The parade is coming

We could hear the band long before it passed the chapel. They were marching through Masantol and down Santa Lucia. As I ran to the second floor windows I called Kathie to come and see. The approaching celebration called for our immediate attention. Our minds were taken back to small town America before all the business and isolation of neighbors. The focus of our Masantol neighborhood was the sounds and colors of celebration. Now they were close enough to see all the colors. Flags were waving in all directions. Joyful children filled the streets, families marched behind. Soon I witnessed the center of focus.

On a cart surrounded by many stood the carved image of a catholic saint. He was rolled along with the crowd surrounded by candles. I felt for the children who didn't know. Their ears were drawn like ours by the music of the people. The seeming happiness of colors and sound. The adults had many more years of following the crowd. Their hearts were given to the worship of this saint. The Bible states in Psalm 135, "They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is everyone that trusts in them." They are marching into eternity. Pray that God will open their eyes to see their need for Jesus. How much better to march in worship and song to our living Savior Jesus!

Celebrating a Birthday

This week my honey (you call her Kathie) celebrates her birthday on Friday the 28th. I suppose it is not politically correct to remind a woman about birthdays. But my wife is a very special person. I am so blessed that God brought us together at a home Bible study fifteen years ago. The Bible says in Proverbs, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the LORD.” I am blessed to have a wife who is a godly woman and shares together in serving the Lord. Like America, many homes here in Masantol are single parent homes. Either the husband or wife is missing. I know it is God’s favor that keeps us together and allows us to serve Him. So we are blessed.
Here in the Philippines families love to celebrate birthdays with karaoke’s. Typically they are played quite loud so all the neighbors can hear. Each one at the party seem to take turns singing great karaoke hits. As the party moves into the evening and then the wee hours of the morning the singing is pretty bad. I’ve listened to several parties now and the music is much like the worst American Idol tryouts you can imagine. It probably does not help that the people are drinking more and more as the party progresses. These Karaoke birthdays reveal the great need to reach the people of PI with Jesus. Only then will they find true joy.
When Friday comes I know we won’t be singing Karaoke. Sure we will sing and be joyful. But our joy will be full because it comes from Jesus! I thank God for a godly wife. We pray that many families in Masantol will begin to see their marriages affected by Jesus as well.

God still Answers Prayers

Thanks again to all who continue faithfully praying. God is answering with lives being touched. New people are coming to church. Relationships with Jesus are growing deeper. God has kept us healthy. God has protected us from harm and danger. Through many, God has fully provided for our tickets, our financial commitments at home and the first seven weeks here in Masantol. Continue to pray as we have two months yet to be provided. We have several hundred dollars unexpected for visa government fees. We are grateful to those who have given financially as led by God. Pray as we also hope to visit missionary friends on the Philippines Island of Negros in November. Masantol is on the main Island of Luzon. Until that time we pray & hope to see much fruit. We pray and desire for people to accept and follow Jesus. We dare not slow as the mission has much more to reach the finish. In Philippians Paul’s states: "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." May we also press on for Jesus!

Kathie's Notes

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace. The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”---Is. 32:17

God has a way of speaking for Himself. We just get the blessed privilege of seeing Him work among us as we stay in step with the Spirit’s leading. Striving comes natural for me. It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly patience our God! Over and over, he comes is calm the storms that rise within. Over and over again, His grace is given and He ministers to hearts and lives through His Word. Oh may we all praise Him for all He has done to show Himself present and faithful on behalf of those who put their trust in Him!



Praise report---The ladies of Masantol gathered together to worship Wednesday night. We looked into the Word to see what the Lord had to say about the blessings of trusting in Him as Lord with all of our lives because of His great love for us. He had us look at the life of Mary to see what it was in her life that He so “highly favored”. There was some group participation by the women, followed by a time of prayer & fellowship over some goodies (we love our goodies!). Marissa is a wonderful blessing from God. She did a fantastic job helping me with translation. Jane is another faithful servant who comes early and stays late to help in any way she can. After all had headed back to their homes, she lingered and shared with me some Tagalog!
Thank you all for praying. The headache lifted that very first night and has not returned since. Thank You Jesus! It has been one week since arriving here to Masantol and I am now sleeping through the night as of two nights ago! Following suit with reports of grandson Isaiah who slept his first 6 hours since arriving home with Angela & James. Dennis continues to encourage the sweet people here from the Word. We pray that as the lives of the believers are encouraged that they will have more boldness to share the Lord with their family and friends. We pray that the Lord would add to His church daily. Some of the people in fellowship have been battling with sore throats and congestion. Dennis seems to have a touch of it as well. Please pray for the Lord's healing.

