This weekend I got very sick, went to the hospital on Sunday and received medicine, and now I am doing much much better! As I was confined to my bed the whole weekend, I started to feel hopeless and discouraged. Several other personal conflicts came up that weekend as well as a text from Crisitines mom. She told me that the neuro doctor didn't want anything to do with Cristine. They said that her scalp is very thin and it will easily rip. My heart sank and I tried to encourage her as much as possible. She told me that she was going to visit another hospital to get a second opinion at Philippines Children Hospital. We have been praying and I apologize for not updating sooner but I was not able to get to a computer due to my health condition. This morning I received another text and Precy told me they were in the original hospital and the nurse who assisted them in pediatrics wants them to see the pediatrician, which is a huge praise! When they receive the xrays and lab tests from the orginial hospital they will bring them to PCH for a second opinion. I should be able to see them this weekend when we go to Manila. Thank you for your continued prayers!!

Morenteville

Tomorrow I leave for Manila for a very short trip! Hopefully we will get to check on Cristine and see how everything is going!!

Our two Bible studies we have, one with the adults and one with the children have been very successful. We meet with the adults on Friday afternoons and with the children on Sunday afternoons. One of the men in our adult Bible studies is named Pat. He accepted Jesus one of the first weeks we were here. He has opened up his home and allowed us to use his front yard as a meeting place for both the adult and childrens Bible study! Ever since he has stopped smoking and drinking and has made our Bible studies a priority. The other day we went around the room and said what we were thankful for that week and he said he was thankful for Pastor Benji and I that we come each week, spend time with them, and teach them more about Jesus and the Bible. He has also mentioned at a previous meeting that he was encouraged by me leaving America to come and share with them and that he should've already been doing that with his own country and serving his own people. It is awesome to watch him grow!!




Pat and his daughter, Jay and Edvie
Edvie, Raymond, J., and Baby who regularly attend our Bible studyJoana, and a new friend she brought to our Bible study


Yoni, a new friend they brought, and Edvie


Our childrens Bible study ....
Joshua- he has a physical condition that does not allow him to go to school anymore ^

September 21

I received texts from Precy and she said that Cristine will be having her CT scan in three weeks because they are waiting for the lab test results first. Precy sounds worried and said they are hoping they will operate on Cristine sooner because it seems that her head is becoming more enlarged faster. This morning we received more money from another supporter, who is Benjis uncle. I am continually thankful how God is using the people here in the Philippines but also in America to support Cristine. Please pray that God would allow Cristine to be operated on sooner!


This morning we went back to one of our supporters because she wanted us to visit her. Her name is Ms. Lumen and she asked about Cristine and how she was doing. I was able to share the gospel with her and she accepted!


One of the areas we are working in, Morenteville, many people have been getting sick and asking us to buy them medicine. Luckily the medicine is very cheap and we have been able to get them what they need anywhere from $.50-$1! Because we had visited the pharmacy on several occasions, yesterday afternoon God laid it on my heart to share the gospel with them and all 3 accepted.

Oh and I get to find out today whether I will be an aunt of a boy or a girl! Love you Michelle =)

Pili Parents Night

Before I share about the title- Cristine went to the hospital today to do more follow-up! When I was at lunch today I ran into Lorena, who worked with us during the medical mission back in July. She told me she had read the blogs and wanted to support her! I am thankful how God is continually providing for her!

