November '08 Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Romans 1:8 and Philippians 1:3 (NKJV) come to mind as I think of you now. They say “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” And, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” During this American Thanksgiving time, Mary Ann and I thank God for salvation in Jesus Christ, the privilege of serving Him, the soon to be 23 years in the Philippines with ACTION and for each of you, our dear senders. In these uncertain days globally, we are grateful and count our blessings one by one. The following are answers to prayer and requests for more prayer because we are totally dependant on God for His provision, wisdom, strength and joy as we serve Him day by day.

1. EVANGELISTIC CHRISTMAS PARTY MINISTRY
To date, we have 63 parties scheduled throughout Metro Manila and surrounding provinces which will be starting next week. Pray that God will be glorified, many will turn from sin and trust the Savior, our partner churches and agencies will be prepared to receive and assist their new brothers and sisters in Christ and for our little Street Impact Team that we would serve with joy during this hectic time of the year. We thank God for funds that are coming in both from abroad and locally for this wonderful opportunity to share with people the Reason for this season.

2. BOOKS PROVIDED FOR KALIBO, AKLAN
We have requested prayer in order to assist in providing elementary school books for 2 schools in Kalibo that lost all their text books in June due to typhoon Frank. Over $5,000 has been provided and we will distribute the books on December 10 in cooperation with Pastor Johnny Gallos of New Assemblies of God Church. We will also be presenting the Gospel during this occasion so pray that many students, their parents and school personnel will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

3. FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN
Some people have been requesting information as to how they can help ACTION Philippines get food from FMSC. Refer to our current hardcopy “Yes, Lord!” newsletter which you will be receiving soon. It was mailed from the USA office on Wednesday. Pray that we can work a few kinks out of the process of getting food from Eagan, MN to our office in Manila in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Churches continue to ask for food and are seeing the positive results of using this vitamin packed product.

4. CHILDREN IN CRISIS VIDEO
Adam Hussey and I along with Kaagapay Video Ministry have worked hard and well together in writing the script and shooting footage for this video showing our Lord’s work through ACTION among children in crisis around the world. We are hoping to send it to the USA office December 19 via a traveler. Pray that God will be glorified and Christ front and center as we present the plight of children in crisis and how you can partner with ACTION through prayer, funding or actually joining our teams around the world in ministry to them.

5. 180° ALLIANCE
This past week our team hosted and coordinated the schedule of 2 guests from the 180° Alliance ministry which we helped start in 2005. Ian and Sarah are from the UK and they are helping us evaluate and improve our ministries to street kids in partnership with churches and agencies. In mid-January we will be receiving a student from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA, who will research our ministry to street children and how we can mobilize local churches in joining us. Praise’s research will then be used to draw up a model which others around the world can look at and possibly use in their context. Pray for us as we seek to improve our ministries to street children and their families alongside the local church.

6. YOUNG ADULTS GETTING INVOLVED
We have been encouraged to have several young adults, both college students and post-college, who have come or will be coming to serve with us for an extended time who are each seeking the Lord for His leading in long-term service. Our desire is to see a new generation of global Christians raised up by the Lord and recruit them to serve the Lord of the harvest according to His will whether that is with ACTION, another organization or in their home church. We are greatly encouraged by the high quality of these young people and their passion to know and serve the Lord and get involved in the Great Commission. I praise God for Mary Ann’s ability to encourage them and walk them through this life-changing process.

7. MARY ANN’S DESIRE FOR A BIBLE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
Every morning at 4am almost without fail, as I’m going out running, Mary Ann reads her Bible for an hour or more. She passionately studies her Bible and I see the Lord at work in transforming her more and more into the image of Christ and the fruit He is producing through her in the lives of many. Over the years she has told me how much she really wants to get a Bible certificate but we just have not had the funds, the time or opportunity. Her desire came up again the other day and with tears in her eyes she told me how she would like to get a one or two year certificate. This desire in not going away, it is only intensifying. She has looked into the online programs offered by Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN, Liberty University in Lynchberg, VA and also Master’s College in Sta Clarita, CA. I gave Mary Ann permission to pursue this but she’ll be like any other working student needing to carry on with her ministry responsibilities while she studies and she is very willing to do this if the Lord provides the means. So I am asking you to pray about this and send us your thoughts.

8. SPEAKING THIS SUNDAY
I have the privilege to speak at a special service this Sunday at the Camp Aguinaldo Evangelical Church, a long time partner church in ministry to street children. Joining us will be street kids and their families from a nearby intersection who are involved in weekly Bible studies and worship services on the street corner and the core group of a church plant which will be starting in January in a nearby slum community. My message will be called “Living as Servants” so pray as we worship the Lord together and I preach the Word. Many of these kids and adults are the fruit of previous years’ Christmas parties, Fish and Bread Feeding Programs, camps, street outreach and medical clinics.

9. AMOS & MICAH
Continue to pray for Amos as he is wrapping up his graduate work and looking into job opportunities. His graduate studies have been a long haul and he has stayed focused, determined to finish. Pray that he finishes well and first and foremost seeks the Lord for his next step in life. We continue to thank God for Trinity Baptist Church and their ministry to Amos and his friends.

We communicate with Micah regularly and she is doing well by God’s grace. She recently learned that their replacement unit will be in place taking over their responsibilities in late July. Pray for John Mark and Micah as they also communicate regularly and continue to grow in their relationship and prepare for marriage next year.

CLOSING: LIVING LARGE
I have been studying 2 Corinthians over the past several weeks and the other day read 5:15 which says, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (NKJV). “Living Large” is a common expression which means something like living the good life, enjoying lots of creature comforts and as I like to say “stylin’ and high profilin’.” But according to Paul living large means living for the Risen Christ and who or what can be bigger than Him and His purposes?! Mary Ann and I along with Amos and Micah arrived in the Philippines December 5, 1985 and we have not looked back. December 21 we will have been married 29 years and we have not regretted going to the altar together that day at Edina Baptist Church which is now Grace Church Eden Prairie in Minnesota. The Lord has provided all our needs and then some and our hearts are full of thankfulness to Him and you! That in my opinion, and I think Paul’s, is Living Large. To God be all the glory.