Made it to Gensan!!!
Trip Start
Sep 04, 2007
1
23
25
Trip End
Jun 08, 2008
General Santos,
Philippines
Thursday, February 21, 2008
So I realize that it has been quite a long time since my last correspondance e-mail, but it has been because we have been so busily involved in ministry here in the Philippines. My last entry was written from up in Baguio and alot has heppened since then. Our team absolutely loved Baguio and the people up there as well, and after we finished our time, we headed down to Cabanatuan City. We ended up staying there for 4 days doing ministry and then returned to San Fernando for 3 more weeks of work in that area. These 2 weeks ended up being a huge highlight of our time here.
For the first 2 months of our time here we did not see a lot of fruit from our ministry, but that all changed when we returned back to Pampanga. We saw many people accept Christ over our last three weeks, and even a few new Bible Studies started. One of the most exciting times were when Rachel and I went surveying in the community and made 4 good contacts with families. When we went to follow them up later, there was no one home except for one family. They both welcomed us in with open arms and were very open to the message that we had to share with them. We had Allan, our Filipino friend with us, and as he shared with them in Tagalog, they accepted Christ into their lives. Their names are Maricel and June, and we are praying for them, that God would continue working in their lives and would give them a thirst to grow. There are many stories like this from our ministry in that area, and it has been exciting to see some fruit from our ministry.
On February 1st, we had one of our wonderful VTI Staff Advisors (Coralie) come and visit us for 2 weeks. This was a huge encouragment to us, and it was really great to have her out to visit. On February 16th, we put on a "True Love Waits" seminar and banquet for the youth in our community, and the turn out and response was really encouraging. We have seen our youth group in this church double and triple since we arrived here in November, and the coolest thing is, that the youth in our church are now evangelising to their own peers. Nothing tugs at my heart more than to see 6 youth accept Christ after a youth event because their peers who already have a relationship with Jesus are reaching out and sharing the gospel and God's love with them. God is at work, and it is so amazing to see.
Well, on February 17th, the group in Pampanga had a despidida (Good Bye Party) for our team. This was a time of reflection and ultimatly a sad time of saying goodbye to some really close friends that we have made over the past few months. Now sure you can say: How can you have really close friends after just 2.5 months with them? Well, my answer to you is come to the Philippines and find out. While walking down the street, people always say hi or invite us into their house for Merienda (Snack) and there is a really close family feeling in the communities here. Our despidida was a really nice time, and there was even a video that the youth made for us which I have posted to my Facebook if you would like to watch it.
After our despidida, we headed to Manila, and then flew down here to General Santos City, on the southern most part of the island of Mindanao. We are working with the SEND team here as well to reach muslims and catholics alike here in the city. Today we did some worship songs for a huge crowd at a Christian Festival that they had. Tomorrow, we will be helping out in a health fair here, wherever we can be of service.
Wow, that was a long update. I hope this gives some idea about our ministry here. We have a few thing that you can continue to partner with us in prayer for:
-The fruit from our ministry and the seeds planted back in Pampanga. That God would help them to grow and that the Holy Spirit would lead them toward a close and personal relationship with our Lord.
-Our team, as we are missing our friends back in Pampanga.
-Our ministry here in General Santos. For energy and joy, and that we would catch the vision here.
-Safety in travel around Mindanao and then back to Manila on February 28th and to Uganda on March 4th.
-Continued team unity.
-Adjustments as we move around over the next few weeks.
-That we would hear the Holy Spirit and be willing to be guided by Him in our ministry and daily lives.
Well, that is all for now. We thank you for your support and your continuous prayers for us and the people of the Philippines. We are so excited to share stories with you, and are looking forward to what God has in store for our future here overseas. May the Lord richly bless you!!!
Trent Rollings
(F&F 64 Team Correspondent)
