Please: Prayer in Action for the Philippines

I have a new blogging friend, so to speak. We've only "conversed" a few times in recent weeks, but she is a young Filipino, in her early 20's, a university student. She's bright, seems to me to be very authentic and honest about her feelings and beliefs on her blogs, and I appreciate that about her. She's learning to find her voice out there in the world, and at such a young age, I admire that in her.

Her name is Jenny, and her blog is Oh, By the Way. She lives in the Philippines. She left me a comment today that said this:

"hi ms Chel,

I was thinking if you could somehow raise an awareness over what has happened in o[u]r country. Uhm, i know it's a big favor to ask but we really need your help. who knows, someone with a good heart will donate. the damaged in our country is beyond repair with just us..thank you so much for the time:)"

Realizing that Blogger is going to miss a few things in translation, you get the idea. So I started doing a little research.

It's not hard to find articles and videos on what's going on there. Three days ago, on September 27, 2009, these small islands were struck by a typhoon (basically a hurricane) called Ondoy.




In her most recent post about the typhoon, Jenny said:

I am imploring to those people who have the capacity to spread the word that Philippines is really in need of your help, be it financially and in prayers. This country needs more than just healing. The people who were affected by the calamity need to feel that they are loved.

As a child of God and a member of the Body of Christ, that last sentence hit me right between the eyes. You know, I may not have much, but I do "have the capacity to spread the word." Many of you do, too.

If you can donate, it is much needed and I'm sure appreciated. But even if you can't donate, can you spread the word? Nothing shows love like genuine concern. I know I would love nothing more than for this young Filipino lady and the people of her country to be able to feel the love of Christ during such a terrible disaster.

Wouldn't that be just like our God to take a horrific nightmare and turn it into a conduit for His love to pour out over them?

Click here to read more and donate to Samaritan's Purse.

Click here to read more and donate to the Philippine National Red Cross.

One last thing, and I've saved the best for last: will you pray? Will you pray a true, heart-felt petition to God for His mercy and grace and provision to be sent quickly to those in the Philippines...and in Indonesia and the islands of Samoa while we're at it?

Our planet is experiencing the birth pangs Scripture speaks of (see Matthew 24:3-8), which means we don't know how long these people have to hear the Truth and receive it.

The time is now.

I See What You're Saying! -- Second Edition

Well, here it is! This is such an exciting day for many of us in ye olde blogging world!

Special thanks to Lidna Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for hosting this most memorable day. I can't wait to see everybody's video! If you hadn't decided whether or not you were going to do this, just DO IT! You know you want to.

Enjoy the vlog...and then go pay a visit to the other crazy participants at 2nd Cup!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Back to Bethlehem

So yeah, everybody's busy.

Me too.

I just wanted to share with y'all what I've been up to that has been consuming my time (aside from school, of course).

Back to Bethlehem is a ministry where we build a replica of the city of Bethlehem during the night of Christ’s birth. It’s a very moving experience to go through it. I am the first storyteller that people listen to right before they enter the city. They then walk through and see the Roman census takers and soldiers, as well as people dressed up as townspeople, merchants, etc. We have an innkeeper and his wife (I play their daughter…and I tell the people about how my father had a young couple come in who was GREAT with child, and he sent them out back to sleep in the STABLE!)

The city is built in the parking lot of the church, and it’s lit only by fires burning in torches above the city. The ambiance is indescribable. When you go through the city, you can stop and talk to the merchants, who all “sell” something in particular (bread, spices, fish, fabrics, etc.) They are knowledgeable about their product during that time, so you get many history lessons has you go through and visit.

We even have camels, llamas, goats, sheep, and chickens being walked around the city! They come from a local petting zoo, and the kids love to pet the animals.

Then at the end of the city, you find a living nativity complete with angels and beautiful music, and then you walk further toward the building and there is the place of crucifixion and resurrection, too! I myself have been moved to tears at this part of the presentation.

After our visitors have made their way through the whole city, they find themselves in the fellowship hall for coffee or hot chocolate and cookies. They get a chance to warm themselves there before they head home. It's a very pleasant experience for all.

Anyway, here's a video from last year just so you can get a better idea of what we're doing for nine nights here. Copy and paste the following link in your address bar to watch the movie, or I found some still shots on youtube as you'll see below:

http://www.backtobethlehem.com/Media/3%20Min%202006.wmv

I See What You're Saying! YAY!

Okay, here it is. For all the world to see. Or at least the three of you that will stop by today.

Enjoy!



Yup. I'll be here all day.

But go see some more fun over at Second Cup of Coffee. You won't regret it.