Philippine Churches Still Proclaiming Godly Values

It was a blessing last month (via Zoom) to join the monthly VOICE Philippines VIP (VOICE In Prayer). Greeting and meeting the entire team “live” was special as well as praying through various praises and requests. Although the “lock-down” continues to be difficult, God is working! Here are a few things I learned:

• Life Gospel Church, Manila, has created online monthly Values Classes for youth and a separate one for parents!

• Capitol City Baptist Church (a church I am especially familiar with), Manila, was asked by nearby Sto. Cristo Elementary School to teach online Values Classes to twelve sections/classes.

• The Philippine Bible Christian Church, Manila, is teaching the VOICE Curriculum to street dwellers.

  
  
  

• In Negros, VOICE champions, Pastor Joel & Irma, are teaching godly Values to those working in community gardens. (The second picture shows the gardeners assembled for the Biblical Values class where other non-gardeners join them.) They also are planning to train community leaders how to teach godly Values in a ministry called “Shechem Care.”

  
  
  
  
  
  

• In addition, the two above veteran VOICE leaders serve as life coaches to twelve policemen/women. They shared that their church in Bayawan City continues to welcome former students from their Values Classes both in Sunday School and their Worship Services.

• Another church, Kaytaas Alliance, Bulacan, fairly quickly picked up their teaching of Biblical values by reconnecting with their students on line; that’s been happening for at least three months now.

Let us praise God for His amazing work through His people and pray for perseverance and that God will raise up many more to shine His light in these difficult days.

VOICES From Uganda Youth

 Although the times are strange, God has enabled VOICE Africa, a program of Scripture Union Uganda, to keep engaging children and youth regarding godly values. From the recently completed “Self-Control” on-line Module we received the following testimonies:

• “ I thank the Lord me, my brother and sister joined this class. It changed our lives completely.” Audrey

• ”Am pleased to inform you that my attendance of self-control class was beneficial and it changed me for good. I have started controlling myself than ever before. Recently my friend annoyed me but instead of firing back I was able to keep quiet.” Joab

• “Thanks teachers, I mostly liked the story of Samson. I learnt to avoid places, things and people that make me lose my self-control for example during this break when my little brothers disturb me, I move away and not beat them up.” Emmanuel

• “I have learnt to control my anger and I no longer fight my siblings, thank you very much for the class.” Christina

• “This verse Proverbs 25:28 encourages me whenever I lose my cool. Thanks teachers Lyn, Hilda and Dennis.” Lisa

• “It has changed my life whereby I am advising my friends all about self-control and to give their life to Jesus.” Jeremiah

• “Thank you for teaching us. I enjoyed the stories and the verses, can’t wait for the first lesson about Purity.” Erica

• “Sarah has become better. Thank you for the Self-Control classes.” Sarah’ mother

• “My daughter now controls herself when she is angry.” E’s parent

Praise God with us and pray for the “Purity” Module now being taught.

In light of current needs in East Africa including national workers allowances shortages we ask you to continue praying and consider giving to one of the two projects below:

1. VOICE Africa Ministry

2. Swahili Values Printing

Donations clearly designated can be mailed to:

SEND International of Canada

RR# 5, 1-22423 Jefferies Road

Komoka, ON N0L 1R0

Phone: 1-888-918-5036

Email: info@sendcanada.org

Or

SEND International USA

PO Box 513

Farmington, MI 48332

Phone: 1-800-736-3808

Email: info@send.org

There are also on-line opportunities to give:

for SEND Canada - https://send.org/canada/give

for SEND US - https://SEND.org/give

Strawberry Fields

Farming is hard work...period! And sometimes one doesn’t see as much result as one wishes, despite pouring hours of labor into an agriculture project. But what rejoicing when the harvest is visible and abundant. That’s the case this year with my brother’s strawberry fields. His “Dad Bonney’s U-Pick” has seen many eager (and seemingly satisfied) customers over the past three weeks. Before my father entered eternity, he expressed great joy to see one of his sons take steps toward using the family farm land for blessing others in the production of food; it has also brought delight to the rest of the family.

