Here's a final update before we hit the airport!
We had a great Sunday morning service at Jane's home church and then had to say our goodbyes to all those we have come to know and love in Lucena City. We were able to spend a little time with both of Jane's children and their families. Then we changed clothes for our three hour car ride back to Manila. The traffic is always a challenge, so even though we don't travel a long distance, it takes a long time to get there!
We arrived in Manila at our hotel about 8:30 p.m., checked in, and had some time to start organizing our suitcases before bed. After traveling with a suitcase for fourteen days all your clothes reek and everything seems dirty and sweaty. We got a fairly good night's sleep last night and spent today looking around Manila. We have an early flight tomorrow morning so we will be leaving the hotel about 4:45 a.m.! Then it's the long haul back across the ocean and ...... hello Minneapolis!
Thanks for all your prayers and support towards this outreach. Jane is doing really well and her ministry is the most healthy we've seen it in years. God is faithful!
Love,
Pastor Sharon and Nola
10.27.2007
News from the Mission Field: Email 9
Yesterday we had a day of ministry for women. The turnout was fantastic - more than expected again. They had 220 women registered for the day. The meeting was held in a large room in another mall. I was not able to preach a whole message due to my rotten cough and chest thing still hanging out here in my body. So I just did a testimony and talked about my first trip to the Philippines and my call to the nations related to that trip. It was spontaneous and really introduced the topic of DESTINY for the day.
Pastor Sharon talked on FULFILLING YOUR DESTINY and the women just loved what she said. She's real transparent and candid in her delivery, and really cuts across the cultural barriers. She says stuff they would never say out loud, although they think it! Her messages really open up hearts for ministry. After the message before lunch we broke them into small groups of three or four and had them share what their destinies were and how they were doing in fulfilling those destinies. Jane told us women were crying, opening up their hearts, and didn't want to stop to eat.
We pay for food for all registrants for all these meetings. So the donations you give at home are part of what happens here. Yesterday you fed 220 women. On Thursday and Friday you fed over 200 pastors and leaders at those meetings. Funds were also given for travel for some of the pastors and leaders who came from mountain regions and came by faith, borrowing money to get here by public transportation. Thank you for what you do to make this all possible. You have NO IDEA what blessing you truly are to people's lives who are literally out there on the front line every day living very hard, simple lives sold out for the Lord.
After lunch Pastor Sharon spoke on WOMEN CHAMPIONS. These women just soak in every bit of teaching and ministry. When Pastor Sharon got to the point about Women Champions walk with FAVOR on their life, the presence of the Lord instantly came into the room in a sovereign, heavy anointing that hovered over us for five to ten minutes. It was a supernatural manifestation of the tangible presence of God that had nothing to do with us! The women went wild basking in the presence of the favor of the Lord.
Pastor Sharon then finished her message and we prayed for all 220 women in the room for the favor of God to be on their lives and for the destiny of God to be fulled for each one of them. The altar time was very strong and powerful. Pastor Sharon at one point got into a little mentoring mode where she taught ladies how to pray for others to be slain in the Spirit. They LOVED that and it was really special.
Of course afterwards it was "photo time." These Filipinos love to take pictures. We had group shots, single shots...the whole deal! By the way, they made a huge poster of our photos and info from the web site and had it plastered on the wall in the mall. The same photos were pasted all over the town. Now you know what those photos are: Glamour Shots of 5-7 years ago. We look very little like those lovely ladies on the poster, but it was a riot seeing the promotion for the meeting. At least the Lord is still the same: yesterday, today, and forever! : )
Thanks for all your giving, prayers, and support to make this all possible. You truly have sowen into fertile ground producing abundant fruit!
Love, Pastor Sharon and Nola
Pastor Sharon talked on FULFILLING YOUR DESTINY and the women just loved what she said. She's real transparent and candid in her delivery, and really cuts across the cultural barriers. She says stuff they would never say out loud, although they think it! Her messages really open up hearts for ministry. After the message before lunch we broke them into small groups of three or four and had them share what their destinies were and how they were doing in fulfilling those destinies. Jane told us women were crying, opening up their hearts, and didn't want to stop to eat.
We pay for food for all registrants for all these meetings. So the donations you give at home are part of what happens here. Yesterday you fed 220 women. On Thursday and Friday you fed over 200 pastors and leaders at those meetings. Funds were also given for travel for some of the pastors and leaders who came from mountain regions and came by faith, borrowing money to get here by public transportation. Thank you for what you do to make this all possible. You have NO IDEA what blessing you truly are to people's lives who are literally out there on the front line every day living very hard, simple lives sold out for the Lord.
After lunch Pastor Sharon spoke on WOMEN CHAMPIONS. These women just soak in every bit of teaching and ministry. When Pastor Sharon got to the point about Women Champions walk with FAVOR on their life, the presence of the Lord instantly came into the room in a sovereign, heavy anointing that hovered over us for five to ten minutes. It was a supernatural manifestation of the tangible presence of God that had nothing to do with us! The women went wild basking in the presence of the favor of the Lord.
Pastor Sharon then finished her message and we prayed for all 220 women in the room for the favor of God to be on their lives and for the destiny of God to be fulled for each one of them. The altar time was very strong and powerful. Pastor Sharon at one point got into a little mentoring mode where she taught ladies how to pray for others to be slain in the Spirit. They LOVED that and it was really special.
