KLB Inauguration

The alarm went off at 5:20am so I could have a quick, quiet shower before being picked up to go to the radio station for the 6:00am live stream. Berwyn and Julius took me and we got to the radio station punctually and waited for the announcer to arrive. He finally pitched up at 5:59am just in time to enter his cubicle and speak directly into the microphone. He said two sentences and there was a power cut. Change of plan. No radio broadcast and I hadn't had my coffee! Grace abounds. We made our way back to our hotel and I invited them for breakfast. After spending a bit of time with the radio producer, we made our way to Bo's until it was time to go to Kingdom Life Butuan for their Sunday meeting and the special inauguration ceremony.

The room was packed and because of the power cut that then lastet until evening, we couldn't use any electrical equipment for the worship and speaking. We proceeded anyway and there was great joy in the house. It was a very special time as the children sang for us and we ordained Roszel and confirmed Julius as the senior leaders of KLB. I then shared a message from Isaiah 61 as a prophetic word for KLB that God has planted them as oaks of righteousness for the display of His splendour. We then shared communion together and blessed the church.

After a yummy lunch we went with Julius, Roszel, Berwyn,Liberty and the kids to try the traditional Halo-Halo, a dessert that is basically a mixture of different things. Ours had sweet corn, coconut, ice cream and other interesting-tasting ingredients. It was delicious. After saying bye-bye to the Halo-Halo, we made our way back to the hotel with Berwyn, Liberty and the kids so that they could swim in the pool for he afternoon.

In the evening we attended KLB's first youth meeting and over 60 young people came. We spent some time in worship and then I was asked to share a message. I spoke on God's calling a generation of radical worshippers and urged the young people to follow God wholeheartedly. God's presence was wonderful and the Holy Spirit was clearly stirring hearts into flame. It was a powerful evening and I am excited to see what God will do through those who submit to His call.

As we are finishing off for the day, we are enjoying some of this delicious, exotic fruit. I have forgotten what it is called. It tastes amazing.

Thank you Lord for another amazing day and for the lives you are impacting and will impact through KLB!

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for he display of His splendour." Isaiah 61:3

Wind, Water and Fire!

Glory to God!

Today was our last day in Butuan. We were invited to minister at a large church in the city and we were encouraged by the presence of the Lord in the place and the spirit of worship we found. After a good time of worship, I preached on the faith that trusts God in the storm, that touches Jesus to receive healing and that honours the presence of God. I then led the church in worship as I encouraged everyone to worship the Lord from the heart and in their own words. As we did so the Lord once again manifested His presence and people began to weep and kneel before Him. It was wonderful as the the Holy Spirit seemed to blow through the room. As people came forward for prayer Frances and I ministered to the people and watched the Lord pour out His love on His people. One lady was healed as we prayed for her shoulder and could subsequently move it freely. She was in tears of gratitude. Thank you Lord! 

After a buffet lunch with the church's pastor and wife and some of their leaders, we made our way back to the hotel so that Christopher, Christine and Yra-Lee could swim in the pool. They loved it! After the usual Mango-shake Berwyn and I made our way to the radio station for another live broadcast. Frances, Liberty and Roszel had some time together and watched the kids. They also had to finalise some paperwork together. 

At the radio station I had another 60 minute slot and I spoke on the Kingdom and how Jesus came to preach the good news of the Kingdom and demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom. I shared the need for faith in Christ and new birth to be able to see the Kingdom and enter into it. I had a lot of fun and hundreds of people got to hear the good news! Praise the Lord! 

After the radio broadcast we dashed to the youth meeting at the Free Methodist Church. Worship was already underway and when I was asked to speak, I talked about the fire of God and revival. In response to the message almost all the youngsters came forward to receive the fire of God. It was awesome. I am convinced God is saturating this generation to spread the fire if His love and power. 

After the youth meeting we made our way to a restaurant for our final family dinner together. As we followed the car of Julius and Roszel and got ready to turn into the parking area in front of the restaurant, a motorcycle slammed into Julius' car! We saw the motorcyclist fly over Julius' bonnet but praise God no one was harmed! Julius' car, however, is quite bashed in the front. He then had to accompany the police and the motorcyclist to the police station - not the way we had planned our last evening together but I am so grateful that no one was hurt! 

Tomorrow we leave for Manila and are looking forward to spending some more time with Mark and his family. I am going to miss this place and what God is doing here. It has been a fantastic visit and I praise God for all that He has done and will continue to do here in Butuan and the surrounding area.

 "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them." Acts 2:2,3

Releasing the Prophetic

Glory to God!

Today we spent the morning in Mabini and I ministered in pastor Berwyn's church, Mabini Christian Assembly. After worshipping in their language and now spotting a few familiar words, I was invited to preach. I spoke on Elijah and the fact that he was a man just like us and an example to us of someone who completely trusted in God. We looked at the account of Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal and the Lord showed us how to draw His fire in our lives as we stop wavering between two opinions and build an altar for Him. It was a powerful word and everyone responded to it as we surrendered our lives afresh to the Lord. (They call the motorbikes skylabs when they have sideboards to carry extra load. Here are 8 people on one bike!)

