This is Outreach!

It's crazy to think we have already been gone from Denver for 2 weeks! Time has flown by.

We are currently staying in Dagupan, Pangisnan, Philippines at the local YWAM base. The beach is less than a 5 minute walk away and it is so pretty!

The cool thing about YWAM Dagupan is that it is not a training base. They don't run any schools here. They currently exist to be a base for various ministries throughout the city. Each staff member has different ministries they have either built from the ground up or continued to build upon over the years- and these are the ministries we have been partnering with over the last two weeks!

Thursday afternoon, we got to start ministry. We began with a prayer walk around the slums where we would be doing the majority of our ministry. The kids were a lot of fun to play with amd get to know as we get to see them fairly regularly over the next month.

On Thursday evenings, we go to a church where for the last two weeks, we have gotten to lead the whole thing. I was given the honor (rather, forced by God) to speak on God's love and His Father heart. It was awesome to see how God spoke through me because I know there is no way I would be able to deliver a message without His words!

Over the last couple weeks, we have been able to lead Bible studies for parents in small groups in the slums. We've also gotten to hang out with kids in the slums, leading them in songs and games, as well as sharing Jesus with them as we simply get to love on them.

It's hard to believe that our time here is already almost halfway done. I'm excited to see how God continues to move in us, through us, and with us. I'm also looking forward to seeing how relationships continue to grow in the next 2(ish) weeks before we leave.

A few prayer requests; if you would pray for health for our team as well as against bug bites (it's crazy how much bites can effect a good nights sleep or going through the day while itching) as well as for God to continue to move through the city of Dagupan.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! It is always appreciated!

God bless!
Erin

Welcome to the Philippines!

We are finally in the Philippines! Over Sunday and Monday, we lost a day and were in the air over 15 hours. We spent Monday night in a hotel a short way from the airport and reveled in the air conditioning, knowing it would probably be our last for a long while. On Tuesday, we woke up and walked to the bus station where we got on the bus and proceeded to ride for 6 hours.

Then we arrived in Dagupan, Philippines where we will be staying for the next month. It is hot and humid, but the beach and the beautiful tropical jungle areas help make up for it!

Today we had a simple orientation followed by some free time in which we walked over to the beach, which is a short walk from where we are staying. In the afternoon, we went into the city to a mall where we were able to exchange our money and wander around. It's interesting how many American businesses are here. and it is awesome how cheap things can be compared to the US!

Tomorrow we will be starting our ministry times with a prayer walk through the slums. Over the next month we will do a variety of different ministries including speaking in churches, leading bible studies, prison ministry, and beach ministry. I'm looking forward to getting to build relationships with the staff here on base as well as getting to meet the Filipino people.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! God is going to amazing things here!

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Last Monday, we finally got to start our outreach prep week by learning multiple dramas, dances, and skits. I am excited to see how God uses these things we have learned to change lives in the Philippines!

This last week has been the week of "lasts." This morning we had our last hour of worship with the whole base! We also got to pray over each of the schools and bless them as they head into their next step of what God has for them.

After that, we had graduation for the secondary schools (SOW, WISE, and SOMD). It has been such an honor to be able to spend these last three months with this amazing group of people and I am honored to call them my friends. God has grown in all of us in huge ways and I am excited to see how God uses them.

In two short days, on Sunday morning, my team and I head out for the Philippines! It's crazy to think that it is only two short days away, but is also invigorating! We have about 30 hours of travel before we reach our home for the next month!

As always, thank you so much for all the prayer and support. God has not stopped showing Himself ever so faithfully!

As I am on the road, I will do my best to keep you updated, but as WiFi may not be available, I can't make promises!

God bless!
Erin