New Tracts Arrival

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3

20,300 tracts from Chick Publication arrived Thursday night, February 21, 2013.  To God be the glory!

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS 3

Amazing Story No. 3 (the last of three series)

And the LORD, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

Friend, let us move on to the last phase of our series of stories, part I (the first batch of tracts as we are waiting for another package of 20,000 tracks from Chick Publication anytime now).  In our previous Amazing Story No. 2, we kept you guessing about the awesome, secret plan of God when the tracts had been delivered late than expected.  Was it purposely delayed?  Was the hand of God into this?  Let us find out the answer.

This is the story:

After November 2, 2012, we (Mike and Luisa) still had so many undistributed tracts that we really did not know how to dispose all of them.  We decided to give it a try going to the public elementary schools were the population is much and because our available tracts were rated “children’s” by Chick Publication.  After all, the children were the ones who unknowingly encouraged us to pursue the tract ministry.  Since Cantilan East Central Elementary School (CECES) was nearest to us and the principal, then Mr. Romarico Tering, was just outside the gate of the school when we passed  by it, we told him about God’s tract ministry and how we would like to give tracts to the children and teachers.  We did not know at that time that there were already instructions for the public schools to be hesitant in accepting any reading materials from any church whose name was printed on them.  Please remember that our tracts had big, bold church name at the back!  Nevertheless, we were very happy that our proposal was granted.  It was only later that we knew of the restriction from our pastor.

To make the story short, we were able to distribute per room (some teachers immediately read the story to the children).  Mr. Tering was very accommodating and helpful to us.  Not only that.  Since the office of the District Supervisor II (Mrs. Merle D. Ramirez was the OIC- District Supervisor) was located in the same campus, we were able to open up the possibility of giving tracts to all schools in her district.  By God’s perfect wisdom, the tracts were given to the district as planned.  God knew and He how to compensate accordingly.

The day after, we went to Cantilan Pilot School (CPS) under the care of principal, Mrs. Lorna G. Almeda. The office of the District Supervisor I was also located there.  We made arrangement with CPS and it was granted without difficulty, with much help and well-accomodation from the principal, faculty and pupils.  When we talked to the District Supervisor, Mrs. Florena A. Uriarte, she told us we were on time for the November Reading Month. She said that the President of the Philippines mandated it.  Elementary pupils and high school students were made to read any wholesome reading materials in English or dialects understood by them.  She furnished us photocopy of the memoranda from the national and provincial levels of the Department of Education (DepEd).  What struck us most was when she said our coming was God’s will!  “Gamay Nga Sapatos” and the two English tracts were very much in.  This was the reason for the delay.  God wanted us to be on time where He needed us the most.  Isn’t He truly magnificent?

A few days later, we came back to the District Supervisor’s office as we want to discuss about giving tracts to the principals.  We decided it was best if they would be distributing because many schools were very far that it was impossible for Luisa to go because of her paralysis. When we arrived, the District Supervisor’s office was filled with people. All principals and a representative were there attending the meeting to our surprise!  When they saw us, they immediately looked for the tracts.  You see, they already discussed about the tracts and they wanted evidences (photographs taken) that donation of reading materials took place because it was required of them by DepEd for reporting purposes.  God again made things very easy for us.  Who then can say those were our work?

Additional to the above, other school district supervisors from neighboring towns desired that we went to their districts, but out of 12,000 tracts we only had 1,500 and a little more left.  We decided to give it to the first of them, Carmen District under Mrs. Arlene B. Sumabat.  She needed exactly 1,500 tracts.  The day we went to Carmen was full of surprises and more than enough blessings beyond measure that we could not write them down here anymore.

January 1, 2013, my sister who came on vacation from Dubai, United Arab Emirates invited us to Tinuy-an Falls in Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur.  On top of the falls Mike was given opportunity by God to give tracts.  Isn’t God wonderful?

Finally, many evidences of God’s tract ministry distribution are in the pictures taken out of them (thanks to our cousin Leona-Blesilda A. Dumadapat for borrowing to us her recharger and rechargeable batteries for the digicam - indefinitely).  We posted them here in this blog and on facebook (Cantilan Baptist Tracts Missions. In case you would check it up, there is no “and” between Tracts__ Missions because facebook would not accept the word).  Best of all, beyond the evidences is the Almighty God who knows no boundaries in manifesting His wondrous works through us.  To Him be the glory!

Copyright Mike and Luisa Carey; February 21, 2013

    

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS 2

Amazing Story No. 2

 

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Last month, we talked about Amazing Story No. 1 with the same title.  We said it was an amazing story because our efforts were just very minimal compared to what God had done to us in many wonderful ways beyond our understanding.  Again, He did the same now in Amazing Story No. 2.  Friends, hold your breath as we tell you another amazing story with the same intensity as the first.  Are you ready?We are.

The story:

We expected the packages from Chick Publication to arrive second week of October, 2012.  We were actually waiting for two packages (the 2,000 English tracts and the 10,000 Cebuano ones). The day they were sent by Chick at different dates, we were informed that second week of October was the last schedule of the two dispatches.  But for some unknown reasons, Forex failed to deliver on time.  We asked why.  Yet, God had a very good reason that we will divulge in Amazing Story No. 3.  Meantime, we were very happy because finally, the two packages of 12,000 tracts arrived on the last week of October!For us, the day we really longed for arrived. All worries were gone.  We learned our lesson to wait upon the Lord.Our hopes came to reality and God answered our prayers!

