Needs for Arise and Shine Ministries and Academy

There are several needs that Pastor Noel and the ministry have here. Here are some of them that if you want to help out with you can contact the church and we will send the funds to Pastor Noel.

1) $34,000 for the property which is 2,700 square meters with two main buildings on it. This is right next to Arise and Shine Academy and will be used for a missionary training school

2) $5,000 for a used van for the ministry needs and the transportation for feeding, witnessing and evangelism

3) P.A.C.E. curiculum for the students. They have had the material for over 10 years and it is really in need of replacement. We are wanting to buy the material and then laminate the pages so they will not have to be replaced again.

4)Red pens/chalk/markers for board/ new white boards/English dictionaries/ folders

5) Want to set up science lab

6) A clinic or nurse station with supplies.

7) Money for tracts. We have handed out over 10,000 in the weeks we have been here

As you can see there are several needs from big to small. If you are lead to give towards any of these projects please let Curtis know and give through the church so we can make sure it gets here and for the right things. Thanks and God bless.

Some things that have happened

Its Dan and again I must say it has been hard to keep the journal up…and this blog. Some are better than others on the journaling portion.

Here is my journal entry for Wednesday 06-24-2009:

Be ready at 6:35 am was our directive given. Ron and I were ready to leave, Dave Labrado came in and said Pastor Noel had mentioned classes were to be canceled because of a typhoon would be coming in. What!? A typhoon!? So the question was what were we to do. We were to meet at McDonalds for breakfast anyhow…So we left. Dave Peters, Ron and I left to go to the phone place to pick up a calling card so Ron could call home and Thailand. We waited for a little while, while Ron was doing business…Then Dave and I decided we were gonna just go to McDonalds. Soon before long Ron caught up with us.

We made it to McDonalds where the group was still outside. At around 6:45 AM, Ambit (one of the men in the church), Dave Peters and I took a little walk down a street because I saw some Jehovahs Witnesses Kingdom Hall sign. So where was this place? I wanted to see if I could reason with some of them. We didn’t find the place So we walked back to the McDonalds (which seems like a home away from home)…And you know, the food doesn’t taste different. The food at the “Jollibee” does! (which is the Filipino answer to MACK-DONALDS). We walked back and McDonalds was open! The team was already sitting down. I set my stuff down to see these kids staring through the window across the restaurant. Their eyes are begging you to feed them the problem is, when the word gets out you create a frenzy which you cannot fully provide.

I sat down with the team, snapped a few pictures of the team…only to notice the kids were still standing there. Curtis had the same thoughts I did. Should we buy some food for the kids? Dave and Grace kindly warned us the word could get out. Curtis and Deann walked over to 7-Eleven and I would follow a couple minutes later to take pictures. When I walked into 7 eleven, Curtis and Deann hadn’t found any food. I found some 7-Eleven brand Filipino sandwiches. Curtis grabbed those and also some Tigers Milk bars…So the is what he gave the kids. Outside of McDonalds, Deann and Grace stayed to share with the kids. Grace had used one of the good person test comic strip tracts and translated it for the kids.

From McD’s we walked to and around shops. Ron, Ambit and I went looking for a mop bucket that one would wring out a mop in, because the schools library  had flooded. The mops they’d wring out by hand are the same mops they use to clean the bathroom. So we gave up after being referred to store after store….”Oh we no have here…go there over there to Glory Son store”  OK so there we went!

After McDonalds we went over to the school because of the rain and to check our email…use the internet…We were there for a while then walked to Pastor Noels house for lunch. After eating lunch we left to go to “Langaman.” A neighborhood located on a river. The homes are tightly packaged boards, metal sheets, and dark wet passageways…the walkway was unlevel broken concrete,  smoothened out and wet from the rain.

A labrynth of dark narrow ways, stairwells leading to dark rooms or homes…A dimly lit candle to light a room to which ones glistening eyeballs would be seen. Everywhere we were walking was dark. People could barely be seen in their homes, some washing clothes on a flat, overlooking the river. Some sitting in the passageway (much like a dungeon like atmosphere). Some were cooking in an opening in between homes. Each person carrying a face of no hope, their eyes looking no farther than their neighbors wall…3 feet in front of them.

We were split up on either side of the river…I was following Wilbert (one of the younger guys in the church) and Dave Peters was close behind me. Our feet were walking on uneven surfaces…damp with rain water. To our left were people squatting outside their door…others peeking through their windows…Rain dropping in from an opening up above. How far down does this go? I cant see too far in front of my face, though the sun is peaking through up ahead. The candle in every 4 houses, the one bed, table, chairs…and community…I can’t describe it enough. So the three of us were walking when Wilbert stopped and said this is good. I asked for him to translate for me, and he agreed. Somebody moved out of the way of a crate and I sat on it. We were hear to preach the Gospel!!!!!!!!!!! I thought for a second where do I start. Then it started flowing out of me….

