Feeding the hungry

One of the projects we have committed to is feeding the poorest in a few communities. We made 200 food bags..each contains a weeks supply of rice, oil, dried fish and beans. These are taken to the families who most need to eat...their children are hungry..and most of them don't have work. It was such a blessing to bring God's word and to give them a blessing that He has provided. It never gets old to see the smiles, tears and faces of those the Lord is touching...what a blessing!!
We did this at Smokey Mountain the other day as well...I was able to pray with a young woman who had lost her baby just as it was born. She loves the Lord and to pray and sit with her for a moment was so good...we left her a food bag and many prayers. Sharing, crying, laughing and so much more...it is truly amazing to see God work!!
Yesterday, my roommate Nicki and I volunteered to hold a clinic for reading glasses. We had people from age 29 to 86 looking to see better...we prayed for each person and offered them a bible if they wanted to read it. We had several strengths of glasses which we tried on the people...about 40 were will receive a pair...we will return to deliver their new glasses in two weeks!! One lady was SO HAPPY when she looked at her bible and could actually see it!!! What a smile she had on her face as she read to me.... Amazing what joy a $4 pair of reading glasses can bring. :) God is so GOOD!!
July 31 marks the split of our team for additional outreach...9 of us will go to the Island of Bohol which is north of here...the remainder of our team will return to Iligan for additional ministry. I will go to Bohol along with Claire, Dawn, Charles, Helen and Alan, Okja, Chang Su, Vicki and Alison...it is 12 hours by boat. We leave Tuesday night and will have beds so that we can rest while traveling. Ministry in Bohol will be similar to what we have been involved in here...there is a University there so some of us will have the opportunity to witness with the students as well. We will return to Cagayan no later than August 12th and remain in the area for two weeks...we will take that time to tie up any loose ends...bible study, health care issues, glasses...etc.
I will continue to blog from Bohol so keep checking. I think you can find information online if you want to look at where we are going. Please pray for safe travel and that hearts will be prepared to hear Gods word.
Oh...gave my testimony at church today. I almost fell out when I discovered it was being filmed for a local Christian television program...you can catch it at 4, 5 and 6 pm tonight...funny! ;) My friend Bryan preached on relationship and the book of Ephesians. Great day today.
Blessings!!

John 13

Hello everyone!!!
Another busy week!! Hope this finds all of you doing well...I MISS EVERYONE A TON!! Thank you for the wonderful comments...it is great to hear from you.
WOW...where do I begin. Wednesday I went with three young Filipina girls to a local market..we were shopping for second hand clothing and 100 pairs of flip flops. The clothing is piled in HUGE mounds on tables and you just dive in!! I have some great photo's of the excursion but still haven't had a chance to get them put online. Once you see photo's, check past posts and I will try to include the pictures that best fit my post. Anyway...two huge bags of clothing and two huge bags of flip flops...lunch in a local eatery, lots of sweating...three hours later we arrived at the garbage dump aka Smokey Mountain.
Today we were to bless the local men and women with foot washing and a new, clean pair of flip flops...some got clothing if they really needed it...most need it. I washed and my fried Mark read John 13 to the ladies and men. I prayed for them as I washed their beautiful tired feet. I must say this was such a blessing for me...Have you ever washed feet before? I thought I would be a bit freaked out by it but what a pleasure it was to bless them in this way...it was amazing.
God has spoken so many things to my heart through this experience...as we washed feet, the rain came...Smokey Mountain is on a hill and when it rains...well one word..MUD. Mud like you have never seen before...the pigs are definitely in heaven but for the people it is a wet and miserable existence. As the rain came, about 20 of us ran to a small "house" to take cover...I stood outside and was covered by the slight eave (sp) of the roof...God really spoke to my heart at that moment in the rain...I just began to weep for the people. It must be so hard to live this way in the rainy season. Oh, I saw Flora again...I talked about her on last S M post. She and baby are doing well...I took a photo of us and will share when I can...she is so smiley!!
It was a great day...we also washed two little guys hair in the rain...they loved it!! What a day...God is so GOOD!!!!
I have so much more to say but am out of time! Love you all and will post again on Sunday!!! BLESSINGS!!

