Life In Nebraska & Iowa

Life In Wichita, KS

Elm Grove Baptist Church

Life In Wichita, KS

Life In Leavenworth, KS

Life In Los Angeles, CA

Finally we're here in Leavenworth, KS

We landed in LA at 8:45 last night.... wow we're finally in America! Our dear friend Rommel Lamayo (Gary's former high school buddy) met us at the airport and brought us to In-n-Out(for our filipino friends, it's a fast food restaurant), after eating a hefty dinner, he toured us around LA..... we went to Hollywood, Beverly Hills and we passed by STAPLES CENTER, where the LA Lakers host their NBA games! We were so sleepy but we just could not let this chance slip away so we had to look at LA half awake, half asleep :) We went around until 2am and by the time he brought us back to the airport we already saw half of LA, thanks Mel..... you were really good to us, we knew you were tired and had to go to work that day.

And again, we checked-in at 4am to go to Dallas and off to Kansas City. We were so tired when we arrived in Kansas, but seeing the place, it took all our tiredness away. Kansas is a beautiful city, our host Joshua & Val Manthe and his family welcomed us to their lovely home and the next morning we had our first Kansas breakfast - Biscuits & Gravy..... we love it!

We also had the time to see the shopping malls. Lunch was at Chipotle (a Mexican Restaurant). When the restaurant manager knew that we were new in town and just came from the Philippines, . PTL!

On our 3rd day here in Kansas, we were invited to preach at Elm Grove Baptist Church of Reverend Sandie & Debbie Seaba. The members are so sweet and good to us, you can really feel the love of Jesus. This church supports 70 missionaries worldwide. Right after the service the Reverend Seaba and his wife treat us to dinner. In fact, we were again invited to preach on March 18, Wednesday during the midweek service.

Today also, we had our first steak treat at Longhorn and a taste of the best ribs in town at Dave's Barbeque Grill. Wow, we were thinking of our gym instructor's warning before we left for the US, he said if we ever gain weight after 2 & 1/2 months in the US, he's going to increase our cardio exercise into 1 hour and our lifts reps will be double.... ouch! I think we have to jog starting tomorrow.

Our US Trip this March 5 to May 17, 2009

To our prayer partners & ministry supporters,

This coming March 5, 2009 we will be in the US to visit our supporting friends and churches. Grace and I together with our youngest son Stephen Christian looks forward to this experience.

Another highlight of the trip is that I will have the chance to attend the NCAA Final 4 which will be in Detroit, Michigan on April 2-6. Also the Church Sports Recreation & Ministers (CSRM) Summit on April 22-24 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Please remember us in your prayers during this time when we will be traveling most of the time in the US. Below is our US itinerary:

March 5
Arrive in Los Angeles International Airport
March 6-8
Leavenworth, KS
March 9-11
Wichita, KS
March 12-14
Omaha, Nebraska & Council Bluffs, Iowa
March 15-18
Leavenworth, KS
March 19-22
Indianapolis, IN
March 23
Baltimore, Maryland
March 24
New Jersey
March 25
New York City
March 26-27
New Jersey
March 28
Washington DC
March 29-31
Norfolk, VA
April 01-06
Detroit, Michigan
April 7-10
Indianapolis, IN
April 11-14
Winona Lake, IN
April 15-20
Colorado Springs, CO
April 21-30
Phoenix, Arizona
May 01-03
Bakersfield, CA
May 04-05
Canoga Park, CA
May 06-09
Brea, CA & Fullerton, CA
May 10-12
San Juan Capistrano, CA & Palmdale, CA
May 13
Canoga Park, CA
May 14
Los Angeles, CA
May 15
Fly back to the Philippines

Sports Ministry Seminar (Part 2)

Last February 9-10, I was in Cebu City for a Sports Ministry Seminar. I met with our sports ministry partners who are very much involved in sports ministry in Cebu City.

We had the chance to discuss what God is doing in the different churches and how sports ministry has made a great impact in their lives. During our discussion, I shared with them Church Sports International (CSI) materials that could help and benefit them in their current ministries. I challenge the leaders to identify other sports ministry leaders who can continue to introduce and conduct sports ministry activities in their local community and churches.

One of the leader who attended was the local coordinator for Evangelism Explosion (EE) and wants to partner with us. I got very excited because his ministry is focus of discipling and doing follow up for people who are serious of their christian walk.

We ended the day committing ourselves again unto the Lord, made a covenant to pray for one another and encourage others to get involve in sports ministry.

