An update from Palawan:
During the time I was able to post a week ago, the baptized members of the church, including 9 my of high school students, went to a two week Bible training school in the lowlands up on by AFM’s Pilipino sister Philippine Frontier Missions. The president of the organization presented wonderful lectures and messages to a our members covering topics such as Spiritual Warfare, approaching people, and Bible study training, all within a cultural context. During church last week we were able to hear the testimonies from attendees about what had happened and what they had learned, but most importantly we’ve heard from many that they rededicated their lives to Christ. Two people in particular that were answers to prayer: Sublitu, a one-time strong, on fire worker for Christ who had backslidden into old gambling habits and become a stranger to church participation. After returning, one of the missionaries went to visit him on Sunday, market and gambling day, he told them that he wanted to stay home, keeping him far away from temptation. Praise God! Secondly Miuget, a rowdy and energetic teenager who was baptized last spring was reluctant to attend after not being in church for the past 2 months. Upon the last day before the meeting began both of these men ask if they could still go. This is certainly an answer too many prayers. Miuget stood up in church and told everyone of how the two weeks affected him for the good. A little bit about Miuget: He is the only teenage Christian boy in my village and in his time of admitted wavering from the straight and narrow, he would avoid me at all cost. Since his return he has come to my house nearly every night to talk and befriend me in any way he can.
God is moving among His people here in Kementiyan.
All the people who went to the Bible training classes are now leading out in a week of prayer. In the mornings, before school this week we’ve decided to delay school for a time prayer. After a short message from one of our church leaders the student have broke off into groups of 2-3 and prayed both for personal revival and for the church as a whole. Our high school students and elementary school teachers are stepping into the leadership roles. They have caught a glimpse of the potential of the gospel in this valley and they are working together to make that vision a reality.
Please join us in prayer as we push forward with the cross of Jesus leading the way.
Next week, we will be having our annual Christmas Program. This event draws attention and people from although out the valley. Regularly, our little village at its busiest on market day might have about 50 people in it, but during this program last year, there were more than 200 people. All of these people, believer and non-believers alike, will watch two plays put on by the students. The first will be the elementary students, portraying the life work of Christ, from birth to resurrection. Second, will be the high school’s play, a culturally contextual modern day Christmas story. This event is a reason for much prayer. The fire that is burning our hearts and in the hearts of our students and teachers, we pray, will spread throughout the hearts of the people who attend our program this year.
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year
