River Stories

An open village

"You guys are the first people that taught us the Truth - God's word. Now we know the truth."

Year 2014, we went to the interiors of Eastern Samar to the tribes of Waray-waray people. From Oras town, we rode a boat for four hours and walked 30 minutes on the narrow and difficult path to the village. At first we thought, we were not welcome. Later, one of the village leaders asked us to sign our names on a  logbook for record purposes. His name is Tatay Alfredo.  We got the chance to witness to him and by God's grace he received Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Three weeks after 150 people received Christ as Lord and Savior and twelve of them followed  in baptism. One of the new believers said "You guys are the first people that taught us the Truth - God's word. Now we know the truth."

The new believers decided to meet together every Sunday for group Bible Study and Worship.

The scripture says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And, how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"

Even in far places, hearts prepared by God are eager to receive the Gospel. There are more Waray villages with people waiting. Join us this summer and let’s take the Good News to them!


- Jenny, 18

River stories

  His word is light to their lives. 

 After a long hike to the remote sitio of a remote river village, they found the men gathered. The team thought they were already late and that the men had started drinking instead. 

The Bible studies were really scheduled at night because that is when these people are available but had they come a little too late this night? 

 The men saw them, “We have been waiting for you. Let us start.” And they came into the hut.

 “I’m sorry brethren, we have no light” said another man. There was no electricity in the village. 

Another man gathered the flash lights they have, put them in a bundle and tied them to the beam at the center of the shed.

 The bible study and training began. 



Nehemiah Teams Samar- Leyte will again have teams going to some remote river villages in the Samar area to preach the gospel and plant churches this summer. They are in need of 5 team leaders and at least 20 youth and young professionals to be team members to complete all 5 teams. Click on the brochures tab, download their application, fill it out and apply to be part of this team and have a meaningful and well-spent summer of 2016!

The Good News is a matter of time.

“Good news is only good when it gets there on time “

Just a year, and he was taken home. i wonder if others would even have the same chance to hear about Jesus let alone experience the joy of their salvation.

Just some months ago, we get to see again Mr. Fidel (Tatay Fidel) of Diit Island in Aguyata and wrote here how he shared to the Gospel to his family when he got home that day. I shared that story with a number of people and a couple of places. They think that was really awesome. Well, I believe that too. God is awesome.

Sir Fidel's cool calendar keychain

I wish we had taken a photo of Tatay Fidel so we could help you see how  he looks like. Sadly what we only got is this unique calendar souvenir that he got from that wedding he had attended. This cool thing God has used to open a conversation that got this father to the Creation story to Christ. i had planned to make sure I take a picture of him and his family the next time I get to visit. I think I can visit. I’ll make sure I will take pictures. But Tatay Fidel would not be in them anymore for the Father had taken him home. January 3, 5pm, He passed away.

A good friend and Pastor told me that our meeting him was divinely appointed, that the Gospel got to him on time.  And because he had put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he received eternal life (1john5:11-13).

But how about for those who did not get to hear?

look closely. a Christmas tree by the road in Tacloban.
 a symbol of hope

Just the other day, I was talking to a good friend and team mate Gigi who serves in Eastern Samar. She was on her way back from spending Christmas with Family. Gigi is a professional and went to Samar he past June and July to be a translator for American Nehemiah Teams. She could have worked. But instead she is going back out there on a one year commitment. I asked her why.  I could not quote her exact words but part of it was not only the need upriver but the truth that dawned on her that most  of the bodies that she saw on the streets as they were coming through from Samar to Tacloban after that strong typhoon have not heard the Gospel. To many of them, the Gospel did not get there on time.

Ptr. Silas, Lorie and Felton Felongco, Serving in the Dolores River

We have been commanded. And we are still here so we could take the Good News to people like the Waray Waray and Agutaynen.

 There are about 4 Million Waray people in Leyte and Samar. Only less than 2% are evangelicals. You can join in a team who will be going there this summer . You can also volunteer for a longer term of work. And as you go, prepare to go, or pray about going, pray for the Waray people and those serving among them.

If you are interested to serve among them, let us know through: nehemiahteams@yahoo.com

WHERE NO ONE WOULD DARE GO

I was told many times, “Do not witness to them. You can walk around but do not talk to them.” In my heart I said, “They were the reason why I came to this foreign land - to show them the love of the One who taught me about love and how to love. That Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

We stayed in the city for two weeks. Right when we arrived, we have already proven God’s faithfulness to us. “Wherever you go, I will watch over you.” (Genesis 28:15) He watched over us every day as we went out to witness and to do the ministry. He provided us a guide to the community. The sounds and sights of danger were present daily, but the Lord has kept us safe and has given us peace. When danger came a lot closer, these we dared not to love helped us to safety.

