Our group, for twelve days, have gone three different ways, taking our ministry to different parts of the Philippines. One group went further south in Mindanao to the largest city on the island, Davao. A second group went by ferry to a beautiful island north of Mindanao called Bohol. We are a part of the third group, which returned to the City of Iligan. That is why I haven’t been able to write or post additional pictures. We have not had any free time nor did I know where to find an internet cafe until recently, and, unfortunately, I came today without my memory stick full of pictures.
This morning I preached at the same church I preached at the first time we came to Iligan. Tara and I both spoke and we enjoyed sharing about God’s desire to see strong families. It seems that God continues to provide opportunities for us to share His word and purpose for families. It begins in Genesis 1, with God ordaining marriage, and we see God’s desire and purpose in strong, unified families, built upon the foundation of God’s word, throughout His word. It is no small thing that four times in Deuteronomy God encourages parents to teach their children His commands. As you know, God doesn’t waste His time repeating things.
The community of believers in Iligan believes that it holds the keys to helping see the gospel of Christ advanced throughout the entire island of Mindanao (and then on to Indonesia, which is just next door and which happens to be the largest Islamic nation in the world). There is a great desire to see reconciliation across the island and the hearts of Muslims impacted by the love of Jesus Christ. Please pray for the unity of the believers here, the pastors, the churches, and of all the families of Christians. As they come together in unity, the hope to see this entire island impacted will become reality.
I spoke at a pastors’ dawn prayer breakfast Saturday morning. It was an honor, but also a difficult time because the message was about the importance of unity. It is a difficult thing, because there are at least three “groups” of pastors in the city and they are finding it difficult to come together.
We love it here. God has blessed us with so many opportunities to share His word with so many. Tara had the joy of sharing God’s love with a 35-year old and her 16-year old daughter, who was a brand new mom herself, and leading them both to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Seeing generations of new believers is so rewarding. Similarly, I sat with a 69-year old man (Rogelio) on the street curb. When he told me that he was Catholic and that he could never “switch religions” because his mother had taught him long ago that a real man doesn’t do that, I told him that I didn’t come to bring a new religion, simply to share the love and good news of Jesus Christ. Immediately the walls came down. It was amazing. He told me he didn’t know if he’d go to heaven or not, but when he learned that he could be assured of his salvation and still be a Catholic, he was amazed and overjoyed. He cried as he accepted Jesus.
There are some amazing Christian families with generous, hospitable hearts who are making it possible for us to stay here and who are making our stay comfortable and safe. Thank you again for your prayers. God is answering them. Please keep remembering us. And thank you for praying for our health. Both Keaton and I had to go to the doctor ultimately and are now on antibiotics and other medicines. I began feeling normal for the first time in almost two weeks yesterday.