We arrived here in Baguio in Saturday. We are staying at APTS(Asia Pacific Theological Seminary). There were 6 of us interns here at that time, and were split up into three teams to each visit a different church. Miles and Ren attended church with Connie. They went to a much more Americanized church. Heather and Garret went with Pastor Mayo (Mio) to a church in the mountains, still kind of close. Jonathan and I traveled with Pastor Oliver to a remote AG church in the mountains about an hour away from APTS. I was informed the night before that on my team of Jonathan and I that I would be speaking the message, more of a teaching for about 30 minutes and Jonathan would be leading worship.On Sunday we all woke up, put on our skirts and best clothing that we brought and headed out to church. Pastor Oliver picked us up at about 9am and then we made the long hour journey winding through the mountains to get to church. A little bit about this church: It is an AG church plant only about 2 years old. Pastor Oliver is 28 and has grown up in this village, attended school and is a public school teacher, but then decided to go back and become a licensed AG pastor. The village this church is in used to be inhabited by headhunters, but they are now on another mountain and have come to know Christ!
When we finally arrived at the house, service had already begun. People were sharing testimonies and as soon as we got there, all the heads turned and the smiles began to come out. It was obvious that even though we had not exchanged words that they were happy to have us there. We had the opportunity to participate in worship songs in the native language which was amazing to sit and listen to something not in your own language, but to also know that those praises are reaching God, just as our songs do. I got to sit in God's presence while song of praise went to heaven, even though I did not know the words. Pastor Oliver introduced us and then Jonathan went up and shared his testimony and played a couple of worship songs on the guitar. Then, it was my turn. I was so nervous, but as soon as I stood up, all fear left me and I knew that God would give me the words to speak that I was not by my strength but His and that whatever the words were, they would be blessed. I had prepared the night before a message on God's provision and plan for our lives. The people in this area are headed into the rainy season which causes a lot of devastation with landslides and mudslides. Last year a mudslide killed over 100 people. There is also a lot of flooding and where they live, it is all farming and the city is on the other side of the mountain up a steep road that has been washed away many times. I opened with Matthew 6 where it tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear. Showing us that God care so much about those who choose to follow Him. I really wanted them to know that God is the one who provides and plans. I reminded them that God directs our steps in life and that so many times when we are in a difficult situation, we want to do things our own way. God wants us to trust Him. I know from my own experiences that His plan is always better than mine that even though in the moment it may not seem like it, that it really is! I closed with the passage in Numbers 11 that speaks of Moses and the Israelites in the desert complaining about too much manna and no meat. Read it if you don't know the story:http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2011&version=NIV 
At the end of it all, God asks, "The LORD answered Moses, 'Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.'" God had always provided and come through for them and this story shows that God is always listening to our cries and prayers. He loves is children so much and wants us to put our trust in Him. It was such a blessing to speak what I know to be so true and to bring encouragement to the people of this village!
We ate lunch with the people at the house, and then walked about a mile or so to another house up in the mountains for a Bible study for another 2 hours. Here Jonathan and I shared our testimonies and a couple words of encouragement and finished our time with some of our worship and some native worship. The most challenging thing about the whole time was that there is such a language barrier. Pastor Oliver knew English well enough to translate for us with our testimonies and my message, but it is so hard to "relate" or interact with people who do not know your language. God is good through all of it though and I really enjoyed the time that we spent yesterday, it was the beginning of a stretch to get up and speak in front of a completely different culture. The one huge this that I take away from yesterday is that the church as we know it is so different from how we see it back in the states. Church is not the nice building that we meet in and the worship team with lights and everything, but the church is in the people. This has never been as evident and real in my life s it was yesterday. To truly see the bride of Christ reflected in the lives of people who live in true poverty was so heavy on my heart. I thank God for the realization of re-knowing what it means to be the church. The church cannot be destroyed if it is truly the people and not the building!
