Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Girl Day with the Pastors' Wives!
On this very special day, the women of the team took the wives of the pastors out for a day of shopping. Sherlynn, Claudia, Brooke, Janene and Cherre' picked up the wives one by one. Sherlynn and Claudia explained to the women that they were to be given 2,000 Pesos to spend on anything, as long as it was for them! The women were elated and these women instantaneously turned into young giggling girls again. They began to sing worship songs, clapping thier hands, and began to speak of the things that they might buy. It was so sweet to see these women who sacrifice everything they have of themselves, have the opportunity to be lavished with love and attention. After a wonderful afternoon of buying clothes, shoes and accessories, the team including the Men, regrouped for lunch at McDonalds!A fancy treat for these women who normally cook all thier meals from scrap over a coal burning stove. After our meal we dropped the ladies and all thier new treasures at thier homes and said goodnight.
Church Hopping
Today we went and visited all ten of the pastors' churches. Pastor Aguido managed to fit all 9 team members into the back of his truck, as they made their way into the remote barrios of Anda. Some churches in the open rice fields of Anda, some hidden away in the remote jungles, and others lining small fishing towns near the shore. Every single church had a need. Some lacked walls, roofs, windows, floors, lighting fixtures, and more. Some of the churches could hardly be called a building because of the devastating destruction the typhoon caused. However, there was one thing that every church did maintain, the Love and the Hope of Jesus Christ. The walls that withstood the storms "coincidently" were the walls with painted scripture on them. These people have built their hearts upon a solid foundation found in Jesus, and no matter how horrible the storm, no matter how traumatic the situation, their faith withstands. Similarly to our own personal lives, when we build our lives on the promises of God, our lives may be shaken and disfigured, but never beyond repair. God will always repair, restore and revive us during our times of need.
At every church the team was greeted by the Pastor and the pastor's wife. A cold "sparkle" soda, rice cake and small meal was offered upon arrival. We would then receive a tour around the land, and then gathered inside each sanctuary to pray for the church body and every soul that might enter through its doors.
At one of the churches, Sherlynn,Joseph and Cherre' were able to pray for a 81 year old man who was laying on his death bed. He had not eaten for 3 days and all his organs were slowly shutting down. On the open bamboo bed, Sherlynn laid her hands on him and delivered him the message of the Gospel. She lovingly explained to him the urgency to accept Christ as his Lord and savior, and the promise of a life in heaven, with Jesus and also his wife who had passed away just months before. With a few exasperated answers and nods of his head, he accepted Christ into his heart. Two days later we were informed that are beloved friend had passed away, and made his way home to meet Jesus. If not for Sherlynns boldness and care for this man’s acceptance of Jesus Christ, as he lay just days from death, He would have missed out on a eternity in heaven with the Father. It's as if the Lord was keeping him alive long enough to have His daughter Sherlynn come and bring his dying son home. Praise the Lord for his grace and mercy. Another church held the mute and immobile daughter of a pastor. For 25 years she could neither speak or walk. The pastor, her father, explained that she brought him more joy than any other person on this earth. Whenever he was low and contrite in spirit, the pastor would pick up his daughter, and in return lift his spirit. The pastor's love as a father perfectly demonstrates the love that our eternal Father has for us. Though incapable of moving, and at a loss of words, our father picks us up, blessing us and by our praise and gratitude, we bless the Father.
At every church the team was greeted by the Pastor and the pastor's wife. A cold "sparkle" soda, rice cake and small meal was offered upon arrival. We would then receive a tour around the land, and then gathered inside each sanctuary to pray for the church body and every soul that might enter through its doors.
At one of the churches, Sherlynn,Joseph and Cherre' were able to pray for a 81 year old man who was laying on his death bed. He had not eaten for 3 days and all his organs were slowly shutting down. On the open bamboo bed, Sherlynn laid her hands on him and delivered him the message of the Gospel. She lovingly explained to him the urgency to accept Christ as his Lord and savior, and the promise of a life in heaven, with Jesus and also his wife who had passed away just months before. With a few exasperated answers and nods of his head, he accepted Christ into his heart. Two days later we were informed that are beloved friend had passed away, and made his way home to meet Jesus. If not for Sherlynns boldness and care for this man’s acceptance of Jesus Christ, as he lay just days from death, He would have missed out on a eternity in heaven with the Father. It's as if the Lord was keeping him alive long enough to have His daughter Sherlynn come and bring his dying son home. Praise the Lord for his grace and mercy. Another church held the mute and immobile daughter of a pastor. For 25 years she could neither speak or walk. The pastor, her father, explained that she brought him more joy than any other person on this earth. Whenever he was low and contrite in spirit, the pastor would pick up his daughter, and in return lift his spirit. The pastor's love as a father perfectly demonstrates the love that our eternal Father has for us. Though incapable of moving, and at a loss of words, our father picks us up, blessing us and by our praise and gratitude, we bless the Father.
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