The Lord led us to old women and homes. Though we could not speak their language, those who could understand faithfully translated from my native language, to the next closest one, to their native language so that the others there with them could also hear the stories we shared.  We prayed with them and shared the love of Jesus with them.

The younger ones had tears in their eyes when they learned that hell is real and is forever.

We told them more stories of Jesus. They said they want to do what we do someday.

They may have not professed faith in Jesus as their Savior but I know that God has plan for them. Tears were in all our eyes as we hugged and said good byes.

This place is God’s prepared place. This is God’s city. And the people here are His people. The people whom most would not want to reach and love, they know how to love as well. They want to be loved. They hate war. They hate violence. They want peace. They are LOST. They need prayers. They need our GOD. 

“Then later I will bring you back to this land. I won’t leave you – I will do all I have promised. (Genesis 28:15)

-Lem

NT Philippines

*Tagong Isla

the view one afternoon at the island's fort

Are you ready to bring the Gospel to the unreached people in hard to reach places? If so, let’s go to* Tagong Isla!  (Hidden Island).

our ride to the island  for 8-10 hours that took only 6hours!

Tagong Isla (not its real name) is a group of islands, south- east of Palawan. It is really hidden in the eyes of many travelers and ferries and only those who are from there would know the way to get there. 

Sometimes you would not even find these islands marked in a Philippine map!

"can i take your picture?"

But the island is really beautiful and the people so friendly. They are devoted to the religion that they know but they long to know  to know the God that they hope they serve. They have been waiting.

As we walked around the island and visited some islands, we saw both beauty and pain. this is a paradise! Every where we look displayed the beauty of God's power. The believers gathering  in the only church in this island continue to be joyful, persevering in prayer and getting involved in bible training and improving the Bible in their language. But the island has 7, 000 people that need to hear the gospel and many of them live in villages and islands far from the church. 

Countless shells like these and others adorned the walls , window
 frames and the altar of the island's religious facility.
 Each big and tiny shell placed by hand. 

water would have to be fetched from deep wells.
Rain water is their main drinking water.
when we came, it has not rained for 6 months. 

kids would gather in the afternoons in the villages' chapels to
offer prayers and flowers. they have been taught this since they
are very little and could now gather even without any of the older
villagers leading them.

After 4days, we were ready to go but it took 8 more days before a passenger boat was available and allowed to travel because of an incoming typhoon. 

upon reaching the main land,  we could finally meet this pastor who has served in the Island for over 20 years and corresponded with us for 2 years. He said, “For years we waited and waited for people from our group to come and help us. There is the means to go, but no one was willing. Then three years ago, we asked the Lord for any evangelical- bible believing workers to come, and you responded. And so we welcome you. Help us. Let us work together for it seems like we have been forgotten.”

leaving the island on a sunset. we were on the boat
for 20 hours.
the island that you see in this photo does not have
a church either. 

Do you hear the pain in the heart of this Pastor? He had felt like they had been forgotten. Maps may. People would. But the Lord could not for he hears the cry of his people. He has opened a way. Finally after 3 years of waiting, Hidden Island had been surveyed and several areas have been set up. 

We are going and we need you to go with us. Will you accept the invitation and respond to the call for help of this Pastor to serve in this hidden place? Don’t just be amazed by the photos or touched by the story. Get up, set your feet and start moving into going!

-        -    with Maribel

Franchise Leader, Supervisor

Palawan Nehemiah Teams

river stories

I have Your word but I won't understand unless someone explains…

April 30, I went to the Oras River to visit one of the Filipino Nehemiah Teams assigned there. I came to ask them how they are as a team and as individuals, see how the community responds to them, encourage, assist, pray for them and be part of the team while I am there. The team teaches the kids and does home bible studies and one on one witnessing. One of the homes we do bible study with was with an older woman named Dolores – Nanay Dolores is how we call her. she had been a faithful bible study contact of the previous teams that came to their community and enjoys and wants to have regular bible studies, but still has a hard time understanding God’s word. She has so many questions that she needs answer to and she is very happy to have us come and help her understand.

One day as we were having bible study, she asked us, “Is it right to worship idols?” as she points to the pictures posted on the walls of their house. I opened the Bible to Jeremiah 10:1-11and read it with her. The word of God says "For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good.” and Exodus 20:3-5 

“You shall have no other gods before me

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God....”

as I read, Nanay Dolores would voice out what she understood, “ Indeed. We fasten them with hammer so we are sure they don’t fall and break, we carry them around because they cant walk on their own because they are just man made!”

I then stood and pointed to the pictures of Jesus Christ on the wall. “If this is really how the face of the Lord Jesus looks like, then how come he looks different in every picture?”

“That is why I no longer go to our church to attend our religious activity and pray.”  With tears falling down her cheeks she added, “I have just chosen to stay at home and pray here.”

