Bittersweet goodbye.

  Saying goodbye to an amazing first month in the Philippines was bittersweet. We were so incrediably blessed by the people we got to work with and as much as it was hard to say good bye we have the comfort of knowing that there are mighty men and women of God still in Malaybalay serving diligently at these ministries doing Gods work.

  Our last visit to the jail was hard. Our time their was always limited but the relationships were built quickly and they were based soully on bringing the gosple. We are blessed to know that God has called Jodi(former world racer) to come back and work spicifically with them. I have specifc, personally handwritten prayer requests from each of these boys.God used us for a time to love these boys personally and now I can love them through prayer.

  Dear God, I just want to lift up each of these boys to you, God you hear their cries for their cases to be dismissed, for their families to be taken care of and for health, and Lord Jesus I just want to add to these prayers and just pray that each of them would know you in a personal and real way and begin to find their identity in you, that they would know that you paid the ultimate price to fogive them of their sins and that there is nothing to big or to small for you to fogive. God that they would know that you created each of them with a plan and a purpose that your love is unconditional. God that there is a hope for their future and that you are just waiting with arms wide open. Amen

  Saying goodbye to the kids at the childrens home was also a challenge. The last night with them they did a play for us and sang for us. All I could think was how beautiful and talented each of them are but that none of them had a parent(s) in the crowd for them to wave at or to look over and see the proud look on their face. But I did see how much God loved each one of them to bring them to the childrens home and provide for their needs. We wrote each of them letters, so each kid got 24 personal letters, they were so excitied about them. Then we all woke up early to send them off to school with our goodbyes and thanks to my team mate, Theresa, brillent idea we did like a tunnel for them and cheered and hugged each kid as they got in the van so it was more of a celebration. I am glade to say that these kids are surronded by wonderful christian caregivers, and a pastor who does devotions twice a day, they are in a very loving and supportive environment .

  God I just want to pray for each of those children, God I pray that they know that they have a father in hevean that loves them and will never leave them. I thank you so much for the wonderful God fearing caregivers you have given them. I thank you for providing a safe place for each of them. God I just pray that they grow up to be mighty men and women of God. That they can use their story of how you rescued them to further your kingdom. I pray that you would continue to keep them safe and healthy and that you would continue to provide for their needs. God that they would know that they are sons and daughters of the most high and they have been createf for a purpose. God just love them – Amen.

  The last time we got to hang out with the gangsta’s was amazing and hard. Seeing these young boys and girls just so desperate for love and only being able to provide a glimps of the love we have experienced from our own families but more importantly from God. They gave some of us gifts to remember them by each with so much meaning from their favorite teddy bear to bracelts to t-shirts to a monkey skull. We had an opportunity to pray with some of the leaders and just speak life and truth into them. We know that they are in good hands with pastor Richard who has devoted his life to bring Gods love to these gangsta’s.

  So God right now we just lift up the gangsta’s to you, God we ask for personal and real encounters with you, we pray for salvation. God we just pray for healing of relationships and for hearts of forgiveness. God we pray for boldness and courage amoung them to step out and make that change in their lives to become God fearing men and women. God we just declear that they will begin to change the city of Malaybalay from the inside out, that they will become missionarys in their own city. God we thank you for providing them with such an amazing pastor who has been obediant to your calling to minister to the gangstas, God we just pray that you would give him strength and resources. That you would protect him and provide for him, God that he would continue to hear your voice loud and clear and that you would bless his faithfulness. Amen

  Then there were all the contacts we had throughout the month for the various different ministries. Jeremy and Sarah Moody, our gracious contacts at family faith childrens home who welcomed us all, set up ministries for us, let us drive their vehicles and just helped bridge the gap between the american and fillipino cultures. Donald our driver, trourist guide, go to man and just an amazing friend.Pastor Larry and aunty Belin the amazing couple who seemed to love each of the children as their own and just generally run the childrens home, giving so much of their time . Nana Seata, the lovely lady who cooked for us and prepared the food for our feeding ministries. Benhard, Juvey, Jake and Renaldo the men who preached at the jail every week, played huge roles in the church and just became wonderful friends to all. Then all the moms at the childrens home who love and care for the children 24/7. Thank you all for being a huge part of an amazing month.

  God we just lift up each of these wonderful contacts that we had in Malaybalay, that you would bless them abundantly for their servants hearts. That you would just be their strength when they are weary, that you would bless them with times of rest and refreshment. God that you would just bless them with community and fellowship that they would feel encouraged and supported. Thank you God for each and everyone of them, for the blessing they were to me.

  I pray that God continues to wreck me every month, that I would never leave a month unchanged.