The Rescue Ministries team is hard at work. We are making improvements on our website, print materials and other various items that make us more available to you.
Please check out our updated website (still somewhat under construction).
As always, feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or ideas about the work happening in the Philippines.
Thankful, Sheryl
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
April Mission, Coming to an end...
A final report from Mitch. Bear in mind that he is approximately 12 hours ahead of us.
Well, my time is running down here in the Philippines. Today is my last full day and will be spent in a celebration at Wesley Home with our kids.
Yesterday (Tuesday) we visited another area of Liloan, where Pastor Jerusalem has a local church. We had worship with about 100 filipinos and it was great. Then we all shared in a meal togethr, provided by Wesley. The fellowship time was very good too. Later in the afternoon, we returned to Wesley Home for our staff meeting. This is a great time of conversation, hope, dreams and discussion. It is really a support session for the staff and I really enjoy being in their presence. We discussed many needs for Wesley and made plans for improvements.
Last night, I went out for dinner (Chinese) and to a movie. We visited Arnell's office and spent some time in the mall. I guess I spent time being a typical tourist.
Today (Wednesday) I spent time with Arnell's family. The baby, named Andrew, is beautiful. He weighs only 6 pounds and has a bunch of black hair. He is so cute and doing very well. Jo is doing well also. They are a very happy family. I have packed my bags and prepared for my departure. I will spend the today at Wesley Home, saying goodbye to the kids. It is a sad day - to leave - but I am really looking forward to coming home and seeing my family. It was good to visit a little while this morning with the Rescue Ministries Board, via internet.
Please continue to pray for Wesley Home and our students.
Mitch
Well, my time is running down here in the Philippines. Today is my last full day and will be spent in a celebration at Wesley Home with our kids.
Yesterday (Tuesday) we visited another area of Liloan, where Pastor Jerusalem has a local church. We had worship with about 100 filipinos and it was great. Then we all shared in a meal togethr, provided by Wesley. The fellowship time was very good too. Later in the afternoon, we returned to Wesley Home for our staff meeting. This is a great time of conversation, hope, dreams and discussion. It is really a support session for the staff and I really enjoy being in their presence. We discussed many needs for Wesley and made plans for improvements.
Last night, I went out for dinner (Chinese) and to a movie. We visited Arnell's office and spent some time in the mall. I guess I spent time being a typical tourist.
Today (Wednesday) I spent time with Arnell's family. The baby, named Andrew, is beautiful. He weighs only 6 pounds and has a bunch of black hair. He is so cute and doing very well. Jo is doing well also. They are a very happy family. I have packed my bags and prepared for my departure. I will spend the today at Wesley Home, saying goodbye to the kids. It is a sad day - to leave - but I am really looking forward to coming home and seeing my family. It was good to visit a little while this morning with the Rescue Ministries Board, via internet.
Please continue to pray for Wesley Home and our students.
Mitch
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
April Mission update
Another update from Mitch....my comments and explanations are in blue.
Greetings to everyone. I have been very busy here in Cebu, but things are going very well. Let me bring you up to date on the highlights.
Saturday was a great day! We spent the day at the local high school working and building the new restrooms (comfort rooms as they are called here in the Philippines). (The local high school originally only had one restroom for over 1,000 students.) We hauled in the block by hand and mixed our mortar. We laid the walls and framed the doorway and windows in two of the four bathrooms. A ditch was dug for the sewer pipe and water was piped from the main school building. The remaining two bathrooms were completed by local Filipino friends on Monday. The school now has another 4 working restrooms.
Saturday afternoon we celebrated Dbhelinda's birthday. She turned 14 years old at Wesley. We had Mango cake (even better than the Mango ice cream). Saturday evening we went out to dinner with Pastor Jerusalem, our new pastor at Wesley and his praise team. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Sunday was a great day! We visited the local church here in Liloan - where our kids attend once per month. I was invited to preach. It was wonderful worship - Filipino style - My American friends would be exhausted. It lasts for about three hours, but its really great! The church served us lunch and then we took the kids to the beach for the afternoon. They swam and played and had a great time.
