Women of the Word (WOW):  Overcoming!

Thursday, January 5, 6:00 – 8:00pm PST

With Connie Donley, Women’s Ministry Leader for Equally Yoked In Christ

And Co-Host Chris Hart

Guest Call In (949) 272-9514

Chris Hart is an addictions specialist. (Counselor) College graduate in AOD (Alcohol other drugs) Rehabilitation Specialist for Mentally challenged adults, counselor for Life controlling issues through Teen Challenge (eating disorders, cutting, domestic violence, PTSD), and also was a youth crisis counselor for high risk teens.  Chris will be sharing her amazing testimony and we will share how Jesus has totally changed her and Connie’s lives!  You will not want to miss this exciting time together!

Join me this Thursday night, January 5th, from 6-8pm (PST) on Women of the Word (WOW) on blogtalkradio!

Women of the Word (WOW):  Christian women studying the Bible to discover God's truths!

LOVE IN ACTION INC just received 6 more Bibles that were donated to us!  We will give these to Hope for Homeless for this Saturday's outreach! 

We are also donating 10 dozen home-made frosted brownies to Hope for Homeless for this Saturday's outreach!  Word is, that the homeless think our home-made goodies are lip-smakin good!  Praise God!

UPDATE FROM COORDINATOR OF LUZON, PHILIPPINES, DORY BALALA ON  7-13-11

Praise God, He has been faithful to all of us in every second of our lives!  I am so grateful to share that God has opened a new door for us here in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and the wider part of Churches in Nueva Ecija.  We can do directly to every church that God wants to be connected.  God entrusted me to work here in Christian Organizations, focusing in the transformation of community and the whole personhood of a person.  It’s just the same as with every Christian like us who has a passion for people’s salvation and especially for the less fortunate ones. God is so Great and Merciful!  This is a nationwide and international connection, Center for Community Transformation.  You can look at their website. The founding President is Ms. Ruth Callanta, who is from Cabanatuan City.

We have an SOT School here, so please consider supporting our 25 children in your prayers and financial support.  These children are all in need of support in every area of their lives.  We are looking for sponsors to pay for their books, amounting to $50 per child for the whole year.  Some children have no breakfast to eat at home because their parents are so poor, and that is why even the snacks of the teachers are given to them.

We also have a program in Health, which is our foundation, and it is easily facilitated.  We are in 18 barangays (villages) in the Cabanatuan area alone, for a total of 591 partners.  Most of them are mothers, and they belong to 33 churches.  We have also connected through all of Luzon!  See how the hands of GOD are really working in us?!  There are many people to be reached and touched when you (Connie Donley) come back here.

LOVE IN ACTION INC is excited to be able to send some supplies to a kinder school in Santo Domingo, Nueva Vizcaya in the Philippines!  They currently have 22 student in this kinder school in the mountains of central Luzon, the northernmost island of the Philippines.  We hope to be able to sponsor more help to this school in the future!  If you would like to donate for this cause, please do so!  We can use your help!  God BLESS you!

Love In Action Inc just donated 13 dozen home-baked sugar cookies and 8 New Testaments to Hope For Homeless for their outreach tomorrow!  To date we have given over a hundred Bibles and New Testaments and dozens of home-baked goodies on two other occasions to to Hope For Homeless!  It's FUN to give!

Several Love In Action Inc volunteers are showing up at 10am on Friday morning July 8th to bake sugar cookies for Hope for Homeless, a nonp[rofit org here in the Roseville, CA area that we partner with.  Each week they feed nearly 200 homeless in Sacramento.  They also minister weekly to the homeless in Citrus Heights and North Highlands.  When we deliver the sugar cookies to Hope for Homeless, we will also deliver more New Testaments for them to give out!  What a joy it is to give!  Let us know if you want to join us!

God BLESS you, precious prayer warriors!  God continues to amaze me!!!!!

 We participated in another "feeding program" for the children and their parents in barangay Baye of Mambosao, and there were 128 children and about 35 adults.  I believe they were all Christian already, due to the continual outreach efforts there.  But they are very poor farming families, and it is a blessing for them to have a weekly feeding program that also includes praise and worship and Christian instruction for the children primarily.  Kind of reminds me of Adopt-A-Block back home!  YEA!

