From Spain

Hello!

First off I would like to apologize for my awful use of the english language in my last entry. Forgive me please! I was reading over it to see where I had finished and I was very dissapointed in myself, haha!

So, I have been in Spain since the 23rd of February. I am staying with Lance Mckinney, a missionary, who is very active in evangalistic outreach and motivation of the Church. I am in the city of Malaga, which is on the south-eastern coast of the Mediteranean. This is where I spent the first week of my stay here. Teusday, Wednesday and Thursday I helped out with a youth camp in one of the city Churches. It was a really good time and I was amazed at what God did there!

Before going further, let me say that when I first arrived in Spain I was almost immediately aware of a spiritual atmosphere that was much shallower than that of the Philippines. This is not to say that the Spanish Christians are shallow, but rather that the country itself is not as open to Christ. There are various reasons for this which I can't discuss now because it would just take too long :) In short, I was coming from a Bibleschool in the Philippines (a deeply intense spiritual environment) to a Youth Camp (less intense spiritual environment). This was quite a switch, but I was prepared for it. What I wasn't expecting though, was for God to come in an even more powerful way here in Spain than back in Asia! The truth is, He did.

On Wednesday night as we were worshipping and listening to the message, there was a definate moving of God and at the end when we prayed for the youth. He touched many of them in a very real way. His presence was so close and precious! A closeness I had not felt in a very long time. You see, for about two years I have been somewhat frustrated at not being able to feel His presence. So often I have watched Christians who displayed all of the outward signs of emotion during tmes of worship and prayer, but I could not do that because I would have had to act it out. I have wanted it so bad, but knew that unless it was really God moving me, than it would just be me. Just a human, stirring up his emotions and pretending to experience something supernatural. Even the idea of such a fake spiritual facad makes me cringe! But throughout this period of time God has shown me how I cannot allow my senses, or emotions to decide how close or far away from Him I am. I mean, we all know how decieving our human emotions can be. So there I am, in this place where I have already made up my mind that the people around me are not as spiritual as the ones I was previously interacting with. But then God came! I felt His presence like I had'nt in so long, and I saw Him moving in the hearts of the people; it wasn't plastic, it was real! And how can I explain the feeling of Gods presence except to say that when He's there you never want to leave! When He's there you are completely emersed in peace and joy; you are perfectly content; there is nothing else!

So to sum up my first week... God moved in a place where I had not expected Him to, and it changed me.

I've made some great friends here by the way! The Spanish people are so wonderful and I really do love them!

This week I drove up to Madrid with a friend and he is showing me around the city and the YWAM base here! I will be taking a bus back to Malaga tomorrow and leaving with Lance and Itiel (a friend) for Gibralter on Thusday morning. They have to meet with some Pastors to plan a huge outreach event where, by Gods grace, thousands will come to know Jesus!!! I'll tell you more about this in my next post, because right now I really don't know enough about it!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your prayers!

God bless you, Emmanuel

P.S. If you have any questions just comment, or get a hold of me on facebook!

Finally!!! More pics from the Philippines!

Almost Done Here!

Wow!!! I can't believe that I have been here in the Philippines for 6 weeks already! It has been an absolutely incredible time and God has blessed me in many many ways! The graduation for the Bible School students is Saturday in the morning so its been a very exciting time. Because this was the last week of classes there were "Presbytery Services" where all of the graduates were prayed for and many of them received prophecies and words of direction; it was awesome! I was also prayed for and God spoke some amazing things to me about missions and music! It was so wonderful because I had all these ideas about what God might say, but none of them was right at all. Haha! God has a way of humbling us like that! But, even though I didn't receive the words that I was expecting I still got conformations about my call in the ministry of music, youth and, most importantly, worship! He is just to good!

This Saturday afternoon I will be giving a concert in Manila at one of the churches where they are having a youth rally! I will be playing 5 of my own songs and then havinjg a time a worship where I am praying God will move in a powerful way and work in the hearts of the non-believers who will be there!!! There will be a few hundred people there, saved and unsaved. Could you pray with me about this!? I know that God has given me this opportunity, and I am desiring more than anything that He will be glorified at this "Youth Revive" meeting! This generation needs to become more desperate and passionate about Jesus and the lost, and I believe God wants to release his spirit in a great way as we relentlessly seek Him! Alright! I am so excited about what God is doing here in the Philippines and look forward to seeing what He is doing in Spain! Please pray with me and be a part of the Lords work in these countries.

