APR
MAY
2010
S h a re
Go d'S
Wo r d
w ith
th e
Wo r ld
Ready To Receive
God’s Word
The Philippines International Scripture Blitz
“…that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the
mystery of Christ…” Colossians 4:3
International
Scripture Blitzes
Each year, Scripture Blitzes are held in
countries to assist local Gideons in
distributing God’s Word to large
numbers of people. These men
participate in long days of
continuously sharing Scriptures with
those in need of the Lord.
Gideons taking part in an
International Scripture Blitz make a
personal investment of time and
money. As seen in the testimonies
from this blitz, it’s an investment that
offers great returns. An International
Scripture Blitz is never a vacation trip,
but it is a life-changing experience.
UPCOMING
Scripture Blitzes
» Malaysia (1 week)
April 17 – 24, 2010
» Peru (2 weeks)
“And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of
men and women.” — Acts 5:14
Taking God’s Word Into The Pearl Of The Orient
The hub for the Gideons International Scripture Blitz (ISB) in the Philippines was Cebu City, the
second most significant metropolitan area in the islands and the oldest city in the country. Two
Gideons from Korea and seven Gideons from the U.S. journeyed to Cebu City, working with 30 to
40 of Cebu City’s local Gideons.
While a cross believed to have been planted in the island’s soil by Ferdinand Magellan is the city’s
most famous landmark, evangelical Christianity did not begin to spread on a large scale in the
Philippines until after the Japanese wartime occupation of the Philippine territories in World War
II. Today, it’s estimated that more than 20% of the population in the Philippines is evangelical
Christian, and that number is continuing to grow.
April 17 – May 1, 2010
» Poland (1 week)
May 29 – June 5, 2010
The challenging economic conditions in the Philippine islands have helped shape a culture that is
hungry for hope. That earnest desire for hope is partly why the Filipino people are very open to
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Doors Open, As Well As Hearts
During a devotion early in the week, the ISB
team leader led a prayer in which the team
asked God to open doors. At the end of the
day, one member of the team reported on
eight different occasions in which he had led
people to Christ, with many of those
occasions including multiple people. This was
very encouraging to the team, and gave
them faith that God would open doors in
their witnessing back home, as well.
Despite temperatures in the mid-90s and relative humidity levels at 80% and higher, the Gideons
persisted, putting in 12 hours a day or more in their efforts to distribute the
Word of God. The team grew stronger each day, as they shared in prayer, encouragement and
accountability.
On Wednesday, one Gideon remarked, “These blitzes definitely do take a toll on the body, but
I’m feeling really great.”
A Week Of Leading People To Christ
By the week’s end, ISB team members had numerous reports of people receiving Christ. Their
salvation testimonies included: a waiter, a foot massage therapist, a school teacher, students in
groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 15, 18 and 19, plus many more–all praying to receive Christ after
receiving Scriptures from Gideons.
As always, we give God praise for the success of this ISB. But we also must recognize the commitment and faithfulness of the local Gideons who coordinated with churches, pastors and their
communities to organize Scripture distributions. By the time the international team had arrived,
FAST FACTS ON
The Philippines
» Population: 96 million
» Language: : Filipino and English
(official) and eight major
indigenous dialects
» Gideon Ministry Established: 1953
the work of the local Gideons had helped lay the groundwork for many of the distributions.
» Gideon Camps: 194
Most of the distributions occurred at schools and universities, but there were also placements at
» Local Gideon Membership: 2,583
jails and hospitals as well as distributions to military and police. Scriptures were distributed in both
» Auxiliary (wives of Gideons): 1,527
English and Cebuano languages. Before the end of the week, the goal of 250,000 Scripture
distributions had been passed.
» Total Scriptures Distributed:
53,344,761
The prayers for God to lead more new members to the Gideon ministry were also answered that
week. Over 30 new Gideons were enlisted for the Cebu camp, and many of them participated in
the ISB.
Working side by side with an international team on their own soil provided encouragement for the
Philippine Gideons. And the accomplishments of this ISB has energized them as they continue to
carry God’s Word to the people of the Philippines.
Testimonies From The Philippines
Eager To Hand Out God’s Word
At the Cebu State College of Science and Technology, a young lady approached one of the
IMPACT OF THE GIDEON
MINISTRY IN The Philippines
In the 5-day blitz, over 267,000
Scriptures were placed. Bringing to
total, 53,344,761 Scriptures since the
first Gideon camp was established
in 1953.
All statistics are based on Dec 31, 2009 totals for
Gideon ministry and Scripture distributions.
Gideons who was distributing Testaments. She said that she was a Christian and that she had
always wanted to give out Bibles. She asked if she could help. When the Gideon explained that in
order to hand out Gideon-placed Scriptures, one had to be a Gideon, the young woman began to
cry. The Gideon thought for a moment and then said, “Why don’t you open the boxes and hand
the Testaments to me?” The woman stopped crying and a big smile came to her face as she began
to help the Gideon.
The Gideons Deliver An Answer To Students’ Prayers
At one impromptu school distribution during this ISB, the Gideons had to tote the Testaments
up a hill to reach the school. When the Gideons walked in, the students and teachers were
extremely excited to see the men carrying Testaments. The teacher then informed the Gideons
that earlier that very same day, she had asked the students, “What’s the most important thing you
need?” Their answer? “A Bible.” After which, the teacher led them in a prayer to each receive a
copy of God’s Word. An amazing story of another prayer answered by God.
www.gideons.org
YOU ARE MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
On behalf of the many people around
the globe whose lives have been
changed through your gift of God’s
Word, The Gideons International says,
“Thank You!”
Your ongoing support of the Gideon
ministry likely provides the only
opportunity that millions of adults,
teens and children will have to receive
God’s Word. In 178 of the 191
countries where Gideons serve, the
people cannot afford Scriptures on
their own.
Through your help, and that of
so many dedicated donors and
members, Gideons distributed over
77 million Scriptures last year. And, as
a result of your prayers and donations,
we have also passed the milestone of
1.5 billion copies of God’s Word
distributed since 1908.
A Testament Bound By Tape, A Life Bound By God’s Word
Following another distribution that week, the Gideons met a school teacher by the name of
Marina. In her hands was the Gideon Testament she’d received in high school in 1978 on the
island of Negros. The Testament’s covers were completely worn off and had been replaced with
clear tape. “This is the exact same Testament that led me to the Lord,” she explained. This was a
real encouragement to the team.
Where One Door Closes, Another Door Opens
One Jesuit school was closed to distributions. But while the Gideons were distributing Scriptures
at another school, a busload of students from that Jesuit school arrived for a class there. So the
Gideons were able to get God’s Word into their hands after all.
Prayer Needs
Please pray that the ministry in Cebu City would be strengthened and challenged to reach its full
potential.
PLEASE HELP SEND GOD’S WORD
Give to The Gideons International and help impact lives for Christ. For less than $1.30 a
Scripture, God's Word can be placed in the hands of individuals around the world.
•
To pray for key needs of the Gideon ministry, or to make a donation, visit the
www.gideons.org website and click on “How You Can Help.” (To donate only,
simply click on the red link, titled: “Give a Donation.”)
•
Or, call The Gideons International Headquarters at: (615) 564-5000.
P.O. Box 140800 | Nashville, Tennessee | 37214-0800 | www.gideons.org | 615.564.5000