Read the latest update from Shofar Mission Cebu.

Street Level Ministries

At the beginning of March, we were able to reach out to students with a live radio broadcast near the University of the Visayas. During the broadcast, we passed out copies of Street Level’s college magazine Word on the Street. Street Level Radio volunteers also had trivia questions for students to answer for a free Street Level Radio t-shirt. Halfway through the broadcast, we needed more magazines and t-shirts since so many students participated! We didn’t skip a beat and told students that more shirts were coming, so they could come back later for their prize. When shirts arrived, one of the DJs asked where they were as she saw the magazines in my hand and my full backpack. Depending on the day and event, my backpack has carried anything from the kitchen stove to science experiments. That’s completely normal here.

Earlier in the month, we held a few Street Level meetings and hosted a Saturday movie night at the office. At this point, many students have gone home since classes were suspended and Cebu was placed under community quarantine. During this time, we are planning to stay connected to them via video chats and members group chats.

Exploring Creation Science

At the beginning of March, I was able to reconnect with students at three schools before the school year came to an early end. Two of the schools only go up to grade 6 and the other school group was students in grades 10-12.  During the events, school staff addressed students about moving to new schools and what that means. The Exploring Creation Science lesson focused on why it is important to know why you believe what you believe. Video clips with discussion questions helped students see the importance of being a thinking individual as they move into junior high or university.

The students in grades 10-12 at Southern Bethany (a school we have been working with for a number of years) remembered Shofar coming to teach them about God. There are not many students in grade 12, so students in grades 10 and 11 joined the lesson to encourage them to start thinking about these things. At that time, the tentative plan included a possible recap with grades 10 and 11 during the summer session. Instead, the recap session will most likely be when the 2020-2021 school year starts.

Prayer Requests:

1. Please continue to pray for the staff and students in all levels that we have met over the course of the school year. This break seems to be timely for where many are at with God and all the information they have been presented with (whether it is the SLM material or Exploring Creation Science lessons).
2. Pray for all the students that have gone home since classes are not in session.
3. At the beginning of February, large group gatherings were prohibited for all public schools. We were able to teach one Exploring Creation Science lesson in January at a public school here in the city. I am reminded of God’s timing as this group meets 1 time per month. God knew that day that would be the only meeting with those students. They have welcomed us back again next school year. In the meantime, please continue to pray for the students and staff.
4. Please pray for the Filipino people that are afraid during this time….we pray that their eyes would be open to God.