While in the Philippines Dennis and Kathie had their wedding anniversary. Pictured with them, Pastor Roger Scalice of CC Monterey Bay performed a renewal of their wedding vows. It was a great highlight of the teams visit from CC Monterey.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Kathie & Dennis
While in the Philippines Dennis and Kathie had their wedding anniversary. Pictured with them, Pastor Roger Scalice of CC Monterey Bay performed a renewal of their wedding vows. It was a great highlight of the teams visit from CC Monterey.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The call to "Go"
Reading in Isaiah 6 we see Isaiah being in the presence of the Lord, recognizing his own shortfalls and then being touched with God’s holiness. When God called Him to “go”, he responded to Him, “here am I Lord, send me”. When Jesus finished speaking to the multitudes in Luke chapter 5, He challenged Peter to launch out into the deep. Being in the boat with His creator, Peter realized his own sinfulness and said “depart from me for I am a sinful man”. Yet Jesus called him and promised to make him a fisher of men. In Mathew 28 Jesus calls His disciples to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” As we respond to God’s call we are all on a “Short-Term Mission”. The time is our life span. The mission field is everywhere. Jesus said in Acts, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The question remains…”are we willing to be involved in this mission? No wonder He says to pray, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.”
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Home
After a wonderful week with the CCMB team we arrived safely home from the PI on November 21. Thanks for praying.
We have all ready had a number of opportunities to share our pictures and stories. As we show the Masantol video to various friends we miss new friends in the Philippines more and more.
We are looking forward and praying about our return to the Philippines. God has given us a heart for missions and equipping nationals to go out as disciples for Jesus. What we do know is that He desires us to focus on equipping and sending. Thank you for praying with us as we seek specifics from the Lord. We are praying for His guidance as to the location and ministry He would desire. We are looking to the next few months to pray, plan and prepare. It is hoped we might be ready to return for a long term mission some time in 2008.
Until that time we will occupy. We are back in Pacific Grove. Through CC Monterey Bay we have opportunities to teach and lead others. Both Kathie and I are a part of leadership with the Most Excellent Way recovery program. We both will continue to fellowship and support mission's endeavors. We are already a part of Brenten & Lena's Latvian support team. We will also be joining with others on the Masantol support team for Pat & Cindy Viray.
As we pray we ask you to pray with us. We seek God's specific direction and timing. Remembering Jesus said in John 20:21, "Even so send I you."
We have all ready had a number of opportunities to share our pictures and stories. As we show the Masantol video to various friends we miss new friends in the Philippines more and more.
We are looking forward and praying about our return to the Philippines. God has given us a heart for missions and equipping nationals to go out as disciples for Jesus. What we do know is that He desires us to focus on equipping and sending. Thank you for praying with us as we seek specifics from the Lord. We are praying for His guidance as to the location and ministry He would desire. We are looking to the next few months to pray, plan and prepare. It is hoped we might be ready to return for a long term mission some time in 2008.
Until that time we will occupy. We are back in Pacific Grove. Through CC Monterey Bay we have opportunities to teach and lead others. Both Kathie and I are a part of leadership with the Most Excellent Way recovery program. We both will continue to fellowship and support mission's endeavors. We are already a part of Brenten & Lena's Latvian support team. We will also be joining with others on the Masantol support team for Pat & Cindy Viray.
As we pray we ask you to pray with us. We seek God's specific direction and timing. Remembering Jesus said in John 20:21, "Even so send I you."
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Communication Link is back
Well we finally got internet coverage again after weeks without. For a missionary, that breakdown
really knocks out a major communication tool. It has kept us out of touch with all of you who support us in prayer. Thanks for continuing to pray as God leads. Praise the Lord for His victory and the blessings of a working connection. We
have one final day here before heading to Bacolod. It's been great to share the last week with the Virays. They returned safely last week. In two days Kathie and I will celebrate my 58th birthday. How exciting to be here. I was previously in the Philippines for my 40th birthday. How ironic. We look forward to seeing our friends the Rosmarinos at CC Bacolod. In Bacolod we will visit and minister at the orphanage there for one week before meeting the CCMB team at their arrival in Manila. Pray for our transitions from routines here to ministry with two different groups over the next few weeks. We fly to the USA on the 21st. We will probably have some reverse culture shock. It's going to be great to see everyone. Thanks friends for praying!
