Tonight...

Tonight I am overwhelmed by how much I miss the Philippines. It QUICKLY became my life.

My heart is there. It is strange for me because I still miss Indonesia and still have my heart there, as well. I think I am truly learning what it means for God's heart for the nations to be my heart for the nations.

Recently I was discussing the need for missionaries in the 10/40 window with someone and I came to tears over how badly these desperately lost people need the Gospel. So many people avoid this area because "it's not safe" or "you can't be a Christian" or "it's so far away" but really, what does that matter?

For those who do not know what the 10/40 window is, please click here. I have not scoped out this entire website but there is a map and brief explanation of this area available through this site. Also, Google (as always) produces multitudes of websites which can inform you of the 10/40 window. The most basic way to describe it is that it is a section (latitude and latitude) of the world that holds the most unreached people groups. It also holds the least missionaries.

Although the Philippines are mostly Catholic, and the Gospel is freely available, it is within these limits, as is Indonesia. My heart aches over the fact that so many people are so concerned with freedoms and trivialities and "safety" that they will not venture to these places.

Tonight I wish I was still in the Philippines serving and sharing Christ. I wish I was still having an impact in the people there. I have specific things I will do that will help but, I cannot be there to see the effects and begin conversations which may lead to the sharing of the Gospel.

Please pray for:

*My heart as I discover ways to serve and share here

*My heart as I ache to be back in South East Asia

*The people of the Philippines and Indonesia that God will reveal Himself to them

*The workers in these countries that they would faithfully serve and share

*Short term missions trips that the teams would be effective

*Joe Rodriguez as he is faithfully using his gifts and talents to build upon years of foundation that other people have laid

Bombing in Jakarta

Please keep Jakarta and the people of Indonesia in your prayers.

Click here to read about the suicide bombing that took place very recently. These people need the truth and Christians are the only ones who can bring it to them.

Pray that Christ would be calling these people to Himself and revealing the truth to the Islamic people.

Constantly being grown

I am amazed that there are constantly things wrong with me which need growth. At the same time, I'm not shocked at all.

I am an imperfect being made in the image of a perfect being. After calling me to Himself, He began the process of refining me to look more and more like Him. Sometimes, this growth is hard and it hurts. Sometimes it is a bit easier or more obvious to me what is happening.

Recently I struggled with the fact that my life does not always reflect the Gospel OR the God which I so love and cling to. He is my life and my sustenanace and yet, sometimes, my life reflects that I rely on myself and my friends for my existence.

A few nights ago I read Romans 6 and for the FIRST TIME ever, I comprehended the end as an entirety. It says,

"When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:20-23)

This made me realize that when I choose to love sin more than I love God, I am choosing the death which I have been saved from. So why would I do that? I may be imperfect, but now that I know the choice, I should be able to choose to say no to sin and death.

This morning I read Romans 7 and was very encouraged when I read,

"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. NOw if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me." (Romans 7: 15-20)

Paul goes on. It is encouraging because, though there is debate, it is widely believed that this debate between sin and righteouness is within a believer. I am not the only one who struggles. And there will always be things to be perfected in me. I will never be perfect while living my life. I will never be God.

And then just now, I picked up the Word again, and read in Romans 8,

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do." (Romans 8:1-3)

Paul keeps on writing, but the main point is, as a believer, God has already conquered sin and death for me. I am called to fight, and fight hard, against the sin that tempts me, but when I fall, there is forgiveness. And the church provides accountability if it is a sin which I cannot seem to leave behind.

Praise God for the church and for His Word.

Keep persevering even when it seems hopeless. God is still sovereign and He always has, and always will be.

Prasie Him for that.

home

So the Philippines were AMAZING. I have tons of pictures and tons of stories of God's goodness.

I made many friends and met many people with a real love for God. It was so refreshing to meet people so zealous for His name and kingdom halfway around the world.

Now that I'm home I'm processing, reuniting with those I love, house sitting, and figuring out my work schedule. The Philippines seems a world away again and I miss it so much. I would give anything to go back. There are a few options but we'll see where God leads.

God is good. I know it was time for me to come home and I am glad I did. However I will continue in prayer for the Philippines.

If you would like to join me, please pray specifically for:

1) Jeff Long and Kids International Ministry

2) Moses, Rene, Fritz, JP, Joshua, and Charley (children from the children's home and Charley is a little boy who is part of an impoverished family)

3) Joe Rodriguez (a team member who stayed behind for 6 more weeks)

4) Mama Marilyn (the house mom/nurse of the children's home in Manila)

5) Jeremy and his family

6) Donald and his Bible study group

These children desperately need to understand the gospel and all the adults are those who are seeking wholeheartedly after Christ and His kingdom.

Please be praying that they would constantly be encouraged and growing in Christ. God's purpose is to glorify Himself and these people are all pursuing this goal with every beat of their heart.

Praise God for these opportunities and laborers in His kingdom!

quick little update

waiting in the Hong Kong airport...

so excited to come home...

about 17 hours from being at my house in Riverside, CA...

house sitting for the next 7 days...

God is good.

Please be praying for Joe as he stays in the Philippines and continues to share God's love with those who need it...

Pray for our team as we are about to board our last flight in 1 1/2 hours...

Love you all...

updateeeeee

ok, so there has been a lot going on.

we flew from Manila to Malaybalay, Mindanao. it is COLD here. Although the sun is out and it is nice till about 3 PM when it starts POURING rain.

then it continues through the evening/night. And in the morning, it is nice again.

I am sunburned.

The 4th was fun as our contacts set up bamboo canons for us and cooked hamburgers and hot dogs with potato salad.

Amazing.

Also, we have been doing more physical labor. The kids are right here on location in Malaybalay though so that's great. They come looking for Joe early in the morning and then play with us when they get home from school.

One little boy, Charley, captured me. He is always hanging around and on saturday night (the 4th) I learned he is not a member of the children's home but he is not. his family lives on the property. He comes to the home every day to get clean water, and sometimes food, for his family.

Oh how precious he is. He attached himself to me all evening and we made our plates together, shared our food, drank juice and sprite, watched people karaoke, and played psychiatrist together. he is 6. I will miss him so much.

please be praying for strength to finish. we are exhausted and sunburned. Joe will be staying for an extra 6 weeks here in the philippines. Pray for him as well as he will need endurance.

Miss you all greatly. Ever more as it grows closer to time to return.

All my love.

Photo Update 2!!

More photos to give ideas of what our life looks like here in the Philippines :)