Words from Josh, Nic, and Ross

Here are updates from Josh, Nic, and Ross:

From Josh 

      Being here in the Philippine’s has been mind-blowing to me. I realize more and more that I have been very sheltered growing up in America. I have never been in need for food, and I have never lacked a roof over my head. Here in the PI, nobody takes daily provisions for granted. Yet, worshiping yesterday at a church in the barangay where we are staying, I got to know people who understand 2 Corinthians 8:2 much better than I ever have—because they live it.

2 Corinthians 8:2 - Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

     I've never seen poverty like this before... The worship leader/youth minister has a degenerative eye condition that runs in his family and is causing him to go blind. My eyes welled up with tears as the church sang in Tagalog with great joy, and I almost lost it when they sang a final verse in English so we could all understand: “Now let the blind say I can see, and let the poor say I am rich because of what the LORD has done for us.”

WOW!

So challenged to find joy in Jesus alone as I've seen the believers here do. 

From Nic    

 It’s the day after Christmas here in the PI, and the group just got back from Church in the barangay.  

     I’m thankful to be here in the Philippines, many miles removed from the so-called “rat race” of my American life.  In preparing to come here, I had been looking forward to a perspective change, but in actuality, my worldview has experienced some major jarring.  On the heart-warming side, I’ve been able to spend many hours in sweet fellowship with like-minded friends, old and new.  On the heart breaking side, I’ve seen extreme poverty and bondage.  The physical poverty and bondage I see around me reminds me of the spiritual poverty and bondage that is so present in this world.  God has been teaching me to have childlike faith and to avoid leaning on my own understanding.  He has also been exposing the sin of my judgmental spirit that is closely connected to my bent toward efficiency.  As an American perfectionist in a third world country, my perspective on what is truly important is drastically shifting.  I’m extremely thankful to God for this shift.  My prayer is to know and to be known by God.  He alone saves.  He is, always has been, and ever will be in total control.  He is the Ancient of Days.  He remembers and knows all.  His will will be done.  Praise Him. 

    

From Ross

     It’s been a little over a week here in the Philippines. I’ve been marinating my soul with the TRUTH, and I’ve been around people who display the TRUTH. So far the most memorable moment for me was during street ministry to the homeless up in Manila. I really got to see the Holy Spirit speak through me and share that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father (John 4:16) and that he is the bread of Life (John 6:35).  It’s a good feeling knowing that the TRUE Gospel is getting shared here in the Philippines.

Grace and Peace to the 1-1 Six from Josh, Nic, and Ross. 

p.s. I've tried to upload a video that I edited from a surf trip Ross and me took with some guys from here, but after 12+ tries and failures on Youtube and Vimeo with the internet here, I'm done trying to upload it. It is uploaded to facebook if you guys want to check it out, but it probably won't be up on the OLSO blog until we get back to the states.