Day 13

“It will be simply amazing.”  These are the very words that came out of Robbie Ching’s mouth as we had our last meeting before our missions trip.  It was very surreal and hard to grasp the fact that we would travel thousands of miles to touch the lives of people we did not know.  As you have been reading, God blew our expectations out of the waters as many accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.  It did not stop there; many were connected with Victory Church in Iloilo waiting to become solid disciples of Christ. 

                I miss my new family.  They have truly impacted my life and opened my eyes to a new level of faith.  More importantly, I saw the splendor and glory of Christ as I witnessed a new generation of leaders saying I do to their God given purpose and will in their lives.

We just arrived in the Honolulu airport and dragging our jet-lagged selves out of customs, dreaming of our own beds.  We shout hooray as we think in the back of our minds, “I can’t wait to surf!” (Maybe that’s just me.)  Whatever the case, the reality is, we will never see this life the same way ever again.  There are too many times where I get too caught up in the “next time” mentality.  Well, there is one life to live; One God to live for.  Are you with me when I say, STICK TO ONE.  From the Mang Inasal to the smiles of those who found the Lord for the first time, I would like to say that this year’s Philippine mission was “simply amazing.”

B2k out

Day 9

Central Philippines University (at the gazebo)

Western Visayas University of Science & Technology

Wow!  Where do I begin?  God has seriously done some amazing stuff as we’ve progressed through this trip…  I’m so blessed and proud of each person a part of this team, as God has really streteched us all in ways that I know we’ve never experienced: reaching out on campus, speaking for services,  leading around 50 students and counting to the Lord, dancing hula (hahahaha!), adapting to new cultures and foods… the list goes on….

Last night was kind of the culmination of hours and hours and hours of reaching out on the campus, building relationships, drawing the “bridge illustration” I don’t know how many times, and pouring our hearts and lives into the people of Iloilo.  We had our “Hawaiian night” with hula , a special DVD that Mai put together before the trip, Stan and Mike rapping, JayRey and Mike preaching, an unbelievable altar call by Coach and closing prayer by Pastor Keith.  It’s impossible to express the work that God was doing, I believe in both our hearts as well as the 280+ people in the church building.

Friday Night Youth "Hawaiian" Service

Friday Night Youth Service

Just to give you a little background…the Friday night service in Iloilo regularly has about 60-70 people in attendance, so the nearly 300 people attending surpassed any service that the church has ever had.  Of course numbers are insignificant compared to the anointing and power that filled the room… Along with the pastors and leadership team of the church, our team was awestruck….

Now we pray that those who came will come back again next Friday… Oh! And there’s still another 3 sunday services tomorrow… yaay! I’m excited!

University of the Philippines Students

Personally this trip has been such a blessing to me I almost feel selfish to be a part of it… haha!! One girl imparticular had fallen away from God after growing up with parents that were church leaders.  After our first meeting on Tuesday (Or Wednesday…orrrrr Monday?? haha! they’re all blending together at this point…) she had a dream that night that the world was ending and knew that she needed to do something about the life that she was living.  The following day, I met with her and some friends, and just reading the prayer from the One 2 One book, broke down in tears, and chose to recommit her life.  Woohoo!!   Simply seamless, yet totally orchestrated by God…

There are really sooooo many stories but the moment that brought everything together was last night during (Senior) Pastor Keith’s prayer as he prayed that each person would reach one person on their campus… eventually reaching all of Iloilo… How amazing that despite culture, ocean, and language, Grace Bible and our new Iloilo family share a similar heart…that each one would reach one… bringing Jesus to every people group in every generation in every nation…

Wow God!!

Malia

Day 8

Divine Opportunities

Another beautiful day here in iloilo city. The weather is great! the rain and thunder is finally gone.

Bright and early we all woke up at 7am or earlier. Got ready, washed up and headed to Pastor Coach’s room to pray and debrief from the previous day. We broke up into groups of 3 and prayed for connections that we had made and the campus that were about to head into.