I’ve had the privilege of manning “the shack”--looking after payments, answering questions, sometimes providing a hat or bottle of water to sweating pickers, helping pick berries to fill outside orders, and when needed, showing new arrivals where to pick. Since many of the pickers are known to me/my family, there has also been plenty of chatting in the shade/coolness of “the shack.” During the occasional lulls, I’ve enjoyed the setting/scene/quietness to spend time with God in His Word; He has personally challenged me as I’ve pondered the similarities and differences of spiritual fruit/harvest.

Yesterday, as the berry season was winding down for this season, I had a beautiful opportunity to listen to a frequent customer and eventually share Christ! Another family expressed interest in the copies of “God’s Offer” tract that were lying on the counter...and took three copies home with them. God is encouraging me that, although cultures differ, people need the Lord just as they do across the oceans. Praise God that, unlike physical farming, God’s Word will always bear fruit according to His good pleasure—Isaiah 55:5. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Let’s all be willing to work hard in God’s spiritual fields while remaining alert to opportunities to share His Word, the Truth, with assurance that there will be an abundant harvest in God’s time.

Ministry Continues!

Virtually everyone has been affected by the ongoing pandemic; Christian ministries are certainly no exception. But God is not affected and His kingdom continues triumphant over the kingdom of darkness!

As is true in our nations, almost all schools have been closed in East Africa. As you know, the VOICE ministry of teaching Biblical Values is specifically designed for classrooms. But God has led and enabled the VOICE Teams in both Uganda and Tanzania to find other avenues of ministry to children...radio and Internet!

A couple of weeks ago, we learned that Jackson, one of the four Scripture Union Tanzanian staff that, earlier this year, we helped to equip, accepted an invitation to share the Forgiveness lessons via radio. Last week, Beth passed on news that Jackson has "many testimonies" of changed lives including the following:

• Sarah, a secondary school girl, used to live with her Aunt and Uncle. When she was 9 years old, her uncle began sexually abusing her. His wife refused to do anything about it and eventually Sarah ran away as a bitter and resentful girl. Her life deteriorated and before long, she was living an immoral life. When she heard the Forgiveness lessons on the radio, she chose to forgive her uncle/aunt and release her revenge to God...and her life has been transformed!
•  A Pastor's life was in turmoil. He told Jackson that as a result of hearing the lessons on the radio, his life is changed and he wants Jackson to come and teach the Forgiveness lessons in his are.

Praise God with us for His ongoing and amazing work...seeking and saving those who are lost, despite the pandemic!

Next week, Scripture Union Uganda plans to teach the Biblical values of Purity and Self-Control using Zoom and Google Classroom to those who respond to their invitation. They are offering it on all three age levels. Pray that God will mightily use this effort for His glory.

Christ’s Abundance

After sharing last month about my personal areas of scarcity, I found my mind turning to the opposite truth—the abundance we have in Christ! There are no scarcities in all that He offers to us as His children...only overwhelming quantity. What a comfort!

Extravagant Invitation

I have always enjoyed Isaiah 55 where we are invited to come and delight in God’s abundance (vs. 1-2). God promises abundant pardon to all who come in repentance (vs. 6-7). That invitation is ultimately fulfilled in Christ and all that He did through His death and resurrection. He continues to invite the spiritually thirsty and hungry to come to Him for eternal life (John 7:37,38), full/complete life (John 10:10), and entrance into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9,10). We, the unworthy, are invited to received God’s rich mercy (Ephesians 2:4)!

Christ’s invitation is also for those who are stressed or anxious (Matthew 11:28-30). Who has not felt this during these unusual days? He promises to exchange our burdens for soul rest and His personal care as we release our burdens to Him (1 Peter 5:6,7).

Amazing Transformation

Spring is a time of transformation when the earth bursts into vivid color with the longer hours of sunlight. Isaiah 55:10,11 remind us that as the rain and snow (both seen by many of us this month of May!) are used by the Creator to bring new life and harvest, so God’s Word will accomplish what He has purposed, resulting in much fruit as we abide in Him/His Word (John 15:5). God even goes as far as to say that those who are in Christ are a “new creation”--totally transformed (2 Cor. 5:17)! God’s Spirit uses His precious Word so that we are “transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory...” (2 Cor. 3:18).

