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!
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