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!