With a sample few copies on hand, we showed the tracts to the church.  Pastor Ananias C. Bangonon, our pastor, was amazed at seeing the big, bold words of the “Bethany Baptist Church, Cantilan…” with complete address written at the back of the Cebuano tracts.  It was especially made for the reader to know that the tract came from God through Bethany Baptist Church – Cantilan.  We then ask everybody in the church to help as in the distribution.  Almost all supported us.  Mike talked with the young people in the Young People Sunday School he takes charge every Sunday morning.  Each asked at least one bunch containing 25 tracts. The adults had their shares too. Even the old people at the old people bible study were given tracts for them to read.  Pastor got a lot and brought the tracts in his travel to the capital cities of both Surigao Norte and Sur. Our older nephews and nieces (both Catholics and Christians) handed tracts to their school mates in school.  Small children, young teenagers, “trisikad” drivers we did not even know knocked at our door to ask for tracts (for them and their friends).  Wherever we went, the Cebuano tract, “Gamay Nga Sapatos”, was truly accepted by people of different faith than ours.  We were truly encouraged!

Since it was November 1 (the Catholic’s All Saints Day, and November 2 as All Soul’s Day), the two of us (Mike and Luisa) spent the afternoon to give tracts at the entrance gate going to the cemetery.  A lot accepted the tracts, some just ignored them.  We just did what we had to do for the glory of God.  That Sunday, we were amazed because a visitor came to the church with the tract in his hand!  He was a Southern Baptist believer from a far town.  Since he was working at a mining company near Cantilan, we really hope he would make our church his second church.

Here were the feed-backs we received from people:

1.      They loved reading the tracts (because of their comic form).  Many even cried at the Cebuano tract story.

2.    Some who can relate to the story either in their lives or in the lives of someone they knew very well made reflections (we pray they really come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord – be truly saved).

3.     Even little children and those many may have thought of as people without importance in life (some may be “very unfortunate”) were actually the ones more open to the tract message.  Pride is the reason for resistance.

We learned so much from our experiences. God is very good and faithful!

Reflecting about the amazing things that He had done for us (Mike and Luisa), we cannot let this pass without telling you what is most important of all because we are accountable to God if we do not. 

Friend,whoever you are, whatever your status in life is, however intense your problems are, God is just very near to listen to you, if you are willing.  You may not have read the tracts given by God through us because you live so very far from us.  In fact, you are thousands of miles away from us(but,this website reaches you).  You may not even care to read a single tract when you come to accidentally see one.  Listening to a preacher of God may not even interest you.  Greatest of all, you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ or may have but you were not sincere in your words.  It is time to think seriously on these things because your decision may mean HEAVEN or HELL NOW for your soul in the very near future (death too may come anytime).  If you really care, take heed.  You do not have to cross bridges to do it.  In silence (if you are ashamed to speak it out) and in a secret place (if you are afraid to be seen), just pray sincerely for God’s forgiveness and accept Jesus Christ wholeheartedly as your Savior and Lord.  Now is the time.  Now is the day of salvation.  Act now before it is too late.

                        Copyright Mike and Luisa Carey;  February 19, 2013

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS 1

Amazing Story No. 1

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

Yes, God truly works in mysterious ways!  We (Mike and Luisa) believe that our job on the first major recorded tract distribution as a married couple last November 2012 was only 1% small effort.  We do not even know where that percentile lies.  Even 100% belongs to God.  We can never outrun Him.

Here is how it all started:

Sometime late last August 2012, we decided to email several Baptist tract organizations to send us free children tracts because we cannot afford buying them. We were touched by the children following us asking for tracts when we distributed to the older people the “older-people tracts”.  We had lots of them brought by Mike from Canada.  But, we have limited means to order children tracts.  Yet, our desire to be used by God is tremendous.  This prompted us to send emails and more prayers to back them up.  It was the only best thing we can do – ask the True Giver of all.

Sooner, three answered us. One sent us a message on “facebook”, but it was not our preference because we were made to download the contents of the tracts. This means more expenses on our part.  We have no budget for that now. 

Another tract organization immediately sent us a thousand tracts of our requested items for free.  But then, as it went through the mails, it was treated as package with tax.  Again, this was very sad for us as financially, we are very much limited. 

Then here came Chick Publication. We did not expect it because their tracts cost much to order.  I heard from a pastor who bought 10 copies of their tracts that it cost ten pesos a tract in the Philippines alone. How much more then if we would order from USA? But then, here is the surprise…  Their email said they would send us 2,000 children tracts in English via Forex World (Cargo) without any cost at all!  They would give it to us FREE!  Friends, isn’t this great? Here is more…  What we liked best was that their tracts had comic presentation in many pages that children and adults like most.

Much more, an unknown donor, whom we knew later as an American Missionary in Kenya, gave us 10,000 children tracts of our own choice in Cebuano for free (Mike chose the story “Gagmay Nga Sapatos” and it was well-accepted) through Chick.  Chick tracts even gave us additional favor by printing our church address at the back in very big letters.   This is amazing!  What truly an exceeding answered prayer.  

Friends, this is just the first real big story.  There is more next update.  Do stay online with our blog every now and then.  We will try our best to let you read more. 

Again, happy reading!  God bless us all.

Copyright Mike and Luisa Carey; January 7, 2013