Vilanueva

Hi friends!!
Sorry I haven't written in a few days...this week was busy and I was a little under the weather...but all is well and my body feels great!!!
Where shall I start...how about my day off on Monday. About 9 of us..foreigners and Filipino..went white water rafting on the Cagayan River!! It was awesome...I have never rafted where coconut trees drift out over the river..we saw a cow swimming at the end of his owners rope...beautiful tropical birds and so much more. We were on the river by 7:30 so it was a peaceful morning and a wonderful trip.
Now to the good stuff!! :) We have done many things this week. Our group went to the town of Vilanueva today..my translators and Filipino friends Roberto and Malou were with me...we traveled door to door visiting, sharing and telling people about Jesus. We met a lovely little couple who owned a small store...it is located at the front of their small house. They are in their 60's and really wanted to talk. They talked about Jesus and have given their lives to Him but I could just tell they needed encouragement...we sat with them for over an hour and just talked, read the bible and answered questions. We asked if they had a bible and she answered no...Roberto offered his and she broke into a few tears...she said the bible was an answer to prayer...man that was awesome. So many people just want to talk and be loved on for a bit. We found out that Mario has some problems with his lungs due to smoking...we offered to pray for him..they really wanted us to pray as she got up and closed the store so there would be no interruption...this was so cool. That was the first time i have seen anyone close their store to pray. :) The Holy Spirit really ministered to all of us...all five of us were in tears as we prayed of Mario's health and for Teresita as well...it was just a special time. After we prayed we asked if we could visit again over the next few weeks and they said yes...they also let us give their names to a local pastor..he will make sure someone visits them for a bible study...they both want to learn more about the bible. ..it was awesome!!
We met another lady who the Holy Spirit also ministered to...I shared my testimony with her and we talked about life....about disappointment, pain and joy!! She was a precious, precious woman!!! It is amazing how God uses us....I started the day today with not a lot of energy and to be honest..not the greatest attitude...we had worship this morning and I really sang to the Lord and then prayed for a few hours...actually, I prayed up until the moment we started the door to door. I just didn't think I had anything to give today...I almost stayed back for intercessory prayer so that I didn't have to give out...Thank you Lord that you are so FAITHFUL!! He was with me and used me even when I thought I could go no more...I love him so much for that!!!
We are visiting a boys home tomorrow...we will be cleaning the toilets, building beds and ministering to the lads!!! I can't wait...I will write and fill you all in. Love and kisses to everyone!!!

Smokey Mountain

Hi everyone...
Wonderful day of ministry today...we went to the rubbage dump or Smokey Mountain. WE did about an hour of door-to-door ministry, a drama and we took time to play and minister to the children...i must admit this was very hard to see...the people live in garbage, pigs are every where and the children often get bitten. The poverty is worse here than I could have imagined...many children are so dirty, you can barely see their faces...many have no clothing and simply walk around naked or half dressed...my heart struggled as we settled in. We will go back soon to do bathing and clothing of the children...I can't wait for that.
I met a young woman named Flora who has a one year old son and a baby on the way...we approached her as she and the baby were digging through the trash looking for metal to sell. Her husband works but is not always guaranteed money...he probably earns 2 pisos an hour which is pennies...she digs for the metal to help pay for food. Flora is 17 and had such a sadness about her...my heart really went out to her. Her mother and grandmother are followers of Jesus and she is too...but I really sensed she needs encouragement. Many people we have met seem to be in the same place...a place I can identify with. My heart screams discipleship as so many of you have really poured your lives into me...I think we are now going to settle down and try to visit and disciple many of the faces we have touched through bible studies and such...there will be many more opportunities to seek those who haven't come to Jesus as well.
Flora and her son were waiting on her husband to return and hoping he would bring food for dinner. Our team felt led to bless them with a few kilos of rice and some proper baby food for the young one...it was great to see her smile and it was and a pleasure to share that the Lord wanted to bless her today.
There are so many so many faces and stories to tell...I will share as many as I can with you. Thank you for your prayers and know that God is here!!! :)
I have been advised by a very special friend to stop early and use spell check...so long for now!! Love you guys and blessings to everyone!!!
Oh...it is spelled piso on the money!! ;)

Off and sun cream

Hello friends...
Sitting in the hottest Internet cafe on the planet!! :) Funny how you just get accustomed to the layers of Off and sun cream(British thing)...and of course the sweat and dirt..just feels like I'm camping on Lake Joccasse. :)
Took two days medical leave this week...lets just say my tummy was not feeling great. ;) We have about 10 with the same issue and another 5 were unable to keep anything down..seems to be a 24 hour thing. Pray for our health.
So we are visiting the same communities and really just loving on people. Tuesday we saw an incredible healing...there was a man who's eye was blood red and it looked like there was something in it...two young men in our group layed hands on this man and watched his eye turn from red to white!!! GOD IS SO AWESOME!!! The man was so happy..crying and jumping for joy..thank you Lord!!
This trip has been so amazing...God really is working in the lives of the Filipino people. My time on the internet has been cut short but I love you all and will write again tomorrow!!! Blessings!!

