One More Tale

In my final tale, I mentioned the song that I loved from the two nights of worship. But I forgot to mention the song that those from the church loved. They had to sing this song as the final closing song. What song am I talking about?

Happy Day --
The greatest day in history
Death is beaten, You have rescued me
Sing it out, Jesus is alive.
The empty cross, the empty grave
Life eternal, You have won the day for me.
Shout it out, Jesus is alive, He's alive.
Oh Happy Day, Happy Day,
You've washed my sins away,
Oh Happy Day, Happy Day,
I'll never be the same,
Forever I am changed.
When I stand in that place,
Free at last, meeting face to face,
I am yours, Jesus, You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace,
Earthly pain will finally cease,
Celebrate, Jesus is alive, He's alive.
Oh what a glorious day,
What a glorious way,
That You have saved me,
Oh what a glorious day,
What a glorious name.
Oh Happy Day, Happy Day,
You've washed my sins away,
Oh Happy Day, Happy Day,
I'll never be the same,
Forever I am changed.

And as it was Palm Sunday yesterday, I think it is an appropriate song to mention. Indeed, oh happy day when Jesus washed my sins away!  And one day, I will stand in that place, free at last, meeting face to face! Hallelujah!


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My Final Fun Tale from the Philippines

I can't end without talking about the two awesome evening worships -- one in Banate and the other in Dumangas. The worship was led by Joe and Judy with brothers on the drums, the keyboard, the bass and the guitar.  I love the song Chasing You by Bethel Music.

Here are the lyrics --

I'm chasing you , I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

Heart, (you've won my heart)
you've won me heart and soul
(Heart and soul)
And where you lead I'll go
(I will go)
I wanna be where you are
(oh woah oh oh oh)

From the moment I rise

To the moment I sleep
My affection is for you
And even as I dream
I wanna know you
I'm after your heart

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

This life, this love
Was always meant to be
A wild crazy adventure
Discovering, the thrill, the rush
The more of you I see,
The more it leaves me wanting your everything
Your Everything

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

Here are some pictures --

God loves the Philippines!

Until Next Year...

Seek Him First!

You hide I wanna find you
Go and I will follow you
I wanna be where you are

as you move, I'm right beside you
Lord, I'm running after you
I wanna be where you are

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

Heart, (you've won my heart)
you've won me heart and soul
(Heart and soul)
And where you lead I'll go
(I will go)
I wanna be where you are
(oh woah oh oh oh)

From the moment I rise
To the moment I sleep
My affection is for you
And even as I dream
I wanna know you
I'm after your heart

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

This life, this love
Was always meant to be
A wild crazy adventure
Discovering, the thrill, the rush
The more of you I see,
The more it leaves me wanting your everything
Your Everything

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah
---
Lyrics submitted by Samantha.

These lyrics are not available for printing.

• Submit Corrections

Send "Chasing You" Ringtone to your Mobile

Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/chasing-you-lyrics-bethel-music.html#kphUSSEIpeajJFYT.99

You hide I wanna find you
Go and I will follow you
I wanna be where you are

as you move, I'm right beside you
Lord, I'm running after you
I wanna be where you are

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

Heart, (you've won my heart)
you've won me heart and soul
(Heart and soul)
And where you lead I'll go
(I will go)
I wanna be where you are
(oh woah oh oh oh)

From the moment I rise
To the moment I sleep
My affection is for you
And even as I dream
I wanna know you
I'm after your heart

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

This life, this love
Was always meant to be
A wild crazy adventure
Discovering, the thrill, the rush
The more of you I see,
The more it leaves me wanting your everything
Your Everything

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah
---
Lyrics submitted by Samantha.

These lyrics are not available for printing.

• Submit Corrections

Send "Chasing You" Ringtone to your Mobile

Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/chasing-you-lyrics-bethel-music.html#kphUSSEIpeajJFYT.99

You hide I wanna find you
Go and I will follow you
I wanna be where you are

as you move, I'm right beside you
Lord, I'm running after you
I wanna be where you are

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

Heart, (you've won my heart)
you've won me heart and soul
(Heart and soul)
And where you lead I'll go
(I will go)
I wanna be where you are
(oh woah oh oh oh)

From the moment I rise
To the moment I sleep
My affection is for you
And even as I dream
I wanna know you
I'm after your heart

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

This life, this love
Was always meant to be
A wild crazy adventure
Discovering, the thrill, the rush
The more of you I see,
The more it leaves me wanting your everything
Your Everything

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah
---
Lyrics submitted by Samantha.

These lyrics are not available for printing.

• Submit Corrections

Send "Chasing You" Ringtone to your Mobile

Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/chasing-you-lyrics-bethel-music.html#kphUSSEIpeajJFYT.99

You hide I wanna find you
Go and I will follow you
I wanna be where you are

as you move, I'm right beside you
Lord, I'm running after you
I wanna be where you are

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

Heart, (you've won my heart)
you've won me heart and soul
(Heart and soul)
And where you lead I'll go
(I will go)
I wanna be where you are
(oh woah oh oh oh)

From the moment I rise
To the moment I sleep
My affection is for you
And even as I dream
I wanna know you
I'm after your heart

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah

This life, this love
Was always meant to be
A wild crazy adventure
Discovering, the thrill, the rush
The more of you I see,
The more it leaves me wanting your everything
Your Everything

I'm chasing you ,I'm so in love
Captivated, I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart oh woah woah woah woah

I'm chasing you, with all my life,
Captivated I just can't get enough
I'll spend my days running after your heart, your heart, your heart
oh woah woah woah woah
---
Lyrics submitted by Samantha.

