SENT to the Philippines

Today Angie and Pastor Sheldon will be updating you on what the team has experienced so far this week. Aglongon and Maludlud What an honour it was for us to hike into the mountains and visit two indigenous communities. The hikes were challenging, to say the least, but the reward of the fellowship we received upon arrival was unsurpassed! We even stayed overnight in bamboo houses, so graciously hosted by the church members in Aglongon. On Tuesday morning we made the journey to a neighboring mountain to visit a very isolated village called Maludlud, and again we were struck with the beauty of the place and the people. In total we hiked about 12km over these two days, encountering steep rocky terrain, heavy mud, heat, rain, water buffalo!! and more beauty than was even possible to behold. To sum up what I felt, I have written a short verse. God in the Mud In the straining on the steepness of the hill, sweat stinging my eyes, I see God, In the rice paddies of de...

Sunday Worship While we missed worshiping today at MCBC, our hearts were inspired by praising God together with believers at Duran Baptist Church. The service included an energetic youth choir (robed nonetheless) singing Christmas cantata music. I have learned that Filipinos start singing Christmas music in September! Our time in Duran concluded with an abundant dinner. We drove away from the church with our stomachs filled and our hearts overflowing with love!

Today on the blog we are catching up with sharing the activities we participated in on Friday and Saturday. Our writers today are Desiree, Estela, Anna, Jade, and Hazel. How were we moved in the Power of God in Hopevale? I saw heroes, humility, submission and tenacity to survive.  Let me begin....we've all had times when we’ve felt completely powerless in the face of challenges and adversity.  We truly believe that God is moving mightily amongst these brothers and sisters with their families.  We started with 2.5 hrs  driving, parked our vehicles and each mounted on the back of a pre-arranged motorcycle.  Unknown to the journey that lay ahead of us, we placed our trust in the hands of the experienced driver who made it seemed effortless, putting ease in us.  We trekked through 6 to 7 running and gushing streams of water.  MC (motorcycle) has pretty much 6 to 7 inches of a path to ride on!! The ride was amazing with lush greenery on both sides.....

Todays thoughts are shared from Pastor Sheldon, John and Angie We are called the MCBC Sent team. We have been sent by our home church, sent by our supportive network of friends, and sent by God.   We have been sent to serve, to encourage and to build relationships with the Christian community in the area of Roxas City in the Philippines. We are also received! Children have received us, the church has received us. Today, even the mayor of Lucero has received us. It is a joy to be both sent and received! - Sheldon Our team with the Lucero Church leaders and Mayor MacArthur Valdmar On Thursday Sept. 13th we visited The Lucero Child Care Centre in Lucero. We were warmly welcomed by Pastor Evelyn Martino and some of the cutest children with warm, wide smiles. We also had the Mayor of the city in attendance.  The children had several presentations for us. We had a tour of the centre, part of which was donated by the Coes’ of Kipling Baptist Church. The passion that Past...

Today, Hazel, Wilson and Estela will share a bit of what we have experienced over the last two days, visiting the childcare centres in Libas and Nipa. We have been inspired by James 2:5 “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” Yesterday, we had the privilege of visiting a small village called Libas. We were greeted with so many small precious smiles that were filled with joy and excitement. The children prepared a short song about their love for Jesus that blessed us all. Celeste (24 yrs old) , a young servant of the Lord, is the pastor of the Libas Child Care Learning Center. Celeste is simply an inspiration! We will never forget her energy, devotion, comittment and love for the Lord and His work. We also had the privilege of meeting Pastor Jerry, who also works closely with KPM. We also had the opportunity to engage in valuable sharing time...

Our first full day is coming to a close and God is simply so good. After approx. 27 hours of travel we enjoyed a slow and relaxed morning wake up involving - new for some and nostalgic to others - tastes of pandesal, apple-bananas, mangosteens, and lanzones. We were invited to a tour of our venue, Filamer Christian University, by our hosts, Job and Phoebe Santiago as well as Michael Waddell.  On this tour, we learned that the University was created out of a bond with the American missionaries and the local Filipino community. Through this, they have desired to create a community that offers strong Christian education, medical help and worship. We are grateful that God's work here has been fruitful and are hopeful that it will continue to flourish. [Blogging from a phone has its own temperament. Alas, the remaining unscripted photos: - A beautiful pond that once hosted baptisms - Views of our stroll from the University to the hospital - Pastor Sheldon and Michael Widell - Res...

We have finally arrived at Roxas City! We are so blessed to have finally met our mission partners Job and Phoebe Santiago, as well as Michael, Melanie, and their family.  We were welcomed with open arms and are settling in our home away from home at the Filamer Christian University guest house.  - Hazel

 Shuttling from one terminal to another After 19 hrs flying time from yyz to Manila we are now living in future due to time difference!!!!

Just waiting for our boarding call!

After 8 months of preparation, our bags are packed and we are ready to go! What an honour to travel with this lovely team, representing our church, Mississauga City Baptist, and Canadian Baptist Ministries. Tomorrow evening we will head to Toronto Airport to check in for our flight which leaves at 1:50am on the 8th. We will be serving for two weeks in Capiz Province, Panay Philippines, ministering in 7 different locations at childcare centres, and participating in mutual learning, fellowship and encouragement with the church leaders in those communities. Thank you for your prayers!