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Ministry time in Brgy. Bandera

Bandera is a barangay (village) in Samal Island here in Davao. It is a pretty big village with people of different beliefs. Many religions have come and gone or stayed influencing the people, making the others so used to ministers coming in and out. This made a great impact to me. It’s a wonder that despite their familiarity (having heard of or from different religions), many of them do not know the verses and bible stories that we share with them.

Being there and being able to share is a blessing to me. The people themselves have also been a blessing to my life. But the greater blessing and even greater joy is when some of them come to know the Lord Jesus, their Savior and Lord who paid for all their sins by dying on the cross for t hem, for us. Among them is Nanay Bebeng. In one of our visits to the village, we met here and got to share to here through John 14.6 which we had her read from the Bible. She said, “Indeed, it is God who said this!”. There was that big smile on her face. She was happy to be able to understand this truth. As we continued to visit her, I had some hesitations thinking that her husband might not be happy that we are sharing to her but later on I found out through Nanay that after every bible study at their house, her husband would ask about what we have talked about and Nanay would be able to share to him. Awesome!

It is true that not I or anyone can change someone’s heart or thinking. This is something only God can do. But He can use anyone who is willing to go and speak for Him. I am very thankful for the opportunity to be in this training and ministry. I am very thankful to get to meet the people in Bandera. Thank you Lord for this wonderful opportunity. Thankyou people of Bandera. And to all of us, LET’S MOVE FORWARDWITH THE GOSPEL !

                                                                                   - Maribel, 22, Palawan

Photos from a bible Study in Brgy Bandera. Maribel (purple shirt) and Von (blue shirt, right) facilitating the bible study. 

Maribel will will be going back to Palawan with Mat and Mark to lead their first localized NT there, God willing. 

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Testimonies

What did God teach you this AOT ?

In 2 months of walking through the 10 Gates of Jerusalem – Salvation, Soul Winning, Learning from the Past, Trials Growth and Humility, Confession, Holy Spirit, God’s Word, Spiritual Warfare, Second Coming and Judgment -  I learned the definition of the word “Go”. It simply means “Don’t Stay”. Go! Advance the Gospel!

It has always been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known.

                                                                                                                -Romans 15.20

Prayer Request:

Vonn during team building

Pray for harvesters because the harvest indeed is plentiful.

-Vonn, 22 years old, Kidapawan

Vonn will be deployed this summer to help facilitate training and supervise the team there. Continue to pray for him, the participants and Iloilo.

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Living a life that Glorifies God

Gates 5 and 6 : Confession and Soul Winning

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, But Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  – Galatians 2:20

Brokenness! That is the very first thing that I learned ( and will continue to learn as I go on in this journey with the Lord) in our study of Gates number 5 and 6. Truly I No Longer Live but Christ Lives In Me! It is no longer I but CHRIST!

As I come to God, I would need to be broken to truly be able to live my life for Him. If I will continue to feed my flesh with the pleasures of this world and continue to live this Proud I in my life, will the Holy Spirit will be able to freely work in me? God does not want me/us to serve him while we continue to feed our flesh with selfish desires. The Holy Spirit cannot work in my heart if I am still full of darkness in my life. I cannot say that I have totally surrendered my life but not do the will of God. God wants me to be just like a sheep. The sheep goes wherever the shepherd leads. God’s Sheep – the Lord Jesus is full of humbleness, meekness, compassion and love. These same characters I must have so that the Dove may rest in me. So that the Dove may rest in us. And we may use the authority that the Lord has given us – CHRIST IN US! (Colossians 1:27)

God has always been with us. We just need to know Him and let Him into our hearts. He has been knocking. Let’s welcome him.

If you have welcomed him into your heart and surrendered your life to him, He lives in you. Christ in You. Are you willing to be broken and let God work through you for His glory alone? Are you willing to be humbled and broken for His love to be known to others?

How did God speak to you this summer?

