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Some new developments to report from the team of Project Philippines:
* Thirteen precious souls were baptized last week at the village of Carigara, representing an almost 50 percent increase in their numbers. What a blessing! This is the young ‘house church’ led by bro. Nonoy Rotairo, the energetic 81-year-old who was baptized by Charlie Sabado. Several of the LCC teachers whom you help support, especially Charlie, have lent a vital hand to this young congregation, traveling there every week and providing much-needed assistance, advice and helping to evangelize the community. This culminated last Thursday morning in the baptisms of 13 new brethren. We rejoice with this big growth for this small congregation which numbered only about 25 to 30 before. Bible studies also are continuing in Sante Fe and it is hoped a similar fruit will be borne there.
* We've engaged a noted, competent architect to design the first building at the new LCC property as well as plan for all future development. Jose Dureza has worked on many important high-profile building projects in the Philippines (including the famous Leyte Park Hotel here in Taclocan), as well as other parts of the world. He lived in the U.S. for 20 years, working on projects in New York and New Jersey. He also designed buildings at the International Airport in Yemen. He was here for 3 days last week with our teammate Sammy Sinco who will oversee our building project, and they examined the new LCC property and helped us dream. Mr. Dureza has some great ideas for our property and we look forward to seeing his first drafts in the next few months. First, we must complete a new survey of the property as well as a topographical study.
* Final exams will be held in just two weeks here at LCC. It's hard for us to believe, but the first academic school year at Leyte Christian College is drawing to an end. We give thanks to God as well as to you, our great supporters, for this opportunity to train young men up to preach and teach in the Lord’s great kingdom. I am happy to report that every single one of our 15 young men left at this time are passing their classes. You may remember we started the school year with 19 young men. Some dropped out or otherwise moved on, but we believe we've been left with the “cream of the crop,” so to speak. Each of these 15 young men are quite dedicated to the Cause and are hungry for knowledge in the Word. Thanks to your help, we are preparing them for the life of the preacher. Next semester, beginning in June, we will also be welcoming our next batch of students as our current students move into second year status. Please pray for these young men as they increase their knowledge.
* Also, the Small Beginnings Christian Preschool is doing well and about to close their school year with a great program on Friday morning, March 27. Here, 36 precious little ones have enjoyed a year of learning about the Master right next door to our house. Thanks to your good giving, they know Jesus better than they could have without you. We are so blessed to be a part of training up these little ones in the way they should go.
* Lastly, our family will be returning Stateside for two months in the first week of April. April and May are the summer months here in the Philippines (no school) so we thought we would take this opportunity while our students are on their summer break to attempt to raise more funds. The financial demands on Project Philippines are increasing, with a new crop of LCC students coming in, our Preschool growing, as well as the need for buildings on our property. Once again, we have to become beggars for the Lord. We know the current financial crisis has created hardships in many congregations to the point where they cannot help as much with foreign missions. But we have to consider what will happen to the good work going on here if our support level continues to fall. So many are depending on us. If you are reading this report and there is something you could do - anything - to help in this task, we would be most grateful. We’re not asking for ourselves but for the Lord’s kingdom. Perhaps you could contribute some small amount. Even just five, ten or twenty dollars per month can go a long way here. Perhaps you might talk to the elders, leaders or mission committee at your congregation and get us an appointment to meet with them about Project Philippines. Whatever you could do to help would be greatly appreciated.
Brethren, in this place, “there is much to do, there’s work on every hand; hark, the cry for help comes ringing thru the land.” There is nothing else we can do but put our trust in God and appeal to our brethren in the U.S. for help. May God bless you all for your interest in His great kingdom, and in Project Philippines.