The World’s Best Mom!

Do you feel your Mom is the best one in the world? I hope so! That’s definitely how my brother and I feel toward our dear Mother and just recently, she celebrated her birthday. God has truly blessed our family with the Mother we have and this is a tribute to her!

Not everyone has a special mother, who deeply cares,

One that is able to listen, give advice, and dry all tears.

Not everyone has a mother that's always there to give,

And who will sacrifice anything for her children to live.

Not everyone has mother that can be serious or laugh,

Or knows when to give insights for living and maybe a half!

Not everyone has a mother interested in every aspect,

Yet is willing to move past mistakes- forgive and reaccept.

Not everyone has a mother willing to give Godly advice,

Even if she knows she may have to repeat herself twice.

Not everyone has a mother that puts her children first,

Or will sit by their bed late at night for them to be nursed.

Not everyone has a mother whose main attribute is ‘selfless’

Willing to put aside personal wants to support the helpless.

Not everyone has a mother with a big heart for each other,

Even if the person she just met is not her actual blood brother.

Not every mother can be beautiful on the inside and out,

But this mother is, and is the most genuine without a doubt.

Not every mother can be non-judgmental yet thrifty with money,

Interested in what we enjoy with a sense of humor that's so funny.

Not every mother has a smile that’s contagious as her laughter,

Yet loves unconditionally with a love we all want to take after.

Not every mother is practical with a million talents plus more,

Yet will share each talent with anyone who comes to her door.

Not every mother has a child that loves in return,

And would do anything to see her with no concern.

Not every mother has a child that appreciates her,

But today, each of your kids wants you to look past the blur,

And rest assured that your kids, if they could go back in life-

Would not have a mother like you any other way.

Happy Birthday to one who always makes our day.

Happy Birthday, Mother dear! :)

 

Bible studies!

What a joy and privilege it is to share God’s Word with those around us! The joy of giving a Bible study is truly exhilarating! If you don’t know what I mean, you just have to try it! Go out and give a Bible study to someone and just see how excited you will be!

Here at PAFCOE, our students learn the techniques, methods and theories of giving Bible studies. But instead of just getting all the head knowledge, they also have the chance to practice giving Bible studies to people in the nearby community. It’s been amazing to see how many of them have Bible studies and what God is doing through them! 

The following are some of their stories:

“There was a Chinese man who slammed the door in our face when he saw my partner and I. I was shocked because we had greeted him politely and with a smile. Suddenly in the middle of it all, the cutest dog ran out of the gate and the man didn’t want to let his pet run away, so of course, he had no other choice but to open the door and run after the little dog. We were at the entrance and the dog started jumping and wagging his tail. I love dogs, so I commented on his dog and he ended up talking to us after all. His countenance changed. God used that cute little dog and inspired me through it! Nothing is impossible with God!”

Sometimes God uses unexpected circumstances to lead others to know more about Him! That little dog was the key to help the master listen to the students! Another student said:

“This week during outreach, we met a man from an infamous religious sect. He welcomed us and began sharing his faith with us. We invited him to do Bible studies and he agreed. He was praising God that we came to give him Bible studies, because just the day before, one of his friends gave him a Bible. He told us that now he could study the lesson with his new Bible!”

How did the students just “happen” to meet this man just after he had received his new Bible? God had guided them to that man to help him learn more about the Bible! Here’s what another student said:

“When we went to do the Bible study this week, our interest asked if she could bring 2 more friends to study with us. This showed she was really excited about the study and really enjoyed the previous one! Being part of God’s work is such a privilege and we end up getting far more blessed than our interest! When we are connected to God through prayer, nothing is really too difficult for Him, though it may appear that way to us.”

Yes, you go to share with someone, to be an encouragement to them, to help them and to bless them, what happens? You even up getting a huge blessing yourself, too!

Of course, the devil is not happy with anyone sharing God’s Word with anyone else, so he tries to bring in distractions. Here’s what one student commented:

“When we are doing our Bible study this week, there was a dog that started barking and barking and just wouldn’t be quiet. So when I started the Bible study, I prayed to God to shut up the mouth of the dog so we could hear one another. Then little by little, the dog became quiet and we praise God for the 3 people who listened to the Bible study!”

Later on he said:

“When we were going to Bible studies this week, the rain was falling so heavily. Our interest’s house had a ceiling that was basically just plastic only – but plastic with lots of holes in it! So while we did the Bible study, the rain drops fell on us and my Bible got wet, but we just continued on and finished the study. As we left the study to go back to the church, we realized we had only one umbrella for the 2 of us and it was far too small so we got very, very wet. But thank God because despite the heavy rain and being so wet, we had a Bible study and we didn’t get sick, either!”

That same rainy week, another student said:

“I’m so happy for the outreach this week! Even though it rained heavily and my shirt, shoes, socks and pants were so wet, I knew that this is part of the work of ministering to others, to win them to Jesus!”

