Jessie's Journeys: May 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

Ipis

Ipis is the tagalog word for cockroach. I don't know how to say i hate cockroaches, but i know how to say i hate you, you are ugly - so that's what i tell the cockroaches as i kill them: "Ay yo ko say yo ang pagit mo"

I just got this pic off google but that's what these nasty guys look like - ugly huh!?!?

We took Megan to the airport yesterday morning. Now i am the only native English speaker here. I'm bummed by that but my tagalog is improving marvelously. Before she left we hadn't had a cockroach in our room in almost a week. Then the rainy season started...

Last night i went to bed with no fears. Then, at 4:30 i got a txt and as i was trying to fall back asleep i felt something on my foot (told myself it was the blanket re-adjusting) so i kicked and rolled over. Then i felt it on my leg. I knew immediately - i grabbed the sheet and threw it against the wall; then i heard the clicking of ipis shell against the cement wall. I grabbed my phone to shine the light on it (to scare it and make it freeze so i could smash it. Then i went to pull up my hair (to get serious) while i stared at it. And oh my gosh guess what happened - there was one in my hair. I touched it with my bare hand and hit it out!

I jumped out of bed, threw on slippers (flip-flops) and my glasses and grabbed the killer bug spray. I found the one at the foot of my bed and killed it (telling it i hate it and its ugly) rather quickly. But the other demon was not to be found. Finally i saw it, swatted at it (it was mataba = fat) and it crawled up the wall. Seriously, that guy was almost 2 inches long. I wanted to scream but couldn't; i could barely breathe. Well, i smashed it and it fell from the wall onto Megan's shoes that she left. I sprayed the life out of it (a pleasant citrus smell) and gave it a couple more hits. Then i went to look at the other to make sure it was dead, when i looked back at the second it wasn't there. I panicked and trashed the room looking for it - never to be found. So, i threw Megan's shoes outside hoping it was in there.

I was never able to fall back to sleep after that traumatic experience. In fact i never even tried to. It was almost 5 by the time i was done hunting ipis. I read my Bible and prayed till breakfast at 7:30. Then i told Joel at breakfast and he went to pick up the smashed bug (which i couldn't stomach doing). He also looked in Megan's shoe and found the second culprit - at which time he said "wow man that's big!" and i said "told ya so!". He secured my room again. Idk how they got in. Please pray with me that they don't again! Its going to be hard to fall asleep tonight without thinking about ipis on me while i sleep :'( I have met some Filipinos that are afraid of ipis too (Jed and Aldean) which helps me not feel like such a baby.

Friday, May 28, 2010

The start of my internship

I started my internship activities and ministry Thursday afternoon. Joel and I left to go pick up a classmate of his who is currently studying social work. We went to the school they graduated to meet with a social work prof to get connections. We went to a squatter's village (Agham) - it was very desperate living conditions. There's a program called servants that helps with relief. The houses are small (about 15 sq foot) with 5-6 ppl living in them. There's no running water. The streets were packed with people and animals. Many streets (btw houses) were only about a foot and a half wide. Joel was nervous but did a very good job keeping me safe. Lots of people thought we were in a relationship - and he let them think that so they wouldn't approach me. It was a very humbling experience. The govt is doing some forced relocation and demolishing of homes.

Squatters move into an area illegally and build their homes. The govt doesn't do anything about it till they want the landback. Now they want it to build a mall - a mall. It is horrible. There are hundreds of people living there that have been there their whole life. A few days ago a fire was set on purpose to scare/intimidate the people - lots of people lost their homes.

This isn't the squatter's village we went to but this is what one looks like.

We met a man named Simon who works with "Servants" (see below). He is a white guy, about 30, from Switzerland. He left everything to minister to the people. He's been there 5 yrs and is fluent in tagalog - he's developed lots of relationships. We also met with a pastor there who moved his family into the area (they previously owned a home in a nicer area). Joel and I were speechless when we got back in the car. I can't imagine living there, much less moving there on purpose to minister. Did i say there's no running water or ventiliation? Many ppl sleep on the floors or multiple ppl in one small bed. Sanitation was horrible and drugs, gangs, and alcoholism were rampant.

