Dear Prayer and Financial partners,
As you can tell I have not written a blog since September. I continue to stay in touch with pastors and the work of their churches. Of course, I continually reflect on this past year's trip and consider what the trip might include.
During this interim time, I try to post some "news from the churches' on my Facebook page...."Mission to International Pastors/Orphanages". Feel free to check that out.
I usually begin writing blogs again sometime after the first of the year.
Until Then...
God bless and Happy Holidays
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Mission 2019: Just Gets Better Every Year! (Part 2)
Hello,
I am sorry for being late in posting part two of my Mission trip report. No good reasons but many excuses. lol Summer just got busy. Anyway, here are the great opportunities that came my way in Mission 2019.
1. Spent one-on-one time with six pastors,
one deacon, and two worships leaders
Pastors and staff are some of my favorite
people. They work hard and long hours
to come alongside the congregation to worship, to serve, to love one another, and
to build unity. They are always encouraging and giving of themselves to others. I
enjoy doing what I can to inspire THEM, listen to THEM, share ideas with THEM,
and be a friend. I have served in churches as a pastor and staff. So I can totally
identify with them in their work.
to come alongside the congregation to worship, to serve, to love one another, and
to build unity. They are always encouraging and giving of themselves to others. I
enjoy doing what I can to inspire THEM, listen to THEM, share ideas with THEM,
and be a friend. I have served in churches as a pastor and staff. So I can totally
identify with them in their work.
They serve in places that are very difficult. Some of the work is
slow in trying to grow
the church. Some of their people are very poor. The pastor will buy food from his own
money to help the people. Most churches are not able to pay a pastor or even pay for
the utilities. So the pastors find work in order to support himself, the church bills,
and help families. Pray for the pastors and staff in the Philippines.
the church. Some of their people are very poor. The pastor will buy food from his own
money to help the people. Most churches are not able to pay a pastor or even pay for
the utilities. So the pastors find work in order to support himself, the church bills,
and help families. Pray for the pastors and staff in the Philippines.
2. Visit in at least 10-15 homes providing
groceries and other basic necessities.
There were a few changes with this goal but that is okay. I was still able to get into
ten homes….the poorest of the poor. I purchased mattresses, fans, mosquito nets,
bought supplies for a 29 yr. old kitchen counter in a home where 14 people live,
partially helped in getting living room furniture reupholstered, and purchased a
refrigerator for a church.
In two churches, the
pastors felt like a community feed/evangelic serve would better
serve the church. Between those events and others, over 343 people were fed.
People were shown that God and the church [ove them. Also, because of the with
these people, if they ever experience a crisis they will know who cares.
serve the church. Between those events and others, over 343 people were fed.
People were shown that God and the church [ove them. Also, because of the with
these people, if they ever experience a crisis they will know who cares.
3. Spoke in four worship services, a youth
rally (Biblical Character Monologue,
a VBS commencement, led a Wednesday night service, and home Bible studies
for three churches.
a VBS commencement, led a Wednesday night service, and home Bible studies
for three churches.
4.
Provided a reward trip for teens and adults for their service in VBS.
5.
Provided school supplies, bags, shoes, clothes for 24 children.
6. Provided a monetary gift to three pregnant
ladies whose husbands had abandoned
them. One still has 3 kids and another had 4 at home.
them. One still has 3 kids and another had 4 at home.
7. Distributed children’s
books to pastors and families donated by USA author.
The author was a
school mate of mine who had a talent for writing. He had written
a number of children’s books with a Christian theme. He donated a quantity of two
of his books for me to give to pastors and families two use with children. All were
glad to receive.
a number of children’s books with a Christian theme. He donated a quantity of two
of his books for me to give to pastors and families two use with children. All were
glad to receive.
8. Purchased two inexpensive cell phones for two
working mothers who needed
a way to stay in touch with their children at home.
a way to stay in touch with their children at home.
9. Helped three families with medical bills.
10. Visit a newly
found orphanage for disabled children. There is a high probability
these children will never be adopted.
these children will never be adopted.
