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So there I was an eager and naive college student in my second year at Oral Roberts University. I saw a sign advertising a week long, short term missions trip to Mexico. Having never been on missions before, I knew it was time to take my first trip. So I went, and that week changed my life. God told me when I was twelve years old that I was going to be a missionary. Sitting in church one night, I heard, very clearly, God call me to full time missions. So there I was eight years later about to take my first ever missions trip. The weeks before the trip our team spent several Saturdays learning our evangelism dramas. We were doing "Toymaker" by Impact Productions . My character was the soldier. So in my backpack, along with my toilet paper, pepto tablets, flashlight and Bible, I packed some camo paint, a set of BDUs (battle dress uniforms) and a toy machine gun. Our ministry was the "street gang" method of street evangelism, made popular by Teen Mania Ministries...

From Wired.com : 1968: The crew of Apollo 8 delivers a live, televised Christmas Eve broadcast after becoming the first humans to orbit another space body. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders made their now-celebrated broadcast after entering lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, which might help explain the heavy religious content of the message. After announcing the arrival of lunar sunrise, each astronaut read from the Book of Genesis. How this went down at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soviet Union is unknown, but it stands in stark contrast to the alleged message sent back to Earth several years earlier by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. “I don’t see any God up here,” Gagarin reportedly said from his vantage point aboard Vostok I, although the accuracy of that statement has been challenged over the years. The crew of Apollo 8 didn’t claim to see God, either, but they were clearly impressed by His handiwork.

Wise men still seek Him, Daniel contemplates our Nativity set. More pictures from Y.A.F.C (yet another Filipino Christmas):

Pictures from the Sonshine Learning Center (preschool) Christmas Party, the Mom's and Dad's Bible Study party, and the big Saturday Kids Club Christmas bash with Jolibee. WE HAD OVER 300 KIDS!!!

This was put together by Eric and Faith, enjoy. In those days, the Emperor made a decree that a census of the whole Empire should be taken. So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. The city was so full of people there was no room for them in the inn. So they had to spend the night in a stable. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today ...

Today was spent getting things ready for Christmas celebrations at the Sonshine Center. The kids helped Chris and the rest of the Sonshine Learning Center staff get ready for a Christmas party, decorating, preparing gifts, etc. We then spent the evening going around Iloilo passing out meals to the poor on the street. Danny and Chris at work Eric and Danny filling bags of gifts One of the most amazing things about missionary life is watching my children do ministry. We always say they are not "future" missionaries, they are missionaries now. Faithy helping to bless a street family with a simple meal. I miss watching my children play in organized sports. Eric was able to play t-ball and flag football in our life before missions. I really miss that. However, while scoring touchdowns or hitting home runs might one day get their picture in the day's newspaper, what they are doing here in Iloilo--spreading God's love, advancing His kindgom on this earth--has a more eternal ...

Lately I have been trolling around other Christian blogs, and I am noticing a trend, the "edgy" or "hip" Christian bloggers are getting a large portion of the Internet, Christian blogging traffic. Cutting edge topics and arresting titles are the rule of the day. And this can be seen as a corresponding trend mimicking how the church is evolving, moving from the traditional to the more "today" or "hip." Instead of services, we have "gatherings." Instead of calling yourself a born-again Christian, you are a "Christ-follower." Who doesn't want to be cool? Who doesn't want to be considered very "now?" I find myself a little envious of the cool kid Christians, with the high traffic blogs, who are considered "real" because they have controversial blog posts and are unafraid to use profanity. But rather than confirm to this, so I too can be considered cool, I feel a check in my spirit (I know that's an ...

This is a repost of an amazing story from a few years ago: What is poverty? The gentleman in the picture (wearing the blue tank top) lives in Calajunan, the city trash dump area. In the picture behind him you can see the mountains of trash. He works in the trash collecting things like pieces of metal and plastics in order to sell to recyclers. He lives in one of the most awful places I have ever been. Even though I have been to Calajunan many times, I always nearly toss my cookies whenever I go. On the surface he would be considered among the very poor--that he is living in extreme poverty. Actually he is a very good father with a blessed family. Through his work at the trash dump he has been able to send his kids to college. His oldest son graduates this year while another son is just starting. He walks to work, it probably takes him about five minutes. He probably thinks that anyone who commutes ninety minutes to work each way is living in poverty. Through the satisfaction he has ...

I am a firm believer in immersing yourself as a missionary into your host country. I believe you should learn the language, learn and adapt to local customs, etc. I don't believe in forming and living within an American "bubble" here in the Philippines. However, there are times when you need a little taste of your home country. Our Thanksgiving party this year was more than just a little taste, it was a feast of Americana. Inviting missionary friends and family, we had the traditional dinner complete with turkey and all the trimmings. We watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas, and we also watched some football. We all ate too much. We also kicked off the Christmas season with a white elephant gift exchange. We even enjoyed the glow of a "fire." I truly love living here in the Philippines. Iloilo is my home. America is also my home, so when I can feast on American culture for one evening, it is a blessing.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:" Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their b...

a repost of something I wrote about five years ago: "On the way to church there was a funeral procession. The person who passed away was not very rich since there was no car or hearse carrying the coffin. The simple wooden coffin was being carried by the mourners, being followed by some carrying flowers. What is striking about this is that the coffin was very small. A child had passed away. The most striking thing about this funeral procession, however, was that children were carrying the coffin. Children were carrying the flowers. The mourners were all children, no adults. No mother or father to grieve this child's passing. Not even an uncle or auntie to assist in the burial. Just children. In a country were over half of the population is under the age of 18, there are so many who are fatherless and motherless. One such child was buried last Sunday."

