We are preparing to leave on our next assignment to lead a team to Santiago, Cuba, for a week of missions construction work and ministry. Gerald Jackson, an Assemblies of God U. S. Missionary to Cuba, will be leading us as we go to help complete the construction of one of the largest churches in Cuba. The building is in its final stages and we will be doing some finishing work, laying flooring tile, as well as some electrical work. In addition, Debbie will be ministering in women’s meetings throughout the week. We will be celebrating Easter in a Cuban church...sounds exciting!
Cuba Flight Itinerary
Thursday, April 1
Depart Tampa 3:40pm
Arrive Miami 4:45pm
Friday, April 2
Depart Miami 8:00am
Arrive Cuba 9:45am
Friday, April 9
Depart Cuba 10:30am
Arrive Tampa 4:10pm
Please keep our team in prayer as we travel, minister, and do construction.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Vietnam Recap of 1/30-1/31
We arrived safely in Hanoi Saturday and spend the afternoon getting acquainted with our surroundings. We are in a very Asian, basic hotel (The Lucky Hotel) right near the city center. We found the familiar KFC and had lunch, then ate on the third-floor Highlands Coffee Shop for supper.
We had a great experience this morning. Breakfast was a pleasant surprise, with recognizable choices such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, and even hash browns. The rest was Vietnamese soups and such. The only challenge was the smoking in the little eating area downstairs. We have seen much more smoking here in the “north” than we did in the “south” of Vietnam.
Pastor Vinh picked us up at 8:30 in a taxi and we had about a 30-minute drive somewhere to an alleyway where the taxi stopped and we were instructed to quickly move inside the building. That is common for house-church in Vietnam. The government pretty much leaves the house churches alone unless they suspect they are getting involved in politics by swaying the church members to rebel against communism. Having two American women would be a definite “red flag.” We were escorted to the 3rd floor of the local Pastor’s house and there we found about 30 believers singing with a keyboard player, a song leader and a small sound system. When we walked in, they cheered. When I asked them who had never seen an American before, about ½ of them raised their hands. There were about 10 of them that were in my classes last year.
As they began to worship in their language again, I was awestruck by the grace of God that would bring me to this place where believers are persecuted by a very corrupt government. Even as communism goes, the government officials here in Hanoi are known around the world to be the most corrupt. Most of those in Pastor Ruth’s house church (her real name is not Ruth, but it is the Christian name she “earned” because she was arrested and persecuted by the police as one who propagates the Gospel) are young university students. Amazing! That is the hardest “people group” to reach in the U.S. and those have been the first here in this huge city. Then each student came to me after the message wanting me to lay hands on them and pray for them in their studies and for them to be strong in their faith and witness. Hmmmm, what ARE we doing wrong in the U.S?
The most exciting part of the morning was a young man stood up and introduced his “friend” that was there for the first time. I tried to imagine being a beautiful young college girl in a Christian house church singing praises to a Jesus I had only heard about from my friend. She listened closely as I preached about the Lukewarm church of Laodicea, and when the service was over, she came forward to declare before her friend that she wanted to receive Jesus as her Lord and make a commitment to learn about Him from the Holy Bible and serve Him by telling others about Him. When believers in Vietnam invite someone to their house church, they are always taking a risk that they are a spy for the government, or that they will leave and tell the wrong person of their experience. Wow, a risktaker…sounds like Paul, or Peter, or even Mary the mother of Jesus.
After praying with her, others in the crowd began telling how they heard about Jesus and how they were invited to this house church. Amazing! Their system is simple, just like the books of Acts, and the discipleship begins immediately as they gave her a Bible, a booklet to study, and told her they would pick her up for Bible Study once a week so she can learn about Jesus and His Word. Whew, one more “unreached” is now “reached.” There are millions more!
They cooked us lunch and we were joined by another pastor-friend of Pastor Vinh’s from Malaysia. The food was simple, rice, chicken, watermelon and papaya. No flavor, but filling. One thing is for sure, it is their very best and they are happy to serve the “servants of God.” Tomorrow we will be picked up again and I will teach on “The Authority of The Word, The Name, and The Blood” to pastors from house churches all around the city. Then tomorrow night Pastor Vinh invited the young students to come back and he will be teaching them on “Love, Sex, and Marriage.” On Tuesday we will do it all again in another part of the city for more pastors.