Servants is an international network of Christian communitities living and working with in the slums of Asia and the West, participating with the poor to bring home and justice through Jesus Christ. Maybe i'll do a whole post on this program (and onesimo) later.
Here is their website: http://www.servantsasia.org/

Monday we are going back to do take them clothes we've collected. They already took a survey in the village to see who needs the close the most. It should be an interesting experience. All the conversations were strictly tagalog - I am really struggling with the language barrier (obviously). I know my experience would be better if i understood the language bc there's just not enough time for Joel to translate everything to me. It gets frustrating sometimes - but quite a few of my friends here are willing to work on their English, speak it around me more often, or at least translate every so often.

It has been a very good experience so far. I am safe, healthy, and well fed. I couldn't ask for more. I got to talk to mom on the phone a couple days ago and Jewel on facebook. Megan leaves tomorrow morning. Keep praying for me. I killed my first cockroach (which i realized fly) and so i'm getting braver with those.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Updates...

How beautiful is this place!?!?!
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

I praise the Lord because I am healthy and well. I am not sick and have not felt sick for a very long time. But, my teammate here - Megan Snyder - is very sick. She told me when we went to bed last night that she thinks she has kidney stones. Well, she woke me up at 2 this morning in a lot of pain. I woke Joel up who awoke his wife (Lenny - a nurse). Long story short they took her to the hospital and she has at least 3 kidney stones. They gave her drugs and she felt better when the stone stopped moving. She is in bed now with a fever and headache, but no pain from the stones. Please pray for her - for a miracle to quickly pass the stones, for physical and emotional comfort. She's supposed to be doing her transcultural internship but she's not going to get enough hours in now before she leaves on Sunday; so, she feels like her time here is now a waste b/c she's not going to the clinic at all anymore.

I still have not started my internship. Monday I went with Joel to Rosales (the bible college he graduated from) for the dedication of their basketball court. They played basektball from 7:30-5:30 while i just watched. I did get to spend some time with Aldean, Marc, and Robin from Bagong Nayon. I also met lots of other Bible College Students and alumni-pastors. I spent time with the missionaries (one Korean couple has 2 daughters who are within days of the same ages as my neices- it made me miss them so much!). But, i'm ready for my internship. Tuesday Joel was exhausted from the 4 hour drive (one way). We left at 2:30a and didn't get back till 10:30p. So he slept on day while i just hung out by myself. With Megan's illness we were pretty bound up today. We went to visit Joel's office but did nothing more.

Aldean and Robin playing basktball Rosales.

strategizing

Starting the game...

Joel getting fancy and showing off

Mark Papey

The NCD team :)

Joel's got jumps

Flying like Michael Jordan

The emcees ~Joel and Fitz ~ hilarious together

Aldean won the free-throw contest with 7 of 10

The winners congratulating the non-winners

Robin got dehydrated and passed out...

His most embarrassing moment... so don't laugh ;)

Madame Bekah and the Korean Missionaries' youngest

Lunch break in the cafeteria

Aldean

The AnnouncersPOWL! (Foul, haha!)

I am really struggling with so much downtime. Yes, it is nice and i am thankful for it but this is not the reason i am here. I want to get involved and gain experience and exposure. I keep praying to God to teach me something - to show me my purpose. I know these were not the initial plans and I am patient and understanding with that. But my time in the Philippines is very precious to me and i want to be used by God in as many ways as possible. Joel says that tomorrow we will immerse ourselves in ministry. yay :)

Tonight is the church's pray night. Every Wednesday they meet - from 8:30p to midnight. Joel knows we are all too exhausted for that tonight so he said they'll try to end it by 10 - we'll see, haha. I am excited for that because i am really developing a bond with some of his church members. They are here at the time (i stay at the church) - for hang out time and meal time. So, it is good to have fellowship with them. A few of the youth have taught me some Filipino phrases; like - ay yo ko say yo ang pagit mo - which means "I hate you, you are ugly." Joel has me say it to all the boys i meet, it is actually quite hilarious and they do all laugh (i promise).