We also gave away the last of the Bibles and the last of the first 250 eyeglasses here today!  The other 250 pair of eyeglasses (donated by the Lions Club) will go with me on Saturday morning when I fly into Manila, and on to Bongabon, Nueva Ecija on the island of Luzon for my final 2 weeks of ministry here.

On Wednesday 2-23-11 sister Cherra and sister Helen and I again went door-to-door in the barangay Bulabud, and we visited with 8 women, and 7 of them received Jesus.  Just to let you know, I realize that the numbers of those coming to Jesus seems astounding, but please understand some of them are flat out nonbelievers of any sort, and some of them are caught up in Catholicism and they do not know Jesus as Lord and are not at ALL sure of salvation, have no idea they can have a personal relationship with Jesus.  I DO question them, and answer their questions, and be sure they understand, and that they really do want a born-again relationship with Jesus.  After praying with them, I encourage them, give them some suggestions to continue on with their walk with Jesus, and encourage them to come to Pastor Billy's church.

Did you know that Pastor Billy and his family were the first born-again Christians in this entire area here?  And that at one point one of the town's people came with a machete and wanted to kill Pastor Billy's wife Linda.  She was in the church praying when he came in very angry, threatening to kill her, and she began screaming.  The man lifted his machete to kill her....and he could not move his arm!  It was frozen in place, in mid-air!  He could not move his arm! So he ran out of the church, arm still frozen up in the air, and left her alone!  TRULY we serve an AMAZING God!!!  At that time they had a small bamboo hut with the roof partly gone, for their church.  When it rained, the people inside would have to move their bench to a different location within the hut, so the rain would not fall on them through the roof.  Then some Korean Christians heard about Billy and his church and came to see it. They were literally moved to tears at the condition of the church.and within 1 week they had supplied all of the money necessary to build a concrete church for Pastor Billy!  The name of Pastor Billy's church is Immanuel Christian Church.  Just thought you would be interested to know this.

Tomorrow morning (Friday Feb 25) I will be helping to baptize 4 people in the river at 8am. Then from 10-3 I will be teaching a women's seminar, providing lunch for them, and providing various gifts that I brought with me (that several of you have provided!).  We have invited the women from this barangay (Sipac) and also several surrounding barangays, and MANY of them are not saved.  Many are also newly saved, and some of course are from the church.  We are believing for God to move powerfully during this seminar, and we are also believing for a rich harvest of souls!  Please pray specifically for this.

I expect my next report to be sometime next week, after I am in Luzon.  God BLESS you, and thank you for your prayers!  They are needed, felt, and SO appreciated!

With MUCH love,

Connnie has been having trouble accessing the website to give you her most recent updates from her trip.  Here are some excerpts for those of you who are following along.

Good morning precious ones!  God BLESS you!

I am now in Poblacion Proper (barangay), Mambusao (town), Capiz (province), Panay Island, hosted by Pastor Armando Salistre, who is a dear ministry friend of Pastor Billy Aclo, my host here for the first 2 weeks.

Yesterday, Sunday, I preached in Pastor Armando's church, and we also had a "feast" afterwards!  We also gave the "kids kits" to all of the children there, and distributed eyeglasses to those who found glasses that worked for them.

In the afternoon we went to an outreach that is a feeding program for the children of the barangay Bato-Bato.  There a lot of children here, and most are not Christian in this place.  But one of the church members lives here, and so we have an opening to minister here!  There were about 55 children and about 9 adults present for the weekly time of teaching about Jesus and feeding them, children and adults.  Then Billy and I ministered about salvation with animated stories (animated by us, ha ha!) and also with a short puppet show.  We then were able to give the "kids kits" to all of the children!  What fun!  What a blessing!

Then the adults gathered to see if they could find eyeglasses, and most all did find a pair that worked for them!  We have them "test" the eyeglasses with reading from the Bible!