After a delicious lunch (lots of mangos for mango-man - my name at the hotel) and lots of fun with Berwyn and Liberty's children, we made our way back to Butuan to finish some paperwork and then to speak to pastor Julius' young people. 

The Lord led us to look at the work of the Holy Spirit and prophecy. Frances and I then taught on how to prophesy and then got the youngsters to give it a go. The guys paired up and we invited the Holy Spirit to lead us. After 5 minutes I stopped the guys and asked them to share what God was doing. To the amazement of the group the guys shared what they had received and as their respective partners confirmed they were accurate and some even cried, they were so encouraged that the whole atmosphere changed. Faith was ignited! These guys are in for an amazing adventure with God! Thank you Lord! 

Tomorrow is our last day here in Butuan. I am preaching in the morning and early evening and will possibly be at the radio station again in the afternoon. The Lord has really been revealing heaven on earth here and I am so excited for the young people here!

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." 1 Corinthians 14:1

Day 4 - Servant Leadership

Glory to God! 

Today was our last day of our 4-day Heaven on Earth conference in Butuan. After another wonderful time of worship which continued for almost an hour because of the presence and glory of God, I then spoke on the Lord's prayer to summarize what God had been showing us in the last 3 days. 

After a short break, Frances spoke on servant leadership and how Jesus came as an example of how leaders must serve. It was a fun and very powerful message and when I led us into a time of response to the word and as we repented of pride it was as though Jesus entered the room in response. His presence was so overwhelming that we just knelt and waited on Him as He seemed to reveal His humility to us. Heaven truly invaded earth! 

After a lunch break we spent time ministering to God's people as we and other pastors washed the people's feet. It was an amazing time full of joy, freedom and power as people received prophetic words and encouragement from the Father. It was a very special time indeed!

After a short break we had a time for testimonies and invited the people to share what God had done during the 4 days. Many testified and praised God for fresh and reviving revelation from the teaching. Some testified to being healed of diabetes. Some shared how they had experienced the power of God in their bodies even before we got to pray for them. Some were greatly encouraged to renew their commitment to the Lord. One lady shared how she had been set free from bondage. It was awesome and we praise God for all that He has done in these past 4 days! I was especially encouraged to see many young people respond to God! I am convinced that God is reviving the youth in this area and that they are on the verge of a mighty outpouring!

It has been an incredible blessing to minister under an open heaven here. The honour and the love we have received is humbling to say the least! 

We then gathered the youth and invited them to Dunkin Donuts and had a lot of fun with them trying to learn their language and sharing about our lives. Tomorrow we have our day off and we will be spending the day with Julius, Roszel and their children (Yra-lee and Jonkris) and Berwyn and Liberty with their children (Christine and Christopher). Apart from simply getting tine to talk and hang out, we will be looking at what our future plans are together. Hallelujah! 

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14,15 

Day 3 - The River of God

Glory to God! 

Today was the third day of our Heaven on Earth conference in Butuan. We are so impressed with all the guys that are working so hard to make this conference a blessing to all who come. One of the team members is Julius' brother, Aaron (standing next to Frances). We began with another special time of worship led by pastor Julius and his team. I then spoke on our need to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit for us to overflow with heaven on earth. Looking then at the gospel of grace, I showed how one can explain the gospel using the word G.R.A.C.E. and the need for us to live the gospel and preach it! After a short break we looked at how the message of the gospel is received with power, deep conviction and the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven.

During the lunch break we enjoy fellowshipping with the pastors and hearing some amazing testimonies of God's grace, provision and miracles. After lunch Frances spoke on stepping into the River of God and how the believer must seek to come to a place of absolute surrender to be carried by the Spirit. After our coffee break I spoke on renewing one's mind with the word of God and how to resist the lies of satan. We then offered to pray for the group and many came forward for prayer. Once again the Lord ministered powerfully to the people as they  received deep emotional healing as well as physical healing as they fell under the power of God. We then got some of the Bible School students to soak the people in prayer who were still under the power. We spent time with each dear soul and prophesied over each person. Words of knowledge were given and clearly spot on as people responded inmediately to the Father's words. It was simply amazing and very moving as I held some of the people as they sobbed in my arms. Oh how the Father loves these people!

After over 2 hours of ministry we went back to the hotel to quickly get changed before embarking on a mini adventure by ourselves to the local (and only) shopping mall. We saw some interesting misplaced things like Ritter Sport and Ferrero Rocher as well as a corner in the shop where behind a counter filled with Hostias (communion wafers used in catholic churches) was a selection of wines and other alcoholic beverages. After a quick supper we made our way back to the hotel with a local tricycle. 

It has been another amazing day with God. Tomorrow we will be looking at releasing and imparting the Kingdom of Heaven through serving and then Frances and I will wash everyone's feet. I can't wait!

 "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy Place where the Most High dwells." Psalm 46:4 

Outpouring!

Glory to God!