We had a great experience this morning. Breakfast was a pleasant surprise, with recognizable choices such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, and even hash browns. The rest was Vietnamese soups and such. The only challenge was the smoking in the little eating area downstairs. We have seen much more smoking here in the “north” than we did in the “south” of Vietnam.
Pastor Vinh picked us up at 8:30 in a taxi and we had about a 30-minute drive somewhere to an alleyway where the taxi stopped and we were instructed to quickly move inside the building. That is common for house-church in Vietnam. The government pretty much leaves the house churches alone unless they suspect they are getting involved in politics by swaying the church members to rebel against communism. Having two American women would be a definite “red flag.” We were escorted to the 3rd floor of the local Pastor’s house and there we found about 30 believers singing with a keyboard player, a song leader and a small sound system. When we walked in, they cheered. When I asked them who had never seen an American before, about ½ of them raised their hands. There were about 10 of them that were in my classes last year.
As they began to worship in their language again, I was awestruck by the grace of God that would bring me to this place where believers are persecuted by a very corrupt government. Even as communism goes, the government officials here in Hanoi are known around the world to be the most corrupt. Most of those in Pastor Ruth’s house church (her real name is not Ruth, but it is the Christian name she “earned” because she was arrested and persecuted by the police as one who propagates the Gospel) are young university students. Amazing! That is the hardest “people group” to reach in the U.S. and those have been the first here in this huge city. Then each student came to me after the message wanting me to lay hands on them and pray for them in their studies and for them to be strong in their faith and witness. Hmmmm, what ARE we doing wrong in the U.S?
The most exciting part of the morning was a young man stood up and introduced his “friend” that was there for the first time. I tried to imagine being a beautiful young college girl in a Christian house church singing praises to a Jesus I had only heard about from my friend. She listened closely as I preached about the Lukewarm church of Laodicea, and when the service was over, she came forward to declare before her friend that she wanted to receive Jesus as her Lord and make a commitment to learn about Him from the Holy Bible and serve Him by telling others about Him. When believers in Vietnam invite someone to their house church, they are always taking a risk that they are a spy for the government, or that they will leave and tell the wrong person of their experience. Wow, a risktaker…sounds like Paul, or Peter, or even Mary the mother of Jesus.
After praying with her, others in the crowd began telling how they heard about Jesus and how they were invited to this house church. Amazing! Their system is simple, just like the books of Acts, and the discipleship begins immediately as they gave her a Bible, a booklet to study, and told her they would pick her up for Bible Study once a week so she can learn about Jesus and His Word. Whew, one more “unreached” is now “reached.” There are millions more!
They cooked us lunch and we were joined by another pastor-friend of Pastor Vinh’s from Malaysia. The food was simple, rice, chicken, watermelon and papaya. No flavor, but filling. One thing is for sure, it is their very best and they are happy to serve the “servants of God.” Tomorrow we will be picked up again and I will teach on “The Authority of The Word, The Name, and The Blood” to pastors from house churches all around the city. Then tomorrow night Pastor Vinh invited the young students to come back and he will be teaching them on “Love, Sex, and Marriage.” On Tuesday we will do it all again in another part of the city for more pastors.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
I am thankful that the Philippines Team is now safely in the U.S. and reunited with their family and friends. In a few days they will be recovered from the time change and readjusted to the American lifestyle. One thing is for sure, they are returning never to be the same...with a new zeal and hunger to see a move of God like we all saw in the Philippines. We can't wait to share with the church family all that God accomplished during our short time of ministry.
Robin Rogers and I have moved on to our next assignment. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday afternoon...a city of more than 10 million people. Early Thursday morning we were picked up on motor bikes by members of Agape Outreach Fellowship and were taken to Pastor Vinh's house church--a 45 minute ride through the city. Pastors and leaders from around the city, the Mekong Delta, and the "highlands" (tribal villages) gathered for the Agape School of Ministry. I taught on the topic "Authority of the Believer" with Pastor Vinh as my interpretor. It was great to see old friends as 16 of the pastors began the school with me 4 years ago. It is amazing what they can endure; they remained attentive from 8:00 till 5:00 pm...so intent on learning, taking notes and asking quesitons.