We headed out at about 9:30am to the first campus: John B. which is a merchant seamen and women. The school consists of mostly men. There were women too but not as much as men. We spread out within the campus. we mostly stayed in the cafe/gym area where some students were eating. Jian and I went towards a bunch of high schoolers that were sitting on some school desks eating their snacks. She introduced me and said I was from Hawaii, when she said Hawaii all of their faces lit up lik a light! and they started to ask many questions. I was shocked at first to see how interested they were in where  came from. We startd talking and most of them were about 16 years old (4 year in high school). When we ll were conversating, sinvce they were talking about hawaii I brought up our Hawaii night on friday they were all very interested in coming and said they want to come! it was truely amazing! so jian and I said we would met them at SM citi mall on friday before service starts. There was about 9 to 10 of them that want to come, so we got their numbers and e-mails to contact them A lot of the other guys were really getting into talking to some boys.

Some of the girls from John B University

We left that campus and headed to jollibee where ps. coach, mai, and malia. They were talking with other young women as well. We ate then left to go to West Visaya University. We were accompanied by some of the iloilo church members. We headed towards the hang out benches under the trees where we saw a lot of people sitting and talking. Julynn was sitting with 4 girls on a table and for some reason I felt lead to go and see who those girls were. I went up to the tabl and introduced myself. They seemed very open and friendly. So at first we started to build the relationship, asking where they live and what is their major and etc. It was very nice hearing about their lives Then Julynn started to dig deeper asking if they were to die tomorrow where would they go, and most of them were not sure. But they all wanted to go to heaven. Right there was an open space for us to start sharing out testimonies. Its kind of funny how we started. Julynn brought out her hawaii ID and was showing them so I did too. They asked how old I was when I  took my pic in my ID and I said about 4 years ago in my (Before Christ) days. Julynn was smart to say “oh yes, chelsey why don’t you explain how you use to be before. So I started to share my testimony on how I use to be and tied it in on how I came to know Christ. When I said my mom was healed they all were truely in awe. Then one thng lead to another and Julynn asked if they think they want Jesus Christ in their hearts. They all said yes! It was so amazing, truely and utterly amazing. Sadly they can not come to hawaii night on friday but Julynn and I are going to meet up with them at SM citi mall on saturday yay! This is all by God’s will, and I personally is in awe of his timing and opportunity that he sets up everuy single day. I’ve learned that it’s not just about bringing them to service but really learning to plant that seed, that will intend grow to something greater

Much aloha from IloIlo,

Chelsey Takushi

At the entrance of John B Campus

Day 7

Living on a Prayer

…We gotta hold on… we’re half way there! Wow! God has definitely been awesome in this journey, this mission. The power of prayer is becoming more and more evident as we approach the end of our trip. At times when we become weary, sick, frustrated, whatevers, we lift it up to God and pray for the person/people being affected. Like a strike of lightning God answers. His goodness surely endures through all of the obstacles on the road.

Today started off as a challenge, the enemy pressed on us today cutting off two of our members. The two stayed back to rest because it was what was best for the team… So we prayed…

Bethany High School Students & Auntie Ruby

1000 – We headed to Bethany High School. The school was ran by one of the members of Victory Iloilo and was consisted of about 150 people, students and staff. We went into the school prepared for whatever was at hand. So we split into four teams; 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, and 4th year. The teams had members of both Hawaii and Iloilo working hand and hand. The students were very curious as to what we were there for and that allowed us to be very flexible with our strategies into reaching each grade level. Some tools we used were testimonies, games, cheers, illustrations, and sharing of gifts (Brandon played a set using a composition book, 3 empty bottles, a table, and pens). After our individual presentations we broke up into Small Groups. At this point team Hawaii backed off some and allowed Iloilo to shine. Shine they did, the leaders of Iloilo got to connect with the students and we got to witness God’s plan taking place, our mission was to assist not score. We played as Pippen dishing the ball to Jordan, allowing number 23 to make a spectacular play. It was what Robby would say “Simply AMAZING.” Tears were falling and at the end of it all numerous young lives accepted Jesus as their Savior!

