Injuries and being Thankful in all circumstances....because this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus.
So this is our last blog post. We head back to the states tomorrow. Thank you everyone who has kept up with us, and to those who have been praying for the ministry here.
Our last week was challenging, but God has been faithful. We were able to go back to a village for about three days across the river to share the gospel, do children;s ministry, and help build a church for the small group of believers who are being salt and light there. Praise the Lord for how he has encouraged these believers and given them a burden to share their faith.
We then walked to another church, and worshiped with believers there at a village about 3 miles away.
Please pray for the believers in this village...that God will raise up godly men who have a desire to know God and worship him. There are only women and children at this church presently.
Cliff started to feel bad during this trip. We went to the hospital Monday afternoon because he was running a fever and had many rashes and sores on his body. We found out he had staff infection.....he is now feeling much better after taking some medication and his skin infections are healing. PTL!
A few days ago, a guy from the AG Team cut his hand deeply with a machete while working. He had to have surgery. Please pray for him as he travels back to the states by himself today.
There are several other team members who are not feeling well, and are fighting infection. Please pray for them...that God will heal there bodies quickly and give them comfort.
Inspite of the challenges, we are thankful...because God is good and He is in control.
Worthy is the Lamb..... Acts 20:24
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Health Care
Village 1 Health Care
Not this past Friday but the Friday before that, we crossed the river and took a motor bike to Village 1 (I call it village 1 because there is no stinkin' way that I'm going to be able to spell its name). It was there that we hooked up with one of our three Nehemiah rural health care teams. We were there just in time to see them prepare for their first round of village circumcisions. It may sound a little crude to we Americans, but Filipinos aren’t circumcised until they are around the age of 7. But, they don’t get the luxury of privacy, pretty much the whole village was there. The operating table- the local open air amphitheatre stage! Crazy, right? Not so much! This provided a great opportunity for this health care team to gain the trust and appreciation of the community. Instead of being treated as outsiders, they were being viewed as more like part of the village family. As a result, doors were opened to share the Gospel and lives were touched. Praise God!
Village 2 Health Care
After some door to door house-calls and Bible sharing in Village 1 that Saturday morning, we were off again. Back across the river and atop a Jeepney we traveled far into the mountains to Village 2 where the second of the 3 Nehemiah health care teams was located. When we arrived, they had just finished facilitating a free clinic at the BRGY Health Center. They were excited to see us and we were excited to see them. The rest of the day was spent doing Bible study with hungry new believers. Later on in the week, we got to spend more time with this team, doing circumcisions and door to door evangelism. Pray that this team would see a church planted in their community. There are hungry believers there who need a firm and steady foundation.
Village 3 Health Care
After our first day with village 2, we left early on motor bikes headed to Village 3 where the third of our 3 health care teams was located. The road to this village… could I really call it a road at all? They were so that a Jeepney wouldn’t even venture down it. Large logging trucks had cut deep deep ruts into the clay and what was left was, for lack of better words, a mess. Our motor bike fell 6 times… with us on it! But, praise God, no injuries. The ride took about an hour and a half. Finally we arrived in Village 3 where we discovered that we were just on time for Church (House Church with the team). We got the opportunity to stay with this team for 3 days and experience all the things they experienced and we were quite impressed. Their day begins with a hike, about 1k down the side of a mountain to the village spring. After taking a bath and filling water jugs, there was the hike back up the mountain in which case we were just as dirty as when we had hiked down the mountain in the first place. But, praise God this team gets to come alongside the people and do the things that they have to do every single day. We joined the team doing door to door evangelism each day and we even got a surprise invitation to a youth meeting with future BRGY leaders. We were able to share the gospel and our testimonies with them and schedule another meeting with all the youth in the community. Pray that these young people will see Gods love through this team and receive a desire for God’s truth.
After sharing in ministry with this team we went back the way we came, only falling once this time. We stayed with Village 2 team for a couple of days before heading into the city on a Jeepney on some business there. It was a long week, but we enjoyed many many blessings.
Pray that these teams won’t loose steam over the next couple of weeks.
