August has been a very eventful month. Shannon & I had our last Tribal Pastors Horsemanship Training Program that we will attend for 2010. We had 5 tribal pastors attend through Pastor Tim & Gloria Hagquist. It was probably the best training we've had yet! It is so encouraging to see our ministry endeavours rewarded with great people and positive advancement.
We also looked at several properties in the Bukidnon to expand the ministry center and Pastor Blas along with Pastor Sungkit will continue to review suitable properties while we are back in Canada.
7 hours from now Shannon & I will head to the Davao International Airport for the first leg of our trip back home to Canada. We have a 5 hour layover in Manila and then fly directly to Vancouver. We arrive around 2:05pm August 26th. We are looking forward to being with our family and friends :)
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we've had some very difficult times financially in the last 2 months. We need a miracle of God's provision...
Also, we are available to share what God has been doing in the last 2 years through Tribal Horse Evangelism. You'll be encouraged to see how God can work outside the box of what most people consider "missions" :)
Dear missionary friends Tim & Gloria Hagquist, included our ministry in their June-July 2010 newsletter. They are with WorldVenture (www.worldventure.com) and HOPE MOUNTAIN (www.hopemountain.com). In 2009 we discussed with them our tribal pastors "Basic Horsemanship Training Program" of which they wanted some of their pastors to attend. Please read their article about it below :)
"On June 14-18, we took three tribal pastors and an intern to attend a 5-day seminar in basic horsemanship in Valencia, Bukidnon where they learned about hoof-care, grooming, feeding practices, basic medical conditions, organic remedies, riding skills, etc. The training was conducted by a Canadian missionary couple, Darrel & Shannon Nelson who serve with Tribal Horse Evangelism. This is a very unique and needed ministry since tribal pastor/farmers rely on horses for their farm work and transportation. We met Darrel & Shannon at a gathering in the home of an American missionary couple in Davao City last year which resulted in friendship and partnership in ministry. We are amazed to see how God puts His people together to accomplish His work. Again, Powerful Partnerships–Transformed Lives!" - Tim & Gloria Hagquist
They also emailed us a wonderful letter. Click here!
On the final day of the horsemanship training we had the privilege to assign 2 horses to their pastors. Today we met with Tim & Gloria and CCM will be assigning another 3 horses for their tribal pastors in the middle of August. They are encouraged by our ministry and look forward to sending more of their pastors for training in the future. SINGAPORE
Our trip to Singapore was wonderful! We felt like we were back in Vancouver, Canada but much hotter :)
A special thank you to Steve & Holly and Noah Smith for opening their condo for us for the week. We don't know how we would have done it without their generosity! Thank you again :)
Sunday am we had the privilege to worship with Evangel Family Church Singapore at the English service. Pastor Dale & Chui Lim, Pastor Nicholas and Pastor Mong welcomed us as family. We love the body of Christ! Thank you so much for sponsoring horses for tribal pastors!!!
We'd also like to thank Steven & Sue Wee, Thomas & Margaret Chua, Jason & Arlene and Ena Wee for their outstanding hospitality. We look forward to visiting Singapore in 2011! 7 WEEKS
In just over 7 weeks we will be returning home on furlow. We are excited to see our family and friends!
Currently we are planning our next Horsemanship Training for the middle of August. We're also meeting with a new evangelical group called Tribal Federation Of Pastors and Leaders. They have over 100 tribal pastors in the southern area of Mindanao that want to avail horses. We also met with the missions coordinator of Missionary Alliance and they have over 300 tribal pastors that want horses. This doesn't include AGO, Foursquare, Baptist and other evangelical organizations that also want to avail horses for their tribal pastors!
The need is GREAT!!! We need more horses; We've out-grown our ministry property; We need monthly supporters.
When back in Canada we'd love to come and share at your church, home-group, horse club and of course fellowship one-2-one where we can. Please email us at dnelson@crosscultureministries.com
Something the Lord has put on my heart this past month is the desire to live with an expectant heart. I was reminded of my earlier days in Christ when it was so easy to trust the Lord and His word, I had this childlike faith, eagerly anticipating God to move in my life and the lives of others. Each time God showed up and moved in our lives was like a gift sent to us to show his extravagant love for us. ( Oh how i had missed those days)
I was reminded of the sermon that Pastor Peter Wee spoke on several weeks back titled, " There is a miracle knocking on your door." I was blessed by his statement, " There is power in the level of your expectations. In all honesty I felt that I had misplaced or lost the faith to believe for the miraculous in my life and the lives of those I love. As Pastor Peter mentioned, " why are we so afraid to ask for a miracle before we see one? We must have faith for the miraculous in our family, ministry, business, and church lives.
