Mission Trip to Asia 2007, VBS 2008, VBS 2009, VBS 2010, Mission Trip 2011, VBS 2012

June 9th: Arrived safely in Hong International Airport.  After customs and dinner, we arrived at the Hartwick's "flat" around 8 p.m.  After celebrating our reunion, we were put to work right away.  I forgot that it was Saturday and we had to prepare for the church services.  We will be meeting on the rooftop of the Hartwicks' flat.  God has provided this place for them at this time to meet with the New International Church ministry.  This reminds me so much of the Philippines when I was a child.  We will be spending the whole day with them.  We are looking forward to the fellowship and the ladies' cooking.

We are always reminded of how great our God is.  We keep thinking to ourselves, "Is this real?"  God is using many of you to make our mission trip possible.  As we look forward to this ministry, we think of you as partners with us through your prayers also.  The Hartwicks shared with us the details of the work here.  We are excited to share with you the blessings we will receive.

When we were in the air overlooking the Arctic Circle and the Siberian Mountains, God's awesome power was confirmed in our hearts.  The same God who created all of these is also empowering us to do His work (Romans 8:31).  What a great object lesson!

In the mean time, I had to face my first rejection.  I was all excited to share the gospel with whomever I was seating by.  I couldn't wait to share with my students "The Plan" as discussed in my Bible class.  The very first minute the person sat by me, I tried to be friendly to him.  He responded with an attitude of "Don't bother me.  It's going to be a 14 hour flight and I don't want to talk to anyone."  I thought this can't be that bad.  The next few times I tried to talk to him, I swear he pretended to be sleeping.  God had to humble me through this experience.  Mikaela was laughing at me.  I have to remember, it's not me (hey, I know what some of you are already thinking).

Cass had a few opportunities to talk to some.  Leaving the comfort of "Christian surroundings", we were surprised with questions like, "What is a missionary?"  What an opportunity!

June 20th:  "Is this heaven?"  "No, this is Iowa!"  (A quote from the  movie Field of Dreams)  This is the feeling that overcame us as we landed in the Philippines.  A miriad of emotions overwhelmed us as we met our relatives - some for the first time!  The laughter and the tears that flowed are just a small reminder of what our glorious reunion will be when we meet loved ones and friends in heaven.  We said our goodbyes to Lolo and reminisced about the legacy he bestowed upon our family.  It was an answer to many prayers that he was able to recognize us and to communicate with us.  We felt what Joseph's sons experienced when Joseph gave his blessings to his sons.  His mind was still strong that he was still giving advice.  We were able to sing How Great Thou Art together with him and close in prayer.

We were able to visit the Elechicon and Verba sides of the family.  We were able to visit the humble beginnings of our family and the beautiful heritage God has blessed us.  How amazing is God's grace to us - to take our family from these simple beginnings to be called into His service today.  "Why us?"  is a thought that overwhelms us as we travel through these areas.

We have visited and ministered in several churches and schools.  It is so amazing to see how churches and schools do so much with so little.  They are so faithful in service for His kingdom.  It was so enjoyable to spend the entire day on Sunday with God's childen from 9 am - 9 pm singing,  sharing testimonies, and fellowship...and they do this every Sunday!

June 10th: What a blessed day!  We were awaken by loud thunderstorms about 3:30 a.m.  By morning, we had to clean-up the rooftop to get ready for the services.  It was an awesome atmosphere...the mountains in the backdrop with the rain falling steadily.  After Sunday School, we decided to move the service into the living room.  It was just too noisy as the rain was hitting the tin metal roof.

The congregation consisted of "helpers."  The ladies work six days and have Sunday as their day-off.  How do they spend it?  They spend it fellowshiping with other believers!  It is amazing how hungry and excited they are for the Word.  The joy and the desire in their eyes, grasping every word what Chris is sharing with them about the Bible is invigorating.  It is both an encouragement and a conviction to my own personal devotions.  The singing and testimonies are something words can't describe...this is what they long for all week! 

We ate lunch and had another service after that.  Time was of no essence.  Around 4 p.m., we went to another island to conduct a service with a sister church.  It is a joy to experience a simple yet powerful service.  There was no air-conditioning, yet the voices of the choir and congregation were so inspiring, one did not think too much about the humidity.  It is resfreshing to hear actual voices not drowned by the instruments.  I can actually hear the words!  The focus was on worship and not the powerpoint nor the "band." I experienced David's cry in Psalm 122:1.

I may not be vividly describing the attitude of worship that I've experienced.  But I can say that these people do not take church services for granted as I've had.  The hunger for the Word and the desire for fellowship is something that edified our souls.  Their desire "to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29) was very evident.

I was reading an article on how Christians relate to each other.  I was so amazed at the "issues" that we deal with instead of working together for His Kingdom.  Be glad if you don't know what I'm talking about when I say "second-degree separation." (It does have it's place.)  I have a testimony about a Muslim convert that puts me to shame.  The song "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns has a new meaning to me.

June 28th:  Thank God for the safety He bestowed upon us while traveling through the Philippines.  We are so thankful for the ministeries we were able to experience.  Being in a third world situation, it seemed easier to witness to people...because they know that they have a need.  But that just reminded me that at anytime, anywhere, I should be able to witness to anyone.  I had the opportunity to speak to a group of young teens and to a couples group.  I've known this principle, memorized the verse, and even taught it to my students...but Colossians 3:16 became more vibrant because of the thankful spirit and joy I saw within the believers.  I've experienced the truth of being in the Word and in daily prayer...being dependent on His power.  I saw the convicting power of His Word and how it can change people. 

I also experienced the Holy Spirit's giving me what words to say while witnessing.  I haven't used Filipino in a meaningful conversation for a long time.  I had the opportunity to witness to someone in Tagalog!  I was amazed on how the words were just flowing.  I'm sure it was still a little choppy, but I was able to share the gospel.  I did ask my sister to follow-up.  She reminded me that it is the work of the Holy Spirit and I just needed to be a willing instrument.  God is the one that saves.