Jennings Journal

Rethinking Radical

2011-07-22T20:51:00.001-07:00

“We don’t need any more books, seminars, or conferences. What we need are examples.” Matt, a rising college freshman, has spoken for a generation that is tired of being entertained by Christian celebrities and challenged to “go” by executive pastors who stay.

As I thought about Matt’s statement and the desire of a generation to live “Radical,” I thought immediately of Charles Thomas Studd. He was born in England in 1860. His father, Edward Studd, had made his fortune in India. C.T. Studd was handsome, rich, and athletic. He attended Cambridge University, one of the most prestigious universities of his day. Studd had a passion for Cricket (the sport, not the insect) and became what others have referred to as the “Michael Jordan of Cricket.” Studd was claimed by some then and today as the greatest player to have ever played the game.

However, after hearing an influential missionary from China speak, Studd, along with 6 others made a commitment to go. They gave up promising careers and their fame, and walked away from the “Great British Dream.” For several months, the “Cambridge Seven,” as they became known, traveled from campus to campus across Britain challenging students to give their all for the glory of God. Their testimony and their lives rang with authenticity and awakened the church to His global cause.

C.T. Studd spent his life as a missionary mobilizing the church to “Come.” Once he said, “There are more than twice as many Christian ‘officers’ at home among the peaceful Britain’s 40 million evangelized inhabitants, than the whole number of forces fighting at the front among 1.2 billion unreached! And yet such call themselves soldiers of Christ.”

What might C.T. Studd say today to our Christian “officers” at home? What might C.T. Studd say to David Platt about being “Radical?”

David, your book is good, but it’s not really that radical. Your call to finish the Great Commission rings hollow to a generation looking for examples. Follow me. Resign from your church. Rally six of your friends in similar positions as yourself. All of you go and spend your life among an unreached people group until you have learned their language and learned their culture, and planted the Church there. This generation may be moved, but never mobilized by your books. It will take ‘reckless sacrifice and heroism in the foremost trenches.’

I think at this point in the C.T. Studd challenge, Adoniram Judson would be stirred from beyond the grave and the words he spoke in 1832 would echo down from Heaven, “First, let it be a missionary life. That is, come out for life, and not a limited term. (What would he think of our generation’s short-term mission strategies?) Do not fancy that you have a true missionary spirit, while you are intending all along to leave your people group soon after acquiring their language. Leave them?! For what? To spend the rest of your days in enjoying the ease and plenty of your native land?”

Francis Chan hinted at the C.T. Studd challenge when he resigned his mega-church last year to “seek God’s direction and serve for a few months in a developing country.” Now he’s back and the message that is heard louder than his words or books is that, “Crazy love doesn’t mean following Christ long-term to the unreached.”

….But what would happen if all these mega-church pastors resigned? Who would lead their churches? Thousands of applications would flood their church offices within weeks! Who would rally the church to go if these important voices left? Ion Keith Falconer served as a missionary to Arabia from 1885-1888. (He died after only 3 years on the field, just in case you are wondering why he served short-term.) He had attended the commissioning service of the “Cambridge Seven,” and followed them in their radical experiment for life. He said, “Perhaps you think you are meant to remain at home and encourage others to go. You think that by sending money, sitting on committees, speaking at meetings, and praying for missions, you will be doing the most you can to spread the Gospel abroad. Not so! By going yourself, (He was not talking about a short-term trip.), you will produce a tenfold more powerful effect. You can give and pray for missions wherever you are. You can send descriptive letters to the missionary meeting which will be more effective than second-hand quotes gathered from others.”

One final word from C.T. Studd… “Dear David and friends… Hundreds may go as a result of your books, songs, and conferences, but if you will follow my example and go-- for life-- a whole generation will follow you. They are waiting for an example.”

C.T. Speer

imb missionary

Southeast Asia

P.S. This may be the first time in history that the majority of our ‘mission heroes’ are not missionaries. Where are the voices from the field that compel a generation to come? Where are those with blood on their faces that challenge a generation to join the fight? They are serving quietly and faithfully among the unreached and hard to reach.

Kid's Korner

2011-03-27T23:39:00.000-07:00

David is in his first year as a student at Houghton College in Houghton, New York. This tropical boy is experiencing winter weather like he has never seen before! Single-digit temperatures and inches of snow are a common occurrence during the winter months. The 1^st semester has passed quickly as he is adjusting to college classes, made new friends, and playing on the school’s JV Men’s Basketball team.

The year 2010 has brought several “first’s” for Krysten: 1^st mission trip to India (traveling by herself), first perm, getting her student permit & then driver’s license, visiting potential colleges, volunteering at a local pediatric clinic, and working a couple days a week at her grandfather’s law office. In between all of these activities she was involved in the youth program at our home church- singing in the youth choir, performing with the drama troupe, & taking weekly voice lessons- while being homeschooled (Biology, Geometry, Spanish, etc)… it’s been a busy fall! She’s looking forward to getting back “home” and getting back to her friends and normal life. She’s also looking forward to her next mission trip… SPAIN!!

This fall has been an exciting time for Betsy also. Lots of new experiences… or at least experiences that seem new to her! A family trip to Disneyworld was the highlight for her. Other trips to Washington D.C. and Niagara Falls were great field trips to supplement our history curriculum. She has continued her piano lessons and enjoyed her role in her choir’s Christmas program. Betsy is looking forward to getting back to her school in the Philippines. The 5^th grade class has started band and she’s looking forward to learning to play the flute.

American Nehemiah Teams 2010

2011-03-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

2010 was an exciting year for our American teams. Many of you were partners with us as we conducted our first stateside orientation & debrief. It was such an encouragement to have so many churches & individuals involved in this training. 105 students from 19 states & Canada were trained & sent out to seven different countries (15 different people groups). Nazareth Baptist Church (Rainsville, AL) hosted this event and provided a large part of the meals with other churches helping with meals & transportation to & from 3 different airports. It was a major undertaking that produced eternal results! At the end of the summer as the teams gathered for debrief, it was exciting to hear what God had done through them:

250 people indicated a decision for Christ with 25 of these following through with baptism,
more than 170 orphans cared for,
almost 10,000 gospel tracts were distributed,
92 circumcisions were performed plus other basic medical services provided,
assisted with 2 baby deliveries,
English classes using the Bible were taught to non-believers, many in “closed” countries who don’t allow traditional missionaries,
trees were planted,
houses were built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity,
thousands of pictures were taken,
and… thousands of people heard the gospel presented clearly, many possibly for the very first time.

As we begin 2011 we need your partnership again. More students have been requested so we anticipate a larger group of students to train this June. Please let us know if you or your church can help in any of the following areas: providing meals, providing transportation to & from Atlanta, and providing lodging for trainers/facilitators. In 2011 we are looking at having teams in some new countries including India and some European countries. We will also be having our first North American teams. Teams will be returning to the Philippines, Thailand, southern Sudan, Japan, South Korea, and some other Asian countries. A complete listing of the teams can be seen on our website (www.nehemiahteams.com) or on the IMB Student website (www.thetask.org).

Filipino Nehemiah Teams 2010

2011-03-27T23:31:00.000-07:00

During 2010 there were 6 Filipino franchises (or affiliates) which sent teams of Filipino students to the unreached & hard to reach of their own country. These 100 young adults served on 20 different teams, sharing the gospel with thousands of their countrymen. Many indicated a decision to follow Christ and 68 followed through with baptism.

Happy 2011!

2011-03-27T23:15:00.000-07:00

It has been exciting to be in the U.S. during this past holiday season. We’ve enjoyed spending those special days with family and friends. It was an added plus for us to wake up on Christmas morning and have… SNOW! The first white Christmas Alabama has had in years… our kids think it was just for them! The icing on the cake for us was to hear reports from you as your churches set, reached, and exceeded your Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goals! We are so thankful for your generous giving to this offering as well as the Cooperative Program. These two avenues fund the majority of the budget for the 5,000+ International Mission Board workers serving all over the world. Thank you for giving so that others have the opportunity to hear the greatest story ever told!

Back to School: 2009-10

2009-08-06T00:49:00.000-07:00

Summer was great... but it's over and time to head back to school. New uniforms... new backpacks... new teachers & classmates... new responsibilities. It was an exciting day! Even the few homework assignments that came home at the end of the day didn't dampen their spirits.

Pray for Krysten as she embarks on her high school career... we're sure 9th grade will bring more challenges as well as more opportunities for her personal growth.
Pray for Betsy as she enjoys having a "man teacher" this year for 4th grade. She is still confident that the girls will rule the classroom as they outnumber the boys 5 to 3!
Pray for David as he is a full-time "Instructional Assistant" at the school this year. He has a full schedule, helping in a couple classrooms in the morning then working with the elementary & middle school PE program for the rest of the day. He also gets to help with lunch & recess duty. :)

Betsy with other 4th grade girls... great buddies!

Krysten with old & new friends

Seeds Sprouted After

2009-08-06T00:44:00.000-07:00

Ride a jeepney two hours into the beautiful green-clad mountains outside Butuan City, and you'll reach a covered basketball court that serves as the community center for a small village. A group of medical missionaries were holding a clinic in the middle of the concrete pavilion one morning in late June. They had been welcomed that morning by the village captain and his assistant, who said, “I have lived here all my life, and this is the first time a medical clinic has come to our village.” Jordan and Sam, two college students, took temperatures and blood pressure, then gave everyone a number and sent them to some benches to wait until they were called.

Pastor Antonio leaned on a table near the benches. He was a brown-skinned Filipino with a thick and powerful build, and deep grooves that time had etched into his face. He had once been in the rebel army, but now his hardened face had a sublime tranquility in it as he taught the people sitting on the benches about the Gospel. Behind Antonio was a large banner with pictures illustrating Bible stories that outlined the Gospel, the Gospel that changed his life and took him from military to ministry. He pointed to the box that depicted a cross on a hill, and addressed the small crowd in deep-voiced Cebuano. I knew what he was saying.

A few minutes later, Pastor Antonio called me over. “I want you to share your testimony,” he said. There was a new group of patients waiting at the benches. I agreed, excited at the opportunity and a little nervous. I told my story, about how I had been raised in the church, how I had wrestled with my father's atheism, how I had fallen into secret sins that taught me God's patient love, how I had resolved to hold no part of my life back from my King, how Christ was my only good. Pastor Antonio translated after every few sentences, so I had plenty of pauses to think about what to say. The mothers and children looked at my intently as I urged them to seek God and find Him good, as I had. I prayed, and it was over. We passed out some tracts, smiling at the families.

I repeated my testimony to two or three other groups of patients. At three o'clock, the medical mission wrapped up, and we took the bone-rattling jeepney ride back down the mountain road. “Lord,” I prayed, “I've been faithful to tell who you are to me. I've done all I can, but no one responded openly. Please bring fruit out of it in your own time.”

Pastor Antonio had a daughter who had just given birth and was in the hospital with complications. She was taking heavy antibiotics to fight infection. About a week after the medical clinic, I went to the hospital in Butuan City to visit Antonio and his daughter, marveling at dank corridors that would have appalled most medical professionals back home. As I sat beside his daughter's hospital bed and talked with him and our friend Rudy, Antonio pointed a finger at me and said something in Cebuano. I didn't quite catch it, but Rudy translated.

“He says God used your testimony to bring people to salvation. Three people from the medical clinic last week came to Pastor Antonio here in the hospital and asked how to join our church.”

“Wait, they came here?” I asked. The trip to Butuan City was not something casually done for most rural residents.

“Yes, they sought him out in the hospital. There were two women and a man,” said Rudy.

“Praise God!” I said, unable to keep back a smile. Are you serious God? Thank you so much!

