seeebooooo
























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so i got back from seeebooo on monday nite. all i have to say is that it was a truly amazing time. i was expecting some great and mighty things to happen, and i was not let down. God does that when you just want to seek Him and all things according to His kingdom. but yeah - i guess there were 3 main things that struck me: the kids, the evangelists, and dustin.

1) the kids.. having come from indonesia, the poverty and kid thing doesn't really shock or surprise. however, despite my years there, i don't think i'll ever be either immune or sick of caring and feeling for them. i love them all! from the nehemiah kids, to the street kids at maranatha, to the pier 4 kids. i don't kid myself about who's 'blessing' who. i know i have just as much fun as they do. i've also never presumed so much a thought that i'm doing something to make their lives better. i've learned that it's really wrong to judge another's situation by placing them w/in the context of my own life. i'm not that condescending... BUT - i think those kids really bless me in that they really DO show me what contentment is all about (just like we talked bout in the 10th commandment @ plus!!). so yeah - i didn't go down thinking i'm making someone's life better, but rather - that everyone i met has blessed me, and made my life better. i can only hope that i was able to reciprocate, and really share God's overwhelming love for them!

2) the evangelists..

i can't say enough about this guy minetan. he's a member of pastor titus' church of the nazarene. you see pics of the villages we went to there - well, that's just where minetan comes from. he was evangelized to, and in turn, took part in the scholarship program that pastor titus offers, in return for service to God in some cases, and/or just simply sitting in on bible studies in other cases. so minetan was educated by pastor titus' program, speaks great english, and truly has a heart to go back into the 'field'. in this case, it happens to be back to his village, where he goes and conducts bible studies, teaching and raising new leaders who then go out and start more bible studies. so that easter sunday afternoon, i went with him, Chris and Mark (2 of his fellow students), along w/ephraim, john n sandra - and we came across this one house. minetan immediately established a rapport with the mom of the group, and started his thing. after about 10 mins, they all sat on this hillside, and slowly, more and more people filtered in. i was struck with an image of how Jesus & the disciples after him would preach - where crowds slowly built up... while we didn't have a 'crowd', he did have about 5-6 ladies listening in at one time. the point is that he spoke with such authority. his voice was strong, and clear - and i would imagine his words were as well. i was really struck by the confidence he had. after, i grabbed him aside, and wanted to know his story.... he then told me that you had to speak with confidence, b/c that's what God gave you! He didn't give you a spirit of fear, but one of power! and you know, this is minetan's life! he want's people to come to the Lord, and is dedicating his life to it! his family was saved by the seeds he planted, the affirmation through his actions, the strength and conviction of the words from his mouth, and the love in his heart for the lost. minetan is such an encouragement to me - and i hope that i can live up to all that he told me that day... again, it was ME who got all the blessing! i'm so selfish!

3) dustin... he worked with YWAM in cebu, leading their DTS, but moving to Davao at the end of the month. he's been there like 7 years, and going strong. it was upsetting that i only got a couple good moments to chat with him. here is a guy that truly is walking in tune with the Spirit. i had written down just about 3 key issues on my heart going down there, and one morning, as we were having a prayer time at nehemiah house, he came up to me and addressed those issues, as if he was reading straight outta my journal!!!! it wasn't so much as he answered prayers or gave me direct instruction from God, but more that he affirmed for me what was on my heart, and i KNOW it came from God. before this point, we had met briefly at the airport before he put me in a cab at the airport. so literally, he had known me for like 10mins - but he had KNOWN me thru God! but yeah - speaking to him is such an encouragement. he's upfront about difficulties and struggles, but not as to complain, but as to say - hey, this is life, and God expects it of us, and expects us to push through it by His strength. continue to pray for him in his move to davao - he really doesn't have much time, and it's a BIG move for him, haydee (his wife) and michaella the daughter! dustin, YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!! :)

there was much more than that. the outreaches were awesome... and while at times, the dramas, worship evening didn't go completely as planned, the point is that God's work is still being done. i know i've been spurred on by the trip. derek, mandy, sandra n john did a incredible job of organizing, while dustin was incredible on his end in cebu! altho i missed bojol, i got much much out of the trip! i can't wait to see pics!