Linario

Today we met with Linario, whose house is one of our weekly Bible studies. His trust, openness, and inquiring of life and of the Bible have left us speechless, especially today. Natalie shared the Bible study on the power of God's Word. Afterwards he asked about idols because he had one in his house and wanted to get rid of it. He wanted us to see it so we followed him inside. We shared scripture about idols along with other situations that he is going through. Pastor Benji, Natalie, and myself left today with tears being shed and in awe of the whole circumstance. Thankful for Linario's desire to know truth from God's Word! We serve a God who is alive, able to see, hear, and understand!

                                                                       Linario

the idol

"They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is their any breath in their mouths." "For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods." (Psalm 135:5, 16-17)

Isabel

This update is tougher to explain but thankful that it is! One of the youth in our house church, Isabel, is 12 years old. She and others have been coming with us on visitation during our weekly Bible studies. This past Thursday, August 21, Isabel invited her friend Bernadette to come with us.

 Junwell (also from our youth), Bernadette, and Isabel.

After a full day of Bible studies with Isabel and Bernadette, Pastor Benji was able to lead Bernadette and her cousin Ralph to the Lord!

Left to Right (Natalie, Isabel, Bernadette, Benji, and Ralph)

On the following day, Friday August 22, Isabel stopped by our place to play uno and brought her friend Bernadette and Lica. While playing, Isabel explained that she had led two of her classmates to the Lord that day and brought Lica for us to share the gospel with. Pastor Benji led Lica to the Lord and all four, Ralph, (pictured left to right: Lica, Isabel, and Bernadette) joined our Friday Bible study that night. 

On Saturday, August 23, we split into two teams. Benji took Isabel and Bernadette to meet a new prospect that one of our believers wanted us to visit. 

While team two hiked to the top of the mountain to share our Bible study. 

John Mark (pictured in white who is one of our young believers) translated for us.

Ralph also joined the hike for the Bible study.

Team Two (pictured left to right: Jason, John Mark, Christie, Joan, Reeza, Ralph, Natalie, Maricel, and Junwell)

Thankful for what God is doing in the hearts of the Filipinos from our house church. "Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can shew forth all His praise?" Psalm 106:2

Remy

On a Saturday morning, Natalie, Benji, and I were on our way to an area called Sabang, which is about a 30 minute motorcycle ride. Not even ten minutes into our ride Benji needed to stop and rest. We pulled into a sari-sari store (comparable to a convenient store but in front of someone's house). While we were waiting Natalie and I started reviewing and practicing our Tagalog with each other. A few minutes later the owner of the house, Remy, walked up. She carried on a conversation with Benji and I knew the Lord was leading me to share with her. I asked her if she knew where she would spend eternity and she said no but that she thought her good works would be enough for heaven. She willingly allowed us to share and accepted Christ. As we were leaving she said to us, "Thank you for bringing Jesus to my family." While there our countless needs here in the Philippines I am convinced their greatest need is Jesus. "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (II Corinthians 9:15)

                    Pastor Benji and Remy

Gatas / Tinapay

In tagalog the word "gatas" means milk and "tinapay" means bread. In our Bible studies we have repeatedly mentioned how the Word of God is milk to newborn believers. Some of the believers have questioned why we mention some of the same verses over and over again.  "As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."( I Peter 2:2) In addition, "But He answered and said, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) During our Bible studies before reading a verse we wait until everyone finds it and they all pass highlighters around. Friday we visited Rudy's house. He recently hasn't been there due to working; however, his daughter-in-law Joy greets us every time. She walked out of her house with her Bible to meet us in our usual spot under a shady tree. I noticed right away that her Bible looked a little different this time. She created hand-made tabs to locate the chapters more easily. She took the time to make these tabs out of simple paper and tape. Even though it was a small gesture I was excited to see that her time with God's Word was important. Even at our Bible study last night we've noticed that we are having to help less and less to find where the books of the Bible are. "Finally my brethren rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious but for you it is safe." (Philippians 3:1)

Handmade tabs

 Joy with her Bible

Papandayan Elementary School

I apologize about the lack of updates. I have been finishing the coursework for my internship requirements for my Masters program. A big shout out to my kasama, kaibigan, kapatid, Natalie Hannah, for putting up with me during this time and also coming to the rescue when my laptop charger died. Without her I would not have been able to finish! 

As previously mentioned, Natalie and I have been serving at an elementary school every Tuesday. We have been able to share the gospel as well as do Bible studies with them. We have taught the students so far about creation, the trinity, and the importance of the Word of God. Recently, several of you have been in prayer with us about the concern if we would even be able to stay and teach at the school because of arising issues. We are thrilled to say that God has answered our prayer and we will be able to continue teaching! "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Natalie with her students learning about the different days of creation. 

 I gave my students the challenge to memorize John 3:16 and the following week they were able to recite it in front of the class!