage. They are now in their late 80’s sitting next to each other in wheelchairs, carrying the same love they had before. She spoke about her favorite moments in life, such as the house they owned surrounded by red and yellow flowers and a vegetable garden; and how proud to have a grandson who was the first to receive an  education and become a doctor.

As the conversation slowed, we felt that it was the right moment to pray over them. But not only the couple, but over the rest of their family and what God has in store for their lives. Our hope is to go back to their home for more conversation & to share the Good News. 

• As we spend time with Mr. & Mrs. M, pray for opportunities for us to share the Good News.
• Join us in praying for the Holy Spirit to work in their lives through our conversations.

Skylar

PH Summer Socorro Team, Media Intern