Isaiah The Newest Grandchild

I am sure many have heard already of Isaiah's arrival. Now we have a picture to add. Kathie and I praise our creator and God for the newborn baby. Isaiah is already two weeks old. He was born September 4th at 10:53 pm. He weighed in at 7 pounds and 10 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. Kathie was blessed to be there for the birth before joining me in Masantol, Philippines. God's word gives lasting truth in Psalm 127:3-5, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them".

My Brother Jhek Jhek

I have introduced him before, but I though you might like an update. He is the right hand servant here at CC Masantol. I've enjoyed getting to know Jhek Jhek. He is my shadow everywhere. Jhek Jhek is a young Christian in his twenties. He came to the Lord through the ministry of Pastor Pat and Cindy here at CC Masantol. Previously he was very involved in the Catholic church. I believe he said he was like an altar boy. He comes from a large family that lives on a very poor street around the corner. The street itself is only wide enough for trikes or motorcycles (like an alley). His humble home is off the street through a passageway, sizewise I just make it through. He has a five year old that he cares for as a single Dad. The mother found another man and lives with him. JJ and his daughter Kin Kin live with his parents (Rosie & Rodriquez). Also in the home are his sister (Jane) and younger sister (Shine Shine) who faithfully attend fellowship at CCM. Rosie (JJ mom) recently had her 10th child, an adorable 6 month old. The family survives by doing what it takes. They some times sell corn on the cobb in front of their home, other times its shish-kabob chicken (I think) while Reuben works long hours to support his family.
Praise God JJ loves Jesus. His desire is to serve and glorify Him. Daily he comes to CC Masantol to serve Jesus. He cleans floors and bathrooms. He sets up chairs for church. He washes windows and sweeps. Sometimes he even cooks. He has a servant's heart. How do you reach out to someone who lives such a different lifestyle? You reach them with Jesus' love and teaching of the Word. I believe God has a great future for Jhek Jhek. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Children Craving God's Love

As I think of the Philippines God has portrayed and infused my mind a vivid picture of children needing the hope only Jesus provides. As you walk the streets many children pass. When they look your way their brown eyes are so hungry for love. Daily I hear them playing on the street in front of my door. As I observe their tattered clothes and unbathed bodies, I wonder who loves and cares for them.

In the Gospel of Mark we read on a particular occasion the children were brought to Jesus. The disciples reacted by rebuking those bringing children. Jesus being displeased answered saying “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
On Saturday CC Masantol has a Bible story hour for children. They sing children’s worship. You would be touched to listen to their voices worshipping God. They listen to a Bible story before coloring a related picture. After refreshments they head back out to Masantol life.
This Saturday the children began gathering for the meeting two hours before the beginning As 90 plus children sat with eyes aglow my heart was moved. We must allow the children to come to Jesus. Jesus said that each of us must come as children to the Kingdom of God. Then as Jesus exemplified, we must surround them with God’s love.
Pray that the children of Masantol would come to Jesus. When the children come and sense His love, familys will follow. Then a community will be looking to Jesus. They will see children being loved as they sit on His lap.

Water from above...

The water here in the Philippines is not like the mountain springs of Virginia, or even California’s piped in H2O. In fact it’s best for us to avoid drinking the tap water here. The microscopic critters living in the water here do not mix well with our Americano digestion. Thankfully we have bottled water provided. It seems so refreshing on a hot humid day. Even many of my Filipino brothers and sisters avoid drinking from the tap. Yet water is so vital.
With the heat and humidity of the Philippines you need more then one shower a day. The sweat and odor build quickly. A shower is so refreshing and brings your body skin temperature back closer to normal. Through the upstairs windows you can view the Masantol river passing. The kids in Masantol are always jumping in the river. They combine the cooling down with playful routines. As I observe the visible pollution in the river water, I wonder how they survive.
Our neighbor raises roosters in his backyard. From the second floor office window I hear them crowing every few minutes. When I arrived, he had maybe one. Now he has about seven. Some Filipinos like my neighbor, enter their roosters in cockfights. They hope to make money through gambling. The backyard of the neighbor has no drainage. When it rains their yard becomes a pool. The roosters survive in a raised pen. When water evaporates a cesspool of dark green polluted water is left in the back corner. I don’t believe anyone removes the chicken’s manure. In addition garbage is ignored and floats daily on the algae. Often the smell is so strong I must close the windows.
In Psalm 46 we read “ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. I rejoice that we have the refreshing water God provides for our souls. In Isaiah 55 it says, “ “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. This is the pure water that is needed in Masantol.

