Philippines Mission Report week 1

First :
The community. I arrived in Manila at 2:30 on Saturday June 20. I was warmly welcomed by Dr William and Sarah Altobar who came and picked me up by axi for a 1 ¨ö hour drive since they don¡¯t have a car. On the way to the Bible house from the airport, the poverty was quite shocking. There were so many slums that seemed to be made of just scraps. Cars in the street are old and outdated, causing much pollution. Many children were running and playing in the streets, some even bathing in the street. I even saw one child who was so dirty and was begging on the street. I knew it was poor here, but I was still shocked to see it. Anyways when I arrived at the Bible house again I was warmly welcomed and I saw so many cute little children. I have come to learn that they are really like a close community here and many of them live in the Bible house or right next door but its all the same. Though they are poor and simple, they are happy and their faith is really pure. They do everything together and everything is shared. Meals are always eaten together, dishes are washed in mass, clothes are washed in mass. They are really a tight community. They are also extremely hospitable and caring. Though I am a rich and spoiled American, they all treat me like a prince and everyone is mindful of me. They notice the smallest things and always try to serve me. They feed me very well and make special accommodations for me. One example is that when I just casually make a remark about something I like or want, they will be sure I have it. Like when I just mentioned (I shouldn¡¯t have said this), but I said I missed American food (because I got sick), they started treating me to American food. They also constantly give me mangos and mango shakes because they know I like mangos. And when I was sick, Dr William gave me medicine and bought me bananas, tea, and bottled water. I am amazed at their mindfulness. Though I planned to come here to serve, they are the ones serving me. Another thing is that though they are poor, they are so thankful for everything and give all they have for God¡¯s work. Dr William and Sarah fully trust God with all provisions and are very generous with everything. For example they chose to have 3 adopted children who they fully support. Their resources are extremely limited and everything from food, clothes, and school is expensive, yet still they choose to do this. Also they are in the process of constructing their new Bible house. The place we are in now is newly built and is nice. But they are now working on rebuilding the old Bible house which is also where the 2 families live of Shepherd Timothy Ipapo and Shepherd Jonathan Reytos. In constructing they are taking it step by step as resources are available and they can afford materials, and Dr William prays not just for a big building, but that it may be full. He doesn¡¯t want a big empty church he told me.

Second
Their ministry:
Their ministry contains several campuses including the University of the Philippines at> Diliman (where Sam Altobar studies cello) and at Manila, Fatima University which is closest, Philippine National> University, and many others for around a total of 10. I was able to visit both UP campuses and some pictures are on facebook if you would like to see. They go fishing and teach the Bible one to one on each campus. Where I stay, there are many women and a few young men. Many of them live here in the Bible house and contribute to the housekeeping. Their Sunday services are for the most part the normal UBF style service with a presider, hymn, representative prayer, special music, and message. They even have an orchestra containing all their children there is about 9 of them. The children are quite involved. Every Monday we have men¡¯s fellowship and on Thursday is testimony sharing. Also everyday, everyone wakes up at 5AM to do daily bread together. I know it sounds horrible but its not. Their daily routine just runs different. They all go to sleep early and wake up early, Even others in the neighborhood wake up that early just to play basketball at the nearby park. So the daily routine starts quite early. Prayer topics for their ministry are to raise 12 disciples of Jesus and they are also praying for the pioneering of new campuses. And you can pray just for the 1:1 ministry just that many students could open their hearts to God¡¯s word and grow. Also continually pray that God would provide all their needs so they can serve him continually and advance his kingdom. Dr William is also praying that if God is willing he may be able to attend the conference in Europe this August. Their ministry is simple but beautiful and their faith is pure.

Third
What ive been doing :
I actually have a lot of time. So far I worked just one day on construction. The reason is that I got sick the second day and then after that, there wasn¡¯t much to help with because the 2 workers they hired didn¡¯t really need help. Also soon they will be working another project for some time so while they are gone we cant work. So Dr William told me to just focus on Bible study and I wont really actually be doing too much construction. But its ok because I have been able to have a lot of Bible study and time to pray. Last Monday we had our first group Bible study on 1 Timothy 1 and it was very good. I believe the Holy Spirit worked among us. I myself received a lot from it and I believe many others did as well. It was very encouraging. But now Dr William has asked that instead of having group Bible study once a week, since I have more time that I have one to one Bible study with all the young shepherds twice a week! I have the time but I am more struggling with the spiritual responsibility. I feel so inadequate for the job. But still I am thankful for the opportunity. Already from a few 1:1 Bible studies I have had, I have been able to get to know the guys here more personally and hear some of their life stories and personal struggles. I pray that our Bible studies would be fruitful and that both I and them can grow through it. Please pray for me to struggle with God¡¯s word deeply and receive it so I can share God¡¯s grace with them. Another thing I was blessed by was by writing my life testimony. Dr William asked me to do this a week before I left and I had a hard time at first. I have not written one in a long time and it was hard reflecting on my spiritual life with all the ups and especially downs that I have had. But in the end it was really good for me as I was able to newly reflect on God¡¯s grace in my life, and to share it with everyone here. I believe they were encouraged when they realized that I am far from perfect (though I am the son of the legendary Dr Ben and Christy Toh) and they could relate with my struggles even and see God¡¯s grace in my life. Ironically I chose as my life key verse the verse my dad gave me for this trip. 2 Tim 1:9 which says ¡°who saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.¡± So anyways please pray for me to continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus and also that as I pray and struggle with God¡¯s word personally that I could have a stronger sense of his personal calling on my life, especially in regards to both ministry and career. I have a lot of time on my hands and I get to just play with the kids, watch movies, walk around the neighborhood, and read. Please pray also for my stomach that I don¡¯t get sick again so I can eat and function properly while here. And please pray for my 1:1 Bible studies and that the Holy Spirit may work in my heart and each of the guys I study with can be encouraged and grow. Thank you for all of your prayers because God is working greatly here and I am so thankful for it. God bless.