Iligan City

What weekend. We were in a city named Iligan that is about 2 hours from Caygayan. About 50 of us made the trip as another 50 stayed back. We were about 10 miles outside of Iligan when we were met by a "welcoming committee"...a police escort and federal military guards. We travelled into the city with lights flashing and sirens roaring...it was quite a scene. We arrived at the Iligan City Hall and greeted but hundreds of citizens, city officials, pastors from about 30 churches and a marching band...we were all overwhelmed!
This trip was not planned but came about as a result of our leader meeting with city officials here in Cayagan...when Maged met with the officials and the pastors of Iligan he said the unity among the pastors was not good...they wanted us to come for 3 weeks but we could only commit to 3 days...the Lord said 3 days. Some of the pastors expressed 3 weeks or don't come at all but most pleaded for us to visit their city and minister to the people...there has not been western missionaries there in well over 10 years due to danger.
We hit the streets immediately Friday afternoon and really felt the Lord's presence. Our groups consisted of one westerner, several Filipinos, a security guard and sometimes a local pastor...it has been such a pleasure to walk and minister with the locals here!! One westerner meant I was to go it alone...alone in the sense of not really knowing my interpreters and being the only white person...those we visited looked to us who had come so far to talk with them about God. I was challenged to rely on the Lord to give me the words and He did...I can't tell you what a blessing this has been. On Saturday afternoon I had the privilege to meet with Gabriel and his wife Enriquita....he is 70 and she is 63. They are both Christians and know Jesus as their savior....Gabriel recently had a tumor removed from his intestine and must have another one to reconnect the intestine soon...the problem is money. I prayed with and held his wife as she cried...she is so worried about how they will fund this....they are old, poor and already depend on their children to eat. Gabriel is strong and you can see it!!! He is a GREAT candidate for the surgery...the cost is only $700. I hope those of you who read this will pray about contributing to this couple...as I prayed I really felt the Lord wanted to bless them...not only with the finance but with a full and quick healing from the surgery. They are so beautiful..smiling and in good spirits in spite of the circumstance. It was a blessing to see the Lord touch Enriquita as we prayed.
I had the privilege to lead a young man to the Lord on Friday afternoon. His name is Julito and he was our guide...it was a very special moment that I will never forget it...he asked me to tell him how to pray...how to live for Jesus...it was AWESOME to see this young man set free!!! Thank you Lord!!
There is SO MUCH TO TELL but I have to go now. I will write more tomorrow...thank you for your prayers...I know they are heard!!

Tahannan

Hi everyone!!! Thank you for your words of encouragement!!!
God is really working in the area's we are visiting. We visited about 60 homes as a group on Wednesday and saw about 20 people give their lives to Jesus!!! We continue to pray for healing and for salvation of everyone we come into contact with. There were several healings reported on Wednesday...people with chronic pain in their bodies...an elderly woman who had severe arthritic symptoms in her hips was crying and thanking the Lord for healing her. The Holy Spirit is here and he is working among us...I have been so blessed...everyday.
I just continue to thank the Lord for loving me and for the privilege to be here in His name. Today, Thursday 5th, my group visited a boys prison called Tahannan...there are about 40 boys from age 8 to 18 there. The crimes vary...murder, rape but mostly petty stuff including drugs. I was so touched by their gentleness and the HOPE I could see in them. We did several songs and dances...and a drama about the lost goat..you know that one, right??? They don't know what sheep are here so we used goat instead. A young man from California gave his testimony following the drama...it really touched some of the boys. He was in a boys prison six years ago for a two year term...he cried out to the Lord on the bathroom floor and came to Jesus. I could see several of the young boys really study Ray's words...really connect with what he was saying....amazing!!
I played basketball with several of the boys....man they are good players but this old lady held her own!! ;) It was a special day....we will visit this place once a week while we are here. I think we will take clothing and flip flops next time we visit....they were so beautiful!!!
We have to evacuate our hotel for the weekend but will return on Monday. About 70 of us are traveling an hour and a half tomorrow to visit a group of churches. We will sleep on the floor in a hotel...now that is outreach!!! :) I will post more of these details as I get them...may not post til I return on Monday, depends on internet availability. Illigan is where we will travel to...it is safe.
I will post a few pictures soon...not that organized yet.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! Blessings!

