Summer of 1999 was my first time in the Philippines. When I sit down to think what the Philippines campaign meant to me. I find it very hard to put into words. I could tell you that the people I met are still some of my good friends, or I could tell you that I really learned to rely on God.

For the first time in my life (20 years) I understood what Jesus did for me. Jesus left his home town, HEAVEN. He knew what was expected from Him in heaven. He knew that he was cared for and loved in heaven. He was brought down to earth, a whole new culture for Him. He had to learn how to live, how to eat and how to get from one place to another. He experienced so many emotions, he may had not of had words to express himself. Jesus left his home and gave all that he had to the people on a strange place to him called earth.

For six weeks I had the opportunity to get a taste of what Jesus did. I was able to live with a Filipino family. I ate what they ate, slept where they slept, and visited some of their work places. I experienced so much more in these six weeks than I did on any other campaign I went to. I was involved in one-on-two bible studies. It was me and one local Christian and one local searching for the truth.

When I visited children in small homes and few clothes (squatter areas) the locals did the Bible lessons and songs. I had the experience to humble myself and say I do not know anything about the culture so I will do my best to step back and learn about the culture. The last two weeks of the campaign were spent in various islands. During this time I had really learned the mission of a missionary. God does not need us to go tell people about His love. God has the power to convince people all over the world to come to Him. God needs us to humble ourselves so we can experience HIM in a deeper way.

The mission of a missionary is to go where the people are, become like the people and do whatever it takes for you and "your" people to experience God in a deeper way. Anyone who desires to have a deeper experience with God, I challenge you to join a Campaign in the Philippines.

Kellie Brooke Cooper
1999 Harding University Campaigner
philippines1999@hotmail.com

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