God protected us all the way...

Praise God for all your prayers. My missions trip to General Santos City, Saranggani Province and Zamboanga City was again a great experience. The time when we were ministering in these areas there was an ongoing conflict was happening between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and our government forces. This resulted to a lot of civilians in the mountains to flee and took refuge in the towns and cities. Some of the pastors and workers told us that many families have been affected by the ongoing war. Some of our meetings were cancelled because some of the area that we were going to visit were not safe at that time.

We praise God for his wisdom and protection upon all of us. We were still able to continue ministering to the different tribal churches and leaders in the area. Visiting Basilan was also in our agenda but the military did not allow us to travel there during that time. We just asked our contact pastors to come to Zamboanga City so that we could meet and pray for them.

Thank for your prayers and support.

Missions trip to Saranggani, Zamboanga & Basilan

By the time you will be reading this blog, I am still in the mission field. Currently, I am visiting the areas of Saranggani Province, Zamboanga City and Basilan. This places right now are experiencing some unrest where thousands of people have evacuated their homes and seek refuge in safe places. Hundreds have already been killed during the firefight between the government forces and the rebels called Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This problem has been going on for decades but for the past three weeks the MILF has launch a massive attached on the government forces which has affected the civilians in the area.

A lot of pastors and christians in the different areas have also been affected. I have made a commitment to visit my tribal friends every year. Hopefully my visit even for a short time would bring some encouragement to these tribal christians to trust the Lord for peace in their area.

Please continue to pray for our safety and God will use me to minister to my tribal friends.

I will keep you posted.

Ptr. Gary V.

Meeting the Governor of Batangas Province

Another highlight of our trip was the courtesy call we made to the Governor of Batangas Province. She was not just a politician but I would say the Grace Kelly of the Philippines. Governor Vilma Santos-Recto as she is called is not just the governor of the province but also a multi-awarded dramatic actress of philippine cinema. She has millions of fans all over the country and even abroad.

It was fun meeting her and sharing with the governor our mission in her province. I had the chance to share my experience with Grace and my mother who is an avid fan of hers.

She met us for almost an hour and at the very end, I had the chance to pray for her and her family.

God bless you Governor Vi.

Highlights of the Batangas Trip!

Highlights of the Batangas Trip!

Mission: Batangas Province

Thank you for your prayers and support. Another great trip last July 28 to August 17. Played 26 games, 3 Coaching Seminars and ministered to thousands of people in Batangas Province.

We praise the Lord for his mercy and protection upon all of us. Our team had a great time not only ministering to people but learning the culture as well. Bud "The Cat" Schaeffer, one of the living legends was always there to remind us of our mission. This is my second time to join Bud in a sports ambassadors trip. I will always have wonderful memories with my dear friend. Coach Jim Kessler was our team coach, he currently coaches the Grace College Lancers in Indiana. What a great coach, I learned a lot from him.

On our last day, during our final devotions together, we had the chance to have the other living legend Tine Hardeman share with the team. This was also a dream come true for me, having Bud, Tine and Me together. I was emotional driven by having the 2 legends together. Both started Sports Ambassadors in the Philippines in 1952.

I went home just thanking the Lord for another wonderful trip.

Mission: Batangas Province

The American Ventures for Victory/Sports Ambassadors basketball team will be in the Philppines on July 28 to August 16, 2008.

The team will be led by David Swanson 6'6, Jacob Peattie 6'3, Jacob Koons 6'2, Stephen Kaufman 6'1, David Henry 5'11, Stephen Groves 5'11, Ryan Eakins 5'9, Andrew Traeger 6'4, Clarence Jeffrey 6'2 and TJ Caparros 5'8. Joining the team is former SA International Director Bud "The Cat" Schaeffer and Coach Jim Keesler, headcoach of Grace College Lancers, Indiana.

We will be playing some goodwill games and will be sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in Metro Manila and Batangas Province. Coach Jim Keesler will also be conducting coaching seminars in Manila, Lipa City and Batangas City.

Please remember to pray for us during this time as we play in the different colleges/universities and barangays in the area. Pray for the pastors & churches who will be helping us in doing the follow-up for those who will received Christ and wants to attend a bible study.

Coach Jim Kessler coming to the Philippines

Coach Jim Kessler, headcoach of Grace College Lancers from Indiana, USA will be coming to the Philippines this coming July 28 to August 16, 2008 to lead the Ventures for Victory/Sports Ambassadors team who will play a series of goodwill games in Manila and Batangas Province. Coach Jim will also be doing a series of coaching seminars in Manila, Lipa City and Batangas City.