We were picked up again on Friday morning and when we arrived at the training center, everything was buzzing as they prepared for the first ordination service for the 16 pastors completing the 4 years of trainig. A special lunch was prepared, Pepsi was put on ice (a real treat for them), ties were passed out, hair was combed, some even put on their shoes for the service!!! The candidates were invited to share the testimony of their call and I wept as they stood before their peers, expressing the difficulty of serving Jesus in this type of persecuted environment, yet declaring by faith they they were committed to serve the Lord in their new office. They take very seriously the call to the office of pastor as well as the call to the office of evangelist. Each one knew shared where the Lord was calling them to minister...all of them to unreached areas of Vietnam. Some as far as 16 hours away by bus. It was the most humbling experience I have ever encountered, and also the most inspiring. It was truly the book of Acts in "action."
I was given the privilege of sharing the Word of God to them--to encourage them as well as challenge them. The Scripture on the banner you see hanging over the small platform is Colossians 4:17. After the Word, Pastor Vinh and I laid hands on each candidate, anointing them with oil, as they dropped to their knees in submission to the call of God on their lives. Pastor Vinh shared with them at the conclusion of the ceremony, as a true spiritual father, with tears running down his face, as he claimed the unreached in his nation for the Kingdom of God. I can hardly type this testimony for the tears in my eyes now as I recall the day. What an honor that God would allow us to be part of history in the making here in Vietnam. God was faithful to provide the money to sponsor these pastors for this service through Kingdom Builders, and I was blessed to see that Pastor Vinh used some of it to purchase Bibles, tracts, postors, and other materials to equip the new pastors for the work of their ministry. They loaded up backpacks and suitcases with these materials after the ceremony. Some got new helmets and jackets to wear on their motor bikes so they can take the Gospel deep into unreached territory in the highlands. Some of the women pastors got new blouses and were so proud of them.
I pray each of you are inspired and motivated to become actively involved in "preaching the Gospel in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt. 24:14.
Pictures have already been added to the website to help tell the story.
Robin Rogers and I have moved on to our next assignment. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday afternoon...a city of more than 10 million people. Early Thursday morning we were picked up on motor bikes by members of Agape Outreach Fellowship and were taken to Pastor Vinh's house church--a 45 minute ride through the city. Pastors and leaders from around the city, the Mekong Delta, and the "highlands" (tribal villages) gathered for the Agape School of Ministry. I taught on the topic "Authority of the Believer" with Pastor Vinh as my interpretor. It was great to see old friends as 16 of the pastors began the school with me 4 years ago. It is amazing what they can endure; they remained attentive from 8:00 till 5:00 pm...so intent on learning, taking notes and asking quesitons.
We were picked up again on Friday morning and when we arrived at the training center, everything was buzzing as they prepared for the first ordination service for the 16 pastors completing the 4 years of trainig. A special lunch was prepared, Pepsi was put on ice (a real treat for them), ties were passed out, hair was combed, some even put on their shoes for the service!!! The candidates were invited to share the testimony of their call and I wept as they stood before their peers, expressing the difficulty of serving Jesus in this type of persecuted environment, yet declaring by faith they they were committed to serve the Lord in their new office. They take very seriously the call to the office of pastor as well as the call to the office of evangelist. Each one knew shared where the Lord was calling them to minister...all of them to unreached areas of Vietnam. Some as far as 16 hours away by bus. It was the most humbling experience I have ever encountered, and also the most inspiring. It was truly the book of Acts in "action."
