PHILIPPINES, 1ST QUARTER 2012, MISSION REPORT
BILL AND VAIL-MISSIONARIES FROM CALVARY NEXUS
Bill and Vail have responded to a calling from the Lord to humbly Serve His Kingdom in accordance with the Great Commission of Christ, Matthew 28:18-20, in the Philippines. The Holy Spirit has lead us to unite with two spiritual leadership partners in the Philippines: Pastors Solomon and Elizabeth Ventura, True Vine Christian Fellowship in Santa Maria; and Pastors Ruel and Toni Barte, Abundant Life Ministries in Cavite, on the island of Luzon, Philippines. These Pastoral Teams have planted Churches that teach the Word of the Lord and are open to the work of the Holy Spirit. Pastors Solomon and Elizabeth have a vision of planting 100 churches (accomplished over 50 already) SA in rural areas North of Tarlac, have established a Bible College and a Orphanage. Pastors Ruel and Toni are establishing Churches in poor urban areas both North and South of Manila.
With the blessing and support of the Lord, we have traveled to the Philippines on five separate mission trip. In conjunction with our Philippine mission partners, we have conducted medical missions for approximately 11,000 individuals. Our ministry partners coordinate each medical mission site and find volunteer doctors, nurses and spiritual counselors. We raise funds to buy medicines through our Religious Non Profit “Christian Love Gifts”. We have been blessed to see approximately 5000 souls accept Christ at these medical missions. We have also raised funds to support the schooling of many Bible Students and Orphans. While in the Philippines, we visit many churches and teach the Word and bring the Love of Christ to many poor children in many ways. This quarter, we have shipped 8 boxes of donated clothes, toiletries, food, two computers and other supplies. We have found sponsors for two Bible students and two orphans and have started forming our mission team for our next Mission trip which is scheduled for Nov 1 to Nov 20, 2012.
TRUE VINE–In November when we were at True Vine, Pastor Solomon was preparing the fifteen second year Bible Students for their 3 month internship with his various churches. We got to hear and see the scared reactions as Solomon made it sound so hard. One student was told she would have to walk a 1/4 mile to get her water for cooking and bathing. Others were told other difficult situations. Yet in March they came back from these hard experiences and told of the wonder and glory they had experienced learning to serve as pastors in these churches. These testimonies were very moving. On March 30, these 15 young Bible Students Graduated. Many will now serve a year in the churches they interned at. Before going home for a short summer break, They helped run a youth camp up in IlocusSur for over 250 youth. During this camp, 37 young people accepted Christ as their personal Savior.
Abundant Life- Pastors Ruel and Toni are the head pastors of The Abundant Life Church in Bacoor, Cavite which is in the greater suburbs of Manila. The first time we met them 5 years ago they had two daughter churches also under their wings. This last visit there are now five daughter churches under their wings. Each of these churches is two to three hours away, all in different directions.
In January they held a Candle Light Service with over 300 people from all their churches highlighted by the fervent renewal of service to our Lord. At the end of the month missionaries led evangelistic puppet shows for the kids, paving the way for hundreds to come to Christ. They also had a church workers conference touching on the subject of worker ” burn out”.
They were able to get electricity for their church in Ternate.
In February they had a couple’s night out to encourage spouses and their relationships and to strengthen families.
True Vine Continued:
The orphanage has about 22 children. Some are true orphans having lost both parents and some are economic orphans that have lost one parent, many come from the tribal areas up in the mountains far from public schools. Even if there were schools near by the parent couldn’t afford to send them. They are sent to True Vine and are surrounded by love, learn all about God and Jesus and have opportunities to be educated and hopes of a better life. They attend the local public school. There are two seniors who just graduated and have asked to attend the Bible School there to become Pastor’s. These children are encouraged to live up to their potential. Malou and Analyn finished 3rd in their class. 6 other children got good grades and others improved. Plus Ella Joy and Nely graduated from high school..
Abundant Life Continued
In March they initiated a discipleship session called Shepherd’s Table, School of Ministry. This is a 50 week curriculum and they have fifty students registered.
On Good Friday, at the service they had 30 people accept Christ including their 10 year old son Adam. Another interesting story is that Nora, their church treasurer, and her three daughters had been praying for her husband Benjie to accept Jesus. The power of prayer is awesome, after twenty years of the family praying he accepted Christ on this Good Friday. While there last October we had dinner with this family. We are a tiny bit, a part of this story. Who knows whose lives you touch when you are serving God’s plan.
One more story, one of their Pastors, Tess, has had diabetes flare up out of control. She desperately needs an operation to save her eyesight. This operation will cost about $1200.00 U.S. dollars. People there don’t have much money and aren’t covered by insurance. So we raised a little money to help with this need.
During this time we have shipped four boxes of goods to Abundant life and encouraged each other with prayers and love through email. At the same time we are working on our schedules for this November and the buying of medicine for the medical missions we will have when we return.
Bill and Vail. During this quarter, we send boxes full of clothes, toiletries, food, school supplies and whatever we can gather to help. We try and find sponsors to help with the costs for all the children. We send money to get the high school students to a private dentist. There are miscellaneous costs that we try and help with. We write Pastors Solomon and Elizabeth by email and pray and encourage each other probably weekly. We are working on the schedule and needs for our next trip in November.
PRAYERS AND PRAISES
*1 Praises for those that have accepted Christ and new church plantings as a result of these ministries.
*2. Pray that God will keep us humble servants of the Lord and continue to Bless our Ministry.
*3. Pray that God will bless the raising of funds to support our 2012 medical mission.
*4. Pray that God will touch the hearts of more people to support True Vine Bible Students and Orphans
*5. Pray that God will guide the formulation of our 2012 mission team
Bill and Vail’s Email- bvtrester@verizon.net
Check Donations may be mailed to:
Christian Love Gifts
5106 Via Cupertino, Camarillo, CA 93012
Or via credit card online at christianlovegifts.net