Simon and Flordeliz Fankhauser in the Philippines

Why Missions, the Philippines and "Servants"?

A personal story

Simon and Flor As a child and later on as teenager I had often been dreaming about travelling to far away places, learning about different cultures and peoples. I sometimes wondered if it wasn't just a thought of escape because of difficulties we had in our family. Later on I discovered that there was more to it than this.

I became a Christian when I was nineteen after some turbulent years. Soon after I heard about YWAM (Youth with a Mission) and their discipleship training school. This was exactly what I was looking for, learning more about my newly found faith in a context of missions with people from many different nations. We had our lecture phase in Holmsted Manor, England and went on our outreach to Amsterdam, Holland. There we were able to join YWAM's ministry reaching out to the homeless, to drug addicted people and those in the red-light district. We performed dances and dramas on the streets as well in order to talk to the people about the Good News of Jesus.

There I discovered my desire to share Christ and my heart for people on the edge of society. Also did I enjoy very much living and making friends with people from other nations.

Simon Fankhauser Being back home after this intense time, I learned about the Bible college IGW (Institut für Gemeindebau und Weltmission). IGW allows students to be involved in professional life or/and church ministry while studying part time. Therefore the regular course takes 4-5 years to finish. Despite of the length I was motivated by the thought that it would help me prepare well for my new found desire and goal of going into missions and gather practical experiences while studying. Therefore I got started and first found a job in a computer store, then at McDonald's and later on got employed at the reformed state church as youth teacher (cathecist).

During my first year studying we had a speaker from the organisation Servants to Asia's Urban Poor, who lived and worked in Manila, Philippines. I was deeply moved to learn about the lives of the poor in this country and how the people from Servants ministered with and lived among them. I got in touch with them and visited them two years later in Manila for one month. Through this visit my interest in joining Servants grew. But there were also times when I was questioning myself, God and my motives. I wrestled and prayed about it for quite some time and also asked a lot of people for advice. Finally I applied to become a full time worker towards the end of my studies, and got accepted after the long application-procedure.

But it still took two more years until I made it to the Philippines after finishing the course at IGW. For another year I joined YWAM with further training on teaching and then spent one more year working as youth teacher in the State church.

Now I'm here in Manila, since July 2004. I don't see it as the final destination or peak of my life. But I'm convinced that it is part of God's plan for me to live and serve here in this season of my life (how long is in God's hands). I simply try to follow Christ on every step of the way and see it as an opportunity to grow closer to Him. I hope that I am being used as a blessing for others despite defeats and victories, in weakness and in strength.

Prayer requests

Our neighborhood of San Roque: That the government doesn't proceed with a forced demolition which would most likely cause violence; for the protection of innocent lives and respect for human rights, that local people would be consulted and their preferences respected and implemented, for me and servants to know how to engage or where to hold back, for wisdom and God's leading.

Simon's music

Music style: melodious acoustic songs with accoustic and classical guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, percussion and vocals

Content: Devotional songs of worship in the form of prayers and poems with a bonus film. The film is about the work of Servants Asia (length 8 minutes). The commentary is in German, but just watching the film and listening to the accompanying song in English is inspiring. The songs focus on our responsibility for the poor and marginalized.

Language: Swiss German dialect, with two songs in Tagalog. Download the English translation.

How to order:

Email Simon at simuf[at]gmx.net
OR Write to:
Simon Fankhauser
c/o Servants Inc.
P.O. Box AC-569
Q.C. 1109, MMLA
Philippines
OR Pick up a copy of the CD (with a payment slip) at the BIEC information table.

The CD was produced by Simon Fankhauser in partnership with Servants to Asia's Poor

Do you want to support Simon or any of our other missionaries? Contact the pastor (Ted Steiner) or any member of the leadership group for more information.