Healing

When a new child comes to Wesley Home he is typically malnourished, world worn and unhealthy. 

But God provides healing.

Isaiah 53:1-6

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

He grew up before

him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

It is often easy to take one phrase from a section of the Bible and try to make it fit our circumstances.  How many times have we prayed this way as we are praying for the healing of someone's physical body.

But in reading this passage in context it is clear that the writer is speaking of the healing of our spiritual heart.

It is important to be healthy and want health for our physical body.  But how much more for our spiritual heart to be healed, to be washed clean, to be filled with Jesus?

Michelle, WHY kid since Jan 2010

Today I am feeling pressed to pray for spiritual healing of my broken nature, my sinful nature, my selfish nature.  I am praying for you as well.  I pray that we will completely accept all that Jesus did for us as he bore our iniquities. 

Already he has taken our punishment and is freely holding out his hand to us....to give us an abundant life, to give us healing.

Thankful, Sheryl

Word

Proverbs 3: 7-8

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Our family is growing!

Who knew a family could grow FIVE KIDS at a time??


The WHY family has just added five new children, one girl and four boys!  These bundles of joy aren't exactly tiny "bundles" but they sure make this WHY Mama full of joy! 

Millow Jean

Dan Joel

Jomel

John Noel

Aries

I will be introducing these children very soon.  (To get a look just visit the WHY Boys and WHY Girls pages.)

Thankful, Sheryl

What if?

I recently had lunch with a friend who was sharing about how the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy and how that is the opposite to the giver of life, Jesus Christ.  I was thinking about how I am a thief.  

John 10:10  

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

During a leadership meeting my boss was sharing that there are over a million words in the English language.  http://www.languagemonitor.com/no-of-words/    She went on to share the top 10 most used words in the English language.  Different polls have the words ranked differently but pretty much all of them has the word “I” in the top 10… if not the top 5.

It got me thinking about my conversation with my friend Don about the thief… and the giver of life.  It got me thinking about how much I say “I” when talking about good things and use God as an afterthought.    

Such as, I was a missionary in the Philippines for 2 years,… and God called me.   I was able to help start an orphanage in the Philippines… and God blessed it.  I am a Vice President at a nonprofit and God opened up that door. 

What if God is not opening and shutting doors?

What if God has the doors wide open offering an abundant life?
  

What if the thief causes me to question and doubt so that my faith is small and I rely only on what I can do?

What if I rob God of His glory on a daily basis talking about myself and not pointing to Him?
   

What if I am going about this the entire wrong way?

And… while I am on this… why am I almost ashamed to talk about God as if He is present and active in my everyday life.  I notice myself saying “not to be all Christian”, or... “not to be all preachy/Biblical”… as if there is something wrong with making a Christian statement, or to act on faith, or to share my convictions and understanding of Who God is and what HE has done and what He is capable of doing. 

Like, living a life of faith is taboo; and talking about Jesus Christ too much or too often, makes you socially awkward or weird... or unaccepted… and if I want to be able to; speak at a church, get a donor, have a friend…. I shouldn’t be too preachy or talk about Jesus too often….. wouldn’t want Him to be a part of the present, everyday life… cause that is just weird and awkward.  He is just someone you pray to about future stuff.  Like healing someone, or helping someone have a good day, or…. You know… like your Wal-mart… just go get what you want when you want it.

 

I am hoping and planning on embracing a life of faith everyday.  A different way of not making decisions or choices based on what I can do and my own power, but on what God through faith can and will do.  To realize that my doubt is a lack of faith and I am being a thief from the One who wants me to have an Abundant Life.  

I need to take the word “I” out of my vocabulary.  Because “I” cannot do anything good apart from God.

Peace, Dustin

Word

Luke 15:20-24

....“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Parker

I have a special friend named Parker.

My husband and I first met Parker at Sunday School.  She is smart, she is shy...and like other little girls, Parker loves to turn cartwheels and flips!

When I write this blog, really I'm writing to adults, right?  I am asking you to give of yourselves, to give up a coke and be a $1/day sponsor or to give up that one meal out a month and sponsor a child with $40/month...  Even to dig deep and give of your time and talents.....

But what about asking a child to give up something.

Just guessing that most kids wouldn't want to give up all the birthday gifts on their 7th birthday.  But that's exactly what Parker did.

She was happy to give up her birthday gifts so she could donate the money to children in the Philippines.  Kids she has never met.  Kids that are so far away that her mind doesn't even understand the length and space between.

Wow!  What a blessing it is to say I have a special friend named Parker!

Chickens, Pigs and Goats....OH MY!

So humor me, I just couldn't resist that title!

One of the newest programs at The Rescue Ministries is helping families by the giving of useful animals and basic needs.  This program is called "The 941 Project".

This program is quickly becoming popular so we wanted to provide more information about pricing and how to donate.  It is recommended that when purchasing livestock that a "set" (male & female) are purchased and given together.

Chickens - $15 pair

Pigs - $120 each

Goats - $60 each

Rice - $40 each

Trees (2) and vegetable seedlings - $50

Manual Water Pump Supply - $360 (per family)


You may donate here.



Mark 9:41
Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.


Please join us and give to "The 941 Project".


Thankful, Sheryl

Looking Forward

As we look forward into 2012, the work in The Rescue Ministries is going in full force.

Appointments for speaking engagements are beginning to take place all over our local area and beyond into other regions and states.  It is exciting for the word to spread about what God is doing in Cebu, Philippines.  Please feel free to let us know if you would like someone to share about this ministry with your church or group.

There are tons of ways to get involved!  Here are some suggestions.

1. Sponsor a child.

Dbelinda

Ronilo

Sharon

Whether $10/month or $200/month....we are very much a team effort at The Rescue Ministries. 
The five new children along with a few others do NOT have committed monthly sponsors.  This is not only important financially but also so that these kids can get to know you in various ways and know that you specifically are praying for them.


2.  Sponsor WHY.
General sponsors are not only needed as cost rises with rising census in the home but also to cover the ministry in prayer.


3.  Get your group or club involved.
Small groups, Sunday School classes, Scout Troops, etc.....Any type of group can work together to raise enough money each month to feed a child.  It takes only $1 per day to feed a child 3 meals in the Philippines.  Think of how easily we "throw away" $1.  Please consider asking your group to join you in support one of the children at WHY.


4.  Email us with questions.
If you have questions that aren't answered on this blog or our website - PLEASE don't hesitate to email us.

Dustin, gentfamily@aol.com
Sheryl, sherylmgent@yahoo.com


Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for what you are doing to help rescue these children.

Sheryl

Looking Back (post 3)

In January 2010, the second mission team arrived to prepare Wesley Home for Youth for the children to come.  Precious children who would be taken from the trash and streets, where none had slept on a bed, some had never bathed and they didn't know the pure love of Jesus. 

The team painted, put up lights, purchased beds and blankets.....and the children came, smiling, thankful for the opportunity of education and safety.  They found all of these comforts wrapped with love.  

When the team left, Wesley housed 9 children.

In the two years that have passed 3 more mission teams have come and gone.  These teams have gone to improve Wesley, rescue more children and love on them.  Good News Church has been established and is growing.

In September 2011 Wesley Home for Youth housed 15 children.  

During December 2011 our local church, Arrowhead Church, received an offering so generous that 5 children more will be rescued this month.  This will bring us to 20 children and fill the current home to capacity.    

It is truly astounding to see how God is throwing doors open for this ministry. Several of these children still do not have full sponsorships, but I have no doubt that people will step out in faith during 2012 and provide the needed funds to care for these children.

Thankful, Sheryl