The Philippine Mission Trip – Dipolog

Jul 24-31, 2024

Overcoming Challenges, Spreading Hope

From July 24 to 31, 2024, a team of 42 courageous brothers and sisters, along with Pastor Gavin and Arlene, embarked on a mission trip to Dipolog, a city in the Philippines. This journey was marked by both challenges and blessings, as the team navigated through unexpected obstacles and witnessed the transformative power of God’s work.

The trip began with a series of daunting challenges. Heavy rains and floods threatened to disrupt their plans, and the team faced a string of flight cancellations. However, in a remarkable display of divine intervention, the flights were miraculously restored just for the team, while the flights before and after were once again cancelled.

Undeterred, the team arrived in Dipolog, where we were warmly welcomed by the lovely people and blessed with perfect weather. The community service and health talks conducted at both primary and high schools were a resounding success, as the excited students and receptive community embraced the team’s efforts.

During the basic health check-ups, which consisted of blood pressure and body weight measurements, the team also provided haircuts and counseling sessions. They shared the Gospel and prayed for the needs of the community, going beyond just physical support to address their spiritual and emotional well-being. The team’s holistic approach empowered the community, giving them the strength to face the challenges of life through the promises of God.

One of the most poignant moments of the trip was the baby dedication of Sis Flor and Bro Jake’s child, Eliana Hope. The community celebrated this joyous occasion with a bountiful feast, welcoming the team with open arms. It was a testament to the deep connections and relationships the team had forged with the local community.

The team’s journey was further enriched by the faithfulness and dedication of Sis Flor, who had been tirelessly setting up care groups and sharing the Word of God in Dipolog since her return from Hong Kong. The team’s time with Sis Flor and the local community was a truly wonderful and transformative experience.

During the care group sessions, Bros and sis from Hong Kong were serving the adults, youth and the children. They all had so much fun getting to know each other through games and learned more about the Word of God. Everyone was fully engaged, and they praised God that Sis Flor opened her house as a place for God’s word to be spread and for His people to gather.

As the trip ended, the team left Dipolog with hearts full of gratitude, build a stronger bond with each other and a renewed sense of purpose. We witnessed firsthand the power of perseverance, the beauty of community, and the profound impact that a group of compassionate individuals can have on the lives of others. God is indeed amazing, and the team’s efforts have extended His kingdom through the lives of the people of Dipolog.