Back in the Swing of Things...

Greetings from Tacloban City, Philippines!

After almost 1 year away from our work, we are back and attempting to get back into the swing of things. We're so grateful for Tate Springs family who helped us get through those difficult months.

In our absence, God has been at work

Praise the Lord for our Journeyman, Naomi, the Youth Hostel Missions Volunteer Team, the 2 Nehemiah Teams we had the whole summer, and the ISF sports volunteer team who were here for a week.

Praise God for how he has blessed the work here and for the team he has given us;

• Naomi, our journeyman for the last 2 years has finished her term and returned home. We miss her greatly. She was a God-send to be here to take over this last year when emergencies in Carl’s family called him back to the US for an extended time.
• The 2 Nehemiah Teams that served this summer have returned to the US and are now in debriefing. The result of these 2 teams in our area are: Dolores River – 44 decisions and 9 baptized. Oras River – 142 decisions to accept Christ as their personal savior. Praise the Lord!!!
• The Youth Hostel Missions team spent 2 weeks on the Dolores River working in 2 barangays (villages) and as a result, there are believers being followed up with Bible studies by members from the Aroganga Community church.
• The International Sports Federation volunteers spent a week in Ormoc working in 2 elementary schools and 1 high school, building bridges and strengthening relationships for Ormoc Lighthouse Christian Ministries Church to follow-up through Pastor Vince.
• Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of Silas and Lorie, and Jun and Daisy, living in Arroganga, E. Samar. They will be the ones to follow-up the results on the Dolores River.
• A special thanks to the Lord for his watch-care over the believers in Denigpi`-an, where Carl had worked so much last year, following-up the work and training the leaders. During November last year, news reached us that the husband of one of our strongest leaders, Sister Monica, died after being bitten by a cobra. Praise the Lord she is still standing strong in her faith, even in spite of persecution from others in the village. Many people have been telling her that her husband died because of their involvement in this “new religion” and their reading the Bible all the time now. But, praise the Lord, she has consistently refuted their accusations and is continuing to “stand her ground” and remain strong in her faith. She helped lead this year’s Nehemiah team to others in her village who needed to hear the Gospel.

Now that we’re back

As we get settled back in to the work that God has for us to do here, we desperately need your prayer support:

For our Ministry

• PRAY for Pastors Silas and Jun as they follow-up results on the Dolores River.
• PRAY for Carl as he sets up a schedule to go back up the Oras River to follow-up the results there in 4 different villages. PRAY for a “Timothy” to go with Carl as he travels.
• PRAY for the new believers who were baptized and those who have not been baptized to continue to study and to be obedient to God’s Word. Pray specifically for those living in Minap-os, Balingasag, Cag-tuog, Cag-dine, Jicontol, Sta. Cruz, Osmena, Denigpi-an, and Dampigan.
• PRAY for clear direction for our ministry that we will be intentional and hear God speaking.
• PRAY for God to send forth workers for His harvest field. Specifically PRAY for 2 journeyman to take Naomi’s place working on the Oras River. PRAY for more volunteers to join us in short term projects in prayer, evangelism, and discipleship.

For our Family:

• PRAY for Sean. He is returning to boarding school for his Junior year. After the great experience in the US, making friends (especially one “special” girlfriend) and being with family, it will be difficult for him to get settled back into the dorm with 16 other guys and at school at FAITH Academy.
• PRAY for Melody as she transfers to Liberty University to pursue a degree in Graphic design. Pray for close friends & good relationships as she enters a new school.
• PRAY for Carl & Claire as they continue to teach at Faith Academy and raise adequate support to stay on the field.
• PRAY for Steven & Rachel as they begin their married life and look for jobs.
• PRAY for John & Gleynnda as Gleynnda seeks to be accepted into SC Highway Patrol training and John continues a Masters of Ministry at Anderson University.
• PRAY for Sam & Bekah as they continue to serve God where they live and work and seek ways to be involved in building the kingdom.
• PRAY for continuing settlement of business matters related to Carl’s mom & brother’s death..

You are all our partners as we work together to see His Kingdom come among the Waray-Waray of Leyte and Samar and the Cebuanos of Leyte. Thank you for your continued prayer for us and our people groups.

In His Service,

Carl & Suzie & family