It was early Sunday morning, my first day in Maria Aurora. I woke up early and went for a walk to explore my home for the next week. When I turned the corner to the front of the church building, I met Jerold.
Jerold was silk screening T-shirts for the sports camp that would start on Tuesday morning in Dilasag. He was finishing the last of them. Each shirt required at least four passes. 3 on the front side.
1 on the back. I know, because I designed them. And Jerold printed them all, something like 300 shirts in all. In the US we have machines to print our shirts. It never occurred to me that someone would be printing them by hand. I had used the same method with limited success in college and lacked the patience to master the skill. Jerold executed the printing with precision. I was very impressed and humbled. Jerold is 17 and a skilled artisan. (Later that day I saw the professional-looking banner he painted for the camp.)
Not only was I impressed and humbled, I was also inspired by Jerold.
I was up early because I hadn't adjusted to my new time zone. Jerold was up early to serve the Lord.
That same morning before church I met another saint. She introduced herself as sister Naneth. We talked briefly and I went on my way.
At lunchtime, it was sister Naneth and a crew of other women from the church that I saw preparing our meals. These dear ladies graciously cooked, served and cleaned up after our meals the entire time we were in Aurora. And the food they prepared was incredible. I learned 2 important words in Tagalog that week. Salamat—thank you; and masarap— delicious.
But the serving didn't stop there. The pastors, the praise team and other saints served wherever and whenever needed.
Jesus said, "the greatest among you shall be your servant." I spent a week with some truly great people devoted to Jesus living out his commandment to love one another as He loved us.
We left Maria Aurora the following Sunday. Although I was looking forward to coming home, it was hard leaving my new family in the Philippines. Our friendships were just getting started and it was time to say good bye. After a week of serving the Lord as one team, our hearts were joined together in Christ.
My prayer for the churches in Aurora is that they will continue to grow in their knowledge of Christ and in their love for each other; that many will come to Christ throughout the region; and that God would give them a heart for the lost beyond Aurora.
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