Opening a door requires action, you must take steps of faith, but sometimes we are afraid of what is waiting on the other side. Only to find out that God has been waiting for us with open and loving arms and to show us that with God all things are possible.
Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." Matthew 19:26 Message Bible.
So many times we try and work things out in our lives, our families and our ministries that we forget that God can do it, we try to work things out alone, not realizing that He is waiting and is our help in time of need. God is not only taking care of the immediate but He is taking care of the future.
We are now at a door that requires a new level of faith and expectancy as we embark on the need of expansion of the ministry here in Mindanao. We have out grown our leased property and are asking God for provision to purchase land where we can establish our permanent ministry center where we can continue to equip tribal pastors and train our ever increasing addition of horses to be assigned to pastors for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the mountains. At times it feels overwhelming and each day is a new day to trust God and walk in faith knowing that, " He who has begun a good work, will complete it."
To begin these steps of faith we will be returning back to Canada Aug 26th for a brief time of visiting churches and ministries, businesses and such. Over the past 16 months we have done our best to advance the ministry with less than $700 monthly support and few one-time offerings - of which we are very grateful! Although Darrell & I are tentmakers, our business has great difficulties in meeting all the short-falls. We need to increase our monthly supporter base and the continuance of sponsors for horses, bio-water filters, training, etc. This can be difficult when you live half way around the world. So we will be taking this time when we are home to develop an awareness of this unique ministry in any opportunity given to us while back on furlow.
We have our calendar open and are ready to start making our schedule for SEPT/OCT/NOV. If you think your pastor; home group; horse club; corporate/business owners or any opportunity for us to share how God is working through our ministry. Please contact us and we'd be delighted to see if we can co-ordinate it with our schedule.
Philippine Elections 2010 - May 10th we spent the whole day at our home, as it was advisable for foriegners not to travel during this time. Although there were some political killings they were mostly in the muslim areas of Mindanao, far from Davao. From what we hear, the NEW President of the Philippines will be Benigno Noynoy Aquino. However, there are still many areas where the votes are still being tallied.
We feel safe here in Davao and won't be traveling back into the Bukidnon until the end of May giving more time for any political aftermath to settle.
This past month has been a very busy month for us, It never ceases to amaze us of Gods timing in our lives and minstry here in the Philippines.
As of March God has opened up many doors for Evangelism Mini boot camps, which is something that is very close to our hearts. On April 19 - 20th we held a Mini boot camp at the Christ Reedemed Church in Ilgan Davao, we condensed this training into two days, we then went to local squatter area and the team was able to practise their new evangelising technique. As i watched and took pictures from a distance, i could see the compassion and enthusiasm that everyone had for those without the true knowledge of Jesus and what he did on the cross for them. We are reminded that life without Christ, is a life lived in darkness, and we see this daily here in the Philippines, despair, loneliness, people who are empty and lost.
When we returned back to the church we were blessed to hear everyones testimonies and enthusiam, Pastor ------- was so excited about the course that he has asked us to return in the future and fascilitate another camp.
A Guest from Canada - On April 24th we were blessed to have John Maarhuis with us for a few days before he returned home to Canada.
John and his wife Til, started a childrens home over 20 years ago in Basig in the province of Benguet in Northern Luzon, he had just spent over a month building onto the home there. While he was here we made a short trip to the bukidnon, where he was able to see the ministry and meet with one of the Tribal pastors who had received a horse thru CCM, it was a blessing to us to see Johns heart for the Tribal Pastors, as he knows first hand some of the trials and hardships these pastors go through for the sake of the gospel.
Another highlight of our short trip was to deliver a Bio Sand water filter to Hope Christian School of the bukidnon. John was able to meet Pastor and Pastora Faustina, who fascilates a school of over 250 students, the bio water filter will help provide 97 percent pure drinking water. Pastor Virgie shared with us their story of how years ago they nearly lost some of their own children by unclean drinking water. She had been praying for years for an answer to this problem and through the blessings of those who have donated into the bio water filters CCM was able to make her dreams come true. Although this was a short trip with John, I believe that he was able to have a greater understanding of our ministry here and we are so grateful that he took the time to come and visit us.