Jessica & Montessa

I thought that AOT was just focused on Nehemiah Teams. I thought it’s just all about leadership. But as time went on, God spoke to me through this training. He changed my vision, my goals in life. I thought that my life is just mine, but NO!. God proved to me that my life was not mine anymore because I belong to Him. He changed my perspective – from self-centered to God-centered. He is telling me to obey Him. Only Him.

Prayer Request:

May this fire continue to burn in my heart!  =D

- Jessica de Asis , 17, NT Caraga

Jessica, God willing. will go back to Butuan City this April 2 and hoping to join a team going to Dinagat Island this summer. Do continue to pray for Jessica, for the rest of those joining NT this summer. 

Stories from the field

The story of the drunk guy 

   “I have heard and known the gospel a long time but I never understood, could you come to my house tomorrow to explain that to me?”

         I have heard and known the gospel a long time but I never understood , could you to my house tomorrow to explain that to me?  This was the invitation of a man who listened while a team from S. Cotabato franchise shared to some villagers. The next day Jun from seminary came and shared story of Zaccheus … he was moved and would not want to wait ...was baptized immediately.. the team gathered  t in their residence for fellowship twice and a great number of people joined them. 

NT South Cotabato leaders

Living a life that Glorifies God

Gate 4: Trials Growth and Humility

Hi! First I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ, who brought me here in this training. I am so grateful to be a part of Advance Operations Training ( AOT) this year. In the first month, God has taught me a lot of things, about me personally, about Him, His Sovereignty, and taught me things that will help me to, to build a life that glorifies Him.

I have learned about many truths, but the one that really caught my attention and hits the deepest part of my heart is His love for me and His love for All Nations. For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son…Jesus Christ..( John 3:16). In Jesus Christ finished work, now I have the assurance of my salvation, and the “cross on my shoulder” to win the lost and love all nations. Jesus Christ who loved me so much and blessed me so much with love. In every part of me I pray that I would also be a blessing to all nations.

To know that Jesus Himself is already at work to the people of all nations, it is really  a great privilege to join Him to go and make of all nations. ( Matt.28:19-20)

Life is short? Our life, troubles, sufferings are cannot compared to what Jesus Christ has prepared for us in heaven. To know that Jesus Christ Himself suffered while he was here on earth, but he had endured all of those because He knows “these little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing”. ( 2 Corinthians 4:17)

2 Timothy 2:3-4

Please pray for:

Me and other teammates to continue to advance operations training (AOT), For our last one month before summer.

TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE ALL THE GLORY AND HONOR FOREVER! Amen.

Mark - 19, Nehemiah Teams Luzon, Batangas

THE PRISONER IN THE THIRD CELL

      Usa ni siya kadramatic story, it is a book of comfort for those caught up in circumstances in life they do not understand. It is from the Bible made into a drama. Si John the Baptizer na ipinakulong ni King Herod and awaiting death, struggles to understand a Lord who did not live up to his expectations.

Mao pud ang akong nakat-unan, “ That no one can fully understand the pain that you feel as you suffer your present situation. Whether it came upon you because of circumstances or by the deeds of men, one thing is certain, before this present tragedy entered into your life, it first passed through the sovereign hand of God.”  The Lord has put something in your life that really seemed unbearable. The burden is just too great. He should not have done this we say. And He will not explain. And though we don’t understand and He would not explain, the question is, Will we continue to follow this God who did not live up to our expectations?

“And blessed are you if you are not offended with me.”

      …Hmmm, sa first month namo diri sa Samal (Botanical), I learned a lot. Maraming sinabi ang Lord sa akin not only sa The Prisoner in the 3^rd Cell na book, pati rin sa mga GATES. Ngayon ay nasa Garbage Gate na kami (Confession), at sa Experiencing God din ns students work book na ginagawa naming quiet time guide. Malaking tulong sa akin ito. Marami akong tanong na dito ko lang natagpuan ang kasagutan. Its more on knowing and doing the will of God. ;D

      Malaki rin ang impact sa akin ng movies na pinapanood naming like Biographies and so forth. Dili nako masulat ang tanan kay daghan jud. Heheh  ;D  salamat sa Lord.

 

ALL THE GLORY AND HONOR BELONGS ONLY TO GOD.

