There are 2 Ways to Live..

Day 9 and 10

Yesterday we took off early to visit three campuses.

We only made it to two before lunch, spending a fair chunk of time back at the University Polytechnic of the Philippines (which we visited on Tuesday).

The university is certainly the most open to the gospel. We first talked to the dean of the college who asked us some pretty searching questions. I thought she didn’t want Christians on the campus, because of the way she was grilling us, but at the end of the discussion she said she too was a Christian and simply wanted to protect her students. The doors are open here. We then went around six classes with maybe 40 or 50 students in each class, sharing a testimony and presenting the gospel with the two-ways to live presentation. Chris gave the presentation and the reception was good, many were listening intently and prayed with Pastor Cesar to ask Christ into their lives, and forgive their sins (in Tagalog the national language), and PRAISE GOD that some have given their hearts to Jesus!!  They have an ACTS (Alliance of Christian Truth Seekers) meeting at the campus and they will follow up for discipleship.

Chris has become infatuated with a teddy bear dog that barks, which he bought. He says it’s cute. It is now broken after flying 30m through the air. I did it to protect him from losing his manhood. The gesture was not appreciated however and I was forced to buy him a new one. The broken one went to a young girl, pastor Topher’s daughter, so I suppose it’s not all bad.

Today we had two feedings with maybe 100 children. It rained harder than it has all trip today. Even though it stopped after 30 minutes the lack of drainage in the community we visited left giant puddles around many houses. I can only imagine what would happen if it were to rain for a day. The children love pastor Topher; he is a seasoned veteran. Chris shared about God being a good shepherd who cares for their needs after Topher’s songs. We also held two bible studies. The second one went very well, thank the Lord, but the first was a shocker.

Some ministries do not always go well. All the pastors were there for the first study, with maybe 10 ladies, and I was hoping to share a gospel message around Zacchaeus, who gave up all he had to gain Jesus. The message came across without the gospel I thought. I felt sorry for the ladies in the study because it seemed like a tax for them to listen. I think among it all I still want to be praised for my work and so even the ministry had become an idol for me. I was a bit downcast. But I want to write this because it may encourage someone. The truth is God knows I’m a poor missionary but he still looks at me through Jesus. I am stilled loved by him and am perfect because of Jesus’ work. Simply making that the point of joy and strength helps when trying and sometimes failing to uphold the name of Jesus well.

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Chris is preaching tomorrow, pray that the Lord would speak through him and the church would understand the truths he is sharing.

Thank the Lord that we were able to meet the physical needs of many children and pray the gospel message would be more satisfying to them.