In my last post, I mentioned a gift from a young lady who was in my youth group many years ago. She was a gentle, sweet-hearted young lady with an awesome Godly presence about her. NOW THE REST OF THE STORY. She is an awesome lady with an awesome family. She has two darling little girls. From what I can understand she had told the girls about the sack of groceries projects. That information made missions REAL and tangible in minds of the girls.
So the mom told the girls "you do some chores and make some money to give towards this mission project and I will match what you make.? The girls worked diligently because they knew their money was going to feed needy people in the Philippines. They also knew that the more money they earned the more food that would be provided for adults and children.
Well, a heartfelt mission support came to fruition and I received the fruits of their labor. I can't help but believe that these girls will always remember their part in missions and will grow up with a deeper appreciation for mission around the world as well as in their own neighborhood.
What a neat, inspiring story from the heart and lives of children.
Gregory T. Bunn
gregorybunn.blogspot.com
Sunday, May 7, 2017
GOD'S TIMING....PUTTING GOD IN BOX...
We know that scripture speaks of "God's thoughts are not our thoughts and God's timing is not our timing". And you have heard it said that He is an On-time God. He acts when the timing is right and he is on time....NEVER late.
I save money for my trips and I always give mission minded people a chance to participate in expenses and projects. Some might call this social begging but in my mind, this is just giving folks another opportunity to be part of missions around the globe, as commanded in Act 1:8. He will impress upon who he would like to be a part. This is NEVER intended to take tithe and offerings from one's local church.
This year folks generously gave to help with expenses and the grocery sack project to feed the Alangan Tribe in Mindoro, Philippines. Up until mid-March, donations were coming in and then just stopped. I assumed that was it. Nothing more was coming so I would need to uses wisely what I received and try to gain more funds. What I had done was put God in a box as I alluded to in my last post. That immediately put me in a lack of faith mode and caused me to depend on myself.
In the last week, I have realized that God had removed himself from the box and was at work again. I received a donation from a faithful generous believer who was in my youth group back in the day. (My next blog I want to share the neat story about that donation.) Friday, I received a text from a friend who was checking up on the progress of the trip. She made mentioned that she wanted to make a contribution. Then, this very morning I received a text from a camper friend who was also a High School classmate. He was asking for my mailing address.
When I thought the action was over, the donations were through, and I had put God in a box He showed me that I was oh so wrong. How many times in your life to you put God in a box. That job is not going to come through for me. My health is not going to get any better. I'm never going to be able to make that next mortgage payment. My family will never come together in peace and unity. My church has no future of growth. Yes, you have put God in a box. You have said "God, I don't think you will do anymore. Now it is up to me." You have been there. I have been there. Let's get rid of the box and move to deep faith. God bless.
Gregory T. Bunn
gregorybunn.blogspot.com
I save money for my trips and I always give mission minded people a chance to participate in expenses and projects. Some might call this social begging but in my mind, this is just giving folks another opportunity to be part of missions around the globe, as commanded in Act 1:8. He will impress upon who he would like to be a part. This is NEVER intended to take tithe and offerings from one's local church.
This year folks generously gave to help with expenses and the grocery sack project to feed the Alangan Tribe in Mindoro, Philippines. Up until mid-March, donations were coming in and then just stopped. I assumed that was it. Nothing more was coming so I would need to uses wisely what I received and try to gain more funds. What I had done was put God in a box as I alluded to in my last post. That immediately put me in a lack of faith mode and caused me to depend on myself.
In the last week, I have realized that God had removed himself from the box and was at work again. I received a donation from a faithful generous believer who was in my youth group back in the day. (My next blog I want to share the neat story about that donation.) Friday, I received a text from a friend who was checking up on the progress of the trip. She made mentioned that she wanted to make a contribution. Then, this very morning I received a text from a camper friend who was also a High School classmate. He was asking for my mailing address.
When I thought the action was over, the donations were through, and I had put God in a box He showed me that I was oh so wrong. How many times in your life to you put God in a box. That job is not going to come through for me. My health is not going to get any better. I'm never going to be able to make that next mortgage payment. My family will never come together in peace and unity. My church has no future of growth. Yes, you have put God in a box. You have said "God, I don't think you will do anymore. Now it is up to me." You have been there. I have been there. Let's get rid of the box and move to deep faith. God bless.
