Updates

Magandang Hapon!  That means good afternoon :)  I wanted to update you all on the past few weeks here, and share with you what the Lord has done.  I hope everyone reading this had a blessed Christmas and New Years.. filled with laughter, joy, and Jesus.  We sure did!  After the short term team headed back to the US, many many celebrations were thrown to celebrate the holidays.  We were invited to multiple parties everyday!  It was lots of fun-- we got to see just how much this culture loves to simply "be" in eachother's company.  But to back up..I will share about the 3 week trip first!!

What a huge blessing it was to come out here with a group of 30 world changers from Impact 195!  God carefully pieced together a beautiful group of his servants to come love, serve, fellowship, and teach the people in the Philippines.  We had the opportunity as a group to paint the police station, dig to help build bathrooms, bend and construct rebar to create structures for a kitchen, visit high schools and elementary schools to teach, peform a skit, and sing worship music, and not to mention over 1,000 children raised their hands to accept Jesus!  It was an incredible time that helped get us ready for this adventure God has us on here :)  I cannot thank all of you enough who were apart of this work.. God really moved.  It was a special time.

These past few weeks have been quite busy-- but SO filled with God's presence and blessings.  Claudia and Malica have been here for 11 months.. plowing the ground for new ministries.  God brought me to tears when we first arrived when I realized how much they have been doing- and how grateful I am for them.  We have started creating a schedule of what the next few months will look like.. collaborating together as a team.  Tagalog lessons, teachings at the Police station, College, and High School.  There are also a few bible studies already happening here that Claudia and Malica began with the women.  Sports night is going to start and family night as well.

There are so many more things to tell you... but for now I wanted to share about one family in particular.  The mother of this family's name is Gloria.  She has 5 children, and her husband recently had a stroke and is unable to move and work the way he used to.  She works so hard everyday and is in love with Jesus!!  Her children are so precious.  They sometimes go without food and are very small.  Currently Darius- 6 yrs- and Donna Mae-8yrs- are very sick.. and I'm writing this to ask you to pray.  They all break my heart... but I know God has many plans for each one of them.  The other Children are Marlon-10 yrs-, Mary Joy - 11 yrs- and Jana- 4 yrs-.  You can't help but scoop these children up and twirl them around, showering them with kisses when you see them everyday.  Little Jana is always squealing with laughter as she runs away from you.. hoping you will chase her and pick her up in your arms.  They truly bless my life.  We hope to find a way to help the father and support his family by us hiring him to help us with our vegetable garden.  Please email me or go to www.mogiv.com/rockmissions if you ever want to help support.  We have already had the opportunity to bless them with eggs, meat, pasta, and plan on sharing our food with them as often as we can!  Thank you all for your constant prayers and financial support.  Without you this would not be possible!!  Below are a few pictures of the family.
Much love, and happy new year!  I feel so blessed to be here, and thank God for these lives he is allowing us to get to know and love.
Janey