Jesus
By: Meredith Alvarez
I raised them up,
They brought me down
I hugged them,
They stabbed my back
I crowned them with gold and silver,
They repaid that gift with thorns
I praised them and helped them up,
They mocked me and brought me down
I thirst and suffer,
They drink and rejoice like fools
But then, they open their eyes and see what I have done for them
They beat their breasts in sorrow for their sins,
And I, the GREAT GOD forgive them.
“I AM,
THE
AGONIZING
JESUS
WHO
LOVES
YOU!"
Reflection on Esther
About a month ago, while I was reading the book of Esther in my prayer time, I read a really awesome verse: “Since I came here, the only thing that has brought me joy is my worship of you, LORD God of Abraham.” (c:29). It spoke to me, because the past days before, I was thinking things like, “why are we here in the Philippines? I want to go home!” but when I read that, I was thinking, God has brought me closer to Him in my time here, so even if I'm here only to be brought closer to God, that's what should bring me joy!
Now, I can see that God did have plans for us, such as the youth group we have every other Sunday. It has been going very well, and I think the youth really enjoy it. We also volunteered to help at a daycare center on Mondays. I'm so glad we found a mission here!
LITTLE MISSIONARIES
Vincent, Samuel and baby Julian are great missionaries! Here are some funny examples :
On the plane ride here, to the Philippines, my family and I were relaxing on us kids' FIRST airplane and enjoying the view, when, all of a sudden we heard little Vincent singing. “ Savior, he can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save! He is mighty to save!...” Almost ALL of the people in our section of the plane were laughing.
So even before we set foot in the Philippines, Vincent was being a good witness to others!
“Praise You, Jesus!”
One time, Vincent wanted to swim in the sea with dad and the other boys, but he couldn't find his swim shorts. He looked and looked but he still couldn't find them. After a while, it was time for his nap. He went to his bed, and when he looked behind his bed, he pulled out his swim shorts,
“PRAISE YOU, JESUS! I FOUND MY SWIM TRUNKS!!”
Ju Ju
Whenever we play the Christian music on the radio Julian gets really excited and starts dancing and sometimes even lifts up his hands to praise God! And whenever he is fussy, we turn on the music and he stops crying; he loves God and music!
Samuel
The other day, Samuel said, “In Heaven, everyone will sit on God's lap, and no one will be scrunched!”
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”- Luke 18:17