This was going to be one of the highlights of the trip meeting the children/workers and
learning how I might be able to help in the future. Interestingly, the main office is located
in Guam where I had to make communication. Long story short, I could not make a visit
to the orphanage unless some of the leadership from Guam was there. I was told that
some leadership would be on the property in April but my trip was in May. I was told
that they would like to meet me but maybe at another time. Since the trip I have learned
of two more orphanages that might be possibilities next year.
11. Led a baptismal service for candidates
awaiting baptism.
Another
highlight was being asked to lead a baptismal service. Six youth and one adult
joined me in the Philippine Sea following a time of singing. These were some wonderful
people who had given their lives to Jesus and several were already working in the church.
This was a great celebration for them, their families, and me. Amen.
12. So, plans for next year? More of the same.
Community feedings, speaking in churches, visiting many of the church plants in 2019, already
received an invitation from a new church, visit orphanages, helping people as God places them
in my path, two church workshops, provide school supplies and hygience kits, and help pastors
wherever needed and asked to participate.
joined me in the Philippine Sea following a time of singing. These were some wonderful
people who had given their lives to Jesus and several were already working in the church.
This was a great celebration for them, their families, and me. Amen.
12. So, plans for next year? More of the same.
Community feedings, speaking in churches, visiting many of the church plants in 2019, already
received an invitation from a new church, visit orphanages, helping people as God places them
in my path, two church workshops, provide school supplies and hygience kits, and help pastors
wherever needed and asked to participate.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?
Wonderful news...all the funds needed for the sound system came in and was forwarded to the pastor. He has purchased the system. Thanks to those who generously donated.
One of the churches that I work with in the Philippines is in need of a used sound system. They purchased their current system 15 years ago and it was used then. No idea how old it actually is. The system was going off and on for a period of time and currently is dysfunctional...it is dead. So, the church is needing another used system.
Well, good used systems are hard to find. The pastor has found a sound system and two speakers for 15,250 pesos or around $300. To put that in perspective, their offering each week is around 800-1000 peso or less. Along with that income comes paying for utility bills, food, and clothing for the needy, school supplies and hygiene kits for children, and helping some with medical bills, So you can see the church, on its own, will probably never see another system if left to them to purchase.
I have been there to worship and they have a multi-talented praise team which depends on the system. The system does enable the praise team to do their part in adding to each service. So, there is a big need.
I put this info on here to see if anyone would like to give a donation to this worship need. If 15 people would give $20, 10 people would give $30, 5 people would give $60, or one person would graciously give $300, then provisions would be made for this need. What do you think? PM me if interested. Thank you.
Friday, July 12, 2019
Mission 2019: Just Gets Better Every Year! (Part 1)
Hello,
The heading is totally true. Every year just gets better. I come home ready to plan, prepare, and go on another trip back. I never knew that international missions could be so fulfilling and enriching. On the top of my bucket list is the desire to be able to make two trips a year or just stay longer on my one trip. I wish that everyone could experience the smiles, the joy, the laughs, the tears, the disappointments, and the discouragement of those who live on very little to nothing. Although, not one time did I ever hear anyone complain. Every day is a new day. They cannot live on yesterday or tomorrow. Only what can be accomplished today. This is their way of life. They have accepted their lifestyle which is to live day to day with great hope.
Mission 2019 has come and gone. I look forward to this time for a year and then the trip goes by so quickly. Every year is different. My desire is to never to just duplicate the year before. There are always different activities, different people, different places, and different situations that are planned and then some things happen that are not planned. I am a planner but some of my plans never happen, which is okay. God really knows the needs there more than I do.
I wanted to spend more time with the pastors so I stayed with them in their homes. How long I stayed depended upon how busy they were with their own church. Also, my intent is to never be a burden to them or their families. Their gracious hospitality was awesome and humbling. They are a group of gracious, Godly men who love their people and have sacrificed much as their pastor. Their congregations think well of them and follow them as their spiritual leader.
The churches are all church plants. Some are churches in their infancy (3+ yrs.) and some are well established (25+ yrs.). The current pastors are all the founding pastors. The church attendance ranges from 30 to 150. Those attending are predominantly children and teenagers. Evangelism and children/youth ministries are the major focus of each church. Some are buildings that have been around a long time and some are fairly new.