This morning we were up at 6:00 and had a meeting in Santiago, about one hour's drive away from Butuan. On our way I was thrilled to be able to have a birthday Latte before embarking on another full day. Santiago is further away in the more rural area beyond Cabadbaran and Mabini, where pastor Berwyn's church is located. We were immediately impressed by the sound of true worship when
we arrived as the 3 musicians practised for the meeting. As soon as we began to worship the Lord, the people all engaged with God and the area was filled with the sound of heaven! The worship leader, a young man with an amazing voice, led us right into the Lord's presence. The pastor of the church told me prior to the meeting that at times the presence of the Lord is so tangible that people weep and laugh in His presence and at one meetiing the presence of God began to affect the neighbouring Seventh Day Adventist church as their members also came under conviction and joy, wondering what was going on!

God was in the place and after pastor Berwyn introduced me, I spoke to the people about being carriers of God's presence and overflowing with His love. I then invted the church to be prayed for to be filled with the Father's love in order to overflow with God's love and almost everyone came forward for prayer. As Frances and I ministered to these precious people, we were gripped by the Father's compassion and many wept in His presence. All we cold do was hold them tight as the Father ministered His healing love to the people. We hardly said a word - the Holy Spirit was working. It was very moving indeed and the best gift one could ever ask for on one's birthday - the presence of God!

After the meeting we had a delicious lunch and then made our way to the local hot springs up in the mountains. In order to get there we had to cross a wide river and then walk up the mountain for about half an hour. It was a great place to be at and to feel both hot water and cold water coming out of the volcanic mountain. On our way back storm clouds gathered and we suspected we would not make it back to the car, dry! Well once we got in the canoe boats it began pouring with rain and the only shelter we had was from a few banana tree leaves! It was a lot of fun even though we got soaked!

We then went back to Cabadbaran to visit some of the pastors and their families that I knew from my previous visits. It was good to catch up with them and they were greatly encouraged by the fact that we took the time to se them.

Today was the first time we got to see pastor Berwyn's family (Liberty, Christine - with the rooster - and Christopher) and they travelled back to Butuan with us where we were going to distribute food to the street children Aaron could find. After rounding up 15 children we sang a song and I spoke to them about the certainty of the Father's love for them and then we prayed together. After polishing off their meals they sang "happy birthday" to me. I was truly moved!

We were then taken to a local restaurant where Roszel and the rest of the Villadares family invited us to a birthday dinner with a birthday cake and all. It was such a special time after an already amazing day.

"God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:5

Fire of God!

Glory to God!

This morning we arrived in Butuan and were greeted by our "hosts," pastor Berwyn and pastor Julius and his wife Roszel with their parents. It was great to see them again after 2 years. We made our way to the hotel where we are staying and caught up a little before going out for lunch. After lunch we spent some time with the family at their home before returning to the hotel to rest and prepare for the evening meeting. I am enjoying showing Frances all the things I had got to know during my previous visits like Kiliau - raw fish in garlic, onion and ginger with chillis - yummy!

We were picked up at around 18:40 to be at a meeting at pastor Jonathan's church (picture above is of pastor Jonathan and his wife, Grace). What had previously been scheduled as their prayer meeting was changed into a worship service because of their "foreign guests" as they put it. We had a short time of worship and then I (Richard) was invited to speak. The Lord had given me a word for the evening: FIRE! I then looked at how God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:25-29) and how worship is our response to how God reveals Himself to us. I had the conviction from the Spirit that God was looking for people who would burn for Him: worshippers who burn with His presence. We then looked at how the fire of God fell on the temple in 2 Chronicles 7 and how the following manifestation of the glory of God was preceeded by prayer, sacrifice, offering, and then fire followed by glory. God showed us that He wants to fill His people, the temple of God with His fire and glory so that they reveal His goodness (God's glory is the manifestation of God's goodness - Exodus 33:18,19). After asking the people who wanted to surrender their lives to the Lord to burn with Him, about 20 young people came forward to give their lives to Jesus and to be filled with the fire of God. Frances and I then led people to the Lord and ministered to them as we prophesied over them and saw God visibly touch His people. Pastor Joanathan and pastor Berwyn helped translate as we spoke over every person.

We praise God for an awesome start to our 2 week visit. We are pretty bushed from the travelling and jet-lag but really excited about what God has begun already!

"When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshipped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying 'He is good; his love endures forever.'" 2 Chronicles 7:1-3

July 2013

Pastors Richard and Frances Morschel will be visiting the Philippines in July 2013. This will be Richard's third trip and Frances' first trip to the Philippines for the purpose of strengthening exisiting relationships, equipping pastors and leaders, visiting various churches in the area, planting Kingdom Life Butuan, and furthering God's Kingdom on the Island of Mindanao. We will be updating this blog daily during our trip from 09.07. - 22.07.

Please pray for:

• Preparation of hearts to encounter and receive the Holy Spirit.
• Provision for the trip.
• Health and protection during our travels.
• An outpouring of God's Spirit on the people and the land.
• Wisdom and guidance for setting up KLB.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’" Matthew 28:18-20