As Michael and I adjust and become more involved, our dreams for our lives continue to get bigger an bigger.
We would love to continue working here while getting our degrees. Michael pursuing a degree in education, and me in medical. Our dream is to continue in the ministries we are involved in and continue to train for the ministries to come. We are so excited about the prospect and continually praying about it. For Gods provision and for him to make it clear to us what his will is.
Last Friday we went to a new location to reach out to the girls. The first few weeks involve sitting back and observing as it is dangerous out there. This specific location is amid squatters homes and therefor it heightens the danger. We hang around the outskirts; walking and praying. We had the privilege of meeting 6 beautiful girls, all of which have a tragic story. Several of them were over the age of 22 and had only completed up to 4th grade in school. They dream of an education, but look at us unbelieving when we say they can still get one. As Pastor William says, "for a Filipino to believe it, they must see it." Until we form bonds with them and they see that we are who we say we are, they will not believe us. It is to "impossible" for them. They think, "why would you care about me?" We walked away that night excited. God had most certainly blessed our outing. We had 6 new girls to pray for by name and the following Friday would return to see them again. We got home and talked about each one and lifted them up in prayer. God will capture their hearts. We will claim that victory!
(We also are working with Pastora Mercy on setting up a system to sponsor these girls education. Lord willing it will take off and achieve a lot of success! It is certainly a project covered in prayer and committed to God.)
Our preparations for Christmas parties continue. We are planning one here in Navotas for the children and one in Paradise. (The slums) We are expecting at least 100 kids in Paradise and are hoping to feed them, have prizes, and send each child home with food and a gift.
Michael and I have been assigned fundraising as we need about 10,500 pesos. (Around $233.00) We are praying about it! We believe that God will answer our prayers for these little ones! We are so excited to see how God provides and works in these children's lives.
Metro Kids has also been a huge success. Every Friday we team up with Metro Kids and walk around Navotas handing out fliers to the children for Sidewalk Sunday School the following day. Come Saturday morning at 8:00 am, hundreds of kids come to sit and listen to a message about who Jesus is and how much he loves them. The parents are also witnessed to during that time. Michael and I have been training along with several others to begin speaking at these events. Our last hurdle (hopefully accomplished this week) is learning several things in Tagalog to convey to the kids. I have no doubt that we can accomplish this! But prayers are appreciated! We end by sending the children home with bread to fill their tummy's! It is an exciting event for us as we look forward to spending time with the kids and talking to them about Jesus.
One of Michael and my biggest dreams is to get a team from Boise out here for a week or two to participate in these ministries and do a few more things. Specifically a medical team; just a team to apply salve and band aides and kiss boo-boos. We pray for it constantly. That our friends and family can come out here and understand why our hearts are so passionate for these people. We are excited to see what the Lord brings!
We definitely miss everyone back home, but feel we are where God wants us.
Prayer needs:
- For the young adults attending college here to obtain the funding they need
- Each one of the girls we have met, and all of the ones we have not
- Its Friday night and we head out in a few hours. Pray for our trip to see the girls!
- Our Church here in Navotas
- For all the ministries I have mentioned
- For all of the outreach work being done in the Philippines
- Our health
- Funding for us and the ministries
- FOR OUR DOGS TO SLEEP AT NIGHT!
- Learning the language and adjusting to the culture
- God's protection
Pictures of the walk to Paradise Village
Paradise
Metro Kids
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| (Handing out bread) |