Worship styles are generally close in nature. All are upbeat joyful music. Each church has some kind of instrumentation from just a guitar to a full praise team/band. The singing is strong in each setting. The churches are of different denominations and independent but all focus on the teaching of the word of God and a strong relationship with Jesus. Because of poverty, all churches intentionally seek to help those in need.
What I found interesting was the involvement, the service of the people in each church. Their service was as natural as breathing. I did not see just a few people doing all the work. In one church, there is a devotion time for all leadership in the church at 5:00 am every day except Sunday. There are worship services every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Home Bible studies are held several nights a week. Every Saturday a different family cleans the church. When there is a church meal, everyone does their part in the preparation, serving, and cleanup. A big need is to bring water from the well into the church for cooking, for drinking, and for the restroom facilities. The men seem to know when it is time to "fetch" a big bucket of water. If no men are around, two ladies will get the job done. The church functions like a well-oiled machine.
During the day, every church had teens and children hanging around. Children would play out on the road in from of the church coming in and out of the church. The teens had found a place to hang out as a group to use phones and play games. I enjoyed hanging out with them and hearing their personal stories of family and school. They were out of school from April to June so they would tell of their fun activities. They were NOT looking forward to their break from school coming to an end.
Church/Community feedings are wonderful events. The people tell their friends and neighbors to come to worship service followed by food and drink. I am not sure if that possibly might be the best or only meal they would have that day. There are some children who are fortunate to get a handful of rice each day. So, they worship and they hear the gospel message. Then they receive two meals--a spiritual meal followed by a physical meal. One pastor normally had around 60 in attendance on Wednesday night. He estimated that the attendance might rise to 90. So the food supply was planned for 90. When the night arrived over110 people had arrived. The church was literally packed. Community feedings do work. People come into the church for the very first time. Some may hear the gospel for the first time. Some may be in the church for the first time.
One inspiring event was the delivery of foods into homes. Families were chosen prior to my arrival. Then we personally went to the market to purchase quantities of food and went to the church to separate out the amount needed for each family. In the afternoon, foods were taken to each home and the foods were delivered. Several homes literally had nothing in the house to eat and no money. Joy and amazement shined through their faces. Such a fulfilling ministry to these individual families.
Well, I could go on. So many meaningful things happened. Thank you if you have read this far. I can promise you that NONE OF THIS would have happened without the generosity of some mission-minded people. I am a team of one and, of course, cannot support all that happens on these trips. I am so thankful that God places an urge within people to contribute to helping these people. Many of you walk alongside me in this way and we do much together.
This year I had some funds that I could use for children, food, and school supplies. Also, I had some funds I could use for another purpose. If I went into the home and saw other needs which would help the family, I could make the provisions available or partner with others to get what was needed.
I want to get into what was accomplished but first I want to share something really encouraging. I have not been back even a month and have had three people already send donations towards Mission 2020. Wow...that just has not happened before. AS A RULE, no donations are given until maybe two months before the trip. This is such an awe-fulfilling moment towards the next trip.
In my next blog, I will get into the happenings/results of Mission 2019. Thank you for your interest and support.
The heading is totally true. Every year just gets better. I come home ready to plan, prepare, and go on another trip back. I never knew that international missions could be so fulfilling and enriching. On the top of my bucket list is the desire to be able to make two trips a year or just stay longer on my one trip. I wish that everyone could experience the smiles, the joy, the laughs, the tears, the disappointments, and the discouragement of those who live on very little to nothing. Although, not one time did I ever hear anyone complain. Every day is a new day. They cannot live on yesterday or tomorrow. Only what can be accomplished today. This is their way of life. They have accepted their lifestyle which is to live day to day with great hope.
Mission 2019 has come and gone. I look forward to this time for a year and then the trip goes by so quickly. Every year is different. My desire is to never to just duplicate the year before. There are always different activities, different people, different places, and different situations that are planned and then some things happen that are not planned. I am a planner but some of my plans never happen, which is okay. God really knows the needs there more than I do.
