Philippines Mission Update 7

The Philippines Mission team arrived safely at the Richmond Airport last night. The plane was slightly delayed, but nothing major. Praise God for their safety. Thank you for your prayers. I know every member of the team greatly appreciates it!

Philippines Mission Update 6

Just wanted to drop a note to say we are safe and sound here in Manila at the IMB house. Going to bed now. See you all soon!

Your 2010 Philippines team

Philippines Mission Update 5

We are traveling via bus in the way to Manila. We'll be at the IMB house there and will see some of Manila tomorrow with a few of the pastors and leaders from the church in Maria, Aurora. It is about 8 hours from aurora to Manila. Then we catch the plane early wed. morning (Tuesday afternoon your time) and we'll arrive in Richmond Wed. afternoon/evening.

God has moved this week.

It is humbling to think back on th movement of God and how the One who called you is faithful and HE will do it. He has this week and we are grateful.

Thank you for reading these emails and for the responses and prayers, it has been a great encouragement to all of us.

Your 2010 Philippines team

Philippines Mission Update 4

we had the rally about 6:30PM each night after the days events. You must have been praying because God has brought in a mighty harvest.

813 people have made decisions for Christ total thus far. Praise Him! All who have accepted Christ have had counseling from the local pastors here...needless to say they've been counseling all day and into the evening.

This includes decisions at all 3 medical missions, sports camps, and 3 nights of rallies. We're about to start the closing rally and preach the gospel for the last time. We've combined our choir members with their singers and our bass player Steve Chumley has played from the worship band at the mother church in Maria. It has been fantastic. God has been praised.

Looking forward to more of what God will do.

We've been overwhelmed by the response...it is truly a work of God...we've been serving right alongside the local church here and they know how to work and serve each other. It is truly a picture of Acts 2:41 to the end. Amazing.

Your 2010 Philippines team

Philippines Mission Update 3

God is greatly at work. We're on day two of the ministry here in Aurora (a province - similar to a state), Philippines. Yesterday we were in a Barangay(like Chesterfield inside Virginia - except on a smaller geographical scale - like Midlothian inside Chesterfield county) called Belar, today we are in a Barangay called Diaat (pronounced ja-aat).
At the sports camp there is basketball and volleyball.
Rosemary (called Rosie) taught the character challenge at the sports camp just before Katie taught the Bible story of the four friends lowering the man through the roof(what she's doing as I write).
While the sports camp is happening, the medical mission is going on seeing 175 patients by the end of the day and the dental folks seeing over 100 (mainly tooth extraction of rotten teeth...typically two per patient. There is also a pharmacy that is giving out medicines the doctor prescribe.
While all this is going on, the local pastors from many Barangay's in Aurora are counseling and sharing the gospel with all who register with the medical and dental clinic including Pastor Jerry. He's the Pastor of Maria Aurora Southern Baptist Church - the 1st baptist church planted in Aurora over 12 years ago and the mother church who planted the other baptist churches in Aurora province (those pastors are here all working together to help the ministry in each other's Barangay). It is a beautiful picture of the church in Acts. They share everything in common and meet each others needs physical and spiritual. And you know...all their churches grow.
At the rally at night we lead in worship and are teaching through Acts.
By the end of the day yesterday we saw 283 surrender their lives to Christ in Baler when you combine the medical counseling, sports camp and rally decisions.
just like the book of Acts...God adds to the number daiily! It is overwhelming.
Even while preaching last night...we all experienced fire. Derek stepped in an ant bed and got bitten on his right foot multiple times experiencing fire in his foot, Ben sang during his preaching showing the fire of the healed man in Acts 4, and Ronnie experienced fire when he extended the invitation and people accepted Christ.
This is amazingly, interestly, and surprisingly good. Come on a project next year. Experience God.

We're grateful to God...

Your 2010 Philippines team

Philippines Mission Update 2

We arrived a few hours ago 7PM your time Tuesday night - 7am Wednesday here. the parkway team and clf medical team unloaded, had an awesome breakfast under an outdoor shelter prepared by the women in the church here - had the best bacon ever...sorry dad...and have organized for the sports camp and medical screenings. We're going to sleepp for a few hours then meet with the church leaders and have an introduction/orientation with everyone serving tomorrow (around forty) and pray. starting 7am tomorrow we won't stop until next Monday lunchtime (sunday midnight for you).

It is so encouraging to be serving alongside brothers and sisters in Christ in the Philippines. God is showing us how the body of Christ can really accomplish things we could never imagine when we work together toward a common goal...glorifying the name of Christ.

Your 2010 Philippines Team

Philippines Mission Update 1

The team has arrived safely to Manila and is currently on an 8 hour bus ride to get to their point of ministry. Here is an encouraging email from the team:

just a few praises to pass on:

On the plane in Richmond we were with Parkway's Daren Johnson - he was on his way to multiple locations across the world meeting with missinaries and encouraging their work.

On the plane to Tokyo we met a flight attendant named Kristie who lived in Oregon who was a believer and she talked with us about her faith and how the Lord was working and had blessed her life. She encouraged us to be bold in Jesus name.

On the plane to Manila we spoke with a male flight attendant who asked about what we were doing. He encouraged us and spoke blessings to the mission.

When we arrived in Manila the pastors and some leaders in the church were waiting with tony with the bus. They left Maria aurora at 4 this morning ...some pastors had already traveled 8 hours from dilasag just to get to Maria, then the trip here. We are overwhelmed by the unity of the three groups coming together and by the one and only Jesus who gives us a common goal. we're blessed by the love he's given us all for each other.

Now we're all making the 8 hour trip together. Pray for safe travel and rest. We're all doing well. praise Him!

Your 2010 Philippines team