1200 – Halftime… We headed to Pastor Rommel’s house (Victory Iloilo’s Youth Pastor) to have some time of reflection and prayer. During this time Kuya Mel(P. Rommel) expressed how much they appreciated us for our help and perseverance and we did the same for them. Let both grow together until the harvest… Matthew 13:30. Growing together has been a constant theme throughout this trip. It is two groups feeding off one another, allowing each member of the teams to reach new Spiritual levels, again “Simply AMAZING!”

1400 – WVCSC( Western Visayas College of Science and Technology). A new game plan, instead of us going out to the students on campus, we brought the students to us. JP, one of the students of Victory, was able to get us an empty classroom. From there we just gathered some of the Victory students’ friends. In a matter of minutes the room was packed. We broke up into Small Groups once again. It was a definite push, Campus Ministry drains a lot out of a person, no joke! God’s Grace fell upon us and we just went at it, we used Victory’s “1 Life to Live” campaign as a focal point of discussion. Members of both teams used testimonies of how they found Purpose, Passion, Wisdom, and Faith through God. The ball was tossed to the seekers and we heard of stories of miraculous healing such as vision being restored through the Love of Christ. Wow, God is good. We connected with the seekers and by the end of the Small Groups, more names were claimed by the name of Jesus.

1900 – Final quarter… Besides reaching the lost, we were also here to encourage the leaders of Victory Iloilo. As much as it hurts to say it, we team Hawaii are not going to be here for that much longer. We have to help our brothers and sisters take grasp of what is theirs and that is Leadership. We had another Small Group session consisting of Moms and Young Professionals. Since I am not a mom, I jumped in with the Young Professionals. In our discussion we talked about our ambitions and how we can incorporate God in our daily lives. A whole pizza can only be eaten one slice at a time…

Living on a PRAYER… God answers prayers. Without God and our prayers to Him we would be drained and immobile, but because of His grace, we are still that well oiled-machine sent to spread the Word and encourage.

… the two members of the team… are now in good health. God’s Favor was on us and we are a team back in full operation… Praise the Lord!

Arnel Data

Day 5 and 6

Monday was our first day of campus ministry. This was a big day as this was the first day of classes for schools here in Iloilo. We as a team were very excited.

We started the day with a very strong prayer in Pastor Coach’s room and spent the rest of the day on the campus of CPU (Central Philippine University), ready to build connections with the students and to share who Jesus is. The response was overwhelming! Our team split into various groups and proceeded to walk around the campus.  It was clear that when we arrived, the day would be very fruitful.  As we walked around,  scattering seeds to students we would bump into, it started to rain. The group I was a part of felt lead to go to a gazebo that was near the middle of the campus. We felt God’s anointing there and were also glad to have cover from the downpour.  Other members of our team were  also in the gazebo, speaking to a few of the Victory Iloilo team and speaking with students who happened to be there. The rain started to pour even harder and more students came into the gazebo. We knew that God was working and bringing the students to us. Mike, Jeremy and myself connected with a student who was in the gazebo named Nico and he ended up hanging out with us the rest of the day. Another student we met named Klayton was sitting by himself at the gazebo. We felt led to talk to him and found out he was from Manila and had no friends in Iloilo, so we connected him with the Iloilo team. The harvest was plentiful at CPU.  We made many, many connections and our teammates Julynn, Josh and Arnel lead two people to Christ. So amazing!

on campus

Today was a more difficult day.

We had a prayer in Pastor Coach’s room in the morning for the campus we were going too, WVSC (Western Visayas College of Science and Technology).  We got on to the campus and again split into groups. My group consisted of Jayson, Mai, Chelsey, Jeremy, Eli, and myself.  As we were walking around, all I could feel was pressure and a wall from the student body. We walked to the gym area and the response wasn’t receptive at all to us. Most groups as we walked by moved to a different area of the gym or tried to avoid us altogether. We decided to join up with Pastor Coach’s group in the cafeteria where they were doing major work. Mike and Brandon were able to lead two students into accepting the Lord’s salvation.  The seeds were scattered and people came to know the Lord but I myself felt drained from what my group had experienced at WVSC.