I will be leaving for Spain on Sunday at 6:00pm (your Sunday morning at 5:00 am). After I arrive on Monday afternoon I will be helping with a Youth Camp and possibly leading a guitar workshop! Also next week I will be working with some YWAM'ers at an outreach in the city of Malaga! After that, who knows!!! I love God and want to encourage you that He is alive and active in our world! The US is no exception! I pray that when I get back home I can use what God has given me to help win our great country for Christ!

I know what some of you are thinking too. That I am super passionate because I'm on the mission field and when I get back this fire might die. Well, your right! I am excited because of what I'm seeing and doing here. And your also right about it maybe being a "flash in the pan" or a shooting star of emotion and desire for Christ. I have been thinking about this and I am praying that what God has done will not be lost when I get home. Because the fact of the matter is, that's what always happens. Ya know? So I need your prayers! Yes, I NEED them! Because its only by the grace of God that I am where I am, and its only by His strength that I will be able to maintain this level of heat! You need my prayers too, and you will have them, because I want all of you to achieve as much in God as you can! AS always I have so much more to say but not enough time :) I love you all and hope you keep checking in to see what God is doing!

TEll me waht you though of this post! God bless!

Emmanuel

a lot to say!

Hey everyone! First of all let me say how grateful I am that you (whoever you may be) are reading my blog; thank you so much for reading and praying! Secondly let me apologize for not updating it more regularly. I talked to my mom the other night and she encouraged me to be more consistent, so I will try!

Last weeks class on the "Second Coming" was a real learning experience, and I have finally gotten a pretty good idea of what my end times beliefs are. I say "a pretty good idea" because I will not assume to know exactly what the book of Revelation means in every respect, but I have a good idea based on the rest of what Gods word says concerning the end times and His coming. Anyway, this week we have a class on missions and being called to the mission field which has already been fantastic and so interesting!

Every day I continue to grow in my knowledge of God, and it is changing me in many ways. But, I have also noticed how resilient the flesh is. It does not want to die! All of my desires, dreams, passions, hopes and fears are fighting for dear life, literally! This is great because it shows how much God is doing. Now, that's not to say that it is comfortable or easy because that couldn't be farther from the truth, but wow, when those earthly things are replaced with Godly desires, dreams, passions and hopes, everything looks a whole lot different. When you actually start allowing God to "renew your mind" then you start realizing how messed up human minds are. Its wonderful!!! I am determined to get rid of this human perspective, because it is deadly! Looking at our lives, the problems and difficulties, with human eyes can really be quite frightening and discouraging; don't you think? I mean come on, a mountain looks pretty big from the ground with my eyes. I want new eyes, spiritual ones that only God can give. A new perspective, that is in no way earthly, but divine! That mountain doesn't look so big from the sky when I'm looking down with the vision of the Almighty God. And that's what He wants us Christians to have! A new vison, a renewed mind (Rom 12), so that we can live a victorious christian life. Look at Isiah 40:31! When it talk about "rising up on wings as eagles," its not just talking about our future eternal life with Christ, but the way we are to live on a daily basis. We are to rise above the earthly concerns, troubles and difficulties! An Eagle is a heavenly creature, and dwells there. So are we to be as believers. Even though we are of the earth, God wants to give us heavenly minds and hearts! Isn't that just so amazing!?

I have more to tell, so I will try to post again in the next two days! Keep Checking! And thank you for your prayers! Please leave comments!!!

God bless, Emmanuel

Whats New!?

Hello from the Philippines! I have just returned from a trip to the northern mountain range known as the Cordilleras. The Pastor/Missionary that I went with held a two day class on "Spiritual Warfare;" it was intriguing, exciting and sobering. Many people were prayed for, and God really moved in the worship. On Saturday we left Baguio (the mountain city) and drove down through a gorge which brought us out of the mountains. It was an amazing and beautiful trip.

Now we are back at the Bible school and start classes again in the morning. I am really looking forward to this week because the topic will be "The Second Coming!" Can't wait.