During his tenure at Grace College, Kessler has taken his teams on more than a dozen international outreach basketball camps in nations such as the Bahamas, Philippines, Egypt and Germany. Kessler and his players took part in a mission trip in Africa at the 2004 HIV/AIDS Kenyan Basketball Federation National Clinic. His teams have also conducted outreach camps with inner-city programs and on Native American reservations.

Coach Jim Kessler has also made extensive contributions on his campus and in the local community by organizing annual tournaments to benefit Habitat for Humanity and the Kosciusko County Cancer Fund. He has established campus projects that have raised funds for the college library as well as funds for equipment and programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life at the college. For his contributions to the lives of youth in the Warsaw community, Kessler received the 2005 Pete Thorne Memorial Award.

Coach Jim Kessler has won many awards in his tenure at Grace College, including four (4) NAIA District 21 Coach of the Year Awards, two (2) NCCAA National Coach of the Year Awards

Kessler has won many awards in his tenure at Grace, including four NAIA District 21 Coach of the Year Awards, two NCCAA National Coach of the Year awards and an NAIA National Coach of the Year award. He has had 15 winning seasons and 11 with 19 or more victories. His teams have won the Mid-Central Conference Championship eight times and he led the 1991–92 squad to the NAIA Division II National Championship.

Davao del Norte Highlights

Davao del Norte Highlights

Mission: Davao del Norte, Mindanao

Our record was 8-2-1 (W-D-L) during our basketball missions trip to Davao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. But the greatest result was the two thousand two hundred thirty-seven (2,237) response slips that we received in all of our games.

This was another great trip that I could not forget, in most areas that we played the crowd responded very well to the gospel. The pastors and local churches working with us were excited to start to follow-up those who gave us their response slips.

The basketball team from Witchita, Kansas easily adapted to the culture and did very well in sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the filipino people.

Please remember to pray for the pastors and church people who are now doing the follow-up.

Thank you for your prayers.

Mission: Davao del Norte, Mindanao

This coming June 01 to 06, 2008, I will be having a sports trip to the Province of Davao del Norte.

Joining me is the Buhay Sports Basketball Team from Kansas City, USA. The visiting squad is scheduled to play against local teams in Tagum City, Panabo City and Carmen from June 01 to 05, 2008.

Leading the cast of players are Reagan Billings, 5’9, Shooting guard; Chase Billings, 6’1, Pointguard; Scott Henderson, 6’3, Center; Kevin Henderson, 6’2, Power Forward; Jordan Martin, 6’2, Small Forward; Jason Netherton, 6’2, Small Forward; Tom Nykamp, 6’2, Power Forward; Daniel Bucher, 6’2, Small Forward, David Clinton, 6’4, Power Forward and Joshua Manthe, 6’8, Center.

The American Buhay Sports Basketball team is scheduled to arrive Manila this coming May 31, Saturday then they are expected to arrive Davao City on June 01, Sunday. Before they travel to Tagum City in the afternoon the team will be the guests at Grace Baptist Church of Pastor Sam Pascual at 10:30 am during their regular Sunday Service.

Please remember us in your prayers. We are looking forward for the gospel to be shared to the people that will come and watch our games.

Visiting Families, Churches & Friends

Our Unforgettable journey

April 25th marked the start of our initiation as travellers from Mindanao to the Visayas via land and sea. Bringing with us our vehicle, we left Davao at 6:00 in the evening for a 6 hour-drive to Cagayan de Oro City. Our trip was not at all easy as we trod along the winding roads of Bukidnon. First, the fog was so thick we could hardly see. Second, it rained so hard the reflectors were no longer visible, thus, forcing us to stop in the middle of the road to wait for the rain to disperse. Finally the heavy rain turned into drizzle and we continued our long drive until we reached Cagayan de Oro City at about 12:30 in the morning. We checked-in in one of the inns, woke up at 5:00 am the next day for another 3 hour-drive to Iligan City and another boat ride to Ozamis City then a another 3 hour drive to Dapitan for our 4 hour boat ride that will bring us to Dumaguete City.