We all love to hear stories of transformation; I heard one recently from VOICE Philippines. A student in a large Manila High School attended an after-school Values Class and her life was changed. She began attending a youth group as well as a cell group in one of the churches that sponsored the class.

As some of us look back on many years, we can testify that it is the living God who has been so faithful and allowed us to “flourish”, even bearing fruit in old age (Psalm 92:12-15). A recent testimony from a puppeteer in Uganda revealed transformation of his own life and those to whom he now ministers via puppets. That and a few other things prompted me to use ventriloquism again and encourage others to reach out with this tool producing video clips during lock-down time.

Inseparable Love

Who has not felt for those who have lost loved ones during these days of covid-19 and other situations that have taken lives, some violently! Our hearts ache as we hear of grief and hardship including job losses globally. People in some nations are faced with food shortages forcing some families to eat only one meal a day—scarcity! But, for those who belong to Christ, there is the absolute assurance of Romans 8:35-39: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors (abundance!) through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, not any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What abundant security in these uncertain times! No wonder Paul spoke of Christ as the “unspeakable/indescribable gift” (1 Cor. 9:15).

Precious Prayer

Have you ever been struck with the amazing breadth of some of Jesus’ promises about prayer—“...Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9),” “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:14),” “the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name, (John 15:16b),” to name a few—certainly no scarcity/limitations in those promises! But that's not all prayer does. As the Lion of the Tribe of Judah triumphs in Revelation 5, golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints, are presented to Him (v.8). Prayer is such a privilege and so important.

Recently I listened to a radio sermon from a faithful supporting church, and the reference of Romans 8:26 so touched me, “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to prayer for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that word cannot express.” The Spirit of God prays for us. Further, the living Christ intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25). What truth for our soul’s scarcity… comfort unspeakable!

Of all topics to be recently requested to do ventriloquism, it was prayer. I chose Philippians 4:6 to share with the children, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything...present your requests to God.” Are these days not a call to believing prayer, whether it is prayer individually and corporately, whether by phone, Skype, zoom, What’s App, etc.? We can be totally confident in God’s overwhelming love, care, and ability to answer.

Jubilant Celebration

Recently I was listening to a CD of Handel’s Messiah that belonged to my late Aunt. In these days of pessimistic news overload from the media, how wonderful to get perspective through hymns and spiritual songs. What abundance in Handel’s Messiah music, and the lyrics from the Scriptures. Indeed God will have the last word, and “He shall reign forever and ever”! There is a day of great joy coming when God completes His salvation and the earth will be freed of its curse (Isa. 55:12)—all scarcity left behind! Even so come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

Soul Scarcity

During these days of social distancing and “lock-down” some of us have had a forced time for rest and reflection. For most of us, Easter has been an unforgettable time that has NOT been the “business as usual” --travel, church, food preparation and family reunions. I don’t recall when I have listened to “The Messiah” in one setting and it happened this Easter! God has allowed the world to “stop” and is surely challenging us to “be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.

Memories of our East African visit are still fresh on my mind. One word that describes situations in East Africa is “scarcity”. Unlike North America, (with the temporary exception of toilet tissue, etc.) there is scarcity of food, water, electricity, shelter, basic needs, transportation, steady jobs, medical care, school fees, etc. We were inspired again during our visit to see the resiliency of the African people, their creativity and ability to make do. Since returning to Canada, I have reflected on my own scarcities.