On Monday, we visited another island where Pastor Jerusalem has another church. The sea vessel we took looked a bit "non-sea worthy", however, it got us to where we were going. The boat arrived at the island at low tide and could only get about 100 yards from shore. We had to "Swim for it". Really not that bad, the water was only waste high. it was fun. We had church service in a small church and I enjoyed speaking there. Pastor Jerusalem had to interpret for me. I was tired and went to bed pretty early that night.
ALL is good here. We are preparing to begin a staff meeting now for Wesley Home staff so I will close for now. More to come. Thanks for your prayers.
Mitch
Please continue to keep Mitch in your prayers as he wraps up his work over the next couple of days.
Thankful, Sheryl
Greetings to everyone. I have been very busy here in Cebu, but things are going very well. Let me bring you up to date on the highlights.
Saturday was a great day! We spent the day at the local high school working and building the new restrooms (comfort rooms as they are called here in the Philippines). (The local high school originally only had one restroom for over 1,000 students.) We hauled in the block by hand and mixed our mortar. We laid the walls and framed the doorway and windows in two of the four bathrooms. A ditch was dug for the sewer pipe and water was piped from the main school building. The remaining two bathrooms were completed by local Filipino friends on Monday. The school now has another 4 working restrooms.
Saturday afternoon we celebrated Dbhelinda's birthday. She turned 14 years old at Wesley. We had Mango cake (even better than the Mango ice cream). Saturday evening we went out to dinner with Pastor Jerusalem, our new pastor at Wesley and his praise team. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Sunday was a great day! We visited the local church here in Liloan - where our kids attend once per month. I was invited to preach. It was wonderful worship - Filipino style - My American friends would be exhausted. It lasts for about three hours, but its really great! The church served us lunch and then we took the kids to the beach for the afternoon. They swam and played and had a great time.
On Monday, we visited another island where Pastor Jerusalem has another church. The sea vessel we took looked a bit "non-sea worthy", however, it got us to where we were going. The boat arrived at the island at low tide and could only get about 100 yards from shore. We had to "Swim for it". Really not that bad, the water was only waste high. it was fun. We had church service in a small church and I enjoyed speaking there. Pastor Jerusalem had to interpret for me. I was tired and went to bed pretty early that night.
ALL is good here. We are preparing to begin a staff meeting now for Wesley Home staff so I will close for now. More to come. Thanks for your prayers.
Mitch
Please continue to keep Mitch in your prayers as he wraps up his work over the next couple of days.
Thankful, Sheryl
Monday, April 16, 2012
Project Pillowcase UPDATE
My goal for Project Pillowcase this year is 500 dresses and we are well on our way to meeting that goal!
Already 75 dresses have been designated to travel to Guatemala and 35 dresses are headed to Honduras. Also, Mitch delivered 40 dresses to the Philippines during this trip.
So given those numbers we are at 150 dresses already and we are only half-way through April! Keep on sewing and sharing about this project with your friends.
Thankful, Sheryl
Already 75 dresses have been designated to travel to Guatemala and 35 dresses are headed to Honduras. Also, Mitch delivered 40 dresses to the Philippines during this trip.
So given those numbers we are at 150 dresses already and we are only half-way through April! Keep on sewing and sharing about this project with your friends.
Thankful, Sheryl
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Greetings from the Philippines!
Please enjoy the update from Mitch.
Today is Thursday and it is beautiful in Cebu! I am participating in a youth camp with about 75 students from the neighborhood and school around Wesley Home for Youth. It is going very well! Yesterday we talked about Jesus being a Lifesaver. Thanks to the Men group for the hundreds of Life Saver candies that were given out at the school, the community and at Wesley.
Today we are focused on the cross as the way of salvation. The cross necklaces that the Keenagers (a church group) sent were a BIG hit. All of the kids are wearing them! The music is wonderful and the learning activities are very good. Our Wesley students are actually leading many parts of the camp. I am so proud of them!