These lyrics are not available for printing.

• Submit Corrections

Send "Chasing You" Ringtone to your Mobile

Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/chasing-you-lyrics-bethel-music.html#kphUSSEIpeajJFYT.99

Fun Tales from Our Trip

I have to write about those on the team.

Even though I have never met most of the people, it was a fantastic week working and ministering together with these brothers and sisters in Christ.

One family came from Singapore and they had people in Manila make the T-shirts for us.  They also organized many of the needed things such as hotel or airport transport.

Lara was one of the main person in charge.  She had come six years ago because her "aunt" came from Dumangas and told her about the need.  Ever since that first trip, she has been committed to the people there. She led the music with great enthusiasm and she would also be the one you go to if you were ever feeling sick.  She was planning to be there with her whole family, but only two of her three sons were able to make it.

Another key person was Jon. We have known Jon for many years. He funded the cost for many things, such as the sound equipment, the uniforms, the gifts, the shipping of things and the list goes on. He also put together the basketball tournament.  It was great to be there with his family as we just love Judy and their kids. Only Aaron could not make it as he was in NYC for a choir invitational.

The team consisted of mostly families with kids ranging from a year to 18 year of age.  There were several single brothers and sisters in Christ and in particular were two brothers who had the same heart for intercession.

Serving together, eating together, being together 24/7 were truly a blessing for us.  My kids enjoyed playing with the younger kids and getting to know the older kids.  They enjoyed meeting and talking with all their new aunts and uncles. They want to go to Shanghai just to see everyone.

Here are a few pictures of the team doing various things --

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Fun Tales from Our Week in the Philippines

My next tale has to be about the place -- Ilo Ilo. Actually, it's not just about Ilo Ilo, but we find that the Philippines has the most beautiful sunset no matter where we go.  We can just point the camera during sunset and whether we're on the bus or at the church or near a basketball court, the sunset always comes out magnificently.

Here are a few to prove my point -- (All pictures were taken by Abby!)

What a testimony to the beauty of God as Our Creator!

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Fun Tales from Our Family Missions Trip

My third tale would be about the basketball outreach.

VBS finished by Wednesday lunch time.  Then it was time for the basketball tournament. Our first game was in Banate, a smaller town than Dumangas, about an hour north.  It is near the beach, so for that evening, we were to eat at a small beach resort with food catered from the family of a kid who attended VBS and has since graduated.

The game was set in the afternoon. I think they were younger, but we were taller.  The youth had their game and the adults played too.  The youth was only two quarters while the adult game was four quarters.  At first, we did not have the chemistry as a team, but the longer we played together, the better we got.

During half time, Jon had the free throw contest with prizes and people joined in the fun with enthusiasm.

After half time, many of the wives with younger kids headed out to the beach resort, but my kids and I stayed to cheer our team on.  It was just fun to be there.  And it was hot.  I went outside once and felt that the heat was even more intense than the day before.

The games were all very well attended, having really no publicity.  People just sat and watched.

Here are a few pictures --

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Fun Tales from the Philippines

My second tale would have to be about the volunteers.

The volunteers were so friendly. They helped with keeping the kids on task or translating for us if necessary. Many of the volunteers had been participants in years past and just enjoyed it so much that they wanted to come back.  Some of them were teachers at the school. Others were studying to be nurses or to be in the travel industry.  They were with the kids for all stations and meal time.  The best part was the final morning. They had all the kids around them during the morning snack time and shared with them more personally about the decision they made to accept Jesus. They were the ones who led the kids in prayer. Most of the volunteers attended Dumangas Baptist Church. These young people were very on fire for the LORD.  I can see that they most likely used all of their free time to serve God.

Pastor Steve and his assistant, Angie, were also very caring and helpful.

What I enjoyed the most was just sitting and talking with them about their lives and their walk with God.  I wanted to hear about their studies and their ministries.  There was never enough time to hear all of their stories.  The time just went by so quickly!

Here are a few pictures of these wonderful volunteers --

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Fun Tales from Our Trip

My first tale would be about all the wonderful kids.

There were about 600 or so kids, ranging in age from 5 to 18.  There were also wonderful volunteers, but I will leave that for another post.

Upon arriving at the school where VBS was held, you first hear the sounds of laughter and chattering.  Then you see an ocean of smiling faces.  They had just finished lunch after a full morning of activities. There were four main stations that the kids rotated through every 25 minutes.  In the afternoon, I was going to work with Judy at the Phonics Station.  It was a time to go through a Bible verse and to make sure they knew the sounds to the alphabet.  The group of kids was split into two smaller groups. For all the other stations, they stayed together as a big group. The other three stations were -- games, songs and snacks.

It was just so much fun to see their sweet smiling faces. I just wanted to hug them.

Here are a few things that surprised me --
1.  They have interesting English names, so I fit right in.
2.  Their English speaking proficiency was quite high even the little kids.
3.  They like to ask questions.
4.  They like giving you high fives.
5.  They love games, any kind of games.
6.  They thought we were celebrities.
7.  There are a lot more girls than boys.

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