Thursday, August 21, 2014
Last night Autumn, Sharon, and I stayed in a room in a pension/resort in Puertobello, Tudella, Camotes. This morning we had a devotional together from Luke. Afterwards, we went to Daan Paz for a baby dedication. I was asked to speak and then dedicate two babies to the Lord. One of the babies belongs to Nathaniel and AnAn Locaylocay. Nathaniel is very special to me. He has been working with me since 2006 when he was a young, Bible college student at the age of 16 years old. Now, he is one of our D2D team members in Camotes, is married and has two children. It has been a blessing for me to watch Nathaniel grow as a Christian and as a servant of the Lord. He is so passionate about sharing God's Word and making disciples. He and his wife are assigned in Pilar, Camotes. They both are overseeing projects to repair schools, including DapDap Elementary, Montserrat Elementary, and DapDap National High School.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Autumn, Sharon, and I took off for the Camotes Islands today. We rode the 9am boat so that we could arrive there in time to go to Puertobello National High School for a 1pm film showing. We brought the car loaded with speakers, an amplifier/mixer, projector, and computer along with microphones and lots of wires.
We are doing a BGR project here at the high school to repair damage to buildings from last year's Typhoon Yolanda. Because of our help to her school, the principal has allowed and continues to allow us to share God's Word through film showings and values classes. Our American Nehemiah team was allowed to stay on the school campus for the months of June and July. The American Nehemiah team was able to share God's word a lot during their stay at the high school. Brady, Brandon, and Caleb, along with their Filipino translators (Algie and Matt), were able to build close relationships with many students, and were able to baptize a few of them.
Today, we showed the film Alpha and Omega to about 250 students. The film is in Cebuano, and has different parts that show the sinfulness and rebellion of mankind against God. Then, the film shows parts of the Jesus film, and scenes of the Great White throne judgement. Overall, it gives a strong gospel presentation. Afterwards, I asked Algie to review and recap the film with the students and then share the gospel. We don't know how many truly put their faith in Christ this day, but we believe God is doing a great work in the lives of these students. We anticipate a great harvest in the days ahead. We are so grateful for the presence of the Nehemiah team here, and their ministry to these students.
Later, in the evening, we had a great praise, fellowship, and prayer time with our awesome national partners, D2D team. What an awesome privilege to work with these servants of the Lord!
We are doing a BGR project here at the high school to repair damage to buildings from last year's Typhoon Yolanda. Because of our help to her school, the principal has allowed and continues to allow us to share God's Word through film showings and values classes. Our American Nehemiah team was allowed to stay on the school campus for the months of June and July. The American Nehemiah team was able to share God's word a lot during their stay at the high school. Brady, Brandon, and Caleb, along with their Filipino translators (Algie and Matt), were able to build close relationships with many students, and were able to baptize a few of them.
Today, we showed the film Alpha and Omega to about 250 students. The film is in Cebuano, and has different parts that show the sinfulness and rebellion of mankind against God. Then, the film shows parts of the Jesus film, and scenes of the Great White throne judgement. Overall, it gives a strong gospel presentation. Afterwards, I asked Algie to review and recap the film with the students and then share the gospel. We don't know how many truly put their faith in Christ this day, but we believe God is doing a great work in the lives of these students. We anticipate a great harvest in the days ahead. We are so grateful for the presence of the Nehemiah team here, and their ministry to these students.
Later, in the evening, we had a great praise, fellowship, and prayer time with our awesome national partners, D2D team. What an awesome privilege to work with these servants of the Lord!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Illinois Team from Grace Southern Baptist Church helps in typhoon relief
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| Repairing the end wall of classroom that was destroyed by the typhoon |
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| Andrea working near the roof |
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| Maggie and Mofie assisting in sawing plywood |
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| Mofie assisting in masonry |
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| Installing ceiling in classroom after damage by typhoon |
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| Preparation for hollow block wall |
Saturday, August 9, 2014
On Saturday morning, I sent off 5 Bible college students and one prospective student to Dumanjug for weekend ministry. These 6 young men all love Jesus and have a great committment to follow and serve Jesus Christ.
Later, I went to northern Cebu and got Albert xrayed in Bogo. Albert is one of our D2D team members, who had an accident on his motorbike on Friday night. A dog suddenly appeared and ran across his path causing Albert to fall off his motorbike. He has a swollen and bruised knee. We thank the Lord for protecting him from a worse injury.
Later, I visited Toong Elementary in San Remegio where our volunteer Illinois team is helping repair classrooms that were damaged during the typhoon. What a blessing these volunteers are to us and the school. After talking to the principal of the school, the team is going to buy a needed computer for the students. The last functional computer was damaged by Typhoon Yolanda, and since then the students have not had a computer to learn on.
Later, I went to northern Cebu and got Albert xrayed in Bogo. Albert is one of our D2D team members, who had an accident on his motorbike on Friday night. A dog suddenly appeared and ran across his path causing Albert to fall off his motorbike. He has a swollen and bruised knee. We thank the Lord for protecting him from a worse injury.
Later, I visited Toong Elementary in San Remegio where our volunteer Illinois team is helping repair classrooms that were damaged during the typhoon. What a blessing these volunteers are to us and the school. After talking to the principal of the school, the team is going to buy a needed computer for the students. The last functional computer was damaged by Typhoon Yolanda, and since then the students have not had a computer to learn on.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Today I visited Pilar in the Camotes where we are repairing 2 elementary schools, DapDap and Monsterrat.
I thank God for letting me share his Word to the 61 Filipino workers. I shared the story from Matthew 7:24-27. After visiting Pilar, Grobert, who was one of our translators for the American Nehemiah team, accompanied me back to the main Camotes Islands where we visited other schools that we are repairing, including Puertobello National High School in Tudella and San Jose National High School and Libertad Elementary School in Poro.