1. Lack of Thanksgiving. I can identify with the 9 lepers Jesus inquired about in Luke 17:17,18 who forgot to return and thank Jesus for His amazing work in their lives. I have counted my own blessings more these days, appreciating God for Who He is and His good gifts. I suspect I have done less complaining and even worry. Recalling some of the sights and experiences in Africa just two months ago has given perspective how much we have to be thankful for.
2. Lack of Love. John 21 reminds me how our risen Saviour meets us in our routines and schedules and has us stop and experience His love afresh and hear His truth to our hearts. How easy it is to be caught up in good things even exciting ministry outcomes! Jesus' questions to Peter, John 21:15-17, caused a rekindling of love and fresh obedience to the Saviour.
3. Lack of Faith. Joshua 14:8,9 spotlights Caleb (and Joshua’s) example of whole-heartedly following God. They rejected peer pressure and the majority who saw giants and so many obstacles, Numbers 13,14. Adjusting to retirement and Canadian culture while continuing to feel heart passion for the people and works we have left in Africa and the Philippines continues to stretch my faith.
4. Lack of Consulting God. Even called and gifted Joshua relied on his own insight and strategy rather than asking God about the Gibeonites, Joshua 9:14. It’s possible to get so caught up in ministry and pressing things before us, we become presumptuous and even familiar with God. This results in failure to pray and lay our situation before the Lord. These days of staying home have opened up new possibilities of prayer.
5. Lack of Focus/Worship. Revelation 4 and 5 is a favorite passage that reminds us of the day coming when the whole universe will worship and praise Jesus the Lamb of God. It is from the Rev. 5 passage that we named our Blog “Lion Sightings.” With events of the last couple of months, it does seem that the world stage is being set for Christ’s Return. Oh to be prepared and watching for that Day!

Indeed, God is using these days of restraint from our usual routines and freedoms to cause us to pause and be still before Him, to look to Him, to listen to Him, to find renewal and fresh hope in our risen and victorious and soon-coming Lord Jesus. A song that has blessed me this week is the Chris Tomlin video arrangement found on You Tube, “He is Worthy”. Indeed, praise Him!

Is It Worth It?

Last week while Ruth and I worked on categorizing two months worth of financial receipts from East Africa, dealing with six currencies, and began to organize our pictures, we allowed ourselves to ask the question, “is the outcome worth the investment of energy and finances?” As we reviewed our time in East Africa and discussed what we experienced, we, of course, came to the conclusion that indeed, it was worth it. Among others, these four stand out:

• Obeying God’s Great Commission work is always worth it! The Saviour is so worthy of our all. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) words come to mind, “I go out [to serve] with two propositions in mind, first everyone ought to give his life to Christ, second, whether or not anyone gives his life, I will give Him mine.”
• We were allowed, as only God could arrange it, to witness first-hand fruit from ministry back in early 2018. It was then while we were training Christian South Sudanese refugees to use the module on Purity as an outreach to their own people in the camps, that several men started weeping with conviction over their own personal failure to be legally married, including one of the leaders. On Feb.22 that leader, Peter and Hellen, officially were married and Beth and Laura were there among the guests!
• During the Arusha, Tanzania, training, one of the participants, a pastor, shared that he had arrived at the training with much bitterness toward another pastor who had mistreated him. But during the training, he chose to obey God’s Word, and do what he was being trained to teach others to do, by forgiving that pastor and releasing the injustice to God. During the closing of that training, he offered Scripture Union Tanzania free office space in a building he is connected to in Western Tanzania. Stellah, the National Director for Scripture Union Tanzania, later told us that she and her Scripture Union board had been praying for an opportunity to expand into that area of their nation. Just a couple of days ago, we heard that indeed those plans are moving ahead and that region is opening up to Scripture Union!
• After working closely with several Scripture Union Tanzanian staff and volunteers and walking with them through two 3-day VOICE Trainings, we left for Kenya. However, what had got started continues...the Scripture Union Swahili Training Team have already conducted, on their own, two more trainings for volunteers with plans that in June those who have been trained will begin teaching Values Classes in schools in the Tanzania Lake and Western Zones.

There’s more that we could list, but praise God with us for what He, the Lord of the Harvest, is doing. It’s marvelous that He chooses to use us, His imperfect servants, to work with Him. THANK YOU for going with us back to East Africa these last two months through your faithful prayer and financial support...the results are also attributed to your eternal accounts!