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Returning home from meeting the locals and passing out gifts |
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With some of our spiritual and physical gift recipients |
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Highest point of the Philippine Highway System |
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Speaking to a group of 100 youth |
With my students and the staff, we traveled as a group to
Loo, Bugias, also known as the “salad bowl of the Philippines.” This area
produces vegetables for most of the Philippines, traveling as far as the
Visayas (one region of the Philippines, in which there are many islands). We
traveled for the purpose of passing out Christmas gifts to children, as we
spread the good news of Jesus Christ, the meaning of Christmas, and we
conducted a free medical clinic and multiple fellowships with the youth, adults
and children. Our itinerary was packed with blessings: we were blessed with
good weather, safe travels, unity of spirit between the local people and church
and the members of my group, and the ability to share material as well as spiritual
encouragement with the church and the surrounding communities.
I most enjoyed traveling far into the surrounding
communities, spreading the good news of who Jesus Christ is—the Son of God and
Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and makes those who believe in
him children of God—and the meaning of Christmas, as we passed out 1,000 gifts
to kids ranging in ages from 2 years to 15 years old. The beauty of the area
impressed me and awed me, as I thanked my Creator God, who fashioned and formed
such intricacy of hills, flowers and trees. We even participated in the carrot
harvest. I have never seen such big carrots! The youth, children and the adults
appreciated our fellowships with their gift raffles, games and messages of
encouragement and joy of the Lord God. My spirit is strengthened and my God
glorified.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all
circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians
5: 16-18).
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