His Heart Ministries

A visitors reflection on street church

2011-03-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

“It was a crisp clear morning when we arrived at Burnham Park for the weekly Street Church. We bought a small sound system, song books, hot food and drinks and a love for the people who were gathering. Burnham Park is the central park in Baguio and boasts a lake with little boats for hire. Tourists visit, locals exercise, vendors sell and others live there in survival mode. The Street Church basically caters for the latter 2 categories.

The crowd of regulars were waiting with others still arriving plus a number of new people. Right there in the open close to the lake the worship began…uninhibited, joyous and heartfelt. Again there came that unmistakable presence of God and His goodness and people were openly touched and so thankful for God’s love in their lives. Angela spoke on God’s forgiveness and our need to forgive others. Even though it is in public, the people paid rapt attention. At the conclusion some received prayer and the testimonies of God’s interventions is nothing short of amazing. The people continued fellowshipping as we shared the meal and other people who were on the fringes came to receive food.

This church, which has grown quite large, is full of people who are now hungry to know God better. Some attend the Bible School His Heart runs weekly, many attended the day Retreat joining the other churches Angela oversees. I was at the baptism service where over 20 new Christians were baptised and a number were from the Street Church.

It is so thrilling to see all this happening. Every person with a story of the love of Jesus. Allen who came to Street Church 5 months ago who now has his wife and family back, Basilio the vendor (seen in the red t-shirt above) who was baptised along with his wife being cheered on by Willie and Gloria.
Willie was healed of crippling arthritis some 6 months ago.-

What a privilege to watch and be involved in something so pure and God glorifying.”

Youth Worship Band

2011-03-26T04:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight was amazing as our youth lead the worship at their service. I felt so full of joy as I watched them loving Jesus with their whole hearts. Beautiful voices, beautiful hearts, beautiful worship to our King.

We started with one little cd player. As things grew we have purchased a number of sound systems which we drag around to various places. Now we have a simple band. Guitar, beatbox and vocals.

God is good and He is raising up young people who are taking their place in leading people into His presence.

Kids experiencing God in New Zealand

2010-07-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was our annual Touching Heaven Kids Conference held in Auckland, New Zealand. Kids aged 8-13 years came from different places in the North Island and encountered Jesus.

Conference sessions, practical electives, small group times, crazy games, awesome praise and worship, healing the sick, hearing God's voice... all part of the fun! :)

Here are a few words from the kids...

Touching Heaven Testimonies 2010

God helped me learn about him and how much I love him and care about him. And showing me all those faces in my mind. I had a great experience.

In my elective he showed me how to talk to people and have the courage to ask people if they wanted prayer for their injuries.

I saw a tree with my name on it. God loves me.

God really touched me this weekend. I really felt God. I had visions, saw healings and saw many prophecies. Thank you so much God.

I’ve experienced God’s love and anointing.

I had a vision and I saw and angel. I was blessed with the holy Spirit

He taught me how to talk to him and he showed me how to heal the sick. He also used me to call his summon his kingdom and bring it to earth.

This weeked I had so much fun!!! Now I know lots of things about God.

God has helped me make new friends. I saw the sick healed, saw visions. I can concentrate on worship.

I saw visions, made new friends, got to know God more, talked to him and had so much fun.

God filled my heart with love and joy. I like the dance.

The worship was good so in my life I can do it myself. It made me stronger. Next time when we do come, we will have a good time.

God was there. I danced. I was filled with his love. I felt happy. I felt warm when people prayed for me. Now all I can say is I love you Lord.

This weekend I learned that God heals people and that He loves me.

God taught me how to pray for people if they really need it. Also he taught me how to listen to him.

I have experienced God’s peace and seen people healed either partially or fully. Our prayers doubled a boy’s vision which was pretty sweet.

The presence of God fell on me. I had !!!lots of visions!!! I heard his voice.

God has shown me some pictures that were AMAZING. One of them was fire.

God healed someone through me and it was really cool to see her face when she found that she was healed.

God has helped me to be more confident to pray out loud and has drawn me closer to him. He helped me to be able to worship him in the band and actually worship freely and be able to life up everything to the Lord and lift up my hands and just worship!

I got healed of my headache and my knee muscles were healed.

I went on the treasure hunt of God. We went with our group to the mall and we were looking for the person God gave me that was wearing a pink top and blue jeans, so i found her and I prayed for her and she got healed from back pain.

I met new friends, had awesome visions, played cool games, had a good sleep, worshipped and praised God and was filled with God’s love.