Communication Link

Understanding words is vital for living. Coming to Pampanga I find myself dependent on English language and one or two Tagolag words. Many of the younger Filipinos speak English. But they are shy and limited in their understanding. Sometimes I complete a sentence and just get a blank stare. Other times there may be a head nod of acknowledgement. But in reality nothing was understood. Yet to communicate the Gospel and the Word of God language is vital
The youth show up at the Masantol CC gate daily. Communication has been greatly enhanced having time together each day. We might read the Bible. We alternate reading the verses of a chapter in English with some in tagolag. Memorizing scripture is a challenge readily accepted by young Christians in the fellowship here. Often this is done in English and enhances their language capabilities. It seems I should memorize in Tagalag for similar results.
Probably the greatest growth in relationships as well as language understanding has come through playing scrabble. Scrabble is one of Kathie’s and my favorite games. Here in Masantol the teens love Scrabble. But again, they are probably advancing more than us.
When we share Gods word through teaching, communication barriers stretch you. The desire is to communicate the truth of the Gospel. The hope is that the young Christians will grow in Christ. Thankfully we have God’s promise that His word will not return void. It says in Isaiah 55 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
That’s a promise I am praying for in Masantol. Many times it seems the Word may not be clear. God has had me simplify teaching over and over seeking to bring clarity. Pray that I might grow in my ability to communicate. Pray that God will send His word forth in the power of His Spirit.

Isaiah Wesley

Pass the news a grandson has been added to the Vaus family. Our daughter Angela and husband James Howdyshell are overwhlemed by the wonder of God's miracle in the receiving of Isaiah. He was born at 10:53 PM on September the 4th. That is USA Virginia time. He weighed in at 7 pounds and 10 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long. Thank you for all of your many prayers! Praise God for the miracle of birth.

Lessons from Lita

Paul writing to the Philippians in chapter four, shares a glimpse of how God was caring for him and the mission he was called too. Probably the key word is “content. Check out the reference. In Philippians 4:10-11 we read “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” I am learning about contentment from my Filipino brothers and sisters. So many have so little. Yet in Jesus they have much.
A home is made between cinderblocks, covered by rusted corrugated metal. Many roofs have openings and therefore leaks. Some have no running water. I’ve observed floors covered simply by straw mats. The daily meal of rice though prepared with different ingredients and spices must become mundane. Lita (a forty something wife and mother) comes to church regularly and is always joyful. She earns extra pesos selling various snacks and drinks from a table in her alleyway. It is from the Lita’s that God is teaching me.
I am learning to be content. God has provided for financial commitments at home. God has blessed with airfare for both Kathie and myself. August monthly expenses in Masantol were fully there each day. We have seen God plentifully supply. Yet having come here to minister, I now have been ministered unto. I am learning where as an USA citizen I ought to live with greater contentment and simplicity. I have an enlarged heart for those who live with much less.
My prayer; Lord let me live content and joyful like Lita.

Modern Technology

Today Smartbro finally came to correct the Internet problems at CC Masantol. I have been calling and waiting for their help since Wednesday August 29th. On Friday the 31st Jhek Jhek invited me to use the connection at his home. It is striking to see the modern technology of Internet connection being used in the very modest home of someone in Masantol. That is families such as Jheks live without so much of what Americans consider normal and expected. At 5 o'clock the smartbro techs pulled up in a motorized trike. Only in the 3rd world of Masantol would you a company repairman arrive in such style. They even had a ladder somehow attached to the top. Praise God we now have Internet connection again. How did we keep in touch before Internet? When I was here in the Philippines for the 1990 crusade even mail took more then a week for USA delivery. Expensive telephone was the only option. With today’s technology communication is instantaneous.