Mission Team

Last week we had a mission team here in the province with us. It was another group from First Baptist Church of the Island, Barry and Lilia’s church in Savannah, GA. Having a short-term mission team around provides a good opportunity for a heart check. Is our current ministry worthwhile and eternal in value? How can we best benefit from this short-term mission? How can I better cultivate a servant’s heart? Etc. Nonetheless, I am encouraged by FBCI’s faithfulness to return again and again to Maria Aurora. This was their 16^th trip! They really do seek to see the church here thrive and for Jesus to be made known. 

This month’s trip was similar to their time here in January in that we visited church members at each local outreach and encouraged them to remain faithful. We also took the opportunity to share the Gospel with any lost family members, friends, or neighbors. The team also gave out toothbrushes and toothpaste as a way to meet physical needs in the communities. They were also able to do some neat ‘first-time’ things such as paint the interior of Malupa Baptist Church (it has color and life on the interior walls now), paint a mural at one of the outreach churches, teach art at Sta. Lucia Elementary School, put on a "Junk to Funk" fashion show, and ride a caribou (water buffalo). It was a very fun and equally tiring 10 days as we continued our normal scheduled trainings and ministries as well as joined their team when we were free. In addition to some wonderfully sweet visits and having a few of the team members join us for some of our normal weekly ministry, some of the highlights of the trip for me were: not having to cook a single thing for 10 days, southern sweet tea and other American snacks, a heart-to-heart conversation I had with a Filipina friend, performing a skit with the mission school students at church, seeing a friend’s baby for the first time, being able to translate a little bit of Tagalog for the visitors, and getting a haircut from one of the sweet team members!

Just a little taste of everyday scenery here

One of the families I visited just received 'free flow' water!

We had a picnic at the river including fresh grilled tuna

We crammed 20+ people in the jeepney

This is the beginning of MBC's Extreme Makeover

The mural reflects this stained glass

"Junk to Funk" Fashion Show..the dresses are from trash!

Josh and I in our "trashion" show attire

This group of people were baptized during the week

My first haircut in 10 months!

Soon after the team left, Maria Aurora's town fiesta began. This is one of my favorite things about provincial Philippines. It includes street dancing, a talent show, a pageant, and loads of vendors from all over the area. There are snacks, arts and crafts, and tons of other cheap finds. We really enjoy going with our friends here. So to say the least, life has been full and fun lately!