Of course afterwards it was "photo time." These Filipinos love to take pictures. We had group shots, single shots...the whole deal! By the way, they made a huge poster of our photos and info from the web site and had it plastered on the wall in the mall. The same photos were pasted all over the town. Now you know what those photos are: Glamour Shots of 5-7 years ago. We look very little like those lovely ladies on the poster, but it was a riot seeing the promotion for the meeting. At least the Lord is still the same: yesterday, today, and forever! : )
Thanks for all your giving, prayers, and support to make this all possible. You truly have sowen into fertile ground producing abundant fruit!
Love, Pastor Sharon and Nola
10.26.2007
News from the Mission Field: Email 8
We had another full day of ministry yesterday. We were at the same location (mall church) during the day and at Jane's church in the evening....three services total. In the morning Pastor Sharon preached on WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINES and Nola did the afternoon session on Worshipping in the Fear of the Lord. Both meetings were awesome and God ministered to many, many people. We prayed for at least 150 women who felt they were called to the front line ministry.
Pastor Sharon called a young man up who led worship and prophesied that God was taking him into new things in worship. Then in her normal mode, she gave him the mic and told him to sing a new song. Yes, that's our Pastor! The young man sang in the Spirit and did fine. But during that time I kept hearing the words FRONT LINE, FRONT LINE and I knew it was the beginning of a prophetic song. At one point Pastor Sharon came over and asked if I had anything, and I said yes. So I took the mic and a whole prophetic song came out about WELCOME TO THE FRONT LINES. It was fun as I croaked and coughed it out, but God was faithful and it was strong and powerful. All the people love that prophetic flow.
In the evening service Pastor Sharon's dress got caught on her heel when she came down from the platform so she kind of posed until I noticed the problem and went up to unhook it. She preached on the RIVER OF GOD and again we prayed for at least 100 people.
We were hungry after the service so we went to another "home away from home," McDonald's for our bedtime snack. Yes, junk food comfort.
Remember Pastor Sharon's sore big toe? Well yesterday she was praying for all female pastors and one fell out in the spirit and her shoes hit Pastor Sharon's sore toe. She couldn't talk for several minutes due to the shooting pain. But there was also a strong pool of anointing at that time so while she was in pain, we were also laughing! She posed like a flamingo holding her foot up in misery. Yes, I got the photo.
In the bathroom during a break, Pastor Sharon asked a young lady how old the girl thought Pastor Sharon was. Loaded question, right? The girl guessed 44 years old. Smart young lady!! We howled!!!!
It was a long day and we returned to our "fabulous" hotel room stinky, dirty, and tired. But it was an awesome day of ministry and we seem to have won the hearts of the city pastors as well who attended the two day seminar meetings. They really honored Jane in public for her integrity and faithfulness over these past ten years of difficulty. It was very special.
Talk to you tomorrow!
Pastor Sharon called a young man up who led worship and prophesied that God was taking him into new things in worship. Then in her normal mode, she gave him the mic and told him to sing a new song. Yes, that's our Pastor! The young man sang in the Spirit and did fine. But during that time I kept hearing the words FRONT LINE, FRONT LINE and I knew it was the beginning of a prophetic song. At one point Pastor Sharon came over and asked if I had anything, and I said yes. So I took the mic and a whole prophetic song came out about WELCOME TO THE FRONT LINES. It was fun as I croaked and coughed it out, but God was faithful and it was strong and powerful. All the people love that prophetic flow.
In the evening service Pastor Sharon's dress got caught on her heel when she came down from the platform so she kind of posed until I noticed the problem and went up to unhook it. She preached on the RIVER OF GOD and again we prayed for at least 100 people.
We were hungry after the service so we went to another "home away from home," McDonald's for our bedtime snack. Yes, junk food comfort.
Remember Pastor Sharon's sore big toe? Well yesterday she was praying for all female pastors and one fell out in the spirit and her shoes hit Pastor Sharon's sore toe. She couldn't talk for several minutes due to the shooting pain. But there was also a strong pool of anointing at that time so while she was in pain, we were also laughing! She posed like a flamingo holding her foot up in misery. Yes, I got the photo.
In the bathroom during a break, Pastor Sharon asked a young lady how old the girl thought Pastor Sharon was. Loaded question, right? The girl guessed 44 years old. Smart young lady!! We howled!!!!
It was a long day and we returned to our "fabulous" hotel room stinky, dirty, and tired. But it was an awesome day of ministry and we seem to have won the hearts of the city pastors as well who attended the two day seminar meetings. They really honored Jane in public for her integrity and faithfulness over these past ten years of difficulty. It was very special.
Talk to you tomorrow!
10.25.2007
News from the Mission Field: Email 7 from Lucena City
Yesterday was SUPER GOOD ministry - wise and SUPER CHALLENGING life - wise.
Starting in the morning we had to be transferred to a different hotel room because they had to totally re-do our toilet. Remember it wasn't flushing? So we put all our stuff back in suitcases and bags and paraded to a different room until the toilet was fixed. They didn't know if it would be done by the end of the day so that's why we took all our stuff with us. It took about four houseboys and both of us to drag our stuff to the next room. Of course the air conditioning was not turned on in the room so it was about 85 degrees in there. P Sharon LOVES a/c, so once again we were putting the thermostat down to 16 C to get it cooled down.
We then left for the ministry portion of the day. It was to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. But the meetings were held in a friend's church of Jane's, and he was so impressed with the ministry that he requested we stay and do his youth meeting that evening. Of course Pastor Sharon said YES, so we were gone from our room from 10:45 a.m. until about 9:15 p.m.
Jane had invited all her pastors and leaders to these two days of meetings, as well as other ministries that she has networked with over the past few years. She was expecting about 75 people to come the first day. There were over 200 registered yesterday including 22 different ministries, not just her Good News people. She was shocked when we came into the meeting and it was FULL of people worshiping. It was awesome!
