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)