anascomissions.org

Thanksgiving weekend.

While the rest of the Philippines went to work or school or had a normal day, the staff and families of the Sonshine Center celebrated Thanksgiving. A small army of cooks (including Chris, Eric, and Faithy) prepared the feast, and we had the big dinner at the home of Jesse and Kay. For the first time ever, I did not eat too much. I am finding that I simply cannot pig out the way I used to, even when the food is as good as a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings--we even got Stove Top stuffing delivered from Manila.

Pressure isn't always bad. Especially when it comes to water. For three years we have lived without water pressure. When someone was doing the dishes, you could not take a shower. If a toilet was flushed, you had to wait until the tank filled up before you washed your hands in the sink. Then when the laundry was being washed in our washing machine, all other water needs had to be put on hold. It would literally take an hour to wash a single load of laundry. Then something wonderful happened. About a week ago we got our pipes cleaned. It's like we have a whole new plumbing system. You can actually wash the dishes and have someone take a shower at the same time. Laundry now takes thirty minutes to wash. And showers are wonderful. We used to do the fill the bucket and dump method, but now no more. For three years we lived without water pressure. I am glad those three years are over. We will be sure to have our pipes cleaned yearly. Now we may have to get a "widowmake...

The exclamation point at the end of this trip was Sunday morning service at God's People Christian Fellowship Badjao Community Church. The Badjao community is a true squatter village. The Badjao people do not own any land. Their entire community is built over the water with their houses and buildings on raised stilts. Many of the families depend on the ocean for their livelihood. Many of the Badjao men I met were pearl divers. They are very poor but also very passionate about Christ. They are true worshipers, praising God with all their hearts. In their poverty they still have much joy. During praise and worship the place was literally hopping. Since the church, just like their homes, is built on stilts over the water, the building was swaying and moving up and down during worship. We had a powerful time of prayer. Many people came forward for ministry. When this man came to church he was blind. When he left church that day he could see. Prayer really does work. Prayer r...

Along with the pastors conference in Davao, the team also ministered at the Living Stones Orphanage. This orphanage is run by Calvary International missionaries Ken and Cris Sandberg--who also oversee a Bible school and the pastors tribal ministry.

Last week was incredible. I was in the island of Mindanao in the city of Davao. I joined a team of pastors from the United States and Calvary International missionaries to help minister at a tribal pastors conference. In Mindanao there are thirty-four tribal groups. Twenty-five of those tribes were represented at this conference. Over 500 pastors and church leaders from these people groups attended this conference. Many of these tribes were recently considered unreached. Praise the Lord they are unreached no more. Some of these tribal peoples have a very rough history. One pastor used to be a member of a tribe that practiced cannibalism. He became a born again Christian and stopped this brutal practice. He attended Bible school and is now pastoring a small congregation. He said he can no longer practice cannibalism because he now knows that all people are created in the image of God, and that he should love them and show them the love of Christ rather than kill and eat them. A...

I have returned from my trip to Davao, Philippines on southern island of Mindanao. Will post pictures and more soon. It was an amazing trip.

Last week our family joined the Calvary International missionaries here in Asia at our Annual Reunion of the Asia-Pacific team. This year we enjoyed the Costa Aguada resort, a place we have visited twice before. Also tomorrow the 7th, I leave for Davao in Mindinao for a pastor's conference. I will return home on Monday the 12th. Please keep my family in your prayers while I am gone.

Danny is now a full-time walker. He loves playing outside, and he is especially fond of chasing our house lizards.