Hello world, my name is Kyle Grinnell, and I am a senior Communications major at Augusta University. We have been in the Philippines for roughly one month now, and as a team we have seen God do a lot. Most striking to me after being here for about a month is how God is sovereign through a "change of plans." I think often, our initial reaction to a "change of plans" is negative. It bothers us-- I know it bothers me. Rarely is my initial reaction to a dramatic change of plan to say to myself, "God is sovereign." Instead, usually the reaction is to question God's plan and become uncertain. So a little back story: our team was originally scheduled to go to Dumaguete, Philippines. Due to the recent conflicts in Mindanao, our team relocated to Tacloban. Again, my initial reaction to this change of plan was negative. Months of planning, training, and praying for Dumaguete, and it was taken away. It brought uncertainty, and I didn't like it. I was questioning God's plan. Another back story, after we relocated to Tacloban, myself Angel, Kennedy, and Rebecca were assigned to University of Philippines - Tacloban (UP). Our first day on campus at UP, we quickly found that the students were on summer break. Here we are in Tacloban, trying to do college ministry on a campus with no students. So again, we had a change of plans. And again, my reaction was not to praise God in his sovereignty; it was to doubt his plan. It was a struggle not to be discouraged, but prayerfully, God provided (as He always does). Through of couple days of investigating other schools and praying, we found another school (St. Paul). St. Paul has been incredible. It is a smaller private school which prides itself on their superiority of its accounting program. Being there over a week now, we have already seen Bible studies starting up, great favor with students, and the gospel being personally shared between all of us over 10 times. God is working, even through our change of plans. After being here for almost a month, I now see the beauty in a change of plans. What I failed to realize was that, after months of praying for God to give myself and the team and amazing summer, and months of praying for God to influence the lives of many students in the Philippines, God was actually answering prayers. Being in Tacloban now, I have come to realize that God was at work months before we got here. God's plan for our incredible, life-changing summer was always for Tacloban. He answered our prayers. In his sovereignty he has allowed us to be here. We have a great church connection, with a great pastor, we are surrounded by college students, and have been influences at three different schools. Tim Keller says that prayer is our artillery to change the current circumstances of the world. If prayer is begging God to change current circumstances, then why is my initial reaction to always doubt God when plans or circumstances change? I feel like this is continual truth to the Christian life. I may have a plan, or may draw out in my head what my next course of action will look like, but the reality is God can and will change plans at any given moment, and who are we to doubt that? Change of plans is beautiful, because it displays God's sovereignty. This week in Tacloban has been pretty hectic. It's festival week, and a celebration of "Tacloban Day." This created some challenges for ministry, but the Lord provided. I will ask that you pray for our team to make the most of our days on campus, to not waste a moment of the opportunity in front of us. Also a BIG prayer request is our uncertainty at St. Paul, it is up in the air if we will be allowed back next week. So PLEASE pray that we can continue to do ministry there, or that, regardless, we can rest in the fact that God is sovereign, and any change of plans is only for his Glory. Thank You, Kyle Grinnell Filipino students were kind enough to show us a few sights of Tacloban, one was the General MacArthur statue. This is our campus team from left to right (Kennedy, Me, Taylor, Sophie, Rebecca, Angel) and our Filipino friends in their school uniforms.
