Hello from the Philippines!
I am so incredibly excited for this month, we have two HUGE ministry opportunities! The first is in a small village named Balabag, near Bacolod City. We happen to be the first American’s to EVER visit this village and the first to do missions work here as well. Our team of 13 has been assigned to lay the groundwork for future missionaries and helping to plant a church in only 3 weeks! What that involves is spending mornings mapping out the entire village and the surrounding maze of sugarcane and rice fields, making introductions, and evangelizing all along the way. In the evenings we host some pickup games of basketball and sing songs/play with the children in the village center. The first night we had over 70 villagers either join in or watch along, the villagers said that this kind of gathering has not ever happened in this community before. All of this is paving the way for a church that is going to be built on the land we are tenting on now.
This part of the ministry, reaching new areas, has been a passion I didn’t realize I had until now. Getting all of my water from a bucket dropped into a well and living in a tent has been actually quite enjoyable for me as well (but as you may know, camping is kind of my thing). Getting to make friendships over a drink with a shopkeeper or being the “white giant” guy playing basketball with the men and boys in the village has been highlights as well. The best part is getting to share the Hope of Jesus all along the way!
FOR THE BIGGEST NEWS
In the Philippines, Americans are generally very loved and popular. This second place we get to, as my friend Jose would put it, “leverage our influence.” That influence this month gives my entire squad and I a giant platform to share the gospel on a scale I have only dreamed of. In the nearby city of Bacolod, leaders of the schools middle school through college have, allowed us to put on an event to reach 15,000 students, which is THE LARGEST evangelical event that this city has EVER seen!
This event will be taking place on the 17th, 20th, and 21st of this month, so please be in prayer for my squad and I, as we preach the gospel and build relationships with these people. The culture is very traditional and the men mostly preach… which means with only 9 other guys on my squad I am doing my fair share of praying for wisdom and sermon writing. The fact that I have only preached one time before now has been a little overwhelming at first, but that may be the best part! How, you may ask?
In my weakness He is strong! I get to experience what the Apostle Paul spoke about when He presented the gospel, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. – 1 Cor. 2:4-5”
Please be in prayer for me as I carry out the work God has called me to here in Balabag and in Bacolod City. Those of you who know me, know I love to talk. However in front of large crowds delivering the gospel is much different for me. This is very far out of my comfort zone. I know that this is much bigger than me or an ability in public speaking, it will depend solely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray for ears to hear, open hearts, and for God to show up in a big way!
Since I am not in the city often, internet is very difficult to find. So if you try to contact me I will do my best to respond as soon as I can. Any wisdom, encouragement, or whatever is on your heart you have to share, please email me at any time!
Also, for those of you who were praying for me while I had food poisoning last month I have had a complete recovery! God is doing so much more than I could ever imagine here and in my heart He is showing me such powerful lessons of humility, value, love, and initiation right now.
Thank you so much for all your love and prayers! You are such a valuable part of this ministry!
Yours in Christ,
Andy
