Author: Shofar Missions Cebu

Maayong Pasko sa tanan!

December 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

If you can’t find a real pine tree… just make one!

(that means “Merry Christmas Everyone’ in Cebuano)

Did you know that Christmas is the Philippines’ favorite holiday? Celebrations begin in September and last until January! I always love to see how creative Filipinos get with their decorations. You can see a variety of Christmas trees made out of recycled bottles, fast food soda cups, cd’s, and whatever else one can get their hands on!

Since our last news update, we held our first-ever SLM Conference in the city. We gathered on the rooftop of Teofel Hostel for a day of video teachings, small group discussions, games, and of course, lots of snacks and coffee. We had one new student attend because of an ad he saw on the back of WOTS and five students who have come to SLM meetings in the past. Student feedback was encouraging; most of them had been pondering the topics we covered and were greatly challenged to consider why they believe what they believe. We covered the final session of the series at our last Friday night meeting and encouraged the students to keep discussing what they learned over Christmas break.

Home for the Holidays

Exploring nature during the Kindred Retreat

Aside from getting our fill of ice cream and iced coffee when we come back to the USA, we truly enjoy spending time with the church in fellowship groups and various ministries. Laura was able to join the Kindred Ministry for their annual retreat. I heard she was still a bit jet lagged and spoke in foreign languages at times! I have enjoyed being a part of Street Level’s happenings, including fellowship with OneLife (Jenae’s team was the true Pictionary winner) and a Monday dinner and worship night. We also joined the WOTS writers from Menomonie, River Falls, and Duluth for pizza and peer revisions.

Over the next couple weeks, we plan to visit our families, take a trip to JFB Duluth, and celebrate the new year in true JFB fashion at the annual NYE bash (one of our favorite JFB events). Thanks to everyone for welcoming us back like no time has passed. We are always blessed to be a part of you guys in person!

The saying that “you can’t see the forest through the trees” is very true. It has been nice to step away to dream, plan, and pray about what God is leading us to do next year. We have been asking questions like, “What are the needs of the people we are serving? How can we meet those needs? What hole can only we fill? What is the best use of our time? How can we work with others to build the Kingdom?” We have lots of ideas and are excited to see what God will do next year. We can make our plans but ultimately it is Him who determines our steps.

Prayer Requests

As we head into another season in Cebu, would you please join us in praying for the following:

That we would rest well and return to Cebu with renewed strength and energy.
For God’s direction and vision as we plan for 2019.
That the students we have been able to minister to would desire to know God more and put Him first in their lives… and that their families and pressures of the world would not hinder them from following God.

-Brittany

Looking Ahead…

November 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

As we are nearing the end of another three months here in Cebu, I am reminded of all that we have done and all we would like to do in the future.

Campus Outreach

Even though it was a semester break for some students at the beginning of November, we held the course and had a Street Level Radio Live Broadcast from Elicon House. We used the broadcast to promote the One-Day Conference along with SLM’s weekly dinner and bible study.

Thank you to those in Menomonie and Duluth that tuned in after church…we appreciate it. As you may have read in our recent blog post, we picked up the latest copy of Word On the Street Magazine and plan to start distributing them this week.

Street Level Ministries’ Conference

We are five days away from having our first SLM Cebu One-Day Conference! I think I speak for both of us when I say the last couple weeks have been a reminder that God will bring the students He wants to bring and most importantly, the conference is in His hands. We hung posters and several banners, sent emails and texts and posted on Facebook. Lists have been made and some tasks have been completed, BUT God continues to go before us and surprise us! The first person to register was an old Shofar student!

As I write this on the day of the registration deadline, I am reminded that I wasn’t much different. I would have signed up late. Maybe I would have turned the quarter sheet into an art project and ignored the Stout Student Event emails. With that said, I wonder what it would take for a student coming to SLM to come to the crossroads in life and realize their need for God? I wonder if students see how cool it would be to be to be a light in their university – a place that for some students can be very dark and scary? What if they didn’t do homework and projects just to beat deadlines, but allowed God to be part of the project?

Moving Forward

As we begin to prepare for January 2019, we plan to shake up the schedule. We’re adding a few additional items! We will hit the streets with posters and banners during our first week back in January to promote SLM’s Wednesday Lunch and Bible Class. We also hope to add a few more live radio broadcasts to the mix and monthly SLM events. As far as Science Creation Curriculum goes, the plan is to teach at three new schools next semester.

