July 6, 2016
Post-Philippine Trip and Thoughts
My
trip to the Philippines seems so distant but yet seems like only yesterday. I
was in awe of how God took my pre-determined itinerary and changed it to His. There
were certain goals I wanted to accomplish and I did so but they happened His
way, not mine. That is probably why the trip was fulfilling because He was in
charge and not me. I was just the vessel.
I
enjoyed meeting the people He put in my path, the opportunities of services
that were provided to me, the joy of watching people in need respond to God’s
generosity realizing that He had not abandoned them, the hunger of pastors for encouragement
and education, and the excitement of children over the least of things done for
them….hugs, laughter, attention, and ice cream.
I still
want to visit the pastors in the remote areas of the Philippines. I want to
hear their stories of how God called them to pastor, of some of their
struggles, of any persecution for Christ’s sake, and how they have been
strengthened because of their experiences. Americans do not know persecution. I
don’t know any who have been stripped, whipped, or imprisoned for speaking the
name of Jesus. For people in China, Russia, and other Middle East countries
this is a way of life. Just like the Sun coming up every morning they can count
on persecution of some kind every day. Every pastor in China can expect to be imprisoned
at least once for three years in his lifetime. They say that is where they get
there seminary education. I don’t know about Philippine pastors. For them,
maybe there is no persecution today but maybe in the not so distant past. I am
so looking forward to near future trip.
The ministry
to pastors in Haiti continues on through the leadership of Terry and Carolyn
Routon. What once only a weekly meeting of local pastors has become about 7
groups meeting in areas some as far as 2 hours away. Those pastors came to them
and ask if they would help get a group going in their area. I have been there
two times and now to teach and to do one-on-one with pastors. In a return trip,
I would like to visit each the 7 groups and do more one-on-one. Pastors can be
more open when they know others are not listening to their struggles.
As
for the goats, that is a God thing and a success story. If you remember on my first
trip in 2014, there was a need for food at the orphanage. I purchased a goat to
ensure food for at least three days. Another supporter was providing on-going
monies for food but had dis-continued anymore help. My little goat wasn’t much
but that was much needed at that moment.
That
was in August of 2014. When I left, I had given some money to be used for any orphanage
needs. The director decided he wanted to build a herd of goats and sheep. Thus,
a new mission project was established. I continued to stay in contact with the
Routons and the director of the Orphanage. No more monies were coming in for
goats. So in November I sent more money for 4 more goats/sheep. In February 2015,
I sent more money.
Several
times along the way I had shared with my church what was going on in Haiti and
the herd project. I was to make another trip in September 2015 should the funds
come in. In the meantime, the children of my church decided they wanted to be
part of the project so they started putting back their monthly mission offering
for that purpose. Then, as my trip got closer, members came up to me and said
they wanted to buy a goat or two. Long story short, I went on the 2015 trip
with the goal of completing the herd that the director of the Orphanage had envisioned
for their needs. Mission accomplished! The orphans were elated and lavished me
with hugs. I told them that this was a joint effort that included children and
adults of my church as well as a few Facebook friends. God has planted a major
mission seed in many hearts.
After
my Philippine trip was completed this year, my mission fund was depleted. I
sent out a memo to prayer and financial partners of this need. Because of the
lack of funds I would not able to plan a trip to Haiti. I praise God that some
monies have come in but not enough to plan a trip. There has been some discussion
about me doing some teaching to the Haitian pastors and/or church leadership
that meets weekly. Currently, there is Missouri pastor engaged in that project
so I don’t know where the discussion will lead. Please make that a matter of prayer.
My
heart’s desire and my passion are to go the Philippines and Haiti each year. My
prayer is that people will have a desire to be a part of these mission
endeavors and pray and give. I know all of us have a passion to DO MORE in our
own calling and all of wish finances was not an issue. Of course, nothing is impossible
if God is in it. I so pray that God is in my passions and other will make it
just one of their passions. May God bless all who have been a part these
mission endeavors since their beginnings.
I
thought some of you would be interested in seeing the goats that were purchased
last year and see what they look like today. This is so fulfilling being in
something God inspired.
