Update, March 22, 2008 Loakan, Antamok

We had a good trip across the mountains to Loakan, Antamok this morning. It was a trip over some pretty rough roads and the car took a beating, but seemed to do well. It is a small gold mining village, which because it is a bit hard to get to, is rather small and quiet. We were able to hand out several tracts and Emmaus correspondence courses on salvation to folks along the street as well as to the contacts that we have there.

Some of you may remember a couple of months ago Wini Mata, one of the elders at the assembly at Navy Base hit a young child who had to be hospitalized for over a month. Well, as it turns out, this family is where we had the short bible study, and they have become our contact family in Antamok. As of yet none of the family has made a profession of faith, but they have welcomed us with open arms and are very happy to have bible studies in their home.

We met with the Barrangay Captain of the town to get permission to hold a VBS program there in May, and to return for a puppet show at a later date. The town seems to be open to it. Please pray for souls to be saved.

The message on Good Friday went well, for which we thank the Lord, the gospel was presented and challenges given. We trust the Lord will use it for His glory.

Thank you for praying for us and our trip. The Lord kept us safe and kept the car running well….



A take-home Gift.

March 22, 2008 Pics Loakan, Antamok Continued

The only smooth section of single lane road.

The road was quite rough for several miles. Which made for slow going.

Those who attended the short bible study, among them some of the saints from Navy
Base.

Heading into Antamok

Update, March 21, 2008

It has been a busy week, and next week proves to be full as well. We had a visit from two of our language teachers from Manila this past week. It was quite a helpful time in our study of Ilokano, for which we thank the Lord. That language is coming along painfully slow, but it is much what we expected. Currently Aunt Rose Brooks is up for a visit and a much needed rest.

Yesterday we had our second bible study in Fatima. They are quite pleased to have us coming and the study went well. There were not so many in attendance, as it is a holiday here, but we were encouraged, and we pray that they were also encouraged by the Word of our blessed Lord.

Today (Friday) we have a special meeting at the chapel where the seven last words of Christ on the Cross will be remembered. Several of the men will participate in the reading and explanation of the various texts. Then I will be giving a short message concerning the crucifixion of our blessed Lord.

Saturday several of us will be traveling over the mountains to a new outreach about 45 minutes away. Please be praying for the salvation of souls and the beginning of a new bible study in this area.

Sunday morning we have a sunrise service scheduled for 5 am, followed by a breaking of bread, breakfast, and then the regular schedule of meetings. I will be speaking at the sunrise service and Winie Mata will be speaking at the regular meeting. Please be praying that those who visit this Sunday may be moved by the Spirit and convicted of their need for a Savior.

The assembly in Baguio Gold has expressed interest in having a mini bible school there beginning in April. Thank you for praying. The elders believe that a consecutive Sunday afternoon schedule will work best for them. So beginning April 13 and each following Lord’s Day we will be teaching there. Please keep this in your prayers as well.

We head down to Manila on Monday for Joyce’s procedure and biopsy. Please keep her in your prayers. Whatever the outcome of the biopsy we know the faithfulness of our Lord. Pray for safety as we travel, and for wisdom for the doctors. We will send along another update when we have further information regarding Joyce.

Thank you all for your prayers!! We see the results in the lives of men and women, and in our own lives as well.

Update, March 10, 2008

Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and glorious Savior.

We enjoyed a good and encouraging Lord’s Day yesterday. I believe we are already beginning to experience the fruit of the Men’s breakfast studies at the Breaking of Bread, for which we give thanks to the Lord. It was a sweet time yesterday morning as several of the men shared on the wonder of the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God.

Thank you for your prayers regarding the new study down in Fatima which began last Friday afternoon. We were very much encouraged by seeing ten women who attended the study, for which we thank the Lord. I spoke mostly in Tagalog, but am quickly realizing that I must use more English and more Ilokano for this study as many of them are not fluent in Tagalog. Continue to pray that we may see fruit for His glory as a result of this study. They need much encouragement down in Fatima as they have experienced some deep disappointments over the course of the last year. This study will be each Friday afternoon at 2 PM and is designed to encourage the women living in that area. Some who attend are not saved, so please be praying that the Lord would use these times to bring conviction and salvation into their lives. There is also another new study which will begin this coming Saturday in the same area. Winie, one of the elders in the assembly at Navy Base will be teaching this study. It will be in the home of one who just came to know Christ a couple of weeks ago as we distributed tracts in that area. Pray for her and her family that all may come to know Christ as Savior and Lord!

This coming week I will be speaking down in Baguio Gold. They have asked that I take both the Sunday School hour as well as the Bible hour. We have offered to teach an Evening Bible School for them in April, so be praying that the Lord would use these times to encourage and build up His precious saints there.

The work of the Lord at Navy Base continues to be a constant source of encouragement to my soul. The saints are all so committed to the Lord and to His work and much activity for the Lord is going on through outreaches, though edification of the saints and children’s works. What a blessing it is to me to simply be around these dear saints. They have encouraged my soul over and over again.

Please continue to pray for Joyce. Evidently the doctors have seen in her mammogram and ultra sound something they did not like. So although the first problem has been resolved we are now looking at another. We will need to make another trip to Manila in the next couple of weeks and Joyce will be admitted into the hospital for some more extensive testing. Please keep her in your prayers.

Thank you all so much for your love and prayers. We are strengthened and encouraged by the Lord as a result.

Update, March 3, 2008

Greetings to you all. We had to make a run to Manila this past week as Joyce had developed a bit of a problem and we had to visit with the doctors. The biopsy was negative, for which we praise the Lord, but she will still require some surgery in the next few weeks. We will be calling the doctor today for results from further tests, and for the scheduling of her surgery.

I will be beginning a new bible study down in Fatima this coming Friday. The saints there requested it, and we were more than happy to help. Pray with us that the Lord would use this time to encourage them in their walk with Him.

Saturday morning at 5 AM is our second men’s breakfast study. We will be continuing to look at Worship, using A.P. Gibbs book, “Worship the Christian’s Highest Occupation” Then on the Lord’s day I will be speaking at Navy Base.

I was down visiting with one of the remaining elders from Baguio Gold yesterday and I know they are struggling a bit. So please keep them in your prayers. I have offered to teach an Evening Bible School there in April if they desire it. So we will wait to see what the Lord will open up there. I have been asked to come again and share the word this month as well, so it is becoming a monthly event, which is an answer to prayer for me. There is a real need down there, and we are praying how we might help them. Please be praying with us.