Anyways, keep me in your prayers. In all this downtime i really miss my family, friends, home, and church a lot. It will be harder again once Megan is gone. Pray that i stay healthy - I really really really don't want to be sick. I am getting along with the food a little better now (except for the blood paste and chicken innards we had for supper Sunday night!) Also, i got clean laundry today so i'll feel super great tomorrow!!!
Love you all!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Debriefing

The last night my team was here we met for a couple of hours to do a final debrief before they left for the states. Mission trips are amazing experiences but they are also very vulnerable experiences. My team learned and experienced a lot so i wanted to make sure that we were all prepared to go home - emotionally and spiritually stable.
The first thing we did was list our 10 most memorable moments: (and lessons to learn)
1. Comforting Fransis (VBS in Cebu) when he cried. God can use me for comfort in small ways, even without having to use words. There are opportunities.
2. Joshua crying (VBS at Greenpark) when he had to leave after VBS graduation. Someitmes i willnever know the impact i make until its too late. (Joshua & I were really buddies that week).
3. Passing out shirts at the dump. I can give whatever i can offer to be a blessing to others. Myself, I am blessed beyond measure.
4. Giving the team encouraging notes (from myself and home)/ God can use me to bless others. I should start by getting to know them personally.
5. Swimming and talking with Jerome - our van driver and spending time with youth from Bagong Nayon and Greenpark (at the malls, APNTS, in Jeepneys, ect). Take advantage of every opportunity i get to build relationships with the people. I came to be a blessing but many times others bless me more.
6. Walking around the dump - I am materially blessed beyond what I can imagine. We should never be ashamed of what God has blessed us with. Joy can be found in every situation.
7. Watching the sunset with the youth. God blessed me with wonderful people and he created a very beautiful and diverse creation. I am so thankful to know those people.
8. My heart-to-hearts with Joel - especially the one in Palawan at Richard's. It is okay (and even a blessing) to ask for people. Accountability is amazing and prayer is vital.
9. Playing with the kids at Visayan Wesleyan Bible College while others played basketball. The simplest things cna be a blessing to others - bubbles, piggyback rides, taking pictures, and passing out ice cubes. Learn to soak in and enjoy those opportunities at home.
10. Singing and dancing as a team (in the vans and the jeepneys - especially Alex N. Bing's). Make memories, losen up, and have a good time. There is no reason to let little things bother me.

4 Themes from my 10 memories
1. God wants to use me to be an encouragement to others.
2. Take advantage of opportunities that I am given - to minister, make friends, and have fun
3. God has blessed me so much.
4. My outlook and experiences are so much better when I don't let little things bother me.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

After the team...

Hi. Its Sunday morning here. My team left. Joel did a good job of keeping me occupied and distracted so i wouldnt be depressed when they left. We got starbucks and DQ, went to the mall for lunch and grocery shopping (he is spoiling me now with american food), and then we watched a movie. We also went to the hospital where his wife works - St. Luke's, supposed to be one of the best in all of asia. It is internationally accredited so that is where all the ambassadors go. It is so nice - most of the hallways were marble floors and walls, with abstract paintings, the waiting room had fashionable leather furniture and free wireless. Joel says they cant afford that hospital - its just for the rich.

Yesterday we went to a waterpark - just Megan Snyder, I, and Joel's family. It was a lot of fun. Megan and I kept getting stopped by strangers asking to take our pic (bc we're white),. I'm not excited about strangers having pics of me in my bathing suit - but whatever. I am getting really tan here too!

THe room where i am staying is comfy but very small. I can touch both walls with flat hands at the same time. It is probably 15 foot long. There are 2 foam matresses on the floor - which is okay but i am concerned it will hurt my knees eventually. I am sacrificing a head pillow to put under my knees. I keep using the cream from grandma on my knees and it helps. they just hurt when i wear flip flops (like yesterday at waterpark). The room has a hanging closet and 3 small plastic shelves. Its just wide enough to put my suitecase on the floor next to my matress then we have to walk on the matress. It has a light and air con. It has a plug to charge my phone and stuff, which is nice.

When we were watching the movie at Joel's 2 cockroaches scurried into the house. It freaked me out (they were huge). I can do spiders and other bugs, even mice, but i can't do cockroaches. I just picked my feet up off the floor and Joel's 8 yr old daughter swept them back outside (yes, still alive). When Megan & I went to go to bed Joel said just call me if you need anything, for bugs or whatever. WHen we got in our room i said "i'm closing my bags so no cockroaches get in". When i went to close it one scampered out at me. Well megan screamed i grabbed my flipflops and phone and frantically called Joel. He heard Megan scream so he was already on his way. He sprayed it (bought bug spray just for us) and then picked it up with his barehands and threw it outside. He then bug proofed our room by closing all the cracks. Megan wanted the lights on (bc cockroaches are scared of light) so they were on till about 5am and i couldn't stand it anymore.