Antonio had referred the three villagers to Pastor Allen, a pastor in a neighboring area who came to the village to do social work. He was the closest permanent minister to them, so we put the task of follow-up with these people in his hands – and in God's.

I walked away from the hospital reeling in delight. God had surely used what I had said, together with what Pastor Antonio had spoken, to stir the hearts of those people. I was sure their faith was genuine. They had gone to such great lengths to find Antonio, a symbol of their search for the Truth.

God had used me, the media guy who took pictures, to be part of communicating the life-changing message of the gospel to these people. God had altered eternal souls, and he had done it through me. Even days after I had left the field, seeds sprouted. Praise be to God, who stirs hearts beyond our sight or knowledge.

Kids Korner

2009-07-09T08:37:00.002-07:00

A lot has happened since our last update... the biggest event being David's graduation from Faith Academy Manila. It seems just like yesterday when we put him on the plane to go to Manila to begin high school. His future plans include college but he has chosen to stay at home for this next year. He'll be a full-time volunteer at Faith Academy Mindanao (school where Krysten & Betsy attend) this school year, helping with the PE and sports program. He's enjoying spending time with friends and playing lots of basketball.

Krysten "graduated" from 8th grade and is excited about high school. She's also enjoying spending time with friends this summer. She decided she wanted to learn to play the flute over the summer so is taking weekly lessons. She continues to develop her piano skills and singing... I'm sure our neighbors wonder sometimes what type of concerts we hold in our living room! She had a great time with the team from FBCFP this past month. Connecting with friends and being a part of their ministry made for a great week.

Betsy finished 3rd grade and is looking forward to 4th! She loves spending time with her dog, Bravo, and playing with our neighbor, Jessica. She's enjoying sleepovers with friends, swimming, and some trips to the beach- she & Jess are snorkeling buddies! Betsy is also taking piano lessons and is doing great! She asked me the other day if it was okay if she practiced twice a day instead of just once... of course!!

This has turned into a summer of visitors. Not only the friends who came with FBC Ft. Payne, but also family. Wendy's sister, Jeanna, and a friend surprised the kids when they showed up for end of the school year activities. It was a great surprise for the kids and made some great memories! They were able to attend Krysten's closing program, go with Betsy on a field trip to the beach, and attend David's graduation. They also stayed with the girls while Jess & Wendy went to Manila early for other graduation events. It was great to have Jeanna here!

A couple of days before David's graduation, niece Kate Vincent arrived. Kate is a recent graduate of the University of Louisville and will be with us until the end of August. She has jumped right in and been involved in whatever was going on. She's also spent some time with several of the Nehemiah Teams, getting involved in their on-going ministries.

With the team from FBCFP arrived nephew Luke Jennings. It was great to see him & David play ball together for the week. Although he didn't get to visit where we live now, he did get to see where the kids lived while we were in the Butuan City area, meeting some of David & Krysten's childhood friends.

But that's not the last one, Kate's younger brother, Josh arrives this Sunday! He'll be here through the end of the month. We're looking forward to showing him the sights of Davao City. Kate is excited to have him here too!

It has been great to have the entire family involved in several aspects of ministry this summer. David was in charge of "transportation" at our Nehemiah Teams orientation at the beginning of June. Coordinating the arrival & pick-up of almost 100 participants went off without a hitch! David, Krysten, & Kate were also a big help during orientation with "office type" tasks. David also helped set up the "adventure rec" courses used for team building.

Again during the week of ministry with the team from Ft. Payne... David coordinating the basketball games, Krysten being in drama presentations & helping with the dental presentations... while both of them begin able to serve as translators and guides as needed. What about Betsy? Her love of playing and making new friends is always an instant draw. She isn't shy to acquaint herself with other children and involve them in games to gather them together. She also acted as score keeper for a couple of the games.

The end of July we'll all head back to Manila for de-brief with the teams. Again, each of us will have our responsibilities to make sure everything runs smoothly. The body at work!

Pray for us as we have this next year together as a complete family.

Pray for David as he continues to seek where the Lord would have him for college. Pray for God's timing in his decision making.

Pray for Krysten as she begins high school. It's our desire that the Lord will mold her into the young lady He desires.

Pray for Betsy to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit working in her heart.

Sonlight 2009

2009-07-09T08:37:00.001-07:00

It's always great when friends come to visit!! A team of 18 youth & adults from our home church, First Baptist Church of Fort Payne, Alabama, spent 10 days in the Agusan River Valley working with the local association. Actually 2 teams in 1, these 18 were joined by Nehemiah Teams members and local believers to complete a vast array of ministries. You can see pictures and read updates from their ministry on our personal blog: www.jennings-journal.blogspot.com

Ministry started out with a half-day work day with the Nehemiah Teams Habitat for Humanity team. The guys helped build the walls for the house while the gals painted roofing supports. The ride to the worksite in a dump truck gave the team a quick introduction to Butuan City... they were kinda like an impromptu parade going down the road! After lunch, the youth team headed out for an overnight associational youth fellowship. While the association planned the logistics for the event, the FBCFP team led the program which consisted of games, food, worship, & just having fun together. The next day, the team was divided into groups of 3-4 and went for an overnight "homestay." Hosted by local churches & families, the team members spent the night in the Filipino homes, experiencing a day, and night, living as they lived. The next day was Sunday and most members were involved in local worship services- sharing testimonies, singing, "preaching", and being an encouragement to local believers. Other, including the medical team, attended a local wedding and got to experience this part of local culture.

The medical arm of the team, led by Dr. Mike Story and Dra. Glee Dacanay-Velenzona conducted free medical clinics in 6 sites with a total of 1319 patients. As families came through the clinic they experienced Christ's love through meeting their physical needs as well as hearing the gospel shared through scripture and personal testimonies.

The youth team, led by Student Minister Jeff Ford, focused on local elementary & high schools. In 4 different villages, they visited the elementary schools in the morning, presenting a short dental hygiene program in kindergarten through third grade classrooms. The program ended with a gospel presentation and the distribution of toothbrushes to the kids. After a sack lunch (lots of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches!), they spent the afternoon at the high schools playing games with the students and sharing one on one with students using tracts and storytelling (salvation) bracelets.

Another component of the week's ministry were late afternoon basketball games. Organized by our son, David, "Team USA" (composed of David, cousin Luke Jennings, Doug Mackey, and several Nehemiah Teams members) played local village teams in exhibition games. During half time of each of the games, the youth team shared testimonies & drama followed by a clear verbal explanation of the gospel. The team also distributed tracts to many watching the games.

Some stats from the week:

Tracts distributed: 1800

Story-telling (salvation) bracelets shared: 750

Basketball games: 5

Total attendance at games: 2000

Schools visited: 4

Dental hygiene presentations: Done 12 times for around 400 children, preschool-3rd grade

Korean Nehemiah Teams

2009-07-09T08:34:00.006-07:00

This is the third year in the development of Korean Nehemiah Teams. A team of four Korean students (mainly seminary students) have been in the Philippines since mid-June. This team has been working with a Korean Foreign Mission Board missionary in Davao City for the past several weeks. This week they are working alongside the American Habitat for Humanity team in Butuan City.

Pray for these students as they complete their ministry and return to Korea on July 19th.

Pray as they continue their studies in preparation to be fulltime cross-cultural workers.

American Nehemiah Teams

2009-07-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

American Nehemiah Teams have now been on the field for a little over a month. 40 teams in 8 countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Argentina, & others! It has been exciting for us to visit teams on the field, talk to team leaders on the phone, hear reports through local supervisors, and read about their adventures on the blog. (www.nehemiahteams.blogpost.com) All I can say is that the bar has been raised this summer and students are rising to the challenge. They are acting like adults! Churches are being started! Children are being rescued! Prostitutes are hearing the Good News. Orphans are being loved. Homes are being built. People are receiving clean drinking water. The gospel is penetrating into some hard places.

However, half-way through a task can sometimes be tough. Nehemiah and his volunteers almost quit from threats, exhaustion and discouragement. For our volunteers, things are no different. The adventure has worn off. Sickness has visited some of the team members. Floors are now very hard. Rice is now very bland. The language barrier is now a nuisance, not a novelty.

We covet your prayers for the teams as they continue their ministry for these last few weeks.

Pray for continued unity among team members.

Pray for good health.

Pray for new opportunities & places to open up for sharing the gospel.

Pray for the persons of peace that they have found... pray for fruit to be produced.. fruit that will last!

As they prepare to say good-bye to national partners, pray for all to be encouraged that they have been a part of kingdom work

As teams gather for debrief on July 26th, pray for the Lord to speak to them in unique ways about their next steps as a World Christian.

Read about their ministries and see pictures of them in action on our blog. www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com You can also see links on the right side of the blog for the other blogs being maintained by media team members in other countries.

As we are developing job requests for summer 2010, pray that we will be led to the right partners to enable teams to be present in strategic places.

Filipino Nehemiah Teams: Reporting what God has done

2009-07-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

April & May saw 13 teams with a total of 80+ Filipino members going to 11 areas of the Philippines to share the Good News among the unreached and hard to reach. These teams spent 3-5 weeks going door-to-door distributing almost 2500 tracts, 300 New Testaments, and 80+ evangelistic DVD's. But more important than these stats are the lives that were changed by having an opportunity to respond to the Gospel that was shared. Over 500 indicated a decision to follow Christ and 40 were baptized. 30 VBS/Health Camps were conducted with over 1200 children enrolled. Other outreach ministries included: drama, community/home film showings, community cleaning, teaching moral values in local schools, sports programs, True Love Waits, jail ministry, hospital visitation, and free medical services.

Pray for the follow up in each of the areas where the teams ministered.

Pray for national partners who will disciple the new believers.

As the new believers grow in their new faith, pray for encouragers to come into their lives.

Pray for the franchise leaders as they have begun planning and setting up for 2010 teams.

Story bracelets and sports help the Sonlight team share Christ

2009-06-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

It’s 3:15 pm in the Philippines (that’s 4:15 am U.S. Central) and I’m sitting under the pavilion at the high school in Lingayao. Jeff is playing “Shout to the Lord” on the guitar and singing along with Thea, Melanie, and a group of children. Nearby Christy is telling the gospel through multicolored “story bracelets” as Wendy translates.

“This is called a story bracelet. It has no power—it’s just a reminder. Yellow means heaven, where Jesus lives. Do you know heaven? Do you want to go there? The black represents me and you, the sin in our lives, the bad things we do.”

Doug is handing out purple and black tracts with the title “Ang Gasa” (The Gift) and Roger is playing ping-pong with a teenaged Filipino as Christy continues.

“But Jesus died on the cross, for my and your sins, and the red represents the blood. When you accept Christ in your heart, it becomes white, and you are wiped clean.”

Laura, Sarah, Debra, Kate and Tammy are playing volleyball in the grassy field in front of the classroom buildings. The girls on the other side of the net wear green-and-white gingham skirts—part of the universal school uniform of the Philippines.

“Once you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, then green means you grow in learning more about Jesus. You grow by reading your Bible, going to church, sharing with other believers, and sharing the story of Jesus.”

Sharing the story is exactly what the Sonlight team from First Baptist Church of Ft. Payne is doing. A few moments later, the children are now in a frenzy around the table receiving the story bracelets and stickers, as well as writing their names down for a drawing for a basketball prize.
The Filipinos are an eager and open audience, both young and old.

“It’s been an extraordinary trip,” said Melanie as their last day of ministry came to a close. “They’ve been very welcoming.”

The team was welcomed into many different barangays on the island of Mindanao this past week, playing basketball and doing toothbrushing demonstrations at elementary schools (while incorporating the gospel into both). During the school visit, the team talks about how to have not just clean teeth but how Jesus cleans your heart “and you only need to do that once!” Then, during the game halftime, they perform dramas and share their testimony to audiences numbering usually over a hundred.

