Remy

On a Saturday morning, Natalie, Benji, and I were on our way to an area called Sabang, which is about a 30 minute motorcycle ride. Not even ten minutes into our ride Benji needed to stop and rest. We pulled into a sari-sari store (comparable to a convenient store but in front of someone's house). While we were waiting Natalie and I started reviewing and practicing our Tagalog with each other. A few minutes later the owner of the house, Remy, walked up. She carried on a conversation with Benji and I knew the Lord was leading me to share with her. I asked her if she knew where she would spend eternity and she said no but that she thought her good works would be enough for heaven. She willingly allowed us to share and accepted Christ. As we were leaving she said to us, "Thank you for bringing Jesus to my family." While there our countless needs here in the Philippines I am convinced their greatest need is Jesus. "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (II Corinthians 9:15)

                    Pastor Benji and Remy

Gatas / Tinapay

In tagalog the word "gatas" means milk and "tinapay" means bread. In our Bible studies we have repeatedly mentioned how the Word of God is milk to newborn believers. Some of the believers have questioned why we mention some of the same verses over and over again.  "As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."( I Peter 2:2) In addition, "But He answered and said, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) During our Bible studies before reading a verse we wait until everyone finds it and they all pass highlighters around. Friday we visited Rudy's house. He recently hasn't been there due to working; however, his daughter-in-law Joy greets us every time. She walked out of her house with her Bible to meet us in our usual spot under a shady tree. I noticed right away that her Bible looked a little different this time. She created hand-made tabs to locate the chapters more easily. She took the time to make these tabs out of simple paper and tape. Even though it was a small gesture I was excited to see that her time with God's Word was important. Even at our Bible study last night we've noticed that we are having to help less and less to find where the books of the Bible are. "Finally my brethren rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious but for you it is safe." (Philippians 3:1)

Handmade tabs

 Joy with her Bible

Papandayan Elementary School

I apologize about the lack of updates. I have been finishing the coursework for my internship requirements for my Masters program. A big shout out to my kasama, kaibigan, kapatid, Natalie Hannah, for putting up with me during this time and also coming to the rescue when my laptop charger died. Without her I would not have been able to finish! 

As previously mentioned, Natalie and I have been serving at an elementary school every Tuesday. We have been able to share the gospel as well as do Bible studies with them. We have taught the students so far about creation, the trinity, and the importance of the Word of God. Recently, several of you have been in prayer with us about the concern if we would even be able to stay and teach at the school because of arising issues. We are thrilled to say that God has answered our prayer and we will be able to continue teaching! "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Natalie with her students learning about the different days of creation. 

 I gave my students the challenge to memorize John 3:16 and the following week they were able to recite it in front of the class!

Schedule

Written by Maureen for our e-mail updates:

Below is our weekly schedule. After I return to the U.S. on August 6, Natalie and Christie will continue following this basic plan through November 20.

Monday - Rest day (In theory)

Tuesday - Papandayan Elementary School - Gospel presentation and follow-up Bible studies. Natalie has grade 6 (2 sections), Christie has grade 5 (4 sections), and I have grade 4 (4 sections). Natalie will take over my 4th grade classes when I leave.

Wednesday - Visitation and in-home Bible studies in Papandayan. 11:45 AM Bible study with students at Papandayan High School during their lunch break.

Thursday - Visitation and in-home Bible studies in Guinhawa.

Friday - Visitation and in-home Bible studies in Guinhawa. 4PM group Bible study at Lito's home.

Saturday - 9 AM Youth discipleship training - Hope Baptist Church, Sabang. 4PM group Bible study at Cita and Midel's home.

Sunday - Sunday School and Worship Service at Cita and Midel's home. 2PM youth discipleship training - Central Baptist Church, Lumambayan.

Update

This was written by Maureen for our e-mail updates: 


Of the 65 people that attended the first church service at Cita's home, almost all had been personally visited by Benji, Natalie, Christie, or me over the past year or so. Many were involved in our weekly Bible study or had been visited by us in their homes on a regular basis.


