Behold, He makes all things new

Joedy Melashenko and Charlene West

The Quiet Hour’s ambition is to effect change in the lives of the people we serve and the people serving. God does some very extreme makeovers, let me tell you.

A group of 128 enthusiastic young people and adults gave their spring break from school to change the lives of Filipinos in Baguio City. They participated in the construction of a "lamb shelter" (addition to Bible classrooms) near Baguio City; conducted Vacation Bible Schools and evangelism meetings; provided medical, optical, and dental clinics; and did children's ministries and orphanage outreach. When we see them with tears in their eyes expressing their joy, we discover that this has been a life-changing experience for them, as well.

After months of preparations (paperwork, phone calls, and e-mail messages), it was finally Friday, March 17. The MP3 Philippines mission project for 2005 was officially underway.

As I looked over the group of students and adult sponsors, I felt peace. I knew that the Holy Spirit was in this place. The children’s ministry teams were buzzing, the medical outreach teams were making plans their upcoming clinics, the construction crew had started “digging in.” I thanked God for the absolutely fantastic group that joined The Quiet Hour MP3 program for this year.

Again, the kids from Okanagan Academy in British Columbia have shown their colors. They are some of the most well-prepared, gifted, energetic kids I have worked with. And can they ever sing!

The group from Pennsylvania’s Blue Mountain Academy consisted of some youth and staff who’d been with MP3 at Lake Titicaca, Peru, in 2004. They were primed and ready to go. And the Woodruff family, from Spokane, Washington—wow! This family was full of talent with their stringed instruments, their juggling abilities, and their puppet ministries.

In addition to the students from Blue Mountain and Okanagan, we had Joslyn Alcorn and Jason Melton from Chino Valley, Arizona; Amy Purviance and December Cummings from Dinuba, California; Alexa Schroer from Loma Linda, California; Julie Bendezu from Santa Ana, California; Justin Gibson and his mother Lillian from Lincoln, Nebraska; Yaroslav Gritsiouk from Grants Pass, Oregon; Rachel Magpayo from San Diego, California; Cherish Joy Moore from Orange Cove, California; and two college-age students—Julie Bendezu from Santa Ana, California, and Jonathan Wold from Placerville, California. –Each day, the medical and dental teams (including 21 dental students and supervising faculty from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry) did dental procedures and even measured patients for eyeglasses donated by the Lions Club. These health workers met the physical needs of many people, who were invited to hear about Jesus, the Great Physician, at the evening evangelism meetings.

Each person came with God-given talents and skills to help make the project a success. They were there to change lives, and invariably discovered that they were fundamentally changed by serving the Lord through His people.

Each evening the group broke up into eight smaller groups and held “cottage meetings,” which had a combined attendance of more than 1,200. At the conclusion of the evening’s meetings, the MP3 participants came back to the mission compound excited and enthusiastic. It was wonderful to hear them describe their impressions and experiences.

“My most memorable experience here in Baguio City happens every night. My children’s ministry team heads out to the Bitag church and we lead the children in singing. Then we do a skit and puppet show, and a nature nugget. I’ve fallen in love with these kids,” exclaimed Amy Purviance. “

To hear 69 kids singing Jesus Loves Me at top of their lungs has made this trip 100 percent worth it,” stated Bryan Fellows. “Coming here to Baguio has given me a new perspective. Instead of looking at how it will benefit me, I look at the way I can use my life to bless others. As a friend and I stood there listening to the kids singing, she whispered to me, ‘I don't want to go back home! I wish everyone could understand the joy that comes from having this adventure.’”

Two young boys, ages eight and ten, consistently attended the children’s programs, even though their father reportedly had beaten them for attending those “crazy meetings.” But praise God! During the final baptism celebration, both boys and their father were baptized!

For many of the team members, the visits to the local orphanages were the highlight. December Cummings told me, “Without a doubt, my most memorable experience was when our group went to the orphanage this afternoon. When it was time to leave, they shouted, ‘I love you!’ So we shouted back, ‘Mahal kita, Mahal kita!’ (‘I love you, I love you’ in Ilicano). That was super special to me. There were so many smiling faces shouting, ‘Mahal kita!’ That is something I will never forget. It will stay with me forever!”

One can see how much more work needs to be done in the Philippines, and it was wonderful to see 170 people give their lives to Jesus through baptism. Among those baptized were MP3 team members Alexa Schroer, Justin Gibson, the Diminyatz family, and Marleen Wirtz.Through these MP3 young people, God is changing lives not only of Filipinos we ministered to, but He changed the lives of the MP3 youth and adults who volunteered their time, talents, and labor. Jesus said in Revelation 21:5 NKJV, “Behold, I make all things new.”

Be sure to encourage the MP3 experience for your kids and grandchildren (age 14 and up), and watch God go to work on making all things new!