Thank You

I just want to thank West Valley for loaning us this incredible team. There is truly a "before and after" this trip because of you. You have impactected lives of 100+ kids, you have changed the lives of the people you housed with, you have created a lasting impact on 200 prisoners, you have revolutionized our church, you have inspired our leadership to take on this city... all I can say is thank you. And one more thing, please keep coming back, keep praying for us and talk to whoever will listen about a city in South America called Quilpue. Jesus is up to something here, thanks for listening to His call and steping up.
Josh.

Jan 8

Today were able to sleep in a little and spend time with our host families. We then got picked up and went to one of the elders houses and had an incredible barbeque lunch. We got to meet all the elders and had a great time. It is off to the airport now so Thank you all for your prayer and support. See you all at Journey!!!!!!!!!

Joshua D. Phillips.

Pastor.

Jan 7

Today was fantastic, bitter sweet but fantastic. We went to the School and did a final wrap up of the VBS. We performed all the skits we did throughout the week and we had a great time with the kids and parents. We shot off confetti cannons and had great music. It was tough saying goodbye but the connection that was made will last a lifetime. We then had a quick lunch and rushed to the prison. Wow, what an experience. Pastor Tito has a huge heart for the prison ministry. He arranged for an entire band to be brought inside the prison and we put on an entire service inside! That was a first for the service, a first for Pastor Tito, a first for the prison and prisoners, and the first for us. We had all the Christian community from the prison in the courtyard with all the other prisoners around us. It was amazing! Rob spoke about being a new creation and Greg gave his testimony. After that Tito prayed and the Spirit`s presence was so powerful that many men came forward and bowed before God, both from the church and the general population of the prison. The experience was so powerful we can not put it into words. After that most people spent time with their host families over dinner. Rob, Wesley, Justin, and Greg went to visit and potential satellite church and met with the youth, The Day was awesome.

Team Chile poured it's all into our last full day of VBS (tomorrow are the closing ceremonies). We all agree that it will be hard to leave our new young friends and we hope we've planted some seeds for God to water and grow. Once again we had a beautiful authentic Chilean lunch. We then met with the youth leaders and discussed their vision and traded ideas for the growing youth ministry. We jumped into the van and headed back to Vina Del Mar for some pan dulce from the local Pasteleria and some last minute shopping. We are back in Quilpue and having another authentic Chilean dinner with Mayonesa! We are heading back to our Host families early tonight (9:30 ish) so we can get a good night's sleep for tomorrow's closing and prison visit. God is indeed good! Keep us in your prayers!

After a good night's rest, it was time to wake up to the excitement of VBS. We had 123 kids from the school, the orphanage and the church. Great day full of songs, games, crafts and of course  a bible lesson the sower of the seed. The lesson was well recieived and the kids got the message of the parable. Several of the kids participated in the lesson their feedback indicated they had gotten the moral of the parable. after lunch, we had had some fun time in valparaiso which is chile's largest port. It included enjoying a boat ride of the harbor, and the funicular artilleria. It took us to the top of a mountain and the view was amazing and the prices were better. We shopped till we dropped, then took a nice trip along the coast, where we pigged out on a fine dinner which included real Chilean seafood. By the time we were done we were ready to pass out on the bed.
Joshua D. Phillips.

Pastor.

 

www.joshschristianjourney.blogspot.com

VBS Day 1

Hola again from Chile! Today was the day we were all anticipating; the first day of VBS. It was awesome! There were 121 children and we expect more tomorrow. We started out the VBS singing worship songs with the children. Some of the younger girls from the Chile church performed a dance to each song that the kids could follow. The team then performed a skit of the Good Samaritan that was both entertaining and informative. After that, the team split into three separate groups that each group of children would rotate through. We had Games, Crafts, and Bible Lesson groups. Jens and Josh B led the Bible Lesson where they further discussed the story of the Good Samaritan.  The Craft team with Kelly, Caroline, Wesley and Julie had a great time making folders with the children.  The kids had fun playing with Justin, Greg, and Tiffany on the Games team.  The day ended with more singing and dancing to worship music.  We had such a great time and are looking forward to the rest of the week. After lunch, we left to visit a nearby orphanage. We recognized some of the children as they were invited to and attended the VBS today.  While there was joy in the air as we brought soccer balls and markers for the children, it was a surreal experience to know that the kids we were playing with, talking with and hugging would not return home to the love of a mother, father or relative. Josh Phillips shared a little with the children and we prayed.  We said goodbye and that we would see them tomorrow at the VBS. We left the orphanage to spend some time in downtown Quilpue. We will have dinner at Josh and Danica's while we discuss the day's experiences of evangelism.