At 2010 TH conference I saw several different visions, felt God’s amazing presences and God also made me more confident in him. I enjoyed the drama session. Can’t wait till 2011. Go God!

God touched me and I saw a vision of angels singing songs of praise

Healing – and I really enjoyed it AND, words, pictures from God – I really enjoyed that too. I liked the worship.

He talked to me for the first time. He showed me visions for the first time. He made me not shy to worship.

It’s been great seeing God at work, healing my wrist and showing me prophetic pictures. Yey God.

I asked God to fill me or just come to me and I felt the Holy Spirit in me.

Some people and I prayed for someone and his eyesight improved/doubled

I came a lot closer to God. I made a lot of new awesome friends. I learnt how to praise God in other ways. I learnt how to pray for other people and heal them. I met some really cool leaders who prayed for me.

He’s opened my heart up more to him and shown me his love. He’s helped me to understand him more and shown me his glory!! God is awesome! I loved this camp. Can’t wait to come again!

He maked me more awesome!

He made me hear. He opened my heart. He loves me and he made me really happy.

When I was getting prayed for I suddenly felt joyful. I didn’t know what happened until my leader said “When God’s holy Spirit comes on someone you might feel happy and joyful”. So I had the Holy Spirit come on me. That was the first time that happened!

I asked God to help me get closer to him and during praise and worship today I felt unstable and I was rocking back and forward and felt really warm!

God has healed my back. He has helped me connect. He has given me more confidence to pray. I felt what it was like to have his mighty presence in my heart. I experienced angels and Jesus. The Holy Spirit surrounded me with his warmth and love.

I felt more loved than I ever have. I was touched spiritually and humanly.

I really felt God’s presence in a way I hadn’t felt it before. I saw people get healed. I prayed for healing on my friends arm and it started to heal. I’ve never done that before. It was SOOO fun!!!!!!

Touching Heaven Kids Baguio

2010-05-05T02:15:00.000-07:00

It's only day three of our five day Touching Heaven Kids in Baguio, Philippines.

Everyday God's presence has been increasing. Everyday He has been touching their hearts. Everyday our young people have been serving with energy and passion. Everyday I'm just amazed at what God is doing here.

To see such a team of youth revivalists rising up and ministering was so far from reality a year ago. Now... well there is no holding them back....

To see our children worshipping God with such passion ... well, I'm actually speechless and feel undone. I'm amazed at God. His goodness. His love. His power. His faithfulness.

Take a look at this rough video I captured on my photo camera. Not the greatest quality I know, but hopefully will inspire and encourage us all - that the King loves us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH_h7elPvOs

Touching Heaven Registrations Open!

2010-04-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

Email yasmin@hisheart.org.nz for more info and registration forms

Miracle Rain

2010-03-12T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm exhausted but wired and have to write this before I sleep. Tonight we had a "Prayer Encounter" Evening for our youth. It is an interactive environment where they can walk through rooms in the building, which are set up as different prayer stations, with different ways of praying. We had a powerful time and at the end we gathered together to worship. That morning God had shown me a picture and said "Ask me for rain". I thought he was speaking spiritually but tonight I felt like we were to ask him for rain in the natural. You see, the Philippines is in the middle of a terrible drought. We have had no rain for months! Every day is dry. Many farmers are losing their land and livelihood. Everything is parched. We have had city water in the pipes for about 3 hours only in the last six or so weeks. There are power cuts throughout the Philippines as the dams are so low and there are electricity shortages.

So for some time the young people passionately cried out for rain. First in the natural, but then also in the spiritual. We rejoiced, sung and danced as we declared that Forever, God is faithful and His love endures forever. As we were preparing to leave....the youth started shouting "It's raining!!" and it was.....
God truly is faithful. All the way home, the kids were just saying over and over.. "It's a miracle. God is so good."

He loves the Philippines. And so do I.....

Support coming in for Helen's training

2010-02-24T00:25:00.000-08:00

God is so wonderful! Helen is an intern with us full time with a small allowance and accommodation provided by us. After praying, she felt to go ahead to study a Bible Degree program but a money miracle was needed. This last week we had a substantial gift towards Helen's training. Not only is it the money for the course that is so great, it is the expression of God's love towards her and her continually growing knowledge of the Father heart of God. Thanks generous people.

Yay!

2010-02-24T00:13:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know we have a new computer for the youth at homework club to use. All we need now is an internet connection! But in the meantime they can use to type assignments. Thank you Jesus!

We have a small library of books for those with no homework to read. Here are some boys enjoying them.

Anyone like to donate more books?

