Dear Friends of the Ministry, Thank each and everyone for the support that you give. I'm just a little discouraged as to the lack of comments and followers on this blog. Please let me know what I can do to make it more appealing for the reader. I'm sure there is a better way to get the word out and I'm just a pilgrim seeking to learn how to function in this electronic world.
Blessings abundantly to you all, Melba
"TEAM PHILIPPINES" 2012
June 2012 Team.....waiting for our last flight in Hong Kong
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
More on the Students Preaching!
Nap Nap & Russel
The two students from Big Roger's church in General Santos, Nap Nap and Russel, were permitted to go home to witness to their lost family members. Nap Nap preached at Pastor Roger's church and 4 adults were saved and Russel preached at the mission church in the mountains. Big Roger said in his text to Charlie that these boys were on fire for God.
Student Jamin, Pastor Sammy's son, preached at Pastor Al's Church on Sunday morning.
Student Jem Boy preached at First Brashear in the absence of Pastor Mejares as his son AJ was taken to hospital. Jem Boy also preached Sunday night at Pastor John Kinsey's church. They are getting alot of practice and doing a great job.
Students Sharing the Gospel to Family!
Levi & Flor
Student Flor's grandpa got sick on the island of Siargao in Barangay Pillar and it was serious enough that he was allowed to go for a visit. As he visited he led him to the Lord plus 27 other family members and neighbors. It seems a church is being birthed in Pillar which is Dr. Lina's home. He went back with student Levi who is also from Pillar this weekend and they held Bible Studies in homes on Friday & Saturday night and had church service on Sunday with 17 adults and 17 children in attendance. Please pray that the Lord would provide a pastor for this church.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Charlie's return to the Philippines
Saturday Night February 12, 2011:
Charlie made it safely to Sabang with a warm welcome. A new podium was waiting with the Fruitful Harvest logo. Someone has been very busy and is very talented. The men's Bible Study Group took up offerings while he was in the states to surprise him. A very touching gift.
The Brashear Baptist Church in Day-Asan now has a concrete floor, a porch and a drain has also been put in all around the outside of the building to prevent water from coming in. Thank you Fruitful Harvest Seminary Students for your hard work.
ANOTHER CHURCH BIRTHED
The students go out witnessing on Wednesday and Saturday. As they traveled a few miles away to another village 80 accepted Jesus as their Savior. These new converts are coming to the church in Sabang but they want one in their village. Charlie visited and meet with one of the new converts that will donate land for the building. Praise the Lord! It is in a farming area that is thriving with vegetables. Charlie inquired about purchasing vegetables for the students meals and found out they needed fertilizer but couldn't afford it. A deal was agreed upon for FH to provide the fertilizer for free vegetables. In addition they will teach our students how to grow crops. At this time the land owners son owns a jeepney and will provide transportation each Sunday to bring everyone to church in Sabang until they have their own.
The students go out witnessing on Wednesday and Saturday. As they traveled a few miles away to another village 80 accepted Jesus as their Savior. These new converts are coming to the church in Sabang but they want one in their village. Charlie visited and meet with one of the new converts that will donate land for the building. Praise the Lord! It is in a farming area that is thriving with vegetables. Charlie inquired about purchasing vegetables for the students meals and found out they needed fertilizer but couldn't afford it. A deal was agreed upon for FH to provide the fertilizer for free vegetables. In addition they will teach our students how to grow crops. At this time the land owners son owns a jeepney and will provide transportation each Sunday to bring everyone to church in Sabang until they have their own.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Today February 7, 2011. Great and mighty God things are going on. The holiday season keeps us very busy and therefore I have not been doing a very good job at blogging. To keep this short I will not try to fill you in at this time. Charlie returned home from the Philippines on December 1, 2010. It has been a blessed time at home. Christmas with family was enjoyable but bitter sweet as it was the first without Charlie's mom.Many thanks for the invitations to all the churches that allowed him to give updates. A sad note as on Christmas Day night our good friend and partner in ministry Landis Downing of King City, MO went on to be with the Lord. We made the trip there and Charlie held the service and between 15-20 made provisions of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory. More to share about what the Lord is doing concerning the future for the Memorial "Landis' Lighthouse Orphanage" in the Philippines.
