This week has been a different one for me. I have been off language school all this week as our Founder, Doug Nichols, is out here visiting for several days. I have been his driver, secretary and photographer throughout his stay here thus far. We have done many things and accomplished much. Here is the update that I typed up for him last night.

First two Days in Manila

Greetings from Manila, Philippines with clear skies. I arrived at noon Monday October 5 after leaving my house in Seattle at 9pm to catch my flight at 2am and traveling for about 22 hours. I was awake for 36 hours except for 3 hours of sleep on the plane. Too long for anybody to be awake! After unpacking and sorting relief items it was great to call and talk to many team members, friends and family. After dinner I met with ACTION missionary Adam Hussey (26) who will be assisting me in administration, correspondence and driving.

Adam first served with ACTION Uganda and the Lord has graciously brought him to the Philippines. He is currently studying the language (Tagalog) full-time but after finishing will be discipling youth in the Philippines as well as creating video’s for missionaries and ministries. The Lord has really gifted Adam with a heart for the Filipino people and is evident in how he relates to them on a daily basis.

First we visited with Christian Growth Ministries (CGM) staff and encouraged them. There is much to be done and much planning to be talked over. CGM was not damaged by the flood so the main topic of discussion was the ACTION/CGM pastors conferences 2010 and the books to be printed for BookShare. Many poor pastors lost their complete limited library as well as their bible. God is good and has continued to use the people here to minister well among the pastors and church leaders. Praise God for the work that CGM is involved with here.

We then went to The Bible League to see the ministry there (the Bible League was started by ACTION/CGM in the 1970’s and is now the largest bible league program in the world, with over 30,000 graduates in the church-based bible study program with all graduates receiving New Testament or bible. On the day that the first typhoon hit there was considerable flooding in the building with water rising upwards of 9 feet on the ground floor! There was much damage to books and the vehicles there with over five million pesos or $105,000 dollars worth of damage to bibles and study materials! This is not counting the four vehicles and one motorbike that were also ruined in the flood. Some of the materials were on the second and third floors of the building so they were not damaged. Please pray for The Bible League as they are beginning the process to raise support to cover the costs of the materials lost.

*A video was made and put onto YouTube that shows the flood at The Bible League. Click this link to see the video.

After our time at The Bible League we had lunch with the ACTION Filipino staff and heard many stories of God’s mercy during the flood. The home of our dear friend and co-worker Frank Egalla was completely flooded with water rising 12 feet with the family barely escaping with their lives.  Frank with his wife Lisa have faithfully served the Lord for over 30 years. They have moved into the free use of a small apartment for several months but have absolutely no furniture, not even a mattress. And today Lisa was pick pocketed losing her cell phone (about $50). I was able to give them about $200. They will need at least $4,500 in order to set-up their house with basic furnishings for their family of five.

We spend all afternoon as a part of an ACTION relief centered in a local church called San Juan Gospel Chapel. There were over 300 families that attended the relief, each with a stub that was used to redeem a gift bag with relief goods.

The goods given out were:

-Plastic bucket

-6 plates, cups, forks, and spoons

-4 kilos of rice

-Wok for cooking

-Small pot with lid

-Vitamins, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, vitamin C, and other medicines

Before the goods were distributed, the 300 gathered for a meeting of instructions, special prayer for those suffering. Jeff Anderson, Philippine director, gave a short word of encouragement and I was also able to speak briefly from Hebrews 12:28-29. “The kingdom of Christ is not shaken.” Because of our relationship with Christ we can trust God even in times of distress.  A Filipino pastor then gave a gospel message. All of the 300 have heard the gospel previously being involved in ministry outreach to the slum area by ACTION Filipino team members.

Each set of relief goods was 1380 pesos or $30 dollars. ACTION has handed out over 1000 of these in the past several days. Praise God with us for the funding that has been provided to help with these needy families. We estimate the needs of up to at least $50,000 dollars more in this initial outreach of compassionate care and the gospel.

*If you would like to see pictures from some relief work please click on this link.

Observations –

1. Jeff Anderson and the ACTION team in the Philippines are doing an excellent relief outreach for the glory of God. The efforts even in all of the confusion of need have maintained a very effective strategy in relief ministry outreach. Financial shortage causes problems but they have been able to work through this effectively for the glory of God.

2. It was very interesting to note of the effect of the encouragement that comes from simply “showing up.” Several team members said that they were very much encouraged that I would cancel ministry in the USA to come to the Philippines at this time. Saying something like “Sir, did you really cancel meetings to come here?”

3. Jeff and the team have mentioned several times of the sacrificial giving of the Filipinos to the suffering. With over $4000 dollars coming in small and large gifts. Many of the relief packages with food, clothing, and medicines have been given by local churches for ACTION to distribute, especially to some of the most affected by the flood.

