God is also fun!

This month, we proclaimed that truth in our community. I felt we need to strengthen the relationships between oldtimers and newcomers, that we had a potbless on the first Sunday and a game-loaded afternoon for everybody, young and old. The potbless came on a good day because somebody from the community wanted his two children dedicated to God. The family really appreciated it because they didn’t need to shell out money for a party afterwards.

Third Sunday, we had our Youth Ablaze – a movement run by the youth for the youth. More than 50 attended! We offered a free tshirt for everybody who was there (how we afforded it, look at the story below). Although it was not entirely free (they paid P25 for the printing of the Youth Ablaze logo), the imported tshirt really got them! There were upbeat gospel songs, games, and dances. Afterwards I challenged them to be used by God for His purposes and to allow Jesus to make a difference in their lives.

With God, there are no accidents

I went to ISOT for a church planters' fellowship. As I was leaving, I met several acquaintances at the gate that I had forgotten my bag at the guard booth. Upon arriving at my house, I called the guard right away and yes, they got a bag. But there were some miscues that happened among the guards on duty that I didn’t get my bag for several days. It felt that I was on a practical joke with God that I asked, "Lord, why are you hiding my bag?"

To make the long story short, I was able to pick up my bag one Monday afternoon. As I was leaving ISOT, I saw my Indonesian professor leaving the parking lot and we greeted each other. He asked me if I wanted to pick-up t-shirts at some place for my congregation.

I got home a little excited. I got a big box of more than 200 brand-new assorted tshirts, good brands, and made in Indonesia! What a time to get this gift because our church was planning for a first youth gathering in August, and a free tshirt can be a very good bait for people to come! We got the shirts printed with the name of our church. Now we also have uniforms for the worship team, for the couples, and for the elders. And there were extras for the rest of the congregation and a youth group of a sister church.

That was a fun adventure. God was hiding my bag because He wanted me to find a treasure!

Hey kids, here's something for you!

"Jesus loves the little children..." so the song goes. And we're taking that cue to minister to them.

These are some of the children in Greenfields1 taken one Saturday early this month. They were standing on the Sunday Bible School area that we're trying to build for them bit by bit with the help of some dear friends. They have provided about 75% of the P80k estimated cost to build it. This is the area at the back of the worship center that the children will use to learn about God and the Bible. It used to be just sharp debris from walls removed from the worship center. Now it is cemented and a bit usable. Hopefully next month it will be completed and better suited to build more lives.