Update

I am just starting my second week of school. I would have sent an update last week, but it was quite uneventful because it was really just introducing the classes. I am enjoying it so far, and have made lots of friends, and feel very comfortable here. Its a totally different atmosphere here compared to high school and I love it! My body is relaxed and I have almost no anxiety which means my stomach is fine. Also, all my classes but one are in the afternoon and evening which makes me life easier as well. I am really happy with the way things are going, and one of my big worries was that my stomach was going to be terrible and it was going to make the whole school experience torture! I praise God for His faithfulness in making sure everything has gone smoothly.

I have great news from the ministry this week! The women who had been leading our women's bible study stepped down because she has so much to do in her own ministry. I new that it was inevitable since their ministry had been growing so much, but it was a bit sudden and I did not really know what to do. I texted Charity, the Canadian missionary that runs the orphanage where I took vincent and asked her to teach. I new it was a long shot since the women works 18 hours a day 7 days a week, but replied that she would "love love love to!" So on Wednesday she came with all of her boys including Vincent who was very happy to be back in his neighborhood, and led the bible study. She speaks perfect Tagalog and knows what these women go through each day and I new she would be effective, and she was! The mothers loved her and were so touched, and when she was leaving they waited for her at the gate to say good bye and one even hugged her! I have never ever ever seen them so responsive and I was deeply encouraged. Charity said she would come back again this Wednesday and teach, but I am hoping and praying that she will be able to come back every week! Please continue to pray for the mothers ministry! Right now its really making an impact and I saw how much this Sunday! The place was filled with mothers and their kids, and for the first time there was more mothers then youth!

My dream of seeing this community rise up will take both the mothers but also the fathers. We are making real head way with the mothers ministry, but I will be honest to say that we have nothing with the fathers. The biggest issue for us is that only Joshua is a father and old enough to teach them, but he is far to busy to start a ministry to them. I am not to down about this because I know that to get the fathers we need to reach out to the "leader" of the area. Any fathers ministry would be a waste of our time if we dont get that key leader of the neighborhood, so for now I will ask that you please pray that God will prepare that man. That we will see a dramatic and radical conversion in his life, and that he will lead the change in the community for men!

I am very excited about what I am seeing, though its a bit frustrating to know that I will have to focus on my studies instead of ministry, but I know that it was a wise decision. I am already feeling the difference in my life to do with personal schedule. I have always had a weekly schedule but not as organized as being in school and I am actually enjoying it. My roles in the church are really just to make sure the women's ministry is set and to preach once a month. Since I live so close to the church it makes it easy for me to say in touch. Now a big part of what I do is just talking to people and listening and following up. I need to make sure I have a constant and consistent presence in the neighborhood.

As always I just want to thank you all for your prayers and support! I am seeing a slow but steady change in our community, and with me in school each day I am coming a little closer to my dreams!

Brett