Hard at work... soon will be devotions then dinner. :)

School Sponsored Kids Party!

2010-02-24T00:05:00.000-08:00

We had a fun time on Monday night as the 31 children His Heart sponsors to school were invited to a party wonderfully organized by Paige. We see these children often, but every quarter we gather them together for a special night of encouragement and ministry.

They enjoyed games, snacks, prayer, worship, awards, dinner and a movie. To top it off, the Elementary aged children received shoes from Life International Ministries in the USA.

It's hard to express to you what a difference school sponsorship can make in the life of a child and their family. We have literally seen lives do a U-turn as we reach out with this tangible expression of God's love.

Thank you sponsors for your compassion and love.

Games

Worship and prayer for success in their study and life

New shoes! Yay!

Thank you Lord! You are changing lives!

New Daily Feeding Program

2010-02-15T04:13:00.000-08:00

Today was a great day at Dona Aurora Bueno Elementary School!
His Heart began a new feeding daily feeding program for approximately 23 malnourished children. This is in an area that we have been wanting to reach for sometime and it is now coming to pass.

Washing hands first

Ready and waiting!

Macaroni soup with sausage and nutritious leaf vegetable from the Philippines

Eating! :) Angela & Helen with the Principal

Homework Club

2010-02-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we started a homework Club for high school aged youth. It became obvious to us that our sponsored students and many other children from poor homes, were very disadvantaged because they had no access to resources.

They simply don't have money to go to the internet cafe to research. Additionally, most of them come from a squatter community and to find peace in small shacks is very difficult, let alone have a table and chair with light to work at.

So we have put together a simple program endeavouring to help them have the opportunities that many others have - the Homework Club.

The young people arrive after school, have a brief afternoon tea and come inside ready to study. After praying for each other, that God will bless them in their studies, they begin. If they have homework, they complete that or revise. Older students and adults help younger ones if possible. We are praying for at least two computers and an internet connection so that they can use the internet to research or to type assignments.

After an hour of quiet working, we have a short devotional and worship time. These young people are passionate for God and its always hard to stop worshipping. :) However, we have a full hot dinner waiting for them. They eat happily - often having plates of seconds. They leave smiling... and we know their hearts have been touched by the tangible love of God.

God showing up with the youth

2010-01-11T01:03:00.000-08:00

I got a report from Helen our Filipina intern the other day telling me of what God did last Friday night. She has been with us for about 4 months full time and has grown so fast in her responsibilities and in her walk with God. It's so encouraging to watch her minister, even though she is a young Christian. She was nervous and worried about leading the youth alone while we are gone and she shared that the night before she was praying. "I was about to sleep, I was really worried on which ones first to do coz there’s lots I wanted to speak about for the youth night, but I just told God, “Lord you will lead tomorrow right you will just used me”. And I really can’t explain if I am half asleep, or awake, or just dreaming coz I saw Jesus entered at the door and sat at my bed and hold me and just said, “Sleep don’t worry”..." God is so good!

I am praising God that we can be here in New Zealand and yet He continues to pour out His presence in Baguio. While we are gone, the ministry is being led by locals which is a real milestone.

Read more of what she says...

"While I was sharing I felt that Jesus just told me to just worship him that night and so I told them that supposedly I have something to speak about but I really just want to follow Jesus. So I told them that we will just welcome the presence of Jesus which is really strong.

After sharing it I prayed and first time to really say everything that is in my heart. And we worship again, while worshiping I saw angels ascending on the stairs from the office and on every entrances, so I told them that and everyone is like overwhelmed and just opened their hearts to receive from Jesus , I prayed for everyone and just continue to worship for hours, everyone is just really in deep worship, lying on the ground with their hands raised, kneeled for long time, standing undisturbed.

After worship and praying when we looked at the time it’s already 10:30 and I was like oh my gosh your parents would get angry at me, so I told them if you go home could you share what you saw to them(hehe). And I just asked if they want more sharing and everyone’s like yes, yes, yes please even if late..

Everyone seems to see same things like angels singing with us, shao saw what I’ve seen, angels ascending. One saw his self running after Jesus. One said everything or every movement just stops. Bonnie said he felt Jesus’ hand on his shoulders. One saw a king on his throne. Someone saw vision of jomard just clapping and praising God. One saw a picture of flower(us), water(Jesus) and sun(God). One said she felt we are soo crowded in the room, coz angels are too many..

Sorry very long, I’m just soo excited to tell you everything."

Thank you Jesus! We can trust you with everything.
Thank you everyone for continuing to pray for Helen and the local leaders.