One of the areas that we are focusing on is Pili. In previous blogs I have written about how God gave us the opportunity to share the gospel with the parents of children at Agape Childcare Center. Benji and I decided to have a parents night for them. We wanted to have it in the church to encourage them to come - but we would have games, food, a devotional, and just a time to hang out. We started planning and inviting parents two weeks in advance. We kept visiting them so they wouldn't forget. My prayer was that they would be encouraged during this time and be able to enjoy fellowship with each other. We started around 7pm and we had the chairs in a circle around the room. As we started the program we had praise and worship and as I looked around the room at all the people we had personally visited in their homes and shared the gospel with they were now singing in worship! All the chairs were filled. I stood there in amazement at how God brought all of this together and how He has changed each of their lives! I started to count and after 50 I lost track because more people were coming!
Benji shared a devotional, we played games with the adults and some of the children that came and they LOVED it! We fed them dinner and were able to give each of them a Bible because of a couple,Nick and Teresa Dustman, that I know from back home who donated money. The families were so excited about receiving the Bibles that they were asking for more! Something that we easily have access to and can afford made me wonder are we that excited about the Bible?The night was a huge success and everyone kept coming up to me after it was over thanking me for the Bibles and the time they got to enjoy with each other. I thank God to be apart of their lives and seeing them grow!


the Bibles we gave them ^

September 17

Yesterday afternoon we called Precy, Cristines mom, and she said that Cristine is scheduled for November 9th to be operated on. I am so thankful they were able to schedule a date for her to be operated! Part of me was a little discouraged because that is another month and a half away. They have so many people to be worked on, that November was the earliest they could schedule her! Cristine and her mom will be staying with family near Manila, in case they are able to operate on her sooner! They text us this morning and they were getting paper work done as well as a schedule for a CT scan. The doctors said all of Cristines vital signs were good and the hydrocephalus is not causing harm to anywhere else in her body, which is a praise!

There is an organization here in the Philippines ABS-CBN that I emailed several weeks ago that help children like Cristine. They have emailed me back asking more questions. We are praying this may be another source to help Cristine! Please continue to pray!!

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=557987608282
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=558080232662

September 16

This morning I received a text from Precy, Cristines mother, and she told me they were in pediatrics waiting for their name to be called to be looked at by a doctor. They sent me another text yesterday thanking us for our help and that our support was the answer to their prayer! Most likely they have not slept because they probably got to Manila late and have been waiting at the hospital. Please continue to pray for strength for the family and for the doctors to have wisdom!

A young girl that I know here , asked if I had put a picture of Cristine in her college asking for support. I said no and asked why. She told me that someone had put Cristines picture in their cafeteria at school by the cashier asking for support! I was encouraged to hear that other people are getting involved in the community!

In the midst of getting everything worked out with Cristine, we have also been busy in other areas of ministry. God has allowed us to share the gospel with different people the past couple of days. One of which was the local jail. I was asked to come and speak to the prisoners. Intimidation was my first feeling because how was I, just a 24 yr. old girl from America, be able to relate to men and woman in prison? When I walked in, God reminded me that I am no different than them, I am simply just a sinner like everyone else. I remembered that it is only by God's grace, that Ephesians 2 talks about, that I was made alive! Benji and I shared the gospel with them and in the back row I saw an elderly gentleman, probably in his late 70's, crying. Even though these men and woman may feel discouraged and that there is no hope at all, they have a new hope because of what God did for them!
standing outside the prison with Sonny and Remmy (supporters of Cristine and also the couple that asked me to speak)
prisoners

September 15, Send Off Day

Today we sent off Cristine! The mother and the sister were crying and so thankful for this opportunity! please continue to pray!

Exceedingly Abundant

Project Cristine, as I call it, has been very successful! We found more supporters, one of which was a listener from the radio station. I was walking through the market to buy some food when I heard a lady call out my name. I turned and said hello and I decided to stop and talk to her. I asked her what her name was and asked how did she know mine? She told me she heard our announcement on the radio and she saw me a couple of days ago and wanted to stop me but she didn't know how to approach me. She quickly gave me money and told me she wanted me to stop by the next day so that she could give more money. We returned yesterday and sure enough Julie gave us more, more than I expected! Most Filipinos in this area make an average of $2 a day. Yes, $2 a day- most of us Americans spend that much on a pack of gum and go about our day. They are making $2 a day just to eat and support their family!

