Friday, November 09, 2007
November Newsletter Text
Hey, it has been a few weeks since I last sent a newsletter, the last one I sent was in September. As you know, I was home for a visit during the month of October. I was able to travel to Vancouver, to Saskatchewan and to Pennsylvania in the USA. It was a good time to rest and to reconnect with my spiritual roots; something that is important when you feel a little isolated at times being so far away from home. I was encouraged and strengthened and enjoyed fellowship with many people. I did not send a newsletter in October because I figured that you would probably run in to me or see me when I was back. I have been back here in the Philippines for a few days now... still seem to be having trouble getting over jetlag and getting myself back into the swing of things though. While I was travelling I was able to visit and share with a handful of churches about what is going on here in the Philippines, which led me to put the verse at the top from 1 Peter. Just realized afresh that we are not each building our own house; that the church surrounded by corn fields in the middle of Pennsylvania dutch country is a part of what God is doing here in the Philippines and vise versa.
We have had a team here for a few days since getting back. There was about eight people visiting from another church on the east coast. They had some real insight into the ministry and were an encouragement and a challenge to all the leadership. The pastors that came on the trip have visited the Philippines several times and so were quite aware of all that God has been doing in Agdao in the past years and are aware of some of the real needs that we have.
It has been wonderful to come back to see things running quite well after being away for a month. I think that this is a testament to the quality local leadership that we have. There is a real spirit of discipleship and restoration right now. Today one of youth who had been having some real struggles returned from an internship program in the north. He had been working with a home for battered women as a grounds keeper and a guard. When he left he was really struggling with sin and with several other deep hurts in his life. Today when I saw him there was joy and there was peace in his eyes. As he shared in devotions I was just amazed at God's faithfulness in his life.
I guess the hilight of my return would have to be stepping in the gate and have some of the kids run up to me and give me a hug. I really missed that! Well, I am running out of space here. I'd like you to continue to pray for all of us here. Please pray for:
We have had a team here for a few days since getting back. There was about eight people visiting from another church on the east coast. They had some real insight into the ministry and were an encouragement and a challenge to all the leadership. The pastors that came on the trip have visited the Philippines several times and so were quite aware of all that God has been doing in Agdao in the past years and are aware of some of the real needs that we have.
It has been wonderful to come back to see things running quite well after being away for a month. I think that this is a testament to the quality local leadership that we have. There is a real spirit of discipleship and restoration right now. Today one of youth who had been having some real struggles returned from an internship program in the north. He had been working with a home for battered women as a grounds keeper and a guard. When he left he was really struggling with sin and with several other deep hurts in his life. Today when I saw him there was joy and there was peace in his eyes. As he shared in devotions I was just amazed at God's faithfulness in his life.
I guess the hilight of my return would have to be stepping in the gate and have some of the kids run up to me and give me a hug. I really missed that! Well, I am running out of space here. I'd like you to continue to pray for all of us here. Please pray for:
- God's annointing
- Wisdom for our leadership as we set the direction for the coming year
- God's continued financial provision for the 2008 budget
- For God to bring people to his kingdom
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