Day 1

During the course of this mission the blog will be written by one or more people as often as possible. 

On Sunday morning the mission team was reunited at Wesley Home.  What a TREMENDOUS blessing!  The children are even more precious to me in person.  We had an opportunity to accomplish so much!


We enjoyed a wonderful service that combined the Filipino and American cultures.  After church we had a couple of hours to fellowship with each other and the children and staff of WHY.  Then lunch, volleyball and a welcome service for the WHY visitors (the mission team).  Afterwards the team split up to get supplies for the next couple of days and organize the supplies that we carried with us.


Overall the day was a wonderful time with faces full of love, the Holy Spirit and precious, precious people.  What could be better?

Thankful, Sheryl



So, being that the mission team of five (Melinda Tewell, Gini Hoineas,Megan Cooper, Cathy Armstrong, Bev Goodman and Cathy Armstrong) had been in the country for 2 more days before me, I was stoked to get some updates from them as to how things are going. They shared multiple personal stories of how they have observed the work ethic of the kids, the way they care for one another, the conditions of how they live (at the orphanage, we go today to visit their prior homes) has just challenged and changed their lives. Their World view is being changed... and when we as Christians begin seeing our WORLD through the eyes of Christ and not just our home, family or community... we are truly transformed in our thinking, lifestyle and beliefs. Suddenly people with different religous beliefs have faces other than the "bad guys" you see on TV. Suddenly a muslim is a child who lives on the street who is abandoned and needs to be shown love and grace...not judged and/or criticized. The team shared about seeing the Santo Nino who is an idol here in Cebu that most of the city prays to/through as an intercessor to God. They waited in long lines as mass was being given to get to see the Santo Nino up close and observe how the Filipino cries out to this doll behind a glass, holding their hands up at the glass, hoping and praying that this doll will somehow make their needs and prayers known to God. They know about Jesus, they know about Him coming to Earth as a baby, living a perfect life and dying and resurrecting so that they may have eternal life..but they just can't believe they can go directly to Him. That there must be an intercessor. That Jesus cannot be personal but a distant God... it is very overwhelming to see the lack of knowledge and evangelism that has been done for the city of Cebu which has (I think, I don't want to google it)..6 million residents. Think about all of the churches in Morristown/Jefferson City and the population. Pretty much 100% have access to the gospel and will be around a Christian no matter where they go. Now think about a city of 6 million where your entire family for generations has grown up believing one thing for years and years and years... and suddenly, out of grace..some white guy/gal comes from TN to tell you that what you have been taught is not totally accurate...and they spend a whopping 15 minutes sharing their heart and faith... as you the FIlipino, are you going to abandon all that you have seen and known your entire life bc of what some foreigner told you why standing in the trash? ... only if the Holy Spirit convicts and reveals..would be my answer... (wow this is a tangent)...but an important one. The team needs your prayers as they share their faith and walk with these folks and that the Spirit of God will go before them to reveal the Truth.
Peace, Dustin

Sorry no pics, I will get them up when we have a good connection.