I have been praying for Gods direction to be shown to me during this time. He has not spoken anything specific yet, but I am still believing that He will start showing me what it is that He wants me to do next. Perhaps you could pray for me concerning this. I want to start preparing for the things God has for me, so I am seeking for a word of some kind. If He just shows me what direction, I will start walking. Please pray!

Pictures are coming soon!

God bless!

Philippines

Ok! So I'm here in a suburb of Manila, called Antipolo. I am staying at an evangelical Bible School where I am taking classes until February 21st, on which date the school has its graduation ceremony. It is such a privilege to study and seek God here because it is so far away from everything I know. I could have gone to many different places in the U.S., but none of them would have given me the opportunity to see another culture and to learn so much from them. Besides, God has been putting an overseas missions trip on my heart and my parents hearts for a little over a year and a half now. So, I know that He wants me here, far away!

The first week of classes started on the 12th of January and the focus was "Being Conformed Into the Image of Christ." I am so glad that this was the first class I was able to be a part of, because it is something that the Lord has been speaking to me from this last summer until now. The study helped me to gain a more eternal perspective of my Christina walk. What I mean by this is that, to my knowledge, many Christians go through their lives with a vision of wanting to be more "Christlike." This goal is great, it is what we are all called to strive for as believers. But many of us Christians never come to the true realization that we need to be preparing for our life in heaven. For some reason I had never really taken this to heart. Don't misunderstand me, I have always had the desire to spend eternity with Jesus, but never really grasped the significance of what eternity will be like. Millions upon millions of years, living in the place that God has prepared for us. But not just living there; worshipping God every day, and learning about the mysteries of His love; the depths of His heart and who He is. Will we ever be able to know Him fully? Even after millions and millions of years getting to know Him in His house; dwelling in His presence? I don't know, but isn't it exciting!!?! I am believing what Paul said, that "the struggles of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come!" (I have more to write on this, but I'll come back to it in another post!)

Last week we had a class on Romans which was also very interesting and enlightening. God really gave me a burden for the nation of Israel. I hope to go there soon!

One thing that I am very excited about is how awesome the worship is here!!! The Filipino people are very sensitive, not only in natural things but in things spiritual. This makes them very passionate and sincere worshippers. They also live with a greater thankfulness to God in their lives. And they are so happy all the time! I have never seen such happy people in my life. Amazing, considering that many of them really don't have much at all. So, they have inspired me in many ways.

Last Friday night I was able to go to a church in Manila and help with a "Feed the Hungry" program. This was perhaps the highlight of my trip so far, because there have been few times in my life when I have felt that kind of joy. It was such an honor to serve Him in this way. God is so good!

So, I know I am leaving a thousand things out but this will have to do for now! I will be traveling with Pastor Holmes (the Missionary here) to a mountain province, this Wednesday, which is about six hours north of Manila. There is an extension Bible School there where he will teach and minister and I am so privileged to tag along! I will be here for 3 1/2 weeks before I head off to Spain to see what God is doing there! Anyhoo, I hope this helped you to see what God and I are up to over here! Please pray and God bless you!

Emmanuel

Part 1!

Hello everybody! I have been in the Philippines for a week and a half now and it has been a wonderful experince so far! My flight left on January 9th from Syracuse to JFK (NYC) and then I was off to my next stop, Dubai! I slept as we flew over the Atlantic and when I woke up we were flying over Holland, about ready to cross over Germany. I was so blessed with a window seat, and it was just too exciting seeing all the lights of Europe! So then, in the early hours of the morning, my flight entered into the Middle East! There are mountains upon mountains of sand as far as you can see and I saw the sun rise over the desert of Saudi Arabia. Once we landed in Dubai, I realized how far away from home I was, and also, how excited I was with this opportunity to see the world!

I left Dubai on my last flight to Manila (Philippines) at approximately 10:45 Saturday morning! One of the most wonderful parts of the flight over here was seeing the sun set over the South China Sea. It was the most amazing sunset I have ever seen! And because we were 35,000 ft. up the Horizon line went on and on forever; so far that I could see the curvature of the earth! It was incredible!

There is so much more I want to tell you, but it will have to wait because they are about to turn off the lights and lock up the school so I have to get to my room. I will write again this weekend to tell you what is happening now that i am here!

God bless

Emmanuel (Gal. 6:14)