Some of our horses were used to participate in a Missions Camp/Vacation Bible School at the Hope Fundamental Baptist church in the bukidnon. The theme was John 4:35 "lift up ur eyes n look unto the field". The following is a text that we received from Pastora Virgie - "We have enjoyed the horses. It was a real blessing for the chldren as well as the adults to ride as enjoyment. It also helpd us see the value of taming and taking good care of animals. It is an overwhlming joy, thanks also for showing great kindnes of our water filter."
LANGUAGE LESSONS - Darrell and I have begun to further our language skills and begin learning Cebuano. After being here just over a year, we believe that this will allow us to communicate and interact more affectively with our host country and culture, and will greater our capacity for service and ministry. We know that by learning Cebuano it conveys an attitude of respect, humility and servanthood, enabling us to build good relationship with people. Just as Christ took on the form of a servant when He came here on earth, so we must follow His example by demonstrating the same attitude in everything we do and say to the people we serve. Balikbayan Surprise! Just last week we recieved 2 packed boxes from Canada which contained 1 saddle, many halters, bridles and assorted horse tack. There were also some personal items sent for us that we really appreciated and needed! We'd like to thank everyone who gave towards providing and sending everything.
Some time around the end of June Ron & Bernice Nelson (dad & mom) will be preparing and sending 2 more boxes. There are some things we just can't get here in the Philippines. So if you would like to send us something please contact Ron & Bernice Nelson 604-792-7487 or email bernice2642@hotmail.com. We have just heard that someone has blessed us with an additional 3 english saddles! Praise the Lord!!! We can use all the horse tack we can get :)
MINISTRY NEEDS:
JEEP ENGINE REPLAIRS - Alot of you may not know but we had been without our jeep here for over a month. We have experienced many trials with it, and unsurmounted costs in repairs. After an unsuccesful rebuilt engine in the bukidnon, and almost not making it home, we decided to put in a surplus turbo engine, ( which explains why it took so long, as it had to be brought in from Japan.) There are still a few wrinkles to be ironed out, but all in all we are happy with it, now just to get the aircon fixed, which was not a problem before. Unfortunatley this was a big set back to us financially :( Financial need: $2200.00 [click here and make a general donation]
HOUSE RENTAL/UTILITIES INCREASE - June 15th we have to renew our house lease. We are currently praying if we should stay where we are or find a better place given the increase. Estimated Monthly Increase = $110/mth [click here and make a general donation]
ONE HORSE NEEDED - since our last newsletter we are so thank full to those who sponsored 2 horses! Now we just need one more horse sponsor for the next tribal pastor evangelism horsemanship training program. Sponsor A Horse = $500.00 [click here]
CEBUANO LANGUAGE LESSONS - we started our lessons last week and already in just 1 lesson we have learned many things. The course is comprised of 60 lessons of which later on we could do 2 lessons in a week. We have taken a step of faith to pay for it, knowing that learning the language will help us so much more in understanding the culture and communicating more effectively. If you would like to sponsor our language lessons we would be so greatful :) Study Materials = $50.00 | Each Lesson = $12.50[click here and make a general donation]
GENERAL MINISTRY FUND - we really appreciate when we receive financial gifts towards projects. However, please be reminded that ministries also require "day-to-day" funds to manage projects and keep the ministry going. Thus we would like you to really consider becoming a monthly partner with this ministry or a one-time gift is greatly appreciated!
Celebrating our ONE YEAR Anniversary in the Philippines! It's hard to believe that March 31st was our 1 year anniversary on the Mission Field.
On March 28th, our home church (Glad Tidings Fellowship) had a missions luncheon fundraiser for our ministry. We prepared a short video message, which also shows some clips of Tribal Culture from the Kaamulan Festival, Evangelism and Tribal Pastors Horsemanship Training that took place in March.
If you have a slow connection, select PLAY and then PAUSE - wait until the loading bar is half way before selecting play again.
We had the wonderful opportunity to represent Cross Culture Ministries at the Kaamulin Festival. Kaamulan" is from the Binukid word "amul" which means "to gather". It is a gathering of Bukidnon tribes people for a purpose of showcasing the unique indigenous culture of the Bukidnon, the Kaamulin was held in the province of Malaybalay City, the provincial capital.
The Kaamulan Festival celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region, namely, the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon. Many tribal folks represented the seven hill tribes of Bukidnon as they gathered in unity with the local dwellers in town. Wearing their intricately woven and beautifully colored costumes studded with trinkets, anklets, earrings, necklaces, leglets, headdresses and amulets. We were able to video and photograph the street dancing and floats, and discovered more about these beautiful people and their culture. Being amongst the tribal people as they participated in their tribal games was a real highlight for Shannon. There is still so much we are learning regarding Tribal culture and tribal laws and we now realize that it is going to take more then two years to fullfil the vision which God has called us.
