Post-Philippine Trip and Thoughts

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.