Pray that the people will be open to the gospel.
Pray that Churches will be planted among hungry new believers.
Not this past Friday but the Friday before that, we crossed the river and took a motor bike to Village 1 (I call it village 1 because there is no stinkin' way that I'm going to be able to spell its name). It was there that we hooked up with one of our three Nehemiah rural health care teams. We were there just in time to see them prepare for their first round of village circumcisions. It may sound a little crude to we Americans, but Filipinos aren’t circumcised until they are around the age of 7. But, they don’t get the luxury of privacy, pretty much the whole village was there. The operating table- the local open air amphitheatre stage! Crazy, right? Not so much! This provided a great opportunity for this health care team to gain the trust and appreciation of the community. Instead of being treated as outsiders, they were being viewed as more like part of the village family. As a result, doors were opened to share the Gospel and lives were touched. Praise God!
Village 2 Health Care
After some door to door house-calls and Bible sharing in Village 1 that Saturday morning, we were off again. Back across the river and atop a Jeepney we traveled far into the mountains to Village 2 where the second of the 3 Nehemiah health care teams was located. When we arrived, they had just finished facilitating a free clinic at the BRGY Health Center. They were excited to see us and we were excited to see them. The rest of the day was spent doing Bible study with hungry new believers. Later on in the week, we got to spend more time with this team, doing circumcisions and door to door evangelism. Pray that this team would see a church planted in their community. There are hungry believers there who need a firm and steady foundation.
Village 3 Health Care
After our first day with village 2, we left early on motor bikes headed to Village 3 where the third of our 3 health care teams was located. The road to this village… could I really call it a road at all? They were so that a Jeepney wouldn’t even venture down it. Large logging trucks had cut deep deep ruts into the clay and what was left was, for lack of better words, a mess. Our motor bike fell 6 times… with us on it! But, praise God, no injuries. The ride took about an hour and a half. Finally we arrived in Village 3 where we discovered that we were just on time for Church (House Church with the team). We got the opportunity to stay with this team for 3 days and experience all the things they experienced and we were quite impressed. Their day begins with a hike, about 1k down the side of a mountain to the village spring. After taking a bath and filling water jugs, there was the hike back up the mountain in which case we were just as dirty as when we had hiked down the mountain in the first place. But, praise God this team gets to come alongside the people and do the things that they have to do every single day. We joined the team doing door to door evangelism each day and we even got a surprise invitation to a youth meeting with future BRGY leaders. We were able to share the gospel and our testimonies with them and schedule another meeting with all the youth in the community. Pray that these young people will see Gods love through this team and receive a desire for God’s truth.
After sharing in ministry with this team we went back the way we came, only falling once this time. We stayed with Village 2 team for a couple of days before heading into the city on a Jeepney on some business there. It was a long week, but we enjoyed many many blessings.
Pray that these teams won’t loose steam over the next couple of weeks.
Pray that the people will be open to the gospel.
Pray that Churches will be planted among hungry new believers.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Mystery Truck
Last week we worked with the Water filter Team buildng Filters, and getting ready for our trip to a village very far away where a medical team is working. They requesterd filters so we were going to deliver them to these areas with great need for the gospel and clean water.
But God has other plans....the truck never showed up that was supposed to take us to this village. At first, we could tell the team was frustrated, but it was all part of God's beautiful plan. Since the truck never showed, each day we would go with the Filter team to villages around M.J. Santose to share the gospel and do Bible study.
God is working on the hearts of the people here, and it is such a blessing to watch Him change lives for his honor and glory. We were able to go the "The Village on the Hill" which we have come to dearly love. We have been doing Bible studies with new and hungry for the Word believers there. We are also seeing people come to Christ in this village.
In another village down the road, we met with some ladies who are not believers, but were so grateful and blessed when we shared the gopsel with them. They want us to come back and do Bible study more so they can grow in their faith. Pray for these three ladies....a generation...daughter, mother, and grandmother...who is 80!