We came across another gentlemen named Roger and a government worker named Lonie. To this day, September 13, among the Filipinos in Pinamalayan, we raised $100. Pastor Benji was hoping his community would be able to raise at least $50. God not only met that expectation but doubled it! I can't help but think of Ephesians 3:20- Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

To the Americans, thank you for your support! I will be writing about you next once I receive everyones names! I can't tell you how much your support has been a blessing to me and this family!! It is so much fun to watch God use all of you!

Two more days and we will be sending off baby Cristine, her mother Precy, and Precys sister, who is going to help take care of Cristine.
Julie, the radio listener

RogerLonie and the staff in her office

Cristine -Update #3

Yesterday morning, September 9, we focused on getting more support for Cristine throughout the community. We visited several business men. All of them gave and one of them invited us to their business meeting on Sunday where they will let us speak about Cristine at 1pm!

On Monday we will go back to the mayor for his financial support. So far we have raised close to $30, which is amazing especially in this community! People don't have much but they were willing to give and this is a lot for them!! I am thankful for their heart!

Everything is pretty much set to go for the family to leave on September 15. Thank you for your prayers and support.

I read this the same morning before we started our day:

Psalm 9:18- For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.


Some of the people that gave:

Cristine- Update #2

I have written in a previous blog about how we went to the local radio station(105.3) and they interviewed me why I was here in the Philippines. Pastor Benji and I went back today, September 7, to ask the owner if he would want to support Cristine. He said that we should make an announcement on the radio station about it. My first initial thought, was I really don't want to speak on the radio - but this is important and it is worth it! We waited a while for the commercials to end and then he started to ask me several questions about how we met Cristine and what is our purpose for raising money for her. We encouraged the community that by giving you'll receive a far bigger blessing. I found the verse Proverbs 28:27 - He who gives to the poor will not lack. I am still amazed how God has allowed all of these opportunities to share His Word and for the community to see Him work. We announced on the radio that our goal is to have the money by September 15. The radio station invited me to come back September 14 to talk about the progress and give one last reminder to give! My prayer is not that people in America or the Philippines will think, you are doing something great, but to look at all of this and know that God is great- He is an indescribable God - where nothing is too big for Him - and He receives all the glory!
pastor Benji speaking on the radio
my notes about Cristine 105.3

Cristine - Update

Cristines mother-in the pink shirt- holding twin Crisel.

Over the weekend we were busy with our Bible studies, which I will update next about, but today, Monday, we were able to hit the ground running continuing to focus on Cristine. This morning Benji and I read in Psalms - we are claiming Psalm 96:2 for our ministry- Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His Salvation from day to day. Benji and I went to the mayors office to ask for support for this sweet baby, Cristine. I was actually a little nervous- I didn't know what to expect. I immediately had God's peace that came over me and was reminded of Jeremiah 32:17- There is nothing too hard for God. God owns everything- He also owns all the money that the mayor has, so providing for this little girl is not too big for my God to handle!

When we first got in the office, the mayor didn't seem to happy to see us. He would look down at the papers on his desk to sign them, while we were talking to him. He started to question me, as if I was in an interrogation room, why I was here in the Philippines, and more specifically in his city! He further questioned me as to what religious sect I belonged to and if there was an organization I belonged to. I told him we're not pushing any religion just sharing with people how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus. I also tried to explain to him that I was here on my own - I'm not with an organization I just came by myself. Finally, we made a connection because of a couple we both know here in Pinamalayan. He softened up , and by Gods grace he told us what we needed to do to help Cristine. There is more paperwork that is currently being worked on as I write this and will hopefully be done in the next day or so. Once that paperwork is done, we can go back to his office and he will give us some financial support for Cristine! I was so excited and thrilled to see God using the local people for this baby!
We went to visit more people to tell them about Cristine and one of them owns a van company that takes people to the ferry - which takes them to Manila. The trip takes 8 hours, including a 2 hour boat ride, from here to Manila. Cristine's mother will need to take this trip because this is where Cristine will be operated on. The owner, Pong, agreed to give us one trip for free!! I am continually thankful to see God work in this situation.