At the Kaamulin Festival, we had the opportunity for people to become aware of our ministry by the means of having a booth set up for people to inquire about the Tribal Horse Evangelism along with showcasing the bio water filter and educating people on how their families can obtain healthy drinking water.
During the festival Darrell took every opportunity to witness buy using the illusion tracks, they were such a hit amongst the young people. Gathering some of largest crowds that we have ever seen. What a wonderful opportunity for us to share the Lord and to present the gospel in such an easy and effective way.
April 2nd and 3rd we held two evangelism training courses back to back in the bukidnon, one in Valencia and one in Malaybalay. Around 150 people attended and were fired up for evangelism! We are excited about what is God is going through this training, and are believing God to put a deeper compassion for the lost in the hearts of His people.
Evangelism Mini-Boot Camp in Malaybalay, Mindanao - April 2, 2010
This coming Sunday April 11th we will be taking a Sunday service to introduce the Evangelism Course to a local church between Davao and Panabo. We will be planning at least 1 (hopefully two) mini-boot camps in May :) In June we will be travelling to Singapore for one week, as we are required to leave the country after a 16 month stay. Please keep us in your prayers as we are believing that we will be able stay at a missionaries home, as they return back home to the U.S. for their summer furlough. We are still waiting for a reply on this. This will help with our cost considerably as we are trusting the Lord will provide for our basic needs during our stay there.
When we return from Singapore, the first week of July we will be travelling to Baculad Negros, for another Evangelism Training with WIM and Pastor Edmund. We believe God is going to do an amazing revival here in the Philippines, and we are excited to be a part of what God is doing through the lives of those who desire to evangelize.
This past March CCM was able to put Pastor Blas on as a staff. Over the past few years Pastor Blas has volunteered in numerous ways in helping build the horse ministry. His experience and years as a livestock broker has been a definite asset, along with his commitment to God and a love to share the word. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to trust God to provide for this integral part of the ministry.
Pastor Blas Arpilleda getting a tribal pastors information who wants to apply for a bio-water filter.
During our time in the bukidnon CCM facilitated a Tribal Pastors Horsemanship Training week, on the last day of training we were blessed with a special visit from Pastor Romel & Jean Sangkit from Malitbog. They were so excited about what God has being doing through their ministry since they received a horse and how the Lord is opening doors for them in the horse community where they live. It is so rewarding to hear these testimonies.
Pastor Romel & Jean Sangkit from Malitbog, Mindanao. Their horse is "Pedro" - Thank you Peter!
HORSES NEEDED! CCM sponsors horses cross denominationally. We currently have no horses available to assign to tribal pastors. Please consider sponsoring a horse for a tribal pastor to help spread the gospel into the mountains of Mindanao.
HORSE TACK - We are in need need of halters, bridles, saddles, grooming and hoof care items... surprisingly there is NO horse tack available in the Philippines. Please contact Ron Nelson at 604-792-7487 or email info@crosscultureministries.com for more information.
Thank You! We would like say thank you to everyone who has helped CCM over the past year, through your prayers, love and support, CCM has been able to accomplish the sponsoring of horses; fascilitate Tribal Pastors horsemanship training weeks; provide for the daily needs of horse care, feeding and training; the development of the ministry centre, ie: nipa cottage, nipa housing, renovations, outdoor kitchen, bunkbeds for the tribal pastors; horse quadra (stables); and the sponsorship of bio-sand water filters which are greatly needed in the Philippines, providing pure drinking water which opens many doors for ministry as it brings good-will to the communities.
We stand in awe of how much has been accomplished this past year and are very excited in this new year of serving the Lord with Joy in the Philippines! We couldn't have done this without God's direction and calling and the help of so many back home and here in the Philippines. All the Glory goes to Jesus!!!
"The path of the righteous is like the light of the dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble." Proverbs 4:18-19
Several weeks ago Darrell and I took a trip to the Bukidnon to attend the Kaamulin festival and to facilitate one of our Tribal Pastors Horsemanship training weeks. Before we left we had some major work done on the jeep. It has been a trial to find mechanics here that you can trust, and if you don't oversee the work you could be taken advantage of. With the jeep full to capacity and wanting to sing our favourite Salty Singing songbook song, we were confident that we could now embark on our journey to the bukidnon, ( So we thought ).