R&R - Our Trip to Camiguin Island
The Summer is half over and we can't believe it! It's gone by so fast! We've all worked very hard and the teams have been rockin'; doing door to door ministry, Bible studies, building houses, clearing farmland, planting trees, conducting free medical clinics in far away villages, and building bio-sand water filters. Wheww! So, we felt that it was high time the teams in the Agusan have some much appreciated R&R.
We took the 5:30 a.m. Jeepney into Butuan, followed by a 2 hour van ride to the ferry. The ferry carried us the 45 minuets to Camiguin Island. Camiguin is a resort island just of the coast of Mindanao. We stayed at Ardent Springs Hotel and "Resort." Now, when we say "Resort," we mean; running water, matress, privacy, and AC.
The following day, we took a bit of a tour around the island to all the best spots. We went to the beach for cliff diving at 8:00. We enjoyed lunch (chicken and pork adobo) at the cold springs at 12:00. We took a short tour of an old church and then at 4:00 we swam, and froze, at the falls. The small restaurant we decided to have dinner at was a bit understaffed, but the food was excellent. After a full day, we all slept like babies. Thank God for the re-charge. We praise Him for being our sustainer, our strength.
Last week we worked with the Water filter Team buildng Filters, and getting ready for our trip to a village very far away where a medical team is working. They requesterd filters so we were going to deliver them to these areas with great need for the gospel and clean water.
But God has other plans....the truck never showed up that was supposed to take us to this village. At first, we could tell the team was frustrated, but it was all part of God's beautiful plan. Since the truck never showed, each day we would go with the Filter team to villages around M.J. Santose to share the gospel and do Bible study.
God is working on the hearts of the people here, and it is such a blessing to watch Him change lives for his honor and glory. We were able to go the "The Village on the Hill" which we have come to dearly love. We have been doing Bible studies with new and hungry for the Word believers there. We are also seeing people come to Christ in this village.
In another village down the road, we met with some ladies who are not believers, but were so grateful and blessed when we shared the gopsel with them. They want us to come back and do Bible study more so they can grow in their faith. Pray for these three ladies....a generation...daughter, mother, and grandmother...who is 80!
R&R - Our Trip to Camiguin Island
The Summer is half over and we can't believe it! It's gone by so fast! We've all worked very hard and the teams have been rockin'; doing door to door ministry, Bible studies, building houses, clearing farmland, planting trees, conducting free medical clinics in far away villages, and building bio-sand water filters. Wheww! So, we felt that it was high time the teams in the Agusan have some much appreciated R&R.
We took the 5:30 a.m. Jeepney into Butuan, followed by a 2 hour van ride to the ferry. The ferry carried us the 45 minuets to Camiguin Island. Camiguin is a resort island just of the coast of Mindanao. We stayed at Ardent Springs Hotel and "Resort." Now, when we say "Resort," we mean; running water, matress, privacy, and AC.
The following day, we took a bit of a tour around the island to all the best spots. We went to the beach for cliff diving at 8:00. We enjoyed lunch (chicken and pork adobo) at the cold springs at 12:00. We took a short tour of an old church and then at 4:00 we swam, and froze, at the falls. The small restaurant we decided to have dinner at was a bit understaffed, but the food was excellent. After a full day, we all slept like babies. Thank God for the re-charge. We praise Him for being our sustainer, our strength.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
An ACTS Adventure with the Water filter Team
Yesterday, we got back from spending three days sharing the gospel and encouraging believers in different villages in the Agusan Valley with the Water Filter Team. Since we have not been able to deliver water filters as planned this week due to some problems with the organization which helps us deliver them.....God redirected our steps and we had quite an adventure sharing the gospel.
Our weekend was awesome and went something like this..... ride on top of a crowded jeepnee in the rain, get to a town, walk in the rain and mud to a river, take a canoe across the river, take a petty cab to the village, stay overnight at the village worshiping for 4 hours at a time, sharing testimonies, singing, Cliff got to preach.
