I am excited to be returning to the Philippines for the 3rd time! I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord is going to put on our plates this year. We have been involved in so many different ministries in the past. I hope we can continue to be a part of those and at the same time keep our eyes open for any other ministries that we may be able to take part in. I pray that while there we can be an encouragement and pour out love to the people we may come in contact with. Again, I am so excited to see how the Lord is going to use us.

Betsy Young

I have had the privilege to stand by and support my good friends the past two years as they have gone to Manila to serve. This year, I feel that the Lord has opened up my heart even more to this ministry and I am delighted to be going on the trip. I hope to be a help in whatever way I can. My prayer for this trip is that the Holy Spirit's leading would be clear and that we would be still enough to hear him.

Last year was my first ever trip overseas, and it was to Manila to serve on the missions trip.  I was humbled by everything there, because I started to learn unconditional love and what it means to go out of your comfort zone.  I learned that talking about your faith is something that shouldn’t be done as a requirement, and that it shouldn’t be something you dread, it should be something we are excited about and compelled to do!  My work last year with construction pushed me past what I thought was my limit, and then the work with the kids really helped make me a better youth leader this past year.  I saw kids get excited about not just reading their Bible, but trying to understand it, and I cannot wait to go back again this year!  It took a while for me to determine if this was my desire or God’s Will, but I have no doubt that this is His Will, and that amazing things will happen!

Jasmine Steiner

This will be my 2nd trip to the Philippines and I can’t wait to go back. After last year’s trip I knew that I wanted to go back. Last year’s trip opened my eyes to God using me in ways that I had never seen before and I hope that I will be willing to be used by Him again. The people we worked and spent time with have left a lasting mark on me and I can’t wait to serve them and with them again. As a team, we want to be an encouragement to those we serve alongside so that they can be refreshed and we want to be used by God as He directs.  We want to be able to pour out love to all the groups that we will be ministering to and to those we come in contact with. I can’t wait to see God at work as we share with children, young adults and adults about God and his unending love. I pray that the people we serve with and to will know God in a very real way. I hope that God will be seen in all we do and say and that He would be glorified as we serve.

Amanda Kuntz

Going to the Philippines was not even on my radar last year, but here I find myself going on my first overseas missions trip. I am often amazed at how God chooses to work in my life and am confident this trip will be no exception.  My prayer is that God will quench my fears and that I will allow Him to work in and through me.

I'm very excited to take part in this year’s trip.  This will be my first time serving in the Philippines and I look forward to all God has in store for our team and the people we will serve.

I am so grateful that God has allowed me to join the team for this year’s mission trip to the Philippines. I have been able to support my brother on this trip for the past two years but this is my first year to be able to go. I am excited to see what God has in store for me. I am praying that I go with a servant’s heart and that the Holy Spirit will be working in me even in the planning stages.

In 2005 I stood before my church in Alliance, Ohio and promised the Lord I would go wherever He would send me.  I did not know what that would look like.  Due to different circumstances, I have not had the opportunity to ministry overseas – until now!  I, of course, have not been to the Philippines yet but look forward to the many ways we will be serving during our time there.  I am extremely excited for this opportunity to show God’s love to people who have so many needs, but ultimately help them to see the importance of knowing and building a real relationship with God.  I am anxious to see how the Lord will use each of us on the team to minister to missionaries on the field and also the unsaved people in the Philippines.  Please pray for the team as we prepare and work out the details of going, but also for our hearts as we minister to others.  Help us to allow the Lord to use each of us in a unique way.  Please pray for the Filipino people now and when we are there.  Pray that they will have teachable hearts and a hunger to learn more about the Lord.