"TEAM PHILIPPINES" 2012

"TEAM PHILIPPINES" 2012
June 2012 Team.....waiting for our last flight in Hong Kong

Sunday, August 29, 2010

By Shauna Hefner on Sunday, 04 July 2010
Greetings in the Name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!Maayong Hapon! Kumasta?
This week has been a week of language review, study and application. Gigi suggested I get a copy of the Visayan hymns from Dr. Lina and we have placed them on the language agenda as well. I have a daily schedule; however, you know they rarely turn out as expected. You’ll be glad to know my mind set is moving from frustrated acceptance to hilarity. In self defense, I am planning for the unexpected. Here are my rules for learning to be.
1. Always be ready early.
2. Always be prepared to wait.
3. Always be ready with a back up plan.
4. Always remain mobile, i.e. keep a bag packed and ready to walk out the door.
5. Always remember relationship is more important than punctuality or schedules.
Does anyone else see the humor in this? I am “learning to be” and establishing rules for myself. I think this is a classic example of an oxymoron. :-) There have been times of frustration this week, but the Lord (Ginoo) is adjusting my thinking on a regular basis. He is faithful about such things isn’t He?!? Please continue to be praying for this time of adjustment. There are times the stress is very high. The Ginoo is faithful to listen and continue working on me.

On Friday, Gigi and I ate lunch at Metro Surigao and bagged multi-vitamins for the clinics scheduled for this week. Here are the clinics scheduled for this week. Date Pastor Church Location7/06 Ptr Al Canlanipa7/08 Ptr Dacumos Suyatan7/10 Davao (Dr. Materdo will travel)While at the City Health office, DA introduced himself and expressed his appreciation for Fruitful Harvest’s involvement with the disabled Surigaonon’s clinic on Monday, July 19. He asked that I come. I talked to Dr. Lina about the situation and we agree. I should make an appearance for a couple of hours at least. A time of reading and oral comprehension of the same passage will be placed on the lesson plan immediately before lunch. If the time runs over at the clinic, we are still on schedule for class and the students have minimal impact.

On Friday evening, I taught the Ladies Bible Study (LBS) class at Suyatan. The teaching was on Christ as our Shepherd (Ps 23, John 10). Sometimes I forget the little things. There are no sheep on Mindanao. The ladies told me there used to be some, but no longer. The teaching had to begin on a more basic level than I had planned. PTL for all of the reading and teaching He had me do in the past! PTL for the curiosity He gave me to ask so many questions! PTL for giving me parents willing to answer the questions or help me find the answers! The teaching began with the basics of a sheep’s character and the function of the shepherd. The ladies could see how Jesus feeds us, leads us and warns us.

Ang Dios maau ug iyang kaluoy magpadayon sawalay katapusan!
(God is good and His mercies endure forever!)
Shauna Hefner

Saturday, August 28, 2010

MIRACLE AT THE AIRPORT

On this trip Charlie & Wayne needed to carry our missionary, Shauna Hefner, some personal items her mom had mailed to us. After calling the travel agent we found out an extra box or suitcase would be over $120.00. So we just divided up the 40# that was mailed and put in Charlie's two 50# bags and made them 70#. This would be only $25.00 each to be over. Worked out very well I thought. Wayne was also was over about 5# or so in each bag. We had decided to just combine Wayne’s overage into one bag and pay another additional $25.00 for 8-10#. Charlie prayed for an understanding ticket agent. His prayer was answered as he approached her he explained the two of them were traveling on an international mission endeavor and they had luggage that was over since they were taking some supplies to a fellow missionary. She said so why did you come to me and he said because you looked like a friendly face and I prayed. So she said your prayers have been answered. She was a Christian and quoted scriptures and proclaimed the goodness of the Lord and how wonderful for them to be caring the gospel. When Charlie got ready to pay for the overage on his two 70# bags she said "What are you doing?" You asked and the Lord has answered your prayers! Put your card up."

What a blessing that was. We have been showed favor by ticket agents before but that was very unusual with overage on luggage. Praise the Lord. What an awesome God we serve. The trip was off to a very good start.