About 3/4 of the way, the radiator hose bursts on the jeep, all because the first mechanic did not replace the hose as we had asked him too a year ago. So here we are in the middle of the bukid with a broken down jeep, ( oh the life of a missionary). Darrell text Pastor Blas, and about 3 1/2 hours later our third honorary Rescue 911 Pastor shows up with the multi cab to tow us to Valencia. Towing a vehicle is not a problem and it is amazing what one can do in the Philippines that we wouldn't be able to do back home. When all you have is rope, you work with what you have and Nonoy our horseman proceeded to tie the rope to the Jeep and we continued on our travels. Night comes quickly in the bukid and when you are trying to tow a vehicle in the dark and up steep inclines it can become challenging enough, but my biggest fear at this point was ther large semi trucks and buses that we could encounter, and a majority of these drivers probably have not had any sleep for the past 24 hours and living on drugs to keep them awake. (You get the picture right?)
We were successfully making progress until we arrived at a very steep hill, the poor little multi cab was definitely showing us what it was made out of, (at this point i thought of the story of the little engine that could) About half way up the hill the multi cab stops. Darrell is in the jeep and Nonoy jumps off the back of the multi cab to find a rock to place behind the wheels so it won't start sliding backwards.
Darrell then decided to switch vehicles with Blas, and he was now at the lead. I decided to get out of the multi cab and walk alongside of the jeep, as it was going slow enough for me to walk. As I am walking beside the jeep it begins to start moving faster, then faster and at this point Pastor Blas in now telling me to jump into the jeep, now if you have ever seen pictures of our jeep, it is like trying to run alongside of a moving medium size monster truck. I realized then that i would never make it in a major marathon as i was running along side the jeep and trying to jump in, laughing and panicking because if felt like an actor in the Left Behind series. Both of the vehicles were gaining momentum and darrell could not stop. As you guessed, i was left behind, in the dark, in the bukid with no light to guide my way. I could hardly see a foot in front of me and who knows what i may stumble over, example; cobras. With no flashlight or cell phone, I began my hike up the steep dark unlit hill, and in the far off distance I could see a tiny glimpse of light, ( was it an angel? ) apparently Nonoy our horse man had told Darrell that Mom Shannon was left behind, and Darrell sent him off to fetch me. I don't think I will ever forget this experience. And the progress on the jeep?, well that is another blog.
In John 12:35 we read "Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth". (This was definitely me for a brief moment) The metaphor is so appropriate. We all know how difficult it can be to walk in the dark and how pleasant it is to walk in the light. If we follow Jesus' example and teaching, then we will walk in the light and what a pleasant and wonderful experience it will be! However, if we fail to follow Jesus' example and teaching, then we will grope in the darkness and what a miserable and awful experience that will be! In the light we have confidence, joy, direction, faith and progress. In the dark we have timidity, fear, confusion, doubt. Jesus said in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." I have seen how dangerous it is to walk in darkness. I've also seen how invigorating it is to walk in the light. In what path will you walk today? Darkness? Or Light? As for me, I'm choosing to walk in the light.
Today, follow after the light, let God direct your way and don't be left in the dark!
For the last month or so, our water pump on the property was not working adequately, what would happen is that the water pump would never shut off, so every time we used it we would have to turn it on and off manually so it would not overheat. We eventually found a plumber who came and took the whole pump apart only to find out that a very tiny pebble was stuck right inside a very important place in the pressure valve. I was amazed at how something so small could stop the flow of water that helps us with our daily needs on the property and with the horses. I was also reminded of how that small pebble resembles different sins in our lives, and how they can stop the moving of the Holy Spirit in and through us.
So I was thinking ,"Lord what pebble's are there in our lives that stop the flowing of your Holy Spirit"? What sins have we allowed to lodge in the pressure valves of our hearts? Is it unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, envy, jealousy, pride?...." Lord you know what it is", and I know by your Holy Spirit and the Master Engineer, you will expose those hidden sins.
"For I know of nothing against myself, all my hidden sins - yet - I am not innocent For the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and expose the motives of my heart …" 1 Cor. 4:4-5
Hidden Sins - stop us from attaining our Destiny Hidden Sins - stop us from walking in Glory
Just like we couldn't see what was stopping the pump from working, we knew that there was something hidden inside that we just couldn't see. We had asked for help but it took a qualified plumber to fix the problem. So many times we go to the wrong people for advice or help only to find out that they could not help or fix what only God can expose and restore.