Gregory T. Bunn
gregorybunn.blogspot.com
SOME GOOD NEWS.....
SOME GOOD NEWS.....
Yes, some very good news has come my way. First, I received another contribution for the Philippines
2017. This is always a welcomed gift because of the travel, lodging, misc. expenses, and monies for special projects. I so appreciate those who will come alongside and partner with me.
2017. This is always a welcomed gift because of the travel, lodging, misc. expenses, and monies for special projects. I so appreciate those who will come alongside and partner with me.
Second, I received a text message from a pastor who I was with last year. His church attendance runs around 50-60. The people are very kind, generous, gracious, and excellent hosts. He found out that I would be coming back to the Philippines and ask if would like to speak in their Sunday afternoon service followed with a time of fellowship.
The interesting things about this invitation are that: there is usually not a regular afternoon service, there will be many extra people who will come because of the word of mouth (sound like a N.T. church to me), there will be more in attendance at this service because of the inviting, there will be plenty of food for everyone at this gathering, and there will be many children (these young people love hugs and getting their pictures taken).
The humbling issues for me, first of all, are that I would be asked to come back again. Second, that the people would support the service since they have already been there for hours that morning. The pastor and his wife are very humble, gentle, faithful servants of God. I am looking forward to a return trip to that church family. Also, there should be some pastors there who I was with last year. I will enjoy reconnecting with them and getting caught up on news of them, their families, and their churches. We have kept in touch but there is nothing like an in-person conversation/discussion.
The intervention ministry to one of the Mangyan tribes is now in place. I found out that there are six dialects and each dialect constitutes a tribe. I will be working with the Alangan tribe. This tribe consists of 70 children and 80 adults. I will be giving an evangelist message to the group and then a meal will be provided for every person there….150+ people. Then each family will receive a sack filled with groceries (40 sacks). Each family will also receive a variety of meds and the children will each receive a toy. The funds contributed will go to:
1. Purchasing food for the mid-morning snack and a noon meal.
2. Providing a monetary gift to the chef. He has a big job.
3. Purchasing groceries for the sacks and purchasing the meds as well as the toys.
4. Providing a rental car for transportation of myself, my host pastor, and the sacks.
2. Providing a monetary gift to the chef. He has a big job.
3. Purchasing groceries for the sacks and purchasing the meds as well as the toys.
4. Providing a rental car for transportation of myself, my host pastor, and the sacks.
I am so looking forward to this ministry opportunity. The Mangyan tribe, which includes this Alangan tribe, is not around many white people too often but are accepting. Pray for this to be a positive experience for everyone.
There is another church where I will also do a workshop and speak AND do some hard labor. LOL. The removal of brush around a house in which construction came to halt two years ago is still scheduled. Several years ago a family started building a house. The walls of each room were completed before they ran out of money. There were walls but no flooring or roof. Since then, the family has sought to raise money, the church has contributed, and work will begin in May. The problem is that over the last two years brush and small trees have grown up around the house to the point that access to the house is very limited. I have been invited to help with the project in the removal. It will be nice to get know the family as well as other church members.
Last year, I had my itinerary fairly detailed. I knew what, when, where, how, and who. I really didn’t think much about anything but what I had planned. What I had actually done was to put God in a box and ask him to bless my plans. Not good! I found out quickly that is not how He works and I should be more open and aware of needs around me. I found out that other ministry opportunities just seem to materialize. Many times my itinerary was put aside to do what He had put in front of me to do. I am sure that will be true this year.
Please read some of my other blogs to see the various opportunities I will be involved with. I will be with five pastors and get re-acquainted with old friends as well as meet new ones. Again, God bless each of you for your thoughtfulness, your generosity, and your support. Please pray for the people in the Philippines, the pastors, the churches, and the Mangyan tribes. Also, God bless you as you are involved in missions in your own community, your state, your nation, and the ends of the earth.
Note..Next blog about God's timing...
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