This is a repost of something I posted nearly five years ago when I first started this blog. The other day I saw a little girl sleeping. She was curled up in a ball, sucking her thumb, fast asleep. She looked so calm and peaceful, the way kids do when they are sleeping, in spite of the fact that she was sleeping on the ground on a sidewalk on a corner of a busy intersection. What appeared to be her family was a few feet away. They were filthy and looked desperately poor. They had a younger child with them, happily playing in the dirt. he was naked as the day he was born. My heart is broken for such as these. A part of me wanted to jump off the jeepney I was riding and offer some kind of help. A part of me still wants to scoop up the little girl and take her home. The image of her still haunts my thoughts. I can still picture her family sitting on the sidewalk. I can still see her sleeping, her face like an angel. This motivates me to strive and work even harder for the kids at the Son...

Eric, Faithy, and Danny have all used this high chair--yes it's lasted that long. It's Gabi's turn now.

This is what a group of world changers and history makers look like: These are the missionaries of Go To Nations here in the Philippines. Recently we gathered for our Philippine team Annual Meeting in Roxas City, Philippines, known as the "seafood capital of the Philippines." (Trust me, we enjoyed several dinners confirming this fact.) We had an amazing and inspiring time of fellowship and impartation. Most of you are aware that Chris and I are now serving Go To Nations as Philippine Team Coordinators. It is our privilege to serve this amazing team.

What ever happened to these guys? The Anasco Family in 2004 Plenty . . . Six years ago we left our American home for the Philippines and we began a new chapter in our family's life. These six years have been amazing. We have since had two more children (and remember they are not "future" missionaries ); we have have done camps , camps , and more camps ; we have hosted teams , teams , and more teams ; we have taken Bible school teaching trips to Cambodia and also to "Nevada" working with the persecuted church; we have trained and continue to train future full-time missionaries --it has been an amazing journey. One of the many things we have learned in the last six years is faithfulness. God is faithful. As we have taken this step of faith, leaving jobs, family, and things familiar, we have NEVER lacked. God has been more than faithful. Another thing we have learned is purpose. God does indeed have a purpose for every person. When we find our purpose, we fi...

I remember Renz "Meggie." He was one of our very first preschoolers at the Sonshine Learning Center. Here he is many years ago on the first day of classes: In fact he was the first student to show up for classes, he was so excited. Sadly Meggie has passed away. Dengue fever is a big problem here in Iloilo, it is a very deadly disease when untreated. Sadly this disease took Meggie when he was just eleven years old. Meggie was fun. He was always smiling, and he was also pretty responsible. One of his jobs was to help monitor the kids on the jeepney as they traveled from their squatter village to the Sonshine Center, I guess you could say he was like a "bouncer," keeping things in order. Those of you who knew him know that he was well suited for this job, he was a pretty big kid, the other kids did not mess around with him. Meggie spent his life living in a very poor squatter village in Iloilo. He was also a faithful Sonshine Center kid, in fact I remember seeing him...

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

Dan is loving preschool. Eric and Faith are still going to the Anasco Homeschool Academy, while Danny goes to the Sonshine Learning Center. He is learning Ilonggo, growing into young student. Today he joined his classmates at a field trip to Pizza Hut.

Ten years ago today Faith Elizabeth Anasco was born. I can't believe she is really ten years old. Before I know it, I'll be walking her down they aisle--crying my eyes out. She will always be my Faithy Littlesuger. Age 1 Age 2 Age 3 Age 4 Age 5 Age 6 Age 7 Age 8 Age 9 Age 10, yesterday at her birthday party.

I can't stop reading, and laughing at, the posts at Jon Acuff's site Stuff Christians Like. Here are some excerpts from a recent post entitled "Ways to Spot a Missionary." This was a guest post written by a missionary. "Missionaries wear funny clothing. I never intended to where bright-striped Kikoi shirts with tassels. I don’t think my wife Sara imagined herself in Kanga dresses with large shoulder pads. But I’m telling you as my shirts begin to look like I was worked over in a rugby game. And as all of Sara’s dresses have strangely faded to the same shade of gray, those Kikoi shirts and Kanga dresses become really tempting. So at your next church mission conference if you see a missionary dressed like a banana, cut them a little fashion slack." From Dave: Is this true, those of you who know us, do we dress funny? "Missionaries throw car safety rules out the window. My first week at Kijabe I see 8 missionary kids hanging off the roof rack of a Toyota ...