I was able to share my testimony and the importance of making Jesus Lord to the workers in our school projects in San Jose and Libertad. Some made comments about how this time blessed them and challenged them.
I thank God for letting me share his Word to the 61 Filipino workers. I shared the story from Matthew 7:24-27. After visiting Pilar, Grobert, who was one of our translators for the American Nehemiah team, accompanied me back to the main Camotes Islands where we visited other schools that we are repairing, including Puertobello National High School in Tudella and San Jose National High School and Libertad Elementary School in Poro.
I was able to share my testimony and the importance of making Jesus Lord to the workers in our school projects in San Jose and Libertad. Some made comments about how this time blessed them and challenged them.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Some of our BGR projects to repair damaged school classrooms
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Almost completely repaired roof of daycare center in Tabuelan
Entire wall of classroom at Toong Elementary, San Remegio destroyed in typhoon.
Inside computer classroom Puertobello National High School after demolition of damaged roof from Typhoon Yolanda
Puertobello National High School, Tudella Camotes after demolition of damaged roof of computer classroom
Inside View damaged roof Toong Elementary classroom, Tabuelan
Monday, July 21, 2014
Hello there, people of the internet, I am Autumn Sigrest and I am going to let you in a little story of mine.
Ever heard of a typhoon?
Yeah, the big whoosy things in the sky.
Basically an Asian hurricane, but we can't call it that, because we're rebels who want original names.
So, now that we got the basic information down, let's move on to the story.
So there I was, a unprepared 16-year-old, facing "The worst typhoon in 30 years!"
huddled up against the corner of my not-so-sturdy cabin. Wind gusting, rain pouring, and cold air threatened to end my existence. But we'll get to that in a little while, first I want to tell you the whole back story on this.
Why was I in a typhoon to begin with? Well the answer is simple. I was at camp. No way out of it. Or at least that's what they wanted us to believe... Which we did.. Who is they? They, are the counselors. Don't get me wrong the counselors are not bad in any way. The were just as unaware of the disaster that would soon strike as anyone. The reason why no one really warned us is 1. They didn't want to frighten us. 2. They had no idea how bad it was going to be.. No one did...
We were going about our usual camp activities, having a blast. Then during lunch an announcement was made. "We have word that there might be a bit of a storm coming, but everything will go as planned."
I looked at the girls who were staying in my cabin, slightly confused.
"We'll just move our bunks away from the windows. No big deal."
"Ewww I hope we don't get all wet"
"I heard last storm a boy woke up soaking wet."
"I hope that won't be us"
I sat there and listened. Still not exactly sure what was going on.
Later that night, I was getting ready for bed, as usual, but this time. It was raining, and the wind was blowing, still nothing to be concerned about though. So I went on to sleep.
I then awoke with a loud banging noise, and wind howling. It was cray-cray. There was the deep rumble you could hear. It grew and grew until. BAM! A giant gust of wind blasted inside our screen windows. The banging noise you say? Oh right. That was the door. The wind was so strong that it blew the door straight open. One of the girls screamed. Then a counselor rushed towards the door and closed it shut, but tying some rope around it. Another blast of wind, coming with cold rain, splashing against our entire cabin. Leaving it soaked. Us soaked. Then there was a thud. Another thud. Another, and another, and another. Coconuts? Right? No. Coconut trees! Everywhere. Falling, unable to handle the shear power of the typhoon.
Finally the storm died down, and I was left to live another day. No one was injured from camp, not even a single tree fell upon a cabin. An act of God no doubt.
Ever heard of a typhoon?
Yeah, the big whoosy things in the sky.
Basically an Asian hurricane, but we can't call it that, because we're rebels who want original names.
So, now that we got the basic information down, let's move on to the story.
So there I was, a unprepared 16-year-old, facing "The worst typhoon in 30 years!"
huddled up against the corner of my not-so-sturdy cabin. Wind gusting, rain pouring, and cold air threatened to end my existence. But we'll get to that in a little while, first I want to tell you the whole back story on this.
Why was I in a typhoon to begin with? Well the answer is simple. I was at camp. No way out of it. Or at least that's what they wanted us to believe... Which we did.. Who is they? They, are the counselors. Don't get me wrong the counselors are not bad in any way. The were just as unaware of the disaster that would soon strike as anyone. The reason why no one really warned us is 1. They didn't want to frighten us. 2. They had no idea how bad it was going to be.. No one did...
We were going about our usual camp activities, having a blast. Then during lunch an announcement was made. "We have word that there might be a bit of a storm coming, but everything will go as planned."
I looked at the girls who were staying in my cabin, slightly confused.
"We'll just move our bunks away from the windows. No big deal."
"Ewww I hope we don't get all wet"
"I heard last storm a boy woke up soaking wet."
"I hope that won't be us"
I sat there and listened. Still not exactly sure what was going on.
Later that night, I was getting ready for bed, as usual, but this time. It was raining, and the wind was blowing, still nothing to be concerned about though. So I went on to sleep.
I then awoke with a loud banging noise, and wind howling. It was cray-cray. There was the deep rumble you could hear. It grew and grew until. BAM! A giant gust of wind blasted inside our screen windows. The banging noise you say? Oh right. That was the door. The wind was so strong that it blew the door straight open. One of the girls screamed. Then a counselor rushed towards the door and closed it shut, but tying some rope around it. Another blast of wind, coming with cold rain, splashing against our entire cabin. Leaving it soaked. Us soaked. Then there was a thud. Another thud. Another, and another, and another. Coconuts? Right? No. Coconut trees! Everywhere. Falling, unable to handle the shear power of the typhoon.
Finally the storm died down, and I was left to live another day. No one was injured from camp, not even a single tree fell upon a cabin. An act of God no doubt.
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