Dear brothers and sisters, my team in ministry and friends,
As we journey through life daily, there is no shortage of ways in which God is at work. How amazing it is to see that when God makes a difference in our lives, He can also use us to make a difference for others. This happens anywhere, anytime. Whether in the kitchen or dining tables of our respective homes, or in rural villages of Tanzania, or in the heart of the Philippines’ biggest prison, in the youth camps, medical missions or in the outreaches on top of the mountains in Bicol, Philippines, miracles keep happening. He is there. People’s lives are being changed. And I continue to praise God as I see His children participating in His work! Seeing men, women and children together in service, I cannot help but say, “Wow!”
As I write, my legs are still a bit sore from the full weekend of hiking. We got the chance to visit one outreach in Magallanes, Sorsogon which is one hour by plane from Manila to Legazpi city, and about 3 hours drive from the Legazpi airport. Driving through those winding roads can be dizzying, but the sights are simply gorgeous. The panoramic views, the sight of rocky crags in mountain cliffs and more are simply breathtaking, figuratively and literally!
But even more amazing is how God is able to communicate His wonderful word through our brethren so that it gets heard by those people at the top of the hills. We visited Magallanes, Sorsogon last Saturday, June 6. This place had several landslides and flooding in recent months due to heavy rains. While talking with Nestor Emoto, one of our volunteer christian workers, he casually said: “We wish and pray that God would give us a horse, so that it would be easier to climb those steep slopes every week,” as he pointed to the nearby hills. Hearing it from a man who is getting close to 60 years old, we can understand why. But with or without the horse, he and his wife Anita and daughter, are committed to doing it.
I also saw the impact that our husband-and-wife team of Genesis and Leny Berdin is making in the lives of poor village dwellers through their weekly feeding for children along with Bible studies. For me, knowing that this is coming from volunteers is a source of deep inspiration.
On Sunday morning, as we drove towards Cotmon church in Polanggui, Albay, it began to rain. As we continued to drive, the rain got stronger. We did not have umbrellas, so I asked: “Are we sure we can go to the top of the mountain today in the rain?” To my surprise, I heard from Mr. Elpidio Reyes, one of our church workers: “We have done it several times.” That settled it.
When we arrived at the foot of the mountain, the rain stopped but still we could see water flowing downhill on the dirt road. Thus began our uphill climb to the church hall which is called: “Mountain of the Lord’s House Fellowship.” It took us about 30 minutes on foot to get up there.
Outside of the hall we saw a few brethren waving at us as we approached, but when we got inside the hall it is almost full-packed with about 70 people who were waiting for us, and singing a few praise songs. The worship service included three powerful testimonies about the power of God at work in their lives, and how thankful they were for people whom God sent to care for them. One of them said that they have been married for almost 25 years, and this was their first time to get hold of the Bible. Manuel, one of the youth, confessed about the many temptations confronting a young person like him, but showed how his life changed because of God and the loving care that he received from our workers. Candid, personal, and spontaneous, they were very powerful testimonies of how God can serve people and how He can transform their lives!
After the worship service and about 30 minutes of counseling for about a dozen people, we went ahead for the baptism of 9 people. Because of personal circumstances, two of them got baptized in a drum, and the other 7 chose to be baptized in a natural spring at the river bed, which was another 2-kilometer walk. This spring was also around 2000 feet lower than where the church hall was. For me, the walk downhill in that slippery road was more challenging. But the sore legs were nothing compared to the joy and encouragement of God in and through his people making a difference.
I write this personal as a means of thanksgiving for our team of bi-vocational pastors, for our hundreds of volunteers in the Philippines who are placed in different situations but who let nothing stop them from sharing their lives where they discover where God can work in and through them. This is also an open invitation to those looking for many exciting opportunities to serve the Lord both in prayers, material support, and many other involvements. By sharing our skills and strengths, we participate in what God is doing. We are able to join a meaningful chain of change. That change includes us. Our perspectives are changed and broadened, our hearts are changed, and in many ways our lives are revived! Let us join God where He is working. Make a difference. Volunteer. We would be blessed to have more of you in our team. For whatever it takes, it is He who provides, and in every outcome, to Him be the glory!