We left WVSC and headed back to our hotel, where we had a meeting with the Hawaii team and Iloilo team in Pastor Coach’s room. We spoke about what we experienced on the WVSC campus. It was really good to speak up about what our team went through and to hear that other teams were able to connect on the campus.

Pastor Mel of Victory Iloilo then spoke of the next campus we were going to go to today, UP (University of the Philippines) Visayas – Iloilo. He mentioned that the campus was liberal and that he wasn’t sure what the response would be like to our presence there. We hoped that we would be able to go on to the campus because of rain. Praise God as the rain soon subsided. As we were waiting to walk to the campus, the group that was with me at WVSC started to pray with more of a passion for UP. We really wanted to redeem ourselves. We prayed that God would give us direction and give us a strength to persevere over the enemy who was trying to tell us we weren’t good enough from our experience at the previous campus.  That prayer made the difference for us at UP.  Eli, Jayson and I teamed up and spoke to three students in one of the classrooms on the campus and they accepted Jesus into their lives. From there, I went to another classroom along with Jeremy and I was able to connect with two students and lead them into One 2 One and lead them into the prayer of salvation.  So awesome! Just having that prayer beforehand, knowing what was said about the UP campus and what we experienced previously at WVSC, we knew there would be victory to come.

1 Corinthians 15: 57

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ.”

After our time spent at UP, Eli, Jeremy and I spent time with our very first friend we met at the first restaurant we ate in Iloilo, Erwin who works at the Ocean City Restaurant right across from our hotel. I really didn’t want to go because I felt tired from our full day of campus ministry but I felt led to go along to hang out with him. We spent time with him at the SM City mall next to Victory church and treated him to dinner. I praise Eli for following up and asking him to meet with us.  We then invited him to come to 9am Sunday service, which he said he would try to make.

After our dinner, Erwin had to return to duty at the restaurant. Eli, Jeremy and I decided to stay in the mall for a bit. I wanted to change some of my currency into pesos, so we made our way to the currency exchange in the department store. Jeremy and I waited in line for the teller and filled out the forms. As I was being helped, I heard a girl say something to Jeremy. She asked him if he was from Hawaii. I turned around to see who it was and the girl looked familiar.

“I think I know you,” she said as I turned around.

“I think I know you too,” I replied.

And then it clicked.

We both said each other’s names at the same time.

“Minette?”

“Stan?”

This girl was from Hawaii. Graduated from the same high school I did, Radford High School. And the same year, 2003.

God is funny sometimes. To run into a classmate of mines in a different country with millions of people on a mission trip, how often does that happen?! That’s all God! What if I had not went along with them to the mall? I would have never ran into this person.

I later was introduced to her family who are originally from Iloilo and her cousins who currently live here in Iloilo and that they were staying at the hotel right next to ours.  I took down her cellphone number and am praying that we can introduce her cousins to people at Victory and introduce her to the girls on our Hawaii team to reach out back in Hawaii.

This was just a reminder from God about the harvest back home. I really feel that this experience has equipped me more to reach out to my family, friends and to those I’ve been praying about. It’s amazing how we’ve been able to reach out and help led people into receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in just a few days we’ve been here.  But it’s also been a reminder of how much more I need to bring this passion for people here to know him to the people back home. I thank God for this realization.  Thank you Lord!

Thank you guys for your prayers over our team.  I am so blessed to be a part of a wonderful team and we are blessed to be united along with the Victory Iloilo leadership. We ask that you continue to prayer for us and Iloilo.

- Pray for the rest of our days on the campuses. That we would be able to build connections and the students would open their hearts to Jesus and receive his salvation

- Pray for the leadership of the Iloilo church. That more leaders will rise to cultivate the harvest we both are helping bring in.

- Pray for the connections we’ve made on the campuses. That we would follow up with them and that these students will be able to come to our Hawaii Night, Friday night at the Victory Church and there God will speak to them through that service. And that if they can’t make it to Friday night, will be able to come to one of the services on Sunday.