We left this village the next day and travel by motorcycle to a very remote village called Sanroke I think, with new believers. The motorcycle had boards on both sides, and we rode on them. There were like six people plus luggage on one speedy motorcycle. We played and shared bible stories with 50+ kids that were clinging to us and loving on us for hours. We slept in a Filipino house and encouraged the believers there ( I think they were a bigger blessing to us). We cried with them as everyone's hearts were encouraged, and we testified to God's goodness in our lives. Our hearts were burdened for this village of new believers that have no church building or pastor yet. I told them I would ask you all to pray for them...
Yesterday, we got back from spending three days sharing the gospel and encouraging believers in different villages in the Agusan Valley with the Water Filter Team. Since we have not been able to deliver water filters as planned this week due to some problems with the organization which helps us deliver them.....God redirected our steps and we had quite an adventure sharing the gospel.
Our weekend was awesome and went something like this..... ride on top of a crowded jeepnee in the rain, get to a town, walk in the rain and mud to a river, take a canoe across the river, take a petty cab to the village, stay overnight at the village worshiping for 4 hours at a time, sharing testimonies, singing, Cliff got to preach.
We left this village the next day and travel by motorcycle to a very remote village called Sanroke I think, with new believers. The motorcycle had boards on both sides, and we rode on them. There were like six people plus luggage on one speedy motorcycle. We played and shared bible stories with 50+ kids that were clinging to us and loving on us for hours. We slept in a Filipino house and encouraged the believers there ( I think they were a bigger blessing to us). We cried with them as everyone's hearts were encouraged, and we testified to God's goodness in our lives. Our hearts were burdened for this village of new believers that have no church building or pastor yet. I told them I would ask you all to pray for them...
- Pray that they would grow in their faith and be encouraged.
- Pray that God would send them a Pastor and leadership to disciple them.
- Pray that they will be obedient to share their faith with others in the village
Visiting the Habitat Team and making new friends
This past week we went to Butuan to check on the Habitat team. They are doing well, and we praise the Lord for the things he is teaching them in their personal walks with Christ, and how he is using them. We helped them build a house from the ground up for a family...laying concrete bricks and cementing. Hard, hot work, but we praise the Lord for the opportunity to meet the needs of others. Each weekend the team will be gong out to rural villages to share the gospel and encourage new believers.
The first night we got there, we went to the house where the team is staying. However, they were not back yet from town, so we were locked out of the house. We stood around waiting a bit, and then a family invited us into their house to wait and visit with them. The husband, wife, and their two young sons Jacob and Job were very kind and gracious. We had an opportunity to share our testimonies with this family, and the next day after work, we had Bible study with them. Praise the Lord for letting us get locked out of the house! We are excited to see this family again and spend more time with them in Bible Study on our next visit with the Habitat team.
This past week we went to Butuan to check on the Habitat team. They are doing well, and we praise the Lord for the things he is teaching them in their personal walks with Christ, and how he is using them. We helped them build a house from the ground up for a family...laying concrete bricks and cementing. Hard, hot work, but we praise the Lord for the opportunity to meet the needs of others. Each weekend the team will be gong out to rural villages to share the gospel and encourage new believers.
The first night we got there, we went to the house where the team is staying. However, they were not back yet from town, so we were locked out of the house. We stood around waiting a bit, and then a family invited us into their house to wait and visit with them. The husband, wife, and their two young sons Jacob and Job were very kind and gracious. We had an opportunity to share our testimonies with this family, and the next day after work, we had Bible study with them. Praise the Lord for letting us get locked out of the house! We are excited to see this family again and spend more time with them in Bible Study on our next visit with the Habitat team.
- Pray that this Catholic family will understand more and more their need for a personal relationship Jesus, and that the Lord would continue to speak to them through his word.
Water Filters and Tree Planting
"In all you do, do everything as unto the Lord" "Be faithful in the little things"
These words were playing over and over in my head this week as Cliff and I helped make water filters, and Cliff worked hard planting banana trees with the Ag team to help improve the water shed for the community. We cleaned rocks, filtered sand, and painted lots of water filters. The greatest blessing was working with all the Filipino Pastors as we worked on the filters. Their hard work, humility, gentleness, and words of encouragement have been such a blessing to all the team members work at the BOOST camp. Their example to us is that of Christ.
