Philippines Mission 2009

A report on the mission trip to the Philippines by Esuabom Dijemeni. Pictures from the mission can be viewed in the church's online galleries.

“In him was life and that life was the light of men."…. John 1:4

The “Out of Comfort Zone” or OCZ Asia Mission 11th to 31st July 2009 took place in the most populated continent of the world, with ‘BATTLE 4 THE SOULS’ as its theme. The short team mission was organised by Operational Mobilisation and brought together ninety-two different participants from twenty-three different countries. OCZ 2009 was on outreach that spread across eight different countries: Malaysia (one team for East Malaysia and another for West Malaysia), Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand (one team for Sangkhlaburi, Thailand and another for Udonthani, Thailand).

OCZ 2009 was focused on knowing and glorifying God, living in submission to God’s word, being a people of grace and integrity, serving sacrificially, loving and valuing people, evangelising the world, reflecting the diversity of the body of Christ, global intercession and esteeming the church. OCZ 2009 comprised of two sections; the conference or pre-mission training; and the outreach itself. All participants attended the conference section in Malaysia for the first week and had a choice country of outreach for up to sixteen days.

The conference was one week I will never forget! It was filled with great teaching by experienced missionaries, some of whom had worked in the field for decades. The teaching included ‘Battle Plan’, ‘Standing Firm in the Battle’, ‘cross cultural communications’, ‘resourcing and mobilising for world missions’ and much more. There were also some superb worship and prayer sessions, intercession in over twenty different tongues but for the same God! I found these sections awesome and realized the power of intercession and of praying for very needy conditions. Going into the battle field means you need extra equipment! Participants were introduced to different workshops on how to spread the good news in a unique and creative way; including drama and mine, a rope illustration, children’s ministry, clowning and ballooning.

My outreach country was the Philippines, a place that is now deeply inscribed upon my heart. The hospitality, the culture, the people and the ministry in the Philippines were really great. For example, the ‘River of God Ministries’ Street Children Feeding involved waking up at about 5 am to go on to the street to feed homeless children. Many of whom are starving and, at the age of seven years’ old, are working and living in dirty and unimaginable conditions. I gave the children milk and bread - the practical side of sharing the gospel with both parents and children. These hopeless and broken hearts started to smile and hug me tight, wishing I was always there with them. I was overwhelmed with love.

Vigan Province Prison was another place I visited during my stay in the Philippines. The prison had over one hundred male prisoners, each of whom seemed to want people to visit them and tell them about a life that has hope and beauty. I gave a presentation in the prison yard and sang the English song “Give Thanks” and shared my testimony with them. Will they ever see hope and have joy again? I pray YES.

My team was also invited for Radio Broadcast Evangelism at Vigan, Philippines. Having the opportunity to share the gospel to a large audience reminded me of when Peter reached out to three thousand people on the day of Pentecost. It was a privilege to share the gospel in such a way in this foreign land.

I believe that this experience of just three weeks has changed the core values of my life. Realising that people want to wake up and just see your face; sharing the gospel with hopeless and needy people; and seeing the transformation in their lives was just amazing. I can only say of God that ‘HE IS THE REAL JOY, HOPE AND LIFE’