Also, please pray against sickness over our team. Some of us feel under the weather but we know there’s so much work to be done. In Jesus’ name.

We thank you guys. God bless.

Stanherbert Bolo

Day 4

A new beginning..

After a very encouraging day of prophesizing, the team was eagerly awaiting another day in which God would continue to reveal Himself to the people of IloIlo. Equipping for three services, the team prayed for the people to have a passion for God, the have a relationship with Him and not just a religious experience and for their hearts to be open and allow God to work and transform their lives.

Before we ended the prayer, I shared a vision with the team about firecrackers, more specifically the long 100,000 one that you pop at New Year’s. I felt God telling me that the church was like a fuse that was lit once before but it died out. We were like the match, that spark that would ignite the fuse and that time before the fuse hits the crackers was the time where the spirit would stir inside of them and once that fire hit, the church would explode with fire and spread to their friends, family and coworkers.

Malia Parker followed with another vision after mine, say that “the real breakthrough would occur will happen later (after service, tomorrow) when the message, testimonies are shared to their friends and families.” The prayer and the visions lifted our spirits and we were ready for service.

Pastor Coach preached an awesome and heart felt message  about “Living in God’s Purpose” to the 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 4:00 pm services. Some of his points included to stay on the righteous path for God and to know Him not only in times of power, but in times of suffering. To let go of the past to move into the next season in our lives and allowing God to blow a fresh wind to see their purpose in a renewed way.

Alter calls for a renewal of God’s purpose occurred at the 11 and 4pm services but more people humbled themselves and stepped out in faith during the 4pm service which included students and young professionals. We prayed that they draw closer to God for their purpose to be revealed and for healing.  You could discern that the spirit was working miracles, Praise the Lord!

While we were praying, Pastor Keith, the head pastor of Victory took the stage and told the church that He could feel the spirit moving. He said that we need to let go and the past, look forward to the purpose God has for us and this was the start and a new beginging for Victory Iloilo (how encouraging is that!?).

After an awesome, awesome day, the men outreached with the guys from Victory playing basketball while the women hung out at the mall.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

“For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

to God be the glory..

Joshua De Gracia

Day 3

Edify -The Empty Vessel

Today we woke up with God’s Grace falling upon us.  The team was so lifted by the victory that took place last night that it followed us till the break of dawn.  All of us were up earlier than expected and ready for battle.  All though last night was a triumphant win against the enemy, we knew that God had greater for us.  A feeling so hard to describe; it was a great win and we felt like we were already to the top of the ceilings with Spirit, yet God has so much more for us that it would blow the ceiling off and be a river that flows all throughout the land.

Saturday Prophetic

At 0900 we had our group prayer.  We really needed God today, today was the day we prophesied over the leaders of Victory Iloilo…

At 1330 it was time, time to unleash God’s Divine guidance on the Iloilo Church.  We opened up in Worship for the Lord, welcoming  His Presence in the building and praying for compassion and a clear, sound mind.  Off the bat we began to use our God given gift of prophecy (1 Cor 12:10). God’s Grace began to flow off of us and fall upon the ones we prophesied over, it was amazing!  I became an empty vessel only filled with God’s Spirit delivering words of wisdom, again amazing!  There were portions where I remember only hearing myself but the words being spoken were not mine.  Bodies shaking and tears falling to the ground, being used by God is the greatest act of self abandonment one person can commit.  The room was filled with “choke” people.  Pastor Coach was not lying about people just flowing in.  When it seemed like it was over more and more came in.  At the end of it all we finished at 1730… we were supposed to finish at 1530, Praise the Lord, God is Good!

At the prayer prior to the Prophetic God gave me these Words – Today many mouths will speak, but only One Voice will be heard.

Please continue to pray for us and for the people of Iloilo

-Pray that the prophecies delivered today will be received with open hearts and that the people will own their given guidance.

-Pray that connections between the Hawaii Team and the people of Iloilo are strengthened in order for us to reach out.