We were all packed up, literally getting in the car, when 7 other women came who heard about the eyeglasses, and so we of course unpacked.  Billy and I told them the gospel message of Jesus Christ, answered their questions, talked with them, and then led all 7 ladies in prayers of salvation to Jesus.  The church will follow up with them. Then all 7 ladies were also able to find eyeglasses that worked for them!  What a blessing!!!

We seriously want to do an all-out medical mission here next January.....medical, dental and vision.  We have a lot of plans in our hearts, and are seeking the Lord as to HIS will and timing on all.  You will be hearing more on this "bye and by" (Filipino for "in a little while").

We are fortunate that in Poblacion Proper we are in a town, and not a small barangay, and so the internet is just 3 blocks from the church where Pastor Billy and I have been sleeping.  He is sleeping on a hard wooden bench, and I am blessed to actually be sleeping in a bed with a mattress about 3" thick!  And even a pillow!  They have also provided a mosquito net for me, which trust me, is needed!

For those who are wondering, I am doing very well physically!  My daughters thought that perhaps I would lose weight while I"m here, but........I'm wondering if I will actually GAIN weight here!  ha ha! They feed me well!  I am well taken care of and my physical body is doing well and is strong. AMAZING to me that I am actually sleeping 7-8 hours a night!  UNHEARD of for me!!!!!  I am one who typically "burns the candle at both ends", and yet, here they turn the lights out around 9pm, so no choice for me but to go to sleep, unless I stay up for a while with my flashlight reading my Bible, which I often do.  But then we are up with the crack of dawn, taking a COLD bath out of the bucket, and start our day!

We are taking videos everyday with the camcorder that Arica Velasquez lent to me (THANK YOU ARICA!!!)  We think we will be able to buy a "chip" for the camcorder so that I can take many more videos.  My intent it so have a beautiful time of fellowship when I return home and invite all of you to come and share in hearing and seeing all that the LORD has done!!!!!  Almost crying now as I think of ALL that HE has done already!  WHAT A FAITHFUL AND SMART AND CREATIVE GOD WE SERVE!!!

God BLESS you!  THANK YOU for your faithful prayers for us!  They are needed, felt, and appreciated!  I am at GREAT PEACE in our God!!!  And for those of you who know my past many years of missionary work, YES, I think there will be many more trips for the Lord!!!  For those who truly know my heart and past in all of this, you can only imagine how excited and humbled I am at that thought!!!  All glory to our great God!!!

 God BLESS you!

 Love, Connie

2/20/2011

Precious friends and prayer warriors............greetings in the name
of Jesus and God BLESS you!

Yea!  It's not raining today!  ha ha!  A lot of rai here!

Turns out the 250 pair of free eyeglasses the Lions Club gave to us to
distribute is a HUGE need and blessing here!  And we have been mostly
distributing them from Pastor Billy & Linda's home.  And we explain
the simple gospel of Jesus Christ to them before they find a pair of
glasses that works fore them.  Almost all have received Jesus!  This
is amazing, because the word is spreading throughout this barangay
(village) and neighboring barangays, and the people are walking down
from the mountains and from neighboring barangays to get eyeglasses!
These are people we would not otherwise reach for Jesus!  Everyone is
very excited........these people coming for the glasses and us as
well!

We also have been able to go to a few more elementary schools and
freely tell them about Jesus, give them gifts, do puppet shows for
them, and pray with them to receive Jesus.  I also encourage the
teachers and principals and, give them gifts, and pray with them and
over them. It's a marvelous thing!!

The reports are coming back to us daily from neighboring
barangays.....the American is in town (theyhave never seen an American
before except on the TV or in pictures) and they find me very loving
and kind and friendly, and they know that I am a Christian!  They are
thaking God that I am here, and that I have brought the eyeglasses
too!  ha ha!  Very wonderful idea and plan, the eyeglasses!

We have also gone house to house in different occasions, and with the
exception of 4 people, all have received Jesus!  They have questions,
and we answer them honestly, and in fact encourage the exchange
between us.  Most are unsure about where they will go when they die,
and they want to be sure. They are nervous about it.  And so they
listen carefully to what we tell them, and they then, with the
exception of a few, want Jesus!