2009 Hardeman Showcase Basketball Tournament

This coming February 5-7, 2009 will be the 2009 Hardeman Showcase Basketball Tournament @ Faith Academy Manila. This tournament is being held every year where top high school teams (18 years old & under) are being invited to participate.

I will be part once again of this very prestigous basketball showcase. This tournament is held in honor of my dear friend Sports Ambassadors living legend Chaplain Tine Hardeman. Chaplain Tine came to the Philippines in 1954 as part of the Ventures for Victory/Sports Ambassadors basketball team. Since then Tine & Jan Hardeman decided to move to the Philippines to be Sports Ambassadors missionaries under OC International.

Chaplain Tine has been an inspiration to me when it comes to sports ministry. I always look forward of being with Chaplain Tine during this tournament.

I salute you Chaplain Tine Hardeman. Your the best!

Highlights: Conquering Antique Province!

Conquering Antique Province for Jesus

So far we have been winning our games in Antique Province. We just won our fifth game. But the great part is that we are winning souls for Jesus Christ. Our host pastor has been very really organize well our games. Our games have been jumpacked with people. Amazing!

Please continue to remember us in your prayers. We still have ten (10) more games to go before we end our sports trip on January 14, Wednesday. Pray for safety and good health for all of us.

I will be updating you on our trip from time to time.

God bless!

Antique Province Sports Trip

This coming January 04-17 I will be having my first sports trip for 2009 together with the Sports Ambassadors Australia.

We will be in Antique Province in the island of Panay. Fifteen (15) games have been lined-up and the team will be having a food distribution in one of the towns which was damaged by Typhoon Frank last July, 2008.

Please be in prayer for us during this time. It is our hope that many will hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and make a personal decision to follow Christ.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

God bless!

Ptr. Gary & Grace

Seasons Greetings to you all!

To our prayer partners & ministry supporters,

May you have a wonderful Christmas

&

A Blessed New Year

Grace and I really appreciate your continued prayers and support. Your partnership with us has allowed us to share the love of Jesus Christ to our filipino brethren.

God bless you all!

Ptr. Gary & Grace

Highlights of our Family Retreat

Family Retreat @ Puerto Galera, Mindoro

Our family joined the missionary family retreat @ Puerto Galera, Mindoro last October 29 to November 01, 2009.

It was a great experience for us especially during this time when we are so busy with ministry whole year round. Grace and I together with JJ & Stephen enjoyed our time of bonding. It was our first time to visit Puerto Galera. The place was really ideal for family vacation and relaxation. We also had the chance to ride the banana boat for the first time. It was great and fun.

One of the highlights of our retreat was meeting our fellow missionary families in the country. Our Asia area director Dave and Barbara Hagelberg also came from Singapore to minister to all of us.

We went home filled with excitement and experience during those days when we just had to stop doing ministry and relax and be ministered to.

Praise the Lord!

MSN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

During the Mindanao Sunrise to the Nations (MSN) Leadership Retreat last October 14-16, I had the chance to share to thirty-three (33) denominational leaders regarding Sports Ministry.

I discovered that some pastors and churches has a deep desire to have a sports ministry but they just don't know where to start. In my presentation, I gave them some information regarding how they can incorporate sports ministry in their church planting program.

In my three (3) hour presentation, I gave them some ideas of how to begin sports ministry but I challenge them that there is a need for me to conduct a sports ministry seminar in their church or with other churches.

I have been blessed to use the Church Sports International (CSI) materials in my presentation which I gladly shared also with some pastors and leaders.

One of the excitement in my presentation was when I presented to them the Powerball.

OC/PC WORLDVIEW

Last October 6 & 7, I had the chance to be in Cebu City together with our field director Richard Henderson to conduct our OC/PC Worldview to fifteen (15) individuals who are potential PC missionaries in the future.

I had the chance to share some important topics and also metioned about my experience of being a PC missionary. We had a great time of sharing our experiences and I look forward that this individuals will soon make that decision to be part of Philippine Challenge.

Please remember them in your prayers.

Mission: San Jose, Antique Province

Last June, 2008 Typhoon Frank hit the Philippines. One of the provinces that was greatly damage was the Province of Panay. After talking with some contact pastors in the area, we decided that this is where we will focus our sports ministry activities for 2009.

This coming October 6-12, I will be travelling to the Visayas and visit San Jose, Antique in Panay which was one of the provinces that was greatly hit by the typhoon.

I will be setting-up a sports trip for the Western Australia Sports Ambassadors headed by Greg Beacham who will be coming on January, 2009.

Please remember to pray for me during this time as I travel and meet with pastors in the area to discuss with them the sports trip.