Philippines 2019_Day 1_Sunday

Mei Ying & Ying Ying

The Bread and Life Team 2019 have arrived in Manila!!! The team from Malaysia & Australia joined with the UK team and breakfast became a time of warm welcomes. This may have been the first time that we were meeting in person but there was familiarity as if and as is with family.

It was a short flight from busy Manila to scenic Tacloban (the closest city to San Isidro that we could fly to) and we were met at the airport by Pastora Fely, Gemima, Grace and Mark Neil at Tacloban with a welcome poster and cool bottled water. This is but the first demonstration of love and consideration the River of Life Ministry team showered us with throughout the week. A second ‘first’ for most of us was the traditional visit to Jollibee (fried chicken with slightly spicy spaghetti) for lunch. The fried chicken was finger lickin good!

After checked in to our hostel (which we shared with a few ‘harmless’ ants), we managed to catch the sunset nearby the restaurant that we dine in. We had our lovely dinner accompanied by the beach view over testimonies of how some of us came to the Philippines emerged. Beautiful stories of God’s grace was shared.

We ended our day with the evening worship and prayer together with the ROLM team, led by Michelle and Jason.

Thank you papa God for filling up the place and the atmosphere with your presence. Your fire came to consume and purify our hearts. You send your angels like the winds, your servants like flames of fire (Hebrews 1:7).

Michelle

This is our first worship and prayer session together with BLi members, Ps Fely & ROLM youths. As we closed our eyes and quieten down our hearts after a light-hearted ice-breaking session, we started off the evening with the song "What a beautiful name". The room was instantly filled with praises of our Most High God! Truly how beautiful, wonderful and powerful our God is! As I continue to lead the team with the next song “The more I seek You”, we sang and prayed as one, that we will seek first and foremost the heart of the Father in everything we do. That we would lean so close to His heart to hear what He wants to say and be open to do what He wants us to do.

As I cry out "Let Your will be done on this land Lord", Holy Spirit led me spontaneously to the bridge of "Our Father", singing "Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the power, Yours is the glory, Forever Amen". We proclaim His Kingdom to reign in this place, we declare His protection & covering over the people. I could feel the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in the spiritual realm, as our hearts & spirits stirred for this nation. Nothing touches His heart more than to see His sons and daughters gather together in His name to pray and lift His name on high. His presence was really tangible and He is indeed moving mightily tonight! What a great way to kick-start our trip!

After worship session ends, Naomi gave a short training on how to share the gospel and how to pray for the sick. Helpful tips before heading to the mission field tomorrow!