We were there! Pacers/Mavericks game

Life in Kansas City, Kansas

Off to Indianapolis, Indiana

We left Kansas City, Missouri early morning yesterday to go to our next stop - Indianapolis. It was a 10 hours ride and we just enjoyed every minute of it. Our hosts Eric and Tara Pangburn met us at the bus station and brought us to their lovely home. It's still cold here but not as cold as we first arrived in the US. The temperature is already rising now that spring is here. We would love to see the grass changes it's color from brown to green, the leaves of the trees beginning to come out and the blooming of flowers in this part of the world.

We will miss the people we visited in the different states, they really treated us well and welcome us to their homes. Understanding the American culture is also a learning experience for us. We still have a couple of weeks to go before we go home. We look forward to seeing more of the US and meet people as we travel for the next two (2) months.

This weekend, Gary, Stephen and our host Eric Pangburn will watch a NBA live game at the Saleno Field House in downtown Indianapolis. This will be our first time to watch the game and we look forward to the wonderful experience.

The NCAA March Madness is ongoing. Sixty-Four (64) top NCAA Division 1 teams are vying for the crown. Last year's chmapion was Kansas University (KU) Jayhawks.

NCAA Final 4 is scheduled to be on April 2-6 in Detroit, Michigan. Coach Jim Kessler of Grace College Lancers in Winona Lake, Indiana was gracious enough to invite Gary to join him in this very exciting event.

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!