If you haven’t heard, the latest issue of Word on the Street magazine is hot off the printer! So we took the opportunity to hand some out around Cebu, and fill the racks we have at businesses.
We also took a few days to do trivia for a chance to win a cold drink! With questions like, “How many pesos stacked on top of each other does it take to reach the height of the average Filipino man?” it was a good time for some not-so-serious competition. We met many new people and saw some familiar faces too.
One day we set up across from the University of San Carlos and were surprised with an interview from a local news personality!
A few of the Street Level U.S. members were in the Philippines for a couple of weeks and spent some time in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, and Madridejos, Bantayan. We decided to use the time to try to meet some new friends, so we headed to the local campuses! We hosted a short Bible discussion at a cafe one night in Tagbilaran, and one at the plaza during lunch in Madridejos.
We got to know each other a little and talked about what it looks like to follow Jesus – reading through the story of the rich young ruler together.
It was cool to connect with other students around the Philippines, and we plan to do it again soon!
A few of us spent a day in front of 581 Cafe near Southwestern University asking students random trivia questions like: “What bird has eyes that are bigger than its brain?” Winning students received a free milk tea or soft drink from us, as well as the latest issue of our magazine, Word on the Street (which if you haven’t read it yet, can also be found here: readwots.com) We do this on occasion to meet new students and let them know we exist, so they can join us for dinner and Bible discussion. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to serve God in this way.
We started 2024 with a two-day summit in Cebu City! The group from Toledo all came across the island to join the Cebu group at our headquarters for a Friday night and Saturday. Friday night was spent getting to know each other, playing games, having snacks, and even some impromptu singing! We talked about the mission trip to Bohol, with a Q&A from the members who went too. The main event of the night was watching a video that was put together by the Street Level Menomonie group showing what it looks like for them to be involved in Street Level in the U.S.
Saturday started with a lot of coffee since many stayed awake most of the night chatting… but after that and breakfast, we jumped into the teaching and discussions. The main idea of the day centered on finding purpose in knowing God, and serving Him. We discussed what that might look like, the challenges involved, and how to complete our life purpose well.
The time spent together was wonderful and passed by too quickly, but we are looking forward to the next one.
We had our first Street Level Philippines mission trip! Today was a day full of hard work and tomorrow we will take some time to think about and plan for the upcoming semester. Here’s a word from each of our members:
Traveling is fun especially when you’re with friends. Our trip was in Baclayon, Bohol. We went to the Chocolate Hills on our way and witness an awesome view. We had a lot of fun during our first day. Eating together, sharing life’s experiences and being excited with what’s going to happen in the following days.
Also more than an enjoyment, it was a trip to remind me of the higher purpose we’re out for the trip. It was my first time ever to stay under the sun for so long but didn’t realize the sweat that’s rolling through my face, clouding my glasses. After the whole day hard work, I was reminded how to be more grateful for the blessings of having been part of it. It brings to my mind God’s Grace, so amazing and so sweet.
I met new people. Pastor Medel and his church members. And made some new friends with Pastor Medel’s youth people. I met Renan, Xavier and Jemuel. It was fun working with them because they have a lot of energy and they don’t get tired easily. It’s fun making new friendship with people with different culture.
Speaking of God’s grace, God is so good even if God doesn’t need us, yet God will rewards us. I learned a lot today and realized ministry is not an easy thing to do but it’s a worthy thing to do. God is so greatl!
Above all things, I give thanks to God for His goodness. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. During the missions trip I’m so blessed with God’s Divine moving by being part of the answer to the congregation’s prayer of having their church renovated. This reminds of the book of Hagai talking about building God’s temple.
Thanks for your prayers for us and the work. Please continue to pray for the church we worked on – that their ministry would be strengthened and encouraged, and be used by God in Baclayon. Please also pray for us – for vision and direction – as we use tomorrow for planning for the upcoming semester.
Plans are being made for our first-ever Street Level Philippines missions trip! Mission trips have been at the heart of the Street Level groups in the U.S. for a long time, and we are excited to start that here as well. The trip is for Street Level leaders and will be happening in early January 2024. We will be joining forces with some Street Level leaders from the U.S. and will be spending a couple of days on Bohol Island, working on a construction project at a church, and hosting a youth summit. Please be in prayer for this trip and all those who will be attending.
This week we set up our booth near Southwestern University one day and UV-Main the next to meet students and tell them about who we are. It was a great couple of days! We did trivia with different categories (Philippine History, Jollibee, or Christmas) for a chance to win coffee/milk tea or soft drinks. It was a good way for all of us to spend time together, working alongside each other for the kingdom of God.
We had so much fun at our Cebu game night, that we decided to repeat the evening but in Toledo! We played a lot of games like Settlers of Catan, Spot It, and other various card games, but the real highlight of the evening was “Fish Bowl” which is a combination of catchphrase, charades, and just pure chaos… It was Christmas themed of course, and resulted in a lot of laughter.
We did back-to-back days of outreach to both UV-Toledo and Consolatrix College this week! It was a good couple of days getting to know some university students in the area, and letting them know who we are. We played a lot of trivia and gave the winning participants cold drinks, and even some Street Level Radio t-shirts!
Pizza, games, friends, and laughter filled our Friday night. There were a lot of new games learned, and many memories created. Here’s a look at some of the highlights!
