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.

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.

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...

Gregory T. Bunn
Mission to Int. Pastors/Orphans
gregorybunn.blogspot.com