Students waiting for directions as we talk about gravity

Other tentative plans include possibly returning to a previous school, working with a youth group for a three-session series, and a lesson in Toledo.

“Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don’t coast through life without a passion.” -John Piper

Midweek Bible Study

We have also continued attending New Covenant Church’s (our “home” church) midweek study on Thursday evenings.

Though the studies have been small in numbers, it is great to join them and support the person stepping in to lead the study. We have been working our way through the book of Daniel. This has also allowed for conversations about what we do and why we are here. We have had the opportunity to explain that we were sent by our local church to plant a campus ministry here in Cebu.

Prayer Requests:

Pray for the One-Day Conference. For the hearts and minds of the students who will attend as well as the final preparation for the conference itself.
For the plans we have made for next year. Specifically, that we would continue to remain flexible and adapt as needed.
For a Street Level Cebu office space. Specifically, for wisdom and discernment as we continue seeking where God wants the office to be.

There is a lot to do here before we depart for a short break this Holiday Season but we are looking forward to seeing everyone again and enjoying our time back in the states…even if it is winter 😊

–Laura

Two Years… Already?

October 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

Street Level Ministries Cebu

Three architecture students and some bungee cords… finally got the screen to hang straight!

At the end of September, we hosted a rooftop movie night at Teofel Hostel and had over a dozen students attend, as well as a few hostel guests. It’s always nice to host fellowship events like this because it gives the students an opportunity to serve and take some ownership within the ministry. Every time we host such an event, the group walks away more unified as a little community.

We meet every Friday for dinner and a bible study at Elicon House, right in the heart of the “university zone.” After we all have our fill of pancit canton, rice, and bananas, we have been digging into the Old Testament and learning about the life of Jacob. We’re following the same series as the SLM branches in the USA and have been encouraging the students in Cebu to stay up-to-date with what’s happening there. Every week, we discuss what sort of events are going on and pray for each group. I think it has inspired the students to dream big, pray big, and discover what God is doing at universities on the other side of the world.

Dropping off WOTS and a conference poster at the Baptist Theological College library… “They have *TWO* Believer’s Bible Commentaries!”

We’re also gearing up for a one-day conference at the end of November. It’s being held at Teofel Hostel and will be free for all university students to attend. We will be going through “The Thinking Series: Asking Life’s Biggest Questions.” We’ve invited churches, sent out mass texts and emails, and hung up posters throughout the city to promote the event.

Shofar Science Creation Curriculum

Laura recently finished teaching lessons at Southern Bethany, so at the beginning of October, she started teaching at the Visayas Wesleyan Christian School. She gets to teach three different age groups every Wednesday morning! Plans are also in the works for teaching at new schools next semester. So far, we have visited 3 new schools around the city to present the curriculum.

A Look Back

It’s hard to believe that October 31 marks two years since we said goodbye to life as we knew it. What a journey it has been… God has been so faithful and patient with us as we’ve adapted. I don’t know how He has time for anyone else! Some of my favorite memories were taking multiple trips across the island to promote Shofar Camp (once each with Orchids, Dyreen, and Yvea); hosting two large missions teams; installing the Street Level Radio stations; and celebrating SLM’s first anniversary in Cebu. It’s always good to stop and remember all that God has done. I think this quote sums up what I’ve learned in the past two years quite nicely: “Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God’s power alone be free to work.” – Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place

Prayer Requests

For students to register for the SLM Conference, the behind-the-scenes prep, and ultimately that it will bear fruit for the Kingdom
Guidance and wisdom in planning and scheduling schools for next semester’s Science Creation Curriculum
An office/headquarters for SLM

– Brittany

And So It Begins…

September 25, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

Home Again

Britt and I returned to Cebu August 30 ready to hit it hard again! We appreciated the opportunity to return for the Ministry Retreat and Church Camp-Out! As always it is great to hear what God is doing in Menomonie, Duluth, and River Falls. Our trip back included spending 13 hours in the Chicago Airport but we did get some work done…a conference poster designed, lesson prep and various emails taken care of 🙂

Our first Monday back we caught up with the UV students for the start of intramural week. This was a great opportunity to spend some time with them and meet some of their friends. Before things actually got started for the day we were able to hang out with them in one of the Architecture classrooms.

