We don't yet have news about the Saturday parenting seminar, but I'll let you know what I know whenever I know it. After preaching Sunday morning at Wilson and Angelica's church, Scott will be ready to start his journey home. His back has been a bit achy.
Saturday's Prayer Requests:
1. All the details and logistics to wrap up well as this mission trip concludes. 2. God to remind the folks who have attended Scott's various seminars about the things they've learned and help them apply them in their lives and ministries. 3. Grace, safety, and comfort for Scott as he travels HOME!
Saturday's Details:
You may be aware that Scott was dealing with back issues over the past several months. That's why this trip to the Philippines was delayed and then shortened from the original plan. He's been doing well, but I'm sure all the sitting, standing, driving, and teaching can be draining. Thankfully he has been able to do his physical therapy exercises for the past week, and we're expecting his back to settle down without any problems.
Scott hasn't yet told me about the Saturday parenting seminar, but I'm sure it went well, and I KNOW they ate well too. Beforehand, he said, "These are all the supplies Angelica has prepared for today's Raising Champions seminar. She is even bringing an oven to cook in!"
Trunk full of food!
Looking at that picture, I asked him how many people were expected, and he replied simply, "Filipinos are good eaters!"
I've been trying to do some time calculations, but my brain's been a little fuzzy.
I think the distance from his host home there in Villasis to the airport in Manila is about 115 miles, but I recall being told that that drive can take anywhere from two to three - or maybe even four(?!?) - hours, depending on traffic. His flight leaves Manila at 8:40 AM local time on Monday, and he probably needs to be at the airport at least two hours in advance, so I'm guessing he will drive away from "home" at something like 3:00 AM Monday, which will be around 2:00 PM Sunday MO time.
He will fly from Manila to San Francisco to Denver to Springfield, so by the time I pick him up and we get home from the airport Monday evening, he will have been in transit for a total of something like 27 hours. Trust me, there's just nothing easy or recreational about that, so once again, please pray for My Hero! = )
On his Friday off day, Scott attended some meetings, communicated with TTC leaders in other countries, took care of a few business items, sought a publisher, and went swimming with Wilson and Angelica's family. He'll lead a parenting seminar on the far side of Villasis on Saturday.
Friday's Prayer Requests:
God to connect Scott with a competent and reasonably priced publisher in the Philippines for Raising Disciple-Makers.
Good turn-out for the "Raising Champions" parenting seminar; Scott to bring forth biblical principles that the attendees can apply to their families.
Health and strength for Scott to finish these next two days well! Friday's Details:
Scott said, "Had a good day… I really need to find a printer here. The two places we visited gave us prices that are higher than what I am paying for printing in the US… Went swimming with Wilson and Angelica's family today. It was like sitting in a hot tub, the water was so warm. But it was nice to relax a bit."
Scott and I both appreciate your PRAYER support as he completes this important mission trip. Thank you very much!
The "Better Together" marriage seminar was small but mighty. Scott will present his "Raising Champions" parenting seminar on Saturday, preach at Wilson and Angelica's church on Sunday, and begin his trek home on Monday.
Thursday's Prayer Requests:
1. The Holy Spirit's guidance as Scott searches today for the right Filipino publisher for his book. 2. The couples who attended the marriage seminar to transition the information they learned into practical actions and ongoing habits. 3. Parents to come to Saturday's "Raising Champions" seminar with open minds and leave greatly encouraged.
Thursday's Details:
Scott's book, Raising Disciple-Makers, is now at the publisher (hooray!), so U.S. readers will be able to order it soon. He's also looking into having it printed in other nations for local distribution; that would be more cost-effective than shipping books overseas. Since he's not scheduled to teach anywhere on Friday (Thursday night MO time), he's planning to meet with some potential publishers in the Villasis area then.
About Thursday's marriage seminar, he said, "Small crowd, but big impact. I think there were 6 pastoral couples and a few others."
My man is an engaging speaker!
There was a special time for each couple to find a quiet place alone and use the Ten Most Powerful Words.
Forgiveness and reconciliation
On a much lighter note, Scott sent these two pictures and asked, "Ever wonder where bananas come from?"
I'm pretty sure "Walmart" is not the answer he was looking for. I'm going to hit "Send" on this update and then go eat a banana, but first, would you please take a moment to pray for Scott today? Thank you!