God is so amazing!!

Yesterday was our first day in the "field". We were divided into two large teams that will remain intact for the 3 weeks of Mega Outreach. Within our teams, we were divided again. This allows us to reach more areas and to visit them on a more frequent basis. My team visited one of the targeted areas...Marcos Bridge. This community is built on the edge of the sea and floods regularly...about every two weeks. The homes are raised so the tide doesn't flood inside. When the water recedes, the roads trap much of the water under the homes and this becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The people in this area have problems with Dengue fever from the mosquitoes and many of the children suffer from diarrhea and dehydration. We met a woman yesterday who lost her baby just four weeks ago from a simple case of diarrhea...she just wasn't able to get help quick enough. The pain and sadness was so heavy in her. A few of us prayed with her and we will continue to visit over the time we are here. Our health care team will do clinics in this area teaching the people basic ways to improve their health....they will also vaccinate and care for some of the immediate needs.
We spent several hours going door to door meeting the people in this community. There are about 140 families and toms of children. When we first arrived, a small girl of about 4 approached me and took hold of my hand...her name is Angelica. :) She walked with us most of the day...we met her mother and father and the family pig. As I stood talking to the interpreter, I felt a tug on the back of my sandal....much to my surprise a small black pig was trying to eat my TEVA!!! :) Hilarious..
We spent a lot of the afternoon in a central street area...we were in front of the home where a weekly bible study takes place. About 15 women attend regularly and they are able to bring their children with them. Vanessa and Rowana are two who usually attend....young teen mothers with beautiful smiles!!! We climbed the ladder into Rowana's home and sat on the bamboo floor...it was awesome to just visit and pray with them. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the street playing with children. They love any attention you can give.... I must have given 200 helicopter rides...just picking them up and spinning around. :) At times there must have been 20 children in front of me holding out their arms.
One of the local men climbed a coconut tree and retrieved a refreshing treat...he climbed in his bare feet and broke the coconut open for us to enjoy!!
There were many wonderful testimonies from the day but one stood out. The area where we had done our prayer walk...Tagaloan saw God work in a big way. One of the ladies from my class prayed with a man on Sunday...she was touched by his story and knew she wanted to visit again on Tuesday.....he had been paralyzed from a stroke four months ago and had been bed ridden since. When she and a few more returned on Tuesday to pray, God healed this man!!! He got out of his bed and he walked...and he jumped...and he ran!!! Afterwards, he and his wife gave their lives to Jesus!!! When she told us back at the base, the room exploded with JOY!!!
All I have time for now...keep praying and forgive my typos!!! :) LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Tagoloan

Hello everyone,

Monday is our free day so a bunch of us came to the mall to email. After lunch we will go to a place called Rock Springs for a swim. It is in a tropical rain forrest so the water will be clean and very cold!! Refreshing as it is very hot and humid here.
We went for a prayer walk in a place called Tagoloan last night...think that is spelled right....it was wonderful and yet so hard to see...we all fought back tears. The children are warm and so BEAUTIFUL!!! My blonde hair and fair skin draws quite a crowd. Many look into your eyes..smile and seem to shy away. I found myself walking to them and wanting to let them know that I SEE THEM..touching their hands or just really giving them a smile, individually...i hope that makes sense. My heart senses that they feel invisible and lost in this place. I can't tell you how beautiful and precious these people are. This area has been targeted as a primary place for ministry while we are here. We have a medical team that will give a free clinic many times...the medical team is called IPHC and they also attended school at the King's Lodge for the past 12 weeks. A local pastor has been working in this community and feels there may be opportunity for a big break through! Please pray for God to be real to them...I pray we can show them HIS love and that they will cling to him even as we leave.
As we rode the Jeepney in from the airport I found myself really understanding how much we ALL NEED GOD....no matter our situation...It just became very real and crystal clear that ultimately, He is what we must all cling to...He is the answer. We are all so similar...just people who need Jesus...no matter where we live or what we have...or don't have...God WILL PROVIDE!! My prayer is that we can somehow show his love to the people here in a way that they will understand...he is all we need.
I love you all and miss you very much. Blessings!!!