Chris has been homeschooling our children even before we left for the mission field. However, we felt that Daniel would benefit from attending the Sonshine Learning Center for his first schooling. This way he could make some Filipino friends and learn some Ilonggo. Here are some pictures of his first day of preschool. The day started off a little weepy, but it got better. He now loves going to school everyday.

We are all safely back home in Iloilo. We are starting to get settled back into our Filipino routine. It is always bittersweet to leave one home for another. It is, however, good to be back in our home in Iloilo. We are almost over jet lag, but this always takes time, having to endure some pretty rough days. Also some of you may not be aware of this, Chris and the kids flew on a different flight than I. I flew on air miles, my tickets was very cheap. Because of this, they had a completely different flight plan. So that means Chris flew with all FOUR of our kids on the way back to the Philippines. Most of you know already that my wife is absolutely amazing. Praise God that all things worked out. We met in Hong Kong, then we were to fly to Manila together. Her flight was delayed so we had to overnight in Hong Kong instead of Manila, but this was a blessing in disguise for several reasons, not to mention that the airline paid for the hotel. Chris and the kids also got bulkhead seating on ...

Number 815 from the Stuff that Christians Like : Becoming an expert on Africa (or whatever country you recently visited) after a 6-day missions trip. “Please tell everyone that our streets are not chock full of lions.” That’s the sentiment a reader in South Africa wanted me to share. Apparently, he felt like Christians in America sometimes believe Africa is very similar to the Disney movie, “Swiss Family Robinson.” Remember that one? They lived in a tree house and ate coconuts and zebra. They had monkey butlers and were constantly worried about wild animals and/or pirates. Although the pirate phenomenon is making a spirited comeback, I’m almost positive some of us have some backwards opinions of Africa. But you know what’s even worse? People who become experts on Africa after a 6-day mission trip. This is the time of year when they start coming back from trips and regaling us with their tales of massive missionary magnitude. Soon they will return from a short hop overseas. How do you s...

Even though we now have about a week left in-country, the the other day Chris, the kids, her mom, and her sister and her kids got to do one more amusement park visit to Hershey Park.

In the Fall of 2003, about six months before we left for the mission field, I was driving with my then four year old son, Eric. Our family had already made the decision to make the leap to full time missions, departure date was June of 2004. He was asking me about this next big thing in our family's life. He asked about his friends. Eric has been blessed with several lifelong friends--they are all still really close. He asked, "So when will they (his friends) be moving to the Philippines?" Of course I told him that we were the only ones moving, that his friends and their families will remain in the Untied States. This was a cold dose of reality for him, realizing that his life-long, best friends would not be with him in the Philippines. With that realization, he began to cry . . . and cry . . . and cry. He did not want to leave his best friends. Here we are again, getting ready to return to the Philippines, and the goodbyes are starting. Tonight Faithy started to get sad,...

From a letter of John Adams to his wife: "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.- I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfire and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." Happy 2nd of July, on this day in 1776 the unanimous vote for the declaration of independence from the empire of Great Britain was voted and agreed upon. On that day, according to John Adams: "the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony 'that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be fre...

10. You can't answer the question, "Where are you from?" 9. You speak two languages, but can't spell either. 8. You have a time zone map next to your telephone. 7. You can cut grass with a machete, but can't start a lawn mower. 6. You sort your friends by continent. 5. You read National Geographic and recognize someone. 4. You don't think two hours is a long sermon. 3. You haggle with the checkout girl for a lower price. 2. Fitting 15 or more people into a car seems normal to you. 1. You watch nature documentaries, and think about how good that animal would taste if it was fried.

Taken by my brother, Rey:

Every time we are Stateside, my Mom spoils us with an Orlando vacation, this time we did Sea World, Universal Studios and Disney Quest at Downtown Disney. Today she is taking the three older grand kids to see Toy Story 3. Getting spoiled again and again.

this week. Every time we are Stateside my Mom spoils us with an Orlando vacation. This week, along with my brother Rey, we are enjoying Sea World and other Disney attractions.

Our Stateside sojourn continues with some travels. We spent three days in Myrtle Beach, SC, enjoying some beach time, then we enjoyed more beach time at Daytona Beach. There we joined other Go To Nations missionaries at our missionary reunion. Now we are at my Mom's house in Ocala, FL, and tomorrow she takes us to Orlando for some theme park fun. In Daytona Beach we went to a unique restaurant on the water, with GTN missionaries Glenn and Rebekah Hickey and their kids. It was like Sea World in that we were entertained by dolphins. They swam near our table our entire meal, even jumping out of the water to catch fish.

After seven nights in NICU, Gabriella is finally with us. Today is the first day of the rest of her life. To all who held us so tightly in prayer during this very difficult time, we want to express our extreme gratitude and appreciation. Thank you for standing with us in prayer, seeking God for health and healing for our newest child. Your prayers are powerful and effective, so don't stop. If you happen to be in the Maryland area, please feel free to contact us if you want to come see the newest missionary in the family.