Dear All,
Sunday's Bottom Line:
Before returning "home" to our base in Villasis on Saturday afternoon, our team and their families, who have been going pretty much non-stop for many days, were all thankful for a bit of relaxing time at the beach. Scott and Mark each preached Sunday morning in two different churches in Villasis and then in the afternoon met with the leaders of those two churches about their current DM groups and expansion going forward.
Sunday's Prayer Requests:
1. Those who have already been impacted by the discipleship message during this trip to dive in and stay committed to the process; new DM groups to be led well and change lives.
2. Refreshing for the Flores family (Wilson and Angelica and their three children), the Phillips family (Mark and Whitney and their two sons), Pastor Daniel and his wife Elsie, and Scott; for the Lord to renew their strength for this current week of seminars and meetings and keep them all healthy.
3. Over the next few days, God to prepare the hearts of those who will be at Scott's seminars in Nepal this weekend; favor for logistical details to work out well.
Sunday's Details:
On Monday Scott will do a DM seminar in a city three-and-a-half hours to the northeast, and on Tuesday Mark will lead a DM seminar in another city three hours to the southeast. Raising disciple-makers is all about making and deepening relationships with believers who are eager to grow, and it often involves a lot of travel!
But back to Saturday, any idea what THIS is?!?
And how many globes are there? Inquiring minds want to know!
Here's another picture of it, but what IS this thing anyway?!? (uh... the structure, not the Hero on its steps!)
He also had fun in the water with Wilson and Angelica's youngest...
... while her mom got some much-needed downtime to breathe.
(Shhh... I've also heard rumors that Wilson and Mark took surfing lessons on Saturday, but I have no proof that that is true.)
For a number of reasons related to scheduling and availability, the first week of this mission trip ended up being front-loaded with some of the most intense ministry, the part largely focused on expansion of the disciple-making process into new regions of the Philippines.
While our team does have two more DM seminars on Monday and Tuesday, this week's focus is more on strengthening our core by providing the stability, clarity, and relational and logistical infrastructure that will facilitate long-term growth, and rest is an important piece of that puzzle: "... 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength... '" (Isaiah 30:15).
Scott's time in the Philippines during this trip will total two weeks, Mark and Whitney's four weeks, but Wilson and Angelica, Daniel and Elsie, and the many coaches they are discipling - and their disciples are discipling - will be there on the ground on the daily, and we want them to have all the resources possible to stand firm no matter what.
That's where you, our prayer partners come in! Thank you for praying for our TTC team again today. They really appreciate it, and so do I.
Blessings,
Patty