Jane's home church worship team was doing the praise and worship and they truly have a handle on the power of praise and worship. I know several of these people now and they just keep growing in anointing and gifting. It is so easy to enter in and worship with them -- even in Tagalog! They sing in Tagalog and English, depending on the song, but you can easily enter in even without knowing the words because it is so anointed.
As Pastor Sharon came up to speak the heavens were open and she had such an ease of teaching her message on SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP. The people LOVED her examples and amen-ed so many things. I was in the front row but I could fully sense how the congregation was "with" her teaching/preaching. She told me at times people were crying, etc. and fully relating to what she was speaking.
The afternoon service was again very powerful with teaching that made us cry and laugh and ministry that was fully received in the altars. At the end one particular little elderly lady was lying on the floor just wailing in tongues and intercession for her region where she pastors. Jane told me the people they are called to are a hard area to minister in and they borrowed money from people to travel to Lucena to sit in these meetings. It just tore me up seeing how dedicated she was and to hear the burden she was carrying for her people. As I was watching her pray, Jane said, "Oh hear her cry out for her people." I just lost it. This type of fervor, sold-out-ness and sacrifice we rarely see at home. Many of these people are so fully committed to bringing the gospel to the people--they live it, breathe it, and sacrifice daily to further the kingdom of God. Sometimes I feel ashamed for the lukewarmness we live our "Christian" lives in at home.
We took a coffee/cookie break for about an hour to regroup for the evening youth meeting. Pastor Sharon's toe was almost numb from her sandals so we got her leg elevated for awhile and waited for feeling to return!
As we walked into the youth meeting the youth band was getting started. They were SO full of life. There were about 100 teens and young adults in this meeting, boys and girls about equally divided. They were so enthusiastic it was contagious. We were exhausted, but by the end of the first song we were jumping and clapping like maniacs as well!
This was just their weekly youth meeting at this church, and it was absolutely on fire! Pastor Sharon taught on Samson and her first altar call was if they felt they had a call to the nations.....a call really nothing about the message, but that's what she felt to pray for first. About 40 young people came forward! We were amazed at how many came forth! They were crying and pouring their hearts out to the Lord.
So that's the FABULOUS MINISTRY we had throughout the day.
Then we returned to our hotel room, exhausted, very sleepy, and very stinky.
Now remember, this is our temporary room while the toilet is being fixed.
I entered the shower, anticipating a quick relief from the sweat and dirt of the day. As I turned on the water it ran - cold - for about 15 seconds and then stopped. I kept turning the knob and it just twisted freely -- no threads, etc. working. I heard the house boy bringing P Sharon her diet coke, so I quickly stuck my head out the door and told her to keep him there - that the shower was now broken. I put my clothes back on and then two or three guys showed up to see what was wrong.
Diagnosis: Regulator knob is stripped and will have to be repaired. We are just laughing hysterically because it is just one thing after another going wrong. Maybe 15 minutes later another guy comes and says our toilet is done in our original room so we could move back there tonight if we want. Fine, let's do that because we don't have a shower in this new room.
So once again we throw everything back in suitcases and bags and our little parade of six people marches back to our original room. It is now almost 10 p.m. We get in the room and P Sharon goes to check the toilet. There is no water in it!!! In fact, there is no water in the whole bathroom!!! And there is now no toilet seat on the toilet either!!! Comedy of comedies!
Now in our American brains you would think this would all be checked and double checked to make the customer happy since the customer has already been extremely inconvenienced -- right? Well not here! It seems the customer has to figure out what is continually needed and then keep asking until you get what you need. So now they are running in and out of the room trying to find out what's up with the water. After another 15 minutes or so everything finally came together. Of course we still had to call for bath towels and blankets which were never replenished, but I did get my shower about 11 p.m.!!!!!
I don't ever remember such continual challenges with accommodations. Are there such things as "hotel devils"? If so, could someone please pray for that???? : )
Please continue in prayer. Nola has to preach this afternoon, so pray for strength. No "miraculous" recovery really since starting the meds. One more POWER PILL to take so looking for healing soon!
Love,
P Sharon and Nola
Starting in the morning we had to be transferred to a different hotel room because they had to totally re-do our toilet. Remember it wasn't flushing? So we put all our stuff back in suitcases and bags and paraded to a different room until the toilet was fixed. They didn't know if it would be done by the end of the day so that's why we took all our stuff with us. It took about four houseboys and both of us to drag our stuff to the next room. Of course the air conditioning was not turned on in the room so it was about 85 degrees in there. P Sharon LOVES a/c, so once again we were putting the thermostat down to 16 C to get it cooled down.
We then left for the ministry portion of the day. It was to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. But the meetings were held in a friend's church of Jane's, and he was so impressed with the ministry that he requested we stay and do his youth meeting that evening. Of course Pastor Sharon said YES, so we were gone from our room from 10:45 a.m. until about 9:15 p.m.
Jane had invited all her pastors and leaders to these two days of meetings, as well as other ministries that she has networked with over the past few years. She was expecting about 75 people to come the first day. There were over 200 registered yesterday including 22 different ministries, not just her Good News people. She was shocked when we came into the meeting and it was FULL of people worshiping. It was awesome!
Jane's home church worship team was doing the praise and worship and they truly have a handle on the power of praise and worship. I know several of these people now and they just keep growing in anointing and gifting. It is so easy to enter in and worship with them -- even in Tagalog! They sing in Tagalog and English, depending on the song, but you can easily enter in even without knowing the words because it is so anointed.
