Planning and Praying about PI 08

We are going to the Philippines again. For many years in a row, a mission team from our general area has journeyed to the Philippines to minister in various capacities. In some years we’ve brought a dance team that has ministered in churches and local schools. Since about 2004 we started taking medical supplies and nurses to minister along with an arts team.

This year, the team added one new dimension - a basketball team. This changed the ministry methods, especially in our evenings.  But this all came together throughout the year as the early leadership team prayed and planned.

Back in the September 2007, the team gathered for prayer and sharing what they sensed was the Lord’s direction for the 2008 mission. The team was composed of (not sure if I got everybody) Renee, Mark Palazzolo, Jun and Lisa, Justin, Lawrence, and a few others. There was a strong sense that a return to the Iligan City region, a couple hours from Cagayan de Oro, was where the team should focus their ministry efforts. Lisa and others felt a strong sense of God’s timing and presence when they were there for one day earlier that summer. It was as if God was calling the team back to trust in him to do more.  There were concerns expressed regarding safety as this region was a battle ground not that many years earlier - the latest crackdowns by government forces ended about eight years earlier.  But the team was at peace about their purpose and presence there next year. God would make a way if God was calling the team.

We prayed together and trusted the Lord again for the resources and logistics. God always provides when you commit your ways to him. The team was reminded of God’s provision last year - at the airport - as the team was preparing to go through security, the money came through to conduct the ministry. What an amazing God.

I wondered about my involvement and felt strongly that I needed to be a part of the team this year. I had been absent for two years having taken time off due to seminary training. Those summers were fruitful times for school, family and ministry. But God was calling me to go this year and be a part of this team that is growing in maturity. For Mark, Rona and Justin, this would be a return trip for them being absent for a year. And this year the Dizon’s were free to travel - something p.Nelson had been wanting to do for some time. We were all coming together in partnership. Living Hope was sending a team this year.

There is a lot more to cover; the funds and processes of Pure Works, the incorporation of a competitive basketball team, the planning process, riding 200 miles to raise funds, trusting God for provision and preparing the team. God got us through it all again.