As our wonderful missions trip continues (from December 2011) we realize the days are counting down to returning home to the States. Continuing the journey...
Saturday, December 10. Today we had a 'down' day. By that I mean there was no schedule to consider! The place where we are staying has a pretty rigid schedule, though; if you want to eat breakfast you need to be downstairs, at the table by 7 am!!! It's worth getting up for. The cooks at the Baptist Mission's House are very good at what they do! We enjoyed every mouthful. An interesting side note: at breakfast we met and visited with some fellow believers from Korea. Wonderful how God directs our paths and we get to meet such interesting and dedicated people from all over the world. After breakfast we returned to our room to get organized, read, relax, and rest. Later, Joanne picked us up and we went out to eat. We then went to her house to watch a documentary/DVD on Jackie Pollenger (spelling is wrong I'm sure) a young missionary to Hong Kong. Had some dessert, checked emails on Joann'es computer, then back to the Missions house to sleep. It was a great day!
Sunday, December 11. We drove to a church south of Cebu City (Catamon) to minister there for the morning. It was wonderful. After a meal with the pastor we returned to Cebu City. We stopped at the Missions house to confirm our airline tickets, then went to the local mall to exchange dollars for peso's. We were going to need some extra peso's for fees at the airport. Had supper together with Joanne then back to the Missions house.
Monday, December 12. Today, Bill is speaking to some area ministers. We were up early to have one of those delicious breakfasts; Joanne joined us! This trip would bring us west over the mountains; the scenery was breath-taking. Kind of a twisty, switchback road; but we made it just fine. Pastor Rey (from the Bohol Bible school) joined us on this trip. Met with the Pastor's, had a great service and lunch. After some visiting we started our journey back to the city. Arrived at the Missions house and stayed in after the long day!
Tuesday, December 13. Today, Bill is speaking to the local ministers at their meeting/Christmas party. Had breakfast, did some reading, took a taxi to meet Joanne and Pastor Rey at the local fast food restaurant. Considering this was our last day in the Philippines it was great meeting the pastors and seeing Pastor Rey again. The message Bill preached (on the Second Coming of Christ) was well received and appreciated. After lunch with the pastors and their wives, we returned to Joanne's and contacted her missionary associates (Marcia & Mayda) hoping to see them before we leave. They were able to join us for a meal...great to see them again! Said goodbye to them and Joanne's other house guests. Joanne brought us to the Missions house where we settled our bill with the directors of the Missions house, and packed for our return trip home.
Wednesday, December 14. Our flight from Cebu to Manila was at 8 am; we were up by 4 am and on the way to the airport by 4:45 am. Joanne dropped us off; and after some heartfelt goodbyes we checked in and waited for our flight. Our flight path was Cebu to Manila to Shanghai, China, to Chicago. By the way if you ever fly through China know this: you will need to get your luggage and recheck it all back in...even if you are just flying through. We were told on our return trip home that would not be necessary...it was. We had about 30 mins to grab our bags, get back to check-in, go through security, and get to our plane. It was a heart pounding experience, but now we know what to do. Our flights all went smoothly and we arrived in Chicago about 5 pm local time. Flying over the international date line is mind-bending because of 'time-travel' as I call it! It seemed we left Cebu at 8 am and arrived in Chicago at 5 pm the same day! We boarded a commuter bus for our 2.5 drive to Janesville, WI where our car was parked. We were finally home by 10 pm. Contacted family members to let them know we were safely home; emailed Joanne, too!
Thursday, December 15. Todays was our day to unwind, get the mail, do laundry, and just recover. Both of us ended up with colds but we attribute that to the plane ride!!! We were fine in a couple of days!
Well folks, that was our exciting missions trip to the Philippines last December. How many times can someone say it was 'amazing'? I don't know, but it was amazing! We are so grateful to Joanne Oftedahl for inviting us and taking such good care of us; grateful to the pastors of Cebu and Bohol for welcoming us with open arms; to the students and faculties of each of the Bible schools where we ministered...you are truly wonderful and amazing people; and to the people of the Philippines who also made us feel welcome. We also appreciate each one of our supporters who helped make this missions trip possible.
August 2012 we'll be returning to the Philippines to ministry in Cebu and Legaspi...but that's another blog!
Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippines. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
2011 Philippine Trip Continues
Hi folks...yes I'm back. Sorry it took so long. We've been busy but that's not really an excuse! Actually we are in Florida now, working on that little cottage I blogged about last year. It's getting homier every day (if that's a word!). Bill is a great 'fixer-upper' and is pounding nails at this very moment.
Anyway, back to our recent missions trip. Earlier I blogged that we went to Cebu to minister at their Bible college, in some of the churches, and to the local pastors at several of their meetings. It was really great.
I'll pick it up on...
