It’s such a joy and encouragement to be in the Philippines as the year has turned. While we ushered in the New Year with fireworks, I’m confident to say that the Lord has something NEW for this year as well. I’m speaking in particularly towards the Philippine nation itself. For many years now the Philippines have been a country that receive missionaries. I have friends that had missionary grandparents here and there is a school that has been established over 50 years specifically for missionary children. There are even exceptions for missionaries in having to not get a Philippine Alien Employment Permit. The concept of foreign missionaries coming to the Philippines isn’t a new and seems to be widely accepted and received. After all these years of being the country ministered to the atmosphere is changing! I can recognize it, it’s a sense when talking with Philippine brothers and sisters in Christ. In their hearts there is such a passion, joy, excitement, and willingness to serve, different than any of the other countries we’ve gone to. They have been poured into for generations and are now willing to go out and share the Love and Freedom of life in Jesus Christ.
The first Sunday we were here a group of us went directly next door to the community church, Jesus Christ Church in the Valley. The service was similar in order to that of a contemporary service in America. The language barrier was interesting (as always). There wasn’t an interpreter, but a variety of English words were intermixed along with the Bible verse references. After church Sarah and I met a lady who to our surprise is answering a call to serve Czech Republic through SEND International! She and her family of 5 are going to be the first missionaries from their church. Later in the week I also found out that a group of teens from that same church will be doing a mission trip to one of the remote Philippine villages. The departure dates are dependent on the Lord’s provision, but guesstimated departure for the family is in April and the teens in May. This is a big deal as raising funds in Philippines is most often like receiving from the widow who gave her last coin.
It’s not just myself that is excited about the Filipinos becoming missionaries. This past Sunday a group of us attended a conference called Re-Ignite hosting Heidi Baker. For those of you who aren’t familiar, she is a missionary in Mozambique who has had hundreds of healings and miracles happen with the orphan children she cares for. 
She shared a vision of chariots of fire spreading the gospel and love of Christ, driving these chariots were the Filipino people. She gave some stats about how there are 15 million Filipinos working in other countries doing domestic serves. (I remembered seeing many out on Sunday nights in Hong Kong) She encouraged and edified their servant hearts and ability to love, challenging them to take what’s already happening and expand on it. At the end of the conference she asked all that were willing to give their life to go out and love the nations to come to the front. Before she even finished masses of people were filling the front of the stage and aisles to be commissioned as a missionary.
I have been greatly encouraged and blessed to be able to see the spiritual maturing of a country!