In Dumaguete, we visited some of our friends before travelling to Bacolod City the next day. We thought our trip to Cagayan de Oro was the most challenging of all, but we were wrong. Bacolod is a 7 hour-drive from Dumaguete City, but the trip could be shortened if we pass through the undulating route accross the mountains of Negros. That was the most frightening trip we experienced. Once again, it rained heavily as we were climbing the mountains. We could only see the sharp curves and the trees lining up on our right side and on our left. Outside the car was total darkness. We only knew that as we turned every sharp curve, the cleft was just alongside. We continued our spiral trekking until we reached the part where the road was already straight and sloping. Meaning, we were nearing the civilization. Praise God! the long and winding road finally came to a halt. We would say, God was really in control of our car.

Finally, we arrived Bacolod City on April 27, Sunday around 9:00 pm and we were happy to see our family who greeted us with a sumptous dinner. Praise the Lord!

Highlights of the China Goodwill Games

Highlights of the China Goodwill Games

Greetings from Xiamen, China

We arrive in Xiamen, China on April 17, Thursday around 11:45 am without the team. Due to immigration problem, they were not allowed to board the plane except for the four (4) officials who were given clearance. The team had to catch the next plane the following day. Good that the Chinese Basketball Association in Xiamen understood the situation so they reset our first game the following day.

The following day when the team arrived from the Philippines, I met the team for a short meeeting at the hotel before we went to our game. They were very happy to have a team chaplain. Sharing the gospel to these young players was really a great opportunity. I had the chance to share some life stories of great basketball players who dedicated their lives to the Lord.

Our host also gave us a tour around Xiamen. This province is also part of the China Economy Zone that is why a lot of construction especially bridges are being built. We also visited some historical sites such as the turtle island, piano museum and other places.

On our fifth day, the boys had the chance to do some shopping especially buying some personal souvenirs. But before we went to the airport, I had another opportunity to minister to the team in my room. Another big challenge was that upon our check-in, we were told that three (3) of our players could not board the plane because they overbooked the flight. So we prayed that the Lord will do something. I could sense that the three players were starting to feel bad. I just continued to pray in my spirit that God will intervene in this situation. Praise God! the airline told us later that all of us will be able to go home.

Upon our arrival in the Philippines midnight of April 20, Sunday, I told the boys to remember God always in their lives especially the blessings they have received from Him.

I went home very tired but joyful that another opportunity was given to me to represent the country and also minister to the team.

China Goodwill Games

On April 17 to 21, 2008 the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) will be participating in the China Goodwill Games in Xiamen, China. A Collegiate Basketball Selection Team will represent the Philippines in this tournament.

Last week I was asked to be part of the delegation and be the Team Chaplain during the trip. After praying about it, I believed this is a great opportunity for me to minister to the players and officials while we participate in this prestigious tournament.

I am looking forward to this trip and praying that God will touch the lives of our filipino players.

Please remember to pray for us during those days while we are in Xiamen. I look forward to the praise report that I will share with you after the trip.

Ptr. Gary & Grace

Another great year for Stephen Christian!

Grace and I once again marched with Stephen during his final recognition day last March 31, Monday at his school. During the entire ceremony, I was just thanking the Lord for another great year for Stephen. He has really worked so hard studying, learning so many things, joining as many activities in school, etc. And the day has come for him to be given an award.

Stephen was even given the chance to carry the school flag during the opening march. Stephen received numerous awards in Academics and Activities that is being offered by the school.

Once again we are thankful to the Lord for Stephen, indeed he is our "miracle baby".

We love you very much Stephen! We are so proud of you son...

God bless you!

Papa & Mommy Grace

Bible Open Air Ministries

Last March 26, Wednesday I flew from Cebu City to Manila to meet Arthur Williams, Bible Open Air Ministries International Director together with his Philippine Staff to discuss the final preparation for the coming of Steve Lillis, former world pool champion from the US for a possible ministry trip in the Philippines. Steve is also the President/Founder of Gospel Trict Shots Ministries based in the US.

Joining me in that meeting was my field director Richard Henderson together with some BOAM staff in the Philippines and India. First we discussed our ministries, then Art Williams shared about Steve and GTS. I was excited to know that Steve has a burden to come to the Philippines to share his personal testimony thru the sport of billiards/pool. I never imagined that God can use billiards to reach out the lost for Christ. Hallelujah! Steve also knows some of the filipino world pool champions the like of Efren "Bata" Reyes, Dyango Bustamante, Noel Alcano and the others. No wonder the Philippines now is considered the Billiard capital of the world.

So we are now finalizing the details of Steve Lillis coming to the Philippines. Looking forward for this exciting ministry.

Please help us pray that God will use tremendously Steve Lillis in reaching the people for Christ.