Amy’s World Race Newsletter September 2010
Friends and Family,
Well, my first month
in the Philippines is over already! My team arrived safely in Malaysia several
days ago, and we are adjusting to the crazy city life. The little village we
were at in the Philippines was literally in the middle of the jungle. We went
to bed around 9:30pm and woke up around 6am. We walked everywhere because
everything was in walking distance. Malaysia is the complete opposite. We go to
bed around midnight or 1am and wake up around 8am. This country is very
advanced, and we’ve spent a lot of time traveling in vans and waiting in
traffic.
I am anxious to see
what God has in store for this month. Ever since I stepped foot in this
country, I have felt a level of intensity and an awareness of the Holy Spirit
like I have never felt before. I know God is going to do some powerful things
in my life and through my team this month.
The Philippines in a Nut Shell
Last month, the Lord began to show me how to live life abundantly for
Him. Whatever situation I was placed in, God taught me to embrace it. Whether
that was washing my dirty clothes in the river, sitting in a bamboo hut and
sharing life with women, deforesting the jungle in order to build a road to the
church, dancing in the rain while worshipping God despite the fact that all the
locals were staring, or playing goose-goose-duck (yes, they play it opposite of
Americans) with little children, the Lord continued to help me fully embrace
each situation.
God is also revealing
to me freedom in worship. I no longer care how ridiculous I look to others
while I am jumping, dancing, shouting praises, or falling on my knees before my
God. I am realizing more and more that I was created to worship God – that is my identity. I never want to hold
back anything from the Lord but want to offer my body as a living sacrifice.
When we first
arrived in the Philippines, the town seemed to be lacking in life. There were
not many people out and about, and the church had not seemed to take hold of
the abundant life Christ offers. By the end of our time there, people were
regularly hanging out near the basketball court in front of Pastor’s house. The
town came alive again.
A picture that will
forever be in my mind is all 400 members of the church clapping, cheering, and
shouting praises to Christ. We did a drama for the church on one of our last
days there that began with a girl being attacked by demons. Once the demons had
beaten the girl and pushed her to the ground, Jesus walked up the isle of the
church to where the demons were hovering over her. The demons placed Jesus on
the cross and pounded in the nails on His hands and feet. As the demons mocked
Jesus and reveled in their accomplishment, Jesus broke free from the cross and
the demons were immediately thrown to the ground. As Jesus picked up the girl
and walked down the isle of the church, the building erupted with praise for
Jesus’ victory over death. Such a beautiful image!
Update on My Financial Needs
Current Support
Amount: $11,210
Amount Needed: $3,090
Grand Total
Amount: $14,300
I am so grateful for
the Lord’s provision in this area! I have raised over $2,000 since my last
newsletter, which is a huge praise! I cannot thank you all enough for your
encouragement and support. You have blessed me more than you will ever know!
Prayer Requests
If you could
continue to pray for my team’s safety and for us to continually be unified, I
would really appreciate it. Please pray that the seeds that were planted in the
Filipinos hearts would foster and that their relationships with Christ would be
strengthened like never before. Pray that my team would continue to be opened
to the depth of the Holy Spirit and that we would be sensitive to God’s
leading.
I think of you all
often and hope this letter finds you well!
Much love,
Amy
