The flights were long- Portland to San Francisco to Tokyo to Manila- but gave me a chance to read 2/3 of Steps to Christ again, hand out lots of Zeke DVDs and literature, take lots of naps, jog in place a few times at the back of the airplane and eat more vegetarian meals than I should have. There were no real hitches along the way and lots of friendly people.

After clearing immigration and customs by 11:30pm Wednesday night

The Quiet Hour and ShareHim work in a very close partnership with evangelism meetings in general and these major date blocks there in Philippines in particular.The Quiet Hour is funding these blocks to the tune of nearly $200,000. The North American Division, NPUC and others are also putting in funding, but it would help us if you could INCLUDE THE QUIET HOUR IN YOUR UPDATE REPORTS AND E-MAILS to help in getting the word to folk who have and will support these meetings with their donations.

You may send blog links or copies of e-mails to your family and friends to evangelism@TheQuietHour.org, and we’ll edit/format them for our website. Then look for your reports at http://www.thequiethour.org/evan/philippines/2008/home.php. We already have e-mails from NAD president Schneider and The Quiet Hour’s CEO Mike Porter. Join them! You’ll be in good company.

Thanks for your help on this and please know we’re praying for the meetings - and for Pr. Patzer - every morning at our office worship.

Grace and peace,
Christy K. Robinson
The Quiet Hour Communications

Linda Shaver writes–

God is STILL always at Work!! A week and a half before leaving to speak in the Philippines, I agree with Pastor Dan Serns that when preparing to go on a mission trip, the unexpected is “All part of the training!!”

Here’s my story: On Sabbath afternoon (March 1st), a friend and I went on a hike called Angel’s Rest which is along the gorge on the Oregon side. After finishing the hike we went back to my friend’s car to leave only to discover that the back passenger window of her car had been busted out. Since she had a hatch back and no trunk we hid both of our purses under a jacket behind the seat. Now all that was left was pieces of glass scattered everywhere. For me it was a surreal moment filled with mixed feelings of vulnerability and gratitude. I was thankful that it was just possessions and could have been much worse. In my purse were my keys, brand new cell phone, new camera, wallet (including my social security card) and a check for over $1,000. My friend had her car keys, so in her purse was her wallet and cell phone. I found myself without a phone, and no way to get access to my car, money, or home.

Whenever you plan a mission trip you can guarantee that the unexpected will happen! Here are two major hurdles we have faced (and we haven’t even left yet!)–

• A few months ago we had to shift to an entirely different part of the Philippines (from the southern island of Mindanao to San Pablo City, a few hours south of Manila on the island of Luzon).
• Jere Patzer and wife Sue, who each planned to present a series of Bible meetings, had to cancel two weeks before the meetings started because of unforseen health issues. (see http://www.gleaneronline.org/news.html?wsnID=11210&cat=12)

But God has opened the door for this mission trip to go forward and for the Adventist message to be preached in twenty-one cities, towns and villages. Whenever the unexpected happens on a mission trip we like to say “It’s all part of the training!” What training? The training that the Lord gives us to prepare us for eternity with Him!

In March 2008 we plan to post the stories of God at work in us, through us and around us on this mission adventure. Please come back to the “Posts” page then, and please pray for us in the meantime. And join us if you can!