Unity

I would really like this blog to bring some unity into what the Lord is doing here and the directions He is moving in. This has been a year defined by change and changes that are all gifts of God.

Firstly, we have opened an Internet cafe that is packed full of people every day. We are making due with what we have at the moment but we are looking forward to completing this project because there are literally hundreds of people who need to be accommodated. Because of the type of Internet we have we will only be able to run 14 computers and two tablets and this actually requires two accounts with the Internet company. We were a bit worried about this but the Lord worked in the hearts of the guys in the office Cries Ann, who is an amazing cook! Will have a store, selling coffee, drinks, snacks and real lunch and dinner food.

I am super excited because this will allow us to become a self supported ministry and me and my wife will have access to young men and women who otherwise would be impossible to reach. Although we have other motives for opening this business at the heart of anything we do is to reach the lost.

For example, yesterday there were six young men dressed as women in the cafe. This is how the guys are in the Philippines. Unlike the states they all dress like women and a very, very dramatic and loud.

The way I could minister to them this first time was treat and serve them as if they were Jesus Himself, showing no partiality. This was a shock to them and good first step; But Wow Was That a Stressful Day!!!

We are also taking steps to opening an orphanage. The Lord has moulded me for this job since I stepped foot on this Island. My heart is with the poor and especially the poor children. We have already made a trip to another Island to talk to some of the heads of the Social Service department. We have found great favour with the office here in Borongan because of the work we have done with Jr. They were helpless to help him and are very thankful we gave him a home. As we left the office in Borongan, one of the ladies said 'bye, we are looking forward to working with you!' I have never heard such a statement from a Filipino and it took me back a bit.

We are also planning on starting a Church service Sunday evening or Saturday morning. There are so many people here that want to go to a Christian Church and hear the Word but they have no where to go. We will have to do it in a way that does not draw to much attention from the Priest. We are planning on having a potluck style fellowship in the cafe room. We will worship and I will teach but it will not be in the traditional way. We need prayer for protection over this service for sure, the Catholic Church has had a strangle hold on the people for a long time.

Lastly, but not least important, Cris Ann and me want to go home. We want to see our family and meet the two new members. We would like to have a wedding service with Papa and be a part of that tradition. We will have to see how the Lord works things out. I have to have the Internet cafe finished and a couple people trained to run it. I can't leave until this is done because we are $400 short on our budget every month and I am not properly providing for my family and the stress kills Cris Ann and me. The Cafe is the start of it all and that's where our energy and prayers are being directed...