The team has been welcomed by Filipino believers too. “The Philippine Nehemiah Team members, Jetter, for example, have been so helpful, so encouraging,” said Thea. “They’ve encouraged me in my faith by their day-to-day testimony. They remind me of what the early church must have been like.”

“Wow,” said Tammy, “I’m not ready for it to be over. I’m ready to come back again.”

Pictures

The basketball teams after the game.

Story bracelets and tracts!

Roger plays table tennis

The team with teachers from the elementary school where they did the toothbrushing presentation.

The girls' volleyball game - Filipina side

Onlookers during the toothbrushing presentation. The eagerness of people in the Philippines to hear the message the team was saying means many people heard the gospel.

Wednesday update pictures

2009-06-24T19:38:00.001-07:00

Teacher Melanie signing autographs!

Supper

Team USA & the opposing team- Philippine National Police

Drama during halftime

Medical Crusade Offers “Abundant Life”—Physical and Spiritual

2009-06-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

“Number sixty!” calls the man on the platform, and another mother and child step up and join Dr. Mike and his translator for consultation. Two roosters are crowing in the background behind the hum of the crowd gathered around the registration table. It’s all part of the Abundant Life Medical Crusade in the covered basketball court/pavilion that serves as a community hub for the village. The team is helping people who rarely receive medical attention by offering consultations, checkups, and basic medicine. After Jordan and Sam (summer medical interns with the Nehemiah Teams) take the patients’ temperature, blood pressure and weight, they go to a waiting area until their number is called by the doctors. In the waiting area they hear the gospel presented by local Pastor Antonio. Antonio uses a large cartoon-boxed banner that illustrates “God’s Way” vs. “Man’s Way,” and the Good News coloring book to communicate the message of sin and redemption in a way people of varying literacy can understand.

The medical mission team was welcomed with open arms by the village this morning. They were introduced one by one to the community by the Barangay Captain himself. The captain’s assistant also spoke: “In behalf of the barangay officials, we are very thankful for you coming here. Our barangay is very far from the city. I have been living here since birth, and this is the first time our barangay has had visitors like you to do a medical mission.” The lady who spoke these words later heard me (Ben) share my testimony at the evangelism table, translated by Pastor Antonio; at the end of the day she said that she was open to attending a Baptist church if one was nearby, and asked how one went about converting from the Catholic church.

This first-of-its-kind team is mostly from First Baptist Church of Ft. Payne, Alabama, joined by Jordan and Sam and Filipino partners including Bong, Lang Lang, Pastor Antonio, Pastor Allen, and others. They have visited five barangays since they started last Friday, helping over 960 families become both physically and spiritually healthy.

A Winning Day at the American-Filipino Friendship Game

2009-06-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

The Sonlight mission team joined forces with Teams to bring the American-Filipino Friendship Basketball Game to village of Florida yesterday. Players from the church joined college summer missionaries in a showdown against the barangay all-star team – a group of irregularly tall and astoundingly athletic Filipinos. The Filipinos took the win after much sweat and hustle on both sides, but the team wearing the USA. custom jerseys still won. How? The Sonlight team, mostly from FBC Ft. Payne, accomplished their true mission – building relationships with the rural residents of Butuan City and sharing the Good News of Christ!

Sonlight members delivered two testimonies and two skits during halftime. The audience crowded around every meter of the basketball court inside the concrete pavilion. An estimated 200 heard the gospel in the course of watching the friendship game; many eager children also took the “Ang Gasa” (The Gift) tract. The game was a witness even on the court. For example, the teams prayed before the start of the game.

The day was repleat with ministry leading up to the game. Around 1:30 the team presented drama/health education at a nearby elementary school. About 100 children lined up neatly in rows and cheered in unison as Ms. Melanie talked about “clean teeth and a clean heart.” “Brush your teeth three times a day,” she said as Buffy put another visual on the board. Later she said, “You only need to clean your heart once, by asking Jesus to clean it for you.”

The team also played volleyball against the local high school, girls vs. girls and guys vs. guys. (A loss and win, respectively.) The girls on the team brought out bubbles, balloon animals and a drawing for a basketball before the game started. A line of eager children quickly formed for the balloon animals.

After the game it was a 2-hour boat ride down the Agusan River and a tricycle ride to McDonalds, where everyone celebrated a full and fruitful day of serving the Lord. Youth Pastor/Team Leader Jeff summed up their experiences on Tuesday:

“We’ve been working for 4-5 days now and the variety of things feels like many weeks. Our students have been amazing with the sharing of their testimonies. There’s a sense of accomplished purpose, a sense that God’s directing our steps and giving us opportunities to share in many ways. Our team is great because they never complain. It’s our missions motto – “be flexible”—and I’ve seen our team be so flexible. The most thrilling part has been transportation—motorcycles, boats, and tricycles. The most rewarding aspect—the attitude of the people, because we’ve been so embraced. …I thought I was almost exaggerating the challenges when I was preparing, but I wasn’t—you just have to experience it. You can’t get what it’s like riding four on a motorcycle until you do it. We’re all doing things we never imagined we’d be doing. The importance, the urgency of sharing our faith is a real lesson we’ve learned.”

Monday Update

2009-06-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

What a great day the youth team had! They started their day with a 45 minute ride on a pumpboat up the Agusan River to the village of Bilay. They shared a brief dental/Gospel presentation in the first through third grade classrooms. During the student's lunch break the team was able to play with the children... bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!! The kids also grabbed up all the balloon animals Doug & Lauren could make... as quickly as they could make them!

In the afternoon they shared the dental presentation with the daycare program (3 & 4 year olds) and then headed for the high school. The Filipino students taught the team a local game. It was fun to watch them play! The girls played the game first... the American girls did a good job learning the game but were never able to "score." When the guys turn came they did a little better... looks like a good game to play during football/basketball practice to work on their agility! They also played volleyball against the local students.

While some were playing, other team members talked one on one with the students, sharing the "storytelling bracelet" (salvation bracelet) with them. Pray for these seeds that were planted.

Around 5:30 people began to gather for the basketball game: Americans vs Filipinos. All played a great game and our team did end up winning by about 5 points. This was an especially fun game for David since this is the village where we lived when he was 5-8 years old. Several of his friends were playing on the opposing team. During halftime the team shared several dramas, Sara and Christy shared a brief testimony, and a presentation was made to the local officials with a letter and gift from the Fort Payne Mayor's office. A drawing was also held for a couple basketballs, a t-shirt, (Thanks Sand Rock High School) and a frisbee.

"Walk the Line"

Homestay comments

2009-06-21T15:40:00.001-07:00

As team members went out to their "homestay" this past Saturday, we asked them to be active learners of the culture and what was going on around them. Each of the youth team members were hosted by a local family/church. Most of them slept on the floor, used an outhouse-type bathroom, and ate things they might not have eaten before. Read some of their experiences below:

What was difficult about your homestay?

sleeping on the floor (either concrete or bamboo)
The water supply was far away. The hosts had to fetch water for us to bathe.
It was hard to see the beautiful children living in such poverty... and how this poverty affects their hygiene and safety. It made me uncomfortable. But yet it didn't seem to bother the parents.
Knowing that they were giving us the best of the living situation and it was still so much of a lower standard that most people I know would be willing to accept.
It was awkward at times not knowing what was going on. We'd just sit there and smile and wait for someone to tell us what was going on.

What did you learn about the culture?

pigs are very loud when they're being slaughtered
Filipinos are very communal. They stayed up at night talking until time for bed, then everyone went to bed.
Roosters crow all day long, not just at dawn... they actually crow BEFORE dawn
Filipinos love guitars and karaoke
The people are very welcoming- even with the language barrier, you could tell when they were lovin' on you or when they were teasing you

What I learned about myself?

I'm a wimp!
They can worship without all the "stuff" we think is necessary for a worship setting
How blessed are the poor. Wealth is dangerous. Being comfortable is a dangerous thing.
It's difficult to be with people who are different from me. How much more difficult it would be to truly love them if I have a problem just staying in their house.
Even at 50 (which they said for them was more like 100!), I could dominate on the basketball court... although I did have an advantage... I was playing in tennis shoes and they were wearing flip-flops.

Celebrations!

2009-06-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Several team members celebrate birthdays while they are here. Taryn on the day the team left Alabama, Buffy on Saturday, Eleanor on Sunday... and the Story's will celebrate their anniversary later in the week. The team had a little celebration tonight in their honor!

Sunday update

2009-06-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

After Saturday night's "homestay", each of the groups worshiped with their hosts Sunday morning. Two of the groups were able to attend a local wedding (see pics below) and experience another part of the Filipino culture. Following a lunch which included a roasted pig... everyone loaded up in the jeep once again for the hour trip back into the city. Right before the jeep arrived at the hotel... the other two teams arrived, via motorcycle. All 7 team members, their host, plus drivers arrived on 2 motorcycles. Oh I wish I'd had my camera handy! I'm sure they felt every bump on the trip into the city.Everyone was looking forward to a shower and a clean set of clothes! Right now the team is meeting to finalize their ministry for the next few days. The medical team will continue with the clinics while the youth team will travel to a different location each day. The youth team will be sharing a short dental presentation with 1-3 grade students each morning, playing games with the students during lunch, and then sharing some time with high school students after lunch. Hopefully they'll get to play a few volleyball games with the older students while sharing the gospel through drama, personal testimonies, and giving out tracts. Late each afternoon they'll play a basketball game against the local village team.

Wedding lunch

Saturday Pictures

2009-06-21T00:14:00.001-07:00

Betsy with friends!

Pastor's wife cooking lunch for the team

Dona B with patients

Doctora Glee with a goiter patient

Eleanor & Dr. Mike in the pharmacy

Friday Update

2009-06-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Friday morning the medical team left early for their first clinic site. They saw over 60 families... most with 5 or 6 members each. The local pastor said that many of the residents commented that this was the first time they had seen Americans! All American men now must look like Dr. Mike and the majority of the women must have curly hair (Rhea, Eleanor, & Taryn)! It was a great day! We'll post pictures as soon as we can.

After morning devotion led by one of the Nehemiah Team members (Ben, from Albertville), the youth team headed to a local Habitat for Humanity site for a morning of work. They felt like they were in a parade as they loaded up in the Habitat dumptruck for the 15 minute ride through Butuan City to the worksite. (see video of them leaving the hotel) The ladies spent the morning painting metal trusses while the others began the walls of the house currently under construction.

Hey Cuz!!

2009-06-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting summer for the Jennings kids! 3 cousins visiting in one summer! Cousin Kate arrived the end of May, just in time for David's graduation. Kate will be here until the end of August. Her brother, Josh, will arrive in July for a couple weeks. Today, Cousin Luke arrived with the team from FBC Ft. Payne. It was great to see David & Luke get to play ball together tonight. Although Luke was jet-lagging pretty badly, they put forth a good effort as they played a local team. (see video clip below) They'll play at least 4 more games against local teams over the next week.

Luke, David, Krysten, & Kate

Team has arrived!

2009-06-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

The team from FBC Fort Payne has arrived in Butuan! The 18 person team will be joining with nationals and other volunteers for a full week of ministry. After a short time of orientation the first ministry opportunity began with a basketball game against a local team here in Butuan City. Team USA put forth a good effort... it was a little difficult to play as a team since they'd never even practiced together!... but they did lose 56-51. Oh well... it was a good start to the week. During half-time the players introduced themselves much to the delight of the girls in the crowd! Other team members share a brief drama followed by a Gospel presentation by Jeff (translated by Jess).

