The Philippines
The Philippines is situated in SE Asia and has a population of 91 million people and 7,107 islands of which 4.000 of them are inhabited. 81% of the country's population are Catholics, 2.8% evangelical, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist and Hindus, 2.3% Iglesia ni Cristo (a sect founded by a Filipino), and almost 5% other religions called by them Christians.
The Philippines is also a country with tropical weather, 8 major dialects and 2 official languages - Tagalong and English.
"The Land Of Heat" has over 25 typhoons a year leaving a lot of people homeless, hopeless and without their loved ones. The Filipino culture is also known for the many festivals and traditions they have worshipping their false and dead gods.
For Easter, while we are in church, some Filipinos will be hanged on a cross; they think that by doing that they bring their own body as a living sacrifice to God, a way to holiness, to forgiveness - an atonement for their sins. The Philippines is a country so close to God but yet so far from Him, a country in need of God.
"He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot loose"
- Jim Elliot
About Flory
I was born on March 17, 1985 in an Orthodox family in Romania. I grew up not knowing too much about God or Jesus, and I went to church just on special occasions like Easter and sometimes Christmas.
I grew up having my own gang and being the leader of it, liking to fight and being mean. As years passed by, I became very proud and independent. My mother died of lung cancer when I was at the age of 12 and ever since my father tried to raise alone his 5 kids. As years passed by I started drinking and smoking, hanging out with the guys and doing lots of things that I regret today. I started stealing from stores, being mean and fighting every time I had a chance. With all of these, something was missing inside of me, something was empty. I had no peace. I've tried to fill that emptiness with worldly stuff, but it did not work
In the spring of 2000 my brother, who is a Christian, invited me in his ministry. First we had to stop at his friend's house, the Ziemers, missionaries to Romania, where I met Kristin Ziemer who shared the gospel with me.
She asked me a question that changed my life:
"Flory, if you would die today, where would you go? To Heaven or to Hell?" I thought about that for a few seconds and I saw my life being full of sins. I saw that all that I was and all that I did was wrong, was sin, and because of that I would deserve hell. Then she showed me in the Bible, that God is Holy and I can't stay in His presence with my sins. That only through His Son Jesus Christ who came on the earth, died for my sins on the cross and was risen from the dead, I can be forgiven and go to Heaven. In that moment I asked Jesus to come into my heart, through prayer and by faith. I asked Him to forgive me of my sins and to help me to change and live a life that would be pleasing to Him.
Since that day He is working in my life and changing me, helping me to become more like Him, beautiful in His eyes, after His own heart. He put a desire and a passion in my heart for Him and His Word, for people, to go and share the same great news with them.
I have completed a 2 year program of Bible school training at Word of life Academy in Hungary and served in Romania as a full time missionary with Titus for 2 years pointing others to Christ through different ministries.
My desire is to serve the Lord anywhere, at any time and at any cost and for right now I believe He is calling me to the Philippines. I want to serve the Lord with all I am and have, going even to the end of the world to share the gospel and reach the lost for Him. I want to make a difference in this world for Christ. I want to finish my race well, taking Home with me as many souls as I can, and meet The One who gave a significant meaning to my life and spend eternity with Him and my loved ones.
Needing Your Help
Right now I am in the process of raising my support for the Philippines for 2 years.
My goal is to raise $1200 a month for 2 years and for that I need partners to join with me to reach the lost. Missions is the heart beat of God and so it's mine.
If you are interested in how to help please contact me. Any checks are made payable to Titus International. If you have any contacts or you know any church that I could share my vision with it could be of great help. Partners in reaching the lost together is what I am looking for, your prayers are greatly needed.
The Lumibao's
About Flory's Ministry
My plan is to return to the Philippines in September 2008 and be involved with the local church that I have visited with in May 2007.
Pastor Ador Lumibao is the pastor of IBBC and they have many open doors as far as ministry.
My heart is burdened for his people and I desire to reach out to them and invest in eternity while there, making disciples and helping others to find God. Here are some of the things that I'll be involved in:
- Bible teaching
- Discipleship
- Sport evangelism
- Street Evangelism
- Conducting some lady's Bible Study's
- Youth meetings
- Children's Bible clubs
- Visitations and Counseling
- Assisting at IBBC Church
- Drama ministry
- Helping and training other churches in how to evangelize and work with youth.
- Camps and retreats
Contact Florentina
Home address:
Str. Gura Vadului, Nr. 2
Bl G 27, sc D ap 31Sct 3, Bucharest,
ROMANIA
Romania #: 011-40-721-682-945
US contact: 330-898-6457
E-mail: florystoican@ yahoo.com
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