I was given the privilege of sharing the Word of God to them--to encourage them as well as challenge them. The Scripture on the banner you see hanging over the small platform is Colossians 4:17. After the Word, Pastor Vinh and I laid hands on each candidate, anointing them with oil, as they dropped to their knees in submission to the call of God on their lives. Pastor Vinh shared with them at the conclusion of the ceremony, as a true spiritual father, with tears running down his face, as he claimed the unreached in his nation for the Kingdom of God. I can hardly type this testimony for the tears in my eyes now as I recall the day. What an honor that God would allow us to be part of history in the making here in Vietnam. God was faithful to provide the money to sponsor these pastors for this service through Kingdom Builders, and I was blessed to see that Pastor Vinh used some of it to purchase Bibles, tracts, postors, and other materials to equip the new pastors for the work of their ministry. They loaded up backpacks and suitcases with these materials after the ceremony. Some got new helmets and jackets to wear on their motor bikes so they can take the Gospel deep into unreached territory in the highlands. Some of the women pastors got new blouses and were so proud of them.
I pray each of you are inspired and motivated to become actively involved in "preaching the Gospel in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt. 24:14.
Pictures have already been added to the website to help tell the story.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Recap of 1/22-1/24
The last you heard we were headed to Pagadian City for 3 days of ministry. We have been so busy that it was impossible to find time to give a progress report, so here is the recap of all that happened. We arrived safely Thursday afternoon…after having our first meal of familiar food along the way… McDonalds!!! We were greeted by Pastor Robert Pagashian. It didn’t take long to make a new friend in the Lord. He is a powerful leader and church planter and so humbled to have us come to minister in his city. The churches he oversees have never had American guest speakers/preachers. Wow, it is amazing that God would choose to send us…who are we but servants of the most High God, willing and ready to be used.
Pastors and leaders came from around the city, tribal villages, and outer islands. They were from various denominations, including Assemblies of God and many independent Pentecostal denominations. The first service was 2:00 on Friday and Pastor Garcia spoke a Word in season. They were so hungry for the things of God, they made a demand on the anointing and God moved in a mighty way. Every altar service over the entire weekend has been powerful…always salvation, always deliverances, and always conviction, brokenness, repentance, and release from chains! The attached pictures tell the story!
After a brief break things started back up again at 6:00 in the evening for what was called a Revival Service. It was open to all in the city and the church (which holds about 300) was packed. Praise and worship included a women’s dance team, a youth dance team, and a children’s dance team. Each worshiped the Lord to a song and God was magnified!! Pastor Garcia preached and God moved again—more souls for the Kingdom. We came back to our hotel exhausted and blessed!
Saturday started early with the first session at 9:00 with Pastor Garcia and the second session with Debbie. Once again, a powerful altar call and altar ministry time. Every person wants the ministry of laying on of hands. They are so hungry to have more. Your team stepped up to the plate every time and God used us all to do His work in their lives. During the second session Barbara took the young people and children’s workers outside for a brief training session on puppetry, face painting, and balloon animals. She brought them before the congregation at the close of the morning meetings and shared some tips for successful children’s ministry. We managed a brief lunch and things started up again at 2:00.
Pastor Garcia started the afternoon with two hours of “Ask the Pastor.” It was obvious from their questions that they hunger for teaching concerning practical Christian living as well as the deeper things of God and His Word. We then called every pastor/leader forward for an impartation of the gifts and anointing that were upon and within each of us to equip them for the work of their ministry. The Lord led us to do a “prayer tunnel” as we are so familiar with at GWOC, and with anointing oil in each of our hands, the line formed around the room. For over an hour we laid hands on every believer, spoke prophetic words, broke demonic spirits, declared words of knowledge, flowing in all the gifts as the Holy Spirit empowered us. Amazing!
After closing the service, only a brief break and praise and worship started up again as the youth from churches around the city as well as their friends gathered for a “Youth Revival Service.” Most of the pastors and leaders stayed; they just couldn’t get enough. Jamal preached and God moved amongst the young people. The team gathered once again for the altar ministry. Whew! God was strong and mighty in us and through us.
A short night’s rest and we were up again on Sunday morning, ready for our individual assignments as they picked us up and took us to various churches across the city. Pastor Garcia reached the anniversary celebration service at Pastor Roberts church. They had the church decorated, a huge fellowship meal cooked, dignitaries from the government were present, and they celebrated “Philippino styel!!!” It was awesome to sit around the lunch table and hear the testimonies of each team member about what God did in their services. After being flooded with gifts and honor by the church in front of all , we parted ways and are now finally able to rest and recuperate this afternoon.
