"God has stripped me of everything after I was mistakenly identified as an enemy of someone sitting beside me on a bench just because I am wearing the same color of shirt. Someone pulled a gun and shoot me and bullet goes through my belly. It was a tragic accident that I lost my business for a surgery and was forced to live in a dump site area of Cebu City, Philippines. But long before I realize what I thought as the end of it all, was just a beginning of my ministry to the poor areas of the province."
This is how one of our church planters Kenneth began his story of starting house churches where he lives.
Trying to find a place to stay with his wife, having no children but have 4 miscarriages already, they settled in a shack that if only he can buy it for only $10 he can use it. Having no electricity until now at his house but it was full of laughter and joy because daily, children would just comes and goes, learning hygiene, Bible stories, Scripture verses, and have meal together. They then realize that God has a plan for them in that area, might not own one little child but fathering and mothering many children of Jesus.
"One day that I could not forget," he said to me while having a meal together alongside of the road for sharing and discipleship training, "One of the father of these children visited me at the house and ask, 'Are you the one that's called Uncle Kenneth?' He nodded his head and the father continued, 'I just want to thank you for teaching my child about Jesus.' And later he was informed that this father once have to go somewhere and his child ask him, "Papa, I have to pray for you first and share some verses from the Bible before you go." This Dad shows tears from his eyes. And so is he as he shared this wonderful story of God's love.
Apart from his wife as his partner of teaching and raising these children in a godly manner he started also picking up some men whom he'll become partners as well to reach the whole community, namely: the parents of these children.
He reach them out and hopefully can be potentials to reach other families in his community. One named Cerillo works with him now. Cerillo has many children: eight. Works as a shop electrician which is a great potential for future business that I am praying of [Starting a shop, trains church planters on how to fix things, and sends them off to the community with a bike. A blog will still to be made].
No Buildings, But People
Cebu has around 3.8 million population, and has 1.6 million below poverty line. One such area where Kenneth and Cerillo lives and minister is called Inayawan Dump Site. It doesn't take some professional clergy's to reach these poor people. Its just takes someone like them to live among the people, know their hurts and share Jesus' love. I could not think of a picture like these except what happened in Acts chapter 2. They share one another's need. They go from 'house to house.' No other way could we could erect an edifice in this area, and even if someone will, We will not allow them. For it will only kill God's Work in this area, and prevent God's Word to nourish and flourish in their dusty hearts.
Church is people and will always be people. Building relationships to God and each other. Treating each other as family members. Nothing more, nothing less.
Bikes for Sale
As we discuss about Intentional Discipleship, and how we can also further the work practically. We bumped around the idea of providing church planters with a USED-MOUNTAIN-BIKE from Japan. Cebu has quite some stores that sells them. This can help their ministry as they go and find 'houses of peace' from 'barangay to barangay.'
We believe that this is a worthwhile project. And we ask any one to 'pray and obey' as you think about it. You may share this to a friend. Someone out there have 'seeds to sow' and purposed already in his heart how he or she can be of partner to someone else's ministry.
The bikes only cost $50. Because it is a used one, but it is also a very good quality, one that can own still do a little fixing like cleaning, and buying small additional parts like wiring and maybe slightly damage brakes which this is their part of sacrifice to get what they have prayed for.
RECEIPT:
If indeed you are lead, we can send you a receipt, in which if you do not mind, will take a close-up picture of it and send it as attachment through email. In this way, no additional expenses to send the original receipt. However, if you need it we will do so. Send us your mailing address.
PICTURE:
We will send you a picture through attachment also of a bike and church planter riding on it.
God Bless You on your journey as you pray.
For more information: molong.nacua@gmail.com, or send your comments in this blog.
