| March 2014 Newsletter
My friend Trevors first mission trip to Philippines.
Towards the end of January, with my friend Veikko Tick, we made a two week speaking tour for Hosea Mission International, established by Anne Miettinen. This is a school work for prep and kindy classes for slum kids with local churches and pastors, so they can enter the public school system. Also this is a great opportunity to bring parents and families in contact with gospel and to start new churches. Providentially it has become very popular with poor families and goverment officiales on all levels. We found it very touching to see the excitement of kids, having the opportunity to enter prep school and be considered a student. It's a big step in life for poor kids and only hope of ever breaking free, from the cycle of poverty in that country. No wonder parents appreciate this work so highly, this has led to establishing a new church of about hundred members in the main school of Mamburao already.
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Prayer for those that need it
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Seminar at Oriental Mindoro
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Now, for the main events of our trip.
Next day after arriving we had our first Sunday meeting and I was a little nervous, not being sure of what to expect, and about the spiritual state of believers, how could I preach a relevant message. So, I started from relatively safe subject of how Jesus reconciled us to God by his sacrifice on the cross. How he suffered our punishment, defeated the power of sin by his complete obedience, even to the point of death. Then entered Hades and with his sinless righteousness was able to take authority over Hades and death. God raised him from dead because of his innocence and total obedience. This victory he achieved completely for our sake, that God can bestow this victory to us freely by grace, without any merit or deserving on our part. Therefore, because of this, God can bless you today and now, you only need to believe, for righteous shall live by faith. This word had some effect and to my surprise everybody came out for prayer. This certainly was a new challenge for me, but veteran Veikko who is gifted to bless by prayer was ready, so we prayed for them. Result was that many were touched and tears were flowing freely. Evening meeting was similar, with Veikko sharing the word.
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Pastori Tick and Trevor Majonen
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Seminar participants |
More meetings in Oriental Mindoro
We travelled about 150k to other side of the Island and next event was a conference with native Mangyans in the town of Bulalacao. These natives are shunned by local people and considered uncivilized, hence their self esteem is very low. Anne had started a school there and this conference was a regional main event, organized by natives, so excitement was high. Atmosphere was very open to receive teaching of God's righteousness as a gift and well received. Holy Spirit blessed the thirsty souls more powerfully, some wept and others rejoiced with many slain to ground. These prayer times after preaching were best of all. One noticeable difference to western practice was their indifference to time after receiving blessings. Nobody wanted to leave, instead worship music became louder (it was loud before) and people started to celebrate with singing and dancing rather spontaneously. Their behaviour was amazing show of gratitude, couldn't help joining them, reminded me of disciples, who were filled with the Holy Spirit and joy.
Another conference in Bongabong
These meetings were arranged especially for pastors and church workers, in the courtyard of island Governor and parliamentarian. Very nice and safe place for meetings and people came all around. This time with Veikko, we centered our teaching on how to work and flow with the Holy Spirit and gifts. Local churches are mainly pentecostal, but they have lost the practical application of Spirit's anointing for ministry, although they retain the doctrine. This is a natural result of another problem. If believers don't know or understand that righteousness of God is a gift, received and retained by faith alone. They will inevitably try to gain God's favour by their own religious self efforts to become a better Christian and so to please God. This of course will never work, it will only lead to realizing I am still not good enough and the feeling of condemnation will dominate. In this state of affairs to believe in God's blessing and favour here and now, is almost an impossible task. Only hope of something better in the future, keeps believers still going, that perhaps later, when I can gain victory over my weakness God will bless me. Without the gift of righteousness, nobody has boldness to enter before the holy God. This problem is prevalent everywhere, and is a cause of unbelief in Christians. However, some of that fog cleared away, and progress was made, by the grace of God, many were filled again, receiving new blessings and encouragement.
Meetings in the local churches.
Next Sunday service was in Roxas, pastor Guro's church. Here the level of faith was well manifested with enthusiastic hunger for God's touch. Except a few people the congregation fell to the floor under the power, only God knows all that happened. Afterwards, pastor was in tears and testified, that this sort of thing has not been experienced before. Later in the evening another meeting was scheduled at prayer mountain, some thirty people were expected to attend. However, word of these happenings had spread, so about hundred turned up among them many pastors. Another challenge, but God's grace met the expectation of hungry people, this time too Glory came down as before in the church. One testimony worth sharing, that we heard later, was about two landowners, that had been at enmity with each other, about some disagreement for two years. This had caused trouble for local church and all reconciliation efforts by pastors had failed. In the meeting these two were crying and hugging each other to amazement of others. We of course didn't make anything of it, lots of people were doing it. These two men had found each other without any human intervention. Again we had wonderful time of rejoicing and dancing with much joy.
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| Shoes donated by Koivisto |
Return to Occidental Mindoro.
After full day of travelling we arrived back to Mamburao school. Had two days of rest and a meeting in Santa Cruz, small church, but hungry people were blessed. Independent church in Abra had also invited us to visit and had a most memorable meeting. Most members just cryed, when Holy Spirit touched them so sweetly. Pastor gave a very emotional testimony after the meeting, how God had met him. Last two meetings were at main school in Mamburao. Many came long way in a hope of experiencing God and in those two evenings some went down so powerfully, that catchers fell down with them. This time many were sitting on the floor, some group of pastors wives laughing others weeping, pretty mixed reactions. Oh what a feeling, to see so many people blessed.
In final assessment of this venture, I must say that Hosea Mission has been a great help and blessing, in giving new hope for these local people and their kids. It cannot be said with enough emphasis, how much it is appreciated. I was personally so touched, that much can be done, with the grace and favour of God, even with weak and seemingly insignificant servants of God. For that I can add my own testimony, that God's work is more wonderful than anticipated, to him alone glory and praise.
Yours in the love of Jesus Trevor Majoinen from Australia
A big thank you to Trevor for a very succesfull trip to the Philippines. Trevor Majoinen has joined our Australian Hosea Team. He has been 11 years in missionary work in Japan and also worked as a pastor in a church in Australia.
Trevor will lead on a new mission trip to the Philippines in April, with the plan to conquer some new areas for Christ on the islands close to Mindoro. In the meantime we are preparing for the Medical Mission to the aboriginals living in a village called Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro (eastern side of Mindoro Island).
I want to thank all of you who have joined us to this very meaningful work for the good of Gospel!
With my love,
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