The Villasis DM seminar ended very well, and the participants are full of energy as three new DM groups begin!
Wednesday's Prayer Requests:
Each leader to lead their group according to the example they have been trained by, and close relationships to develop among the group members.
Scott to have God's wisdom (and human help) to standardize administrative systems for managing and growing the RDM network in each nation.
The Holy Spirit to have his way in the Better Together marriage seminar on Thursday. Wednesday's Details:
First, here's a bit of explanation about Prayer Request #2 above.
I believe five new DM groups have been formed so far during this trip. Sometimes it's a challenge to have enough trained leaders standing ready to lead new groups. Often, experienced leaders are already leading a group - or sometimes two groups - of their own, and since leading a group involves a major commitment of time, praying, and planning, there's definitely a limit to how many groups one person can and should lead.
Also, for a number of months, Scott has been sensing that things are about to break open and expand rapidly, and he knows that the ministry is growing to the point that he can't personally lead/manage/oversee it all. He's been working to set up systems and give key leaders responsibilities that in the past he has handled personally.
He wants to standardize procedures so that each national Disciple-Makers network functions in the same way, but he also knows he needs to be flexible, sensitive to each culture, and led by the Holy Spirit. We are already past the point where Scott "does it all," and that expansion creates new opportunities as well as some challenges.
I hope that explanation helps you better understand #2 above. And now, here are some pictures of our newest groupies. = )
Scott said, "The seminar really went well today. The people clearly understood the process [of raising disciple-makers] and the need to get in the vehicle [the relational environment]. As you can see, we had a great turn-out for the groups. 3 new DM groups were birthed today…
one group for the eight pastors, led by Wilson (standing),
one group led by Angelica (in stripes), with lady pastors,
and one group with church leaders led by Angeline (standing), one of Angelica's disciples. It is exciting that Angeline is going to lead one of the groups. She is really honored to be part of the team. We are excited to have a 3rd trained and experienced disciple-maker!" Then on Thursday (Wednesday night, MO time), Scott will lead a very powerful marriage seminar, which is specifically designed for couples in which one or both spouses are vocational ministers. Ministry marriages are precious and, like all marriages, the enemy would like to destroy them. We trust that God will use this "Better Together" seminar to bring hope and health to ministry marriages there in the Villasis area. BT seminars usually bring both tears and laughter, as well as deeper connections between husbands and wives, so please agree with us for God to do amazing things in that seminar.
I'm about out of creative ways to say, "Would you please pray for My Hero today?" so I'll just say once again, "Thank you so much for praying for My Hero today!"
Scott said the first day of this Raising Disciple-Makers seminar in Villasis went even better than the ones in Anao and Loo, with another DM group being formed! He will conclude that seminar on Wednesday and then lead a Better Together marriage seminar there on Thursday.
Tuesday's Prayer Requests:
The spiritual energy from the pastors in this Villasis DM seminar to continue and grow as they put into practice what they are learning.
Open hearts for the marriage seminar on Thursday, and the Holy Spirit to specifically draw in those ministers who will come with their spouses.
No interruptions or delays in what God wants to do in the lives of these Villasis area pastors and leaders this week. Tuesday's Details:
Scott sent me a short audio report Tuesday evening and said, "Great seminar! Great turnout! We had 45 or 46 and may have three [DM] groups. We recruited one of Wilson and Angelica's disciples to lead one. There were pastors from 10 or 12 churches with very good results. Tell all the people, 'Thank you so much!' Thank you to everyone for PRAYING. God is working. Hallelujah!"
Hero in rooster shirt engaged in one of his favorite activities = ) Scott is really big on audience participation and timely, practical application of biblical principles. Several of these folks are clearly ready to DO whatever he's teaching about. = )
Looks like a "Here I am, send me" moment! I can't overstate the great value of your prayers during this mission trip. Scott's out there on the cutting edge, teaching and mentoring pastors and church leaders to become - and raise - disciple-makers. But your faithful, faith-filled prayers are the wind beneath his wings. Thank you SO MUCH for pausing and praying about the requests listed above.
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Trunk full of food!
My man is an engaging speaker!
Forgiveness and reconciliation
