All for Jesus

Hey everyone! this blog is going to be pretty random! It's some little tidbits that I wrote while we were in the village!
blog #1
So, Sarah and I just got back from our first Bible Study of the week. We found 3 existing believers! Not just people who believe, but people who hunger and thirst after God and desire to reach their people! We sang 2 songs in Waray. They said that as they sang, a cool, refreshing feeling came over them. That they knew the HS was in the room. (I wish I was that sensitive!) Ate described how she had been praying for 3 years that Christians would come study the Bible with them. And here we are! Now that is the definition of perseverance! 3 years! We asked them to invite their friends for a BS tomorrow afternoon in the home, but she said "no, not in my house. there will be too many people! we must teach outside by the river!" How incredible! I hope a lot of people come tomorrow to hear the Word of God! I also asked if we could daily meet at 8, so that I can teach them and encourage them. THey said "YES!". ALl they want to learn is how to teach others to accept  Christ! Their passion is such an encouragement to me!
Lord, I thank you. THank you for answering the prayers of these women and of my team. I ask that you would send your Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of the people in this village. Give us the courage to persevere even when people might reject God. Let your power fall, let your voice be heard!

Blog #2:
The sound of voices being raised to Jesus is the most beautiful thing in the world. All 25 + of us are in this small room, sitting on the floor, on stairs, on uncomfortable wooden benches and small chairs. These teenage girls will sing at the top of their lungs singing praises to the King who they committed to follow today! They have these small Bibles open with very little light, listening intently to Sarah teaching about Nicodemus. They are so eager to learn about God's Word! As sarah is explaining the love of Christ, every eye is glued on her and smiles are on every face. She legitamately gave an invitation for them to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Once again, the Lord has moved. Hearing over 15 people repeat the prayer of salvation is an answer to prayer of salvation is an answer to prayer. The sound of souls entering the Kingdom of God. The sound of Satan losing people from his grip of death. The sound of angels rejoicing in heaven. Music to my ears.

prayer:
Lord, I pray for a spiritual awakening in this village. The bonds need to be broken. The spiritual blinders on these people are keeping them from fully understanding the Gospel. These DCs know about the BIble, but they have not let it change their hearts and have a personal relationship with the creator of the world. The Lord has started to do this. Some people are truly being brought from death to life, but it breaks my heart when people reject God's Word and choose to live their lives headed straight for Hell. I pray that the people who have let the Gospel save them will continue to learn about Him. So that the one time decision will become a daily walk. I pray that the spirit continues to dwell here.

Blog #3:
It is really so different here. This week we have done our bathing in the river. 1. I can catch dirt and sand with my hands. 2. trash and sewage goes in the river. 3. There is a strong current. Therefore it is quite interesting. Especially when there are like 10 people watching us bathe and the children are hanging over us.
About 30 minutes ago I watched the caribou (water bufalo) get killed and skinned! it was pretty awesome! (guess what we had for dinnner???)
The storms every afternoon are incredible. The beautiful scenery, rolling thunder, flashes of lightening. It truly screams the greatness of our God!
Ministry this week has also been really different. When we first arrived, there were 2 Christian women. One of them, Ate Nora, accepted Christ in 1986, was baptized in 87, then her husband came to know the Lord. I have been leading Bible Studies with them all week!
Other than that, this village is filled with devoted catholics who are turned off to Christianity. We would not be welcomed into homes and people would not even listen to us. But after the first few days of intense prayer for God to break the chains of the bondage of the RC, He started doing so! I had about 40 people at one of my Bible studies. People started asking questions, asking for BSs in their homes, and asking how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So far, 53 people have prayed to receive Christ and all of them have become further involved! They have invited new people to every BS! They eagerly show up to BS with Bible in hand. We got a little note today from twin girls who are like 13. They thanked us for coming to teach them how to love and follow Jesus. Many people have said they can just feel the presence of God in their lives, like they have something to live for now! They are so excited to keep meeting together and studying the Word of God, even though we are leaving!
These are some things I am struggling with:
1. There is no way we can reach EVERY person in this village and I pray that the new believers will tell them! It would hurt so bad to hear that no one told them.
2. The children. They love us so much! Yesterday, Roserose and Oday starting crying saying, "Please dont leave. I do not want you to forget me." It is impossible to know whether or not the children understand the Gospel. I pray that the adults will teach them, but also that they will remember these BSs and songs their whole lives.
3. I just want to be home. I still have some focus, I am just praying for a renewed strength this break. The cross is bigger than any of my desires. The vast number of lost people is bigger than my number of complaints. The need for the Gospel is bigger than my need for American amenities.
It might seem as if I am suffering, but whatever this is, it's ll for Jesus! I do not want any praise for what I"m doing this summer. Because it is not about me. I have given up on me and handed it all to the Father. It's not me living, but Christ living in me. Read Matthew 5:16. When people see my good works, they should glorify my Father in heaven. Christ magnified, not me. But speaking of my "good works", it is filthy rags. My works mean nothing, I am saved my grace alone. Ephesians 2:1-10.

I really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. I could not get through this without the body of Christ at home lifting me up. It is what keeps me going. I cannot wait to be home and see all of you. For those of you who know me and those who don't, I love you!