Bogo City

We have been with YWAM Cebu for almost 2 weeks now! We spent our first week doing ministry around the city with children's ministry in the slums and speaking in churches.

For this week, we are in Bogo City, about 3 hours north of Cebu. We have gotten to speak at churches and help with the building of some of the houses that have been pledged to be built in the wake of the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

This afternoon, we head out for ministry at a local high school and tomorrow, we get to do open air evangelism.

We are down to the last week of ministry before heading back to the US in about two weeks! God is still going to do big things! Thank you for all the prayer and support- as always, it is very appreciated!

God bless,
Erin

Cebu Bound!

Well, here we are, sitting in the airport waiting for our flight to Cebu. We've been in the Philippines for a full month already and we are now on our way to our second location!

We ended our time in Dagupan by doing open air ministry and handing out meals to the kids and participants in the Bible studies in the slums. It was sad to say goodbye to these wonderful people we've gotten to grow with while we were here. But it was an honor to get to bless them with food for their bodies in addition to the spiritual food we've been giving them.

Saying goodbye doesn't get easier! I'm going to miss the amazing people we've gotten to stay with over the last 4 weeks. I'm so thankful for the ways we've gotten to grow friendships and I look forward to seeing them when we get to reunite! Thank God for friends from around the world!

As always, thank you for all the support and prayers! I'm excited to see what else God wants to do through us for the next 3 weeks before we head home!

God bless, Erin

Little Outreach Blessings

In the last week, we have continued ministry here in Dagupan. We have continued leading small group bible studies, as well as playing with kids, visiting the jail, among other ministries.

On Tuesday, we got to go to 100 Islands National Park. It was a beautiful sight as we looked out over the green islands dotting the clear blue waters. We were able to see giant clams, accidentally take in mouthfuls of saltwater, and jump into the ocean from a bat filled cave! Definitely a day to remember and an adventure I would recommend to anyone visiting the Philippines!

One of my favorite stories from the last week was when we were leading a Bible study. I was partnered with my teammate Jonathan and we had split up into different homes throughout the community. As Jonathan and I tag-teamed talking about Moses and the burning bush, the ladies would translate and share bits of their testimonies with us. Every time we enter into a group I am again reminded of the fact that everyone has a story and something to make them who they are today.

Each ministry time is different as we get to know people more. Each Thursday we've been here, we have gone to a youth fellowship (the same one each Thursday). Last night was our 4th and final evening with these young people (who are around my age). We got to participate in a worship and praise marathon and had our latest night yet, not getting back to base until after 11, with an early start in the morning. The youth that gather there are awesome! God is going to use that group to change the world. The way they pour out their hearts and dance with reckless abandon was another blessing to see!

We are down to only one week left here in Dagupan before we head down to Cebu for our last 3 weeks in the Philippines. It's hard to believe outreach is over halfway done and I only have 5 weeks left of my DTS (including debrief back in Denver). But if I know anything, it is that God is not finished yet with this time!

As always, thank you so much for your prayer and encouragement!
God bless,
Erin