Prayer team,

Thank you for your effective work, praying for my trip to the Philippines.  
God worked in special ways:
1)  He virtually immediately established a strong rapport between me and my Filipino brothers and sisters.
  • Driving from the airport, I spent about three hours talking with Gilbert.  I was impressed with his faith, his desire to plant churches and evangelize and his ability to build a evangelistic team.  I have no doubt that he is the Filipino partner that I desired.
  • Very early on, the believers there were telling me things like, “When you leave, we will miss you.”  “When can you come back?”  “You are easy to understand, not like some other foreigners.”
  • As my time went on, we developed an even greater bond.  
2)  Partnership is very practical and valuable.  I was able to supply many “conversation starters” that can lead to strengthening Christ’s kingdom there.

  • We are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:8, 26-29; Genesis 12:1-3) and are to be funnels of God’s blessings (the knowledge of Jesus is the premier blessing) to the world.  Filipino’s are on the front row in this because they are already spread out working throughout the whole world.
  • The present and active work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and in the work of evangelism.
  • The importance of generosity (and tithing) in the life of a believer & for the sake of the kingdom.  One person told me in a group conversation, “They never taught us to tithe.”
  • I noticed that the vast majority of church attenders were women.  In discussion with Gilbert – he has determined to study this and discover the reasons why so we can present the gospel in a way that challenges men more effectively.
Our Lord is responsible for all of these quality heart connections.  And he did it in answer to your prayers.  I am grateful to you and for you.

 
I am so thankful for the way Laura keeps you “in the loop.”  She’s great.
 
for Jesus’ sake, Tom