October 3rd is Calebs birthday!! Happy Brithday Caleb. May God continue to bless you in all you do for Him.[...]

Gary and I talked to Caleb a couple of days ago and he wanted you each to know that your notes are very encourging. [...]

This last week has been amazing! At the same time, my heart is very heavy because the closes friend I have ever had died last week. The few mutual friends that are still alive are gathering for another funeral that I cannot attend. This is hard, I wish I could come home for the service and see the few childhood friends I have left and to see John's sister, wife and son. With tears in my eyes and a steadfast heart I say, "I must be about our Fathers business".

I truly saw amazing work done in the last week, finally a break through into the men of our town! Anyone who read the blogs this last year would remember Ubert, the hardcore kid who the Lord dramatically changed and continues to change. Ubert has two older brothers about my age(28) and they are very hardcore, tough and dangerously aggressive. At the end of last year the Lord presented an opportunity to bless them with shoes to play in the basketball tournament. At the end of the tournament and after a fancy dunk one of the two brothers gave me a high five. This was huge! It caused me to praise the Lord immediately.

For this young man to give me, a American Christian, respect in front of all the others standing there showed the power of God to change hearts. I was convinced that I would be going home and the Lord would be sending others to continue His work with the men and children in our town. Not so, I was blessed to come back and immediately started working with the children, however, my heart was still with the men who make up 3% of any church membership. The Lord provided the perfect opportunity through a big and important basketball tournament.

I was asked to play by brother Dan-Dan and I agreed, thinking it would be the students at the school and we would go out and get our butts whooped, but get involved with community none the less. This time it was different, I was informed that the team would be me, Roy, who is Dan-Dan's brother and one of the men the Lord weighed heavy on my heart, Ubert's two brothers and a couple other guys. So it was, we played and we played well, winning game after game, only losing one which gave us a chance to play for the championship. All we had to do was win one game and we were guaranteed 2000peso and the chance for 3000peso. The game went into triple overtime and we won!

The next day we had to play the same team, they had beaten us one time and we had beaten them. The students and I prayed that the Lord be glorified in the day’s activities regardless of the outcome. As we began to play it was obvious that the players had it out for me and were playing extra aggressive. People were everywhere and the energy was high. To make a long story short we lost by two on a 25 point come back. I ended up with a nasty black eye and a bruised hip that pops when I walk, the game was intense. I was disappointed I could not help them win first and I put the blame on me.

The next day I walked up to Roy apologizing that I couldn't win them first, but he brushed the comment off and said that he and the other players wanted me to go up and get the trophy at the awards ceremony. Dang, God is good! I told him I would love to and that gesture was incredibly kind. Please remember, I am talking about the most impossible guys in the world to gain respect from, apart from the Lord of course. As Bobby(a new student) and me where walking the next day the team was celebrating at a house and as we walked by they all excitedly called us over giving us a high five and thanking me for playing basketball with them. Yes, they were drinking and planned on drinking for the next couple days, but the God who created them and loves them is going to open their eyes and reveal Himself to them, giving them a new heart.

Even more amazing, earlier in that day I was talking with brother Dan-Dan and Roy at their house and suddenly felt a nudge to show them my accident pictures. They were shocked! They all understand human anatomy because of the similarities to pigs, which they slaughter. With a look of awe on his face, Roy, who I had never even spoken to before this tournament was asking me all kinds of questions. Not far from us a group of guys were fighting roosters and they stopped what they were doing to see what was going on. As they came over and them more people came over, until a crowd of 25 to 30 people were looking through the accident pictures in awe as Dan-Dan and Roy explained what they were looking at. Later, Mark, a Filipino student and good friend told me that everyone was amazed and shocked that I survived. He explained that they slaughter pigs by severing an artery, so they could not understand how I survived the injury. All I could think and ask the Lord is, "please give me a chance to tell them how".

I know He will and I believe with a faith, given by the Holy Spirit, that the Lord is going to show His presence in our town and all over like never before and all those who people thought were no good, the Lord will show Himself in them undeniably. Please pray for this......

- Caleb[...]

Caleb left for thiland today. Please pray for him and leave him an encourging note in the "post it" section!

Thanks,[...]

Dear Friends and Family,
Last week another of Caleb’s childhood friends passed away. Caleb is said, “Please pray that at John’s service someone will preach the good news and his family and friends will be ready to hear it.” Caleb continues to grow in his faith. He said he is very sad, but Ok.[...]

We talked to Caleb last night and he has been very sick - please pray for his health and continued direction. Blessings, Dawn and Gary[...]

On July 10th, Caleb returned to the Philippines after a very quick eight weeks in the states. Last night Gary and I spoke to Caleb via Skype. He looked and sounded so happy. He is asking that I send this update requesting prayer for his added assignment. Along with his studies and his ministry to the street children Caleb is being asked to look for and buy property through U-Turn for Christ and then develop an industry that will provide a way for the missionary families and the nationals to support themselves. He said, “Mom please ask them to pray for direction in this area of opportunity, I know that I cannot not do this but God can.” God provided Caleb with enough money to get him back to the Philippines. Caleb needs $600.00 a month in support- currently he is in need of 450.00 a month in monthly commitments- lastly he is requesting toys and candy for the children. GOD BLESS YOU as to seek his will regarding these needs before you.. Love, The Barton Family and Caleb[...]

Over the last couple of weeks while Caleb has been home, I have been so aware of the need to praise the Lord for all He has done, all he is doing and all he will accomplish though his son, Caleb.[...]

Hello Brothers and Sisters,[...]