I wanted to spend more time with the pastors so I stayed with them in their homes. How long I stayed depended upon how busy they were with their own church. Also, my intent is to never be a burden to them or their families. Their gracious hospitality was awesome and humbling. They are a group of gracious, Godly men who love their people and have sacrificed much as their pastor. Their congregations think well of them and follow them as their spiritual leader.
The churches are all church plants. Some are churches in their infancy (3+ yrs.) and some are well established (25+ yrs.). The current pastors are all the founding pastors. The church attendance ranges from 30 to 150. Those attending are predominantly children and teenagers. Evangelism and children/youth ministries are the major focus of each church. Some are buildings that have been around a long time and some are fairly new.
Worship styles are generally close in nature. All are upbeat joyful music. Each church has some kind of instrumentation from just a guitar to a full praise team/band. The singing is strong in each setting. The churches are of different denominations and independent but all focus on the teaching of the word of God and a strong relationship with Jesus. Because of poverty, all churches intentionally seek to help those in need.
What I found interesting was the involvement, the service of the people in each church. Their service was as natural as breathing. I did not see just a few people doing all the work. In one church, there is a devotion time for all leadership in the church at 5:00 am every day except Sunday. There are worship services every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Home Bible studies are held several nights a week. Every Saturday a different family cleans the church. When there is a church meal, everyone does their part in the preparation, serving, and cleanup. A big need is to bring water from the well into the church for cooking, for drinking, and for the restroom facilities. The men seem to know when it is time to "fetch" a big bucket of water. If no men are around, two ladies will get the job done. The church functions like a well-oiled machine.
During the day, every church had teens and children hanging around. Children would play out on the road in from of the church coming in and out of the church. The teens had found a place to hang out as a group to use phones and play games. I enjoyed hanging out with them and hearing their personal stories of family and school. They were out of school from April to June so they would tell of their fun activities. They were NOT looking forward to their break from school coming to an end.
Church/Community feedings are wonderful events. The people tell their friends and neighbors to come to worship service followed by food and drink. I am not sure if that possibly might be the best or only meal they would have that day. There are some children who are fortunate to get a handful of rice each day. So, they worship and they hear the gospel message. Then they receive two meals--a spiritual meal followed by a physical meal. One pastor normally had around 60 in attendance on Wednesday night. He estimated that the attendance might rise to 90. So the food supply was planned for 90. When the night arrived over110 people had arrived. The church was literally packed. Community feedings do work. People come into the church for the very first time. Some may hear the gospel for the first time. Some may be in the church for the first time.
One inspiring event was the delivery of foods into homes. Families were chosen prior to my arrival. Then we personally went to the market to purchase quantities of food and went to the church to separate out the amount needed for each family. In the afternoon, foods were taken to each home and the foods were delivered. Several homes literally had nothing in the house to eat and no money. Joy and amazement shined through their faces. Such a fulfilling ministry to these individual families.
Well, I could go on. So many meaningful things happened. Thank you if you have read this far. I can promise you that NONE OF THIS would have happened without the generosity of some mission-minded people. I am a team of one and, of course, cannot support all that happens on these trips. I am so thankful that God places an urge within people to contribute to helping these people. Many of you walk alongside me in this way and we do much together.
This year I had some funds that I could use for children, food, and school supplies. Also, I had some funds I could use for another purpose. If I went into the home and saw other needs which would help the family, I could make the provisions available or partner with others to get what was needed.
I want to get into what was accomplished but first I want to share something really encouraging. I have not been back even a month and have had three people already send donations towards Mission 2020. Wow...that just has not happened before. AS A RULE, no donations are given until maybe two months before the trip. This is such an awe-fulfilling moment towards the next trip.
In my next blog, I will get into the happenings/results of Mission 2019. Thank you for your interest and support.
Monday, April 15, 2019
The Time Has Come!!!
Months of planning, preparation, communication, and determination will come to fruition in just a few weeks. The friendly skies and people of the Philippines are calling my name. LoL My heart is longing to reunite with pastor friends, church friends, and new friends. I am so looking forward to all the activities planned for this trip.
I am so grateful for the prayers of many friends. I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of financial partners. Without you, the ministry plans could not happen. I would love for you to be with me when I enter homes with food and meds for the poorest of the poor. They will know the food is a gift from God given through friends from the USA. I will also be looking around the house to see what other necessities are needed and provide what I can. Thanks for all you have done and for being a part of Mission 2019.
