Philippines January 2011 Week 1

Hi :)

I have wanted to blog much much sooner than this, but havn't have electricity for my computer! It's Saturday at 9:15 here.  We have had an awesome week! So far we have spoken in 149 schools! we have about one hundred left. maybe a little more.  Many people have come to know the Lord this week.  Everyday I just praise Him that He has allowed me to be a part of such an amazing thing! We are on the island of Cantanduanes.  Our hotel is in the city of Virac. You should google it :) It's very very beautiful here, but very very poor. To me, that's what makes it so so beautiful.  Not that it's poor, but that it's so untouched.  The mountains don't have huge houses sitting on the side of them.  The ocean doesn't have huge resorts beside them.  It's beautiful.  God's creation is so incredible.  It's warm here, and very rainy! Today we got to sleep late....6 o'clock! haha. We could have slept much later, but we have been getting up so much earlier than that our bodies wouldn't let us sleep any longer.  We played basketball today with the Filipinos.  Then, we shared the gospel with them.  The men went to the jail and shared.  Tonight, we had a film showing! It's been a very good day of rest! We are looking forward to worship service tomorrow.  I hope to fill you in a little bit better next week on what all is going on!

Much love!

One week!

I absolutely cannot believe that at this time next week I will be high up in the sky on my way to Asia! It is such a bittersweet feeling. It makes my heart feel sad that for six weeks I will have very little contact with my family.  I will miss them during those few weeks. I always begin to feel uptight whenever it gets this close to departure. It is very difficult leaving them. Please be in prayer for me and my family.  On the bright side though, my heart is overjoyed about what's to come! I am SO excited about the opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ with so many people.  When thinking about my upcoming trip to the Philippines, I literally feel like jumping up and down! No joke.  With the help of many very generous people, I now have most of my money for my trip! I am lacking in a few things, but I know the Lord will provide! This upcoming week will be very busy.  I still have some things I have to finalize for school (please be in prayer about that), I have to buy some more items for the trip, and I will be spending as much time with my family and friends as possible. 

Thank you. Thank you to all of you who have already played such a large role in helping this mission be possible.  Whether you have given me money, or just simply prayed...you mean so much to me!  Whenever God layed this on my heart, I knew it would be difficult.  It's not easy raising the money, or leaving my family.  Even after I am there, the road isn't always smooth. But, is it worth it? Absolutely. Even though there are times when I question why God has chosen me to do such an incredible mission, I am so thankful He did.  I can't even begin to explain just how awesome it is to stand before thousands of Filipinos and deliver a message of hope, and to tell them that contrary to what they might have been told, they are so loved! It's such an incredible feeling to know that God picked ME! However, God did not just pick me! Whether God has chosen you to be the hands and feet, or He has chosen you to be a great prayer warrior, YOU are in this too!   I look forward to sharing this journey with you :)

"Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you." -- 1 Samuel 12:24

P.S.
If Mr. Weatherman is right, & it snows this weekend...ENJOY!