Favorite moments from our Philippine trip

Now that we are back home in Dothan, Ala., from our trip to the Philippines, we have been asked what was our favorite part of the trip. That's a tough question to answer, because there were so many favorite moments.

Knowing that more than 500 people decided to follow Jesus was the greatest result of the trip. Nothing is more important than a soul being saved.

It was great seeing fruit that remained from our last trip. When someone decides to follow Jesus and you see them become of true disciple of Christ, that's producing fruit that remains (John 15:8).

There was the time in Molave when 122 people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and immediately begged for us to teach them more of God's Word. That was amazing. Within three days the indigenous pastor there, Dandy Begafria, informed us that many new house Bible studies had been formed to meet the needs of the people's hunger for God's Word. He thanked us for making him extra busy.

Ministering to 300 children under the Sindangan Bridge was a great highlight of the trip. How precious it was to see the smiling faces of children living in such poverty. To hear them sing about Jesus just melted our hearts. To see their happy faces, and of the adults as well, as we served them lunch was worth the long trip to the Philippines.

Another great moment and move of God was Muslims deciding to follow Jesus. When they say they are committing their lives to Jesus, they really mean it, because it means their families will excommunicate them. But when you've truly been touched by Jesus, you are more than willing to give up everything for Him. Those men immediately told their wives and children about their decision and what Jesus did in their hearts. They always talk about the great peace they all of a sudden feel, and they know that nobody but Jesus could have done it.

Many of their families decide to follow Jesus as well. Once they hear and see the change in the men's lives, they believe. The stories from our trip last year about the Muslims who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are great. Knowing they are not only still following Jesus, but telling others about Him more than a year later is wonderful.

Seeing indigenous pastors, their wives and missionary workers at the second annual LIA Philippines Pastors/Missionary Workers conference was great. Teaching and encouraging them is always a great honor. God really uses that conference to refresh and rejuvenate the pastors. We have received many reports of how much the conference did for them, and how revival has broken out when they returned to their villages, towns and communities.

It was great seeing one pastor in particular, who, before last year's conference, was so discouraged he was ready to quit. God restored his joy during that conference and today is so happy to be in the mission field.

Two young men decided to enter the mission field at the end of this year's conference. To pray for them about their decision was a great experience.

Another exciting part about this year's conference was the shipment of KJV Bibles, glasses and other items we sent in January arrived the day before the conference, so we were able to personally hand out the Bibles and watch our friends try on glasses until they found the ones that helped them the most. God's timing is always perfect.

I did my first baby dedication in the Philippines. What a great honor.

Visiting many of the small churches to meet and pray with the pastors and their wives was a great privilege. It's amazing the dedication they all have. They all live in their humble churches, some with "starry roofs;" given the name because they can see the stars at night through the many holes in the thatch roof.

Sharing the Gospel to the inmates in the Ozamiz jail was an amazing time. Seeing the change on their faces as we told them how much Jesus loves them was indescribable. Then, when they later gave the warden money to give to the American ministry who came to tell them about Jesus was a widow's mite moment.

Just seeing all of our friends was a great blessing, and having "coffee fellowship" under the mango tree in Sindangan was so much fun.

So, what was our favorite part of the trip? Everything. We thank and praise God for the awesome opportunity and give Him all of the praise, honor and glory for everything that happened. And, we thank everyone who prayed for us. God certainly answered a lot of prayers.