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Reflections from Aussie team members
Maree: "seeing God at work"
For me it was an awesome time of being challenged and meeting challenges, being blessed, and a time of seeing God working in amazing circumstances and places. The high point for me was leading a Bible study on water baptism and having a family of 6 deciding to be baptized.
Tim: "the icing on the cake"
Wow! The last 12 days have certainly been a time of challenges, and have not been without problems. I have found myself at times (plenty, actually), being asked to lead devotions, pray for everything from healing to strength, which is something that I'm not used to having to do, at least not as often as I did.
Seeing changes that have taken place in the lives of the contacts, the faces now smiling and expressing joy, or the crippled who had left their home for the first time in probably a long time, all makes it worthwhile.
The relationships formed not just amongst the teams, but amongst the contacts of the new church, and the contacts who now have a relationship with God, really is the icing on the cake.
John: "challenged"
I went to the Philippines uncertain as to why God had called me to go. Spending over a week with other Christians intent on doing Gods work has provided the perfect environment to recharge my Spiritual batteries - to spend time with my Lord in a way that required me to look to Him to see me through what He had called me to do. To see Him work in the lives of team and the people we visited was fantastic. I have been challenged by the real examples of how the Filipino team members lived out their faith. One team member used 1Th 5:16,17 as a devotion one morning. (Be joyful always, pray continuously) The challenge of this passage was reinforced through the example set by this person over the week in demonstrating it in his life.
John: "challenged"
I went to the Philippines uncertain as to why God had called me to go. Spending over a week with other Christians intent on doing Gods work has provided the perfect environment to recharge my Spiritual batteries - to spend time with my Lord in a way that required me to look to Him to see me through what He had called me to do. To see Him work in the lives of team and the people we visited was fantastic. I have been challenged by the real examples of how the Filipino team members lived out their faith. One team member used 1Th 5:16,17 as a devotion one morning. (Be joyful always, pray continuously) The challenge of this passage was reinforced through the example set by this person over the week in demonstrating it in his life.
"I'm a product of SOS ... and I will plant a church"
John Robles is one of the SOS Volunteers in the team at Calapan, Mindoro in 2010. He is in his final year at Bethel Bible College in Manila.
John received Jesus into his life in 2004, when SOS volunteers held Bible studies in his house, in Jordan, Guimaras. He was baptized and he becaome a Core Group member of the church.
John has dedicated his life to following Jesus. After completing Bible College, he will pastor a church-planting church.
To follow John's story from 2004, click on Read more
John received Jesus into his life in 2004, when SOS volunteers held Bible studies in his house, in Jordan, Guimaras. He was baptized and he becaome a Core Group member of the church.
John has dedicated his life to following Jesus. After completing Bible College, he will pastor a church-planting church.
To follow John's story from 2004, click on Read more
Sunday Update
Pastor Glen Aberia - Pastor of the new Church
together with Pastor Carlo Estampa - Assistant Pastor.
together with Pastor Carlo Estampa - Assistant Pastor.
(Ps Carlo will plant his own Church in 6 to 12 months)
The Field Director hands over the records
of all the church members
of all the church members
(collated by the SOS volunteers over the past 3 weeks)
to the Pioneer Pastors.
The New Church's Worship Team
at the Grand Opening Service.
A New Church is born.
Today in Calapan, Mindoro, The Philippines a new church was born. At the Grand Opening Service there were 50 adults and 30 children present. Other than the preaching the service was run completely by the new Christians. Praise the Lord.
More details will be provided in coming days as the team, both Filipino and Aussie return to their homes and loved ones. There has been a tremendous out-flowing of God's Holy Spirit through the willingness of all of the SOS team to speak and act in obedience to the Great Commission from Jesus to go into all the world to share the Gospel.
Matthew 28: 18-19 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (TNIV)
Right now the Aussies are on a boat as they make the return trip to Manila. As they return home over the next couple of days please pray for their safety as they travel, and also pray that the miracles seen and lessons that they have learnt during the SOS 2010 will remain fresh in their memories as they continue to share the good news of God's Love to those at home as well.
Please pray for protection over the new Church, its Pioneer Pastor and the young congregation. They will face all sorts of difficulties and challenges (including persecution) in the days ahead, but with God's help they can and will overcome.
More details will be provided in coming days as the team, both Filipino and Aussie return to their homes and loved ones. There has been a tremendous out-flowing of God's Holy Spirit through the willingness of all of the SOS team to speak and act in obedience to the Great Commission from Jesus to go into all the world to share the Gospel.
