04.19.07
Posted in General News, Mission Trip Update, Prayer Updates at 837 by quitomandie
Our trip went VERY well, thank you to all who contributed. We will be getting personal thank-yous out as soon as we get a list. It was amazing to see how God put our schedule together. When we left, we had a very loose and tentative schedule with a lot of free time. There was also some concern, as the missionary we were going to work with was in the US and wouldn’t return until the evening of our third day, only to be hit with jet-lag upon arrival. However, God had a plan!
For one thing, we ended up working very closely with one of the national associate pastors at the church, and several students from the youth group. This was a huge blessing to us - to be able to work directly with Filipino believers and to get to know them better was a wonderful opportunity, as well as a good reminder to us all of the fellowship we can have in Christ. For another thing, we were kept quite busy - even some of our “tourist” opportunities turned into minestry!
The first day (Saturday) our group helped with the church’s “Sunday School” program, which they hold on Saturdays due to lack of space in the apartment where they meet. Afterwards, our guide asked if we would mind joining him on a visit to a public highschool where he would be promoting the church’s summer camp. Our group was surprised by our “celebrety status” at the assembly, and the opportunities that came with it. We were asked to perform a skit, so Mike and one of our students performed a pantomime with a clear gospel message in front of 400 kids. Afterwards, the Filipinos who were with our group were able to explain the message of the skit while promoting the camp.
Sunday was spent at church. Our group led the evening youth service, and many of the students have shared how that meeting was one of the highlights of their week. It was great to see young people from Korea, America, and the Phillipines all worshipping the same God with passion and joy. Also, those of our students with active roles in the service have given testimony that they were very aware of their own weakness and God’s power as they led. As one of them put it in our group meeting Sunday night - “I couldn’t do it by myself - it would have to be God working through me.” What a blessing to be able to learn this lesson as teenagers!
On Monday we presented a drama workshop, during which we taught the youth group some basic acting skills and a few evangelistic skits. It was a great time of relationship building, fun, and fellowship. Tuesday, we had the opportunity to visit several catholic churches and learn a little about “Semana Santa.” Our students were impressed by the dedication of many of the Filipino catholics, but also by the hopelessness of the idolotry that binds them. Many of my Spanish students asked if the culture in Latin America was similar. At one of the churches, we stopped and spent some time praying for God to bring the light to the Phillipines and to give wisdom to believers there as they share their faith.
On Wednesday and Thursday, we attended mid-week services at churches in two very different neighborhoods. Wednesday was a great time of fellowship at the church we had been working with all week. On Thursday, we went to a poorer neighborhood to spend the evening at a small one-room church that is just getting started. We arrived several hours before the service, and spent some time walking around the neighborhood - very different from the malls and nice houses we had seen earlier in the week. After walking around for a while, we noticed a group of about 30 kids had gathered, following us. We stopped at an area with a basketball court, and while some of our group joined in the game, the rest of us lined the kids up on the sidewalk and shared some of our stories, songs, and skits with them - right there on the street. As I watched the rapt attention of our audience, I was amazed by God’s ability to provide opportunities for minestry even when we don’t expect them.
Our group was kept safe for the whole trip. The students were wonderful - great attitudes, no complaining or bickering, easy to chaperone. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a group of teenagers in such close quarters behave so well before! God was truly good to us.
One final note, while on the misisons trip, Mike and I learned that our family is growing! Since our return, I’ve made a trip to the doctor. He said everything looks fine, and that the baby and I are both healthy. The little one will be joining us in December.
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03.09.07
Posted in Mission Trip Update, Prayer Updates at 1259 by SeismicMike
For the second consecutive year, International Christian School will be sponsoring a high school missions trip to Manila, Philippines. The trip will take place from March 30 - April 5, 2007. Last year, a team of six students and three adult sponsors spent one week in the Philippines. This year our team has more than doubled as we anticipate a team of thirteen students and six adult sponsors. One of our goals was to hep with the ministries of two missionaries. These two missionaries are financially supported by Uijongbu Baptist Church (our ‘home’ church).
Matthew Johnson is an American missionary who works primarily with teenagers in Manila. He serves as a youth pastor in a church where his dad serves as the senior pastor. The Johnson family has served in the Philippines for many years, and this is currently Matt’s third year as the youth pastor. In addition to his responsibilities at the church, Matt helps with the programming of some youth camp ministries in the Iba Zambales region of the Philippines. Last year, their church was able to send over 1,300 students to the camp. At the camp, many youth are hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ for the very first time. Overall, this camp reached over 10,000 students last year during a twelve week period. During one week, there were a total of 975 campers. Of those campers, 413 received Christ for the first time, and another 225 were baptized. Also another twenty students committed to go to Bible College and serve in full time vocational students. In 2007, Matt’s prayer is to see God continue to move in the way that He has in the past and that more students will be reached for the Kingdom of God.
Arnel Bong Reyes is a Filipino missionary who lives outside of Manila. He serves as pastor of a local church along with his wife and family. In addition to their church responsibilities, they are also involved with the Christian School which is a ministry of the church. Pastor Bong has a genuine heart for the people of his country.
