2006 Mission Trip to Zamboanga & Negros Pastor Eric & Evangelist Jerry Zamboanga Del Sur This year the River Rock Missionary team included eleven members of our church who chose to leave school and work and raise money to go to the Philippines to bring Good News to remote villages.  This year we went to Zamboanga Del Sur on the island of Mindanou.  Almost no caucasians come to this area due to the danger from Muslim terrorists.  On one day we passed near the place that the Burnhams, kidnapped missionaries, were held.  Our missionaries travel by many different ways including on foot through the jungle, motorcycle, Jeepney, motorized tricycle, airplanes, ships, and, in the picture to your right, a "multicab."  This picture was taken way up in the mountains where we are trying to find the village that we were having our meeting at that night.  No missionaries had ever been to the village.  We had great meetings that night.  People were so excited to have us in their town.  This was an are where communist guerrilas attacked the city hall in January and killed three people. e-mail from the field February 26th 2006 Bais City, Philippines Greetings, We have now completed 7 nights of crusades, two Sundays preaching in churches, and numerous other evangelistic activities such as going to schools and jails.  This year the meetings have been in even smaller baranguays, more remote locations, and more primitive facilities.  Many nights we don't even have a stage.  One night we just set up the stage in the middle of a street.  In addition, It has rained almost every night. Philippine people believe that if it rains on their heads that they will get sick so they generally leave at the first sign of a sprinkle.  Despite these significant challenges, the people have stayed through the rain (a real miracle here) and the numbers of people have been record breaking.  But, that is not all.  Not only have we had record breaking crowds but when we go back the next day to follow up there are many more people who come than in years past. A few nights ago, we had a meeting in a small open place by the side of the road.  There was no stage.  Just a small grassy area.  People had to pracitically stand in the road to hear the Gospel message.  I was worried that some people would get run over by the huge sugar cane trucks speeding by.  To me, we did not seem to have a large crowd.  Yet, the next day, when the follow up team arrived they started 12 Bible studies.  The previous record for any meeting anywhere was only six Bible studies started.  Many Bible studies turn in to churches in their own rights.  The next night many of these people travelled a great distance to attend another crusade.  This is also very unusual.  The Lord's favour and blessing are indeed on us! The River Rock missionaries are doing fantastic.  They are all doing hard missionary work, in tough, third world conditions.  We have had no nice facilities this time.  Yet, they all have the joy of the Lord in their hearts and happy attitudes!  Lives are being changed all over this place.  They are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and God is moving.  All Glory to God! Pastor Eric P.S.  Sister Elena and Jen Stamps joined us last night.  Jen went off into the jungle with me to invite people to come in a four wheel drive vehicle.  When the crusade started, she gave a testimony like a seasoned missionary.  Jen is 11 years old! Zamboanga Dancers Locals in Tambulig Here I am in the church of our good friend Jimmy Sala.  Jimmy has travelled with me every year.  His father, Jerry Sala, is an evangelist and my interpreter when I speak at the evening meetings.  Jimmy was part of my inspiration to travel to Zamboanga.  The other part was the Lord speaking to me about Zamboanga several years ago as I departed a ferry in Ormac City on the Island of Leyte.  Hiking to School in the Mountains Here we are in the mountains hiking up to a high school. In the Philippines they have freedom of religion in the schools.  We would go to schools in the afternoon and speak either in each classroom or at an all school assembly.  The teenagers from River Rock were the main speakers.  Here we are at an outdoor school assembly.  The Philippine teenagers are fascinated by the American teens. The American teens loved to get to know the Philippine teens.  No one was untouched. School Assembly   March 1st 2006, God's favor is upon us.  After only eight days of crusades we have seen God use us to start 35 Bible studies.  This is four more than any team has ever been blessed with even after the normal 12 days of crusades.  The Lord has also blessed us with over 10,000 ministered to and over 6,000 saved.  This is more than all but one team has ever done even in 12 days. We still have three days to go!  Also, consider this, we are going to many places that American Missionaries just don't go.  Please keep praying.  Our last four nights we are going way up into the mountains to go to remote villages.  We were in a village last night and we were told we were the first missionaries to ever go there.  It was a beautiful place with beautiful views and cool breezes.  We were very happy to be there.  We will be going to remote mountain villages during our last three days.  This involves long drives on primitive roads into places with little or no Christian influences so keep praying and fasting! We are praying for all of you who are praying and fasting for us.  When we travel on primitive roads in remote jungles to places that are full of witchcraft we are really thankful to know that you are praying and fasting.  Believe me, the war is on!  Stand fast! We love you all and miss you all.  We will return late Saturday night and be in church Sunday morning.  Each missionary will give testimonies on Sunday morning.  Please be there to hear about how your prayers, fasting, and financial support have changed the lives of thousands. We love you all! Pastor Eric Pastor Moen & Kids At night the kids always came first.  "A little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6  The adults followed.  The meetings were very large this year.  Last year we ministered to just over 6,000 people.  This year we ministered to 13,075. At night we had a rock/worship band, the missionaries gave testimonies, the Philippine team and the American team did drama, Pastor Moen preached, and then the missionaries laid hands on the sick.  The photo on the right was Jack and a woman who was healed of several ailments.  "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  James 5:16 Blind Eye Healed On the left is a ten year old girl who had been blind in one eye.  Our ten year old missionary Jen Stamps laid hands on her and her eye was healed.  In the picture, our director has the girl cover her good eye and count with her previously blind eye. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12 The crowds came forward to give their hearts to Jesus.  During our eleven nights of meetings over 8,800 persons came forward and prayed that Jesus would be Lord of their lives.  "...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;" Romans 10:9  Crowds meet Jesus It's all worthwhile After a year of planning, taking time off work and school, raising money, and fighting your fears it is all worthwhile when you see the look in the eye of the child.  When you face your fears and find out that God is in control every time!  "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12:3 Click Here for More!