Looking Back (post 2)

Upon arrival in the Philippines, I was caught up in everything around me.  I had heard many stories from my husband about the people, culture, sights, sounds, smells....and I wanted to experience it ALL!

But I quickly got a sense of what life was like in the Philippines.  And unfortunately I got to see many heart-breaking things and smell many putrid odors.  It was more than I bargained for to be honest.  And it was the same for the others. 

But what truly lit us afire was the fact that the shelter my husband had helped open 9 years earlier was no longer a shelter but only a school.

We collectively agreed that SOMETHING had to be done about the children in the trash dump, the children sleeping on the streets completely alone, the children begging outside the McDonald's for just a bite to eat.  Something....but what.  We were just 12 white people with very little money to offer.  But...thankfully we have a very big, very loving God who just asked for us to have a little faith.

In a matter of only a few days, a conversation with the Vice-Mayor of the city and some resources of a local businessman God was clearly revealing His great plan.

While 11 of us were back home, Dustin stayed behind and secured the building that is currently Wesley Home for Youth.

Only 2 months later, in August 2009 God breathed life into The Rescue Ministries and the next trip to the Philippines was already in the planning stages.

To be continued.....

Sheryl

Looking Back (post 1)

As time moves forward, we are forced to move with it.  Our bodies get tired, our faces wrinkle and our age (number) increases.  Nevertheless, we remember, we look back.

When I think back to the summer of 2009, it doesn't "sound" like that far back.  But it is amazing, truly remarkable....how far God has brought us.

During the planning stages of our 2009 trip, every mission meeting the itinerary changed from the prior meeting.  Literally.  And when I say changed, I mean changed.  Revamped, didn't even resemble, completely threw out the old and created anew.  As a "planner", this was difficult for me. 

But the funny thing, the biggest blessing when I'm looking back is that even after the final meeting, as we boarded separate flights, the 12 of us had no idea what we were going to be a part of during that trip.  Even my husband, the dreamer couldn't have imagined that he would come home having secured a place to become Wesley Home for Youth.  

But in my recollections....one of the things that points me back to my Savior is that during that period of time Ephesians 3:20 was in my head EVERY day.  

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

I committed it to memory after my sister reminded of these precious words.  Due to some things that were happening in my life I was clinging moment by moment to that verse.  Claiming it.  Believing it.  I had no idea why God hit me over the head with that particular verse, but it would soon come to life more than I could have dreamed.

To be continued....

Sheryl

Word

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Mission Information

The next 3 mission trips to the Philippines are starting to take form. Below is information on the dates and trip goals. As always the dates are tentative based on ticket costs for +/- one or two days.


April 10 - April 21, 2012
Goals:
Rescue 5 youth who will put the orphanage at capacity.
Evangelism: share gospel in the school, set up Young Life program, and have a nightly Crusade; form relationships with youth in orphanage/discipleship
Finalize vision for Camotes (building site) - designing the layout of future orphanage; looking at cost of building the dorms, school, church, etc.


December 26, 2012 - January 6, 2013
Goals:
Spend Christmas and New Years with the WHY kids (this will be designed for sponsors who get to meet the kids they sponsored and build relationships with the kids)
Evangelism: go into the schools with salvation bracelets
Prep for Summer 2013 mission trip: getting building materials; contracting with builders, finalizing building campaign (when we come back)
Humanitarian ministry: going to dumpsite to give food, provide medical care, dentistry, etc. to 500 or so in need)

**Vision can certainly change as needs change**

July 9, 2013 - July 31, 2013
This is a longer trip than is typically plan, it will most likely be split in the middle and will have two teams. Our prayer is that each team will have a 10-12 day trip, consisting of 3-4 churches who will have 6-10 youth in addition to adults. We will certainly open it up so that if some folks want to go the entire time it is a possibility.
Primary goal of this trip will be construction. Prayerfully we will be working to construct buildings on Camotes Island and doing evangelism there as well in the evenings. This trip is over a year away so it will certainly take form and change some depending on how we do with our Capital campaign and funding for construction. The Summer of 2013 should be when we bring some large mission groups so that construction and evangelism can be completed on a larger scale. By this time the Young Life program will have been active for over a year so we hope to do a camp as well.


If you would like more information please email gentfamily@aol.com

Will you go?

There is nothing like standing on top of "Trash Mountain" and seeing nothing but trash in front, to the left, to the right, behind, underneath you.....and children running barefoot through it as if they were in a meadow of clover.



There is nothing like feeling a child's dirty little hand grab yours as they show you where they play.


There is nothing like seeing a boy feed his sister when he is just as hungry as she.


There is nothing like feeling God using you to lead a child who has never heard the Gospel of Christ.


A picture is worth a thousand words....


But what is a personal experience worth?

Will you go?


I am proud, thankful, humbled, overwhelmed and blessed to say these are my feet.  God lead me to a man I never thought I was worthy to marry.  God gave me an opportunity to serve in missions and the man He gave me encouraged it.  God prepared my heart to go and see and touch and do.  God provided the funds when they were questionable.  God is big enough.  If it is His will for you to serve in missions, it is possible, but you must be willing.

Sometimes it is a little scary to pray God's will, because He may just tell you something you don't want to hear, to go somewhere you are scared to go, to do something you aren't sure you can do....But He will lead you and prepare you to do His will.

Thankful, Sheryl

Jolly

Jolly is a precious young boy with a contagious smile that could illuminate any dark place.  His name fully suits him.  Although quiet, his smile speaks volumes!

Jolly lived on the streets as a beggar for two years before coming into Wesley Home.  His mother could not afford to send him to school or provide for him.

Since coming to Wesley, Jolly has learned responsibility for his chores and his studies.  He has worked hard in his extra time and is catching up in his school work.

During our July mission trip Jolly took a big step and made a profession of his faith in Jesus Christ through water Baptism.  Jolly is eager to learn more about the Bible and God's love.

Please click here if you would like to sponsor a child or donate to The Rescue Ministries!

Word

John 4:7-13



Photo credit: © Michael Utech/iStockphoto

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”  “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”