Blessing,

Melba
FIRST REPORT BY MISSIONARY SHAUNA:

Saturday, June 26, 2010Maaung hapon (good afternoon)! The first week here seemed to fly between finding a routine, working on language, visitation, walking the Barangay (Brgy.) and learning the basics of life (cooking, laundry, CR, shopping, etc.). I’m not certain where the time went. Regardless, it was fun.

This week has been indescribable. Dr. Lina and I started the week with meetings, Mayor Casurra and Dr. Limcangco, and ended the week by packing meds. In between, we supervised the emptying of the motor pool (medical equipment and ministry boxes), sorted the “stuff” from the motor pool, and packed school supplies for distribution.

Culture shock has definitely set in. Philippine time is a running joke among the foreigners, but it’s as serious as anything I’ve ever experienced. I can not figure it out! The people are either late or early and I can not determine when which applies. I feel like the Keystone Cops. Who’s on first??? This is all part of changing my American mind set and assimilating into the culture.

Another area of changing mind set is in language. The name of this game is review, review, review…causes retention. The phonics base is easier than English, but I keep stressing the wrong syllable. The English rules are still ruling in my head. The pronouns are another story all together. I can not seem to make them agree - singular, plural, to someone or about someone – oh, my! PLEASE pray for language and clarity.

My day usually begins with my quiet time and Bible study time. After breakfast, I do the household chores and language study. There is a companion with me most of the time. Her name is Gigi Reyes. She and her husband, Weweng, stay in the mission house with me at night. The Reyes are a huge blessing! They are patient and longsuffering. I do not know how many times phrases and vocabulary words are repeated. They are expecting their first child in August. Please be praying for her health, safe delivery and quick recovery.

The long-term plan is to apply for missionary status; however, I’m told the average time to complete the process is one year. Missionary status has to be applied for and processed in Cebu. Please pray for the Lord’s mercy and grace on this process.

On Monday, the English classes begin for the pastors and their wives. We do have three young people (youth) that will join us because they have to be ready for college. We are limited to one class per week because of the travel limitations, ministry needs and necessary provisions. The pastors will attend class all day Monday (7a-6p) and a review session on Tuesday morning (7-9). One of the pastors will travel four (4) hours by boat, one way, to be here. His travel costs will be P250-300 round trip. At the current exchange rate, $45.16, the round trip fair is $5.52-6.62. As part of the class, we will feed the pastors on Monday and Tuesday as well as provide housing on Monday evening.

Daghan salamat sa Dios para sa imo! (Many thanks to God for you!)

Shauna Hefner
Sabang Baptist Mission House
Purok 4 Sabang
Surigao CitySurigao
Del Norte, Philippines 8400

Thursday, August 26, 2010


INTRODUCING OUR LATEST FIELD SIDE MISSIONARY IN SURIGAO CITY, PHILIPPINES


Shauna Hefner surrendered to the mission field and agreed with God to relocate in Surigao City this June. We met Shauna in the fall of '09 through John Horton her pastor and our old friend. After visiting over the phone and meeting in person we are convinced that this Godly lady is a woman of GREAT FAITH. After a trip to the Philippines in 2003, she has never recovered from the pull on her to return full time. She is an English teacher that will be working with the women, children, youth and assisting in the Bible Training Center teaching English to the students. Please pray for her and consider supporting her financially.


Shauna went on the June trip and stayed. She is doing a wonderful work for the Lord. I will be posting her updates on this blog also.


Tuesday, August 24th Charlie Sickles and Wayne Scott left for an extensive stay in the Philippines. There destination is Surigao City where they will be working on getting a Bible College built and starting the teaching of the students that will take place in the local churches until the completion of the School Building. I will share later about the MIRACLE AT THE AIRPORT!
I apologize for the lack of information on the blog. I was planning on giving updates while in the Philippines during the evangelistic/medical mission in June and didn't have sufficient Internet service or time. The trip was a huge success and I will be posting more information about the adventure in the days to come.

We held six clinics in different areas where the Filipino people were able to receive consultations after hearing a clear presentation of the gospel. These are the results: 1,300 reading, eye and sun glasses were given, medical patients 1,363, dental patients 324 with 433 teeth extracted, 154 circumcisions for boys ages 9-10, fasting blood sugar 193, and 143 urinalysis test. There were 1,769 professions of faith. We give God all the glory for these accomplishments. The decision cards in each area were given to the Pastors in their area to do follow up.