really knocks out a major communication tool. It has kept us out of touch with all of you who support us in prayer. Thanks for continuing to pray as God leads. Praise the Lord for His victory and the blessings of a working connection. We
have one final day here before heading to Bacolod. It's been great to share the last week with the Virays. They returned safely last week. In two days Kathie and I will celebrate my 58th birthday. How exciting to be here. I was previously in the Philippines for my 40th birthday. How ironic. We look forward to seeing our friends the Rosmarinos at CC Bacolod. In Bacolod we will visit and minister at the orphanage there for one week before meeting the CCMB team at their arrival in Manila. Pray for our transitions from routines here to ministry with two different groups over the next few weeks. We fly to the USA on the 21st. We will probably have some reverse culture shock. It's going to be great to see everyone. Thanks friends for praying!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Internet
Sorry to say our internet connection is down. We have been without coverage for about 12 days now. So please pray as God leads. We will write as soon as we get a connection. Dennis & Kathie
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Come as a Child
Each Saturday God calls the children to come to CC Masantol for children’s Bible study, singing and coloring. Every Saturday I am amazed and blessed as I see the little ones line up in droves outside the CC gate. It would be great if all people would line up like that to come to Jesus. Jesus told us, "“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Rommil almost always is one of the ones in the front of the line. On other days when he visits the chapel, many times he will do a cartwheel. He usually cannot get his legs up over his head, even though he is small. The cartwheel is typically followed by summersaults down the aisle. Oh to be a six year old again. I like to think that Rommil is just overly excited about Jesus. Many times the extra energy Rommil has gets him in trouble. He has so much energy he cannot sit still. But with more than 100 other children he faithfully comes each Saturday. Pray that he along with others will understand and except the truth of the gospel. They so need Jesus.
Rommil comes from a broken home. Before becoming ill his Dad was a gambler and drug user. Though family has tried to share Jesus, his father Camillo continues to reject hope. Now Rommil's Dad is dying. His heart and other organs are failing. The doctors sent him home from the hospital with only weeks to live. At 43 and near death, Camillo needs Jesus but keeps saying no. It seems so much more difficult for an adult, hardened by sin to come to Jesus. Pray for Vino and others as they share God's love with him. Pray for Rommil and his four year old brother John John. They so need the love and comfort of Jesus.
Rommil almost always is one of the ones in the front of the line. On other days when he visits the chapel, many times he will do a cartwheel. He usually cannot get his legs up over his head, even though he is small. The cartwheel is typically followed by summersaults down the aisle. Oh to be a six year old again. I like to think that Rommil is just overly excited about Jesus. Many times the extra energy Rommil has gets him in trouble. He has so much energy he cannot sit still. But with more than 100 other children he faithfully comes each Saturday. Pray that he along with others will understand and except the truth of the gospel. They so need Jesus.
Rommil comes from a broken home. Before becoming ill his Dad was a gambler and drug user. Though family has tried to share Jesus, his father Camillo continues to reject hope. Now Rommil's Dad is dying. His heart and other organs are failing. The doctors sent him home from the hospital with only weeks to live. At 43 and near death, Camillo needs Jesus but keeps saying no. It seems so much more difficult for an adult, hardened by sin to come to Jesus. Pray for Vino and others as they share God's love with him. Pray for Rommil and his four year old brother John John. They so need the love and comfort of Jesus.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Kathie & the Sisters
“Those who know Your Name will trust in You; for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”—Psalm 9:10
Last night was the 3rd week for us ladies to gather together. In the 2nd week the numbers doubled, which was encouraging to me realizing that these ladies were inviting others to come. Because it continues to rain, rain, rain and flooding has worked it way into more of these precious ladies homes, I really was not expecting many to come last night. Yet they walked through water to come and hear the Word. Very humbling!
The ladies are sharing more & more. Even though I may not understand all of the conversation, it encourages me to see them talk & laugh among themselves as they open up about how God has made Himself known to each of them personally. Some spoke of His healings, others His timely provisions. Others spoke of His Word made alive to them after asking Jesus into their hearts.
They are faithful memorizing scripture each week and, of course, are finding it very comforting & strengthening in their walk of faith with Jesus, as many of their family members are not saved yet. I discovered that they do have Tagalog Bibles in their own homes, so this week we are reading I John until we come together next Wednesday night.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us! Your prayers are much needed and much appreciated as Dennis & I see the Lord at work here in the hearts of the believers in Masantol. God is good!!!