Today we went to Quilpue Christian Church to celebrate the Sabbath. It's the first time we would all attend a service together. It was a special day in many ways-- several events planned for the service including a presentation of Josh's INSPIRED video which is his personal testimony. The church worships in the auditorium of the Quilpue Christian school.

When the INSPIRED video was shown, about 3/4 of the people started crying. Rob preached after the video was shown, with Nathan (Josh's brother) translating for Rob. The main theme was "Jesus is in the business of changing lives." We celebrated the Lord's supper, which they do once a month instead of every Sunday. We then saw a video about the church's youth group called Mou. High school aged kids walked around town evangelizing, handing out leaflets about Jesus and invitations to visit and attend the church.

After the service we met to plan and prepare for VBS, which starts tomorrow. Afterwards we took a ride to Vina Del Mar for ice cream and a nice day at the beach hanging out and watching the ocean. We are now at Josh's house getting ready for a BBQ. It has been an awesome day, God is GR8!!!!!

Josh Phillips Inspire Video

If you haven't seen it yet, here is what they're watching in Chile today...Check it out!!

Sunday...

Thank you for all of the comments, I am passing the messages on to the group. I will be preaching in about two hours. We will also be showing Josh's inspire video,our prayer is that it will encourage the church. This is a really big deal for Josh to be sharing about this part of his life that most people are not aware of. God Bless and we will be praying for Journey tonight.

~Rob

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to all of or friends and family!

Picture a hundred thousand people gathered on a beautiful South American beach waiting to ring in 2011.
At 12 midnight the massive firework show began launched form 9 different barges out in the bay. Each of these fired in unison showing the same show to 10 miles of coastline.

Words don't begin to describe it.

At 1AM we left on the 3 hour ride home. It was exhausting and we would never trade it. We gathered today to hear a great testimony from a man in the church who is truly serving God with all of his heart. We are on our way to meet more members of the church and see what they are doing and find out more about them. We miss you allot and are storing up memories. We will blog soon.

Day 2

We got to sleep in this morning-jet lag becoming a thing of the past. Team Chile gathered to plan VBS and talked about the Good Samaritan at the Phillips house. We then piled into the van with our trusty driver Daniel for a tour of the city including guess what- a mall! We then walked around the city and bought the props for New Years Eve with Party Animal Rob! We also went to the Super Super Market, aka Walmart for last minute VBS supplies. We are now off for an authentic Chilean dinner and heading to the beach to ring in the New Year. Feliz Anos!!!!!! 

Day 1

With a 7:30 a.m. departure from WVCC, the Los Angeles freeways cooperated, even in the pouring rain, and the Chile Team arrived at LAX with time to spare.  Then came 24 hours of travel, a safe arrival in Santiago and the ride to Quilpue.  The serious jet lag didn't hold anyone back as we greeted our host families. We took a few moments and got settled and then headed out. We enjoyed an amazing lunch at a local restaurant and then all piled into the van for a prayer voyage around the city of Quilpue. First stop was an area that was plagued by alcoholism where we sought the Father's power to end the ravages of alcohol. Next stop was an area full of unemployed families. We offered up our prayers of intercession for meaningful work. Next stop was an area known for satanic cultic rituals. We prayed for the destruction of this and God's truth to reign. Next stop was an area where domestic abuse was common. We prayed for healing over the families of the area. Finally we gathered in front of the mayor's office and prayed that he would follow God and His truth as he governs the city. After a coffee pit stop, we ended up at Josh and Danica's place and had dinner of pizza and fellowship. What a great first day in Chile! We are all healthy and well and will catch up on our sleep tonight and then head out tomorrow for more adventure! We feel and thank you for your prayers!