Hello everyone! It’s that time of year again, which means that there is a team in the Philippines already working hard to prepare tutorial kits as well as visiting local congregations and facilitating one-on-one Bible studies (with 1 baptism already so far!). We have a lot scheduled this trip, with quite a few members (21!) coming and going throughout the two months we are here for.
We’ve already had our fair share of adventures in the few days we’ve been here. Hope & Amelia arrived first, with Prissy, Kelsey & Chris shortly following the next day, and Dan & Marilyn arriving last the day after that. This is Dan & Marilyn’s first time to the Philippines, and boy are they having some fun experiences!
Our first big adventure (Prissy & Kelsey) came as soon as we arrived at the airport, where we were supposed to meet Chris (he was flying on a different airline but was supposed to arrive around the same time as us). We assumed he would be arriving at the same terminal as us, but it turns out that wasn’t the case. After getting all of our luggage, we asked a security guard what terminal Delta flies into, and discovered that Chris was 2 terminals away! With all of the construction/renovations being done at the airport, it has been very confusing with knowing where will people arrive and how to describe to people what they can expect to see or where to wait for someone to pick them up. Thankfully, we were able to ride a free shuttle to Chris’s terminal, pick him up, and get to the condo with no more problems.
We know Satan is very skilled and crafty in creating problems/inconveniences for God’s children, especially when they are doing good works to further His kingdom. Knowing his schemes help us in being aware and recognizing his work so that when we run into problems, instead of being discouraged or getting upset, we can rejoice, because if Satan is using all his power against us, we must be doing something right for the Lord’s kingdom! We are firm in our faith, for we know that
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~Romans 8:28
After Dan & Marilyn arrived, the next morning we headed off to Divasoria, our shopping place of choice for all of the tutorial materials and pasalubong (souvenirs/gifts) for friends and family in the states. We were all exhausted by the time we arrived back to the condo and quickly went to bed for our busy day today.
This morning was full of activities for the team; Chris, Amelia and Mimi (one of our Filipina companions) taught about 30 children in a squatter area called Balubad Phase 1, while Hope & Dan facilitated a one-on-one Bible study with a woman named Rosemarie Estrellado, who was baptized later that day, and Prissy & Marilyn spoke with a group of women at the Twinville church of Christ.
