Good News from a Far Country
posted by on 01/25/07
It has been a little over a month now since I returned from a three-week expedition to the Philippines. Looking over the pictures, however, brings each experience and opportunity freshly back to mind!
Several times I was surrounded by groups of eager children, curiously watching and patiently listening as I explained the message of the Gospel using the Wordless Book or the EvangeCube. What a joy!
All I had to do was take the time to show an interest in them. It wasn’t always the easy or natural thing for me. But genuine love is all about giving of yourself to be a blessing to others. And truly, “it is more blessed to give than to receive”!
One great example of sacrificial service was the missionary couple who hosted us. Mr. and Mrs. Guill have hearts full of love for the Filipino people. What godly examples! They were very hospitable as well, even when it wasn’t easy…
Quite a few of us got very sick with the amoeba during the trip. I inadvertently drank some contaminated water and was out of commission for a few days. Thankfully, the Guills knew just what to do to get us back on track. The Lord used the sickness to draw me nearer to Him and to bond us closer together as a team. I had some great times in the Word together with the other guys as we were recovering.
Teaching Character in the schools was tremendously fun! We even had the opportunity to give training to groups of teachers and even principles who wanted to see Character taught in their school classrooms. We were also often allowed to freely share about Christ, who is the true source of all good character and the only one through whom our lack of it can be forgiven before God.
Another ministry opportunity was to share testimony and song in churches, homes and seminaries throughout Cebu. Eric, Andrew, Derek, and I enjoyed singing “Oh, the Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus” as a men’s quartet.
A memorable part of this adventure was hearing Brother Yun, “The Heavenly Man“, speak in person. This is a man whom the Lord has used greatly to advance His Kingdom throughout China and around the world. His example of enduring persecution for the cause of Christ is truly inspiring!
It was an awesome privilege to be a part of this team of like-minded believers, committed to wholeheartedly serving the Lord in the Philippines. Only eternity will tell the full impact that each seed, prayerfully sown, will have for the Kingdom of God. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
After reading Matthew 9 this morning, your post was a good reminder that the fields are indeed white unto harvest. What a testimony of God’s goodness it is to read the accounts of this harvesting trip. From what I could tell, one of the pictures shows you giving the “Attentive as a Deer” lesson. Our family will never forget the time Michael taught that lesson to all of us. And it looked like the Filipinos enjoyed it just the same.
Wow! What an opportunity. I am glad you took advantage of it - you never can calculate exactly the impact which was made.
That was truly good news from a far country! I remember that it was an inspiration to witness your sensitivity to the Lord when He directed you to go. Now, your post reminds me that God’s work in the Filipinos’ lives, our lives and the lives of each laborer on the team is not over yet. God grant us attentiveness in the classroom of life and a readiness to share it’s lessons with zeal.
Mom adds: Enjoyed the brief overview of your trip and the pictures.
What a great overview of your trip. Story-telling pictures, easy to read layout, great summery of events, and a real message at the center of it all. It’s amazing how little we acutally do work toward the goal of reaping in the harvest. I am glad you took the opportunity to serve God in the fields of the Philippines!
Thanks for your encouraging comments guys! It really is such a joy to share about what God has done and what He is doing.
Very nice site! Good work.