For our missions trip, we hope to accomplish the following:
- Minister to the congregation of the Johnsons’ church in Manila through music, drama and teaching
- Be actively involved in the youth rallies to encourage the teenagers to attend the camps this summer
- have the opportunity to evangelize many of the youth who we will meet
- Encourage and build relationships with the believers in the area
- Travel just outside of Manila and have ministry opportunities in Pastor Bong’s church
We anticipate the cost for each student to go to the Philippines at about 700,000 Korean Won (about $700). This includes the cost of the plane ticket, plus the daily expenses like food, lodging and transportation. We ask for your prayers as we continue to work out the final details for this trip. We are very excited for this team of students that we are taking with us. We know that God will use each of them to accomplish great thing for His purpose. Thank you for your continued service to our Lord and Savior.
Please also continue to pray as we seek to raise the remaining $270 in support. God bless you all. If you would like to give, please e-mail us or leave a comment (with your e-mail address) and we will reply with the address.
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03.06.07
Posted in Mission Trip Update, Prayer Updates at 846 by SeismicMike
$1,130
$270 to go.
Thank you all for your gifts. Please be praying for us as we begin preparations in earnest.
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02.20.07
Posted in General News, Mission Trip Update, Prayer Updates at 907 by SeismicMike
God has given us two specific examples of His wonderful provision in the last month.
The first is that my support for the missions trip is now over 100%! This is less than two weeks after we e-mailed the letter out! Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed! Don’t feel bad! If you still would like to contribute please do so. Mandie is considering possibly going, and if she does then we would need a total of $1400, rather than the $700 for just me. We currently have $1,030 raised (that we know of), so please continue to contribute if God lays it on your heart. If Mandie decides not to go, then we can always use the surplus to help one or two of the students who may be struggling with his/her support. And of course, what we covet the most is your prayers! Especially for me in a leadership roll b/c this is the first time I’ve ever done something like this. I hope to watch the other teachers closely to learn as much as possible.
The second is that apparently (without my realizing it), ACSI has decided to give me a 5 year license (instead of the 2 year provisional that I have). Under the 2 year license, in addition to the CEU’s and the Philosophy of Ed. class, I would need to complete a 3 hour teaching methods course in order to renew it. Now all I need to do are the CEU’s and the Philosophy of Ed class, and I can do both here at the school. (in fact, all I have to do for the latter at this point is write a 6 page paper and read about 5 books, and I have a year to do it!).
So at this point, I’m looking at options for where to go next in my education. This removes a huge burden, because now I don’t have to pay for a class while we’re still trying to pay off our school loans. So priority #1 is loan consolidation. Priority #2 is finding somewhere to continue my education. I’m leaning towards two options. The first is an MBA, which would probably help me out in my business duties for the school (esp. if it had an international business focus). The second option is picking up a MDiv somewhere. For both options though I need to be able to do it 100% correspondence, and have somewhat inexpensive tuition. I’m looking at possible Taylor for the MBA, but am open for other options. For the seminary, I have no clue. Masters is an option, but I don’t know if they offer correspondence, and I know they’re expensive. Also, there’s an Asian Theological Seminary in Taiwan which offers classes at $50 a class, but I don’t know much about them.
Thanks for all your support and prayer 
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Posted in General News, Mission Trip Update at 809 by quitomandie
Valentine’s Day was wonderful! Mike really went out of his way to make our first Valentine’s really special. We also have been saving up all month so we could afford steaks that night and make dinner really special. They were delicious! (Even if they are a little expensive.) We are eating vegetarian meals for the rest of the month to make up the difference. If you have any good ideas, let us know . . . we’ve already done spaghetti, waffles, quiche, fried rice, mac ‘n’ cheese, and several soups. Lettuce is pricey this time of year, so I’m avoiding salad.
School is going well, for the most part. This weekend was Lunar New Year, which means we have a five-day weekend. It has been a welcome break - though, as usual, the list of things I said “oh, I’ll have time to do those over break” hasn’t even been touched yet. Oh, well, such is life.
God has really been blessing with the missions trip. It is amazing to see how he is providing. We still don’t have a list of names for who to write thank-you notes too (I think Liz is waiting so she can just send us all the names at once.) But, in the mean time THANK YOU so much for your generosity.
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01.25.07
Posted in General News, Mission Trip Update, Prayer Updates at 1223 by SeismicMike
This spring break, the school is sponsoring a missions trip, and I (Mike) have decided to participate. We are going to the Philippines (though I’m not sure exactly what part). This is somewhat exciting for me as I have wanted to return ever since my first trip in 1999. Please pray that God will put together a team of servants for Him on this trip.
Also pray for me because I will be needing to raise some support for this trip. The cost is significantly less than the last time I went (seeing as how I’m already on the same continent). Also pray that God will prepare my heart, both as a servant and as a leader/chaperon.
The dates of the trip are Friday, March 23 - April 1.
At any rate, it looks like I’m going to be fulfilling the promise I made to myself some 8 years ago… just like Gen. MacArthur… I shall return!
PS. Anyone who wants to help with the trip can send money to us c/o the Stitzels. Email us if you want to contribute and we’ll give you their address. The total cost of the trip will be somewhere around $700. I need to have raised $250 by February 20, the next $250 by March 6, and the rest by March 23… Also, if we raise enough Mandie would like to go too, but that would double the cost of the trip.
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