Overall we're having a great time here. After church we are going to do a sunday school in a squatters village (bagong sibol) - the same kids we did a VBS with before (so i'm excited to see them again). Then this afternoon is a youth service at Bagong Nayon where megan will preach and i will preach next next week. Then tonight we are going to visit the clinic megan will work at. Tomorrow Joel, Jed, and I are going 4 hours away to the seminary joel went to. They are dedicating the basketball court (baskebtall is the biggest sport here). I'm not thrilled about bball but it will be fun to see where he went.
Well thats all. Hope everyone is staying healthy and well there. I love and miss you.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Back in Manila

Hi! Oh my word it has been so long - we are finally back in Manila. We didn't have access to internet on the other islands.

I am having such a great time here. It feels so good to be back here with familiar people and in familiar places. I recognized so many kids, parents, pastors and church members in Cebu and Palawan. Our VBSs have been a huge hit. The kids love our stories, songs, and games. We've even picked up a game and a couple songs from the kids that we love. That helps b/c then we don't have to explain new things.

In Cebu we went to the Visayan Wesleyan Bible College and did 2 VBSs there. I think that was our teams' fav place because we really bonded to the kids there. My favs were a little 4 yr old boy and a handful of 5 & 6 yr old boys - Dil John, Icho (Jeircho), Luto, Jeremy, BJ, Fransis (from last year), Ezekiel and Stephen. And then there was Hannah. The next day we painted the administration building there. Eveytime we paint they let us pick the color - we've done red, blue, and this time pink. It was a lot of fun. I am totally a fan of doing some manual work to leave a physical mark after we leave. We took a lunch break ~ district pastors fixed us food. All my fav kids hung around and watched us paint; they just peered throught the windows. They also watched us while we ate, which i hated b/c i knew they were hungry. Joel told me later that the pastors gave them the leftovers, which made me feel better. Then later that night the team went back to play bball against the bible college students (we creamed them both games). I played with my fav little kids the whole time. It was impromptu but a highlight of my trip. When it was time to go i felt really sick. By the time we got back to where we were staying i'd gotten sick twice. I'm blaming the food b/c it was real sketch that day.

Painting the admin building... Its up to you to decide whether Joel knew what we wrong on his back or not. haha :)

This is in Cebu (May 12). We are walking across a water bridge to go from one tribe to another. This was ridiculously nerve-racking. Joel was behind me the first time and thought it was funny to try to get me to fall. Then on the way back I made him walk in front of me and he just stopped to stand halfway. There were kids in the water that i thought were going to grab my ankles and pull me in. I'm afraid of heights but the water was gross and i really didn't want to fall in...

Anyways, in Palawan we went to the Underground river. I didn't do that last year because i was sick. It was absolutly amazing. We went 4.3 km through a river in boat that travels through a cave of a mountain. Our tour guide would point to stalagtites and mites and say what they were - like the Holy mother mary, the face of jesus, a shark's fin, a scene from the Lion king (that one was legit!), a sexy lady, two men hanging upside-down, and so forth. In the waiting zone there were lots of wild monkeys and monitor lizzards (huge - like 3 foot long). It was crazy. The next day we went island hopping. It wasn't as pretty as last year - I think the typhoons in September must have done some damage. But i would still rate it as a 10 on a 10 point scale. I just love the water - especially when i'm swimming with Nemo and Dorey! We also went to a private island with a diving board. The water was perfect. It was semi-cloudy that day, which was nice b/c no one really got burnt. But, we still are getting darker! :)

Our boats getting ready to go into the underground river in Palawan (May 16).

Island hopping! (May 17)

Anyways, my team leaves tomorrow. It is going to be sad - I may consider crying. Joel is really supportive and encouraging to me, and i feel safe with him... so that's great. I am really excited for my internship too, so i will keep busy and probably not be too lonely. Joel got me a phone too so i can text all my friends here. I've made so many good relationships with the youth and young adults here ~ our van driver in Palawan, lots of youth/youth leaders in Manila, and closer to Richard and of course Joel. We will be hanging out with them later today before out last debrief time. Pray that this is a very special time - as a team leader i've felt a lot of responsibility to make sure everything is perfect, especially on the spiritual side of things. There hasn't been team quarreling or major attitude problems, but that doesn't its always been easy to fous 100% on Christ and his call for us here. But, i'm super proud of my team and think they've done great.
I'll get in touch again soon. I'm going back to bed. I woke up to take the first good poop i've had in 3 weeks. I felt so happy i thought i'd reward myself with some internet time :)
Love to everyone at home! I miss you guys!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Making Friends

The brown ones are tamarinds. Don't judge them by their shell. I was nervous getting them so i only got one, which i shared with Michael. But, i went up and got 2nds and 3rds later. You crack the shell and the fruit is inside. It still looks kinda gross - but its so good! It kinda has the texture of a raisen - only its like a bunch of raisens connected in a string, and they have pits inside. I'm hoping to bring some home with me (don't worry, i've got my tactics to avoid customs!)

