Cebu, Philippines

Cebu was very humbling and exciting time of growth in ministry.  I’m learning many things by allowing God to be the center of my life. 

Evidence of my faith is shown through my daily encounters. I "love that which is holy, and hate evil”, Psalm 97:10.  I am experiencing genuine Christianity everyday. I know I have been forever changed by the free gift of God.  I live a radical Christian lifestyle everyday onboard the Logos Hope. Others can see this by my works and attitude I show them.  I want to run to the top of the hill in wave my banner for the Kingdom of God, Matthew 5:14&16, Isaiah 60:1.  My love for God grows stronger everyday.

My love for children and community development continues to grow as I love working with the locals and sharing with them new things about my culture and vice versa.  It is amazing to see God working in me and through me.  I’m always challenged in a sea of spiritual growth to remember to continually do the simple things, acknowledging God as Holy, regarding Him with utmost respect (to fear God is to a reverential trust for God) and knowing everything is dependent on Him; I’m always being mindful of His Glory by keeping a kingdom perspective. There are many was to do this, the most common are through worship and our adoration.  By giving praise to our Father our Creator and Sustainer; living a constant faithful lifestyle that is pleasing to God. 

Ministry Day 1.18.12

This day would change my attitude for the future.  I’m so thankful for what I have.  This day was amazing in every way.  I want to thank God for letting me experience such poverty. 

In my studies I learned about slums and people who were stuck in a life with little hope of escaping poverty, but experiencing it first hand is so much more than studying about it.  We started our ministry day by going to an orphanage, Christ for Asia.  At the orphanage we we’re able to connect well with several of the orphans and play with them while preparing for the evening activities. 

The orphanage houses a boys and girls home of about 100 kids from 4 to adult age; also part of the ministry is to feed those in the community who cannot feed themselves.  A group of six of us prepared a meal for the many mouths in the Philippians that otherwise would have gone hungry that night.  We served a local dished that required a lot of preparation, but we knocked it out quickly amongst all the volunteers, (there were several others working with us from the orphanage).  After the meal was prepared we planned to go to 2 sites to distribute the food to the hungry.

We as a group from Logos Hope live onboard a ship that has everything a typical household would have.  It’s like camp but on water and we move all around the world connecting with the local community.  What I’m trying to say is that we have “our bubble” the ship and don’t experience much of the true culture until we step off the gangway and embrace it.  We don’t see the real aspects of life because we’re not there long enough for the people to open up to us to see it.  Busy working onboard sometimes forgetting I ever left home.  Going through the local orphanage we were able to see things only few outsiders encounter; although the poverty is everywhere in the Philippians.  This was on another level. 

For the next several hours we embraced the young Filipino kids and shared with them our love.  We played, kissed, and hugged on these kids who had little to nothing.  Some barely were clothed some were not clothed.  We did a drama, sang songs, told Jesus stories and more all with a joyful heart and laughing with them.  I connected well with the kids and loved the whole thing, realizing maybe this would be something God would have me direct in the future. 

After we feed the kids we played with them a bit longer before we left to go to our next site.  This was near center city and was very chaotic part of town if you could imagine.  (Another part of the Filipino culture is that it is very chaotic.  They have few traffic lights and that makes for chaos getting through an intersection.)  There was a group of homeless men at this site and several kids.  Again we played games doing sport and face paint and such.  I connected with the kids but also well with the men.  We gave a lesson to the men and more, I was able to talk with one of the men inviting to the ship the next day.  This was an awesome experience as I could feel a strong connection with him and could sense the Holy Spirit moving.  As he came to the ship I gave him a shirt and a Bible in the local language.  This was so cool! I invited one of the volunteers to pray and talk to this guy.  It felt amazing, I tell you God is doing great things. 

Christmas All Over, Again

Christmas in Singapore is going to be amazing.  I’ve already gotten a small taste of the culture and was able to give them a dose of mine. 