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Hi everyone! My name is Kennedy Godwin and I'm a senior Nursing major at Georgia College. It has been so cool to see the Lord move and work in not only the team's but also the student's hearts that we have met here in Tacloban. The two biggest things that I have personally been able to grow in are evangelism and prayer. Before I get into some of the stories from the week, I wanted to share a revelation that I had this morning before church. Today Christine, Kyle, Becca Frick, and I helped lead worship at Heroes Church. The practices that we had for it were slightly stressful (maybe because we hyped ourselves up a little too much on our musical abilities), but as we were running through the songs this morning and beginning to get a little frustrated with ourselves the Pastor/Worship leader Fort reminded us to not overthink it and to just sing with all of our hearts. It may have just been me but on the very next song we were "jamming" and "grooving" so hard and just allowing ourselves to worship God even through our practice. We were just thinking too much about trying to be perfect and not trying to be worshipful that it took the joy out of it for a little bit. And I think that is what we do for ministry sometimes too. I came into this trip wanting to gain the "skills" needed to effectively evangelize back home when I return. But this week I was able to realize that evangelizing is not about us nor the person that we are evangelizing to. It is ONLY about being able to bring God more GLORY. Evangelism is only about bringing God more glory through sharing the gospel so that the other person through believing can bring God more glory. The glory that he so rightly deserves. Too often I focus on the little things or tangible skills that I can do. However, that easily leads to leads to me forgetting that the ability to convert people or even less to be able to share and speak the gospel to others does NOT come from myself but only from CHRIST. I am so greatful that God has begun to answer my prayer from March throughout this past week. The prayer to give me a heart for evangelism and to thereby give me the confidence to be bold in sharing his gospel with those in my life. This past week of ministry has been filled with so many blessings and answered prayers, not just personally but for the entire team. Those of the team who are on LNU's campus had a specific prayer request at the beginning of the week to be approved and allowed to be on campus. We prayed one morning before going onto our campuses and that VERY SAME DAY our prayer was answered and they were allowed to be on campus due to a recently new rule that allowed religious organizations to be on campus (WOW GOD). Another really cool prayer request that was answered is related to the campus that me, Kyle, Angel, and Becca Richardson are on. Last week we were on UP's campus, but Monday was their final day of classes until August. So while we were on campus Monday two of the staff, Sophie & Brenden, searched Tacloban for another campus that would be suitable both for ministry and hopefully CO in the future. Around 2:30 or 3:00 our team stopped to pray for them to be able to find a campus that we would be able to call our home for the next few weeks. At that time Sophie and Brenden were on their way to the last school. It was a private school that we weren't sure would be open to having us on their campus. But God answered our prayer (within the hour!) and opened a door for us and the school opened us with open arms! We have found so much favor with the faculty and student leaders there at Saint Paul's and it has been incredible! This week God has truly proven to me the power of prayer. On every campus we have had students show interest in learning more about God and starting a Q&A bible study. So, please continue to pray for the students that we all have been able to meet and begin relationships with on the campuses of LNU, EVSU, and Saint Pauls. God promises to answer us when we pray boldly to him and that has never been more evident to me than this week. T H A N K Y O U ! Above are just a few of the students that we were able to meet on our first day on campus at Saint Pauls. :)
Whats up ya'll, my name is Andrew Martinez. I am a Senior business management major from Georgia College. We have been in the Philippines exactly one week and it definitly has been a crazy one. We have experienced many new things since being here I would would say that the way of transportation and food are definitely on the top of that list. The most bizarre thing that we have eaten would have been Balut. It is a chicken fetus that has been developed for 18 days. I can honestly say that it wasn't horrible and wouldn't mind eating it again. We have had many small adventures, but the trip to the Baseco slum was the most impactful for me.
The slum has roughly 100,000 residents over roughly 3 square miles. It truly was an eye opening experience to see the conditions that some of these people live in. There where families living in small man made huts out of anything they could find, many looked like they could topple over any minute. Residents there did not have basic needs like clean water, or a meal everyday. But at the same time they had SO much Joy. While we were there, I noticed a group of children playing among the garbage on a old boat. They were completely naked wearing nothing but smiles, and clothed in laughter. We were greeted by smiles and waves from among the residents. They did not have a care in the world it seemed. Different from in the states, we feel like our life is over when we do not have internet, or when there is no Cook-Out in the town. It broke my heart how much we take advantage of what we have. I wake up every morning knowing that I have a home, a roof over my head, a full wardrobe. and three meals a day plus midnight Taco Bell runs. The scenes I saw will follow me forever. On top of this visit, we were able to hang out with many of the students that have gotten involved with CO manilla. They are are so kind and genuine. Their love for the Lord is so evident. They would ask us hard questions, and about other experiences we have had doing ministry. It was really dope to see that there were students sharing the same gospel that we share in the states. Also, with the students, and the staff, we were able to go to the church in Manilla. The church has adopted CO Manilla fully as one of there outreach missions, and supports them in there ministry. When we were at church, for the first time I truly felt my heart see what world missions was all about. There were Filipinos praising, and worshiping our Lord, it was beautiful. I felt as if I had been submerged in Revelations 7:9. I had to sit down it was so powerful. We have left Manila, and have been in Tacloban for a full day. We start full time ministry tomorrow, and I cannot be more excited. If you can be praying for students here, and that they would see Christ that would be greatly appreatiated. Glory be to God. Hi friends! It's insane how much could honestly be said about our first two days here in Manila. The most important thing that has become evident over the past (approximately) 48 hours is that God has so clearly been at work here, and He has incredible plans for the future of CO Manila. It is such a unique and amazing feeling to be even a tiny part of the expansion of Campus Outreach in the Philippines, and the students who have come to know Christ through this ministry are nothing short of wonderful.