You can see the coorful array of fruit looks similar to home (watermelon, bananas, oranges, and apples) but they're much better here - perfectly ripe :) Also, you can see above the watermelon are lychi. You peel them and inside its kinda like a big grape with a big pit inside. Its so so so good!

Hey! Today was an awesome day. It was really laid back, which is perfect for me since i'm still fighting a growing head cold. Its okay though :) Joel and I were at the airport very late last nigt picking up Jim Lo and Joe Ruder. They were over 1 hour late b/c one of them lost their paperwork...

We went out for pancakes at Jollibee this morning and then went to church. It was the team's first Jeepney experience - they enjoyed it! Then we went to Joel's church and had a graduation ceremony for the VBS kids. We gave them certificates (and more snacks) and then they sang the songs and did a story summary for their parents. Not many parents were there because the kids were Jeepnied (idk if that's a word, haha) in. At the end my fav little boy Joshua just cried & cried b/c it was the last VBS and he probably won't see us again. He was a tough cookie so it meant a lot that he cried. Then during the service 2 team members shared their testimonies. Lots of the church members remember me from last year but i don't know their names. That's been happening a lot, haha.

This afternoon Joel's church had a missions awareness festival. They had lots of fresh fruit & vegetables. My favorites are tamarinds and lychi =D All the local churches were invited and i think about 7-9 came and there were around 100 ppl. It also served as a fundraiser for the church b/c everyone paid 150 pesos (around $3.25). I got to meet a lot of friends that i have been talking to on facebook - Mark Pappey and Francis Lumahan. I sat down and talked with them and another pastor Mark for almost 2 hours. It was awesome. They taught me some tagalog phrases and we talked a lot about our ministries, families, and my impressions of the Philippines. I just love building relationships and i'm thankful for facebook so those friendships can last. I also met Pastor Aldean and youth from his church. They are a fun group of people and I can't wait to get to know them more! My team has really connected with the youth. They had a great time of playing games and learning dances (ocho ocho and spaghetti).

Tomorow we are going to the mall to hang out with the local church youth that we have been partnering with. The NCD youth leaders have become special people to me: Aldean, Micah, Ronald, and others... Leah, Grace, MJ, Marc, Robin, and Denis. I am excited to go to my favorite restaraunt in the mall - Holy Cow :) It will be a good time of fellowship with friends. Tomorrow is also the election (presidential and the first automated election).

Puga puga! The youth played a little trick on us and this was the outcome... Pastora MJ also got in on the action since it'd never been done to her before. I'd tell you about it but then i wouldn't be able to pull it on you later ;) Pastor Tony, we'll have to do this at the next youth activity!

Keep praying for us. I'll try to keep everyone updated!

Friday, May 7, 2010

VBS day 2

Today was another awesome day. We did two VBSs again - in Joel's church with 63 kids and then at the dump with 52 kids. Today things went a lot smoother because things were more organized and we knew what to expect. We told the story of David & Goliath. The kids love our animated acting out of the stories. They remembered everything when we quizzed them on Joshua & Jericho from yesterday.

All of the kids at Greenpark on the last day of VBS.

At the dump we divided up into 3 groups to do more ministry after VBS. Vaneetha and I organized the donated shirts and put them in bags and walked around the dump with the youth from the Manila districts and gave them to these families. Many of them were also donated, new IWU shirts. The families loved them. Walking around the dump was a heart-wrenching experience. It is intense poverty. It reaked and you knew the bacteria was rampant. The kids walk around it in as it surrounds their house - it is normal for them. In America the government would do something about it - but here the govt's way of dealing with it is legalizing rummaging through trash at dumps (which used to be illegal). I wish we could do more there...

Passing out shirts in the dump

This is where the family of six sleeps. This is the hammock for the baby to sleep in.