Unspeakable Jesus Joy!

2009-12-26T03:23:00.001-08:00

Thank you to all of you who made the Christmas Parties possible.

I threw together a rough video so you can get a feel of how it was here in Baguio. What happy times! I believe people were touched by God's love this Christmas. You can see the excitement on their faces. Thanks for all you gave.

Enjoy the video

Make a difference this Christmas

2009-12-01T05:50:00.000-08:00

Many children we minister to receive nothing for Christmas.

Can you imagine their excitement to attend a party with gifts?
We want to show God's love to these children this year.

And want to know if you would like to be a part of it?

It is only $9-10NZD to sponsor a child to the His Heart Christmas Party,

with games/prizes, carols, special meal, and a gift
(will include a t-shirt, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, food item and a small toy)

Partner with us - Give to bring joy

www.hisheart.org.nz (paypal)

Testimonies

2009-11-18T21:11:00.000-08:00

I've just returned from Purok 5 - part of an urban village here in Baguio. We gathered this morning in houses to meet with each other and Jesus. The ladies shared testimonies and stories from the week. I don't usually get time to convey all God is doing, but today I wanted to just jot down a few stories...

A new creation
One lady shared that before she was baptized it was like she was reminded of every bad thing in her life she had ever done. She told us how she had hoped that when she went under the water that all those things would be left behind and she could start new, for herself and for her family. Smiling through tears, she said that after she was baptized she felt so peaceful inside and all she wanted to do was sleep. She felt like the sin and old ways of life were completely gone and she had perfect peace. One of her daughters is a His Heart Sponsored Child and she is changing before our eyes also. She has become hungry for God and is sensitive to His presence. Thank you Jesus!

Holy Spirit touched me
Just now, (after a time of ministry) I felt the Holy Spirit come so deep in my heart, that I just could not control my tears. The only words I can say is "Thank you" but its not enough.

Making things right
A mother shared, "Before the baptism, there were many bad words spoken, even in my jeepney as we were driving there. I felt bad inside and so I went to the person and I said sorry to her even though I was hurt. When I came up out of the water, all those feelings disappeared and my old ways are behind me."

God is awesome!

Lives changing one by one

2009-11-15T17:01:00.000-08:00

The kids streamed in the gates first, with infectious smiles and excitement, followed by the teens and the adults. Today is baptism day! We had filled 4 jeepneys for the 30 minute descent down the mountain to a swimming pool for this special day. Although our entire family could not be there for various reasons, more than a hundred of us gathered to witness lives changing before our eyes.

Our His Heart family surrounded the pool and the sound of worship filled the complex. Strangers watched and even participated in witnessing this moving event!

One by one they publicly declared their love for Jesus and their willingness to put behind them their old life.

One by one we baptized them and worshipped.
One by one, the Holy Spirit has drawn them to Himself, healing their hearts and their bodies.
Yesterday, one by one, God poured His love and power on each precious child, taking this step for Him.
And now? One by one we will get more and bring Jesus His treasure.
The harvest is truly plentiful.

Pictures speak...

2009-11-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

It's difficult to put into words, our experiences and situation here in Baguio.
Every Wednesday we have street church, which is a happy, chaotic conglomeration of our team, street vendors, street kids and adult street dwellers and sometimes an interested passer-by. It's our street family. They smile and laugh as much as anyone else here, but every day is a struggle, that most of us could not even imagine.

We bring the good news of the gospel to them, not with words only but with action. Providing help with medicines, food, love and a fresh word from heaven, these precious people are growing. I'll let the pictures speak ....

...."Love them like Jesus, carry them to Him, His yoke is easy and His burden is light"....

May ...

2009-09-17T00:16:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce May. She is an awesome young girl with a small child and husband. The story of her past is long and sad, however you can see Jesus in her face now. She came to us about 6 weeks ago. At that time, she was backslidden but desperately wanting to get back to the place she was before she was married. At School of Champions, she asked God to show her if He still loved her and if He was in her. She then had a powerful encounter with Jesus and knew for sure of His love for her. Since that day she has been set on fire for Jesus!

She came to train as a church planter last Monday. We didn't realize that she was returning to her province which is about 7-8 hrs drive away from us. She was eagerly soaking in all that we were teaching and at the end asked if we could do more training, so that she could learn and do the same in her province!

Today, we had to say a sad goodbye to May as she leaves tonight. She has bibles to give her family and has dreams of sharing Jesus with them. God has given her dreams and visions about how he will use her. Please pray for her as she goes back to a difficult home situation. Pray she will be bold to pray for the sick and share the love and power of Jesus.

