Manila, Philippines
Matt and I had the opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip with our church to the Philippines. We left on April 23rd and got home on the 28th. We have been home for about 2 weeks now, and I'm still digesting the whole trip and the way God has moved our hearts through it. I'm thankful for the team that we went with. It always amazes me how a group of people that were acquaintances can grow such deep relationships through just spending a week together. Definitely has something to do with the bond of Christ.
Matt and I have been on various mission trips, but both agree that this was the most relationship focused trip we have ever been on. In our past experiences the main focus was usually different tasks that we tried to complete or make a dent in. Not to say that those trips never emphasized building relationships with the people, but it never really seemed the main purpose of the trip. This trip was very different in that aspect. The purpose was to build relationships with the people, encourage them, and share God's Gospel with them, and as we did that work along side them in whatever they were doing.
Matt mainly spent time with a number of Philippine guys working on a farm that Northridge church bought the First Love church there in Tanza (suburb of Manila). God really taught Matt through the time he spent with the Philippine guys the power of the Gospel. Most of the guys he spent time with did not understand the Gospel and have a relationship with Christ. He was really challenged through the trip to reach out and share God and His amazing plan for our lives.
Myself and the other girls saw the Gospel at work while we were there but in a different way. Most of the women we interacted with were Christians, so we spent time listening to their struggles and stories and trying to encourage them, even though I'm pretty sure I left more encouraged then they did. They were beautiful examples to me of serving/loving God in hard, unfathomable circumstances, and even though they didn't have much they were so giving.
Seeing them praise and worship on Sunday was probably a highlight for both of us. Here is a little snippet of what we experienced.
Matt and I have been on various mission trips, but both agree that this was the most relationship focused trip we have ever been on. In our past experiences the main focus was usually different tasks that we tried to complete or make a dent in. Not to say that those trips never emphasized building relationships with the people, but it never really seemed the main purpose of the trip. This trip was very different in that aspect. The purpose was to build relationships with the people, encourage them, and share God's Gospel with them, and as we did that work along side them in whatever they were doing.
Matt mainly spent time with a number of Philippine guys working on a farm that Northridge church bought the First Love church there in Tanza (suburb of Manila). God really taught Matt through the time he spent with the Philippine guys the power of the Gospel. Most of the guys he spent time with did not understand the Gospel and have a relationship with Christ. He was really challenged through the trip to reach out and share God and His amazing plan for our lives.
Myself and the other girls saw the Gospel at work while we were there but in a different way. Most of the women we interacted with were Christians, so we spent time listening to their struggles and stories and trying to encourage them, even though I'm pretty sure I left more encouraged then they did. They were beautiful examples to me of serving/loving God in hard, unfathomable circumstances, and even though they didn't have much they were so giving.
Seeing them praise and worship on Sunday was probably a highlight for both of us. Here is a little snippet of what we experienced.
Some of my favorite pictures from the trip.
Jason and Matt had a little book club going on. Matt was ahead of Jason by a chapter or so and decided to wait for him to catch-up so they could discuss it. Pretty cute. =)
Meeting some of the people of the church. They make even me look tall. Jason=giant!
First Love Church
Jay and I with some of our special friends we made.
Matt with some of his worker buddies.
Matt, Charlie, and Steve got invited one afternoon to a birthday party.
Jason in front of a Jeepney. Their form of a taxi.
Here is a slideshow of the rest of our pictures:
will you send Sharon some of your pictures for the website? I sent her some but yours are way better!
ReplyDeletethis is awesome! I'm so happy that you guys got this opportunity :)
ReplyDeletethis is so great, thanks for sharing all the pictures!
ReplyDeleteReuben loved the worship music!
ReplyDelete