Sandra was slightly alarmed (and also slightly amused!) when she read my email a few weeks ago, sent from the jungles of the Philippines: "We are traveling through insurgent infested jungle every day, going from one base camp to another…I am eating crazy food and driving on crazy roads and having a great time…" Just another amazing God ordained trip…
The 3rd Infantry Division in the Philippines is tasked with patrolling remote jungle villages in search of enemy insurgents, both Muslim and Communist. Our team traveled to 7 bases on two islands, teaching the first of many spiritual enhancement modules to the Army. We were well received by each Commander and were treated as VIPs. My teaching times with these men were the most enjoyable I have experienced in a long time. They were attentive and receptive.
I wish you could have been there to hear the earnestness in the voice of one Commander who came up to me after a seminar and said that it was the first time in 13 years that he had heard anyone speak about the spiritual needs of man and that he felt that he and his men would really benefit from continuing to learn about God's role in each of their lives.
What is the "continuing to learn" part about?? Amazingly, the Philippine Army recently mandated that each command needs to develop a MILVED (military values education) program. Part of this program will need to include a "spiritual enhancement" module that would bring the Army to the place where it would be "God-centered". Wow—talk about an OPEN DOOR! We are excited about the role we will have in sharing Christ with the soldiers in the Philippine army.
P.S. I have also been invited to come and train about 1000 volunteer Chaplains on the island of Mindanao. These men are local pastors that were recruited to minister to the Army but have had little experience or training working with the military.
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