We will begin our trek home to the US Monday. We will leave by van for our 4-hour drive back to Dipolog City. We will spend the night and board our plane on Tuesday morning to Manila where we will spend the night. Then very early on Wednesday morning we will turn our hearts toward home, arriving home Wednesday evening. Pray for us, that we will rest, remain in health, receive grace and favor, and walk in the fruits of the spirit on the long journey home.
Remember that Debbie and Robin Rogers will not be returning with the team, but will leave Wednesday afternoon for a week of ministry in Vietnam.
Pastors and leaders came from around the city, tribal villages, and outer islands. They were from various denominations, including Assemblies of God and many independent Pentecostal denominations. The first service was 2:00 on Friday and Pastor Garcia spoke a Word in season. They were so hungry for the things of God, they made a demand on the anointing and God moved in a mighty way. Every altar service over the entire weekend has been powerful…always salvation, always deliverances, and always conviction, brokenness, repentance, and release from chains! The attached pictures tell the story!
After a brief break things started back up again at 6:00 in the evening for what was called a Revival Service. It was open to all in the city and the church (which holds about 300) was packed. Praise and worship included a women’s dance team, a youth dance team, and a children’s dance team. Each worshiped the Lord to a song and God was magnified!! Pastor Garcia preached and God moved again—more souls for the Kingdom. We came back to our hotel exhausted and blessed!
Saturday started early with the first session at 9:00 with Pastor Garcia and the second session with Debbie. Once again, a powerful altar call and altar ministry time. Every person wants the ministry of laying on of hands. They are so hungry to have more. Your team stepped up to the plate every time and God used us all to do His work in their lives. During the second session Barbara took the young people and children’s workers outside for a brief training session on puppetry, face painting, and balloon animals. She brought them before the congregation at the close of the morning meetings and shared some tips for successful children’s ministry. We managed a brief lunch and things started up again at 2:00.
Pastor Garcia started the afternoon with two hours of “Ask the Pastor.” It was obvious from their questions that they hunger for teaching concerning practical Christian living as well as the deeper things of God and His Word. We then called every pastor/leader forward for an impartation of the gifts and anointing that were upon and within each of us to equip them for the work of their ministry. The Lord led us to do a “prayer tunnel” as we are so familiar with at GWOC, and with anointing oil in each of our hands, the line formed around the room. For over an hour we laid hands on every believer, spoke prophetic words, broke demonic spirits, declared words of knowledge, flowing in all the gifts as the Holy Spirit empowered us. Amazing!
After closing the service, only a brief break and praise and worship started up again as the youth from churches around the city as well as their friends gathered for a “Youth Revival Service.” Most of the pastors and leaders stayed; they just couldn’t get enough. Jamal preached and God moved amongst the young people. The team gathered once again for the altar ministry. Whew! God was strong and mighty in us and through us.
A short night’s rest and we were up again on Sunday morning, ready for our individual assignments as they picked us up and took us to various churches across the city. Pastor Garcia reached the anniversary celebration service at Pastor Roberts church. They had the church decorated, a huge fellowship meal cooked, dignitaries from the government were present, and they celebrated “Philippino styel!!!” It was awesome to sit around the lunch table and hear the testimonies of each team member about what God did in their services. After being flooded with gifts and honor by the church in front of all , we parted ways and are now finally able to rest and recuperate this afternoon.
We will begin our trek home to the US Monday. We will leave by van for our 4-hour drive back to Dipolog City. We will spend the night and board our plane on Tuesday morning to Manila where we will spend the night. Then very early on Wednesday morning we will turn our hearts toward home, arriving home Wednesday evening. Pray for us, that we will rest, remain in health, receive grace and favor, and walk in the fruits of the spirit on the long journey home.
Remember that Debbie and Robin Rogers will not be returning with the team, but will leave Wednesday afternoon for a week of ministry in Vietnam.
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