Saturday, December 3. We had some time for a bit of sight-seeing in Cebu. Across from Cebu City is a small island where the airport is located. This island also has a very beautiful resort called the Shangrila. We walked the grounds of this resort, went to the beach (where I'm told they actually had to haul in white sand to make it look beachy, otherwise it's all coral), and had lunch there. We were with Joanne Oftedahl and her missionary associates from the Tampa area (Marcio & Mayda). After that we stopped at the Lapulapu Shrine. Lapulapu is a local hero-chief from ages passed that defeated (and killed) the explorer Magellan. Interesting! It was a great day and very nice to be outside in the sunshine and warmth. We returned the the place where we were staying and enjoyed an evening of relaxing.
Sunday, December 4. Bill spoke at a local church, about 30 mls south of the city. A great church with a lot of local outreach to the neighborhood led by Pastor's Edgar & Mercy. We were there for the morning service and an afternoon service that was mostly single mom's. See, the church has a Saturday school for the children (feeds them, etc. too) and on Sunday a service for the mom's. It's a great, evangelistic tool that reaches their hearts and 'see's' the love of God in action by helping with their children. Needless to say, we had a great time and the people were so glad that we had come.
Monday, December 5, This was our last day at IBC; Bill spoke in the Chapel. The students are really on fire for the Lord, wanting all that he has for them. They were also appreciative of our ministry. Somehow the students put together a gift for us to...as an appreciation! Two t-shirts from Cebu and two coffee mugs from IBC. Very sweet!
Most of the time Joanne came to get us, but some times it was easier for us to meet her at a certain location. Just up the street from the Bible college was a restaurant called 'Jolly B'; it's kind of like a McD's but with a different menu. The food is pretty good actually. Anyway, to meet Joanne we had to take a taxi on several occasions. Funny thing was most of the taxi driver's knew where that Jolly B was, no communication breakdown.
Next blog will be about the week we spent on the nearby island of Bohol. We took a 2.5 hr. ferry ride to get there. Bill spoke at the Bible college there and also had a pastor's seminar. Several things unique to Bohol are what they call the 'Chocolate Mountains' and the very tiny monkeys call 'Tartier'.
'Til then...
Anyway, back to our recent missions trip. Earlier I blogged that we went to Cebu to minister at their Bible college, in some of the churches, and to the local pastors at several of their meetings. It was really great.
I'll pick it up on...
Saturday, December 3. We had some time for a bit of sight-seeing in Cebu. Across from Cebu City is a small island where the airport is located. This island also has a very beautiful resort called the Shangrila. We walked the grounds of this resort, went to the beach (where I'm told they actually had to haul in white sand to make it look beachy, otherwise it's all coral), and had lunch there. We were with Joanne Oftedahl and her missionary associates from the Tampa area (Marcio & Mayda). After that we stopped at the Lapulapu Shrine. Lapulapu is a local hero-chief from ages passed that defeated (and killed) the explorer Magellan. Interesting! It was a great day and very nice to be outside in the sunshine and warmth. We returned the the place where we were staying and enjoyed an evening of relaxing.
Sunday, December 4. Bill spoke at a local church, about 30 mls south of the city. A great church with a lot of local outreach to the neighborhood led by Pastor's Edgar & Mercy. We were there for the morning service and an afternoon service that was mostly single mom's. See, the church has a Saturday school for the children (feeds them, etc. too) and on Sunday a service for the mom's. It's a great, evangelistic tool that reaches their hearts and 'see's' the love of God in action by helping with their children. Needless to say, we had a great time and the people were so glad that we had come.
Monday, December 5, This was our last day at IBC; Bill spoke in the Chapel. The students are really on fire for the Lord, wanting all that he has for them. They were also appreciative of our ministry. Somehow the students put together a gift for us to...as an appreciation! Two t-shirts from Cebu and two coffee mugs from IBC. Very sweet!
Most of the time Joanne came to get us, but some times it was easier for us to meet her at a certain location. Just up the street from the Bible college was a restaurant called 'Jolly B'; it's kind of like a McD's but with a different menu. The food is pretty good actually. Anyway, to meet Joanne we had to take a taxi on several occasions. Funny thing was most of the taxi driver's knew where that Jolly B was, no communication breakdown.
Next blog will be about the week we spent on the nearby island of Bohol. We took a 2.5 hr. ferry ride to get there. Bill spoke at the Bible college there and also had a pastor's seminar. Several things unique to Bohol are what they call the 'Chocolate Mountains' and the very tiny monkeys call 'Tartier'.
'Til then...
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Next stop...Philippines!
First I want to let you know that our 8 day revival in Farmington, Il was fantastic. The people were (and are) so warm and friendly; they made us feel a part of their family immediately. And the services were excellent; the presence of our Lord was so evident...we truly thank Him for the great things that happened that week and will continue to happen.
Now to the Philippines! Yes, we're leaving next Tuesday and will be gone for 2 weeks returning home December 14. We'll be staying and working with our missionary friend from the Minnesota District (Assemblies of God) Joanne Oftedahl. Bill will be teaching in the local Bible school, speaking to the local pastors, and preaching in the churches. I'll be there to support him and do whatever else may be needed.