That being said (and the most important fact mentioned) I want to describe just a few physical and cultural experiences that we have had since arriving at the airport. From the moment we stepped off the plane, our hair immediately grew ten times in volume, and somehow our clothes were simultaneously weighed down with sweat. That is pretty much the common condition of Americans visiting the Philippines (and we won't complain!) This is just to give you a simulation of being in Manila here with us. Team member Kyle Grinnell has invented a brand new word, which is the only way to stress the entity that is Manila traffic. "If I had to describe Manila traffic in one word," states Kyle, "I would have to say 'sporatignacity.'" The rules of the road are entirely optional, everyone is trying to get somewhere at once, and honking is more of a suggestion that an American "get out of the way." The modes of transportation include crowded, public jeepnes, taxis, trains, and our personal favorite--the trike. On our way the the University of the Philippines Town Center mall, we (inexplicably) crammed five individuals into a tiny compartment attached to the side of a motorized bicycle, and it was lit!!! The view of the horizons which have so far been offered in "the pearl of the orient" is unparalleled. Manila, the most densely populated per square mile city in the world, has many vantage points over which we have been able to see virtually the entire metropolitan area. This has truly been an experience, to say the least! Lastly, the people... I haven't enough words to describe the hospitality with which passersby shout "Hello!" or "Good morning!" or the relational nature of each of the students which we have gotten to meet and briefly interact with! I want to mention Jane, Josh, Jason, Mikey, Danny, Darrell, Wrens--and I know there are more--as UP students which have already been so kind and welcoming to us as a team! Though we will be venturing out in the middle of next week to the provincial area of Tacloban in order to investigate and do ministry on the college campuses there, the time which we have in Manila has gotten me so excited for the prospective future and the country of the Philippines! Know that God is doing great things amongst the Filipino people. It is beyond evident that He has a plan for the nation which is far greater than anything we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). I have a verse which has been my theme for CCP since making the decision to come to the Philippines. That verse is Revelation 7:9-10. "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" I am convicted that my worldview has been too small. Seeing the heart of God for the Philippines, and Filipinos who are already dedicated to worshipping the Lamb Who Was Slain, and knowing that in God's faithfulness and for His glory He will only continue to expand the ministry of the Philippines is such a glorious picture of the true Heaven--where we will all, from every tribe and tongue and nation, be united in worshipping the King! Praise God for His work here! Praise God for the people! We have been blessed beyond measure--and it is only day 2. Christine Hey everyone! This is Austin Simpson. For those that don't know me, I am a senior at Georgia College. I am just letting y'all know that we are currently sitting in Hartsfield-Jackson waiting to board our first flight of the day. We will have a long 23 hours and 35 minutes of travel time on the way to Manila, but the team is excited and looking forward to using that time to continue to bond and build team chemistry. We will keep y'all updated as best we can, but as for now, we should be boarding in the next 30 minutes. Next stop Detroit!
Also, big news.. the team in Manila found us housing in Tacloban! Hi! This is Taylor, and I will be giving our first update. We are three days out from our flight to the Philippines. You may or may not have heard yet, but we have rerouted our trip from Dumaguete City, Philippines to Tacloban City, Philippines. There has been political unrest in the southern region of the Philippines for the last week, and for the safety of our team, we will be moving farther north. As you could imagine, this has been an interesting transition for our team. We have been in contact with our missionary staff on the ground in Manila, and they have been changing and making new plans for us. We are excited for the new opportunities this city can bring us, and we are looking forward to seeing God work in and through us, even as we transition our plans.
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Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We are excited for the days to come and cannot wait to be on a plane to the Philippines. |