- Pray that all the teams will be faithful in the little things, and that they would strive to glorify God in what he has them doing at that moment.
- Pray that God would work things out legistically, so these water filters, along with the gopsel of Jesus Christ, can be shared in villages all over the Augusan Valley.
Village on the Hill Update
We have been going back to visit the new believers in this village to disciple and encourage them. This past time when we went there for Bible study with the women believers, we encountered some spiritual warfare, and ways the enemy is trying to discourage the believers there. Please pray for these new believers! That they would be encouraged and that they would grow in their faith.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
This is our second blog from the Philippines. Time flies! It's hard to believe it's amost been 2 weeks! Last night, Sharon and I went out on a date. It has been about a month since we've really had time alone together and it was much appreciated. It consisted of; Dinner at Pizza Hut, Toy Story III at the theatre in the mall, and a night at the Emerald Villa Hotel (AC, Mattress, a Bathroom w/ American Toilet and Shower). We enjoyed it very much!
We're already getting use to the climate, taking bucket baths, and eating lots and lots of rice. And, the best part is- It's all for the glory of God!
A Day with the Agriculture Team
We worked with the Ag team on Thursday. I put on my long pants, shoes, and floppy hat. The sun was hot. The work was dirty. We started the day looking for a suitable place to put a 'worm bed.' A wooden box that would house soil, goat manure, and earth-worms. The mixture would later provide a healthy dose of nutrients and biota to crops and gardens on the farm. The farm is actually a 2 or 3 acre 'demo' farm located in the Agusan del Norte. The demo farm teaches SALT Ag production, FAITH gardening, and small time Animal Production.
We also planted some trees on the side of the hill that will later be harvested as timber. These trees also improve the water shed in the area. The work this team is doing is part of an on-going project to improve the lives of Filippino agriculturalist in the Agusan river valley.
We're already getting use to the climate, taking bucket baths, and eating lots and lots of rice. And, the best part is- It's all for the glory of God!
A Day with the Agriculture Team
We worked with the Ag team on Thursday. I put on my long pants, shoes, and floppy hat. The sun was hot. The work was dirty. We started the day looking for a suitable place to put a 'worm bed.' A wooden box that would house soil, goat manure, and earth-worms. The mixture would later provide a healthy dose of nutrients and biota to crops and gardens on the farm. The farm is actually a 2 or 3 acre 'demo' farm located in the Agusan del Norte. The demo farm teaches SALT Ag production, FAITH gardening, and small time Animal Production.
We also planted some trees on the side of the hill that will later be harvested as timber. These trees also improve the water shed in the area. The work this team is doing is part of an on-going project to improve the lives of Filippino agriculturalist in the Agusan river valley.
- Pray that the team will receive an extra measure of strength and endurance as they continue working this summer.
- Pray that the BOOST 'demo farm' will serve the people in the Agusan river valley and show Christs Love!
- Pray for the leadership of the BOOST, that they will make wise decisions.
The Water-Filter and Med Team Update
We were able to welcome the Water Filter team back after the first trip out in rural villages. There, they shared the gospel and installed almost 30 bio-sand water filters. We will get the opportunity to go out with them and serve with them in remote areas June 28th - 30th so please pray that the gospel will be well received. Also, pray that the team will have unity in Christ and love for eachother as well as the people they serve.
The Med Team just left for a week to serve at the Rural Heath Clinic. They'll be providing quality health care to low income families. Pray for them, that God will bless them as they show Christs love in this way. Pray that God will give them many opportunities to share the gospel!
The Village on the Hill
On Saturday, we got the opportunity to join the Filter team doing outreach at a small village close to our camp that we call The Village on the Hill. We had been there once before and on that day, some women prayed to receive Christ. This Saturday, 6 men (young and old) also prayed to receive. Praise God with us for this. We are continuing to go back to The Village on the Hill to do Bible Study with these new believers. Pray with us...
