Lessons Learned

Today marks two weeks that I have been in the Philippines. This is my 11th trip back and I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to serve. I quickly noticed in this short amount of time that I was struggling with mixed emotions. So many of these thoughts and feelings were not based on truth. These lies were beginning to affect my outlook on being here. Questions began to arise, such as, "Am I capable of serving these people?" "Is God able to use me?" "Because my feelings don't match up with what I know is truth does that make it wrong for me to be here?" During this time I was also reading Andrew Murray's book, An Exciting New Life. It is filled with basic truths and doctrines of the Christian life. In the first chapter he wrote, "Be very much in dread of your own thoughts." How easy it is to focus on our circumstances rather than on Christ. He is the one who gives clarity, peace, self-worth, joy, love, confidence, and assurance. The book goes on to say, "Man's own distorted thoughts of the way to serve and to please God-namely, by what he does and is- are deeply rooted in him."

I had a break-through, just only two days ago, and believe it or not it wasn't while I was serving. Mondays are our "rest" days. Throughout the rest of the week we are visiting people, sharing the gospel, following up on discipleship, and whatever else God brings along our path. This past Monday I was just sitting outside. I had finished writing journal entries for my school work and it was there as I was doing nothing, I had a peace that surpassed all understanding. (Philippians 4:6-8) God loves me as I am, even just sitting. He doesn't love me anymore or any less, with the feelings I have or don't have, whether I'm in America or the Philippines, if I'm sharing the gospel, or simply just sitting. Trivial as that may seem, it was crucial for me.

                    The view from our backyard

Arrival

Friday, June 15, around midnight I arrived safely in Manila. Pastor Benji picked me up at the airport and the next morning we traveled another 11 hours to reach our destination, my second home, Pinamalayan. This morning we were able to visit one of the churches that I've attended while previously living here. It's been such a great time to see people we've been working with as well as meeting new believers. They have a discipleship program for young people within their church that they've asked us to speak at for the next couple of weeks. Pray for God's Word to be spoken clearly.

This morning they sang "Because He Lives". I heard this song right before I had left to come to the Philippines. No matter if I'm in America sitting in a pew with a/c or in the Philippines sitting on a wooden bench with sweat, nothing compares to having a life with Christ.

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives."




Traveling on the ferry from Batangas to Calapan.

Pressing On

Menchie

As most of you know, in 2010 I went to live in the Philippines after I graduated from college. God led me there to spend time working with the people not having a slight inclination as to what would happen, but God had a very specific plan. You can refer back to my original blog http://theradicalexperiment.blogspot.com, which talks about the work that He did. What brings me here tonight is a particular miracle that God allowed me to be apart of. Her name is Menchie. It was brought to my attention that there were a group of mothers that were part of a children's center called Agape Child Care Center. The director asked that pastor Benji and I would go around visiting the mothers and letting them know about Jesus. Little did we know how much of an adventure we were in for. Each mother has a unique and an incredible story. Here is the post from 2010 that I wrote about one of those mothers, Menchie.


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!

This was on August 19, 2010 when I first met Menchie. During the five months I was there, the very next visit after that date was a drastic change. The Menchie from my first impression was uncharacteristic of Filipinos because she wasn't smiling and it felt that there was a huge burden weighing on her. The next visit and the weeks to come she greeted us with the biggest smile and never stopped smiling while leading her through Bible study and discipleship. 

In 2011, I had the joy of introducing my mom to the all of the mothers from Pili. It was exciting for me because as I am not a mom I felt that I missed that connection between me and the mothers. Mom had several notebooks donated that we could give to the mothers that year. We included all of the notebooks with paper and pens and explained how to have devotions during your own time. When we followed up with Menchie she not  only had a devotion that she had done on her own but was making scripture applicable to her. She explained that while reading the scriptures she had a hard time understanding but had remembered the verse that my mom shared with her that talks about praying to seek understanding for God's Word. She prayed and asked for understanding and what astounded me is what she explained about what she learned during her devotion. The verses talked about not being judgemental and Menchie went on to talk about how even though her husband left her and her three small children, she cannot be judgemental towards him. How could someone be so calm and have such wisdom on a situation that is at the same time so devastating. One thing, her relationship with Christ. 

Unfortunately with my move to Virginia this year in 2012 I was unable to go back to the Philippines to do follow up; however, my mom was able to report back. Menchie had been attending the weekly Bible study in Pili and I also was able to receive hand written letters from her. Two were in Tagalog and one in English which writes: 

Sister Christie in Christ, 
Same to you, how are you and I think of you sometimes to be combined with you and me in Christ and thank for your prayer for me to support my spiritual needs and I hope that someday I awake I'm one together on mission and I want to do my mission God gave me. And about my family we are doing well but we are need of spiritual guide of God and to learn more about from God. I want to see you again. And thank for the prayer to provide my family needs and comfort from our God. And thank to God that you and your mother sister Maureen gave for me and others needs to know love of God and learn more about God. Thank to God so much, sister Christie and sister Maureen in Christ, God gave for me. and I want to meet many missionaries someday. 
Thank Divine Master for everything, I love you God and to your love for one bind. 
-Menchie Maupay


I realized I had a different framed letter from her as well that has been sitting on my dresser since I've moved here to VA. Last week I received word that Menchie was not doing well and not expected to live. Tonight, September 30, 2012 I received an e-mail that Menchie went home to be with the Lord. While it is hard to understand, I praise and thank God that Menchie is with Him now. 


While there are so many more details and stories just like hers that I have had the privilege of seeing transformed lives come to Christ, it is all the more challenging to keep pressing on. There are so many more lives, just like Menchie, that are needing to hear the gospel. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed: and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not  heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" 

The first time meeting Menchie in 2010

Mom and I with Menchie in 2011

Some of our mothers from Agape Child Care Center

Originally posted: September 30, 2012

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.