Prayer requests:

-          That the people here (Brgy. Bandera) will fully understand God’s love.

-          That each one of us here will be a good example and a blessing. ;D

-          An intimate love relationship with God.

…brothers and sisters from another mother but the same Father, tahnk you for your prayers and Lord Bless!   ;D

April – 16, Nehemiah Teams Caraga, Butuan

BIOGRAPHIES

Look what God can do?

Friends of Ishmael

While staying here in Samal Island for AOT we are also learning from the lives of the missionaries through their biographies in Look what God can do? by Jess Jennings. I can’t explain my feelings the time I read their biographies. I’m just like amazed, so blessed and encouraged by their lives, knowing that being a missionary is not easy but the joy they’ve got shows me that it can cover all  the sufferings they’ve experienced and specially going to a place that you don’t even know yet. Risking your life just to share God’s love to those people He love who you don’t know, that is just something I just can’t understand but God spoke to me that loving Him is also loving those people He loves. The people that He loves do not even know Him & the love God gave them. That leaves me this question, “How can they love the one who first love them and sent His one and only son to save from death when they even don’t know Him? Roman 10:14-15

 

Prayer Request:

-Courage to do God’s will

-Mas more na masuod ang akong relationship kay Lord

Jessica- 17, Nehemiah Teams Caraga, Butuan 

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KNOTS AND BOLTS OF NEHEMIAH TEAMS

     I thank the Lord for allowing me to be here in Nehemiah Teams Advance Operations Training. This training is to disciple, develop, and deploy this generation to finish the task of bringing the Gospel to this generation, specifically preparing us to accept different leadership roles and assignment needed for NT.

In the afternoon we discuss about missions particularly Nehemiah Teams. We discussed more about the 4 why’s of NT. The second why of NT is God wants to use young people. In the Philippines 16-30 yrs.old age are the young people. We thought about Jesus. He started his ministry at the age of 30, wow! It is encouraging for me to think that even Jesus started to minister when he was young people also. He really modeled for us. I’ve learned more about NT Goals, vision and about franchising. It is really good to know well the identity of the team of which I am a part of and to see and hear how this team fits to God’s master plan. I was reminded of God’s plan and that is All Nations coming to worship Him through His Church (Luke 24:44-48 and Eph.3:1-11). I understand more that I have a role to play.

TESTIMONIES

      Even more, we’ve got a chance to hear testimonies from Kuya Matthew who’s working among the Nepali people with his wife and Kuya Joey from Butuan. I was really blessed by their stories. God’s faithfulness was really shown to them and through them. I still remember one question that Kuya Matthew asked us. The question is like this,” Why do you think are we so eager to share the Gospel to a different culture but not in our own home?” That question really hit me and most of us as I remembered. I’m eager to share to a different culture and not on my own because I felt like in another culture or place no one knows me and it’s easy  for me show more love and patience because that’s how I begin. Only by the grace of God I got to share at home but the hardest part for me is to continue on to follow up on them. Maybe I am afraid of having a bigger responsibilities and that I may not meet their expectation as the one leading them to Christ. 

I still pray to God about this, for me to start well and to finish well, having the same passion or eagerness to share and live out the gospel from where I am to where God wants me to be.

Emely - 23, Nehemiah Teams Luzon, Batangas

Living a life that Glorifies God

“A TALE OF THREE KINGS “

One of the things we discussed about when we were on Gate 3- Learning from the Past.

A kingdom has a king…

In this story I learned in the lives of the three kings. The first one has a sharp spear. His name is King Saul. The second is the rebellious King Absalom. And the third has a humble heart King David. He will just dodge. Same thing David did when Absalom rebelled against Him. I learned from King David that I cannot know how to lead if I can’t learn to submit.

Now, the question is “Who will I be as a leader?