As Pastor Sharon came up to speak the heavens were open and she had such an ease of teaching her message on SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP. The people LOVED her examples and amen-ed so many things. I was in the front row but I could fully sense how the congregation was "with" her teaching/preaching. She told me at times people were crying, etc. and fully relating to what she was speaking.
The afternoon service was again very powerful with teaching that made us cry and laugh and ministry that was fully received in the altars. At the end one particular little elderly lady was lying on the floor just wailing in tongues and intercession for her region where she pastors. Jane told me the people they are called to are a hard area to minister in and they borrowed money from people to travel to Lucena to sit in these meetings. It just tore me up seeing how dedicated she was and to hear the burden she was carrying for her people. As I was watching her pray, Jane said, "Oh hear her cry out for her people." I just lost it. This type of fervor, sold-out-ness and sacrifice we rarely see at home. Many of these people are so fully committed to bringing the gospel to the people--they live it, breathe it, and sacrifice daily to further the kingdom of God. Sometimes I feel ashamed for the lukewarmness we live our "Christian" lives in at home.
We took a coffee/cookie break for about an hour to regroup for the evening youth meeting. Pastor Sharon's toe was almost numb from her sandals so we got her leg elevated for awhile and waited for feeling to return!
As we walked into the youth meeting the youth band was getting started. They were SO full of life. There were about 100 teens and young adults in this meeting, boys and girls about equally divided. They were so enthusiastic it was contagious. We were exhausted, but by the end of the first song we were jumping and clapping like maniacs as well!
This was just their weekly youth meeting at this church, and it was absolutely on fire! Pastor Sharon taught on Samson and her first altar call was if they felt they had a call to the nations.....a call really nothing about the message, but that's what she felt to pray for first. About 40 young people came forward! We were amazed at how many came forth! They were crying and pouring their hearts out to the Lord.
So that's the FABULOUS MINISTRY we had throughout the day.
Then we returned to our hotel room, exhausted, very sleepy, and very stinky.
Now remember, this is our temporary room while the toilet is being fixed.
I entered the shower, anticipating a quick relief from the sweat and dirt of the day. As I turned on the water it ran - cold - for about 15 seconds and then stopped. I kept turning the knob and it just twisted freely -- no threads, etc. working. I heard the house boy bringing P Sharon her diet coke, so I quickly stuck my head out the door and told her to keep him there - that the shower was now broken. I put my clothes back on and then two or three guys showed up to see what was wrong.
Diagnosis: Regulator knob is stripped and will have to be repaired. We are just laughing hysterically because it is just one thing after another going wrong. Maybe 15 minutes later another guy comes and says our toilet is done in our original room so we could move back there tonight if we want. Fine, let's do that because we don't have a shower in this new room.
So once again we throw everything back in suitcases and bags and our little parade of six people marches back to our original room. It is now almost 10 p.m. We get in the room and P Sharon goes to check the toilet. There is no water in it!!! In fact, there is no water in the whole bathroom!!! And there is now no toilet seat on the toilet either!!! Comedy of comedies!
Now in our American brains you would think this would all be checked and double checked to make the customer happy since the customer has already been extremely inconvenienced -- right? Well not here! It seems the customer has to figure out what is continually needed and then keep asking until you get what you need. So now they are running in and out of the room trying to find out what's up with the water. After another 15 minutes or so everything finally came together. Of course we still had to call for bath towels and blankets which were never replenished, but I did get my shower about 11 p.m.!!!!!
I don't ever remember such continual challenges with accommodations. Are there such things as "hotel devils"? If so, could someone please pray for that???? : )
Please continue in prayer. Nola has to preach this afternoon, so pray for strength. No "miraculous" recovery really since starting the meds. One more POWER PILL to take so looking for healing soon!
Love,
P Sharon and Nola
10.24.2007
News from the Mission Field: Email 6 from the Philippines
And the beat goes on!
We moved out of our first hotel here in Lucena because the room just wasn't what we needed for fives days here. No space, no closet, no Internet, no chairs.....I think I filled you in on that in the last email.
So yesterday just as we were returning from our morning adventure on our own to try to exchange money and find that Internet cafe, Jane came to the hotel. She told us she had a doctor's appointment for Nola and a new hotel to move us to. So Jane and her assistant took Nola to the clinic while Pastor Sharon put our things back in our suitcases to change hotels.
Clinic experience: I have been on at least 16 or 17 overseas trips to about 25 countries and have NEVER had to go to a doctor, etc. I have been blessed to be healthy on each trip overseas. Well, I just have not been able to shake this cold/cough/sinus thing and yesterday was day 14 of being sick. I have been worn out coughing and blowing my nose continually. So Jane set up an appointment with a doctor that was highly recommended. He checked by blood pressure and basically listened to my lungs. I told him I had a full physical in August and had a clean bill of health, so I don't have any lung problems, etc. He gave me three POWER PILLS - taken one daily for the next three days. I have taken number one and have two to go. Can't say I feel any different yet, but maybe after number 2 things will be noticeable. The clinic was clean and the doctor was nice. Here's the interesting info: my office call was 250 pesos.......$ 5.75 U.S.! And Jane said most Filipinos can't afford to go to the doctor because it is so expensive.
He prescribed the three antibiotic pills and 15 cough suppressant pills. My total at the pharmacy was 1,100 pesos.....about $ 25. So my total bill of office call and meds
was $ 30. Incredible! Now all I need to see is the fruit of this labor!
So from the clinic we went back to pick up Pastor Sharon and our luggage and then travel to our new hotel. The room is definitely bigger...a couch and one chair another plus. However, not what you'd call first class in cleanliness, etc. Let's just say it's OK with grace added moment by moment. The name is the Diamond Resort, but don't let the name cloud your thinking about what is here! So far our only problem in the first 24 hours has been maintenance coming twice to unplug our toilet. Yikes! No TP can go down the toilet so we have to do the waste basket thing. For those who have been overseas, you know the drill.
