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Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified (2 Thessalonians 3:1, NASB).
What an adventure that my wife and I had on our recent trip to the Philippines. Thank you for praying for Barbara and me!
Some notes. . .
- I always pray a hedge of thorns of protection (read Job 1:9-10) when I get on a plane, car, bus, or train during a mission trip.
Through my 100 trips on short-term missions, often the evil one tries hindering or stopping the team before arrival with weather flight stoppages, an air traffic controllers’ strike, missed flight connections, and on this past trip, our plane, just before takeoff, hit another plane on the ground.
Also, on the way back from a mountain trip, our car hit a ramp in the road, and we went flying. The car landed safely, and no one was hurt.
On this trip, we had a plane crash on the ground and a car crash in the air.
- The narrow path of my call from God involves teaching and mentoring leaders locally and internationally about one-to-one disciplemaking. We taught a conference in General Santos City and a retreat for leaders at a mountain retreat on the island of Cebu.
We trained over 80 church leaders who impact hundreds, if not thousands, in their leadership spheres of influence.
Our retreat in Cebu was attended by over 40 church leaders (twice as many as last year). . . with plans for 80 church leaders in 2025. The DA2LJ National Director Noeli Amancio commented on the retreat. . .
The DA2LJ Retreat was indeed a wonderful experience. I am truly blessed by how God spoke to us in the three days and how He used Pastor Grant to guide us and remind us of how important it is to seek God and fulfill our calling. It rekindled the fire in me.
Below is a photo of the retreat participants — an ornery bunch!
- Barbara and I often find ourselves mentoring and coaching leaders on our travels. While in the Philippines, we held a conference and a retreat. We ministered in several churches and had an infinite amount of meetings and interactions with church leaders. (Infinite may be slightly exaggerated, but what a joy to influence so many individuals.)
- A few years ago, I discipled Deron Blakely (a pastor living close to Springfield, Ohio). Last year, I asked Deron to disciple Enrique Maca, who is the Director of Naomi’s Heart Mission, and then both Deron and Enrique discipled Kenny Bulawan.
Below is the photo of four generations of disciplemakers — no borders for disciplemaking!
Thanks for praying for us while we traveled. Usually, I write a Psalms On Saturday in Interruptions, and I will begin writing about a Psalm again next week. I’m almost finished writing an individual Interruption on each of the Psalms.
Soon, I will begin writing Proverbs of Saturday!
If you want to support discipling missions in the Philippines (and other countries),
you can donate through Fellowship Church (Click here).
Make sure to scroll down to Missions (International) – Grant Edwards Missions.