- That God would fill these new believers with his Spirit.
- That they would be hungry for his Word!
- That they would, as God reveals his Word, feel the need for Baptism!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Hey Everyone!
Sorry this 1st post has been a long time coming. We have been trying to download pics, but keep running into problems. However, you can go to www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com and see pictures of our teams and us at times. We are working with the Agriculture, Habitat, Waterfilter, and Health Care teams.
You may notice among the pics on the NT Blog that there is a picture of me (Cliff) being Baptized at Orientation. No, I did not get saved at Orientation. :) However, I was never Biblically baptized after I made my true profession of faith at the age of 18. I was convicted to do so during a Baptism service for one of our fellow Nehemiah Teamers. So exciting!
We will try and post some pictures ASAP! We have lots to share, good ones. Pray that we'll find the resources to do this.
Travel and Getting Here:
After some bumpy plane rides and interesting landings, we made it. We spent most of last week traveling. We set up camp at M.J. Santos (a village 25 minuets away from Butuan City, Philippines) which is our base camp for the summer. We are living in a "staff house" at the Baptist Rural Training Center there in the village. We have roomates, including some noisy mice, lizards, roaches, and other crawly things. O and Camille, our media girl, also Ray, our awesome Filippino supervisor. After 5 days, our bodies are still adjusting to the heat and humidity. We sweat constantly. Heat rashes are normal. Our alarm clock- some really loud goats and roosters. We'll be travelling around all summer checking on the teams and encouraging them. Pray for...
Over the past two days, we have checked on the Habitat team located in Butuan City. There 4 guys on this team; 3 American and 1 Filippino. We worked with them all day yesterday, helping to mix concrete and fill/carry bags of dirt and stone- sore backs and shoulders this morning, but Worthy is the Lamb.
We were able to talk with the family that will be living in the habitat house and build relationships with them. Today is the teams last day to work at that site. They will be sharing their testimonies with the family and the workers. Pray that...
Sorry this 1st post has been a long time coming. We have been trying to download pics, but keep running into problems. However, you can go to www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com and see pictures of our teams and us at times. We are working with the Agriculture, Habitat, Waterfilter, and Health Care teams.
You may notice among the pics on the NT Blog that there is a picture of me (Cliff) being Baptized at Orientation. No, I did not get saved at Orientation. :) However, I was never Biblically baptized after I made my true profession of faith at the age of 18. I was convicted to do so during a Baptism service for one of our fellow Nehemiah Teamers. So exciting!
We will try and post some pictures ASAP! We have lots to share, good ones. Pray that we'll find the resources to do this.
Travel and Getting Here:
After some bumpy plane rides and interesting landings, we made it. We spent most of last week traveling. We set up camp at M.J. Santos (a village 25 minuets away from Butuan City, Philippines) which is our base camp for the summer. We are living in a "staff house" at the Baptist Rural Training Center there in the village. We have roomates, including some noisy mice, lizards, roaches, and other crawly things. O and Camille, our media girl, also Ray, our awesome Filippino supervisor. After 5 days, our bodies are still adjusting to the heat and humidity. We sweat constantly. Heat rashes are normal. Our alarm clock- some really loud goats and roosters. We'll be travelling around all summer checking on the teams and encouraging them. Pray for...
- Wisdom and Guidance as we lead the teams and point them to Christ.
- That we'll be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and God's schedule for us this summer.
- Strength in our resolve to follow God's plan for our lives, wherever that leads.
Over the past two days, we have checked on the Habitat team located in Butuan City. There 4 guys on this team; 3 American and 1 Filippino. We worked with them all day yesterday, helping to mix concrete and fill/carry bags of dirt and stone- sore backs and shoulders this morning, but Worthy is the Lamb.
We were able to talk with the family that will be living in the habitat house and build relationships with them. Today is the teams last day to work at that site. They will be sharing their testimonies with the family and the workers. Pray that...
- God will soften this family/the workers hearts to the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
- God will give them hearts that are searching for truth.
- The habitat team members will be obedient in sharing their faith this summer as they go from site to site.
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