Philippines Update
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6
Prayer breaks chains and gives favor that is supernatural. It enables rescue and puts people in the right place at the right time.
I want to update you on Aglow’s activity in the Philippines since my November 12th letter. Thank you to all who have donated to Aglow’s Disaster Relief fund for that region. We have received over $25,000 to bring aid to the Philippines!
Tessie, our Aglow National President of the Philippines, has gathered with Aglow leaders and church leaders to purchase and pack large amounts of rice, toiletries, and medications. Below are a few pictures of the group assembling packages, as well as handing them out. Tessie reports that something wonderful is happening throughout the Philippines in Aglow. Because of the Transformation trips to many places in the Philippines, Aglow has a wonderful name among the people. Men are walking strongly alongside Aglow now, and a vibrant Generations group is growing up. What an incredible blessing – to know our Transformations trips were taken in part for such a time as this.
Here is what Tessie and the team have been up to:
Bohol
- They visited Bohol where they were able to visit many villages. Bohol was the #1 tourist island in the Philippines. Now all the hotels, resorts, and malls are in shambles from the recent earthquake, and then the typhoon.
- When the typhoon hit it was 8AM and it was a holiday, so children were not in school. This saved many lives.
- Now Bohol is being called “Sink Hole Island”.
Disaster aid
- They had more volunteers than they could use. Everyone wants to help.
- The team has been in Leyte and Tacloban. They will cross two oceans (by ferry) to reach the affected areas. Tessie said, “Please surround us with prayers as many roads are blocked, and people are desperately waiting on the streets others do hold up those coming with supplies.”
- 12 people are traveling to hand out supplies – 9 men and 3 women. There are also men on the ground in the areas where they are going who are making advance preparations for the distribution. She asked for prayer for safety for them all.
- They are taking 2 trucks. They are riding in one of them, and supplies are in the other. Since there are no hotels or places to stay they are camping out just like the people they are coming to help, so they have brought their own supplies – tents to sleep in, food and cooking utensils.
Future plans
- After this first major trip they will take aid to several other islands.
- They also plan to take aid to the evacuation centers in Cebu.
- They will continue delivering aid into December.
Ministry to the people
- Tessie said they are sharing the messages that were spoken at our conference in Orlando. These messages are bringing life and hope to the people.
- She is preaching…in every negative situation there is a positive…Isaiah 61 “instead of”… These powerful words are strengthening the body there.
- We have let Tessie know we are praying for them all. She said she feels the peace, assurance, power of our prayers. Transformation is happening.
In the midst of this great disaster, and the threat of trafficking that we continue to pray about, I am so blessed to be reminded of God’s provision and what He had set in place in advance. On a personal note, in addition to Tessie and the team providing disaster relief in the Philippines, a friend of mine, Renee St. Jacques, was in the Philippines for two weeks at a safe house ministering to young formerly trafficked girls who are being healed, restored, and set free. Renee was working on a dissertation involving dance as healing for trafficking victims. Please pray for the girls she ministered to. Many testimonies came out of that time, including breakthroughs like these, "I realized that I can also express my prayers in a dance." And, "I felt God's forgiveness as I was dancing."
Thank you so much for praying. Thank you for giving. God is doing great things, and we are so blessed and humbled at the support we have received and are able to give to the Philippines. Thank you for continuing to pray for Tessie and the team (including for safety and wisdom in supply distribution) and also for Renee as she ministers through dance at the shelter.
Blessings to you all!
Standing in the gap with you,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Anti-Trafficking Specialist
Aglow International
