MATHETES PHILIPPINE YOUTH MINISTRY • DIGOS CITY
Rodger and Dixie Shewmaker
January 25, 2012
Dear Friends,
Once again we (Rodger and Dixie) are on different sides of the ocean, only this time Rodger is in the Philippines and Dixie is in Illinois. In the spring Dixie will have a knee replacement and will remain in the states until released by the doctor. (Rodger will come home in June to help with her rehab.)
Rodger returned to the Philippines two weeks ago to work with the Youth Center team and our intern from Minnesota, Connor. In addition to the daily operation of the Youth Center the team is heavily involved in planning several upcoming events.
Feb. 19-26, Randy Boltinghouse of Champaign, IL will be conducting lectureships in the local high schools and colleges. Randy will speak to selected classes in the high schools on Creationism and on sexual purity to sections of students in the colleges. Please pray for a good reception from the administration for Randy to speak and for open hearts on the part of those who will hear the lectures. Randy will also preach at our local church on Sundays as well as lead special classes at the Youth Center.
Team Leader, Andy, is busy preparing for our teen camps this summer (April-May.) This is the first year that Dixie has not prepared the camp lessons, please pray for Andy and the others as they develop lessons for Discipleship Groups, and the Expression Groups where campers learn skills they can use in ministry at their home churches. Food, games, activities, competitions are among other areas that are being worked on.
Mission Trips: This summer we will have two mission trips. Team member, Cherry, is preparing one to go to a church in the mountains where we will lead a Vacation Bible School for 75-100 children for one week. Pray for Cherry as she finishes up the details on her plans. This is her first time to develop the entire program and the plans she submitted last week are excellent!
Connor is working towards leading a second mission trip this summer to the area where so many were killed recently by the flash floods. He is in the process of identifying a specific work project for the Youth Center to tackle. This is Connor’s first time to plan a Mission trip, pray for him as he works through all the logistics and sets this up.
At the Youth Center several youth desire to accept Christ and are in the process of praying for permission from their families to follow through. Pray for: Stephen, Roland, Sweet Jell, Vergelyn, Grace, Heidi, and Emelyn. Pray for them to remain faithful in following Christ before their families.
Sweet Jell recently told Team Member, Alma; “Last Christmas vacation was unforgettable. I had a great time together with my friends, classmates and family, but one thing I cannot forget is that during our family reunion I was requested to render a prayer before the meal. My parents and relatives were amazed by the way I prayed and my parents commented that going to the Youth Center is not useless. They have found a new improvement or big difference in me, especially in the way I respond to the rules of our house. There are big new changes in me that are very visible to my family.”
This story is typical of the kids at the Youth Center, as Christ changes them from the inside out. Please pray for Sweet Jell and the other youth and their families. We have a Muslim youth coming to the Youth Center who is hesitant to join a Bible study. Pray for our workers to have wisdom as they deal with this youth.
Thank you for your encouragement, prayers and support for what God is doing in Digos City. Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.
Closed in abounding joy that comes from our Lord!
Rodger and Dixie Shewmaker
Rodger and Dixie Shewmaker
January 25, 2012
Dear Friends,
Once again we (Rodger and Dixie) are on different sides of the ocean, only this time Rodger is in the Philippines and Dixie is in Illinois. In the spring Dixie will have a knee replacement and will remain in the states until released by the doctor. (Rodger will come home in June to help with her rehab.)
Rodger returned to the Philippines two weeks ago to work with the Youth Center team and our intern from Minnesota, Connor. In addition to the daily operation of the Youth Center the team is heavily involved in planning several upcoming events.
Feb. 19-26, Randy Boltinghouse of Champaign, IL will be conducting lectureships in the local high schools and colleges. Randy will speak to selected classes in the high schools on Creationism and on sexual purity to sections of students in the colleges. Please pray for a good reception from the administration for Randy to speak and for open hearts on the part of those who will hear the lectures. Randy will also preach at our local church on Sundays as well as lead special classes at the Youth Center.
Team Leader, Andy, is busy preparing for our teen camps this summer (April-May.) This is the first year that Dixie has not prepared the camp lessons, please pray for Andy and the others as they develop lessons for Discipleship Groups, and the Expression Groups where campers learn skills they can use in ministry at their home churches. Food, games, activities, competitions are among other areas that are being worked on.
Mission Trips: This summer we will have two mission trips. Team member, Cherry, is preparing one to go to a church in the mountains where we will lead a Vacation Bible School for 75-100 children for one week. Pray for Cherry as she finishes up the details on her plans. This is her first time to develop the entire program and the plans she submitted last week are excellent!
Connor is working towards leading a second mission trip this summer to the area where so many were killed recently by the flash floods. He is in the process of identifying a specific work project for the Youth Center to tackle. This is Connor’s first time to plan a Mission trip, pray for him as he works through all the logistics and sets this up.
At the Youth Center several youth desire to accept Christ and are in the process of praying for permission from their families to follow through. Pray for: Stephen, Roland, Sweet Jell, Vergelyn, Grace, Heidi, and Emelyn. Pray for them to remain faithful in following Christ before their families.
Sweet Jell recently told Team Member, Alma; “Last Christmas vacation was unforgettable. I had a great time together with my friends, classmates and family, but one thing I cannot forget is that during our family reunion I was requested to render a prayer before the meal. My parents and relatives were amazed by the way I prayed and my parents commented that going to the Youth Center is not useless. They have found a new improvement or big difference in me, especially in the way I respond to the rules of our house. There are big new changes in me that are very visible to my family.”
This story is typical of the kids at the Youth Center, as Christ changes them from the inside out. Please pray for Sweet Jell and the other youth and their families. We have a Muslim youth coming to the Youth Center who is hesitant to join a Bible study. Pray for our workers to have wisdom as they deal with this youth.
Thank you for your encouragement, prayers and support for what God is doing in Digos City. Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.
Closed in abounding joy that comes from our Lord!
Rodger and Dixie Shewmaker
RSS Feed
