Hello everyone we hope you are well.
Melissa and I arrived in Manila a week ago today. We spent Monday through Thursday morning In Sampaloc Manila getting to know Pastor Andy Castillo of Calvary Chapel Community Church and Carmen Morrissey, a missionary in Manila from Calvary Chapel Lynchburg, also at Calvary Chapel Community Church.
We are hoping to start working more with them in the future. C.C.C.C. started off as mostly a children’s church in Carmen’s house but has grown significantly over the last few years. They now have a decent size building in the same neighborhood, or barangay as they call it, that both Carmen and Andy and his family live. They both spend much of their time evangelizing in that community
We were able to attend their Tuesday evening mid week study which was a nice time of worship, teaching, and fellowship with 30-40 people in attendance. Melissa was also able to attend a women’s Bible study on Monday evening.
Andy and his wife Ning along with Carmen are making their most impact with the children of the community. Once the parents start seeing a positive change in their children, they become interested in why. Which ledes them to C.C.C.C. Andy is a solid pastor who does typical Calvary style expository, verse by verse, teachings.
This year Calvary Chapel Community Church became part of CCLburg’s Back to School Backpacks Ministry that Melissa and I lead. This ministry started in 2024 with Access Center for Youth and Children, run by Jaydon and Maddie Mook also here in Manila. We will be in Manila working with the Mooks, and one day in the middle back at C.C.C.C. to help give out the backpacks, until June 4th.
Since we were here last in December of 2024, there has been a huge amount of growth. Not in the number of children attending ACYC but growth in the children. While yes, they have grown physically, that is not what I am referring to. I am referring to the changes that God has made in them. The last time we were here, both the children’s and youth’s classes, called “program” were pretty chaotic. Now, the kids are a lot calmer, more polite, and more respectful of each other. They follow instructions well and participate fully. They are learning the Bible, learning about Jesus, learning to live life together and love one another. They argue less and encourage each other more. Some have done discipleship training and now help teach the younger kids, they do worship and prayer. We are so very thankful for and proud of Jaydon, Maddie and the rest of the ACYC staff for their obedience to what God has called them to do here. It is truly amazing and beautiful.
The child who stands out the most to me is a 7 year old girl named Princess. She was looking at the tattoos on my armed and asked me about the “REV 21:4” tattoo on the inside of my right forearm. I told her it was one of my favorite verses and asked what hers was. It was Jeremiah 23:19 but it was in Tagalog so I couldn’t read it. I looked it up on Blue Letter Bible app and as soon as she saw it on my phone, she asked if she could read it. She read all of Jeremiah 29 NKJV in english, almost perfectly. Keep in mind, this is a 7 year old Filipino girl who lives in an incredibly poor neighborhood. Then she asked to read “Lucas” and she proceeded to do just as well at reading Luke chapter 1.
One of the older girls who helps with the younger children told me that Princess’ parents have been teaching Princess english at home, which is awesome, but Princess really wanted to read the Bible. It was hard to get her to stop reading when the free time portion of program ended. I found this to be a huge blessing and encouragement.
We greatly appreciate all the prayers and support.
May God Bless You
Derek and Melissa
Buchanans in the Wild
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