Category: News

God is SO amazing! We originally didn’t plan to stay in Dalaguete until Saturday but our first day there, Alma and Lisa invited us to stay the extra day to distribute the Christmas Child Shoe Boxes from the “Samaritans Purse” to the children. We were so excited since neither of us had ever been on this end of the distribution! We have only been on the other end, where you pack the shoe boxes and send them off to a child somewhere in the world of whom you will probably never meet this Side of Heaven! Since it was the girls first time doing this as well, there was an eager anticipation of how it was all gonna go and to see how the children were going to respond! We knew this was going to be the “icing on the cake,” persay to an already amazing time!

Well, I think we woke the rooster up this morning!! So much to do…the children would be arriving around 8:30 to come enjoy this special day of surprises of which they had no clue!! Alma filled us in on the instructions sent with the Samaritans purse on how they want it done…first singing songs with the children and then some fun games where all can participate, a salvation message from the pastor and then the boxes!! Doreen couldn’t hold the tears back, it was a very special time for both of us especially since we had found out that this would be the first time most of the children had ever received a gift!! Also, we recognized  the boy that we prayed for the day before with the swollen eye was there and there was NO MORE swelling!! (see April 16 post, “serving in the philippines) Joel was so excited as well, realizing that it was Gerald, he asked if his mother or somebody had put something on his eye to help it but Gerald said, “No! It was just the prayer!” (thank you Jesus!) Seeing the joy on these children’s faces as they opened gifts revealing toys, school supplies, shoes, etc…was a precious gift for us as well!!

After a quick lunch, it was time to take the tricycles, (three wheel motorcycles with covered side car) full of people and boxes up to the next distribution point, on the mountain top!! This was the same mountain road we had walked our first day in Dalaguete only this time we hitched a ride! It was a breathtaking view from the clearing where the distribution would take place and of course, it was HOT!! So we set up the blankets in the shade of a few palm trees and watched as the children arrived. It was such a joy watching as Pastor Greg played the guitar and Alma and Lisa led the children in song while Joel sat with a younger group of children, reading a children’s bible story.

They were captivated, some hearing these stories for the first time!! Our hearts rejoiced as we witnessed seeds being planted in these little hearts and laughed as they took the Jesus stickers and stuck them all over their bodies!

Some of the parents would slowly walk over and watch as the children laughed and sang and listened to Pastor Greg tell them about a loving God!  It was so beautiful as we watched their eyes fill with hope as they pondered this man named Jesus! Though most of the parents did not have a relationship with the Lord, some had come to know Him through their children, the fruit of VBS and other children’s programs through the Shekinah ministry!
We sure hated to see this day end, as we hugged the children goodbye, knowing we would probably never see them again this side of Heaven,and headed down the mountain to board the bus back to Cebu City! The Joys and blessings of Dalaguette will linger in our minds for a long long time. Thank you Jesus!!!!

Distributing Christmas Child shoeboxes in the mountains above Dalaguete, Philippines, Cebu Island.

Also, I have a new YouTube address for videos!!! Copy and paste the following link into your address bar:

http://youtube.com/user/broricknewton

Today we headed north. We turned left out of the driveway, went maybe 200 yards and came upon a family sitting on a bench. We stopped to talk and share when I noticed the boy at the end, maybe 12yrs old, who’s eye was swollen shut. It looked quite painful. I asked what happened and he said a bee stung him. I felt nudged by the Lord to pray for him so I asked his father if it was ok if I prayed for him. He seemed a bit surprised at the request but said it was ok. So I laid hands on the boy and just asked Jesus to heal him and take the pain away. We then picked up the cross and headed on. We gave out tracts and preached to those we met as we moved on down the road. We came to another bus shed where a bunch of men were gathered (seems to be a common hangout), greeted them, shared what I was doing and the meaning and finished work of the cross. They received it very graciously and asked questions. We prayed with them and then took a picture.

Doreen, Joel and I held up pretty good considering the heat! We moved on, stopping to take a break in the shade part way up the next long hill. Later, as we were entering the next village, we met this young man alongside the road named Russell. We stopped to share the gospel with him and, as the bible says, “he received it with all readiness of mind.” It was a beautiful time of sharing, as he looked into our eyes with a continued longing to hear more. He prayed, willingly putting his faith and trust in Jesus’ death for him on the cross. We gave him a copy of each of the different tracts that we had and asked him if he had a bible which he said that he did have. We told him to start reading it at the gospel of John and then head toward the back of the bible through to Revelation. Joel invited him to the Shekinah fellowship church in Dalaguete. Pray for Russell that he will be protected from the evil one, pursue reading his bible and find fellowship in a local church.

Next, we finally made it to the next town where there was a big school and children everywhere at recess. So naturally, we had to give out stickers and in no time we had given out hundreds of stickers, even the teachers wanted some. Kids kept rushing over to see what was happening, it was like a feeding frenzy! They kept asking for more as they read about Jesus’ love for them.

After we got back, we jumped into a three wheeler with Alma, Lisa and Joel to do some much needed shopping. Along with the 100 lb bag of rice, we told Alma to get chicken for dinner. She only was going to get a few little pieces, as it is too expensive for them to usually buy chicken, but I made her get the whole chicken! She smiled and laughed in her shy Filipino way and graciously received. (As we had shared on one of the earlier blogs, we were able to bless the girls with food and other necessities, also because of your giving!)

On our way back from the market, we drove past Tiofila’s house and saw her outside walking with a walker! We rejoiced to see that she was able to put weight on her knee since she could not, just the day before!! Thank you Jesus!!

Doreen and I ended our day with a cold water bucket bath and then it was off to bed. As we laid there, we gave thanks to the Lord for a wonderful day and for the privilege of serving Him in the Philippines!!