Last night was the 3rd week for us ladies to gather together. In the 2nd week the numbers doubled, which was encouraging to me realizing that these ladies were inviting others to come. Because it continues to rain, rain, rain and flooding has worked it way into more of these precious ladies homes, I really was not expecting many to come last night. Yet they walked through water to come and hear the Word. Very humbling!
The ladies are sharing more & more. Even though I may not understand all of the conversation, it encourages me to see them talk & laugh among themselves as they open up about how God has made Himself known to each of them personally. Some spoke of His healings, others His timely provisions. Others spoke of His Word made alive to them after asking Jesus into their hearts.
They are faithful memorizing scripture each week and, of course, are finding it very comforting & strengthening in their walk of faith with Jesus, as many of their family members are not saved yet. I discovered that they do have Tagalog Bibles in their own homes, so this week we are reading I John until we come together next Wednesday night.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us! Your prayers are much needed and much appreciated as Dennis & I see the Lord at work here in the hearts of the believers in Masantol. God is good!!!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
The parade is coming
We could hear the band long before it passed the chapel. They were marching through Masantol and down Santa Lucia. As I ran to the second floor windows I called Kathie to come and see. The approaching celebration called for our immediate attention. Our minds were taken back to small town America before all the business and isolation of neighbors. The focus of our Masantol neighborhood was the sounds and colors of celebration. Now they were close enough to see all the colors. Flags were waving in all directions. Joyful children filled the streets, families marched behind. Soon I witnessed the center of focus.
On a cart surrounded by many stood the carved image of a catholic saint. He was rolled along with the crowd surrounded by candles. I felt for the children who didn't know. Their ears were drawn like ours by the music of the people. The seeming happiness of colors and sound. The adults had many more years of following the crowd. Their hearts were given to the worship of this saint. The Bible states in Psalm 135, "They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is everyone that trusts in them." They are marching into eternity. Pray that God will open their eyes to see their need for Jesus. How much better to march in worship and song to our living Savior Jesus!
On a cart surrounded by many stood the carved image of a catholic saint. He was rolled along with the crowd surrounded by candles. I felt for the children who didn't know. Their ears were drawn like ours by the music of the people. The seeming happiness of colors and sound. The adults had many more years of following the crowd. Their hearts were given to the worship of this saint. The Bible states in Psalm 135, "They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is everyone that trusts in them." They are marching into eternity. Pray that God will open their eyes to see their need for Jesus. How much better to march in worship and song to our living Savior Jesus!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Celebrating a Birthday
This week my honey (you call her Kathie) celebrates her birthday on Friday the 28th. I suppose it is not politically correct to remind a woman about birthdays. But my wife is a very special person. I am so blessed that God brought us together at a home Bible study fifteen years ago. The Bible says in Proverbs, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the LORD.” I am blessed to have a wife who is a godly woman and shares together in serving the Lord. Like America, many homes here in Masantol are single parent homes. Either the husband or wife is missing. I know it is God’s favor that keeps us together and allows us to serve Him. So we are blessed.
Here in the Philippines families love to celebrate birthdays with karaoke’s. Typically they are played quite loud so all the neighbors can hear. Each one at the party seem to take turns singing great karaoke hits. As the party moves into the evening and then the wee hours of the morning the singing is pretty bad. I’ve listened to several parties now and the music is much like the worst American Idol tryouts you can imagine. It probably does not help that the people are drinking more and more as the party progresses. These Karaoke birthdays reveal the great need to reach the people of PI with Jesus. Only then will they find true joy.
When Friday comes I know we won’t be singing Karaoke. Sure we will sing and be joyful. But our joy will be full because it comes from Jesus! I thank God for a godly wife. We pray that many families in Masantol will begin to see their marriages affected by Jesus as well.
Here in the Philippines families love to celebrate birthdays with karaoke’s. Typically they are played quite loud so all the neighbors can hear. Each one at the party seem to take turns singing great karaoke hits. As the party moves into the evening and then the wee hours of the morning the singing is pretty bad. I’ve listened to several parties now and the music is much like the worst American Idol tryouts you can imagine. It probably does not help that the people are drinking more and more as the party progresses. These Karaoke birthdays reveal the great need to reach the people of PI with Jesus. Only then will they find true joy.
When Friday comes I know we won’t be singing Karaoke. Sure we will sing and be joyful. But our joy will be full because it comes from Jesus! I thank God for a godly wife. We pray that many families in Masantol will begin to see their marriages affected by Jesus as well.
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