The speed at which God is moving in hearts is amazing! May is a light for the nation. We love you May! Go change the world!

The Core Team

2009-09-11T23:42:00.000-07:00

Well, we just got back from an awesome time down on the coast of our Island here in the Philippines (Luzon). Our core team went there for a retreat. We prayed, played, planned and ate! :) We are all so amazed at all God is doing with the people we are reaching and the plans are adventurous and full! :)

I wanted to introduce each person to you:

Of course there is me, and then my gorgeous daughter Yasmin, who is very creative. Many of our photos recently have been taken by her and she is now the official photographer (taking after her grandfather - who was a photographer before he pastored). She is also stepping up to co-lead the youth which will take some boldness but she has a wealth to give and many promises over her life that she will lead many like a Deborah. So, this is a time of stretching for her and it will be very exciting to see all God does through her. As you can probably tell, I am immensely proud of my baby who has grown so fast and is now a young woman. She has coped with isolation from her friends in New Zealand, culture change, home schooling and the various other challenges of being a missionary kid. She is simply the biggest blessing of my life.

Another blessing is Becs (on the far right of the lower photo). She has been with us for almost a year. She has very smart, methodical and organized and has beautifully complemented the team. She has been tutoring Yasmin in maths and that has been amazing for me! (& Yasmin). Becs and initiative go hand in hand and she is constantly looking ahead to see what needs to be done. As well as being involved in many ministry areas, she's done an amazing job setting up and overseeing the school feeding program in which we are feeding 50 children now. Always loving the one in front of her, she goes out of her way for people. Sadly, she will be leaving us in December and will be hugely missed.

Paige and Kent are mega blessings also (left side of photo). Kent was a Youth Pastor and later an Associate Pastor of a small church in Kentucky and is now studying full time at APTS. He has a natural way of relating to the street people in particular and has been overseeing that ministry doing a great job as well as leading house churches, teaching in our School of Champions and filling in where needed.

Paige has a heart for people and is a worshipper. She leads worship often for us and has done an amazing job of connecting with the ladies in particular. God has given her a real heart to see people rise to their potential in Him and she loves to watch God change our ladies and see them grow. Paige, like all the other team members is involved in almost all areas of the ministry and is an amazing, anointed gift from God.

I feel so blessed to have people like this running alongside me, and building God's kingdom.

What a team! Thanks guys :)

Joy

2009-09-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

For years, my daughter and I would pray together knelt down at the front of our church...
"Jesus, we just want to be where you want us. You say the word and we will go for you, wherever that may be."

Never did I imagine it would be the Philippines.
I imagined somewhere else. I imagined the cost. I imagined the losses.

Never could I have imagined the depth of love I would feel for this nation.
Never could I have imagined the joy.

The joy of seeing children coming off the street, in school, worshipping Jesus.

The joy of seeing family after family turning to Jesus

The joy of locals rising as leaders

The joy of hearing people so excited about all God is doing in their lives...

Today, at our after-school ministry for kids (pictured above), one of our sponsored girls, came bouncing towards me - face shining.

She told me how God had met her and some other young teens the day before. They had gone up on a huge rock and began to share their struggles and problems with each other. After this they relocated to one of the boys homes. When they got there the boy suggested they pray for each other and for their problems. As they did, the presence of God came into that house so strong. Chris May said to me "We did it! We had our own house church. Just like you do!" Jesus was shining from her. God is raising young revivalists. What a joy!

Our new training base

2009-08-31T02:07:00.000-07:00

Well, its hard to believe His Heart Ministries has a building!

After a few years of searching we have signed a rental agreement! We have been looking for somewhere in a central location and as we have grown the needs have changed and we have had to look at bigger facilities. There are many things that just aren’t possible to do in small houses in the community and this building is going to open a whole array of new opportunities for us.

A few years ago, a teenager powerfully prophesied over me a number of things, but one of them was that God had a building marked out and at the perfect time, He would present us with our perfect building. This is what it feels like. God is so good! Our churches will still be with the people in their barangays or on the street. But the people have grown so much and we are moving into a new season of ministry training for them. This building will make it possible!

Yesterday we opened the building. It was filled to the brim with excited people. Street kids and the people from Purok 5 came. We praised and worshipped and we dedicated the building and our hearts afresh to Him. We laid down before Him and surrendered our hearts. Afterwards we ate together. It was a great celebration of God's love and provision.

Thank you for praying for us as we press toward a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that leaders will arise and carry God's love through the nation and the world.

God's goodness is limitless!