Sunday, September 26, 2010
Greetings to you in the Name of our Wonderful Counselor, Intercessor and Great High Priest!

A Few Hell Weeks full of Hallelujahs

Usually, these notes are not titled but this one seems to be in need of it. You’ll understand as we progress through the most recent events. It was a huge blessing from the Lord when the Pastors, Charlie and Wayne, arrived. The Lord’s timing is always perfect like a cool refreshing drink of water. The hilarity is without end and the earnest discussions are increasing. The situations these two Texas boys get into are not believable. Lord willing, someday, I’ll be able to sit down and detail their escapades. The earnest discussions are, of course, about the Scriptures and doctrine, e.g. translation of the church, wine, overcomers, Judgment Seat of Christ, Great White Throne, identity etc.

The discussions are necessary and focused due the opening of the Fruitful Harvest Baptist Theological Seminary (FHBTS) in Sabang, Surigao City. The first day of class was on Monday, September 6, 2010. Please be praying with us because the Enemy of our souls does not want this work in Sabang or for it to succeed. We are fighting on multiple fronts - food, health, obedience, prayer, supplies, teachers, technology, and vehicles - to name a few. Will you join us in offensive, “hand-to-hand” combat? The battle lines have been drawn; we are resolved to stand where the Lord has placed us.

Since the sixth (6th), the vehicles are working, or not, on an almost hourly basis. Students run fevers, normalize within a short amount of time (read minutes and hours) and run fevers again. The students want to eat something other than fish-rice and rice-fish; it is unheard of because these are the mainstays of the Filipino diet. I’ve lost count how many trips I make from the school to the MH every day. The Pastors are the official shoppers for the ministry now with a daily average of three (3) trips. They are even comfortable going to the tiange to buy vegetables (gulay) now. Also, the Pastors are the on-call substitutes for the teachers that no show, as if building churches, supervising hollow blocks, preaching, counseling, and “firefighting” are not enough jobs. Pastor Charlie says he only thinks he knows what is going on around here. It is CHAOS!

In the midst of the pandemonium, Father God shows himself strong and faithful! The students come under the influence of the Enemy and one group decides to elevate themselves over the others. Unity is lost, resentment takes hold and the Father shows up to equalize, realign them. The Ipil church donated bananas to the FHBTS students. Miraculously, four banana hearts (puso sa saging) and two coconuts showed up in the school kitchen. No one seems to know when or from whom they arrived. Let me testify to the facts. There is no budget - for the food, the supplies or the additional needs of the students - but God (Phil 4.19).

We have a leader for the male students. His name is Napoleon, or Nap-Nap, and he hails from Ptr Roger’s church. He is one of the “youngest” Christians (1.5 years) enrolled. This is a young man who is already a “pastor in practice.” His heart and desire is set for the care of people. The gifts he exhibits are wondrous. As for the girls, we do not have an established leader. However, Margelyn is far ahead of the other students in her knowledge of the Word and her spiritual walk. Because of these things and her English skill, she is often called into service for FHBTS. She has been named as an official member of the school administration, however, she will be continuing her education. Margelyn has been called by God for missionary service. So, a beautiful young woman full of discretion and love has been loaned to us by God. She’s from Pr John’s church in Rizal.

Please be praying with us and for us as we are in a daily battle for the students and the staff. We need dependable, consistent and Spirit led teachers to teach the Word of God. During dinner at Rizal, Ptr Charlie mentioned the school is a George Mueller like work, by faith and for God’s glory. It was hard for me to agree with him, because Mueller is one of my mentors. However, I listened to a sermon by Manley Beasley this afternoon. The late Bro. Beasley makes the point that faith must be worked in us, through us and for us. By this explanation, or is it a definition, Ptr Charlie is correct; FHBTS is a Mueller like work of God, for God, and by God. It is a labour, or burden, for His kingdom but His blessings are exceedingly abundant above what I can imagine (Eph 3:20-21).

As Christians, we are charged with not being ignorant of the Enemy’s devices. Combat on multiple fronts is challenging - loud, chaotic and action packed. The physical eye is deceived in the area of battle because it “sees” what is played out in front of it. In reality, the battle, and ultimately the war, has already been fought. The truth is it was finished with the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus. The daily, sometimes hourly, victory is in the hand of God and it is ours. The Holy Spirit brings to my remembrance Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on the water; the woman with the issue of blood; and Joshua and Caleb giving Moses their intelligence report. These are examples of seeing with spiritual eyes, by faith (see Hebrews 11).

The wondrous works of God arrive in His perfect timing like cool fresh breezes from the ocean. There are days of rejoicing and certainty for what the Father has done. Some days one has to sit, pray, or stand in the absolute awe of the works of His hands. A day does not end the Father has not worked supernaturally. He is the Provision and the Supply!


Standing in awe at the presence of God,
Shauna Hefner


P. S. Here’s my favorite quote, at least for now...“Faith is believing something is so when it is not so in order for it to be so because God says it is so.” - Manley Beasley