Today Charlie will catch a 6:00P.M. flight back to the Philippines. He will be there until May 7th. I will be here overseeing the daily operation of the ministry and taking a small team to Davao, Philippines on April 3rd-15th. As usual there will be a team going to Surigao City, Philippines leaving June 6th-18th. This team at this time is made up of 30 members and 18 of them are first timers. Only God knows what is in store. We covet your prayers.
Melba
Today Charlie will catch a 6:00P.M. flight back to the Philippines. He will be there until May 7th. I will be here overseeing the daily operation of the ministry and taking a small team to Davao, Philippines on April 3rd-15th. As usual there will be a team going to Surigao City, Philippines leaving June 6th-18th. This team at this time is made up of 30 members and 18 of them are first timers. Only God knows what is in store. We covet your prayers.
Melba
Monday, November 1, 2010
Dear Ministry Friends, November 1, 2010
Wow, the day is almost here, one more wake up and I’m off to see Charlie in the Philippines where he has been since August 24th. My heart is beating fast and the anxiety is high to say the least.
I am spiritually excited to inform you that my good friend Vickie Hathcoat, who has been on several medical missions to the Philippines with FH, and her husband James will be traveling with me. They are a great blessing to our ministry and we feel this is God’s drawing for James to make his first missionary journey!
Our trip will be filled with a lot of ministry opportunities in addition to observing all the programs that are going on each day there. We will have the privilege to visit the new church in Mat-I that you may remember reading about on the FH blog that was birthed out of the June medical trip. Our hearts will leap for joy as we take a hike across a river and up a hill to conduct a medical clinic to tribal group. Of course you can’t go to the Philippines without taking a small boat ride to one of the beautiful islands where they have no vehicles. FH has a church on this island that is led by Pastor Elmo and is thriving. When land is acquired he will have a larger building to conduct services. We will observe feeding programs, meet the new mayor of Surigao City, visit RTS ( Regional Training School for police officers), observe students in the Fruitful Harvest Baptist Theological Seminary, attend Men’s and Women’s Bible studies and various church services. Our prayer is that God will use us for His Glory.
Please know that Charlie and I are so very grateful for all of you and your prayers and financial support for without that the work would be hindered or there would be no work at all, for the Lord uses His body to accomplish Kingdom work. We are quick to give God all the glory for we know of ourselves we are nothing and inadequate to do ANYTHING without Him. Our heart is to never disappoint or embarrass Him in anyway.
We covet your prayers for safety in our travels and for the Lord to use us for His Kingdom work.
In His Harvest,
Melba Sickles
Wow, the day is almost here, one more wake up and I’m off to see Charlie in the Philippines where he has been since August 24th. My heart is beating fast and the anxiety is high to say the least.
I am spiritually excited to inform you that my good friend Vickie Hathcoat, who has been on several medical missions to the Philippines with FH, and her husband James will be traveling with me. They are a great blessing to our ministry and we feel this is God’s drawing for James to make his first missionary journey!
Our trip will be filled with a lot of ministry opportunities in addition to observing all the programs that are going on each day there. We will have the privilege to visit the new church in Mat-I that you may remember reading about on the FH blog that was birthed out of the June medical trip. Our hearts will leap for joy as we take a hike across a river and up a hill to conduct a medical clinic to tribal group. Of course you can’t go to the Philippines without taking a small boat ride to one of the beautiful islands where they have no vehicles. FH has a church on this island that is led by Pastor Elmo and is thriving. When land is acquired he will have a larger building to conduct services. We will observe feeding programs, meet the new mayor of Surigao City, visit RTS ( Regional Training School for police officers), observe students in the Fruitful Harvest Baptist Theological Seminary, attend Men’s and Women’s Bible studies and various church services. Our prayer is that God will use us for His Glory.
Please know that Charlie and I are so very grateful for all of you and your prayers and financial support for without that the work would be hindered or there would be no work at all, for the Lord uses His body to accomplish Kingdom work. We are quick to give God all the glory for we know of ourselves we are nothing and inadequate to do ANYTHING without Him. Our heart is to never disappoint or embarrass Him in anyway.
We covet your prayers for safety in our travels and for the Lord to use us for His Kingdom work.
In His Harvest,
Melba Sickles
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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
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
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