From about the time Jacoby left for DTS I began really trying to figure out what I am supposed to be doing here. I felt like I had nothing to offer cause I don't speak the language very well yet and I wasn't part of a consistent ministry which is something that I've been used to for so long that to me was defining ministry. Without it and without direction I felt like I was letting others as well as God down by not accomplishing anything or working towards anything. In the midst of God's silence and brokeness I learned that God was in the process of humbling me. Pride vs. Humility is so often mentioned in the Bible that it could be considered a main topic. Why? Because it is something that we all struggle with whether we admit it or not. Pride is the issue behind the issue and we can see it just by looking at the way we talk. ('I' came to the Philippines so that 'I' could help the people here. 'I' will lead worship today. 'I' will be giving the message. 'I' saved money by selling 'MY' car and working at 'MY' job that 'I' got.) We don't want to admit it but we all have it or have had it. It's a constant struggle that God wants to conquer. But what does conquering that look like? It means giving up EVERYTHING. Nothing is worth more than the love of Christ pouring out on us. Last night in Bible study with Kuya Jason, we had been going through Deuteronomy the last few months and we read through Chapter 8. Check it out! All this to say I have been in the process of being humbled and am praying that it will continue to be a process.
So what have I actually been doing for the last month you may be wondering... I'll tell ya! I've been spending more time in Bible study to learn and grow, also praying for direction and strength. Along with those things I've had opportunities to speak and play worship. I went to a nearby island accompanying my friend, Pastor Eliezer, as he is an overseer of over 60 churches. On this island I was able to learn about a cult there called Ecleo that claim that the trinity is now all in human form and they live in a castle on this island. The enemy has used the distortion of God's word to lead so many people away from Christ. I was able to visit this castle and it is insane the climate and environment there. That place needs a lot of prayer for sure!
After that the next week we had a 3 day men's conference where I helped with the worship and also with any set up or clean up I could. I was asked to join a volleyball tournament and am happy to announce that our team won! Even though I wasn't able to learn much from the messages, I am beginning to learn the importance of spiritual self nourishment in the sense that I have to be studying God's word for myself instead of relying on others to teach me the word. Later that week I did my session of True love waits teaching at the Friday night Bible study to help prepare for last weeks trip out to a far away island the Oconnor's used to live on. We taught the full TLW program at the highschool there. These are just a few of the main things I've been doing over the last month.
I hope everyone at home is doing well! Remember to give God the praise for the blessings in your life! Love you all!
