Erickson’s Philippines Updates

The two pictures above show further evidence of God’s power in healing and restoration.  I happened to show up at the school Thursday morning at just the right time to see Jennilyn, fourteen years old (wearing the red shirt), and Cristina, fourteen years old (wearing the blue shirt), participate in a tambourine praise dance.  Jennilyn and Cristina have experienced their share of difficult times, but they have chosen to allow God to restore them from the inside out.  And now they joyfully join Shylla and Tonette (two other girls pictured) in praising the Lord with tambourines.  We at FTC are very pround of Cristina and Jennilyn!  We know that God has awesome plans for their lives, and we are just grateful to be a part of them.

I would like to officially welcome Krishelle and Edison to Face The Children.  Their father died in October of 2004 from a heart attack.  Their mother died last December of cervical cancer.  When we heard of them a neighbor was helping them as best they could, providing food for them, but was unable to provide for other basic needs.  The DSWD was able to contact one relative, but they are poor and struggle to take care of their own family, so they did not accept the children.

These two kids are very bright and had been attending school, until last year when their mom was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  Our vision is to help “abused, abandoned and seriously neglected” children.  Since their parents are gone and no family members are capable of taking care of them, we happily welcome them to FTC.  We are very excited to have these two children and can hardly wait to see the plans God has for their lives!

January 2005

Andrea and I met Jeff and Rowena Pessina on a Sunday night after they spoke at Calvary Lighthouse Church in Rochell, Illinois.  Jeff was talking with other people when we initially met them so we mostly spoke with Rowena, a.k.a “Winnie”.  Winnie told us right away we needed to “come over”, and that she “has been praying for God to send young couples to the ministry”. 

Summer 2005

Andrea and I went to the Philippines for six weeks.  We loved getting to know the people, the kids and the ministry of the Frontline.

August  2006

After one year of raising funds through garage sales, auctions, side jobs and with support from friends and family, Andrea and I returned to the Philippines.  This time Andrea was six months pregnant.  The first three months we learned a lot about trusting in God and understanding that His plans are not always the easiest, but that sometimes we go through personal hardships to help us grow. 

November 14, 2006

Josiah Michael Davis Erickson was born in the San Pablo Doctor’s Hospital.  What a joy the next nine months were.  Serving God in the Philippines and enjoying the privilege of raising our son right where God placed us. 

August 2007

We returned to the States where Josiah met many family members for the first time.

November 2007

Andrea, Josiah and I returned to the Philippines to further serve with Philippine Frontline Ministries.  We live on-site with Face The Children (orphanage/refuge center that has the vision of being a boarding school for the “abused, abandoned and seriously neglected”).  Andrea heads up the school for the FTC, while I am the Music Director at Frontline Worship Center.  We both are in charge of several administrative duties for FTC.  We are very happy to be serving God and the people of the Philippines.