I was told before arriving, Singapore will be much busier than the previous ports.  Singapore has many local contacts that are like family to the ship.  GBA Ships has been to Singapore 30+ times and has a strong relationship with the people, and the Dulous was decommissioned here (former GBA Ship) a couple of years ago.  The last few days have been spent working hard in the galley preparing the food for on-board events and the crew.  I find this is a never ending challenge, everyone needs to eat sometimes more than once too.  The compliments I get for my hard work are very inspiring.    Plus…

Grilling 120 steaks at once, that's a real man's grill

Work in the galley has been exciting, though working long hours I’m enjoying getting to know my shift better.  We recently lost 2 steppers (10 week program) and gained 2 more steppers.  The 2 that left were English speakers and communicated very well; the 2 new steppers are from South Korea and speak very little English.  This is going to be a struggle so please pray in regards to communication and building relationships within my shift.  Also pray for N. Korea as they have a new dictator since the death of their former leader, (Dec 19).  I’ve developed a new passion for Koreans leaning some of their language and developing a relationship with the ones in the catering department. 

Church Day in Singapore I spoke with others from the ship to a local youth group

The first few nights in Singapore, Logos Hope hosted a performance, “International Night”.  This is where the crew shows off their passions and cultural diversity.  I was able to perform swing dance on stage with 6 other couples from all over the world.  (It’s amazing to see how much an impact America has on the rest of the world, swing dance is only 1 way.)  The finale was amazing too.  All performers danced to the beat of an African choir and sang their cool song.  The whole crowd was on the feet and dancing.  What an amazing day and way to start my time in Singapore. 

American Swing dancers hangin out after the show

Prayer and Praise

Hebrews 6, That I am and will remain anchored in God’s steadfast love, compassion, mercy, and grace.

Lamentations 3, The Lord’s love never ceases, therefore we can put all our hope in Him.

                I’ve been having an amazing time in missions with the Logos Hope.  God is really challenging and teaching me these first few months.  He always continues to amaze. 

                Working with the crew has proven to be very challenging.  Challenges brought through culture and communications mainly but also relationally with Him too.  It’s kind of like the cross Kasey uses for the youth (FBCM youth leader). 

 You see how the arrows point.  The two arrows running horizontally are a representation of our relationships here on Earth, and the other how we connect with God vertically.  With culture there is always a conflict with over 40 different nationalities represented.  It seems every time you open your mouth you offend someone.  Next, communications, this seems to be a problem no matter how well you know the culture.  I know this something I saw a major problem with in some areas of my life back home.

                With these challenges I’ve come to find the only way through these challenges is through the many juicy fruits’ of Spirit, Galations 5:22.  If we want to continue to have a vital relationship with God we need to stay in step with the Spirit.  Just praying for others and myself to have God rain these fruits down on us and have them represented in our actions has been very satisfying. God's love is relentless. 

                I’ve seen so many answers to prayer too.  It’s been a great blessing to see God at work!  

PRAYER UPDATE: PORT KLANG

          God has been so faithful in answering my prayers.  I’m thankful for all He is doing.  I had another great ministry day.  There was a group of four of us that went to a local church for our ministry day with the kids. 

            We had to be extremely flexible!  When we arrived we were told by the captain of the brigade, that we would be teaching the boys and girls together.  Before arrival we were told we would be working in separate groups, male & female.  Last second we combined the two plans to form a great lesson for the boys and girls.  They were a wonderful bunch of munchkins.  We played several fun games, did a drama, and I gave the lesson.  Everything went smoothly as this was my first event as leader.  Being a leader is tough because everything falls on your shoulders. 

PRAYER REQUEST:

·         I will lead another ministry day soon. Pray that I’ll be able to demonstrate a good example of a humble servant.  I’ll be leading those that have been on-board for awhile know.  Pray that we’ll all get along and our ministry day will go smoothly. 

·         I’ve been praying for challenges in my life as I know through adversity you grow the most.  I’ve also been praying for stronger communication skills as I felt weaker than most in this area.  I’ve been challenged in many ways since joining the ship; specifically.

o   Workplace – communications (leader doesn’t understand much English)

o   Roommates – tight room amongst 4 men can be a little dirty. Pray for good attitudes too. 

o   PST Penang – (this is the group I arrived to the ship with), Pray that I’ll be able to continue to develop strong friendships within this group.  I’ve been leading a prayer meeting every Sunday night.

o   Crew – Pray for humility, joy, and servitude for the rest of the crew.

·         Pray for strength, perseverance, joy, passion, love, friendships, and humility

Praises:

·         Praise God I’ve been able to lead and have great ministry opportunities.  Many days on-board we’re able to wander down to the book-fair and share the love of Christ with the nationals that are constantly visiting. 