You never know who you might meet! Here’s what one student said:

“I was so inspired with the old woman that we met in our site. She’s already 88 years old and I’m so amazed that even though she’s old, she can still read and see the small letters without using glasses. I was so inspired with her because even despite her age, she’s still willing to study the Bible and wants to answer the lesson we gave her. We saw her willingness and faith in God in her.”

Her partner commenting on the same lady said:

“I was so inspired meeting that 88 year old lady. She was sitting on a parked tricycle when we approached her. She listened to what I was saying with a big welcoming smile on her face. But to our amazement, she can still read clearly without glasses! We spent several minutes talking with her and felt impressed to offer to do Bible studies with her. So we left her the lesson and prayed with her. Then several houses away, while I was waiting for my partner, I looked back to the old woman and saw that she was reading the lesson! God bless that lady!”

And once someone learns something new, they love to share it with others as did another lady:

“Our Bible study interest has been so interested! As my partner shared the study, I saw the Holy Spirit work in her heart. She later called the rest of her staff members to join us and listen too. God answered our prayers; not only was she inspired, but was encouraging her staff members to learn too! God provided us that day with listening ears and hearts that not only heard the message but shared it with others. Praise God for what He did that day!”

God really provides the strength to work for Him! One student said:

“I got a big lesson this week because I had many events happen to me that I did not expect. Sometimes I feel so weak, but I forced myself to go out for outreach and work for others. And I was so amazed that I felt so good after an hour and that my weakness was all gone!”

One student said:

“Have 3 Bible studies in one day is the best experience I have ever had since I came to PAFCOE! Sharing God’s Word and being blessed while doing it is a great experience! I would love to continue doing it!”

You really have to try it if you have never experienced giving a Bible study! It’s truly one of the best things you can ever do!

Let the children come…

Some of the students with the children they picked up every night.

“Let the children come,” said Jesus to the disciples who were seeking to drive away the mothers and their children who had come to see Jesus. Jesus loves children and loves to see them learn to love Him!

When we started our evangelistic meeting here at the Manila Center SDA Church, we included a children’s program. Many invitations were handed out inviting people to come to the seminar and the free children’s program was included.

However, the first night came and we had very few children – mostly SDA children. All children are special and we were glad for who came, but we decided it would be nice to have more children to work with! After a few days, several of our students noticed an area not too far away that had lots and lots of children!

So arrangements were made and permission was gained from the parents and here came lots and lots of children – brought in by our students! In one night, our attendance drastically increased! These were street children and it took them a little time to get used to the rules of the program, but they learned fast!

Commenting on some of these children, one student said, “It was a miserable week for me because of getting sick. My cough made me so I could not speak very well and also made me very weak and this made me so upset at times. But coming to the children’s program and seeing the children brought me lots of joy. I was in charge of a group of these street children. The next night, I was switched to another group. But a boy from my previous group liked to sit with me. And his teacher called him back to his group. But every time when the children stood up to sing, he got a chance to move toward me a little – until he moved right beside me. It was so funny! No matter which group I was assigned to, he would come and sit with me and then he and his friends started bringing me candy or biscuits every night as a token of their love and friendship. I love those wild street children and got lots of joy from them!”

Every night that we had a meeting found several students going to that area to find the children, load them up in a jeepney or tricycle and bring them to the meetings. And how the children loved to be there! At our program, they found love and security and kindness (along with learning to follow the rules). Their singing was so enthusiastic and full of energy and every night, the children inspired us teachers!

One student who goes every night to get the kids said this: “I learned many lessons from those children that we picked up every night. When we go to get them in their homes, we really need to be kind to them and have lots of patience! But I’m so blessed with them! Even if it’s pouring rain outside, they are so excited to come to the meeting and learn more about Jesus!”

Another student commented:

“My partner and I tried to visit the homes of some children to ask the parents’ permission to bring their children to the evening meetings. We visited the house of Joshua (one of the children) and we met his family. We did a health survey with them. While we were doing the survey, it was raining. After we talked to them for awhile, we had to go back to the church for the seminar and when we opened the door of their house, I was shocked! We are surrounded by a flood of water. So we took off our sock and shoes and rolled up our pants and walked in the flood. People smiled at us and we smiled back. We were so wet when we reached the church, but so happy to be doing God’s work! And in Joshua's house (because of him – the child), we got a Bible study!”

Children are so open to the gospel! One student said:

“While we were doing health surveys, one young boy invited us to their home to do the survey. I was so inspired because the boy was so receptive! The grandma definitely was not! The child was enthusiastic and bubbly and most importantly, open to the message! I was so inspired to teach kids because of so many positive traits they have! If they are given love and kindness, most will turn out to be sweet, humble, caring and innocent.”