Pastor Lemuel is doing well. He has done a wonderful job of pulling this camp together. I met with Pastor Jerusalem on Wednesday. He is a wonderful man with a heart for ministry - especially with students. I think his commitment to Wesley Home will be strong and vital in our mission. The social workers on staff are wonderful. They have been with us only 2 months, but have made such an impression on the students. Mam Linda (our YaYa - cook) tells everyone hello. Her food is amazing.
Met with DSWD representatives - who continue to be very supportive of Wesley Home for Youth. The home is doing very well. The new comfort room and study room for the boys are great! The next group could possibly paint while here. Many improvements to the Chapel, kitchen and office since I was here last. All are very good.
Continue to be in prayer for the possibilities of building on Camotes. The need here is great!
Glenn is doing well. He will be working this summer and making money. Jolly has grown 10 feet tall. Not really, but he is growing and still has that amazing smile. It is good to see Ronilo again too. He is still quiet, but he is beginning to talk with me more and more. The girls are all doing well. Emily is such a strong young lady. Judy Ann is such a joy - and such a character. Catherine, Michelle and Jereluz all say hello. It has been fun to meet the new students here at Wesley. This week we will celebrate Dbhelinda's birthday. She will be 13.
I will be visiting and preaching at Pastor Jerusalem's three churches over the weekend. One of the churches is located in Cebu, one in Liloan and another on a different island. I am excited to meet his congregations and express to them the importance of their ministries at Wesley and pray for continued support and success.
Monday and Tuesday will be difficult as I plan to visit the dumpsites. We will do a small feeding while there. I appreciate the Bibles that were given - they will be distributed to the families in the dumpsites.
I am tentatively planning on visiting the site in Camotes on Tuesday afternoon. Pastor Lemuel will be staying at Wesley until next Wednesday. Then he will officially retire. We must celebrate his time here - he has done much to care for our students and provide pastoral care. I will welcome Pastor Jerusalem to Wesley on Monday as our new Campus Pastor.
I am grateful to God for providing this opportunity. The organization at Wesley is running very well. Everything is very efficient. Our investments are being delivered in good stewardship. I miss you all. I hope to visit on Skype with our students at FUMC on their Sunday evening and with our board on their Tuesday evening meeting.
Pray for Jo and Arnell - Jo had her baby this morning at 5:00 a.m. It is a boy and she and the baby are doing fine. Arnell is a very proud papa. The baby came 2 weeks early but everything is o.k. Jo really appreciated the baby blanket and bonnet that the women of the (FUMC) church knitted. I must go now and teach a small group. Blessings to everyone and I will see you soon!
Love Mitch
There is so much to be done in Cebu Philippines! It is non-stop working, evangelizing, sharing, giving while there. Pray for strength for Mitch as he completes all of these amazing things.
Thankful, Sheryl
Today is Thursday and it is beautiful in Cebu! I am participating in a youth camp with about 75 students from the neighborhood and school around Wesley Home for Youth. It is going very well! Yesterday we talked about Jesus being a Lifesaver. Thanks to the Men group for the hundreds of Life Saver candies that were given out at the school, the community and at Wesley.
Today we are focused on the cross as the way of salvation. The cross necklaces that the Keenagers (a church group) sent were a BIG hit. All of the kids are wearing them! The music is wonderful and the learning activities are very good. Our Wesley students are actually leading many parts of the camp. I am so proud of them!
Pastor Lemuel is doing well. He has done a wonderful job of pulling this camp together. I met with Pastor Jerusalem on Wednesday. He is a wonderful man with a heart for ministry - especially with students. I think his commitment to Wesley Home will be strong and vital in our mission. The social workers on staff are wonderful. They have been with us only 2 months, but have made such an impression on the students. Mam Linda (our YaYa - cook) tells everyone hello. Her food is amazing.
Met with DSWD representatives - who continue to be very supportive of Wesley Home for Youth. The home is doing very well. The new comfort room and study room for the boys are great! The next group could possibly paint while here. Many improvements to the Chapel, kitchen and office since I was here last. All are very good.
Continue to be in prayer for the possibilities of building on Camotes. The need here is great!