Street Level

Since being back, we have continued setting up the bi-fold outside of a campus we are targeting. Rain or shine, we get out at least once a week with the intent of getting into conversations with students. On the days when its raining or we second guess going for one reason or another, we are reminded the students that attended the study would not have come unless they met us standing outside of their university! The month will end with a Live Street Level Radio Broadcast at Elicon House to promote the new BS Series and an upcoming movie night. We will pop some popcorn and watch “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” on the Roofdeck at Teofel Hostel.

Science Curriculum

When we returned I continued Science Curriculum at Southern Bethany and started lessons at the Nazarene School.

Lessons with students at Southern Bethany will finish at the end of September and I am looking forward to starting at a new school the first week of October! Mid-October I will be prepping materials to leave at a few new schools that talk about the curriculum and offering to meet with administrators to further discuss an opportunity to teach the lessons at their school. As I continue teaching at various schools I look forward to seeing how God will use this and how it could connect to other Shofar Mission ministries.

Please pray for the following:

The SLM One-Day Conference on November 30. That students would attend, a guest speaker, and preparation.
SLM Office Space. That we would continue looking and seeking God and where He wants the location to be.
That we would continue meeting students to promote the Bible Study, Word On the Street, and Street Level Radio Station. Also, for the current students attending that they would continue to seek God amid the family pressures.
Science Curriculum. Starting at a new school October 3 and visiting potential schools mid-October.

As we continue the mission, each day I am reminded not only that time is short, but God can and will intentionally put people in our path that He wants us to meet. We often comment that today’s plans become tomorrows to do’s and nothing ever goes as planned, but God is always faithful to remind us of His timing.

–Laura

JFB Missionaries Return for a Visit

August 28, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

Party on the Roof

Street Level Ministries Cebu turns One! — Street Level Ministries Cebu turns one!

Since our last news update, Street Level Ministries Cebu celebrated our first birthday! We played games, distributed prizes, ate chocolate cake, and watched a short film. My favorite part was listening to stories told by each of the three original SLM members: KC, Atheena, and Manel. They shared their memories from our first meeting and the influence SLM has made in their lives. Fifteen people attended… most of them would not have been there if those three ladies did not invite them! The party was held on the Teofel Hostel Roofdeck, which is becoming SLM’s “party spot.” We’re planning to host more events there throughout the next year, including a movie night and one-day conference.

Return for a Visit to Wisconsin

Hello Kitty in Taiwan — You never know what you’ll find in a new airport…

A few weeks after the party, we flew back to the states for a visit. Since we traveled through an airport we had never been to, we ued our layover to explore (see photo) 🙂 Our trip to Wisconsin began in true summer style: camping! We spent a few days in the Chequamegon National Forest for the School of Ministry Retreat. The fresh air and peaceful quiet of the north woods did our souls and bodies good. I think it helped us get over our jet lag, too! Although, maybe that was the coffee… either way, the retreat was beneficial and helpful training. Many of the things we discussed at the retreat answered questions that were rolling around in our brains before we even left the Philippines!

Community Life

Word on the Street Launch Meeting — The gathering of Word on the Street Magazine writers from four locations!

In addition to camping trips and time with our families, we were thankful to join various ministries and fellowship groups! Laura joined Kindred Ministry a few times and got her hands dirty (with coffee grounds) in the Blind Munchies Mobile Coffeehouse. I enjoyed playing piano on Sundays and helping out at Street Level worknights for Music on the Hill. We also attended a Word on the Street Launch Meeting with writers from four locations: Menomonie, Superior, River Falls, and the Philippines!

The Great JFBelievers Church Get-Together

JFBelivers Church Campout — Saturday morning devotions at the campout

We closed out our trip with the annual church campout and baptisms at Camp Croix. This is one of our favorite JFB events of the year. The other is, of course, the great New Year’s Eve game night and junk food buffet! We enjoyed catching up with those in our respective fellowship groups as well as meeting new people from both churches. Highlights included hitching a ride (in or on) Faygo Canoe services and witnessing three baptisms! On Sunday afternoon, a handful of people gathered in our post-campout stupor – tired, dirty, and smelly – to unload the church van and coffeehouse trailer. As I was hauling a cooler downstairs, I couldn’t help but smile and think, “This is church.” Not the Sunday service, but rather, serving each other and God, joking, laughing, and being downright giddy just to be together. Thank you, JFB, for being my church… my family.