I hugged her really tight because he really wants to understand and obey God. she was very thankful that the team had come to help her understand. the Holy Spirit had been working in her and just used us to lead her to understanding. As I think of her and possibly many people like her who have reverence and even great love for God that they read his word yet could not understand, I remember the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch in the Acts 8. " Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” the Eunuch said, “unless someone explains it to me?”

There are many Eunuch and Dolores out there holding the Bible desiring to understand. some of them wait for such a long time. Will you come to them to be used by the God to help them understand His truth?

-          - Gigi

Waray Team travelling supervisor

Nehemiah Teams Samar-Leyte 2015

Sharing my heart

AOT4

I was just a young lady who wanted to  support my family financially but when God opened my eyes to his task, I can only say yes. Now, I am still the same young lady, but now my greatest desire is to please Abba – My Father God.

God has wonderful plan for our lives. We can know his plan if we have an intimate, loving fellowship with Him – that is called Koinonia. God proved and reveal to me even more how great His love is and how faithful He is even when I am not. this entire 9 weeks at camp, God revealed to me His plan and what he wants me to do  and I am happy and very excited to do it. So you would understand more what I am trying to share and my koinonia with Jesus Christ, I have written a poem that I would like to share with you all.

KOINONIA WITH YESUS KRISTUS

It’s been 9 weeks in all

We are going home at last!

Treasuring all the AOT memories

With the people you grew to love as you prepare for God’s task.

The first week passed and it was a blast

Fun and learning and love so vast 

Understanding salvation given by Him who is just

His love displayed and grace was spilled

And is freely given for all who ask.

And to those who received this free gift of salvation

He also gave the task – the Great Commission

And it is for His children to complete this mission

And by the power of His Spirit this will be in completion

But sadly His children’s hearts and mind

Have been so busy and pre occupied

With selfish ambitions, comforts and desires

We have traded His Plan for the plans of this life

Looking into the lives of those who walked before us

It does us great benefit to learn from the past

We see how He spoke to them and that his mercy never stopped

Their example of faith can be a guide to our path.

And as we walk this road trials will surely come

If we respond in faith humility will abound

This will result in our growth, being yet tested we’ve won

And we can greatly rejoice knowing our future He’s planned

Though sin has brought us guilt and shame

We can confess and repent in His Name

Then forgiveness and sanctification will come

In his glorious mercy and compassion we’re home.

Days went by quickly, we are on our sixth week

AOT days will be through in just one more click

Oh men! Tears now fall down my cheeks

For I’ve found here a family, a one unique pick.

Meals are not complete without Mantoy and Mommy

And in some meals we add Ate Janet’s wild honey

Plates always full if served by Mother Earth and Gweny

Stomachs are full until another hour and thirty

On weekends we go hiking up and down the cliff

When we reach our destination there always is a sigh of relief

Fresca Tuna for lunch for that convenient and cheap

Eating lunch with our bare hands on a banana leaf!

Sixth week came with God sprinkled bliss

Entering the Fountain Gate, lessons no one should miss

Beware of debauchery! That is Satan’s tease

Instead be filled with the Spirit and God will be pleased.

Be like a tree planted by the streams of water

Deeply rooted in God’s word that cannot be altered

When storms come we need not falter

Coz’ His Word is living and active – the Bible utters

The one who steals kills and destroys

Works hard overnight rehearsing his ploys

He is the prince of this fallen world

But we ought to fear him not because we’ve got the Sword

and even be a Legion flees with Jesus’ one word.

Ready or not, Jesus is coming, certainly!

And so the gospel should be preached consistently and intentionally

to the billions of lost, to those who have not heard

so in His return they’ll be taken homeward.

Dear Lord Jesus, my heart breaks for your world

You have given me passion to bring to them your words

for believers will be judged according to each man’s work

but hell waits for those who did not believe and have not heard.

My heart so rejoices in Jesus’ teachings

But my heart aches saying goodbye to my AOT siblings

Our friendship will last and is never ending

Coz in Koinonia with Yesus Kristus we will be together still.

All my love and gratitude is to you, my King

And may all the days of my life to you be an offering,

Meaning and beauty has come to this life that once was so ordinary

To you, O my God be all the praise, honor and glory.

_ Gwen _ 22

South Cotabato

*Pray with Gwen as she continues to lead a team in iloilo. may God continue to give her wisdom and may she always seek God to lead her and the team. 

*may their team find their person of peace and be the start of a growing church in the area. 

*may their team work well together and Christ be seen in how they treat each other.

The essential meaning of the koinonia embraces concepts conveyed in the English terms community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy. Koinonia can therefore refer in some contexts to a jointly contributed gift.^[1] The word appears 19 times in most editions of the Greek New Testament. In the New American Standard Bible, it is translated "fellowship" twelve times, "sharing" three times, and "participation" and "contribution" twice each.^[2]