For everyone in America, who has supported already and have inquired about supporting, I thank God for you and still amazed how He is using you to further the gospel and everything that is going on here! I can't tell you how much I love each of you and thankful to have you in my life!The mayors office- maybe next time I'll get a picture with him =)
The accountant, Judy, for the municipal and Benjis cousin- who supported Cristine financially.

Current- September 3

This morning Benji and I went visiting in our town that we are focusing on -Morenteville. We followed up with two women and one teenager. We shared the gospel with them and all three of them prayed to receive Christ!

As we were doing more visits Benji was stopped by one of the barangauy leaders and they showed us a picture of this baby girl. He showed me the picture and I almost couldn't bare to look at it! Her name is Cristine Joy and she was born on February 11, 2010. She as acquired hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal accumulation of fluid on the brain. The government is paying for their expenses for Cristine to be treated but the family does not have enough money to transport her to Manila and stay there while she is being operated on. We went to visit the baby Cristine and found out she has a twin, Crisel, who is normal and healthy.


Pastor Benji and I immediately started praying and asking God to give us direction in how to raise support. Benji told me they would need 20,000 pesos, which is about $400 U.S. dollars. We started going around town to different people we knew. We've already had an elderly woman give us $2 and the place where we get our lunch gave us $10! This is a lot for Filipinos where the average salary is $2 a day. We are claiming Jeremiah 32:17-Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.There is nothing too hard for You! There's no doubt that God can't provide this and we are trusting in Him alone!

Our goal is by September 15 to have enough money to send Cristine to Manila to be operated on! It is awesome to see how God is already using the local community to get involved and support this baby. please pray.

If you want to donate you can send to :

Trinity Baptist Church

Att: Charles Bogart

800 Hammond Blvd

Jacksonville, FL 32221

and make a note of "Christie's Philippines Trip 2010"

This is Cristine with hydrocephalus ^

This is her twin sister, Crisel, who is perfectly healthy! =)


Yesterday afternoon we went back to the mother and two other ladies to let them know we were going around the community to raise money for Cristine. We shared the gospel with them and all three accepted!

Agape Child Care Center

The past week or so we have been working with a group of mothers that have children that attend Agape Child Care Center. They asked me to speak at their monthly parent meeting on August 27, but we decided to visit each of them ahead of time and share the gospel with them one on one. We started out with a list of the parents name and searched for each one. I didn't know what to expect and how open they would be to us visiting them in their houses and sharing the gospel. Each family was very receptive to us! I enjoyed visiting each family and I was so thankful we decided to visit them before our meeting because I got to spend one-on-one time with each of the mothers and their family. I quickly became overwhelmed because each house and family that we visited we talked with them and they would share with us their burdens, needs, and problems that they currently had going on in their life. I felt overwhelmed because there was so much I wanted to do to help these families and I felt there was nothing I could give them. After the first day of feeling helpless, God showed me that the greatest thing I could give them was the gospel.

One of the mothers was so excited we shared the gospel with her that she wanted us to come back and share the same message with her husband, so that her and her husband could start having Bible studies together.

Another mother was actually sleeping when we went to visit her. I felt terrible for waking her up, but she wanted us to talk with her. We were able to share with her and her mother. When I asked them if they wanted to ask Jesus into their heart they both started crying and said yes and right there prayed to receive Jesus. I followed up with them and shared with them verses about how Jesus will never leave them and He will always stay in your heart. The mother proceeded to tell me that her husband left her a year ago because he did not want to support them anymore. She has three small children and one of them the husband took. She is also very sick now and is not able to afford the medicine. My heart broke for them but God continued to remind me that He is now with them and no longer do they have to trust in this world or other people for support but they can trust in the One who is the ultimate provider!


One of the leaders of the child care center told me that they had been praying for someone to come and share the gospel with the mothers of these children. They thanked me and told me I was answer to their prayer. It was a very humbling and honoring experience to be apart of these womens lives!

We saw a total of 27 make a decision for Christ!