Prayer Requests

Safe travels back to Cebu (Aug 28-29) and quick recovery from jet lag
SLM students to grow in their relationships with God and to put Him first in their lives
God’s direction as we plan a one-day conference in November
Wisdom, courage, boldness, and love… the battle is fierce.

As we head back to Cebu, I think about the magnitude of what God has called us to. It can be overwhelming to consider the thousands of people who don’t know Him… or believe that their religiosity will save them. Then there are those who actively fight against us. It’s a warzone unlike any other, yet I know Jesus leads us in and through every battle.

“Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for him who die lovingly for you.” – Charles Spurgeon

– Brittany

Street Level Ministries Cebu takes a Look Back…

July 24, 2018 Shofar Missions Cebu

The Beginning of SLM Cebu

A recent blog post reminded me last year at this point we wondered what God had in store for Street Level Ministries Cebu. In mid-July, we picked up 700 copies of Word on the Street Magazine with specific information about a Street Level Recruitment Meeting on July 27, 2017. We had a distribution plan, enlisted the help of WOTS writers, and filled our backpacks with the magazine. Every day, we set out to distribute at 2 universities (8 total) for one week leading up to the meeting. All along we knew God would bring the students He wanted to our meeting.

Dyreen, Yvea, and Orchids were able to join us for the meeting and help with set up, etc.

Fast forward to the meeting and God (just like we knew He would) brought exactly who He wanted to bring: three students from the University of Visayas. We spent some time getting to know them and talking about the vision of Street Level Ministries Cebu. We started meeting Thursday evenings at Elicon Café in September of 2017.

Due to student schedules, we moved to Friday evenings, which has allowed us to attend the New Covenant Church Bible Study on Thursdays. It has also allowed Yvea and Orchids to attend SLM on occasion. I am also reminded as we remain faithful in the little things we will be given more. Elicon Café is on the corner of a busy street! Each week we have been faithful in putting out the bifold, posters in the window, sitting in the conference room, and hanging the SLM banner. This has also drawn people in as they see us getting ready or meeting week after week.

Faithful in the Small Things

We have continued to poster the city…stop light poles, street light poles, transformers, and sides of buildings with SLM posters (its one of the neat things about the Philippines you can put a poster pretty much anywhere…..well, mostly anywhere if you read our recent blog post you know what I am talking about 😊. God continues to use our faithfulness each week to draw new people in. Whenever we put out the the bifold, hang the SLM banner, put up a poster, I am reminded we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Since Street Level Ministries started one year ago this week, we will have a party to celebrate on July 28th and also recast the vision of SLM and how students can get involved (Word on the Street Magazine, Street Level Radio).

Reaching into Primary and Secondary Schools

God has also paved the way for primary and secondary education ministry using Science Creation Curriculum. Last July, I finished developing the curriculum and emailed prospective schools and organizations. Then, we waited to see where God would have us go first.

Looking back, I am reminded of the contacts we have made throughout the years and the new ones we have made. As I looked at Google Maps and Facebook pages for specific locations I was reminded of how Shofar Missions got connected with a church and school near the Inayawan Landfill while the 2017 team was here. I began searching other familiar church names. That led me to a Wesleyan School and an E-Free School that we will visit.

Living out the Book of Acts

At our “home church” Pastor David has been working his way through the book of Acts. We have gotten to know some of the other missionaries New Covenant Church pretty well. As I read ahead in Acts 13 before the Sunday service, I was reminded of some recent conversations. Most people we talk to wish they had someone else with them, a ministry vision, and focus so the message is timely. People often ask what our focus is and what we do each week. Many people (married or single) have a plate full and continue adding to it instead of focusing on one thing. They find it interesting when we say our focus is to plant a campus ministry.

Please pray for the students that have been attending! Specifically, pray for KC who has attended New Covenant Church with us a couple times. Please pray for the SLM Party on July 28 as well. Thanks for your prayers…we are excited to catch up with everyone at the SoM Retreat and Church Campout in August!

–Laura