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!