Philippine Support

This is a copy of the letter that I sent out asking for support to help me go to the Philippines again in March. Please, read it and pray about it and pass it on if you know anyone else who might be interested in helping. Thanks so much!

Dear Family and Friends,
As most of you know, last summer I made, what I hope to be, the first of many missionary journeys to the Philippines. What a trip it was! I was involved with over 40 baptisms and taught over 1,000 precious children about God! Two of the girls that first heard about God in our Bible school followed up and have now been baptized! These people are the most warm, caring souls that you could ever hope to meet and are SO hungry to hear The Word! I left a piece of my heart back there, which is why I immediately started planning my return trip before I even left!
On the 23rd of March I will be leaving for another trip, and I literally feel like a kid waiting on Christmas! Again, I will be gone for two weeks, and again, I am in need of any help that you can give to me. For those who are not familiar with my trip last year, you can go to www.blogspot.com/laurierwalker and look in the archives to July of 2008 to read my blog where I wrote daily last trip. I will be doing the same this trip, Lord willing, on the same website.
Our trip takes about 30 hours by plane and then another 6 hours by van from Manila, where we fly in, to Dagupan, North Luzon, where we stay and work. The bulk of our work takes place with The Philippine Theological College (PTC), and this trip I will be able to attend their graduation ceremony! Six young men will be graduating with their AA’s. Since I left in July, the school has moved to the new campus and now has a very active Campus Church of Christ, averaging over 100 people on Sundays! This is a faithful, active congregation where there only an empty house stood just one year ago! Over 30 people have been baptized since opening the doors to this congregation, and it has since become a vital part of the community. This is an amazing work, and it would not be possible without help from people like you!
I love working with PTC and the Campus Church of Christ, but in all honesty it is not the “work” that I love the most and keeps me always wanting to be over there. The thing that keeps me saving, raising funds, accruing leave time at work, and making the long trip over there is the children. These children would crack even the hardest of hearts, and not just because of their detrimental physical states. These are the sweetest children you could ever hope to see! Even though they have absolutely nothing, they are always smiling, always excited to sing Bible songs, and always eager to learn whatever you are willing to teach them. If I had a dime for every time I said “I wish I could take one of them home with me”, I could easily afford to fund my own return trip!
These children and these people do have individual physical needs that need to be met, such as clothing, improved living conditions, medical supplies, Bibles, etc., but the other thing that they need, just as badly, are buildings to conduct worship in, teaching supplies, and, most importantly, people who are willing to teach them the Truth! For airfare, lodging, meals, and a translator, the trip will cost approximately $2,500 per person. A few congregations partially sponsor me, and I have personal savings that I built up over the year; however, I still need a lot of help from individuals to be able to go on this trip. That’s where you come in! This trip isn’t possible without your help! Many of you were very generous last year, and it still brings tears to my eyes to think about it! I wish each and every one of you were able to go, so you could see firsthand how far your giving goes!
I am not only soliciting your financial assistance, but also your prayers. Four members of my family make the trip, and I ask for your prayers for a successful & safe trip. Any amount that you can help with would be most appreciated and is most needed. Checks can be made out to the Quitman Church of Christ (their elders oversee this work), with notation made on the comment line “LRW Philippine Fund”, and sent to 1805 Hill Hedge Dr Montgomery, AL 36106. If you have any questions, please email me at: laurierwalker@yahoo.com, write me at the address listed above, or call me at 334-430-8668. Thank you in advance for any help that you can give me and most importantly: your prayers.
In Christian Love,

Laurie Walker