So, if any of you are praying, you could cover grace for food and accommodations for the next three days please. : )
We met with about 20 local pastors last night for a time of fellowship. These are pastors that Jane has networked with who have churches here in Lucena City. It was a very nice time of fellowship over a meal.
Today we have a teaching seminar all day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pastor Sharon is teaching on SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP.
Thanks for continued prayers!
Love,
Nola and P Sharon
We moved out of our first hotel here in Lucena because the room just wasn't what we needed for fives days here. No space, no closet, no Internet, no chairs.....I think I filled you in on that in the last email.
So yesterday just as we were returning from our morning adventure on our own to try to exchange money and find that Internet cafe, Jane came to the hotel. She told us she had a doctor's appointment for Nola and a new hotel to move us to. So Jane and her assistant took Nola to the clinic while Pastor Sharon put our things back in our suitcases to change hotels.
Clinic experience: I have been on at least 16 or 17 overseas trips to about 25 countries and have NEVER had to go to a doctor, etc. I have been blessed to be healthy on each trip overseas. Well, I just have not been able to shake this cold/cough/sinus thing and yesterday was day 14 of being sick. I have been worn out coughing and blowing my nose continually. So Jane set up an appointment with a doctor that was highly recommended. He checked by blood pressure and basically listened to my lungs. I told him I had a full physical in August and had a clean bill of health, so I don't have any lung problems, etc. He gave me three POWER PILLS - taken one daily for the next three days. I have taken number one and have two to go. Can't say I feel any different yet, but maybe after number 2 things will be noticeable. The clinic was clean and the doctor was nice. Here's the interesting info: my office call was 250 pesos.......$ 5.75 U.S.! And Jane said most Filipinos can't afford to go to the doctor because it is so expensive.
He prescribed the three antibiotic pills and 15 cough suppressant pills. My total at the pharmacy was 1,100 pesos.....about $ 25. So my total bill of office call and meds
was $ 30. Incredible! Now all I need to see is the fruit of this labor!
So from the clinic we went back to pick up Pastor Sharon and our luggage and then travel to our new hotel. The room is definitely bigger...a couch and one chair another plus. However, not what you'd call first class in cleanliness, etc. Let's just say it's OK with grace added moment by moment. The name is the Diamond Resort, but don't let the name cloud your thinking about what is here! So far our only problem in the first 24 hours has been maintenance coming twice to unplug our toilet. Yikes! No TP can go down the toilet so we have to do the waste basket thing. For those who have been overseas, you know the drill.
So, if any of you are praying, you could cover grace for food and accommodations for the next three days please. : )
We met with about 20 local pastors last night for a time of fellowship. These are pastors that Jane has networked with who have churches here in Lucena City. It was a very nice time of fellowship over a meal.
Today we have a teaching seminar all day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pastor Sharon is teaching on SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP.
Thanks for continued prayers!
Love,
Nola and P Sharon
News from the Mission Field: Email 5 Greetings from Lucena City, Philippines
Greetings now from Lucena City, Philippines!
Yesterday was a travel day and it was pretty grueling to say the least. We checked out of the hotel at 9:00 a.m. and took a taxi to the airport. That all went well, but then we had to wait 1 1/2 hours for the Philippines Airlines counter to open so that we could check in for the flight. By the time we got through immigration it had already been three hours since leaving the hotel. We waited another two hours to get on the plane. The THREE HOUR flight was decent, but Nola's sinus and cough are still an issue and she dealt with plugged ears the whole flight.
Upon arriving in Manila we then started a FOUR HOUR drive to Lucena City. The evening traffic from Manila to Lucena was bumper to bumper. Our van was like riding on a trampoline and we bounced and bounced all the way to Lucena. But it actually kind of put us to sleep with the constant up and down motion. We had a KFC break and finally reached our hotel at 11:00 p.m. FOURTEEN HOURS from check out to check in......Fun City!
Our hotel room is "interesting" to put it in Minnesotan. It is rather modern but really different. For example, Nola has to sleep on the couch that folds out because they gave us a room with only a double bed. Hello??? That is NOT going to work for us. Because the couch is put into a bed, there are NO OTHER CHAIRS in the room, no desk, and get this: NO CLOSETS! We have no idea how to hang up our clothes. Anyone who has traveled like this knows you MUST get your clothes out of your dirty suitcase and try to get the wrinkles out! There is absolutely NO WHERE to hang things.
The shower is so tiny that Nola hit her head on the shower door when she turned around to rinse her hair last night. But then there is a HUGE JACUZZI tub in the bathroom. They gave the space to all the wrong things! Nola couldn't find the bath towels and finally realized they were in the far corner of the Jacuzzi, so she had to climb into the tub and onto the back of the platform to reach the towels forPastor Sharon.
We are sitting in an internet cafe typing these emails this morning because there is no internet in the hotel. It is a small open room with tiny computers, tiny keyboards, and tiny plastic chairs. The front of the building is open and there are gas fumes and lots of noise as jeepneys and motor taxis blast back and forth on the street in front of the building. It is like sitting in the gutter of a very busy dirty street trying to type at a computer. Interesting, very interesting. If you see typos or the missing letter "f," it is because this keyboard is all whacked out and the "f" is pretty much broken.
I have to get out of here. Grace just lifted. Please continue to pray for all the ministry in Lucena that starts tonight.
