Dear Family and Friends:
I would like to share with you an exciting opportunity the Lord has given me to serve short-term in the Philippines this coming January. I will be traveling with a team of about 8 people to Manila, Philippines on December 30th and arriving back in the states on January 13th. My team from Jerome Prairie Bible Church (Grants Pass, OR) will be leading a program for the children and teens at the Philippines’ New Tribes Mission’s (NTM) Annual Conference.
Over 70 missionary families serve with NTM in the Philippines in 10+ different countries, working together to reach many unreached people groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ. These missionaries look forward to this conference for a time of fellowship and encouragement; updates and mission business matters; and teaching from the Word of God.
Let’s talk about the kids and teen programs! About 80 kids and teens will be attending this conference. They come from a variety of living situations like home schooling in remote tribal villages to attending schools for missionary children in the city. I will helping to lead the children’s program (K-5th Grades/4 hours each day), which will be similar to a Vacation Bible School with Bible lessons, crafts, sports, and fun!
There will also be plenty of time to interact with the missionaries at the conference. I look forward to getting to know these missionary families and hear what God is doing in the Philippines through this important work! Our team’s prayer is that the Lord will work through us to encourage these missionaries and their children during this week.
After the conference week, our team will travel to the Agta village (north of Manilla) to get a glimpse of how missionaries live and work in a remote tribe! This is particularly exciting for me as I have been asked by Jared and Bana Major to consider living with them and teaching their children while they minister to the Agta tribe next year. They have 3 girls ages 7, 4, and 2, and one baby boy on the way! The Major family has spent the past 8 years preparing to live and work among the Agta people, and plan to move into the tribe during the Spring of 2012. Having a teacher for their children will free them up to learn the language and culture, as well as assist with medical needs (Bana’s job primarily). I do not know when I will go or for how long, but this short trip will hopefully give me a better picture of that possibility. Please pray with me about this! You can check out the Major’s website at http://majortribe.com/.
I am inviting you to support me in the call the God has given me to serve by one of the following ways:
• Please PRAY for me and the team! Pray for the missionary families who will be attending the conference and for the people they serve in the Philippines. Pray also for me, for health and protection on the trip, for my effectiveness in ministry and the things God desires to teach me through this experience. Pray that I will find the financial support to make this trip possible. Pray especially that I will return with a real vision to share with the others in the United States.
• Consider giving financially toward this trip. The total cost of the trip is $1800 per person. Jerome Prairie Bible Church is committing to raise half of the expense. It is my responsibility to raise the remaining $900. I am trusting God to move in people’s hearts, leading them to donate toward this missions’ trip. If you feel you would like to participate in this way, please:
a. Make a check payable to Jerome Prairie Bible Church
b. Write “Philippines Mission Trip – Mary Cunningham” on the memo line or include a note with my name on it.
c. Send your check to Jerome Prairie Bible Church at the address below:
2564 Walnut Ave.
Grants Pass, OR 97527
Your gift is tax-deductible and JPBC will send you an acknowledgment.
Thank you for taking the time to consider being a part of this exciting opportunity! Whether you are able to give financially or not, please pray for me from December 30th, 2011 through January 13th, 2012. I will be posting stories and pictures on my blog after I return: http://merry4jesus.blogspot.com/.
Looking forward to what God is going to do,
Mary Cunningham
