It was great to have a new family from our route come to church for the first time! Not only did they come but they drove themselves and came on a Sunday night, which is rare. We have been visiting them for months now and have enjoyed several good discussions about the Bible. The father is Catholic but has been very open to hearing the Gospel. What a tremendous joy to see him walk through the door with his wife and son! After months of planting seeds he finally came! That can only be the Lord! Please pray that this man and his family would receive Christ as their Savior!
Calling Home
Thanks to modern technology our family could share a small part in Faith Bible Baptist’s missions conference this year. Our pastor and home church called through skype to check in with us and let us know that they are praying for our family. We had a lot of laughs and shed a few tears as we talked with our friends and loved ones. It brought back so many memories and challenged us to continue serving the Lord here in Cebu. We aren’t running this race alone, others are watching and that’s just one of the reasons why we must press on. Each of us touches a life and those same people, both saved and lost, need to see the Lord work in our lives! I know it was an encouragement for me to see the same faces still in church and excited about their missions conference! Hebrews 12:1-2, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
Family Park
The Kids from Our Route
After a little competition, the church took the children who had been faithful during the month of September to Family Park. The park was a special treat for the kids where they could see monkeys, rabbits, birds, and goats. It was also an experience for us Americans who are used to seeing these animals separated and in their own exhibits. At one point a monkey was given a banana and immediately a group of ducks swarmed under his cage, trying to snatch a bite. Frustrated, the monkey started smacking the ducks in the head! I had never seen anything like that in a petting zoo before! Just another moment that said, “Welcome to the Philippines.” It was a great day where we got to show the kids that Christians can have good wholesome fun in this increasingly sinful world.
Elizabeth’s Birthday
This past Friday we celebrated my wife’s birthday! Her first birthday in our new home. It has been a blessing to see the Lord provide for both our needs and even our desires. My wife loves classical music and even though there’s no orchestra here in Cebu I was able to take her to a restaurant where a small group plays beautiful music. We had no sooner sat down when they started to play Elizabeth’s favorite song. I was surprised to see tears in her eyes but I could tell they were happy tears. I guess I did good! :) In a time when she was missing her family and friends the Lord blessed her and made her birthday even more special. It may seem simple but to my wife it was a sweet blessing. I am thankful for my wife and best friend! Happy birthday dear!