-Pray that God’s Harvest begins to come to light in the following days

Thanks in advance

Arnel Data

Day 2

JayRey preaching "Keep on Believin"

We arrived in IloIlo today in the morning and you could feel the energy from the team. Everyone was so excited to meet the staff and the people of the Victory Church. Gosh, there is such a great unity among all of us right now that the enemy doesn’t stand a chance! NO JOKE! We are all getting along so well with the staff and the congregation. We got to hang with some of the leaders after service and had some nice barbecue for dinner. And let me just do a shameless plug, MANGO SHAKES FTW!!!

Speaking of service, worship was off the hook! The victory center was equipped with everything ready to go for us to minister. Mike did such an awesome job leading worship! At first, the congregation struggled to get into it and give the energy but as soon as we entered into the worship portion, the Holy Spirit just completely fell. The presence of God in that room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Five youth also came to the Lord!

Chelsey “Littlefoot” Takushi gave an amazing testimony tonight at the youth service. She really took the message to the next level. Brandon also gave his testimony and took the message to a whole new level for sure. He got the congregation crying and everything when he was sharing. Oh yeah, I gave the message . I think it was 4 or 5 people that gave their life to Christ tonight. And to think, this is just the beginning………..

Jayson Reynon

Day 1

Day 1

The day is finally here. All the prayers, all the planning, and all the preparations… finally we are in ACTION. We met at the HNL airport and everything went well from checking in, customs, luggage and breakfast We are so blessed to have many of the GBC family to come to say goodbye to us at the airport, pray for us and commission us as we go! (Thanks Ps. Paris, Ps. Billie, Kalae, Mark, Robby, Shaun and the many others! ) Mission driven and God-led we are ready to be history makers and world shakers! Nothing can stop us, not even when we found out that our flight got delayed, a 1hr 30mins delay for Hawaiian Airlines to MNL. God of course could turn out everything for His good and that extra time at the airport turned out to be an amazing bonding time for the team, just perfect in preparation for ministry partners to transform to being friends.

On our way...

Our 10hr direct flight didn’t seem that long with the company of 15 people. Pastor Coach made us practice our testimonies in the plane, while some of us were doing devotions, journaling… and of course some snoring away.We arrived MNL after a 10hr travel in the sky. We arrive MNL with huge smiles, an overwhelming, strong assurance that God is sovereign here in the Philippines. Although physically low on energy, spiritually, we were soaring high with excitement and knowing that we are ready for God to move in this awesome land.

From the airport, we got into a shuttle to the hotel for an overnight stay. As planned, we were to catch our flight the next day to our harvest field: Ilo Ilo.The journey from the airport to the hotel was a eye opening and a shocking experience. Most of us, first-timers to the Philippines were somewhat shaken by the street beggars that came up to our van windows and endlessly beg for some money. Something inside of us stirred. A burning passion to let these people know there is a bigger God exploded exponentially. Arnel, one of our team member said, “I don’t want to give them change, but the God that can change them!” Amen!!! There was a lot to reflect that night, after seeing the streets, the people, the city and the condition of what a third world country encompass.We arrived Manila Manor,  the hotel where we’ll be relaxing and rejuvenating as we prepare for a God-filled Friday at Ilo Ilo!

I’ll end today’s blog with some insight jokes of the PI’ 09 Team (we say this so often as we were all so concern about not loosing our passport! lol)  :

Passport: CHECK!

Bible: CHECK!

Servant’s Heart: CHECK!

Written by: Ju Lynn Seet

called by God to serve and encourage..

Front Row: Pastor Alfredo Canencia, Julynn Seet,  Malia Parker, Chelsey Takushi, Ruby Knope, Melissa Sollner, Cheryl Robinson, Jeremy Shimabukuro, Jayson Reynon

Back Row: Elias Agonoy, Stan Bolo, Brandon Tucay, Mike Izon, Arnel Data, Joshua De Gracia

Going in to serve with a servant’s heart and to encourage and uplift brothers and sisters in Christ.