We have been here in Bohol, which is an island here in the Philippines. It has been amazing to say the least thus far. Last Saterday evening we arived and met up with our local contact. Later that night he called us and asked if one of would speak the following morning. I agreed to do it and went right to work on what I might say, I ended up writting everything out and then headed to bed. Oh, our contact called at like 9:30 p.m. that night I went to bed at like 2:00 a.m. by the way lol. I went to bed praying that God just speak through me and it be his message. I wasn’t to sure about it as it needed to be at least 30 to 40 minutes long and I had never spoke for that long before, on purpose.
Well after everything was said and done every one told me that I did well, still not to sure about that. I found myself speaking on our identity and acceptance in Christ. It was about how when we accept Christ that from that moment on Christ is in us and there are a number of things that are now wiped away. Like, how God no longer sees our imperfection, He sees Christ perfection. As well as how it is because of Christ’s perfection that we are accepted and that apart from Christ we could never messure up. I gave a breif testamony on my life as well and talked about how I have found my identity in Christ. I no longer let the “world” tell me who I am. I look to God and His perfect word and He has told me who I am, a child of the Almighty God, forgiven and free, co-heir in Christ with Christ, I have been trasformed the old has gone and the new has come and I now stand a new creation forgiven and accepted before my God.
On monday we went to our contacts office where we were told what our options were for our time here. They are letting us chose which ministry we want to work with this month and there are several to pick from. The first day I ended up working with a guy oddly enough who used to be a corrections officer like myself. As it turns out we have alot in common, this Sunday we will be going to the local jail and playing basket ball with the guys there. I am excited to get plugged into the jail ministry here. This week however I have been giving out rice at a local community church and for most of the week have been working with our conacts medical team. Everyone has been and will be split up into pairs for most of the month. Emily Young and I have been taking peoples “bp” (blood pressure), getting information from them for the doctor and praying for them.
Needless to say this first week here has really shown me some things. I can’t thank God enough for this huge blessing and honor He has given me. I pray that He continues to use me however He sees fit. Thank you all for your prayers and support I am draing nearer to my goal of being fully supported I am so close right now but still have another roughly $3,500 to go. So please I am so close and am in need of our continued support and prayer. Thank you all for every thing you are doing for me, but praise be to God for evything He has done for all of us. I love you all and will get more info back to you all as soon as possible. With love your brother in Christ,
Eric
