Off to the Philippines (1 of 8)

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"We are not simply to bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself." Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6

Amy and I are en route today to the Philippines February 10-22 to serve with Compassion International, Hawaiian Islands Ministries and First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu.

We will begin our experience in Manila as a part of the Hawaiian Islands Ministries (HIM) team, where we will lead a conference for about 75 staff of Compassion International in the Philippines. I will be giving a plenary talk and Amy and I will do one workshop together on growing your marriage and another on gifting and calling in ministry. 

The HIM Conference (himonline.org) in Honolulu has been a great encouragement to Amy and me over the last decade, where 4000 meet for encouragement and equipping. We are happy to partner with Pastor Dan Chun and his team to bring encouragement to others.

More than 50 of us will take part in activities aimed at meeting the needs of communities served by Life Church and Compassion International. There will be a Medical Team for children and family members served through Compassion Child Development projects and Life Church, and  a Community Service Team who will work side-by-side with local church and community members to improve facilities in support of Life Church long-term community outreach programs and Compassion International (compassion.org) which supports 1 million children through sponsorships worldwide to end the cycle of poverty through education, health, job and life skills and developing faith.

We will serve on the Pastors Conference Team in Puerto Princesa. HIM in partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu and Life Church of Puerto Princesa will be conducting a 3-day conference to equip and encourage more than 500 local pastors and leaders in their ministries. For more information on the church to church partnership, you can view this video https://vimeo.com/42444429

We are praying for our talks, that God would break through cultural barriers and the challenges of translation to bring hope and encouragement. 

...for our eyes to be open to see what God is doing through the partnership between First Pres Honolulu and Life Church, through the work of Compassion International, and among the different team members.

...for health, energy and good times of rest in between.

 For information on making a difference through sponsorship: http://www.compassion.com/solanapres

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