Von - 22, Kidapawan, Nehemiah Teams Caraga

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In His Word, with the people He loved

Community Ministry

Thirty-one days living with the people here in Barangay Bandera, Samal Island, Davao Del Norte was full on wonder. God is using or always working around these people. I learn many things from them and at the same time somehow they learn from us. Weekends are my favorite time because we get the chance to hike up for two kilometers from our base camp going to the main place of the barangay. God gave me the patience to deal with these people; first and foremost with their language even I am not good in speaking Cebuano that God is just so great that He never let that be a hindrance. Indeed God just open doors, homes, hearts and highways for us to share the gospel to these people. Currently we have 30-50 people that we had Gospel presentation and about 10 Bible Studies that are being conducted during weekends. God can do amazing things in a short period of time. Please continue to pray for Brgy.Bandera and the whole Samal Island as well. To God be the glory!

EXPERIENCING GOD

It takes an airplane ride and to stay in an island to appreciate how God touches lives through this workbook Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and Claude V. King. I have seen this book many times in our home where my mom uses this book as a Sunday school material. This time my own workbook, my own experience with God and in an island. God showed me so many ways how to reach people groups. He taught me to listen only to His voice, be obedient and follow His commands, be faithful to Him and be prayerful in everything that I do. This book equips me to be His faithful servant. He is molding and shaping me. Indeed God is my potter and I am His clay. Saying “Lord, I will follow You, even if I don’t know the way.  I will never ask the question again. “Lord what is you will in my life? better yet, Lord, what is your will ? The focus needs to be on God not my life!

To be loved by God is the highest relationship, the highest position in life.  Yes I cannot serve both God and money. God is just leading me in the right path. Lastly  God invites me to join Him.

“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too, am working. I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself, he can do only what he sees his Father doing. Because whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.            

----  John 5:17,19-20

Dannah - 23, Nehemiah Teams Zamboanga

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Living a life that Glorifies God

Gate 3: Old Gate : Learning from the past

Jeremiah 6:16

                This is what the Lord says, “Stand at the cross road and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it.”

Hebrews 13:7

                Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

                This gate helps me see the long view of this life’s journey – that God has already laid out a foundation that would cause his people to grow and glorify Him. From this Old Gate God is helping me to see who I am, where I am and know where I am going in this journey. Learning from the past prepares me for any challenges ahead and know that God is always in control.

                Continue to pray with us. May God bless you all!

-Luigi, 27, Nehemiah Teams, Butuan 

Staying Healthy on the Field

1. Make sure you sleep regularly to give you a renewed energy the next morning and also help in the regeneration of your brain cells.Avoi

2. Always make sure that you include fruits and vegetables in your daily meal because they contain various nutrients and minerals that we need to keep our body strong and healthy.

3. Avoid caffeine, it dehydrates.


4. Drink water! Make sure your water bottle says it is BPA free. Do not continue to reuse disposable water bottles.

5. Avoid sugary drinks and junk food.


6. Be disciplined in your personal quiet time. Spiritual health is important.


7. Take multivitamins and/or mineral supplements to make sure that you are getting the nutritions your body needs. 

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Living a Life that Glorifies God

Gate 2: Fish Gate : Soul Winning

The Great Commision to every nation ang napakagandang  sinabi sa akin ng Lord. To preach the Gospel to All Nations upang lahat ng hindi pa nakakarinig ng salita ng Diyos ay makarinig din. Ito ang panalangin ko sa Diyos. Upang sila ay  makatanggap din ng buhay na walang hanggang tulad ng mayroon ako at ibahagi sa kanila ang Mateo 28: 18-20. At ito rin ang nais ng Diyos na gawin ko – and humayo at gumawa ng mga dispulo niya sa lahat ng dako.

The Gospel will be preached to all nations through us, ito ang napakagandang pangungusap sa akin ng Panginoon. Mayroon Siyang eternal purpose, Revelation 7:9 “After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than any could be counted, they were from every race, tribe, nation and language and they stood before the throne and before the lamb, they wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands.

-ipanalangin nyo po na ako ay patuloy na magpakatatag at sumunod sa Kanyang kalooban.

-          Matt, 18,  Palawan

stories from the field

Mt. Carmel stories   “If it wasn’t through you I would not receive the Gospel”.

Nehemiah Teams Mt.Carmel focuses on our Neighbors in the south. This year, this franchise sent a team to a Neighbor community.