My life….

My struggles…

The freedom in CHRIST! The HOPE!!! THE FREE GIFT!!!

I dont even remember all of what I said, but scripture was flowing, my heart was out there. And I was sharing the Gospel with these people. How can I describe the hopelessness of these people’s faces as they looked upon me. How can I describe it??? It doesn’t matter, if you’re the rich of the rich or the poorest of the poor, God loves us all. He is the God of all! Glory be to Him! So as I talked for a good 20 min, I offered to pray for them. I bowed my head and said line by line…as Wilbert translated….I took a peek up and noticed some were bowing their heads…When I finished praying, I noticed one girl in particular who had tears in her eyes. I may never know if 1 or 8 people had accepted Christ…but I will find out in Heaven!

Leaving that place we met under a sheltering next to the entrance of one side of the “Ant Hill,” as that is what Langaman is translated to mean. The kids surround us as we played some music gave high 5’s and just plain old had some fun. You could see down the river, home after home connecting to each other. The structures became an orchestra of raindrops hitting against the anthill rooftops. The river ran away from our vantage point, but at a shoulders turn, the kids had a hundred smiling faces. There were 5 kids that we had given food to from the 7 eleven at this place. Curtis had made a comment that at the team debrief. He said, “Feeding those kids in a sense had allowed us ministry at Langaman.”

Tonight as I was journaling, I was about 45 min into it…and bam!!! The thought occured to me…I shared the Gospel with these people and didn’t mention the cross. It smacked me in the face. Though I felt spirit filled when I was talking to them, I didn’t mention the cross! Was that OK??? In a weird way, I think it was. If one has ever read the book Bruchko, Bruce Olson had to share the gospel with that group of Indians and couldn’t describe the cross…it wouldnt culturally communicate. I did mention sin! hope! the free gift! What else??? It was an awesome experience.

Check out youtube: danritter96

Skit for the students at arise and shine

The skit for the students

New uploads

If only Brad Norman were with us…this blog and the videos would be in perfect organization. Its hard when things such as scheduling is so scattered that our minds have been going and going…so the blog is hard to keep up. If Pastor Noel’s face were on a commercial…itd be the Energizer bunny….Flora Belle is doing awesome!

Please when you get a chance jump on my youtube site for video updates…I would post videos on here but it cost money…much more

www.youtube.com/danritter96

P.S. Today Curtis and Deann and I went into 7eleven. Curtis and Deann bought some food for some kids that were just staring at us through the window (as we were eating McDonalds).  They live on a highway, so they live off of the people. Some of the videos I pray will show you some of what we’ve seen. The lives of some of these people put me to shame.

I complicate my life so much by living as a consumer, the next thing is on a want list. I’m always desiring….When I see these people, they dont know that life…The difference is…they are happy with what they have. The truth is, our God is a God of all…and in light of that, we are all His children.

In Him,

Dan

Here is the team update of the Philippines

Becca:

Greetings from the Philippines!!! We’ve only been here a few days and it feels much longer than that. Pastor Noel is literally the energizer bunny. He takes ministry very seriously and I’ve never seen anyone so unashamed of the gospel before. Each day we spend time in the streets proclaiming the gospel, playing music in the streets and preforming our drama for the children and their parents. We also teach some English in the Arise and Shine Academy. I’ve taken a special liking to the high school students (which is in California jr. high). The Filipino people are so incredibly respectful and hospitable. I was very impressed by the students at this school; they are all Christians. In just thinking about my own “Christian” high school I could not believe the genuineness in this ministry. They have a commitment to their education and to Christ. These students do not cheat, they do not talk when they are not called upon and most importantly they never miss a “thank you.”

The other thing that you cannot help but notice is the major change in culture. I’ve never seen any place so different in my life. And, I learned a great lesson in contentment with the way that God has created each and every one of us. In the states and even in Russia, everyone wants that perfect tan. We spend tons of money on changing the way we look. We change the color or style of our hair, darken our skin, we can even choose colored contacts if we are less than content with the color of our eyes. In the Philippines, they have that dark tan and they do not want it. They can bleach their skin to make it lighter. I realized that we must be content. God made each of us in his image and that is precious.

Some fun cultural things: I did try Baloot (I have no idea how to spell it) which is a hard-boiled egg with a duck still inside. yuck! Curtis just about died. And today we had pancakes made with squash. yummy!! And when i come home, remind me to tell you all about my tricycle ride. I love you guys!!! and i miss you!!! xoxo…

Dave and Grace:

being Filipino ministering in your own country after many years of absence is very sobering! We are not quite sure anymore how to handle what we see and what we “smell”. Familiarity with depressed areas in the Metro Manila area seem to have recall of sorts and depresses the soul. Visiting the very poor living along  the railroad tracks and “esteros” makes one grieve and cry out to the Lord for help. HE brought us there to see the plight of the needy and convict us of our lifestyle and care/help them. Don’t just feel, don’t just see’ don’t just talk about it…..do something in the name of Jesus and for His glory to reach out to them and share His love…Lord grant me the will and strength to do so..