I am so grateful for the prayers of many friends. I am so overwhelmed by the generosity of financial partners. Without you, the ministry plans could not happen. I would love for you to be with me when I enter homes with food and meds for the poorest of the poor. They will know the food is a gift from God given through friends from the USA. I will also be looking around the house to see what other necessities are needed and provide what I can. Thanks for all you have done and for being a part of Mission 2019.
Doing For One What You Wish You Could Do For All.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Mission 2019 Expands
Good news!!!
New opportunities continue to come since I made my first list in January. The updates are marked with underlined bold letters. Please continue to pray for these events. Pray for people to be encouraged. Pray for hearts to be changed for/by the gospel. Pray for God's provisions for these events.
New opportunities continue to come since I made my first list in January. The updates are marked with underlined bold letters. Please continue to pray for these events. Pray for people to be encouraged. Pray for hearts to be changed for/by the gospel. Pray for God's provisions for these events.
1. Spend one-on-one time with six pastors providing encouragement and listening to their dreams
for future ministry in their churches.
2. Visit in at least 15+ homes providing groceries and other basic necessities for the poorest
of the poor. (This will depend upon funding.)
3. Help to fund and participate in two feeding programs for the poorest of the poor.
4. Speak in four churches.
5. Speak at a VBS commencement and provide a youth camp message.
6. Lead two workshops.
7. Visit a newly found orphanage for disabled children. There is a high probability these children
will never be adopted. (This may not materialize. CEO leadership in Guam are not comfortable
with outsiders making visits even if one person.)
8. Help fund a business training event for the Mangyan Tribe to give them another avenue
for making household income. (The funds for this have not come in.)
9. Lead baptism worship with five candidates.
I am so grateful that more opportunities are becoming available. I seek to be a vessel for the Kingdom.
All Prayer Partners and Financial Partners please continue praying for Mission 2019.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
helpingFUNDmissions
helpingFundmissions for the "Poorest of the Poor"---$50 per family who do not know where their next will come from.
People are suffering from hunger across the globe in any country you want to choose. I have seen first hand the poverty that exists in the Philippines. I have seen faces light up when presented with food because the cupboards are bare. Many children and adults are blessed to have just a hand full of rice per day. My heartbeat is to go to the "poorest of the poor" and provide food and meds. My goal is to provide 2000 pesos ($40) of food and 1000 pesos ($10) of meds to a minimum of 20 families. I have four Filipino pastors who will make the decision of who is in the greatest need. My goal is to receive funds by April 24, 2019, as I will be leaving the following week for Mission 2019. How many families I can help will be determined by the amount of funds received. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.gofundme.com/to-the-least-of-these
https://gregorybunn.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mission2PhilippineandHaitiPastorsand2orphans/?eid=ARAMPMWBY4Zk7jL4xKGI0IXPsiCoFdCZ3BU66kohshvvFIw2W12tJzQxJkqHf9PBQOW_3VhlgYiOboj6&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=1231890529&fref=tag
People are suffering from hunger across the globe in any country you want to choose. I have seen first hand the poverty that exists in the Philippines. I have seen faces light up when presented with food because the cupboards are bare. Many children and adults are blessed to have just a hand full of rice per day. My heartbeat is to go to the "poorest of the poor" and provide food and meds. My goal is to provide 2000 pesos ($40) of food and 1000 pesos ($10) of meds to a minimum of 20 families. I have four Filipino pastors who will make the decision of who is in the greatest need. My goal is to receive funds by April 24, 2019, as I will be leaving the following week for Mission 2019. How many families I can help will be determined by the amount of funds received. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
https://www.gofundme.com/to-the-least-of-these
https://gregorybunn.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mission2PhilippineandHaitiPastorsand2orphans/?eid=ARAMPMWBY4Zk7jL4xKGI0IXPsiCoFdCZ3BU66kohshvvFIw2W12tJzQxJkqHf9PBQOW_3VhlgYiOboj6&timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=1231890529&fref=tag
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