It is the custom in this Neighbor community to set the minds of their sons, beginning at a very young age to set their minds to be prepared to fight in the event of a war. This community is not like the usual Neighbor community that the mentors of the team works with. They have really different practices and having just one guy in the team added to the challenge considering the custom of Neighbors.  The team was received by the Brgy. Captain’s family and became their host supplying their needs. During the teams stay, the 26 year old son of the Brgy. Captain came to faith saying “if it wasn’t through you I would not receive the Gospel”. And he was baptized.

Now Nehemiah Teams Mt. Carmel prepares for this summer. Considering the community they are working with and the upcoming elections, please pray for the people leading this franchise, their full time workers in the community, this summer’s participants and their safety. Also pray that they and as well as the other teams will have more godly male participants.  Thank you for your partnership

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WOW!  Amazing Experiencing God!

    God is so amazing in my life because of His love for me.  He died on the cross for my sins. (John 3:16). Experiencing God book helps me a lot to become mature Christian, matutong manalig sa aking Amang Nasa langit at lubos na maging matibay ang aking pananampalataya sa Kanya.

   God changes my life at naranasan ko kung paano Sya kumilos sa akin. Ang palagi kong sinasabi ay ganito “ Ano ang kalooban ng Diyos para sa aking buhay” ngunit ito pala ay mali. Ang tama ay “Lord what is Your will. God is faithful to His promise even I am not. At dahil iniibig ko ang Diyos, ako’y susunod sa Kanya.

“Ang tumatanggap sa mga utos ko at tumutupad nito ang siyang umiibig sa akin. Ang umiibig sa Akin ay iibigin ng Aking Ama, iibigin ko rin sya at ako’y lubusang magpapakilala sa kanya” Juan 14:21. Ang masasabi ko lang para sa akin at maging sa inyo rin mga kapatid kumapit tayo sa Panginoon ng mahigpit kahit na anong mangyari because God is my stronghold and also yours. To God be the glory for all He has done!

Prayer requests:

·         Our church in Palawan

·         Family coming to Christ

·         the Church to keep advancing in finishing the Great Commission

       Maribel - 22, Palawan

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BUILDING A LIFE THAT GLORIFIES GOD

Gate 1 : Sheep Gate : Salvation

Ephesians 2:8-9

Titus 3:5

This is the first topic that we discussed in AOT. I learned more about Salvation.

When God rescued me, He took the initiative, He loved me first. He sought me and He seeks all of us. Thorough Jesus Christ , He delivered us from sin…THERE IS ASSURANCE OF SALVATION IF I HAVE CHRIST IN MY LIFE. (1 John 5. 11-13)

I am saved from the punishment of hell. I am being saved from the power of sin, and I will be saved from the presence of sin. Jesus justified, sanctifies and will glorify me and actually all of us. We need only to believe Christ’s finished work on the cross.

I learned and understood more about the grace of God. It is something that I don’t deserve – undeserved kindness. It is gift not a wage. (Ephesians 2.8-9) Jesus is full of grace, He blessed me with His grace and I will be a blessing to others by His grace.

The Prisoner in the Third Cell

For me, this story is really good. This is a drama written by Gene Edwards about the life of John the Baptizer. Most of the story is from the Bible. The drama starts when at his birth till he grew up and started ministry – preparing the way for Jesus .

I really learned a lot from this story. There were times in my life when I did not understand why God was silent or was not there in times of my need – in times of sickness and loneliness. I could think that God did not care, that He does not hear me in my prayers. I doubted his faithfulness. John the baptizer also doubted Jesus. He had questions going on in his head. He was imprisoned and died without knowing if Jesus was really the Christ for whom he had come to prepare the way for. He did not know what Christ so wanted to tell him. Just like with me, with us. When we go through sufferings, we wonder why these things happen or why God does not answer when we ask Him. Only God knows. He knows why He had allowed those sufferings. And often, when we ask, He won’t answer. Only He would say, “ Blessed are you if you are not offended with me.”

Joven - 21, Camarines Norte, Bicol