Hello from sunny hot wet Philippines! I pray all is well with you at the writing and reading of this email.
Jen, I and the family are doing well through the 31/2 months of lockdown. It has been an adjustment but is not life always growth and adjusting. We can complain, murmur but it never really changes anything and people around you will listen to us and smile but they are not encouraged by it, nor do they find life or light in my negative words - Lord help me 😊
Testings... Set Backs... Growth... Glory!
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Send us your prayer requests! We are on the earth together and in the Lord!
So, testing in our lives in the Philippines, first God has been answering your prayers on me adjusting to the culture and mindset of the Filipino people. I have learned a long time ago to say it is not wrong just different when it comes to how the Filipino people do things and how Americans do things, both are right just different.
Many months ago, I was part of a local bible study using the Discovery bible study method, it is really a great way to get people into God's word. The cell group was meeting weekly and growing, people were excited and inviting people. Then COVID-19 came along and to be obedient to the government we stopped having meetings until we were told that 6 to 10 people could gather with social distancing. Four weeks ago, we begin to tell the group of 7 that we would start up the bible study again. Well, no one came and all had good reasons. So then 3 weeks ago, we again invited all to come again no one came and all had a good reason, etc. Two (2) weeks ago until last week, I invited all again and now the truth comes out, none of the people except one really wants to come ☹. The only reason the group was meeting was that I invited them and I am an American. It was their custom of being polite and honor until I would not stop asking it forced them to say we really do not want to attend. Even in my own home with my teenage kids we were having bible study and they were attending but really did not want to know the bible nor about God..ouch..so for me it is time to regroup, rethink and seek new ways. I am a fishing man. I never quit but go through my whole tackle box to find a lure that will attract the fish. Yes, I am talking to other pastors and leaders as to what will reach these precious people. No, I'm not discouraged, just learning to understand adjust and go forward.
I have not taken any of these setbacks personally but rejoice that I am learning how not to do things and looking for better ways.
With the kids we are meeting once a week on Fridays the past two weeks we have been looking at Ephesians 4:32 be kind to one another tender-hearted forgiving one another…WHY? Just as God in Jesus has forgiven us. The problem throughout the world and in the Christian world is not knowing the word but doing the word. We quote it and even judge people who say they know God but do not live it and then give ourselves a pass...hum “hey Wendell take the log out of your own eye first!” Yes!
On Thursday, there was a fire at the end of the street and Jen lost her internet connection since we have fiber optics. On Friday, we have another company install a wireless internet connection at our house. Now, we have two internet service providers, so that Jen can do her work since she is the only breadwinner in our home.
A good friend of ours was having a Birthday party and wanted us to attend. We arrived and about 50-60 people were there most of them are leaders in our church. Now please understand Jen and I love these precious people very much. however, they see Jen and I differently we are treated with disrespect, disdain and they are just downright rude to both Jen and I. Why would they do such things to us? Well, because Jen and I never seek glory to ourselves. We show up, we love, we serve and we give honor. We do not care about titles, numbers of people in our cell groups. In fact, I blame the bishop 😊 he once said to all these leaders that he has never met a man from America who wants to just love and serve. He said, if you ask Wendell he will wipe your butt for you. So Jen and I have not earned the right to hobnob with the leadership. What should Jen and I do? We live out Ephesians 4:32 we give kindness, love and forgiveness. We bless, we pray and was able to tell our kids what had happened but without giving names. I admit the first 27 years of my "Christian" walk I was like the elite of this church but then God in His overwhelming love and mercy got through my thick head and hard heart to bring me to a place of obedience thru love and I live in John 17:3 so you see I can wait 27 years for these pastors and leaders to see what I see.
Lately, the Lord has been teaching me through Curry Blake in JLM John Lake ministries. wow if you really want to walk in power and see 100% of people you pray for healed. Then buy the JLM manual or he calls it DHT take the course. I have been looking for these past 11 years wow what a Godsend this is for me. I will make videos and testimonies to follow. As for now I am still under lockdown since I am 60 and the Government does not want people 60 and older going out. However I am still able to let my light shine here in the subdivision I have seen many more come to Jesus I think the number is around 25? Plus 2 or 3 healings...whoop whoop!
Our praises and prayer request:
Our Praises for:
The growing business we have helped start.
Those who have trusted the Lord
The hand of God's grace to be upon Jen and myself
My prayer requests is to:
Grow up in Jesus the head of the church daily
Adjust to the mindset and customs of the Filipinos
Walk-in love in my home and church leadership
The church planting team would be allowed to meet and fulfill what the Lord has called us to do.
My kids here in the Philippines and America would hunger and thirst for righteousness and be poor in spirit.
Also a BIG thank you to those who sent us feedback on our praise letter :)
Again, we do pray for you…so send us your requests and we will pray more specifically for you.
In Christ,
Wendell and Jennifer Schultz
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Wendell and Jennifer SchultzZoe Perissos MinistryDonate Page: www.WorldOutreach.org/692Email: [email protected]Website: https://zoeperissosministry.com/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ZoePerissosMinistry/Twitter: https://twitter.com/zoeperissos2014Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeperissosministry/