The “Celebrate Baganga” Evangelistic Concert

The "Celebrate Baganga" ConcertOver Easter weekend, we partnered with other ministries and had a big two-day evangelistic blow out in Baganga. We had an outdoor concert, a basketball tournament, free surfing and skim boarding lessons followed by an outdoor evangelistic movie.

The Crowd at the 2014 "Celebrate Baganga" Concert

It was extra challenging because there was a strong rainstorm in the middle of the concert. Filipinos generally don’t like to be out in the rain and it drove some people away, but because we put on a quality concert with good prizes, it kept people from leaving and gave them a chance to hear the Gospel.

"Faith United" playing at the Celebrate Baganga Concert

I was honored with the opportunity to preach to the remaining 150-200 people who all prayed the prayer of salvation with me. I absolutely love these types of outreaches and can’t wait to do more of them in other areas in the future.

The crowd in the rain at the 2014 Celebrate Baganga Concert

Elijah’s Favorite Mall Got Bombed

Gaisano Mall Bombing Police LineAbout two weeks ago, two bombs simultaneously exploded in the cinemas of  SM City Mall and Gaisano Mall here in Davao City. The blasts occurred on a Monday night and thankfully no one died and five people only suffered minor injuries.

The day before that blast, we invited several missionaries and their families to SM City Mall and celebrated a birthday there.

Elijah and I play at that mall several times a week. He runs and squeals with glee as I chase him down the aisles. It’s really one of his favorite places to be for daddy-son time, especially on rainy days.

Elijah playing at SM City Mall

Elijah playing at SM City Mall.

As a parent, when is it O.K. to go back there?  When is it O.K. to take him to see his first movie?

Those are the kind of questions you ask yourself as a missionary when things go crazy in your city.

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Elijah playing with his trucks at SM City Mall.

I’ve already been back alone to SM City Mall to buy hardware for our most recent trip to Baganga and I’m not afraid to go there.

Overall, we still feel safe and peace about being here in Davao City, but I’m not really eager to take Elijah back to the mall, at least not until things quiet down again.

Elijah got in line by himself at Krispy Kreme  hoping to get a doughnut.

Elijah got in line by himself at Krispy Kreme hoping to get a doughnut.