Curtis and Deann Lewis

It is always amazing to see how God is working in different cultures. Whenever you are in that culture you realize the negitives and positives of your own culture. It helps you to realize the changes that need to happen in order to be more effective in whatever culture you are working in. Yesterday was a very sobering day as we went into a suburb of Golden City, Santa Rosa. I have never seen such poverty. We will be going there to feed 500 children tonight, but there are probably 5,000 children there. It always seems that resources are what limit ministry. Today I was helping in the senior class and the kids were having to wait to do their work because they could not afford scientific calculators. These cost 490 pesos which is about $8. I went to the store quickly and bought 5 of them. It was amazing to be able to just give them to those students and you should of seen their reaction, it was like I just gave them each $1000. My hearts desire for this trip is to allow God to change my heart so that I am constantly and consistently being Christ to others.

Dave Peters

 I am taking in a lot. Everything is great and making music unto the Lord is awsome.Too many stories to tell but in time we will tell and lots of pictures to show.

Ron Powell

I have enjoyed being able to be my crazy self for the glory of God. I have also really enjoyed driving pastor Noel’s motorbike every chance I get. I have played drums on a drumset to playing drums on buckets.  I enjoyed being part of a skit that our team has performed several times in various areas. God has used me by handing out tracts, teaching devotions to faculty and students at the “Arise & Shine” school.

First Day

Morning was spent eating breakfast at Pastor Noel’s home. We met his family and some church members including Pastor Allan and his wife, Carina. We ate eggs, Filipino bread with peanut butter, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf, and I can’t remember what else.

We had an opportunity to go back to the “Asia Novotel” for a
relaxing downtime and a nap. The 14×14 ft room has two beds, the bathroom has no separation between the toilet and shower..by no means am I complaining. From what I found out it’s an Asian bathroom. Sweet! One thing that caught me by surprise a little was how there was this little hose connected to the outside of the toilet with a head on it that we’d typically see in our kitchen to wash dishes. The shower has an electrical unit made by Panasonic, which controls the flow and temperature of the water.

After Ron and I had that quiet time we walked back over to Pastor Noel’s home for some lunch. We ate chicken, beef caldereta (beef chunks bone-in, carrots, potato chunks, and sauce), rice, and little bananas. He told us that we’d be going to the school, so we went. It’s also where they have church. The place, when I get another opportunity I’ll post more pictures…made me think that I took for granted so highly the facilities that I went to school in. They had a room pretty much for each grade. Some classrooms were combo classes. Behind bars were tables/desks, with dividers, usually a cup that holds pens/pencils. Oh how I take for granted so many things especially having air conditioned classrooms.
So Pastor Noel continued to show us the facility, as we walked down this hallway we came

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Tight and tired

It is 951 AM. Ron and I have enjoyed our two meals…I went with a beef dish (sort of a pot roast) then the breakfast for me was chicken, rice, and what seemed like a powdered egg clump, some fruit, a muffin, coffeeeeeee!

This flight is only supposed to be somewhere around 11+ hours, and yet it doesn’t seem like it’s been way too long. Going to Russia was 12.5 hours, and that seemed really long. I guess it’s just a matter of getting used to longer flights.

Ha, on this flight Ron and I have been literally close! Our arms are nearly fully overlapping! it’s ok! We’re not bothered by it, just goes to remind oneself that when you serve away from home you must remind yourself that comforts can be a hinderance.

I am debating on whether or not I want to keep a journal separately than this blog. Perhaps I will, if an idea comes along or when i’m in devotional time, I might need to write down what God is showing me…before I type it up.

One other thing I was looking for was a verse my dear friend and brother in the Lord spoke at work, the day I left. It’s somewhere in Proverbs where a man that indulges in a prostitute reduces himself to a crumb of bread. He spoke not to just remind me, but he actually spoke it to another coworker whom was telling of his military days in the Philippines and Japan. The bars, the women, the prostitutes…almost in a sense that do it while you’re young. Even when I mentioned the reason as to why I’m traveling over there.

As I write this Ron is talking with a man sitting next to us who doesn’t know much about Jesus dying on the cross…he’s a catholic…..
Lord reach this man’s heart!
Psalm 33:18-19 “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.”

Prep time

How do I but begin to prepare for a different culture entirely…I’ve been numerous places around the globe and yet I know nothing. God has promised us that all things work together for good for those that are called according to his purpose…God will have His way, I’m just his footsoldier in the fight of truth. I know these things and so I have complete comfort that there is true purpose in me going…had that not been so the way would be shut. The truth is this: without love none of it matters (1 Cor 13:2)