Matthew 28: 18-19 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (TNIV)
Right now the Aussies are on a boat as they make the return trip to Manila. As they return home over the next couple of days please pray for their safety as they travel, and also pray that the miracles seen and lessons that they have learnt during the SOS 2010 will remain fresh in their memories as they continue to share the good news of God's Love to those at home as well.
Please pray for protection over the new Church, its Pioneer Pastor and the young congregation. They will face all sorts of difficulties and challenges (including persecution) in the days ahead, but with God's help they can and will overcome.
Praise the Lord - More Good News
The Core Group is being trained. 3 young people are being trained in worship leading.[picture below]
On Friday we visited the beautiful north end of Mindoro island and saw same beautiful scenery . We visited a Mangyan tribal community and shared with them in their mountain-top church. The health of the Mangyan people is poor and they are subsistence farmers.
This morning a further 7 young people were baptised - it is truly wonderful to see the joy as these new Christians publicly acknowledge that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour.
In all the rush of trying to keep the blog up to date I overlooked sharing some beautiful words that Tim wrote several days ago - they are such a beautiful summary of the special joy that comes from being obedient in sharing God's Word that I just have to share them with all of you who are reading this blog.
"Today, we started the day with the usual devotion, and it as my turn to lead. I chose to work through Matthew 13, a chapter we have all read recently on the Gateway Bible Reading Plan. God put it on my heart to look at Jesus' examples of mission. After all, what are we doing here?
The day started (with me) feeling completely refreshed after a better night's sleep (despite the continual stereo snoring), and I felt a level of excitement I had not felt before. Overnight rain had meant the morning was cool and fresh, but the day quickly became very humid and stick, temps probably mid 30s.
After bible studies in the morning, back for lunch then siesta time, then this afternoon back out for more bible study with contacts.
Tonight is still warm, but there is the possibility of thunder tonight, and I'm actually looking forward to sharing with the whole team tonight about what we've been doing for the day.
Wow, has it been a good day, and I've heard that we have 4 more people who are preparing or water baptism."
Thanks Tim for sharing your experience with us ... and now for some more photos:
-Crippled-By-Polio-and-Her-Mum.jpg)
This is just a small sample of the beautiful people that our Aussie Team are working with, and of the beautiful area of the Philippines where they are working. Stay posted for many more heart warming and encouraging stories as God continues to work miracles in Calapan.
On Friday we visited the beautiful north end of Mindoro island and saw same beautiful scenery . We visited a Mangyan tribal community and shared with them in their mountain-top church. The health of the Mangyan people is poor and they are subsistence farmers.
This morning a further 7 young people were baptised - it is truly wonderful to see the joy as these new Christians publicly acknowledge that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour.
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
In all the rush of trying to keep the blog up to date I overlooked sharing some beautiful words that Tim wrote several days ago - they are such a beautiful summary of the special joy that comes from being obedient in sharing God's Word that I just have to share them with all of you who are reading this blog.
"Today, we started the day with the usual devotion, and it as my turn to lead. I chose to work through Matthew 13, a chapter we have all read recently on the Gateway Bible Reading Plan. God put it on my heart to look at Jesus' examples of mission. After all, what are we doing here?
The day started (with me) feeling completely refreshed after a better night's sleep (despite the continual stereo snoring), and I felt a level of excitement I had not felt before. Overnight rain had meant the morning was cool and fresh, but the day quickly became very humid and stick, temps probably mid 30s.
After bible studies in the morning, back for lunch then siesta time, then this afternoon back out for more bible study with contacts.
Tonight is still warm, but there is the possibility of thunder tonight, and I'm actually looking forward to sharing with the whole team tonight about what we've been doing for the day.
Wow, has it been a good day, and I've heard that we have 4 more people who are preparing or water baptism."
Thanks Tim for sharing your experience with us ... and now for some more photos:
Worship Leaders in Training
Mangyan Tribal Village
Beautiful Puerto Gallera Scenery
-Crippled-By-Polio-and-Her-Mum.jpg)
This picture of Melody and her mum was taken when we went to her house to see her. Melody was crippled by Polio at age approx 8 months, and without the money to pay for the treatment, they could not afford to help her. She is almost blind,, and has a badly disfigured left foot, and rarely says anything.
We prayed for her, that she would receive healing from God, and when we visited her the next day, she said that she was feeling better, so prayer is being answered.
We take small items of food for her every day and she waits for us to call.
The picture of Kristina (left) and Geraldine having drinks was on the way back from an afternoon bible study, I shouted drinks and a snack and we have had a few minutes to sit back and relax on a hot afternoon. Kristina and Geraldine are members of our squad.
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
This is just a small sample of the beautiful people that our Aussie Team are working with, and of the beautiful area of the Philippines where they are working. Stay posted for many more heart warming and encouraging stories as God continues to work miracles in Calapan.
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