Love to all,
Nola and Pastor Sharon
Yesterday was a travel day and it was pretty grueling to say the least. We checked out of the hotel at 9:00 a.m. and took a taxi to the airport. That all went well, but then we had to wait 1 1/2 hours for the Philippines Airlines counter to open so that we could check in for the flight. By the time we got through immigration it had already been three hours since leaving the hotel. We waited another two hours to get on the plane. The THREE HOUR flight was decent, but Nola's sinus and cough are still an issue and she dealt with plugged ears the whole flight.
Upon arriving in Manila we then started a FOUR HOUR drive to Lucena City. The evening traffic from Manila to Lucena was bumper to bumper. Our van was like riding on a trampoline and we bounced and bounced all the way to Lucena. But it actually kind of put us to sleep with the constant up and down motion. We had a KFC break and finally reached our hotel at 11:00 p.m. FOURTEEN HOURS from check out to check in......Fun City!
Our hotel room is "interesting" to put it in Minnesotan. It is rather modern but really different. For example, Nola has to sleep on the couch that folds out because they gave us a room with only a double bed. Hello??? That is NOT going to work for us. Because the couch is put into a bed, there are NO OTHER CHAIRS in the room, no desk, and get this: NO CLOSETS! We have no idea how to hang up our clothes. Anyone who has traveled like this knows you MUST get your clothes out of your dirty suitcase and try to get the wrinkles out! There is absolutely NO WHERE to hang things.
The shower is so tiny that Nola hit her head on the shower door when she turned around to rinse her hair last night. But then there is a HUGE JACUZZI tub in the bathroom. They gave the space to all the wrong things! Nola couldn't find the bath towels and finally realized they were in the far corner of the Jacuzzi, so she had to climb into the tub and onto the back of the platform to reach the towels forPastor Sharon.
We are sitting in an internet cafe typing these emails this morning because there is no internet in the hotel. It is a small open room with tiny computers, tiny keyboards, and tiny plastic chairs. The front of the building is open and there are gas fumes and lots of noise as jeepneys and motor taxis blast back and forth on the street in front of the building. It is like sitting in the gutter of a very busy dirty street trying to type at a computer. Interesting, very interesting. If you see typos or the missing letter "f," it is because this keyboard is all whacked out and the "f" is pretty much broken.
I have to get out of here. Grace just lifted. Please continue to pray for all the ministry in Lucena that starts tonight.
Love to all,
Nola and Pastor Sharon
10.21.2007
News from the Mission Field: Email 4 from Thailand
Greetings again from Bangkok!
We had a busy day yesterday (Sunday) ministering in two different places. Nola went to the Thai Church she ministered at two years ago and Pastor Sharon preached at the Good News Second Anniversary Celebration. Nola rejoined the anniversary celebration after she was done at her church. The Thai Church really responded to the message on "Worshiping with Revelation." Nola had many words for those she prayed for in the altar. The translator said it was amazing how what Nola prayed over each person spoke exactly to their life situations. Well....GOD is good. Nola's cough and cold are still a major problem. Only by the grace of God did she make it through the meetings.
Pastor Sharon had a strong word at the anniversary celebration. There were several unsaved English teachers at the meeting and at least seven came forward for salvation. It was great! We had a meal with the people after the service and then came home. Nola fell asleep three times on the drive back to the hotel. We are really tired.
Today we have a rest day and then fly back to Manila tomorrow---to then travel on by car to Lucena City where Jane lives. More ministry then at that time. Thank you for your continued prayers. We will have several critical ministry appointments in the Philippines so wisdom and the Word of the Lord will be highly important.
Blessings to everyone,
Pastor Sharon and Nola
We had a busy day yesterday (Sunday) ministering in two different places. Nola went to the Thai Church she ministered at two years ago and Pastor Sharon preached at the Good News Second Anniversary Celebration. Nola rejoined the anniversary celebration after she was done at her church. The Thai Church really responded to the message on "Worshiping with Revelation." Nola had many words for those she prayed for in the altar. The translator said it was amazing how what Nola prayed over each person spoke exactly to their life situations. Well....GOD is good. Nola's cough and cold are still a major problem. Only by the grace of God did she make it through the meetings.
Pastor Sharon had a strong word at the anniversary celebration. There were several unsaved English teachers at the meeting and at least seven came forward for salvation. It was great! We had a meal with the people after the service and then came home. Nola fell asleep three times on the drive back to the hotel. We are really tired.
Today we have a rest day and then fly back to Manila tomorrow---to then travel on by car to Lucena City where Jane lives. More ministry then at that time. Thank you for your continued prayers. We will have several critical ministry appointments in the Philippines so wisdom and the Word of the Lord will be highly important.
Blessings to everyone,
Pastor Sharon and Nola
10.20.2007
News from the Mission Field: Email 3 from Thailand
Another day on the job here in Bangkok. We had a great meeting this evening as Pastor Sharon preached on Walking in the Supernatural. There was a testimony of a lady who said her ovarian cyst was gone - swelling gone - after the prayer last night. There was lots of prayer, words of knowledge, and the people ended the evening dancing and rejoicing.
Tomorrow Nola will preach at the Thai Church she spoke at two years ago and Pastor Sharon will minister at the Good News Church as they celebrate their second year of ministry here in Bangkok. Nola needs a real touch from God as she is still really struggling with a major cough situation. Thanks for prayer. We are exactly 12 hours ahead of Minneapolis time, so if everyone could get up at 3:00 a.m. and intercede for about three hours, that should cover things for her!
A lady in the Thai Church is Manderin Chinese, born again, and a Thai massage specialist. You guessed it....we got a foot massage between meetings this afternoon. Nola was able to surpress her pain, but Pastor Sharon howeled. It hurt so good! It was a real blessing.