Jet lag had set in pretty hard and the team was ready to head to bed when they returned to the hotel around 9:30. No Thea... you are talking in complete sentences! :) Pray for the team as the medical team will conduct their first clinic while the youth team works all morning at a local Habitat for Humanity site. In the afternoon, the youth team will lead an assocational youth fellowship which will last until Saturday afternoon.

Warming up before the game

Getting ready to play

After the game

Visitors from home!

2009-06-16T01:02:00.001-07:00

We're excited about the volunteer team arriving this week from our home church, First Baptist Church of Fort Payne, Alabama. This team of 18 youth & adults will arrive in Butuan City on Thursday and will spend the next 9 days sharing God's love throughout the Agusan River Valley. In partnership with the local association of churches they will be: conducting free medical clinics, playing basketball games against local teams, giving dental hygiene demonstrations in local elementary schools, playing volleyball against high school students, sharing their personal testimonies, hosting an association-wide youth rally, performing evangelistic dramas, making & installing water filters, working at Habitat for Humanity project, going door-to-door sharing the Good News, and attending a wedding! Whew!! I think that's enough to fill up their time!

Be praying for this team as they begin traveling Tuesday morning (Alabama time!) and will arrive Thursday noon (Philippine time!) Their schedule will begin Thursday afternoon with a brief orientation followed by the first basketball game. We'll try to post updates & pictures as often as possible.

Pray for:

open hearts of the team members to enable them to hear what God is saying to them during their time here,
open doors in the villages where the team will be ministering,
fertile hearts that are ready to accept what they hear about Christ & His love for them

Where am I from?

2009-03-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

I am from the United States,
The land of the free and the brave.
Where a two car garage and 2.5 kids is the norm
Where sports are King and Christianity is just another religion.

I am from the Philippines.
The country where corruption is rampant.
The land where the rich become richer
and the poor become poorer.

I am from the city,
From skyscraper and office buildings.
From traffic lights, streets, and suburban homes.
Where drug dealers and gangs roam the streets.

I am from the mountains.
Where trees are everywhere and the roads are dirt.
Where there is no difference between drinking water and laundry water.
Where being rich means having 2 caraboes instead of one.

I am from friends,
where encouragement and disappointment happens.
Where gossip and stories are shared,
Where good or bad memories are made.

I am from family.
Where love is unconditional and nothing has to be proven.
A place where somebody will always be there for you,
A place where you feel safe.

I am from sports,
From the sweat and hard work,
From the bounce of a basketball and the bump of a volleyball.
I am from the hardwood floor and sweet resounding swish of the net.

I am from the classroom,
Where listening is a necessity and talking is forbidden.
I am from teacher's hard work and dedication to excellence,
Where homework isn't a choice but a chore.
Where an "A" is a reward for hard work.

I am from Jesus,
The Author and Perfecter of our faith.
The beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega.
Where my desire is to follow Him and do His will.
Where the Bible is my guide and the Holy Spirit is my interpreter.
I am from Him and for Him.

-David Jennings

More family pictures...

2008-08-28T09:16:00.001-07:00

Riding the longest zipline in Asia... Superman style!!!

Success!!!

Kids Korner

2008-08-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

School has been back in session for a couple weeks now and it seems like we're getting on a pretty normal routine. It used to be weird to think, "We are parents of a teenage?!." Now we say, "We are parents of a senior!" as David has begun his senior year at Faith Academy in Manila. Volleyball season started today and he's excited about playing again this year. Pray for David as he manages his time between sports, activities with friends, and keeping on top of his classes. Pray that he will be sensitive to God's leading for his future plans. It's our prayer that this will be a great year for him... full of memories and defining times that he'll remember for a lifetime!

Krysten is enjoying her 8th grade year at Faith Academy here in Davao City. Already busy with Student Council (vice-president), chapel praise team (keyboard), sports (intramural soccer & tennis lessons), not to mention her academic subjects... it looks like it's going to be a busy year! Pray for Krysten as she also learns to budget her time and choose wisely where she spends her time. Pray for a continued desire to grow in God's grace & inner beauty.

Betsy is thinking 3rd grade isn't much different than 2nd grade. We keep telling her it will surely get harder some day! Her current hobby is trying to teach our black Labrador some new tricks. She's started making an obstacle course around the backyard. He seems to be pretty eager to learn as long as there is some food involved! She loves to be outside... playing with the dog, riding her bike with neighbors, and going swimming. She's also started piano lessons and seems to enjoy that too. Mom might not be the best teacher in the world but hopefully she'll get the basics! Pray for Betsy to continue to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's moving in her life. Pray that she will be helpful to her teachers and an encouragement to her classmates.

Hands on the Rim

2008-08-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

A new program through our organization offers 4 to 12 month positions. Hands On is missions experience for college students and young adults. You'll be able to join real missionaries in their efforts to reach the lost. You'll be called upon to use whatever skills you have as tools to help start new churches and share about Jesus Christ with people who may have never even heard His name. Complete information can be found on the Hands On website... www.thetask.org/handson

Many teams are requested for 2009 for the PacRim region. From agriculture to orphanages... student ministry in urban centers to evangelism in some of the hardest to reach places ... teaching English to the unreached to teaching children at a missionary school... the opportunities are here!! The first session is February 8 through August 2, just short of 6 months. The second session is 4 months... August 16 through December 17.

Will you be the hands that will show God's love?!

Student Summit

2008-08-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Basta matapos kita!!! (If only we may finish!!)
November 7-8, 2008

Longview Heights Baptist Church, Olive Branch, Mississippi

Speaker: Claude Hickman of The Traveling Team and author of Live Life on Purpose

Breakout sessions.... Are you a World Christian? Who are the UPG's of the PacRim? God's Will or Mine?

Interactive seminars

Missionaries: Up-close & personal

Worship & fellowship

Registration must be done online before October 22 in order to be admitted to the event. Go to www.takeit2therim.info for complete registration information.

Pray for students who will be attending this event. Pray for the Lord to speak to them about their part of reaching the world for Christ!

Take it to the Rim: PacRim Summit

2008-08-28T08:54:00.001-07:00

The Pacific Rim Region is holding it's second "Take it to the Rim Summit" on November 5-7, 2008 at Longview Heights Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. (10 miles from Memphis, TN). A student event will follow the main event beginning on the evening of the 7th thru the afternoon of the 8th. Come and learn more about what God is doing in this region of the world and how you can make a greater impact among the 800+ million living here. Meet others working among your UPG, those looking for a place to partner and talk with 50 field personnel for first hand information. Register at www.takeit2therim.info

The Summit is designed for pastors, ministers of missions and lay missions leaders to equip partners for strategic involvement among the people of the PacRim. More than 40 field personnel will share a fresh perspective of God at work among the peoples of the PacRim and the great need for the Church to join in the task of lostness. The Summit will help you explore new strategies, learn best practices, and establish people group networks for working in the region. Jess will be one of the participants at the Summit. We are excited for him to share all that God is doing through students here in the PacRim.

An Impossible Task

2008-08-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Nehemiah 6:15 "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifty of Elul, in 52 days." Their rebuilding the wall was an incredible... No! ... it was an impossible task. But with "the help of our God," the impossible was made possible. With your prayers and the help of our God, we have seen God do amazing things since April through Filipino, Korean, and American Nehemiah Teams.

145 students on 28 teams shared the gospel in over 100 places in 4 different countries. They handed out around 20,000 pieces of evangelistic literature, conducted over 500 home bible studies, had 1100 Gospel inquirers (people who prayed a sinner's prayer) and 66 people were baptized. Nehemiah Teams members built a house with Habitat for Humanity, ministered to 174 orphans & 80 refugees, and 1000 young people heard the message of True Love Waits. (For a full report go to www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com) God is truly amazing! Great things He has done!

The vision God has given us is to "Lead this generation to finish the Great Commission in this generation." In the early 1900's, John R. Mott said, "If all men need the gospel, if we owe the gospel to all men, if Christ has commanded us to preach the gospel to every creature, it is unquestionably our duty to give all people in our generation an opportunity to hear the gospel."

We are calling out a generation to give up their small ambitions and go to the unreached and hard to reach of the world. In this going short-term, we are praying that many will commit that whether live or die, they will take responsibility for this generation of souls.

As God is leading us through many open doors, we need you more than ever. We need your prayer support. Please take time to look at our website (www.nehemiahteams.com) and begin praying for 2009. You can see the teams that are requested for summer 2009 here within the PacRim region... and beyond!

Over the next two months we will explain to you further the direction God is leading us, how we are organizing ourselves for advancement, and how you can join us in very practical ways.

Summer Pictures

2008-07-21T01:19:00.001-07:00

PRIME Ultimate Frisbee...

Travel... part of the a TCK's life...

Spring Pictures

2008-07-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

Betsy with friend, Andrea

Krysten & Betsy after "Velveteen Rabbit" performance

Krysten as "Mother" in the middle school's performance of "The Velveteen Rabbit"

Jess & Wendy on recent trip to a nearby country

Krysten playing soccer with high school girls

Family (minus David) at a friend's wedding this past May

David ready for Jr/Sr Banquet

Krysten ready for Middle School Banquet

Kid's Korner

2008-07-13T00:31:00.001-07:00

David is looking forward to his senior year at Faith Academy in Manila. This summer he is busy playing basketball, buzzing around our city on his motorcycle, and spending time with friends. He will have to take a few days out this week to have a couple wisdom teeth removed... not so fun, but that's life! He's excited about getting his official driver's license in a few weeks when he turns 17 and is starting to think about after high school... college, work, the real world. Pray for David as he looks at making decisions concerning college.

Krysten, our social butterfly, is enjoying spending time with friends this summer. She had a great time at our recent annual meeting being a part of a "youth group" for the week. A team from the US came and led the youth program. I think it was definitely a highlight of her summer! Pray for Krysten as she seeks to be the young lady the Lord would have her be.

Betsy is spending a lot of time in the swimming pool. She's looking forward to celebrating her 8th birthday in just a few weeks and is making plans for a sleepover with a bunch of little girls... FUN!! Pray for Betsy that her interest in spiritual things will continue to grow resulting in a personal decision for Christ.

Korean Nehemiah Teams

2008-07-13T00:30:00.002-07:00

We are excited to have a team of Korean students serving alongside one of the American Nehemiah Teams. You can read about them on the blog too... they are serving with the Dapitan Team. This is the 2nd year for a Korean team to come to the Philippines... last year there were 2 members... this year there are 6. Next year???

Pray for them as they finish up their ministry in the next few days.

As they return to Korea, pray for them as they tell their stories and encourage their churches through what God has done in their midst.

American Nehemiah Teams

2008-07-13T00:30:00.001-07:00

Little Orphan Nanny... Evangelism... True Love Waits... Agriculture & Construction... Refugee ministry... Urban Poor... Media

These are the ministries God is using this summer through the American Nehemiah Teams. These 60+ American students with their national partners are impacting lostness. There are 15 teams serving in 4 countries in the PacRim region. To read more about their ministries... as well as their daily life... go to our blogs...

Philippine teams: www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com

Korean team: www.nehemiahkoreateam.blogspot.com
PacRim Agriculture: www.pacrimag.blogspot.com

As they minister for the last few weeks, pray for an increasing boldness in sharing the Gospel.

Pray for unity, understanding, & patience among the team members.

Pray for the Lord to use their various backgrounds, cultures, & personalities to create opportunities to share the Gospel in unique ways.

Pray for national partners working with each of the teams.

American team working in Korea

Filipino Nehemiah Teams

2008-07-13T00:29:00.000-07:00

Eleven teams... 13 unreached areas & hard to reach people groups... 52 team members

We praise the Lord for the ministry of the national Nehemiah Teams this past April & May. Six "franchises" sent out 11 teams all over the Philippines to share the Good News. Through the distribution of Gospel tracts, New Testaments, and evangelistic videos, thousands of people heard this Good News face to face. Families heard the gospel through in-home Bible studies. Many indicated a decision to follow Christ and 39 were baptized. Over 1100 children also heard the Gospel through attending Health Camps & VBS.

