Mabuhay Philippines!

They say that "A pictures says a thousand words."  We could go on and on telling you everything about the mission trip to the Philippines that we just got back from with the Senior Class.  I, Ness, must say for myself that I like looking at pictures the best with a good caption.  But I also enjoy reading good writing.  So hopefully, if we get a little carried away with writing about some certain experience, you won't find it boring!  

The plane ride over was most interesting.  After a 10 hour flight to Tokyo and a 2 hour layover and 20 minutes in the air, the plane turned around and went back to the airport. There was a possible electrical fire and fire engines met us at touch down and were by our side "just in case". We spent the night in Tokyo and took the next flight in the morning.  God really took care of us in all our travels. When I think about all the traveling we do here at Fountainview, I praise the Lord for His traveling mercies since we travel quite frequently!

Dad and Ellen in the airport... Just Chillin'

The Philippines is a beautiful place.  However, Manila is not so beautiful.  But all the people were beautiful and super friendly.  We stayed at The Great Eastern Hotel and we got settled in. The students were excited and some were nervous since it was their first time preaching.  Here is a picture of Tiffany and Bomi for the first time talking to the Pastor of their site.

The first Sabbath we were there, we went to the Araneta Colosseum in Cubao, which is a part of Quezon City, the part of Manila we stayed in.  It was the centennial celebration of 100 years since the first Missionaries came to Central Luzon and baptized the first Philippino.  To kick off the celebration, 18 Evangelistic Campaigns with Share Him were introduced to the thousands of Adventist Philippinos in the audience. 

 8 of those sites were done by the Senior Class. The Sabbath event that first Sabbath started at 8:00 in the morning and went to 4:30 pm with many special musics and presentations.  Pastor Don Schneider spoke that morning and inspired us all with many stories and testimonies about what God has done for him. 

Here are pictures of some of the students preaching at their sites.

Kevin and his translator.

Jordan with two little onlookers while he prepares for that night's sermon.

Shera preaching an exciting topic with her translator.

The students did a great job! Although many of them were very scared at first God gave them the strength they needed and the words to say.  They had many faith building experiences working with their individual sites.  The people really liked having young people preaching at their churches.  Even long time adventists grew in their experience and knowledge of the Bible better.  The students had to know what they believed for themselves and it had to be simple to understand.  And because of their simplicity, people of any status or age understood. 

At the end of the crusade 1300-1500 people were baptized on the last Sabbath we were there.  

This was the most important part of the trip but there will be more pictures on different places we went in between meetings.  For now it is getting late.  We are headed for Acts for Christ in the morning.