So here are the stats to date:

Immanuel Christian Churah in Malinao, Kalibo, Panay Island:  9
first-timers to the church received Jesus!
150 pair of eyeglasses given out there
Bulabub Elementary School:  384 students, 9 teachers, 1 principal:
received gifts and received Jesus!
27 people came to the house on 2-14-11 for eyeglasses, and all
received eyeglasses and Jesus!

Sipac ElementarySchool, Sipac, Kalibo, Panay Island:  40 children and
2 teachers received gifts & Jesus
Met with the Barangay Captain (mayor) and he approved me/us doing a
women's semiar and that we can invite the barangay women!  This is
GOOD that the babangay captain is behind us in this!!  Most of these
women are not \christians who said they will come!!!!  God has a
PLAN!!!!!
Soriaco Nationl High School:  200 students and 7 teachers received
gifts & most received Jesus.  Not sure on the salvation number, but
from what we could tell, most received.

Sugnud ElementarySchool:  55 students & 2 teachers received gifts & Jesus!
Then in the towns's "multipurpose" center 60+ adults and about 40+
little ones received gifts, many found eyeglasses, and many received
Jesus....don't know how many for sure.  But most all did.  And they at
least heard the gospel!
10 people came to the house for eyeglasses & Jesus!

House to house visiting; prayed 23, and 20 received Jesus!
3 came to house house for eyeglasses & Jesus!

House to house visiting in Tambuan barangay, Kalibo, Panay Island with
the pastor from that local church.  We prayed with 9, and 8 received
Jesus, including a 90 year old woman!
At home 15, received eyeglasses & Jesus!

Now on my way with Pastor Billy to some barangay about 3 hours bus
ride away....forget the name of it, but details when I return in 3
days!

Thank you for your continued prayers!  God is not only doing things
here in the lives of these people, but also in my perosnal life as
well. So much to tell, but it costs by the minute here at this
internet cafe!

I am healthy, sleep well, and I am very happy!  I miss my family, but
I am very, very happy!  God is SOOOO in control!!!!!  WHAT A GOD!!!

We are taking a lot of videos and pics to share with you.  I don't
know how to upload them here at the public internet places,
so..........will do that when I get home I guess!

God BLESS you al!

Love & prayers, Connie

God Never Ceases to Absolutely AMAZE Me!

There were some major changes to the planned itinerary, and I wasn't sure WHAT was going on.  The very next day, less than 24 hours later,GOD had put together an AMAZING itinerary for this month-long missions trip to my beloved Philippines!  AND........the ministry is easily triple what it would have been before!

My trip has been delayed by 2 weeks, but it will be worth it!  For the first 2 weeks I'll be in Aklan Panay Island in the Visayas, the central region of the Philippines, with Pastor Billy Aclo and his family and workers, ministering in the squatter areas, schools (elementary and high school), in public crusades, and in the mountains!  We anticipate 3,000 children!  Also 100 women for a women's conference!

We will also be distributing over-the counter first aid items and health items,some school supplies, and 250 pair of reading glasses donated by the Lions Club International!

The second 2 weeks will be in the province of Nueva Ecija and other nearby provinces on the northernmost island of Luzon, where we will be ministering in 28 churches areas in 7 barangays (villages)!  Again, we anticipate at least 1,000 children, and will do a women's conference.

In all places I will also be ministeirng in music on my violin and in singing in Tagalog and in English!

There will be a "work party" on Sunday, January 23rd in Rocklin, CA from1-5pm to help put all these thousands of children's kits together.  Everyone is welcome to help!  Just get in touch with me and I'll give you the info!  Each kit will contain a baggie with the beads and leather to make a bracelet, 5 stickers, a "wordless book" which tells the gospel story, and a balloon.

I will also be refreshing on how to make various balloon animals next week, and will be making balloon animals and distributing them to the little ones in the Philippines as well!

Airplane tickets are forthcoming, and I pray to have that handled within the week!  If you have any air miles to donate, we need them!

GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God BLESS you!

Love,Connie