Pray for the national franchises as they prepare for summer 2009 teams.

Pray for the 2008 members as they seek how God would have them live their lives as a World Christian.

Happy 2008!

2008-03-06T01:10:00.000-08:00

It was great to have visitors to help us celebrate Christmas and New Years... Andy (Wendy's brother) and wife, Valerie arrived the day the kids got out of school in December and stayed until after the first of the year. They arrived like the wisemen... with suitcases bulging with gifts... and American cereal!!! We had a blast sharing our family's holiday traditions with them. The annual trip to Baguio with putt-putt golf (with annual picture-taking on the horse) & bumper cars at Camp John Hay, 2 hour trail rides, shooting fireworks on Christmas Eve, a little cooler temperatures... and then home to Davao and Paradise Island Beach Resort on New Year's Eve. They even brought some homemade Christmas cookies (Grandma Innis' special recipe) to decorate... and eat, of course!!! Here are some pictures of our time together:

Kid's Korner (March 08)

2008-03-05T03:56:00.000-08:00

We have been so thankful over the years for good health for our family. It's not something we take for granted and we are continually amazed of His provision in that area. Well... the month of February threw a few kinks in that situation! The month started out with Krysten getting her nose broken while playing basketball after school. Ouch! Two weeks later we get a message from David's dorm parents telling us he is being admitted to the hospital with possible appendicitis. Double ouch! Thanks to many of you who knew about these situations and prayed.

Krysten left 2 days after her "accident" to go with her classmates on a week-long "outdoor education" trip to Manila. She didn't get to participate as much as she would have liked... but it was a good trip! She had the packing removed after a week and seems to be healing fine. But... she won't be playing any basketball or soccer for a while without her nose guard! She's looking forward to her first "stage appearance" in the Middle School production of "The Velveteen Rabbit" where she'll be playing the part of Andrew's mother. She also plays piano and sings with the middle school praise band.

David had an appendectomy on the evening of Valentine's Day, checked out of the hospital on Saturday, and was back in school on Monday. The biggest disappointment was not getting to go with the basketball team on the following Sunday for their end of the season tournament in Korea. He's having to stay away from sports for the next few weeks but is looking forward to going full steam again after spring break. (In team picture, David is far left on front row)

Betsy is doing great! She continues to loose teeth... but is glad the new ones are beginning to grow in! She's playing T-ball this quarter but can't wait til 3rd grade when she'll graduate to real baseball. Her class has been studying the different countries represented in the class. Today they had a presentation to share about one famous person from their passport country. Betsy choose Pocahontas!

All three continue to do well in school. We're looking forward to their spring break in a few weeks! David will be home and we're planning some good family memory-makers during the week.

We ask you to continue to partner with us in praying for each of them:

Pray for the Lord to continue to speak to Betsy's heart about a relationship with Him. Pray for us to be faithful in sharing with her the Good News.
As Krysten is involved in classes & various activities at school, pray for the Lord to continue to develop in her a teachable & gentle spirit.
Pray for David as he interacts with other students & teachers at school. Ask the Lord to continue to grow him into a young man with a desire to live godly.

Summer 2008: Filipino & American Teams

2008-03-05T03:52:00.000-08:00

Filipino Nehemiah Teams

This is the final month of preparation before national Nehemiah Teams begin their orientations and ministry. We are so excited about the 6 franchises across the Philippines planning & praying to send out 27 teams among the unreached & hard to reach. Continue to pray for students to be obedient in "going"... pray for churches to be faithful in "sending"... pray as we prepare materials for the teams. More information about the locations of these teams is available on our website (www.nehemiahteams.com).

American Nehemiah Teams

Several of the American teams for this June & July are already full... we praise the Lord for those! However, there are still several teams that need more members... and some teams with no one assigned at all. As students continue to apply for summer positions, pray for their hearts to be open to going to some "hard places"... places with people who are waiting for a messenger to come & share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ.

For more information about this summer's opportunities, you can check our website (www.nehemiahteams.com Look under "Where: American") or (www.thetask.org keyword search "Nehemiah Teams") Teams include general evangelism teams as well as service teams (Orphanage, Habitat for Humanity, and agriculture/construction teams). The Little Orphan Nanny teams were the first ones to fill! We're excited about this new avenue of ministry and partnering with some other ministries here in the Philippines. There is still one media position open.... someone to come & work on a new website, design some promotional materials, and supervise the media folks assigned to the various teams.

Pray for those assigned to serve this summer. Pray for the Lord to provide their financial needs. It's awesome to hear the testimonies of how God provides for these students. Pray for their spiritual preparation as they prepare to share the Good News with many who may have never heard.

Semester Intern

Becca, a student from California Baptist University, arrived the first week of February and will spend the next six months with us. Currently she is spending a month studying language & culture in Butuan City. March through May will be spent volunteering in various orphanages in the Davao & Manila area, helping us to see which ones can best benefit from the Little Orphan Nanny teams serving through Nehemiah Teams this June & July. Pray for Becca as she deals with culture shock & missing her family. Pray for a servant heart as she loves the little ones. You can read more on her blog: www.beccasphilippinesadventure.blogspot.com

There is no rock like our God

2008-03-05T03:39:00.000-08:00

There is none as holy as you are Lord. There is none beside you; neither is there any rock like our God.

I read these words the day after I had toured the ruins of an 11^th Century Buddhist temple in a closed country in Asia. After climbing many stairs and passing by two preliminary structures , which the former glory could still easily be imagined, we arrived at the main sanctuary. We were greeted by a giant Buddha. Intimidating in size. Magnificent in craftsmanship. Beautifully decorated. But, overwhelming silent. For hundreds of years this Buddha and many others like it have greeted thousands... no millions... of worshippers at this place the same way. Stone cold! I stood there and watched as this rock stared into space. He could not hear. He could not speak. He could not move or be moved by incense, prayers, or devotion. Our God is moved by our prayers. Our God sees and hears. Our God cares for us… and them. Truly, there is no rock like our God.

Kids Korner

2007-11-09T22:26:00.000-08:00

We just finished a week of fall break... it was great having David home from the dorm! We just stayed around the house... enjoying watching some movies & just being together. David had a couple wisdom teeth removed early in the week so he didn't feel like doing much! We even celebrated an early Thanksgiving on Saturday with turkey & pumpkin pie. (Jess will be in the US over Thanksgiving so we figured we'd celebrate while we were all together!)

The kids had a good first quarter in school... grades are good, David was a member of his school's varsity volleyball team and is in the middle of basketball tryouts this week; Krysten is a member of the school's worship team, student government, & yearbook staff; Betsy just started intramural soccer and has lost 2 teeth! We are so thankful for the opportunity the kids have to attend a school with such high caliber teachers and expectations of the students. We know they are learning valuable spiritual & character lessons along with their academic classes. A few examples:

Betsy's second grade class memorizes scripture each week... these are not just little short verses but LONG ones that have lots of meat to them! Her class has also spent several weeks studying the life of Miriam... from what I remember from my childhood, Miriam got one lesson and that really wasn't about her... more about her watching over Moses... he was the key person in the story, not Miriam.

Krysten's Bible class is studying the book of John this semester. They are also memorizing passages of scripture and have to read the book through 5 times over the semester, as well as Psalms & Proverbs. She can tell you key themes of each chapter as well as key verses.

David is in a Discipleship class this semester. Rather than studying a specific book, they are learning how to study on their own using various tools- scripture, Christian biographies, and other Christian writings. To be able to pull out scriptural truths and apply them to their own lives is a goal of this class.

Krysten celebrates her 13th birthday later this month... we'll officially have 2 teenagers in the family! We're excited about this milestone and are thankful for the godly young lady the Lord is growing her to be.

Pray for the Lord to continue to speak to Betsy's heart about a relationship with Him. Pray for us to be faithful in sharing with her the Good News.
Pray for David as he interacts with other students & teachers at school. Pray the Lord will continue to grow him into a young man with a desire to live godly.
As Krysten is involved in classes & various activities at school, pray for the Lord to continue to develop in her a teachable & gentle spirit.

Nehemiah Teams American

2007-11-09T22:21:00.000-08:00

28 teams serving in 13 different areas in 3 different countries within the PacRim Region. This is the need for summer 2008. Complete job descriptions can be seen online at www.thetask.org (search for mission projects using the keywords, "Nehemiah Teams"), on our website (www.nehemiahteams.com) or e-mail us (nehemiahteams@yahoo.com) for a listing of the requests. Evangelism, service, & media (journalism & graphic design) teams are needed. New teams for 2008 include:

Little Orphan Nanny Teams: No adventure on these Nehemiah Teams! No mountain treks. No backpack necessary. Not much to offer here except work: mopping floors, changing diapers, feeding & holding babies, and playing with children. Embrace the cross! Be a part of the first orphanage Nehemiah Team and care for "the least of these." 3 teams needed. Davao City (#87033) or Manila (#87034)
Urban Poor Evangelism Team: The concrete jungle of Manila will surely push you to the limit. Manila is home to 8 million urban poor in which 95%+ do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Your team will partner with local pastors, serving in the slums of Manila, to reap this great harvest. You will have the experience of seeing hundreds led to Christ. You will live in local churches, bathe from a bucket, and wash your clothes by hand. Don't forget your cross!! 2 teams needed. (#87035)
South Korea: Refugee: Wars, famine, oppressive governments, catastrophes, & calamities... whatever the cause, we live in a very volatile world. The UNHCR reports that there are over 19 million refugees. Hearing a number that large may cause you to default into a compassion-fatigue mode. Don't hit the ESC button yet! This next summer you can help change the lives of 60 refugees from an unreached people group. After escaping from their home country, these young people traveled & spent time in other Asian countries before they finally found a home in South Korea. Your team will live with these students, teaching them English, life skills, and showing them that there really is a God who loves them. (#88051)
PacRim Ag/Construction: One of the least reached countries in the world. Its borders are closed & its religion keeps its millions in darkness. With agriculture & community development, borders are being crossed & light is being established. Be a member of a 6-man team, working hard for 8 weeks this summer. Help establish a demonstration farm which will impact thousands of people. Jobs may include setting up a nursery, building homes for resident farmers, planting coffee, and sharing with workers about the hope in you. 2 teams needed. (#88148)

Have a semester??? For many, a summer just isn't long enough. Just when you start forming meaningful relationships... it's time to go home! Semester positions are available for the following areas: Siquijor Island, Dinagat Island, Camotes Island, Can-avid Riverboat, Dolores Riverboat, Dapitan City, and Urban Manila. For more information, check out www.thetask.org or www.nehemiahteams.com

Pray for the Lord of the harvest to call out workers into His harvest field.

Nehemiah Teams Filipino Update

2007-11-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

It has been an exciting past few months as local churches, associations, & schools have begun planning for their own summer 2008 Nehemiah Teams! Currently there are 6 different national "franchises" preparing to go among the unreached & hard to reach of the Philippines during April & May. There are plans for multiple teams to work among 14 different people groups/areas of the Philippines. Our role has changed from that of "doing it" to "training others to do it" as Jess & Filipino teammate Rey have been providing training for these different franchises. A first for this coming year is an international team... a team of Filipinos traveling to one of the least reached countries in the world using agriculture & community development to spread the light of Christ in this dark place.

Pray for local franchises as they pray, plan, & mobilize to fill their teams so they can share with those who haven't heard.
Pray for local partners to work with national teams in these unreached & hard to reach areas.