As we staff and the students have worked with these street children, we have been so inspired by their enthusiasm for learning God’s Word! Many of them are sharing with their parents and families the truths they are learning and we never know what God will do through those children!

“It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years. They need to be educated in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ.” Desire of Ages, page 515.

Work for the children, friends! Let them come to Jesus to be changed by His power! :)

God’s Scheduling

How often do you follow God’s schedule? So often we are so concerned with the things that we think need to be done and God is patiently trying to get our attention to show us that His plan is truly best and that we ought to follow it.

One week, my partner and I had several disappointments when we went out on outreach – only to find out that God had better plans for us than we realized at the moment. As we were getting ready for outreach, one of our interests texted us that she would be unable to study that week because the plumbers were in her house and she just couldn’t invite us into a mess like that. So we thought, “Oh, great! One study cancelled.”

We had found a young man interested in doing Bible studies and that day were passing that study off to a team of guys to be the ones to continue the studies. So my partner and I and 2 guys went to our territory. When we reached his place, he told us that unfortunately, his boss was there at the time and though he’d really like to study, he just couldn’t with his boss there. He promised to let us study with him another time. So there was another cancelled study.

My partner studying with the Grandam (sorry the quality is bad - I took it with my phone)

What was God’s plan for us? We didn’t have long to find out. 

Well, we had one more study with an old Grandma. We always sat outside on the sidewalk for this study and she always enjoyed our visits. When we reached the house of the old Grandma that we always study with, she told us that her son was very sick. Very sick. It just “happened” that one of the guys who were with us was a nurse.

He asked to see the very sick son and the rest of us waited outside. When he returned, he told us that the man really was very sick and probably had TB (tuberculosis). He and his partner returned to the classroom to get the needed medicines and materials for treating the sick man and my partner and I did our Bible study with the old Grandma. The study went well and as we visited with the Grandma while waiting for the guys to return, we found out more about her. She has 9 kids and they all live with her in that house in different “apartments.” Most are married or have a “partner” and all have kids and grandkids. It’s a huge family!

She then told us how grateful she was for us being willing to help them because they were very poor and couldn’t afford to take the sick son to the hospital and he had been laying there sick for more than a year! Poor man! I had also noticed that the rest of the family members just totally ignored us. They didn’t mind us studying with the old Grandma but they were not interested themselves.

After some time, the two guys returned and went inside and invited us to come along. My partner and I followed them inside and when I saw the sick man, Junior, I really wanted to cry. He was literally skin and bones and that’s it. He was so sick. The nurse examined him more closely and saw that one of his feet was extremely swollen and he was unable to move his legs very well.

The sick man with our student.

They applied a charcoal poultice on his swollen foot and taught the family members how to make it so they could continue doing it for him. Junior is only 47 years old, but he looks like 60 something. He can hardly speak and just lays on the couch all day long. His family members were so grateful for someone to care for them and help them. We instructed them in the things to eat and not eat and prayed with them. My heart was really touched as I realized in what terrible conditions many people live in.

The next day, the 2 guys returned to check on their new “patient.” The nurse said this: “This week we treated a patient who has TB with a swollen foot. We saw that the patient really needed our help. While administering the treatment, I was so inspired to see that the patient was emotionally relieved because he somehow felt that there are people in the world who cared for him. But above all, we told him that God is the one motivating us to do this for Him and God loves him so much. I was reminded of Jesus’ compassion as I looked at our bed-ridden patient who was very thin, uncomfortable and so desperately in need of care.”

The other student said this: “I was really inspired this week after we went to the house of the man who has TB. This poor man was bed-ridden and literally a man of just “bones” who speaks with a whispering voice. He is so weak and his right foot is very swollen. We brought him apple and tomato juice, but he refused to drink it. Then my partner gave him a sponge bath while I prepared the charcoal poultice for his foot. Then I gave him a banana to eat, smiled and asked him to drink the juice we brought for him. He agreed this time. He and his family were so happy we came and we prayed with them before we left.”

Then he added: “It teaches me so much of what you will gain in return if you will do such things to help others. We must learn how to mingle with the sick, even if they seem to be close-minded and this is simply because of the hopelessness of their disease. Yet after you minister to them, you will see their smile and happiness and that is truly priceless!”

It was only after we had made friends with the Grandma and done about 3 studies with her (i.e. won her confidence) that she shared with us the problems in their family. What a testimony to following Christ’s method!

We are told: “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” Ministry of Healing, page 143.

Yes, we had disappointments that day, but God had a perfect plan arranged! His scheduling is far better than ours!

Since then, the two students have been returning every other day or so to continue treating the sick man. Now he is requesting that they do Bible studies with him! Other members of the family are also getting interested in learning more from the Bible, simply because we cared about them and their problems!

Follow Christ’s methods, friends! It really works!