In closing let me encourage you with the following, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28-29 nasb)

Sincerely in Christ,

Doug Nichols

First of all thank you all so very much for your prayers and support of the work of the Lord here in the Philippines. I am coming up on one year here and it feels like 2 months. Time has really gone by fast for me as I have kept really busy since arriving in 2008.

As most of you know my original plan was to only be in the Philippines for 6 months. After a very short time I knew that this was home and that the Lord had made it known to me that it was here that I was to do ministry long term. Knowing this now I have begun to really settle down here. First I was able to find an apartment which is a lot closer to language school. This was a real blessing because it cuts down my travel costs and travel time from where I was before. With a new place of my own I am now in need of set-up items. I have been living with a family for the past year and haven’t needed to buy anything of my own. I wrote down the items that I will need to set the apartment up to be livable. I would ask each of you to pray with me that the Lord would supply in this area. Please pray and see if the Lord would put it on your heart to help me with these items. If you would like to give to this need please send a check to:

Action International Ministries
PO Box 398
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043-0398

You can also give online through my ACTION web page by going to this link and clicking “Donate to Adam.”

(Either way you donate please specify that the donation is for “Adam Hussey Set-up Funds.” All donations are tax deductable)

I am putting the list of items below for you to see. Please pray over these items and ask the Lord how he would have you be a part of this. Thank you for all who support this ministry in prayer and finances. Lord bless you.

Dishes – service for 4, 20 pieces                                   $40.00
Can Opener                                                                           $2.50
Grater                                                                                      $3.33
Pasta Spoon                                                                           $2.92
Veg Peeler                                                                                $1.22
Spatula                                                                                      $2.50
Measuring spoons (Ecko)                                                    $1.25
Measuring cups, 1 cup, 2 cup                                              $7.29
Cutting Board                                                                           $7.29
Sauce pan and small Dutch oven                                    $20.83
Frying Pan                                                                             $20.83
Kitchen Scissors                                                                     $2.08
Steel Knife Sharpener                                                             $6.25
Hangers, 5                                                                                 $2.50
Toilet Brush, 2                                                                          $5.00
Waste Baskets – Kitchen                                                        $8.33
Waste Baskets – Bathroom, 2                                              $10.41
Spray bottle                                                                                $0.83
Shower Curtain                                                                          $3.13
Rings                                                                                             $1.25
Drapes – Living room                                                            $83.33
Drapes – Bedroom                                                                  $25.00
Counter Top Drainer and Storage unit                             $31.25
Hot Pot                                                                                      $15.63
Toaster oven w/ thermostat                                               $52.08
Refrigerator, 6 cu.ft.                                                            $229.16
Microwave                                                                               $83.33
Stand Fan                                                                                $45.83
A/C Unit                                                                                $333.33
In-line Water heater – shower                                        $166.67
Washer/Spinner                                                                 $145.83
Propane Gas tank and regulator                                      $30.00

Just wanted to send you an update on our graduation ceremony that we had on Sunday. It was so great. We had 22 graduates complete the 6-month Discipleship course. Each young person received a book, a Navigator verse pack, and a certificate of completion. We had a great time of fellowship, prayer, worship, and a message from God’s word. We ended the time having a meal together. Please continue to pray for these youth at they now begin a new chapter in their lives serving the Lord.

Also, an update on my housing. I have found a place to rent. It is a lot closer to my language school and is near another ACTION missionary couple. So praise God for providing a new place to stay.

Sorry for not putting up a blog sooner. Here is a video that highlights what has been going on and what is coming up in the near future. Thank you all so much for your partnership with me in this ministry.

Here is a video that I just did that shows the struggle that we all have as believers. The struggle that we often have is choosing other things over spending quality time with God. This video is inspired by true events. This means that, yes, I was the one who had this struggle two weeks ago. The Lord has answered my prayer and has given me a renewed desire to spend time with Him and in His word. Praise Him for that! May you be challenged by this message also.

I am so sorry that I haven’t been posting lately. There is no excuse, but I have been swamped with things on this end. I was getting over a terrible sickness, full-time language school, and several videos to finish up. I wanted to post up this cool video of a dance that some former street kids performed at a play that I filmed last June 5.

A God-Story from tonight.

Jhune the taxi driver meets Jesus!

Update on the eye. I went to another hospital today to get a second look at my eye. I was told that I had a chalazion (eyelid cyst). Very treatable. So I was prescribed some pills which are making it drastically reduce in size but there is much itchyness and pain. I think that this means its healing. Also, warm compresses are making it feel better to as it promotes blood flow to the area which helps in the healing process. Thank you all for your prayers. Please continue to do so as I continue to battle this eye.

I wanted to update you all on the latest.

I woke up yesterday with a sore eyelid and a little bit swollen. I went to the doc yesterday and he told me it was a sty and to put a warm cloth on it 3 times a day and put some ointment on it. Well today I woke up and it was completely shut and very uncomfortable. I am going to another doctor at St. Luke’s today and see what they say. Please pray for my left eye that God would heal it quickly as I am not able to go to language school until it does. thank you very much for your prayers.