Check our website to see a listing of Filipino teams for summer 2008. www.nehemiahteams.com

Tailgate-ing Through Life

2007-11-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

Sporting events, especially football, are intoxicating for the young men who go on the field every week in front of thousands of people. To play for a nationally known college football team is the dream of many. Stadiums are packed inside, thousands tailgate outside, radios and televisions are tuned in so that literally millions hang on the next down. Fans, even Christians, make many sacrifices to be a part of these weekly events. Hundreds of dollars are spent, and hundreds of hours are invested to “support” the favorite team.

If the lights could be dimmed for a moment, and in that moment, God could give us perspective, what might we see?

Modern American sports has only been in existence about 1% of the time of world history. Only about 5% of the world population even knows the rules of football (or even cares). It is electrifying to be in a stadium 100,000 people cheering, but…. What will we say on Judgment Day when we tailgated through life watching a football stadium fill up every three days with children dying from hunger related diseases? As the privileged ones who know the truth, have a Bible (many Bibles), have a church, what will we say to the ones who didn’t? A football stadium a day fills up with the dead who died not hearing about Christ. What will we say to the more than 1.5 billion on that day who had no messenger? How will it sound to them when we try to explain the rules and importance of carrying a leather ball over a goal line and that we spent more money and time on that than on them?

In Germany during the Holocaust when Hitler was on a mission to wipe out the Jews, they would transport them on train cars going to the concentration camps. As the trains would pass through the towns, the Jews packed in the cattle cars would cry out in hope that people would come to their aid. One church, located close to the tracks, was disturbed each Sunday morning by the sounds of these people wailing. So finally the church calculated the exact time that the train passed. They began to schedule a hymn for the congregation to sing right when the train would go by in order to drown out the sounds of the people.

We too, as Americans, have been successful in isolating and insulating ourselves in this life from the wails of those dying without Christ. But on that day when the cries of enough people to fill up 15,000 football stadiums are heard, what will be our excuse?

Let us not be found tailgateing through life.

Back to School!

2007-08-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

If summer is over... then the next event on the calendar must be SCHOOL!

David headed back to Manila and Faith Academy a couple weeks ago. Now an upperclassman, (Junior) he's excited about getting back in the swing of things at school. This week he's involved in tryouts for the volleyball team while getting used to new teachers and Chemistry, Advanced Math, Economics, Philippine/SE Asia history, Bible, English III, and... weight lifting! Sounds like a pretty tough schedule to mom... including the weight lifting!

Krysten & Betsy are experiencing a new situation this year... a first for our family since we've been in the Philippines. They are both attending Faith Academy here in Davao City. It has always been our choice to homeschool our kids during elementary... but due to our move to Davao City... Faith Academy became an option for us. Krysten is enjoying 7th grade while Betsy is one of 7 students in the 2nd grade class. When we first mentioned the idea to Betsy she promptly told us , "No!" she didn't want to go to Faith Academy but wanted to stay home with mom. After a little prying we found out she thought we were planning to send them to Manila with David! We assured her that we had no intention of doing that but they would go to school here in Davao and continue to live at home. She quickly agreed to that idea! Krysten is enjoying the activities offered... playing percussion in the middle school band, intramural soccer, journalism class, worship team member, as well as her regular subjects are keeping her busy!

Summer Highlights

2007-08-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

The summer has passed so quickly! We had a great summer... getting to travel as a family on several trips while being involved in various ministries over the course of the summer. Here are just a few highlights from the summer:

David's week with Buhay Sports Ministry. One week, 3 different cities, LOTS of basketball! He had the opportunity to share his testimony twice during the halftime presentations. Thanks to all of you who supported him financially & with your prayers.

Birthdays!! We celebrated 4 family birthdays over the past few weeks: Wendy's, Betsy's (7), David's (16) & Jess's . It was fun celebrating Betsy's & David's as they fell during our summer team's debrief time. So instead of just a family-sized cake... super-size cakes were needed to feed around 40 people!

We had some great family time as we traveled together for various meetings... worked with the medical clinic & Habitat for Humanity teams... took a couple day trips to the beach... even visiting with friends in Butuan during orientation & debrief. A highlight for David was being able to complete the classes & other requirements to get his SCUBA certification. Krysten & Betsy spent time at a local orphanage and we brought "Julian" home with us a couple times for a few days.

An awesome week!

2007-07-21T06:40:00.001-07:00

As I write this, the Alabama team should be boarding the plane in Manila to head for home. It was a great week! Some final statistics from the week:

American team members: 8 (Mike, Tammy, Debra, Kathryn, Jess, Wendy, Krysten, Betsy)
Filipino team members: 9 (Glee, Reinel, Bong, Isais, Allen, Dante, Fely, JoyJoy, Rey)
Clinic sites: 5
Families registered: 329. (Adults: 355, Children: 554)
Peanut butter sandwiches eaten: too many!
Miles on the final hike: 5-50 depending on who you ask!
Sets of scrubs left behind: 20
Flat tires: None!!
Difference made in the lives of some: eternal

Thank you so much for your prayers for the team this past week... they truly made a difference! Continue to pray for the workers who minister in these areas. Pray for the gospel seeds that were planted to take root & grow into mature fruit.

How much further???

2007-07-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

That was the question asked...and thought... many times Friday morning as the team headed to their last clinic site. After a muddy ride, the team parked the trucks and hiked the remaining distance to the site. Just how far was it? Some say 3-4 miles... others said it had to be at least 10! Whatever the distance, the trail lasted for about 2 hours and crossed the same creek about 10 times! Regardless of the distance... it was worth it to see the smiles of the people when the team set up clinic for the day.

Coming for the Sick

2007-07-19T01:55:00.000-07:00

“One, Two, Three, Four, Five!…” The children in the next classroom of Higaon-on elementary are screaming out numbers as their teacher leads them in their math lesson. As the children continue, Dr. Mike & his wife Tammy are in the next room looking at patient after patient, determining what is ailing each one and prescribing medicine to help their needs.

As I sit in the corner of the steamy Filipino classroom, I watch as family after family make their way to the hut in the school yard to sign a card so that they can see this American doctor and his team. As they wait their turn, the Gospel story is shown to them through a picture book because of the high illiteracy rate of the adults. The line gets longer and longer as the patients wait their turn outside the room. A majority of them pass the time by looking through the windows so they can see these Americans who have come help them.

When their turn arrives, they make their way to the small wooden chairs, most of them carrying babies, and tell the doctor and his interpreter of their sicknesses. I was surprised to see that a majority of the medicine on the table was simple, over the counter drugs that most of us have in our homes. Most of these people have never taken a Tylenol or vitamin in their entire lives, and today their needs are being met. Dr. Mike diagnoses each person and Mrs. Tammy sorts out the medicine from her tabletop pharmacy. Each patient is also given toothpaste and a toothbrush. This cycle continued for a few hours until it was time for a lunch break. As the ham sandwiches and chips were finished, I sat down with the Storys to find out more about them.

Dr. Mike has been in pediatrics since 1990 and he and his family reside in northeastern Alabama. When I asked how he got involved in these short-term medical missions he replied, “One of my former nurses was Jess's sister-in-law. That’s how I met and got to know Jess and through a relationship with him I felt the desire to come and work on these missions.”

This is his fifth trip to the Philippines and his wife’s third visit. “From all the clinics that you’ve participated in here, what have you gotten out of them?” I asked.

“It's expanded my worldview of the church, from being something local to being something more universal. That the kingdom of God isn’t limited to just the local church.” Mrs. Tammy replied, “Coming here and seeing all these children, how they don’t have to have all the things children do back home and they’re so happy. They get to learn about God through His creation and in ways that we don’t take time to notice. Its taught me to be more patient with my children and encourage them to come out and be missionaries. I want their eyes to be opened and to share Christ all over the world."

The time and effort put forth into these trips are rewarding. Dr. Mike recalls one experience from the trip they made last year. “In the last village that we visited, there was a small baby, very sick, that we were able to take care of and take to the hospital. If we wouldn’t have been there that day the baby probably wouldn’t have lived. This year we got a report that the baby is a year older and doing fine.”

The Story’s brought along Debra, their 14 year old daughter, and Kathryn, who is a member of their church's youth group. The two girls have been working with the medical team as they travel from village to village. “The truck rides up the mountain are always fun,” they said. “Sometimes there are motorcycles that break down on the side of the road and the guys get out to help and slide down in the mud. It’s really funny! There’s never a dull moment. These medical trips are a good way to start out on missions.”

Please pray that more people would answer the call to come and do God’s work here in the Philippines! And ask yourself what are you doing to further the Kingdom of God.

-Micah

"Make 'em sweat!"

2007-07-18T18:57:00.000-07:00

Those were the instructions Jess gave the Habitiat for Humanity Nehemiah Team as Katherine, Debra, Krysten, & David headed for the worksite Wednesday morning. They spent the day bagging sand & gravel, dumping on a roadway, carrying cement, and whatever else they were told to do. And yes... they did sweat!

To read more about the ministry of the Habitat for Humanity team as well as other Nehemiah Teams, go to www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com or link to the blog through the main website www.nehemiahteams.com

They did a good day's work... and had a great time doing it!

Monday pictures

2007-07-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

Monday started at 5:30AM when the team left out for the first clinic site. It was a long way! Arrived at the clinic site a little after 9:00 and then got started!

Katherine, Debra, & Krysten shared a dental/gospel presentation in 3 elementary classrooms. Each student was taught how to brush their teeth correctly and then heard the Gospel explained in a way that hopefully they could understand. Pray for clean teeth & clean hearts!

Katherine was glad for the nice breeze that blew all day long... keeping all that sweat away!

Sunday update

2007-07-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

The road to church was a little muddy in places and lot of bumpy in other places! But it was a beautiful drive along the Agusan River and up through the mountains of the Agusan River Valley.
Sunday morning the team worshipped with a new group that has just begun meeting together in the past few months. These are people from the village of Lawan-Lawan (a village where the team held clinic last summer). However, due to circumstances in the last month, 42 families in the village have evacuated to another area. As Southern Baptists, we have helped these families through the distribution of relief goods during this relocation.

Mike & Tammy both shared a short testimony while Debra & Katherine helped with a class for the children. Afterwards they had a great time taking pictures, especially of the children, and showing them to the kids! They'll have some great pictures to share from this first morning!

Saturday pictures

2007-07-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

Waiting in Manila airport

Still waiting in Manila....

View of Butuan area from the plane... almost there!

De-planing in Butuan City... we made it!!

Krysten is glad to have you here!!!

Abundant Life Medical Clinics 2007

2007-07-16T20:57:00.000-07:00

A team of 4 from FBC, Ft. Payne, Alabama arrived July 14 to conduct a week of free medical clinics. Partnering with national believers and local government health units, the team is conducting clinics in 5 rural areas among the Hiagon-on tribal people.

In the first day, the 2 doctors saw 76 families- 77 children & 74 adults- for a total of 151 patients. As people come through the clinic they also hear about the Great Physician and His desire for them to have a personal relationship with Him.

Pray for safety in travel each day.
Pray for the Gospel to take root in the hearts of those who hear it.
Pray for our Filipino staff as they have on-going ministries in these areas that they would continue to share the Gospel clearly & effectively.

Kid's Korner

2007-06-18T03:35:00.000-07:00

David will be a member of a sports evangelism team, Buhay Sports, this July 2-9. They will be playing games from Cebu City all the way down to Dumagette over the course of the week.

Pray for the team as they use this outreach opportunity to share Christ with the Cebuanos of metro & rural Cebu.
Pray for David as this is his first opportunity to venture out on his own in ministry. Pray the Lord will give him boldness when sharing his testimony and a clear mind & quick tongue when translating for others!

A few recent pictures to share....

