Donations From Our Church in Hawaii Have Arrived!

5 big boxes arrived at our place today full of ziploc bags containing supplies and toys for our outreach project to children in need! Thank you to Grace Alarcio, Sarah Siu and Shari Lau for making sure the boxes got here and to the Arise Women's Ministry, at our mother church Hope Chapel West Oahu, for your generous hearts!

Our outreach will be Thursday, January 5th. We'll be passing out these ziploc bags of hope to the street children in the surrounding areas near our church. Feel free to join us!

Hope Chapel Metro Story: Nadine Martinez

Here is a short video of Nadine Martinez, a member of Hope Chapel Metro. I filmed this testimony for our Christmas service. Lynnette had a chance to minister to her the first time that she visited our church. This is Nadine's journey of faith, it is a story we can all relate to in some way. 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it-GNMCp_f4?rel=0&hd=1]

Top 5 Highlights of Hope Chapel Metro Christmas Service

We just had an awesome Christmas service at Hope Chapel Metro here in Timog, Quezon City. Here are our top 5 highlights of the night:

#5: Snow!...snow? Yes, snow in Quezon City! Yes, that's right we had it snowing big fluffy snowflakes outside the entrance of church. It reminded me (DJ) of growing up in the Great White North (Canada), except warm...actually hot, no frost bite...but maybe some heat rash.

#4: Filipino Food! Delicious food to eat while enjoying the rest of the night! BBQ sticks, pancit, lumpia shanghai, puto...and of course some 3 in 1 coffee.

#3: Great Message. Pastor Nolan preached it like no other, reminding us of the incredible gift given to all mankind...Jesus.

#2: Orphanage Presentation: After service, we were blessed to have an unexpected visit and performance of songs and dance by some children from a Quezon City orphanage.

#1: New Beginnings. At least a handful of people surrendered their lives to Jesus and received the gift of grace, forgiveness and the beginning of an incredible journey of walking out the divine purpose God has for them. Simply amazing. 

Update!

Update: Praise Jesus! Got offered an additional Associate Vice Principal position combined w/ a teaching position (currently waiting on the official contract for me to sign). In the meantime, I'm still praying to see if this is what God wants me to do...(it will be a commitment of 3yrs. by contract).

As to the free Eastwood condo, unfortunately, I received a call from my boss today that the offer fell through. :( honestly, I was very very very sad receiving the news. However, I trust and know that God will provide and make a way. And if the door closes I trust that He will open another. I am definitely learning and growing in my faith as a missionary.

Please pray for continual financial support and provisions especially next year as the Philippines full time salary does not meet all our financial obligations. Thank you all for your support and encouragement it really brightens my day!

Newsletter 11.07.11: Bathroom Invaders & Other Events

Our latest video newsletter is up! 

Check out what's been going on here in the Philippines, and find out who our latest visitor from Hawaii was!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z__mHK3-bU?hd=1]

A Special Christmas Project

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJesTx5J5io?hd=1]

Join us on this special Christmas Project... We would love for you to partner with us on blessing the street kids on Christmas day by sending us a 1 gallon ziploc bag with the following items:

1. Bar of Soap
2. Toothbrush
3. Toothpaste
4. Small Towel
5. Children's Book/Stuffed Animal

It takes about 1 month for a shipment to arrive here in the Philippines. We are requesting that the items be shipped on the first week of November, in order for it to get here on time. 

If you are interested, please send us an email (dj_lynnette@garcesunplugged.com) or contact us on facebook (Don J. Garces or Lynnette Garces) and we'll send you shipping information.  

From the bottom of our hearts Salamat po (Thank you)!

Hope Chapel Metro's First Baptism

Purihin ang Diyos (Praise be to God) for the families, children, and young adults who got baptized on Saturday, Sept. 17th! Total of 12 members! It brought tears, laughter, and happiness as we gathered to declare our faith in Jesus. What a priviledge it is to participate with God and our church in fulfilling Matthew 28:19-20:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

(Btw, the song "Revive" is on the new Hope Chapel West Oahu CD, it will be released on Sept 23rd, its an incredible album, go get it!) 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMguNDGSn-Y?hd=1]