·         I’ve been having a great time on-board in Malaysia

·         I’ve made many new friends amongst the crew and nationals

I MADE IT TO THE SHIP, THE LOGOS HOPE SHIP

God is good all the time!  I’m so thrilled that I headed the call to do missions overseas.  The decision to commit my life to missions was difficult at first but I knew I was called.  Because we’re all called it just a matter of, what capacity? and where?

My first year was spent doing training in the classrooms with Wycliffe, JAARS, OM and Logos Hope.  Now I’ve finally made it to the point when I’m actually doing my ministry.  I love it but realize the classroom is always there; the classroom of life is always in session. 

The first few weeks of ministry are very key to starting many good relationships with people, but what many and myself didn’t think of as how our ministrys’ didn’t start when we got to the missions field but actually with the instant you accept Christ as your Savior, or maybe even further back when you first were born.  Even though I didn’t realize I was going into ministry I was still impacting people and making impressions on people good and bad and those impressions follow you and stick with those individuals you spent time with. 

            Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.”  

Meaning God knew where we would go what we would do and was using all those encounters for His purpose. 

           

I know ministry is relationships whether it be with an unbeliever or believer you can still have ministry.  I think God for the situation He has placed me in and I’m taking advantage of getting to know all the cool people God has put me in contact with.  

Go Conference

Recap of go conference

This story will summarize the last two action packed weeks starting from the last weekend in Charlotte to the end in Penang, Malaysia.  There was so much excitement I hope you’re ready for a fun ride on my journey to Malaysia.

            From the get go Sunday was packed with 2 Commissioning Services, a Send-Off Party, and flight out of town.  Thank you all who came out to support my ministry.  During my last weekend in Charlotte a friend, Raphael Winter, titled and filmed “The Greatest Weekend Ever”.  The video includes many interviews from friends and family, action scenes, and so much more.  This will probably be coming to you soon via you tube for your viewing pleasure.  The whole weekend was jammed full of exciting new experiences with my friends and family members. 

            After the send-off party I grabbed my bags and headed to the airport.  I believe my parents struggled to see me go but I was so excited, I could wait.  I’m still pumping adrenaline as I learn to embrace every moment and learn a great deal from these new experiences that I’m encountering with basically every breath.  I arrived in Holland after a long couple of flights without rest.

            1^st day, I arrived early about 6am their time and decided I’d avoid the jetlag by not sleeping.  It worked too! =)  Right after arriving at the conference I immediately embraced the culture by playing with the kiddos on the playground before running off with some others to the pitch for a good futbol match in the rain.  This quickly turned into a mud wrestling match as we began to get to know each other.  Drenched in water and mud and without sleep or a change of clothes I began to truly feel out my 1^st cross-cultural experience, (luggage lost in transition).

            It’s difficult to recap everything but to highlight a few things roommates, scenerios, and more.

            It all started with my roommates!  I had a wonderful group of guys, (no snorers).  We seemed to mesh very well together.  Later in the conference we found out why… we all took a personality survey.  We all scored high in the same category, “Harmonizer”, which basically meant we were all people pleasers.  We were all from different parts of the world too, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Tia Won, and the Netherlands.  This just goes to show how God works. 

He has continually blessed me over these past few years and will continue to so, if…

James 4:7,8, Submit yourself to God and resist the devil and will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. 

            “OM Opoly”, was done with our fellowship group, (group made of the same sex and nationality).  In the groups we ran around with a group of 9 guys amongst 300 other OMers.  The groups ran around doing events, examples, and demonstration of a Biblical story with all members of group included.  We did the last supper as I broke a banana representing the breaking of the bread and kidnapping a hostage and holding them ransom, another group had to was our feet.  They had several different stations set up to work through, spiritual, emotional, action, and many more that allowed us to bond together while having a good time. 

            Mission Possible was a great interactive scenario that prepares us for travel through immigration, customs, and security.  This scenario was done with our discovery groups, (group of people doing the same ministry as you).  The first step was receiving our visas to do our missions work; then tickets, customs, immigration, and lastly doing some relational missions work.  We had to diplomatically explain why we were traveling without giving away that our trip was for missions.  This allowed us to be prepared and to think ahead of questions that may be asked in the future when traveling. 

          I am now safely in Penang, Malaysia after 30 hours of travel and little sleep. 

Please pray for spiritual guidance, openness, and a servant’s heart

Praise, I was able to strengthen my love for prayer and reading Bible scripture.