Volunteer Opportunities

2007-06-18T03:24:00.000-07:00

July Medical Clinics
A Filipino Nehemiah Team was given open access to a Higaonon village this past April & May. Why? A local leader's father was treated & was healed of an awful infection during a 2006 medical clinic. This family had been blessed through that ministry so were opening their village out of indebtedness to those who had conducted the clinics.

A team from Dekalb Baptist Association will be spending a week, July 14-21, among the Hiagonon tribe outside of Butuan City. We ask you to commit to pray for the team as final preparations are made & the team heads this way. Through a partnership with our local health care worker, "Doctora Glee", the team will be conducting clinics in 4 remote areas.

Pray for team members, Mike, Tammy, Debra, & Kat. Pray also for Doctora Glee and the other nationals who will be assisting with the clinics.
Pray for hearts to be receptive to God's love that is shown & shared during the clinics.

September Construction Project September 15-22, 2007
Be a part in training nationals for evangelism & discipleship. Partner with national believers in the on-going construction of a camp/training facility. Various skills are needed: basic carpentry skills, concrete block building, electrical & plumbing work, as well as a heart to be a blessing! For more information on this team, contact us or Doris Elliott (doris@fbcfp.org)

Nehemiah Teams Updates

2007-06-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

Nehemiah Teams Filipino
We praise the Lord for the 43 young people involved in Filipino Nehemiah Teams during April & May! These 7 teams shared the gospel in more than 20 villages. Thousands of seeds were sown as evangelistic tracts & VCD's were distributed house to house. More than 200 indicated a decision to follow Christ. We praise the Lord for the harvest!

Pray for our local partners as they continue to follow up in each of these areas.

Nehemiah Teams American
Backpacks, quick dry clothing, dehydrated backpacking meals, self-inflating sleeping pads, buckets, tents, tracts, neon green bandanas, rice... and a cross. These are things 29 American college students are carrying across the Philippines these next 2 months. All the equipment in the world can't help them if they've left their cross at home though. As they were challenged during the orientation commitment service, each must be willing to give up everything in order to follow the one who only carried a cross.

You can keep up with the ministry of these teams, see prayer requests, view team pictures, and leave comments for the team members on our web log: http://www.nehemiahteams.blogspot.com/

Pray they will be received into communities.
Pray they will be bold in their witness.
Pray the Lord will speak to their hearts and they will respond in obedience
Pray that Bible study groups will be formed, new believers will be baptized, and God's kingdom will increase in each place!

Nehemiah Teams Korean
The first Korean Nehemiah Teams will arrive in the Philippines in a few weeks. This team will be ministering on Dinagat Island, doing some follow up ministry begun by the Filipino & American teams. (www.mobkorea.net)

Pray for the Lord to provide the right translator for the team.
Pray that the Lord will continue to speak to the team members hearts about their role in world missions and that they will respond in obedience.

Way to go Lottie!!

2007-06-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

What a privilege it is to thank Southern Baptists for their giving to the 2006 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The goal of $150 million was surpassed by almost $200,000! How exciting it is to be a part of group of people who not only say they believe in reaching the world for Christ... but are willing to give sacrificially to help see it happen. How does this affect who we are as an organization?

The offering supports the work of more than 5,100 missionaries across the globe. This year's gift is expected to have a notable impact on the number of personnel being sent to the field. Board leaders anticipate sending 200 extra missionaries over the next two years, in additional to the normal appointment numbers.

More unreached people groups will have access to the Gospel, more people will be won and baptized, more churches planted and leaders discipled and trained around the world because of such a generous level of giving.

Personally, it continues to provide us with a home to live in, a vehicle to drive, children's schooling, resources to purchase tracts & Bibles, and funds to travel to the unreached & hard to reach areas of the Philippines to see what needs to be done to bring to Gospel to those places.

Never be the same again...

2007-06-18T02:36:00.000-07:00

A man had suffered for over 40 years with a severe illness. After semester missionaries B & A heard his story, they asked if they could pray for him. B tells the story, "We laid hands on him, prayed, and then left. After leaving, we decided to buy him some pain medicine since he was in severe pain and couldn't do anything.

The next day we returned to the village and went to see the man & his wife. We gave them the medicine, explained how it was to be used, and asked if we could pray for him again. They said yes, so once again we prayed. After we were done and were about to leave, his wife said, 'By the way after you prayed for my husband the other day, his pain is gone, he has not had any pain since.' She said he even went to the fields today to work and went out and got water.. he has not done that for 20 years!

My prayer when we laid hands on him was that God would heal this man and that through that healing God would turn them to Himself. So with tears in my eyes we shared the gospel with this family and at the end, the wife looked at us and said, 'How could we not believe after you prayed for him and he was healed. God healed him.' Isn't God amazing!!

God is just breaking my heart through the realness of the lost and the searching. We need to be bringing the gospel to all peoples, the hard to reach, the unreached, and the dangerous places. How it hurts to hear, experience, and see the ones who are just waiting and longing for years for the truth. If only someone would go to them!!!! I pray God just utterly breaks my heart for those lost on this river, in this country, and all over the world. My earnest prayer is that I will never be the same again!!!"

Pray for those who have made decisions to follow Christ. Pray they will be grounded in their faith and they will continue to grow through the study of God's word. Pray for leaders to come up out of the local groups of believers.

April 2007

2007-04-26T00:08:00.000-07:00

Nehemiah Teams Filipino: Orientations started the first week of April for national Nehemiah Teams. Through the efforts of local churches and associations, teams are being sent to 5 different unreached or hard-to-reach people groups in 8 areas of the Philippines. Although we are providing training materials and helping with the leader training, these local entities have done all the planning & mobilizing/recruiting for their own teams. Jess will be on the road most of this month attending the various orientation sessions.

Pray as team members are trained that their ministries will be fruitful... bringing forth a harvest for the Kingdom!
Pray for the team members to be open to the Lord working in their own lives as He stretches them through this ministry.

Nehemiah Teams American: On the heels of Nehemiah Teams Filipino is the arrival of the American teams. Students are again answering His call to work among the unreached and hard-to-reach of the Philippines. This year's evangelism teams will be ministering on the islands of Dinagat, Siquijor, and Camotes, and among the Waray-Waray on the island of Samar. The fifth team will be working with Habitat for Humanity in a rural area of the southern Philippines. We're excited about this new partnership!

There are still positions open if you're interested... or know someone who might be! We really need another media team person. This member travels with an evangelism team and reports on the team's ministry through photojournalism and maintaining the team's "blog." For more information about any of the teams, contact us directly or the Collegiate Department of the International Mission Board. More info can also be seen on our website (www.nehemiahteams.com) or at http://www.thetask.org/

Pray for the students as they prepare physically and spiritually for their summer of ministry.
As parents see the commitment their students are making, pray for the Lord to work in their lives... helping them to truly dedicate their children (and their ministries) to the Lord.

Nehemiah Teams Korean: We are in the beginning stages of developing Nehemiah Teams Korea in partnership with the Korean Baptist Convention. The first Korean student team will arrive in the Philippines mid-July. It's been exciting to see this partnership develop and we are already planning for summer 2008 teams.

Pray for the Korean team members as they prepare for this cross-cultural mission experience.
Pray that the developing partnership with the Korean Baptist Convention will provide an avenue for many Korean young people to be involved in missions.

Other volunteer Opportunities

Waray Free Medical Clinics July 14-21, 2007
"Waray waray" means "nothing"... in northeastern Samar live a people with nothing. No real purpose, no real life, no real hope. In partnership with the riverboat Nehemiah Team you will be traveling as far as 4 hours to remote villages. You have "something" to tell!! As a medical team, you will be building relational bridges as you meet physical needs. You will join the team in witnessing through drama, sports, and 1-on-1 witnessing with the goal of establishing house churches among this unreached people group. The team will conduct free medical clinics in rural, remote villages where medical care is limited. Team members with no medical knowledge will be involved in personal evangelism through witnessing one-on-one, sharing personal testimony, or other areas of giftedness. This is a great opportunity to share God's love with those in need of both physical and spiritual healing! If you're interested in joining this team, you can contact us or Tammy Story (tkbstory@mindspring.com)

Camp Construction Project September 15-22, 2007

Be a part in training nationals for evangelism & discipleship. Partner with national believers in the on-going construction of a camp/training facility. Various skills are needed: basic carpentry skills, concrete block building, electrical & plumbing work, as well as a heart to be a blessing! For more information on this team, contact us or Doris Elliott (doris@fbcfp.org)

April 2007 Kids Korner

2007-04-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

Upon our return in January from stateside assignment, we moved from Butuan City to Davao City. Our thanks to many of you who prayed specifically for our kids during this time... it seems to have been a smooth transition!

Wendy & the girls attended our annual home schooling meeting in February. The girls both participated in standardized testing and came through with flying colors... that's affirmation for a home schooling mom! They were also involved in mission projects. The older group (Krysten) did some landscaping at a local elementary school while the younger group (Betsy) held a half-day backyard Bible club for some local Filipino children. They both had a great time!

At the meeting the older students were also encouraged to prepare an oral presentation to share with the group. Using what Krysten had learned while in the US this past fall, she did a great job highlighting basic techniques vital to good singing. (see picture)

Krysten has found her niche in ministry through volunteering weekly at a local orphanage. The hours spent holding & feeding babies, playing with toddlers, and helping in the kitchen are highlights of her week! Over the Easter weekend we even brought a baby home with us. As a family we enjoyed lovin' on this little one and look forward to the next time!

Our son David is once again living at our organization's dorm in Manila while attending 10th grade at Faith Academy. Having been in Alabama for the first semester, he quickly got back into the flow of things when we returned to the Philippines. It was great to have him home for a week in March during his spring break (see picture)... we'd gotten used to having him around again after being in the US! He's enjoyed being a referee for Faith Academy's elementary basketball league these past couple months... gave him an opportunity to use his basketball knowledge while earning a little extra spending money! He's continued studying piano and is preparing for an end of the year recital in May.

First grade is almost over for Besty. She has had a great year and learned so many new things! Her main job these days is feeding our puppy, "Bravo." She has also enjoyed being involved in activities at Faith Academy Davao... playing soccer (see right) and going on a field trip to a banana plantation! (see left) The remainder of her days are spent jumping on the trampoline, riding her bike & scooter, and playing with friends... life is really good when you're 6 years old!

November 2006

2006-11-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

Just the beginning...
It really was a wild summer for the Dolores Nehemiah Team. God brought them through some intense storms... and really tested their faith. They were ready to follow God, even when the plans didn't make sense. Every aspect of them was stretched... physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But everyone stuck it out and continued in their tasks. 19 villages were reached... 114 Bible studies took place... and over 180 people indicated a decision for Christ. The Dolores team had a unique bond that enabled them to do quality house to house ministry and perform their presentation every other day. There is no doubt that God handpicked every team member to be a part of this summer... and each was a vital piece.

The verse, "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord God has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace..." pretty much sums up the hearts of the Dolores team members. The team united as one, under God, worked extremely hard, and had a blast doing it!

One day, some of the team members were hiking far to reach some remote homes. When they came upon a house across the river that was unreachable, Cecil yelled across the water and invited them to come to the group's presentation the next day. A women came into the main village later on, saying she heard a yelled invitation. The woman participated in a Bible study, and received Christ that day.

Now that the team has completed their tasks, the real work is just beginning. The next step is intense prayer. So many people were touched along the Dolores River and they need spiritual support. Pray that others may follow the Dolores Nehemiah Team and help reap the seeds planted. Pray for future messengers to come to the Dolores River and help disciple the people who have made decisions to follow Christ. Pray for encouragement and understanding for those who made this choice to obey God despite social pressures.

Let all our work be for His glory...

