Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Monday
 

We are leaving for the Southern Philippines on Monday morning. I would desire your prayers, as we are going into a sort of dangerous part of the world. Mindanao (the island) is always on the terrorist alert list, and there was a recent massacre close to where we're going. But we're very excited, since we've never been before, and we feel that God is directing our way.

We have several pastors/churches in this part of the world, and we've only met our head pastor and one other a couple years ago in Hong Kong when we flew them over to meet us. It will be good to see them in their actual part of the world.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Friends.... don't know if the hotel Insalur (?) is still in operation in Mindanao, but of all our travels, it was one of the most beautiful place we have been. Pray you are blessed on this endeavor and have a Merry Christmas. JDL's

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

We're staying at the Marco Polo in Davao City. Someone told us it's very nice.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Praying for a safe and prosperous journey.

Avoid volcanoes...

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

bring candy bars and beef jerky.
BTW John are you still selling jerky?

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

nope

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Praying for God's blessing on your trip!

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Sherri, I was there a couple of months ago. You should have no problems, especially if the only city you go to is Davao, it is about as safe as an American city, ever been in NY at night! Just be aware of all your surroundings, watch for the pick pockets at the airport and bus terminals. The filippino in Mindanao are wonderful people, you will be loved like never before and they are wide open to the gospel. They are all shy people, it might appear they are not receiving you, but they are just reserved. You wil have to draw them out. If you take time to talk to them they will be flattered and most gracious. The men and boys are starved for affection, the young girls want hope, they feel helpless. Take time to visit some of them in their homes, it will be unforgettable. I look forward to the pictures.
It will be hard, but try to avoid the street beggers and vendors, if they see you give a coin, you will be surrounded by tens of people very quickly. I learned to give some coins to my filippino companions and let them give to the beggers...they would shooo them away then we could keep walking.
Can I suggest a couple of items to carry with you.
Hand Sanitizer, soap, paper, baby wipes. There will be no soap or paper in the public restrooms, try to avoid the public restrooms if possible.
If you have any sinus issues carry Saline Spray, I could not find it anywhere, and the smoke from the burning wood they all cook with was murder.
Any blood sugar issues? Carry your own sweetner and powdered creamer, you can get instant coffee everywhere but it is only one brand, if you have a preference take that with you as well.
Of course, don't drink the water, and even remember to use bottled water to brush your teeth with! I made that mistake in the mountains where the water was espeically bad and paid for it! Don't buy bottled water off the street, the bottle probably was recycled! and is filled with their tap water. Only get from Rose Pharmacy or the mall or a major store, no home-stores.
If you drink diet sodas, stock up at the major stores.
If you are in Cagayan, stay at least on night at the Pryce near the airport. It is wonderful, but don't let them charge you 4000K pesos, you can get them down to 2500. Let your filippino contacts buy everything where there is not a posted price, the price for Americans will be triple!
I only carried a couple of hundered in cash hidden in two or three places, because your debit card will work at the ATM, but be prepared to stand in line for 30 minutes! If you travel away from the city, you will need cash, they will take $$ but that you will want pesos in all denominations, they will not want to give change, especially the taxi drivers. If they tell you a flat fee and don't want to use a meter, just get out and wait for another.


Check out my blog before you go,

prayforphilippines.blogspot.com

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

wonderful advice...Sherri, you folks are in our prayers. We love you all very much.
Be careful and don't keep the angels working overtime! Send us a hello if you have the time.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Thanks for all the great advice!! I will definitely check out your blog. We are staying New Year's Eve in Manila and then flying the next morning to Davao. We decided not to go to Cagayan de Oro, for the sake of safety. Davao is supposedly much safer for a large Christian gathering. We are in Davao three nights, and then fly back to Manila.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

I will pray for you guys too. But isn't there a volcano active there right now?

The southern part of the Phillipines as where there is the most Islamic extremism, so be very prayerful.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

The volcano isn't anywhere close to where we're going, I don't think. Yes, the Muslim extremists are in Mindanao, but it shouldn't be too bad in Davao. Will appreciate the prayers though!!

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Will be praying for y'all, Sherri.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

That is true, but where Sherri is going is on the other side of the island. Actually, the worst of the terrorists, known as Abu Sayaf operate in the Sulu chain of islands, Jolo island in particular, to the SW of Mindanao. This island is where the 3 US marines were killed in the last year. The other unrest in the island is to the NE where there are many communists and conservationist who are fighting the logging industry. Davao, where Sherri is going, is in the SE corner of Mindanao, still merits much prayer. There have been some terrorist acts, but not nearly as dangerous as the other parts of the island.

My contacts there took me much closer to the Muslim areas, I was in Iligan, however, the Muslim terrorists are very few in number, and the people are loving, humble and very friendly. I was able to move freely thru the city. I was in a major mall and met several foreigners. There is a British professor who teaches at one of the colleges and he frequently travels alone in Iligan.
I also traveled to the interior of the island to Valencia in Bukidon province. I climbed a dormant volcano, and met the security chief there, he is assigned to the mountain because there is a telecommunication tower on top if it. He told me he had been kidnapped 3 times. But even in Valencia, I walked the streets and did not feel danger.

The Philippines are made up of 7000 islands. They are grouped in 3 groups: the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The volcano is in Luzon. Manila is in Luzon and is about 450 miles N of Mindanao.

If you want to see the volcano, read about the terror groups, and see the wonderful people, check out my blog,
prayforphilippines.blogspot.com

I will never forget Pepito, who said he will stand for the gospel of Jesus Christ, though the Catholics and SDA offered him money to convert.
Nor will I foget, Jimuel, Jimboy, Nilson, Hyde, David, Pastors, Winston, Delano, Lumbab, Salauna, Sousoa, and so many others.

Please pray for the good people of the Philippines.

Bill

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Bill, you sound like such a caring person, may God bless you.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Thank you Sister. This one missions trip changed my life. I did not know that it could affect me the way that it did. Much of what used to matter to me is nothing after meeting our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ who live in extreme conditions of poverty, but who love an worship God with zeal. They make my worship seems as nothing. I saw a grandmother with her arms in the air, tears flowing, and thanking JC for his goodness, and her grandchild with a tumor on his head that looked like an orange! Can you imagine praise in the middle of that pain? But the Lord healed the baby and has provided me with donors to feed the family every month for the next year until the baby can be strong again.
My hearts desire is to be blessed again by being with these wonderful people!

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

I too love the Philippines and the sweet people there. Have been there quite a few times. Yes, they sure do worship.

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

Yikes........I haven't packed a thing. Tomorrow will be a very busy day. I'm dreading airport security a bit now, after the incident today. Need some serious prayers going up!

Re: Need Prayers - leaving for the Philippines Mon
 

will be praying Sherri