All Day Youth Event

I mentioned in my previous blog post that we would be helping host an all-day youth event on Friday. Thanks for your prayers, because it was a really great day and probably the highlight of our ministry here thus far. We had around 60 kids from different areas of the city, including a group from the Alternative Learning School (ALS) that Pastor Sam and Ate Evelyn teach here in our home.

Tejal and Charis did an awesome job of planning and leading the games, and the kids had a blast. Capture the Flag was especially popular.

Lining up for some games

Judging the toilet paper clothing game

Getting ready for an epic game of Capture the Flag

We also sang worship songs and  Jonas and Tejal shared their testimonies. I was then able to give the first part of the message about pressing on from Philippians 3, talking about how the forgiveness that Jesus offers means we can forget what is behind and press on toward the goal. It was a really cool privilege to share the gospel with these kids, especially since some probably have not have heard it before. In the afternoon, a family friend from Manila (only 18 years old) continued the message and talked about how Christ gives us the strength and motivation to press on in our Christian faith. Aside from a painful sunburn (clouds can be deceiving), the day was a great success.

Jonas sharing his testimony

Talking to the youth about pressing on in the faith

Jerome sharing a message to the youth

On Monday morning, we had the last session of the VBS at Camp 7, which went quite well. I think the kids all had a good time and learned more about the Bible. It feels good to have the first VBS under our belts, and I am excited to take what we have learned into the next 3 VBS's that we will be running in April and May (the next one, in Ambiong, starts on April 10). 

Last day of Camp 7 VBS- with some of the kids in my class

On Wednesday, we split up and went with Pastor Sam and Ate Evelyn to visit the members of the church. We walked up and down countless stairs and were able to share verses and pray with the people in their homes. It was a really good experience and I am looking forward to doing more of that next week.

Visitations in Balacbac 

We spent our day of rest on Tuesday going to a movie (Hunger Games) at the mall and eating some delicious pizza at Don Henrico's. It was a fun day, and I feel really blessed to be a part of a team that not only works well together, but truly enjoys having fun together. It has also been really good building friendships with Ralph (19) and Shown (16), young leaders in the church that help out with the youth and worship. It is really inspiring getting to know them.

I think we were hungry...

Playing darts with (l-r) Shown, Jonas, and Ralph in the shed

Next week is Holy Week, which is a big deal here in the Philippines. We will be taking time to convert the shed outside the house into a music room and working on other projects. I'll keep you posted; thanks for reading!