-Emily Nash
Dolores Media Team

Future Nehemiah Teams members training
Sheets of plastic with duct tape + a curved row of folding chairs + a 4 foot wall + 20 boys ages 6 to 11 = future Nehemiah Team members in training!
The sheets of plastic turned into "tents" held down by "stakes" of duct tape... the folding chairs turned into a "commando crawl"... and the 4 foot wall stirred up images of a 12 foot wall in a field in the southern Philippines... at the end of their "orientation," the boys received their official future Nehemiah Teams member ID card.

It's been awesome to speak to many college students about being a part of Nehemiah Teams. But an even greater privilege was for us to conduct a mini-orientation for a group of RA's. In a one-hour session, these 20 boys...

set up their tents,
participated in a short Adventure Recreation course (spider web, commando crawl, & "wall")
had a short culture & language session... learning to say important words like: yes, no, and Jesus Christ, and
learned a way to share the Gospel by distributing tracts with the help of an interpreter.

Kids Korner
Youth group activities, soccer games, choir, birthday parties, music lessons, fall festivals & costumes, high school football games... whew! The days are full and fun!

Krysten's soccer team had a great season, finishing up with only one loss and capturing first place for their age division... Yeah! She was also honored to be chosen as a member of the All-Star team. Yeah again!! For Halloween, she showed her international bent as she dressed up as a Hindu Indian girl. Pray as Krysten celebrates her twelfth birthday this month... that she will continue to strive after God's heart.
It's great to be a Fort Payne Wildcat!!! This is the common cheer of David & his friends these days as FPHS had an undefeated football season and is headed for the state play-offs. David has enjoyed cheering them on to victory as he attends the games each week. He showed his Halloween spirit as he dressed up as one of the Three Musketeers for the church Fall Festival... complete with a long blonde wig... pretty tough looking! (see picture below) This weekend he will be participating in Youth Cue, a youth choir festival at Carson Newman College. Pray that David will finish well in his classes for this term and for his preparation to return to Faith Academy in January.
Two newspaper photos in one month... that's our Betsy! While dressed as "Dorothy" from Wizard of Oz, the local photographer captured her picture while exercising in PE one day. The honor of being chosen as the monthly class "Good Citizen" was the occasion for the second photo. She thoroughly enjoyed the October holidays at her school's Fall Festival and an evening of games, inflatable play things, candy, & pony rides while attending a "Trunk or Treat" with her cousin Tyler and her grandfather. This weekend brings another exciting event as Betsy & Krysten are members of the wedding party of co-worker Jim Walker. Pray that Betsy will continue to be open to learning about the Lord and having a relationship with Him.

Hope to see you soon!
As our time in the US draws quickly to a close, we look forward to our final opportunities to share with many of you. We'd love to see you while we're in your part of the country. Below is our schedule for November & December:
November
1 University of Colorado Christian Challenge, Boulder, CO
2 Western State College Christian Challenge, Gunnison, CO
3 Mesa State College Christian Challenge, Grand Junction, CO
5 North Side Baptist Church, Greenwood, SC (all AM services)
6 Louisiana Tech BSU Missions Banquet (7 PM)
8 Wayland Baptist University Chapel Service, Lubbock, TX
11 Wedding of Jim & Siony Walker!!! Yeah!!!
12 Minvale Baptist Church, Ft. Payne, AL (6 PM)
14 Global Christian Fellowship, Samford University, Birmingham, AL (5 PM)
19 FBC, Piedmont, AL (AM service)
21 South Highland Baptist Church Missions Banquet, Little Rock, AR
29 FBC Youth, Ft. Payne, AL
December
2 Hike 4 Missions, FBC RA's, Ft. Payne, AL
3 Nazareth Baptist Church, Rainsville, AL (AM service)
6 FBC Youth, Ft. Payne, AL
13 FBC GA's, Ft. Payne, AL

Summer 2007 Student Teams
June 7 - August 1, 2007

Agusan Ag/Low Elements Team (IMB Job #82559)
Building for Peace: Habitat for Humanity Partnership (IMB Job #82950)
Camotes Island Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82562)
Dinagat Island Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82560)
Siquijor Island Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82558)
Waray Riverboat Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82561)
Media Team Positions: Visayas (IMB Job #82563), Mindanao (IMB Job #82564), Waray (IMB Job #82565)

Pray for the areas where these teams will minister, for the softening of hearts who will come into contact with the Gospel. Pray for students as they respond to God's direction for this summer.
See website (www.nehemiahteams.com or www.thetask.org) for job descriptions and additional information about each team... or drop us an email at nehemiahteams@yahoo.com

Semester 2007 Teams
February 3 - August 1, 2007

Agusan Ag/Low Elements Team (IMB Job #82698)
Camotes Island Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82702)
Dinagat Island Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82700)
Siquijor Island Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82699)
Waray Riverboat Evangelism Team (IMB Job #82701)

See website (www.nehemiahteams.com or www.thetask.org) for job descriptions and additional information about each team... or drop us an email at nehemiahteams@yahoo.com

Mission Resources Available
Are you a World Christian? Not a "worldly" Christian.... but a world Christian. If you're interested in answering that question and learning more, go to our website and download a Bible study series to help you develop a Christian worldview. Other resources are also available. Go to our homepage (http://www.nehemiahteams.com/) and click on "Resources."

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and International Missions Emphasis Resources are now available online at http://www.ime.imb.org/. As a Southern Baptist Church, your church office should have received a promotional package. These are incredible materials available for your church to use in promoting and challenging your church to be involved in international missions. Video clips, power points, photos, banner & poster art, stories, bulletin inserts, clip art, drama & skits, and music, plus graded items for children and students... it's all available for you to use! Many items are ready for download from the website above, others can be ordered through the IMB Resource Center.

Unwrapping the Gift: Pacific Rim 2006 Advent Prayer Guide
Once again our regional office is making an advent prayer guide available to assist you in praying this Advent season. The daily stories and prayer requests from various people groups in Pacific Rim will bless your hearts and inspire your faith. Available for download at: http://www.go2pacrim.org/component/option,com_remository/Itemid,88/func,select/id,7/orderby,2/page,1/

Top Ten Reasons to Give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

It makes gift giving easy. No shopping required and it lasts forever.
In a slow economy or falling stock market, it's an investment that will pay lasting returns in God's kingdom.
More than 5,000 Southern Baptist missionaries depend on you to keep them on the field.
100% of our offering supports missionaries and their ministries.
Your gift can help send a God-called missionary who is ready to go.
Your gift makes you part of God's work around the world.
A world rocked with war, hatred, hunger, and greed desperately needs the loving touch of Jesus.
You are blessed to be a blessing-- to all peoples. (Gen 12:2-3)
Billions have little or no chance of hearing the gospel unless you give.
You're giving Jesus something He really wants for His birthday.

May God bless you as you express your thanks to Him during this Thanksgiving season,

Jess & Wendy Jennings
David, Krysten, & Betsy

http://www.nehemiahteams.com/

June 2006

2006-06-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

Praise report: Filipino 2006 Nehemiah Teams results
Camp Use & Construction Update
American Nehemiah Teams on the field!
Medical/Construction Teams soon to arrive
Stateside Assignment time is here

Praise report: Filipino 2006 Nehemiah Teams results
As Nehemiah Team members arrived at orientation, the first thing they saw was the 12 foot wall! For some, this was an adventure. For others, a challenge... an impossible task... a nightmare! This was something they could not do on their own. It represented what we were asking them to go out and do: open doors and plant churches among the unreached and hard to reach here in the Philippines. Students going to the unreached? Students planting churches? If we ask them to climb a high wall... they just might do it!

The Filipino teams came back rejoicing. There was one common testimony on every team: God is at work among even the most unreached! Rejoice with us:

12 teams with a total of 34 members
An additional 41 local students trained & equipped
Ministered in 42 different areas
Sites for Kids Health Camp: 29
Kids enrolled in Health Camp: 851
Tracts distributed: 5833+
People indicating response to follow Christ: 396
New believers baptized: 20+
House to house evangelism: 395 homes
Permanent Bible studies: 8

Some teams were forced to use creative ways to share Christ with the unreached...

One team was not allowed to give a bold, verbal public witness... but they were allowed to visit individual farmers on their farms and share about agriculture and about the One who can give them abundant life!
A team was able to impact the same community for the entire 3 weeks... each week conducting a different type of "camp" for the children & young people of the community. Although they couldn't go door-to-door & share the Gospel... the Lord brought many to them so they could share the Gospel in a relationship-type way.
A team of cultural learners explored a culture completely foreign to them. In the dark hours of the night, sitting side by side with men of this people group, these students shared of their personal journey with the one, true God. As they were questioned by the men of the community, they were able to answer questions about their faith & the One in whom they believed.

Pray the fruit of their ministries will remain strong. Pray that house churches will continue and new believers will reach out to many more people from their people group. Pray that decisions made by team members will be confimed by the Holy Spirit's work in their own lives.

North Mindanao Baptist Campground Update
It has been a little over 2 years since we started building the North Mindanao Baptist Campground. We want to thank all of you who have helped financially and those who have given their time to come work. Even though the facility is not complete, 145 young people from the Mamanwa tribe came for a two day camp sponsored by their denomination. For most, this was their first camping experience. We praise the Lord that many decisions were made!

Our local association of Southern Baptist Churches used the facility this past April during their annual Camp Meeting to house attendees and for the children's classes. The Caraga Regional Baptist Men will use the facility this next week for their annual 3-day retreat. We also used it for our Nehemiah Teams orientation & debrief sessions. So even though it is not yet complete, it is being used for training & encouraging the local Christian body.

There is a Nehemiah Team assigned to the camp for the next two months. They began early this past Monday morning pouring floors for the 2 smaller cabins. They will continue with other projects over the course of the summer. We are also excited about the Alabama volunteer team coming June 17-24. While others conduct free medical clinics, some of the men will spend the week working on the facility.

American Nehemiah Teams on the field
Following a 4-day orientation, 20 American students with their 9 Filipino team mates began their summer ministry. While the Agusan team set up "home" at the camp, the other 2 teams took to the high seas as they set sail for Cebu City and their final destinations for the summer. What a sight they were as they traveled through Butuan City all loaded up in their jeepney loaded down with backpacks, boxes of Bibles & tracts, rice sacks with their "mobile kitchen" supplies! Needless to say, they were excited to be on their way!

You can keep up with them by checking their team's blogs over the summer. Two media gals are serving as "embedded reporters" as they report on the team's ministries.

The blogs can be accessed through our website (www.nehemiahteams.com) or through the links below:
Agusan Ag/Construction Team & Siquijor Island Team: www.nehemiahmissions.blogspot.com
Can-avid Riverboat Team: www.can-avid.blogspot.com
Dolores Riverboat Team: www.dolores-team.blogspot.com

Pray for boldness in sharing Christ. Pray for the teams to discover a person of peace in each area who is open to learning from the scripture. Pray they will be an encouragement to believers.

Medical/Construction Teams to arrive
Our partnership with DeKalb Baptist Association over the past two terms has resulted in many volunteers coming to be a part of ministry here in the Agusan River Valley. The final team for this term arrives on June 17th. On Sunday the 18th, team members will be in local churches, preaching & sharing testimonies. The medical team, led by Dr. Mike Story, will conduct free clinics in 4 remote villages where health care is very limited. The construction team members will continue to work on the camp, building much-needed bunk beds! Pray for safety as the medical team travels each day to the clinic sites. Pray for those attending the clinic to be open to hearing about the Great Physican!

Stateside Assignment time is here
We are excited to have the chance to see many of you over the next 6 months. We can't wait to share all that God has done over this past term. Our older kids, David & Krysten, left earlier this month and are enjoying time with grandparents & other family members. We will continue to use our current email address so please keep in touch!