This will be our third trip to the Philippines but to a different area. We'll be flying from Chicago, to China, to Manila, to Cebu City. (I looked up some info on the WEB to get some facts about Cebu from http://www.cebu-philippines.net/.)
Cebu City located in the central part of the Visayas island group. It is one of the highly urbanized cities in this island group. It was in the province of Cebu that Ferdinand Magellan first set foot on Philippine soil back in 1521. The temps should be in the upper 80's during the day and upper 70's at night; could have some storms, too!
Sounds like Wisconsin in the summer...yes! We'll be enjoying balmy weather for awhile as we minister to these precious people!
It will be a journey filled with excitement, flexability (to possible schedule adjustments), seeing what our Father has in store, and getting to fellowship with the true hero's of the faith...missionaries.
I'll 'try' to keep in contact here or through Facebook [http://facebook.com/
If you are interested in helping us go to the Philippines of friend of mine is giving us part of her proceeds from sales through Avon & Tastefully Simple. Her information is below...thanks Brenda.
Now to planning, prepping, and packing...and that's just this week! Have a great Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for in our lives!
INFO FOR FUNDRAISER:
Brenda Bradl
www.youravon.com/bbradl
http://www.tastefullysimple.com/
felixtroll2@yahoo.com
920-242-7148
Now to the Philippines! Yes, we're leaving next Tuesday and will be gone for 2 weeks returning home December 14. We'll be staying and working with our missionary friend from the Minnesota District (Assemblies of God) Joanne Oftedahl. Bill will be teaching in the local Bible school, speaking to the local pastors, and preaching in the churches. I'll be there to support him and do whatever else may be needed.
This will be our third trip to the Philippines but to a different area. We'll be flying from Chicago, to China, to Manila, to Cebu City. (I looked up some info on the WEB to get some facts about Cebu from http://www.cebu-philippines.net/.)
Cebu City located in the central part of the Visayas island group. It is one of the highly urbanized cities in this island group. It was in the province of Cebu that Ferdinand Magellan first set foot on Philippine soil back in 1521. The temps should be in the upper 80's during the day and upper 70's at night; could have some storms, too!
Sounds like Wisconsin in the summer...yes! We'll be enjoying balmy weather for awhile as we minister to these precious people!
It will be a journey filled with excitement, flexability (to possible schedule adjustments), seeing what our Father has in store, and getting to fellowship with the true hero's of the faith...missionaries.
I'll 'try' to keep in contact here or through Facebook [http://facebook.com/
If you are interested in helping us go to the Philippines of friend of mine is giving us part of her proceeds from sales through Avon & Tastefully Simple. Her information is below...thanks Brenda.
Now to planning, prepping, and packing...and that's just this week! Have a great Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for in our lives!
INFO FOR FUNDRAISER:
Brenda Bradl
www.youravon.com/bbradl
http://www.tastefullysimple.com/
felixtroll2@yahoo.com
920-242-7148
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Each one is unique!
We've been very busy these last couple of weeks. In and out, coming and going... and we have truly enjoyed every minute.
It is what our Father has assigned us to and we are following to the best of our abilities. Each Sunday (some times more) we are in a different city, at a different church, with different pastors, and different people.
Each church is unique; and we fit in to this uniqueness as the Holy Spirit guides us and as the pastor asks us. The only agenda we arrive with is 'how can we be of help and encouragement to you'.
It's our joy to come and serve; be of help; get to know the pastor and their spouse; and interact with the people. Whether it's in a church service, Sunday school class, a seminar Bill is teaching, or an event I might be asked to speak at--we become a part of their church family...it's a great connection this family of God!!!
Our next assignment will be truly unique. We are going to be at a church in Illinois from a Sunday to a Sunday! A full week, plus! I know it'll be great!
Also coming up will be our next missions trip to Cebu City, Philippines. We'll be leaving the end of November for a two-week trip.
I'll let you know how our ministry in Illinois is going and later more about our trip to Cebu City.
It is what our Father has assigned us to and we are following to the best of our abilities. Each Sunday (some times more) we are in a different city, at a different church, with different pastors, and different people.
Each church is unique; and we fit in to this uniqueness as the Holy Spirit guides us and as the pastor asks us. The only agenda we arrive with is 'how can we be of help and encouragement to you'.
It's our joy to come and serve; be of help; get to know the pastor and their spouse; and interact with the people. Whether it's in a church service, Sunday school class, a seminar Bill is teaching, or an event I might be asked to speak at--we become a part of their church family...it's a great connection this family of God!!!
Our next assignment will be truly unique. We are going to be at a church in Illinois from a Sunday to a Sunday! A full week, plus! I know it'll be great!
Also coming up will be our next missions trip to Cebu City, Philippines. We'll be leaving the end of November for a two-week trip.
I'll let you know how our ministry in Illinois is going and later more about our trip to Cebu City.
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