This is just one area of the dump. This is down by the homes not the actual dump area. The dump area is what you might think but worse. We weren't allowed to take pictures of that part or even go there (although i think we got closer than we were supposed to when we passed out clothes). This is the people's living conditions... where the kids run and play.

The others painted the churh benches an awesome color. It really livens up the churh. I think it will draw more people in because the whole attitude of the church is refreshed. Our VBS number there almost doubled in one day. I can't imagine what tomorrow's numbers will be... i don't think we'll have enough coloring pages.

Well, to end on a good note we are all doing great. We had Filipino food for lunch & dinner. The team was very brave and tried practically everything. We had quail, clams, milk fish (whole), some other whole grilled fish, squid, coconut shrimp, adobo shrimp, crawfis, and many other unique Philippine cousines. They're excited for more experiences and so am i :) I've already got my menu ordered at other restaraunts i went to last year!
Cold shower time :)

Thursday, May 6, 2010

We're here!

Micah and Joel met us at the airport at midnight with a bunch of youth and these awesome flower necklaces. We feel so welcome already :)

We made it to the Philippines. Our flights were very uneventful. We watched lots of movies, talked, ate, and slept. It was good :) We got all of our luggage and Megan and I finally got our visas. That was an experience i am glad we only have to do once. A big mouse ran across the holding room where Megan and I sat for 30 minutes as we watched other people get their visas much faster than us.

Anyays, its awesome here. Since i was just here last May i feel like i am continuing where i left off. It is so comforting to recognize people and places. We've already had lots of new experiences. We are staying at Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary like last year. This morning we did a VBS at Joel's church with 65 kids. Most were bussed in from poor, neighboring villages. They put all the kids in one Jeepney to take them home afterwards (a normal occupancy of 20-25). Then we had an American lunch and did a VBS at the dump. Aldean and the Bagong Nayon youth also came. It was awesome to partner together. Everyone said this was an eye-opening experience. There were 33 kids who came who live at, work in, and eat from the dump - other people's garbage. Then we painted the church floor. Tomorrow (and Sat.) we have the same schedule - church VBS in morning then dump VBS in afternoon. We will also be painting the dump church's pews and building a family an extension onto their home where they live with six kids (its a shack - the baby sleeps in a hammok and the family is on the dirt floor).

God is keeping us safe and teacching us awesome things through these wonderful experiences. I wish i could share pictures but the internet is just way too slow for that.
Please keep us in your prayers. One member has jet lag and another member has an odd rash that appears/disappears. Also, pray for Jim Lo & Joe Ruder who are flying to the Philippines Friday to do local church ministry.

That's all. Thanks for reading! Hope to update soon. Cold shower time =D

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Preparations

Well this is my first blog post. . . mainly for the purpose of my faithful followers, supporters, and prayer warriors to follow my adventures and ministry while I'm in the Philippines. I'll do my best to keep this updated. I'm not taking a computer so it'll be up to the reliability of Internet cafes.

I leave Indy on Tuesday at 10:10am. You should pray for me. I am not ready really. I am definitely excited; but, I am anxious about being the leader with sole responsibility if something goes wrong (especially travels), I am not packed, and I'm not ready to leave home yet for so long. My family has been running around like crazy so we haven't gotten to spend time together since I've been home from school.

I will be in the Philippines from May 4 to June 25. I will be with a team of 8 other IWU students till May 21, at which point they leave and I am on my own for an internship with a local pastor. Our main ministries are VBS, a dump ministry, some construction/clean up from the September '09 typhoons, a few days of sports ministry, and ministry in the local church and with adolescents. It'll be a great time - I have full assurance that God has prepared us and the field.

Isaiah 61:1-3 says, The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. That is what i believe our call is for this trip.

You said "Ask and you will receive"
Whatever you need
You Said "Pray and I'll hear from heaven and I'll heal your land"

You said, Your glory will fill the earth like water to seas
You said "Lift up your eyes the harvest is here the kingdom is near"

You said ask and I'll give the nations to you
Oh Lord, thats the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see your light
as it rises on us

You said "Ask and you will receive"
Whatever you need
You Said "Pray and I'll hear from heaven and I'll heal your land"

You said, Your glory will fill the earth
like water to seas
You said "Life your eyes the harvest is here the kingdom is near"

You said ask and I'll give the nations to you
Oh Lord, thats the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see your light
as it rises on us

Ask and I'll give the nations to you
Oh Lord, thats the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see your light
as it rises on earth