Radio Station

Last year, when I lived in the Philippines God allowed me to build a relationship with the people in the local radio station here in Pinamalayan. We were invited back to speak on the topic of gangs. At first, I thought why would they want me to be one of their guest speakers when I was never involved with one. After talking about it with Pastor Benji and my mom, God brought to mind why do people join gangs. I thought about how God created us and that we were created with an emptiness - we need something to fill that void and to have a sense of belonging. People turn to different things to be satisfied, one of which could be a gang. There was also the retired chief of Police who shared his opinions. He talked about the government and laws and how they can help fix this problem. Another factor mentioned was the family and how parents are to be more involved in their child's life. When they asked what my thoughts were for a solution I talked about how in Colossians 2:10 talks about that we are complete in Christ. I challenged everyone who was listening to seek after Christ and allow Him to be their satisfaction. This has actually been a recent lesson God is teaching me - in that I don't need to allow what this world offers to define who I am, a nice car, a good paying job, a relationship, a house- but that who I am in Christ is sufficient! I can look to God who is faithful and has given me more than I could ever imagine. I am a child of God and that is enough!

Sibale

Sibale is an island just an hour & 1/2 boat ride from where we are staying. It is the most beautiful place you could ever imagine but yet there is much more going on than God's incredible creation. Two weeks ago when the rest of our American team was here. God allowed us to share with all of the schools on the island, most indicating a decision for Christ. Mom and I were invited back to the island to help local pastors Sonny, Jess, and Salve to encourage their churches and have a crusade within the community. We discovered that there is a German priest who has lived on the island for many years and supports the high schools by paying the students monthly bill of 50 pesos, which is just a little over $1.00. He also supports the college students there, which is 5,000 pesos a month. As a result of paying their school bill, they are forced to attend the catholic church and are not able to freely choose where and how to worship.

The local pastors told us - when they visit people and share God's Word with them that the people are touched and want to learn more but there is nothing they can do about it because of the stronghold of the catholic church.

While mom and I were at Sibale for the second time, I was able to attend the National High school, that all of us American girls had the opportunity to share with. Not only did they

remember everyone's names who spoke in their classroom: Summer, Sarah, Hannah,

Shelby, Stephanie, Emily, and myself they continued to ask more questions about us and our faith! Praise God for the work He is doing in their lives. Please continue to pray that the local people would not rely on the priest for financial support, but rely on a God who is more faithful and altogether the ultimate provider.

The Pastors

Film Showing with the community in Sibale

Returning to the National High School to speak with the students!

Down Time

This morning, Saturday, mom and I went out with Pastor Benji and his wife Joan to do more discipleship and follow-up. God has been doing SO many great things in these Bible studies I wish I could share every detail. We decided to take the afternoon off and just relax. Mom and I decided to walk to the beach and go through a short cut that I knew of when I lived here in the Philippines last year. As we started walking to the beach there was a big group of young people walking in the same direction. When we got to the shortcut, there was a lock on the gate so we could not get through, so we proceeded to walk the same direction as the group. They noticed us and several of the girls asked who we were and why we were in the Philippines. We asked them where they were going & they said to the beach as well. Come to find out it was a class of high school students who surprised their teacher, who I met last year Jenn, who is also a Christian, to take her to the beach for her birthday. The young people wanted to stay at the same area we were at the beach so we swam with them and had several conversations. Several of the discussions involved what we were doing in the Philippines, what religion we are, and how to have a personal relationship with Jesus. They had a limited time at the beach because the students traveled far to get there and they said they only had 15 more minutes. I asked my friend Jenn, who is also their English teacher, if it was ok to share with them. She said of course, so she gathered all her students together and God allowed us to share the gospel with 25 high school students. After we shared Jenn, told us that sharing with her students the gospel was the best birthday present ever. She told her students that she accepted Jesus when she was in the 6th grade and continued to say "take note- your good works will not take you to heaven but only the fact that you have accepted Jesus".

Mom and I walked back to where we are staying and I looked over at the gate and saw that the gate was open to my shortcut and the lock was no longer on there. I thought to myself we could've gone through that shortcut, but God quickly reminded me if the lock was not on that gate we would have never had the opportunity to share! So thankful that even in our " down time" to relax God gives us opportunities to be used of Him! Sometimes when our plans go wrong, for example not being able to use the shortcut, God uses for His glory- the gospel.

Follow-up

On June 29th, a team of Americans from Westside and Trinity Baptist left to go to the Philippines. I never would have thought how God would use this team, especially the young people. Many of them have never left the country before. It was a privilege for me to see Him transform their lives by simply being willing and bold enough to go and share the gospel with people who have never heard before. God used the team to share the gospel with people in elementary schools, high schools, colleges, in the waiting areas while we traveled, singing and sharing their testimonies of how God has worked in their lives, to working with tribal groups and ministering to local churches and an orphanage. I was sad to see them go home last week but at the same time encouraged to see how God has changed each of their lives because of their obedience and willingness to serve Him.

The remaining three weeks my mom and I are doing follow-up with the people from Pinamalayan, where I lived for 4 & 1/2 months last year. So far we have been able to continue to the Bible studies and encourage the new believers. It has been a blessing to see where God has brought each of these families to where they are now. Last year my mom and I met a lady by the name of Cita, who like most Filippinos was very hospitable to us. We tried to find her to share with her the gospel but never did. Even when I lived here I went searching for her at her house but the neighbors told me she moved. Two days ago, we were on our way back to where we are staying and there Cita was with her family waiting for a tricycle, what we would consider a cab, so we asked if we could come visit it her and she said yes. Today we visited both her and her husband and told us she did not know for sure where she would spend

eternity and wanted to know how to have a relationship with Jesus! I thank God for the opportunity to see Cita again and give her the greatest news she could ever hear!

There is so much work to be done here and so little time. Please pray that God would continue to direct our steps while we are here.

Baby Cristine update

When I lived over in the Philippines last year so many of you financially supported and prayed for baby Cristine, who has hydrocephalus, to be operated on. If you remember, the final verdict was that the doctors could not operate on her in Manila and they told the parents to enjoy the time they had with her. Tonight I received an e-mail letting me know that she had passed away on April 29.

My heart sank and I couldn't help but cry. All of a sudden everything that seemed important today or that I have been stressing over recently, vanished. I thought about how God brought together Filippinos and Americans to give financially and pray for this baby. In Pinamalayan, where I lived -the radio station, the local government offices,the bus station, businesses, friends, and strangers decided to give. Americans - from reading this blog decided to give, some of whom I hardly know, but God used it all for His glory. All of the details of this journey are mind blowing and I can't begin to thank all of you who had a part in this!

I began to realize that Cristine is now in a better place. Also, because of Cristine, several have come to know the Lord including her own mother and aunt. I remember when I was over in the Philippines God gave me peace to this difficult situation - so that others may know Him! We were trying in our own power to raise money and see this little girl healed while all along that wasn't God's plan, He used her sickness so that others could hear the gospel!