My mind is flooded with thoughts as I try to think about all that has happened since I last wrote in December. I can barely keep up! But, I do want to fill you in on several things that have happened. As our supporters and prayer partners, we truly want you all to feel like you're here with us. Due to the holidays, poor internet connection, a conference, a mini vacation, and a little slack on my part, it's as if you've been absent for a month. So here we go, let's get you caught up...
Our first Christmas and New Year away from home went as well as they possibly could. We truly felt like family as we celebrated with friends and neighbors here. We were even invited to spend New Year's Eve with a family up the street, which is very special because New Year's here is actually a more intimate family time than Christmas. All the distant relatives come in and cook together at 12 midnight and then shoot fireworks for days following! Ha.
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We've continued meeting with the group of young people in Calabuanan to train them in beginning their own Discovery Bible Study groups. This group of believers is a sweet, humble group whom we are praying God will use to spread the church in their community and even the world.
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Josh and I set some personal, family, and spiritual goals for ourselves for 2013 and Monica, Gerlie, and I were also able to take some time to seek the Lord on His direction for the year. (Reminder: Gerlie is our friend who wants to leave Maria Aurora and take the gospel to another part of the world).
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Recently the Holy Spirit led Josh to be baptized. He went forward in church as a kid, but lately he has come to believe that his salvation actually occurred later in his life. Therefore, he wanted to be obedient to the pattern in Scripture that shows baptism being an act of obedience following salvation. So, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, some of our church body gathered at our house and sang a song of praise as our brothers Kletz, Pastor Jojit, and Lito baptized Josh! Since this, another guy here has asked to be baptized. He was challenged by Josh's testimony and also desires for baptism to be on the right side of his salvation.
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We attended Lide-Walker Bible Conference in Baguio City about 8 hours away from Maria. Our friends and partners in the gospel, Sheila, Ruben, and Maylene joined us. We had a blast! We took a late night bus to the beautiful, cold, mountainous city where my wishes for winter weather came true. I typically don't enjoy the cold, but after 4 months in the tropics, I was missing it! The conference lasted 3 days and we were so blessed to build much stronger relationships with these three friends as we played games, had heart-felt convos, and toured the city during free time. We were all excited to eat foods that aren't found in our province, such as strawberries and broccoli and we even got to be truly Filipino by eating rice at 10 meals in a row! The conference also provided many, many opportunities for us to practice speaking Tagalog. Additionally, we were encouraged by the sessions at the conference and felt re-energized for ministry back in Maria.
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After Lide-Walker conference, Josh, Monica, and I stayed a few extra days in Baguio for a short retreat. We learned that the city was actually built by Americans when they were stationed in the Philippines. Many of the streets are named after American generals and they even planted pine trees in Baguio! We really enjoyed resting at the peaceful seminary where we stayed and enjoyed some national parks, American restaurants, some wood carving vendors, and the mall. All in all, our time was refreshing.
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After Baguio, we made a trip to Manila (again) to
finalize the visa process. We would pick up our identification cards and original documents and be finished, right? Not quite. I should've known from our previous experiences. Josh and Monica received their cards, but I was not processed. And they requested a formal letter in order to return our originals. So...we'll make another trip later this month. But.. this time we'll get to meet with a family from my hometown who is serving in a neighboring country. They'll be in Manila the same time we will. So I guess this means another trip to Immigration is a blessing? :)
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Lastly, there is currently a team here visiting from Barry and Lilia's church in Savannah, GA! This team of 4 will be here for 10 days. This is actually their 14th trip to Maria! We are so excited to finally meet them as they have had much impact in the lives of the people here. We've been hearing about them since we arrived. It's also been a joy to partner with them for the past 3 days as we've been visiting all the surrounding communities, encouraging church members and sharing the gospel with those who don't yet believe. We believe God will allow this time to bear much fruit. We've already set up a couple of home Bible studies with families who are interested in learning the Scripture for the first time or are just unable to attend church for health or work related issues. Praise God for the opportunity to really invest in these communities. We always run into cuties like these below while walking around the neighborhoods :)
Here are a few PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Gracelyn's operation- Our friend Gracelyn is receiving a prosthetic leg this week. She is in her 20's and will soon be walking with 2 legs for the first time in her life!! I can't describe to you the joy this sweet sister has in Jesus. Nor can I describe the goosebumps I have while writing this as I think about how blessed I am. Simply because I have 2 legs. Please pray for Gracelyn's doctors and for a speedy recovery as she learns to walk..no longer with a crutch, but with her new leg!
2. Visas- Pray that our next visit to Immigration will be successful.
3. US Team- Pray for good health, protection, and energy for this team (the 14 hour time change can be exhausting!) Pray also for the Holy Spirit to work and move through all of us as we minister these next few days. Pray for hearts to be opened to the truth of our Savior and pray for us to speak words of encouragement, challenge, truth, wisdom, and love.
4. Roque family- This family lives a few houses down from us and lost their oldest son this week in a terrible motorcycle accident. This young man did not know the Lord. Nor does most of his family. Please pray for this situation to bring them into a relationship with Jesus. Pray for his 2 sisters who are believers to truly find comfort and strength in God alone right now. Pray for us to be ministers of grace.
"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear."
Micah 7:7