Today let the Master who knows you better then you know yourself come and fill you to overflowing, let Him expose the pebbles in your life that have caused your heart to seize up and yes even overheat sometimes. ( Believe me this is something God is working on me as I learn to adjust to a new culture here in the Philippines and in Mindanao )
Pebble by pebble – as we are willing - the Lord brings His bright light and Master tools of His word and reveals - ALL - the deep hidden places that are in our hearts.
Lord today, Come and shine Your bright light upon us that we can recognize and give You all our hidden sins. Search us dear Holy Spirit - come to all the dark corners hidden within us - cleanse us and wash us, so we can be as white as snow. Go to all the places that we keep hidden and won’t allow You or anyone else, to come anywhere near to. All the pain that’s inside our hearts - mind - and soul, and all the offenses and touchiness, the things that bring You sorrow and pain, these are the areas that separates us from You. Do anything and everything that You need to do Lord, to clean the inside of this heart of ours, then we will stop leaking You’re Grace, when we make wrong choices – and have wrong reactions. We will begin to overflow with Your Presence, and Your Light will shine brightly – through us – to others.
As we approach 2010 I think about all the things that have happened in our lives, some good and some devastating. Leaving some people questioning God. I have learn't that God is not sleeping, He hasn't folded up his hands, and said "I am out of here!". Although sometimes I wouldn't blame Him the way His children act and treat Him.
Hebrews 13:5-6 says
"Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things that you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you,' so that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.'" God does not abandon us. Never !!
Abandonment is something we see here all the time in Davao. Children abandon to the streets, women abandoned by their husbands, the list goes on. I think of a blog that was recently posted by our dear missionary friend Steve Hyde in Cambodia, titled " Mommy where are you?". Steve mentions a conversation that he had with three kids who where standing by his car. He asked them "why they were up so late at night?", of which one of the older boys replied "we are waiting for mommy". As it was these children were waiting for there mom who had crossed the Thailand border to try and find work. If they get a job they maybe gone for days, weeks and even years. For some of these children their parents may never come home. They are left to beg, and as Steve writes on his blog, their mother had given them a bottle and told them to beg for milk for their baby brother. Read more »
Darrell and I were watching the CNN Hero's Awards the other night, what a inspiration it was to see everyday people changing their world. The different categories of people who were nominated were:
Championing Children, a commitment to the welfare of young people. Community Crusader, creating solutions to a local problems or social issue. Defending the Planet, innovative efforts to preserve and protect the environment.
It was a three hankie evening for me, and some of you know me well, I cry at baby dedications.
I was blessed when the Hero of the Year went to Efren Peñaflorida, a Filipino who gives youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company has 10,000 members who teach basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums. Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Team company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.
As a missionary here in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, I see and hear about untold heroes everyday. People who give of their time, energy and resources. Families who have given their entire lives to helping the hungry, abused, abandoned, uneducated and impoverished. Most of the world will never know about these heroes that have never been nominated for such a great reward.
I thought to myself... "How can we all be a hero this Christmas and throughout the year?"
Here are a few practical ways of showing Christ this Christmas and loving your neighbor.
Loving your neighbor doesn't require a huge bank account or selling your possessions and moving to the desert (unless, of course, God is calling you to do that).
Dear missionary friends Tim & Gloria Hagquist, included our ministry in their June-July 2010 newsletter. They are with WorldVenture (
As of March God has opened up many doors for Evangelism Mini boot camps, which is something that is very close to our hearts. On April 19 - 20th we held a Mini boot camp at the Christ Reedemed Church in Ilgan Davao, we condensed this training into two days, we then went to local squatter area and the team was able to practise their new evangelising technique. As i watched and took pictures from a distance, i could see the compassion and enthusiasm that everyone had for those without the true knowledge of Jesus and what he did on the cross for them. We are reminded that life without Christ, is a life lived in darkness, and we see this daily here in the Philippines, despair, loneliness, people who are empty and lost. 
A Guest from Canada - On April 24th we were blessed to have John Maarhuis with us for a few days before he returned home to Canada. 
Another highlight of our short trip was to deliver a Bio Sand water filter to Hope Christian School of the bukidnon. John was able to meet Pastor and Pastora Faustina, who fascilates a school of over 250 students, the bio water filter will help provide 97 percent pure drinking water. Pastor Virgie shared with us their story of how years ago they nearly lost some of their own children by unclean drinking water. She had been praying for years for an answer to this problem and through the blessings of those who have donated into the bio water filters CCM was able to make her dreams come true. Although this was a short trip with John, I believe that he was able to have a greater understanding of our ministry here and we are so grateful that he took the time to come and visit us. 
