Philippine Slideshow... :)

Check out this slideshow I made! I wish I could include ALL of the pictures from my trip, but the slideshow would be WAY too long! :) Enjoy!

--J

I'm home! :)

I just wanted to let you know that I have arrived home safe and sound. I flew in to San Francisco in the late afternoon on Monday, August 14. It took me a couple of weeks to get back on PST.

I had an absolutely wonderful time in the Philippines, and I am so blessed that I had this great opportunity; it was a trip of a lifetime! I want to thank everyone who made this trip a reality for me. Thank you for your prayers, and your financial support. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you. God bless you!

Signing off for now,

--Jeriann :)

In Manila

Hi Everyone,

I arrived in Manila last Saturday, August 5. I have stayed very busy since my arrival, and I haven't had internet connection to update the blog.

Sunday, we accompanied the Vaccas to a pastor's 11th anniversary service where Bro. Vacca was the guest speaker. We had a wonderful service; everyone was blessed and touched by the hand of God.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we attended a leadership conference designed for the executive board, and licensed ministers here in the Philippines. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this great conference. It was such a great blessing to me. I was able to hear some wonderful teaching from some great men and women of God. Bro. James Kilgore, and Bro. and Sis. T.F. Tenney are a few that I was so privileged to listen to. I had a great time at the conference; I was strengthened and renewed. I was also able to meet many people; leaders in the Philippines, and other missionaries. It was awesome! :)

On Friday, we went to a Bible College here in Manila, and attended their "Friday Fire" service. It was great! We met many people, and had a wonderful time!

I've also made some time to do a little shopping. You should see the malls here; they are huge! They fit right in here in Manila. I think there are 11 million people here; it's massive. It's been great to be able to experience Manila. It is definitely much different from the provinces in Cebu.

We leave in the morning to fly back to California. I would appreciate your prayers. It's going to be great to see everyone again! :) May God bless you all.

Sincerely,

--Jeriann

*The first picture is a view of Manila from the hotel window. The second picture is from LDI -Leadership Development International- the conference we attended in Manila.*

Our last weekend in Cebu...

This past weekend was our last here in Cebu.

Saturday, we had Sunday School for the children, and youth service for the young people like we always do. Both services were awesome! There were 15 young people at youth service, which is the largest attendance yet. Thank God!
I gave some of my clothes to the girls on Saturday; they were so excited. I can't explain to you how happy they were to receive those clothes; they were SO delighted! They asked me, "Can we wear this tomorrow?", and I said, "Of course!" After I gave them the clothes and saw how happy and excited they were to receive them, I wanted to give all of my clothes to them. It was very touching; I was so happy.

Sunday, we had a wonderful service! There were 85 in attendance; thank you, Jesus! Think about this: four weeks ago, we had 43. The next week, 47; the week after that, 70; and this past Sunday, we had 85!!! God is adding to His church; it is exciting to see what God is doing.

This past Sunday (being the last Sunday of the month) was our regular fellowship Sunday and the church made it special for us since it was our last Sunday to be with them. We were completely surprised to find that they had a pig roasted in our honor I had no idea they were going to do this. Esther and I were presented gifts during the service and we were both able to say a few words to the church.It was pretty emotional, but it was very special and wonderful at the same time.

This Thursday, we will go to Bogo, as usual, and have ladies prayer and outreach. At lunch time, we will buy chicken, cook rice, and have lunch with the young people. We usually have prayer and a quick Bible study as well. I am looking forward to this one last time with the young people.

On Saturday, August 5th, we leave for Manila where I will spend the remainder of my time there. I will return home on August 14th.

To everyone who made this trip possible for me: THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, this has been a life-changing trip for me; I am so glad that I came! Thank you, everyone, for your prayers and your financial support.

God bless you~!

Sincerely,

--Jeriann

* The first picture is of me and Esther with our roasted pig. The second picture is of me and Esther with some of the young people and children. *

A couple of pics...

Here are a couple pictures for you. The first one is the local market where fruits and vegetables are sold. There is also a fish market. The second picture is of four ladies on the street corner selling corn. They put the corn on the coals right there... you can see it! In the back ground you can see a "tricycle", this is a means of transportation for many to get around town; they are everywhere!

Hope you enjoy the pictures~!

--Jeriann

70!--God is blowing my mind! :)

I'm excited today! Sunday - the church was filled and overflowing with people; there were 70 in attendance! This is a brand new attendance record. There were so many visitors in the church that I could not get an accurate count. But I do know that 70 people were at service today (including twenty or so children), and I was SO happy! Some of us had to stand because we did not have enough chairs, but once Sunday School for the children started, it was fine because the children sat on the floor. The people here are hungry for more of God; they are longing and searching for something to fill the emptiness and the void in their hearts; they came to the right place on Sunday. Everything they need is in Jesus! I hope that they will continue to go to church and experience God in a way they never have before. God has a great plan for every one of their lives!
Sunday we had our communion service and it was beautiful. God touched all of us in a special way. Thank God for Calvary and the blood that He shed for you and me.

My time here in the Philippines is almost done. I’m only going to be here two more weeks; next Sunday will be my last Sunday in Cebu.
On August 5th I will be leaving Cebu to travel to Manila (on the island of Luzon) to attend a Leadership Conference, I will be there for the remainder of my time in the Philippines then leave on August 14th to go home. I hope that I have been able to let my light shine and that I've accomplished what God intended for me to do in the three months I have been here.
I will never be the same – it has been a life changing experience for me and to God be all the glory.

I hope everyone is doing well. God bless you all~! :)

Sincerely,

--Jeriann

*I am posting a picture of me and most of the young people that were at youth service on Saturday. Sis. Cherel and baby Jeremy are also in the picture. :)*

Another new record!!!

Hello everyone!

I am excited to report that we had another new record for church attendance this past Sunday; there were 47 of us. Thank you, Jesus! God is adding to the church! We had a powerful move of God as well. At the end of the service, Bro. Vacca had the men pray together, and the women pray together. God blessed, renewed, strengthened, encouraged, and inspired everyone. It was awesome! Also, we had 10 children in service, so we had a children's service during the adult Sunday School. Esther and Sis. Lonnie (the associate pastor) took care of that, and it went well!

On Thursdays, we have been meeting at the church with some of the young people during their lunch time. We pray, study the Bible, and then eat. It's been really great! Last Thursday, we had an awesome prayer meeting! We then ate and fellowshipped with young people; it was wonderful. We are planning on doing that the next couple of Thursdays we are here.

I hope everyone is doing well! God bless you.

I am attaching a picture of the new church filled with many worshipping the Lord this past Sunday.

Sincerely,

--Jeriann