Jane says HELLO to all her friends in Minnesota! She misses everyone and especially the cold weather that is coming your way - hahahahahaha! Please send her a package of snow as soon as it hits the ground.
Sunday is tomorrow, have a blessed service -- and don't you dare break out in revival until we get home!!!!!!
Love,
P Sharon and Nola
Tomorrow Nola will preach at the Thai Church she spoke at two years ago and Pastor Sharon will minister at the Good News Church as they celebrate their second year of ministry here in Bangkok. Nola needs a real touch from God as she is still really struggling with a major cough situation. Thanks for prayer. We are exactly 12 hours ahead of Minneapolis time, so if everyone could get up at 3:00 a.m. and intercede for about three hours, that should cover things for her!
A lady in the Thai Church is Manderin Chinese, born again, and a Thai massage specialist. You guessed it....we got a foot massage between meetings this afternoon. Nola was able to surpress her pain, but Pastor Sharon howeled. It hurt so good! It was a real blessing.
Jane says HELLO to all her friends in Minnesota! She misses everyone and especially the cold weather that is coming your way - hahahahahaha! Please send her a package of snow as soon as it hits the ground.
Sunday is tomorrow, have a blessed service -- and don't you dare break out in revival until we get home!!!!!!
Love,
P Sharon and Nola
10.19.2007
News from the Mission Field: Email 2 from Bangkok
Here it is after midnight and we are snacking on some carbs before putting our heads on the pillow. Ask Pastor Sharon about her request of the "bread basket" from room service.
It's been a FULL day of ministry - all afternoon seminar session and then a revival meeting this evening. We never even left the building we were at. For those who came with us last time, we had today's meeting at the Burmese church. Pastor Sharon taught on Leadership during the day and on the River of God this evening. The altar time was very strong this evening. Nola worked with the music team at the altar time and Pastor Sharon prayed for just about every one in the building.
A few "fun times" during the day include:
*Pastor Sharon falling out of her sandals praying for people in the afternoon
*A few ladies kicking Pastor Sharon in the ankles when they fell out in the Spirit
*Pastor Sharon sticking Kleenex up both nostrils to illustrate a point
*Nola singing in the Spirit in the altar time with a bass voice and coughing every few minutes
*A possible lawsuit (not really) due to about twenty falling out in the Spirit spontaneously on the ceramic floor at the end of the ministry time
Yes, just another day on the mission field.
Tomorrow is a really full day. We have three ministry sessions -- morning, afternoon, and evening. Please continue to pray for us for strength, health, and the Word of the Lord for each situation.
Love to you all,
Pastor Sharon and Nola
It's been a FULL day of ministry - all afternoon seminar session and then a revival meeting this evening. We never even left the building we were at. For those who came with us last time, we had today's meeting at the Burmese church. Pastor Sharon taught on Leadership during the day and on the River of God this evening. The altar time was very strong this evening. Nola worked with the music team at the altar time and Pastor Sharon prayed for just about every one in the building.
A few "fun times" during the day include:
*Pastor Sharon falling out of her sandals praying for people in the afternoon
*A few ladies kicking Pastor Sharon in the ankles when they fell out in the Spirit
*Pastor Sharon sticking Kleenex up both nostrils to illustrate a point
*Nola singing in the Spirit in the altar time with a bass voice and coughing every few minutes
*A possible lawsuit (not really) due to about twenty falling out in the Spirit spontaneously on the ceramic floor at the end of the ministry time
Yes, just another day on the mission field.
Tomorrow is a really full day. We have three ministry sessions -- morning, afternoon, and evening. Please continue to pray for us for strength, health, and the Word of the Lord for each situation.
Love to you all,
Pastor Sharon and Nola
10.18.2007
News from the Mission Field: First Email From Far East Adventurers!
Greetings from Bangkok!
Notice I said Bangkok---we finally got here! Not the itinerary we so neatly had printed in our travel notes however.
For some reason when we checked in at the Minneapolis ticket counter they thought we could make it to Portland in time to catch the Tokyo flight. Oh really??? What were they thinking???? In flight we asked the stewardess to try to check if they would be holding the Tokyo flight and the pilot called ahead. No, they were NOT holding the flight for the four of us on the plane who needed to continue on. Great! But they said they had booked us and not to worry that things would be taken care of in Portland. But they did not know we were only going to Manila to then get back in another plane the next morning to go on to Bangkok. The Bangkok flight was a whole different ticket agency that Northwest didn't know about.
So we stood in the gate area of Portland while two very nice, accommodating Northwest employees worked at making this happen for us. After about 45 minutes of many phone calls to many places, we were booked on an Alaska Air flight from Portland to Los Angeles. Then we were booked on a Thai Air flight from LA to Bangkok - direct, non-stop, not having to go to Manila first. So when we FINALLY were in air space outside the U.S. it was almost 12 hours since we checked in at Minneapolis that morning! A lot of time spent not getting any where!!!!
The Thai Air First Class flight was VERY nice and made the 17 hour flight bearable. Did I mention the 17 hour flight??? This is the longest non-stop flight either of us has been on. They served THREE full course meals and Nola was able to take in SEVEN movies and two TV shows during that time. We did get some sleep also, but we don't care how far those seats recline, they just aren't that comfortable. No matter how you pushed the adjustment buttons, you felt like you were lying on a slant board, headed for the floor!
Jane and her mission workers in Bangkok met us at the airport despite the fact that we were so messed up in what day it was that when we emailed them our flight changes, we thought we were getting in a whole day earlier! Not so, although we did get in six hours earlier than planned, still wearing the same clothes we left Minneapolis in and after 36 hours of travel time. Can you say STINKY, BLOOD SHOT EYES, NO MAKEUP?
