11/15/07

9-minute Missions Video (just uploaded)

We just uploaded a new video, which shows how the move of God is changing lives among young people in the Philippines.

There are 3 real-life stories in this short video clip; but there are hundreds more that the gospel is reaching every single day.

So thank you for your help; and for your prayers in supporting Bambi and I in this ready mission field. We acknowledge and praise God for your partnership together with us.

11/9/07

5 more souls are baptized into Christ


Paul and Beth - Young couple, both employed at Coke. (Their 2 pre-school sons also love being in church.)

Joana and Venna - High school girls who came to know God during Bible studies held on their school campus. Although they are from non-Christian homes, both of their fathers saw the changes in their lives and endorsed their conversion to the Lord Jesus.

Lito: was introduced to Jesus by the home cell group he attends each week.

Tim's New Teaching Series

Many new people are being saved and added to the church, so we came up with this idea to teach through some of the "reasons" why we do what we do as Christians.  Things like why we commit, serve, love, give, forgive and so on.  I have no idea how long this series will last, but we're praying that God will speak to His people and lay the right foundations in their lives for an amazing year of growth ahead.
 

11/7/07

10/31/07

Theme for '08

Each year, around this time (end of Oct/ first of Nov), I begin seeking the Lord for a "theme" or direction for the Philippine church for the upcoming year. It just seems that that's been the leading of the Lord for our mission work through the years. The theme sort of provides an overall direction and alignment with what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and through our mission work and the Filipino congregation that we shepherd.

What's exciting is that every year, the Lord guides us (corporately) into another level of what He has in store for that year. Most of the preachings, teachings, and life stories that surface throughout the year are expressions and applications of that mission theme. And it is so powerful and life-changing when the Holy Spirit is the one in the "drivers seat" of our ministry.

Some of the past few years' themes were:

2002 - Holiness
2003 - Grow Fruitful - Be Helpful
2004 - Raising the Standard
2005 - Change Your Life - Change Your World
2006 - It's Not About Me. It's All About Jesus
2007 - Expect More
2008 - ???

Bambi and I ask for your prayers, especially right now. Pray that God's will become so clear and His voice so distinct, as we seek Him in desperation for His specific direction and agenda for the upcoming year. Pray that our sowing into the lives of many Filipinos will be strategic and productive for the explosion of His Kingdom purposes.
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* Note:
Interestingly enough, it was during this "seeking" the Lord's will and direction for '03 that God put Bambi on my heart, and led me to initiate contact with her. I had met her several years before on a mission trip to Palawan Island, but had no intention of ever getting married. With each pray for the church in San Fernando, God seemed to be speaking to me about her. A strange and unexpected response. But, boy am I glad that God brought Bambi into my life!

10/22/07

Children's Material donated

Some years ago, we were given a good discount for the purchase of some children's Sunday school material. It has been really useful to our ministry with the kids in the Philippines. The teachers have been very effective in using these resources; but we really need more.

Last week, I sent a fax to the company who publishes this material thanking them for sending us those materials before; and asked if they could do it again.

Praise God. A few days later, they sent us several boxes of children's curriculum for free: everything that we asked for. The worth of what we recieved is close to $800; and once again, God proves that He provides generously and can do more than we can ever ask or even think.

10/21/07

Multimedia message

Bambi and Brandy at the theatre, watching the play entitled "Funny Girl". Encore!

10/20/07

Awesome Doctors

I was just thinking about how incredible the doctors are in Texas.

Coming through that hemorrhoid surgery miraculously without pain, was all God's favor and healing; but I just really felt like I was getting the treatment from some of the best medical professionals around.

Dr. John Mason, who performed the surgey was so good. He explained everything very well. And his staff works with excellence. Tanya, his office manager, bent over backwards working with me to squeeze me in his busy schedule, so that we could quickly return to the Philippines. His nurse, Carla, and office staff Olivia were likewise so good.

Bambi and I have each had both of our eyes restored to excellent vision through the laser surgery of Dr. Mark Coffman. And as I mentioned before, his office is run very well too. Bonnie, a long-time family friend who has worked for Dr. Coffman for years, is excellent in her work and people skills. It made the whole experience pleasurable and assuring.

Somehow, Bambi and I feel like we are in great health now. We feel like we've been fine-tuned or precisely calibrated. Especially me; I feel so much better now than before.

Thank you, God, for the good health and strength that we need to continue our work in the Philippines. We continue to rely on your protection. Amen.

10/15/07

DanDaddy Warden

DanDaddy Warden: www.dandaddy.com

Brazos County Chaplain

Realtor

10/4/07

Bambi with 20/20 Vision

Bambi's laser eye surgery is successful. Great vision now in both eyes. Thank you, Jesus! Thank u Dr. Coffman!

10/2/07

Favor of God

God is so amazing!!!

1. fare going to USA were paid by the McLeods
2. fare going to California were paid by the Nabuas
3. For tim's eye the doctor's fee was free
4. For Bambi's lasik evaluation the doctor's fee was free
5. Bambi's lasik surgery is free at first it's only 1 eye but after the doctor's
evaluation he will do both eyes for free.
6. We are all overwhelmed by the medical expenses for tim's hemorrhoidal surgery worth $4,000 & more.And the mere fact that Dr Mason scheduled him the 10th of Oct for consultation. But God made a way. He is all the time on TIME.He made appoint that we see Dr Coffman Monday Oct 1,'07 for my lasik evaluation which also lead the way for Dr Coffman to talk to Tim & refer him to Dr Mason & actually called him to squeeze in Tim before we left the Philippines.Thank you for using Dr Coffman 1
7.Dr Mason will do 2 surgeries for Tim for the hemorrhoids & fissures for free.Hallelujah!
8. The anesthesiologist said 50% discount but hopefully thwy will do it for goodwill-free.
9. Mother spoiled us with lots of clothes. She bought us plenty of clothes.Thank you father God for these very good quality clothes!
10. Thank you for those plenty of free stuff: books,clothes ,shoes,toys & other stuff for the mission in the Philppines & also our families there.
11.thank you Father God! We are blessed because of Jesus not our own good works or whatever.Thank u Jesus ! Thank u Holy Spirit!
12. Thank you for your favor!

10/1/07

Bambi to have Lasik

Tim and Bambi both had to have their eye checked-out. Tim was a bit blurry in one eye, but Dr. Coffman said it's best not to have any further surgery done, so as not to jeopardize the good close-up vision he has, and to avoid the need for reading glasses.

Bambi on the other hand, has really poor vision in both eyes and will be having Lasik surgery in both eyes. The best part about this blessing is that Dr. coffman is doing the surgery at no charge. Praise th Lord for this awesome provision!

In case you didn't know, Dr. Mark Coffman runs the Texas Regional Eye Center. He is a truly humble man of God. An amazing doctor with a full-page of awarded credentials. And we've never ceased to be awed by his professionalism, and the way their business takes care of their patients. Aside from that, he has bent over backwards to care, support and pray for us.

9/28/07

Meridon Warden

Mom at the computer.
Tech-savvy.

Bambi Asleep

Thank God for plenty of "beauty rest" while visiting Texas. No wonder she is so pretty.

Bambi's Niece in Palawan

Aleona - a happy baby. But watch what happens when she get's sleepy and refuses to go to bed!


9/27/07

We'll be going to Southern California to visit some of our members who have recently migrated to the US.