Glenn is doing well. He will be working this summer and making money. Jolly has grown 10 feet tall. Not really, but he is growing and still has that amazing smile. It is good to see Ronilo again too. He is still quiet, but he is beginning to talk with me more and more. The girls are all doing well. Emily is such a strong young lady. Judy Ann is such a joy - and such a character. Catherine, Michelle and Jereluz all say hello. It has been fun to meet the new students here at Wesley. This week we will celebrate Dbhelinda's birthday. She will be 13.
I will be visiting and preaching at Pastor Jerusalem's three churches over the weekend. One of the churches is located in Cebu, one in Liloan and another on a different island. I am excited to meet his congregations and express to them the importance of their ministries at Wesley and pray for continued support and success.
Monday and Tuesday will be difficult as I plan to visit the dumpsites. We will do a small feeding while there. I appreciate the Bibles that were given - they will be distributed to the families in the dumpsites.
I am tentatively planning on visiting the site in Camotes on Tuesday afternoon. Pastor Lemuel will be staying at Wesley until next Wednesday. Then he will officially retire. We must celebrate his time here - he has done much to care for our students and provide pastoral care. I will welcome Pastor Jerusalem to Wesley on Monday as our new Campus Pastor.
I am grateful to God for providing this opportunity. The organization at Wesley is running very well. Everything is very efficient. Our investments are being delivered in good stewardship. I miss you all. I hope to visit on Skype with our students at FUMC on their Sunday evening and with our board on their Tuesday evening meeting.
Pray for Jo and Arnell - Jo had her baby this morning at 5:00 a.m. It is a boy and she and the baby are doing fine. Arnell is a very proud papa. The baby came 2 weeks early but everything is o.k. Jo really appreciated the baby blanket and bonnet that the women of the (FUMC) church knitted. I must go now and teach a small group. Blessings to everyone and I will see you soon!
Love Mitch
There is so much to be done in Cebu Philippines! It is non-stop working, evangelizing, sharing, giving while there. Pray for strength for Mitch as he completes all of these amazing things.
Thankful, Sheryl
Friday, April 13, 2012
Word
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Change Gonna Come
At certain times in my life I have recognized that something needed to change. At other times I've had a sense change was coming, not necessarily knowing what specific change would take place, just sensing change itself.
Change is inevitable in this ever-moving, ever-changing world.
What causes us to be afraid of change, afraid of different, something new? Possibly its the unknown, the not being in control. But we can't even know what is best for us, we may think we do but it's just not possible. So if only God knows and wants the best for us, why worry about change?
Wesley Home for Youth is growing and changing in its family dynamics. And a bigger change is upon us. Building. A new building, the addition of more children... And while I am SO excited I am also SO nervous. Land has already been donated, we just need to raise funds for the structures themselves.
This is when change also takes faith. Faith that God loves us and wants to protect us. We believe He wants WHY to continue growing and thriving for the children of the Philippines. He has proven that His hand is on the ministry by opening doors and providing for the children in our care.
In the next few days you will see an area on the blog where you can donate to our building fund. We are aware that the fundaising and building will take some time to complete but we are ready to start!
Thankful, Sheryl
Change is inevitable in this ever-moving, ever-changing world.
Ecclesiastes 3:1To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven...
What causes us to be afraid of change, afraid of different, something new? Possibly its the unknown, the not being in control. But we can't even know what is best for us, we may think we do but it's just not possible. So if only God knows and wants the best for us, why worry about change?
Wesley Home for Youth is growing and changing in its family dynamics. And a bigger change is upon us. Building. A new building, the addition of more children... And while I am SO excited I am also SO nervous. Land has already been donated, we just need to raise funds for the structures themselves.
This is when change also takes faith. Faith that God loves us and wants to protect us. We believe He wants WHY to continue growing and thriving for the children of the Philippines. He has proven that His hand is on the ministry by opening doors and providing for the children in our care.
In the next few days you will see an area on the blog where you can donate to our building fund. We are aware that the fundaising and building will take some time to complete but we are ready to start!
Ephesians 2:10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Thankful, Sheryl
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