We got checked into the hotel which is our "home away from home" for the next five days, took showers (think we needed them?) and then fell asleep for about four hours. We then left for a women's ministry event last night. Pastor Sharon spoke on Women Champions and they all received ministry at the end. They were very happy and blessed.
Love to you all and we will check in as much as we can.
Pastor Sharon and Nola
Notice I said Bangkok---we finally got here! Not the itinerary we so neatly had printed in our travel notes however.
For some reason when we checked in at the Minneapolis ticket counter they thought we could make it to Portland in time to catch the Tokyo flight. Oh really??? What were they thinking???? In flight we asked the stewardess to try to check if they would be holding the Tokyo flight and the pilot called ahead. No, they were NOT holding the flight for the four of us on the plane who needed to continue on. Great! But they said they had booked us and not to worry that things would be taken care of in Portland. But they did not know we were only going to Manila to then get back in another plane the next morning to go on to Bangkok. The Bangkok flight was a whole different ticket agency that Northwest didn't know about.
So we stood in the gate area of Portland while two very nice, accommodating Northwest employees worked at making this happen for us. After about 45 minutes of many phone calls to many places, we were booked on an Alaska Air flight from Portland to Los Angeles. Then we were booked on a Thai Air flight from LA to Bangkok - direct, non-stop, not having to go to Manila first. So when we FINALLY were in air space outside the U.S. it was almost 12 hours since we checked in at Minneapolis that morning! A lot of time spent not getting any where!!!!
The Thai Air First Class flight was VERY nice and made the 17 hour flight bearable. Did I mention the 17 hour flight??? This is the longest non-stop flight either of us has been on. They served THREE full course meals and Nola was able to take in SEVEN movies and two TV shows during that time. We did get some sleep also, but we don't care how far those seats recline, they just aren't that comfortable. No matter how you pushed the adjustment buttons, you felt like you were lying on a slant board, headed for the floor!
Jane and her mission workers in Bangkok met us at the airport despite the fact that we were so messed up in what day it was that when we emailed them our flight changes, we thought we were getting in a whole day earlier! Not so, although we did get in six hours earlier than planned, still wearing the same clothes we left Minneapolis in and after 36 hours of travel time. Can you say STINKY, BLOOD SHOT EYES, NO MAKEUP?
We got checked into the hotel which is our "home away from home" for the next five days, took showers (think we needed them?) and then fell asleep for about four hours. We then left for a women's ministry event last night. Pastor Sharon spoke on Women Champions and they all received ministry at the end. They were very happy and blessed.
Love to you all and we will check in as much as we can.
Pastor Sharon and Nola
NEWS FROM THE MISSION FIELD - THE FAR EAST ADVENTURE!
WOW! What a start to our trip! We had a rough time just getting out of the States. We checked in at the Minneapolis airport about 10:00 a.m. but never actually left the U.S. until about 1 a.m. Minneapolis time! We flew from MSP to Portland but the flight was late and the Tokyo flight departed before we got there. Bad call by Northwest for sending us out of MSP, knowing we'd be late most likely.
Northwest had just booked us a hotel room in Portland and was planning on sending us out to Manila THE NEXT DAY! But we had to be in Bangkok the next day with ministry events scheduled. So the gals at the desk in Portland, upon hearing we really had to be in Bangkok, worked some real travel magic with three different airlines. We ended flying from Portland to Los Angeles, and then leaving LA at almost midnight for a NON-STOP 17 hour flight to Bangkok!! We ended up not having to go through Manila.
We got first class on Thai Air which made the 17 hour flight not bad at all. As it all panned out, we ended up in Bangkok about 5 hours earlier than our original itinerary through Manila. But we hadn't been in a hotel yet - travel took us about 36 hours from MSP to Bangkok with the stops and reroutes.
So we took a Tylenol p.m. this morning and slept about five hours before our first meeting with women tonight. We had about 50 people in attendance and P. Sharon did a fabulous job. All the ladies were very touched.
We have two teaching sessions in the day tomorrow and a revival meeting tomorrow night.
I've still been struggling with the cough and cold, and had to step out of the ministry meeting for a session of uncontrollable, breathtaking coughing. Sweet!
Keep us in prayer! : )
Love,
Nola and P. Sharon
Northwest had just booked us a hotel room in Portland and was planning on sending us out to Manila THE NEXT DAY! But we had to be in Bangkok the next day with ministry events scheduled. So the gals at the desk in Portland, upon hearing we really had to be in Bangkok, worked some real travel magic with three different airlines. We ended flying from Portland to Los Angeles, and then leaving LA at almost midnight for a NON-STOP 17 hour flight to Bangkok!! We ended up not having to go through Manila.
We got first class on Thai Air which made the 17 hour flight not bad at all. As it all panned out, we ended up in Bangkok about 5 hours earlier than our original itinerary through Manila. But we hadn't been in a hotel yet - travel took us about 36 hours from MSP to Bangkok with the stops and reroutes.
So we took a Tylenol p.m. this morning and slept about five hours before our first meeting with women tonight. We had about 50 people in attendance and P. Sharon did a fabulous job. All the ladies were very touched.
We have two teaching sessions in the day tomorrow and a revival meeting tomorrow night.
I've still been struggling with the cough and cold, and had to step out of the ministry meeting for a session of uncontrollable, breathtaking coughing. Sweet!
Keep us in prayer! : )
Love,
Nola and P. Sharon
10.17.2007
Resurrection Life: The Blog...What in the World?
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