Gina, however, was new to us. She had been invited by Cita and had been a Christian for a number of years.

On Friday, Cita, Benji, Natalie, Christie, and I set out to visit Gina in her home. We were told she lived at the top of the mountain. We walked and walked and walked, higher and higher and higher. Much of our walk was through mountainous jungle. At one point we came to a clearing where it became apparent how high we were. Benji immediately sat down and said he was afraid of heights and could not go on any further. When we finished laughing hysterically, we told him it was no problem, we would go on and he could sit here and wait.

Natalie and Gina's home.

Mary Jane, Gina, Mary Grace and her husband.

Cita and I

When Cita, Natalie, Christie, and I arrived at Gina's home, we found she had 4 adult children who were not believers. Christie prepared to share the gospel and we asked Cita if she could interpret. Up until this point, Cita had simply accompanied us without actively participating in the sharing. She had heard us share the gospel with Benji interpreting many, many times. When Christie started sharing, Cita was able to interpret point by point with no problem. As Christie read the scriptures in her English Bible, Cita would read it in the Tagalog Bible. Cita actually grabbed the water bottle from Christie and did our illustration of 1 John 5:11-13 by herself. It was a wonderful and moving scene for me. It has been on our hearts that the believers in Guinhawa would grow and take on a more active role in the sharing and Bible studies. This was happening before my eyes.

We left Gina's home with four new members in our spiritual family. As we walked back down the mountain, Cita's face beamed each time we shared with the people we passed how she'd done such a fabulous job interpreting Christie's gospel presentation.

. . . and if it hadn't been for Benji's fear of heights, this great step forward would not have happened :)

Shavings of Death

                                     

This morning we had our first church service in Guinhawa! Cita, who has been a believer for three years now, has opened up her home for everyone to meet there. Yesterday, while having a Bible study in her home and discussing the first service for the next day I looked down and noticed a good portion of us had our feet in wood shavings. Cita's husband builds caskets for a living at their home. I thought of the stark contrast, here we are sitting in shavings that represent death; however, God has brought new life into the Filipino brothers and sisters that were siting around me. "Made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:5

New Beginnings

This morning we had our first church service in Guinhawa, one of the barangays we have been working in. It is truly overwhelming to think about all the details that have happened for this to take place. Here is a breakdown from the past couple of years that my mom wrote out today in an update:


July 2010 - Lesia Mooney and I met Cita while walking down the street in Guinhawa. Cita gave us some bananas. We wanted to share the gospel with her but Cita's English was not too strong and our Tagalog was virtually nonexistent. We said we would come back with Benji to interpret for us.

July 2010 - July 2011 - We looked for Cita but could never find her home. Even with Christie staying in the Philippines for 5 months that year, she was never able to locate Cita.

July 13, 2011 - Benji and I reconnected with Cita as well as her husband Midel and her sons. We were able to share the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They prayed to received Jesus as Savior. We instructed them in simple Bible study.

July 2012 - Visted Cita and her family and continued with some basic Bible study.

July 2013 - At Cita's request, we started a Saturday evening weekly Bible study in her home. Cita invited friends and neighbors. One by one, people got saved and began attending the Bible study.

July 2013 - July 2014 - Benji continued the Bible study. Cita and Benji visited friends and neighbors sharing the gospel and inviting people to the Bible study.

April 2014 - Reymark, an 18-year-old young man, came to Christ as a result of the Bible study.

June 2014 - Reymark enrolled at Mindoro Bible College to prepare to be a pastor.

June 2014 - Reymark's mom was saved.

July 13, 2014 - Three years from the day that Cita was born into the family of God, we had the first church service in her home with over 65 in attendance. The morning started with separate Bible studies for adults, youth (led by Reymark), and small children. This was followed by a worship service with music, prayer, and a message. We ended by enjoying a lunch of pancit, spaghetti, and chicken soup.

the congregation

Reymark, mom, and Cita