Idols of the nations

"For I know that The Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods." Psalm 135:5

"The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes but do not see; they have ears but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths." Psalm 135:15-17

If I had nothing, would I still cling to Christ?

We visit village M once a week to hold a church service. Every time we go, I am encouraged and challenged by what I see. Before coming to village M, I had never witnessed such poverty first hand; it overwhelmed. Nothing. They had nothing... yet, during the services, people raised the voices and hands high for one reason--to praise honor and glorify the one true God. Despite their circumstances, they display genuine faith, worship and love for our beautiful Savior. If I had nothing, would I still cling to Christ?

Please pray that our team continues to put faith in Christ, no matter the circumstances.
 
-Jessica

They Got it

The part of this past week that was absolutely amazing happened during a 9 AM Bible study that we only set up with one woman. She told us that she was very Roman Catholic, but basically accepted every religion as truth. What sparked her interest was the 10 commandments. When she realized that the commandments in the Bible were a little different from the ones she learned in church her whole life, she became very interested. 

The next day, we had a Bible study and discussion with her, and then our translator Annie got into a really good conversation with her and her friend who was there as well for about half an hour. Then we said our goodbyes, not knowing what exactly had happened except that she had prayed to receive Christ. I talked with Annie and asked what they had discussed for so long, and what she said blew me away. 

Praising God that "they got it!"

Annie explained that the two women believed in Jesus and believed that they were sinners, but they believed they were condemned to Hell; they thought it was in God’s will. They believed that Jesus died for sins, but that He only died for past sins and not present or future ones. Annie had to explain the Gospel to them four times, but they got it. They understood that their futures didn’t have to be Hell. Their hopelessness was transformed into the truest form of freedom you can have. Because God’s love for us brings hope to the hopeless. I will never forget that moment.

-Deanna 

Pray for these 2 ladies... and many other new believers... that they will continue to study and grow in their newfound faith.

A day in the life

On Friday we went to the public hospital, with E (one of the girls we met at church) to pray over the children and their families.  There were so many kids there, ranging in ages from 10 days to 12 years old. Some of their stories were heartbreaking, so much so that I was moved to tears a couple times.  Some of the kids did not even have family members there, only people from church or random people helping them.  We spent the rest of the day with Ed-lyn shopping, eating lunch, and just walking around and talking. At the end of the day, we had another Bible study with the kids at Ruel which went really well!  It was a great day!

-Alaina 

Special treat with a couple of the kids at McDo!

12 people.... 12 professions of faith (Team Oras)

Team Oras is on a roll from the past week and we pray for the sincerity and continued thirst for a connection with God from these new believers as the team leaves tomorrow to go to a new village.

We’ve been talking and we feel like we still need to grow a bigger heart for the Filipino people themselves and not just be committed to the work we are doing here. We want to feel for these people and for God to break our hearts for them like His breaks for them everyday. Please pray that the Lord will give us an even greater love & burden for those we are sharing with.

A Month in Photos

Carley teaching African youth

Lee and kids at a neighborhood fútbol match

Hailey in the neighborhood of Vridi

Carley, Hailey, and Lee with the youth of Treichville Baptist Church

Everyone from girls' night (except Lee)

Two Ivorian women in native garb

Carley teaching other African youth

Mementos.

In an earlier journal entry I talked a bit about 'mementos'. What I mean when I say memento is something I can easily recognize here that is the same back home that reminds me of life before I left. One of my own mementos for example is biking. I remember earlier this summer, some some friends and I biked from Nes's house all the way down to a gas station by Mt. Trashmore and back. Riding bikes along the Han with the team and even more students than last time gave the same vibes. 

The reason I bring up mementos is because the acoustic guitar sitting in my group house room that no one's played is a huge one for me. On weekends where I'm at my group home after a long day I'll sit in my room and just worship God. The school really enjoyed the song they asked us to present during their chapel service and so they've requested us to do a three song set this time along with two testimonies from our team. I'm really excited and it's almost nostalgic to be able to lead worship again because I've missed it so much. It's just interesting seeing God use elements in our own lives that we're already familiar with for His kingdom.