Can't Say Anything Else But - God Is So Good!

God is so good! Seriously, I have just gotten off my knees praising God and all I could say during that prayer was "God you are so good". I tried expressing it in a different way, I tried to think of things I could say to descibe His goodness, but I couldn't . I just kept saying "God you are so good" over and over and over again.

During my last post, I had expressed some of the struggles during my trip here in Canada. Discouragement and a lot of worrying and anxiousness... but when it all clicked, when I chose to believe that God is good despite all the things around me telling me otherwise, His faithfullness just flowed through.

I am on the second night of my fundraising concert. There has been so many people who gave their money and time to come, I am so blessed by them. I even have one guy coming for all three nights! Money aside, this project has just given me the opportunity to share God with people. People have been so responsive.

I had also received some news from the Philippines and about the new apartment I will be moving into. Everything has been provided for - for free! Fridge, tv, bed, sheets, comforter, washing machine, microwave and more!! I am blown away! All I have to buy is a curtain rod, curtain and electric fan!

Doors are opening, opportunities and projects are being offered to me. A couple of weeks ago, I felt lost and scared. It is so true that God will only bring you as far as you let Him bring you. In my way of thinking - if I thought that He wasn't almighty, if He wasn't going to provide for me... He couldn't have blessed me as much as He has so far.

What else can I say? Except that - God Is So Good!

When Things Don't Go As Planned

So I have been in Canada for a couple of weeks now, and I will be going back to the Philippines in less than two weeks! Time is flying by so fast. Things have definately not gone the way I had envisioned it to be. Not that I had any big plans - just priorities, but even some of those didn't push through. My cousin told me something funny the other day that really made me think. She said: "Do you know how to make God laugh?" and of course, I said "No, how?" and she said "Show Him your plans!". That definitely made me laugh, because it is so true! We make all these plans for ourselves, thinking that they are God's plans too. Not that there is anything wrong with making plans - because it says in His word that a wise person makes plans. But sometimes when things don't go our way we think God has left us or is punishing us... or we doubt Him. Which I guess is natural, after all, we are human. The truth is though, is that God has the perfect blueprint for our lives - now, there are going to be hills and valleys, but He will always be in control because He has planned every little detail. Let's not forget his promise in Jeremiah 29:11.

I guess I have had to meditate on that for the past couple of weeks. There has been some things that have really discouraged me, really challenged me. I am definitely out of my comfort zone and not in my element. When it comes down to it, it's all a battle of the mind - what I choose to believe about myself and about God. Don't get me wrong, I am so blessed with this trip. I get to spend time with my family and friends, and have rest among other things.

I guess all I have really been able to do here is spend time with people - talk to them. I have just met so many different kinds of people, so many different Christians, with different convictions and levels of understanding. I have learned so much by just listening and not even verbilizing my opinions or thoughts. There have also been people who God has brought into my life at this time to minister to - who ask me questions and want know more about God. It amazes me how He would use me when I feel so weak. It makes me realize how unworthy I am and how richly blessed at the same time. It's so true that it will glorify Him more to use us when we in and of ourselves are not capable - because it's about Him and his capabilities, not ours.

I don't know what is in store for me in the next week and a half I have left here in Canada - or for the next year in the Philippines for that matter! It is scary if I really think about it. But I guess the point is - I am not supposed to know those things. I am not supposed to know what my blueprint looks like. I am not supposed to know when a hill or valley will be coming up. That's for Him to know and for me to rely on Him more for. Through this, He will reveal himself more to me - His grace, His faithfullness, His love, His power... His personality! That's what I am looking forward to, that's what makes me excited for what is up ahead. It's not going to be easy, but through good and bad - there's something new I will learn about Him, something new to love Him more for.

Tacloban Trip - February 2007

Just got back last week from Tacloban, it was absolutely amazing! Ever since I went there last year, 2006 for a mission trip, I have always had a burden to go back. I know that I am a missionary here in the Philippines, but I never thought of going anywhere by myself for a mission. During the prayer and fasting at church last January, it was really impressed in my heart to go on mission trips all over the Philippines - to make a long story short, Tacloban is one of the places I was told to go.

The plan was to start an outreach bible study group, create a discipleship program to help in raising leaders in the faith and to link these people to a local church. I had no idea how I was going to do this.... but of course, God had a plan. He continually opened door after door for me during this trip! I even got to share with a variety of people from different walks of life - from men, women, young, old, foreigners locals, rich and poor. So many people were eager to hear about the word of God. Although not all these people accepted Jesus into their lives, I am confident that a seed had been planted - and God will take care of the rest.

I organized a bible study to take place every second night while I was there. Every night of bible study, more than likely someone new would arrive and would receive salvation. Amazing! I did one2one (a discipleship booklet designed to help follow up new believers start right in their walk with God) with most of the girls who attended - even did one in Tagalog! Truly, God can use your weakness for His glory! Afterwards, I was in awe of God`s goodness, I could`t believe He would use me to share His word in a language I had such difficulty speaking! It all just came out of my mouth.. and as I was speaking it - in my head I am shocked at myself... it definitely was not me! Haha.

For those who showed a lot of promise and passion for the teachings, I trained them to do one2one with others as well as facilitate the bible study on their own so as to continue when I left. I was so blessed by one of these girls, her name is Jelah. Almost every day she would come to the house hungry for more of God`s word, hungry to learn about discipleship and evangelism. She spoke of wanting to be used mightily for God`s Kingdom.. and I have no doubt in my mind that God will use her. In fact, when I did the one2one booklet with her (it`s 12 sessions) - she already had people lined up for her to do one2one with. All she was waiting for was for me to do the rest of the sessions with her.

My last Sunday there I brought all the girls to a church called Tacloban Bible Community. TBC is an evangelistic, bible believing church. There were so many things that happened during the trip - so many revelations, so many blessings, so many things that I learned... and I wish I could share it all with all of you. I am happy that I had accomplished everything that God has asked me to do in Tacloban.. but I know I need to go back in the following months to follow up on the progress, as well there were so many other people who had shown interest but were not able to participate.

I just want to thank those who supported this trip through financial giving and prayers. Thank you for being willing to be used to further His kingdom! I am so excited to find out about all the things God has planned for those in Tacloban, as well as the other trips I will be going on this year. Make sure to check out the pictures on the "Photo Album" section of my multiply... there's also a video of my little six year old cousin doing One2One in the "Video" section, it's so cute! God's grace was truly magnified for me on this trip! I hope you were encouraged by what you have read and that He was glorified. God bless you!