Thanksgiving Dinner at Johnny Rockets - And Camp!

Ethan and I had dinner at Johnny Rockets for Thanksgiving (USA) on Friday because we missed celebrating on Thursday because we were at the Tabernacle of Faith Christian Academy Grade School Camp in a rural locale. We would have cooked a turkey, but we have no oven in our apartment :-). We would have gone to the home of any number of American Missionary Friends, but we were a day late. So we had chili burgers, chili dogs and milk shakes at a nostolgic American diner instead. It was great! Ethan had a blast putting 1 peso coins into the juke box and watching the wait staff occassionaly perform dance numbers to 50's/60's music.

Ethan was so happy after the camp. It was his first ever as he is now in grade 4 and the camp is for grades 4-6. We had wonderful guest speakers, Assembly of God missionaries Mark and Sarah Brown who along with their team shared in the first two sessions. They used props such as a parachute and a robot and even did a "shadow surgery" in which they removed "sinful" items from a patient behind a back-lit sheet. The kids not only loved it, but the illustrations are memorable. Then in the third session (Thursday night), I did not share my prepared message as worship (led by Leyl Bartoleme and Jay Aquino) took off in an amazing way. By the 4th song, kids were weeping before the Lord and by the 6th song we were in a full revival. It all started because there were songs about the Father and the kids who miss their earthly fathers due to seperation (there is no divorce in the Philippines), being work-a-holics, not showing them love, etc., began to forgive them and allow God to heal them of their pain. But it didn't stop there. Mothers, uncles, siblings, teachers, friends, enemies, they were forgiving them all and forgiving each other. The tears turned to joy and there was allot of hugging going on and then the worship flew because of high praise and a victorious celebration! So great and amazing!!

I didn't get a chance to write about the High School Camp a couple of weeks ago but it was equally amazing!! God moved as our guest, Carlo Victa (from San Diego and Baguio City) taught us God's Word and as worship (led by Leyl and Yash Bartolome) took off as well! The High School students are transformed and the difference is still obvious as I walk the hallways of the school even today. God is sooooo good!!!

We have much to be Thankful for. I am thankful for God's faithfulness not only in my life and in the lives of my family members, but also in the lives of my TFCA Family. The Students, the Teachers and the Staff. God is working guys and let us continue to keep our hearts sensitive before Him daily. Happy Thanksgiving!!!