(I’m sorry, but the photos have disappeared from this post for some reason. Yet the photos in previous posts are still there. Please bear with us as we seek to fix this issue.)
As Gina & I were packing at night, preparing to leave for the US early the next morning, we learned that Tabitha Allcott, 23, had drowned in a Jacuzzi while on vacation.
We are thankful to The Door for hosting the service (Tabitha had attended there) as well as to our church Chandler Christian for providing for our needs while we’re in town.
The ‘silver lining’ is that this tragedy happened as we were all set to come to AZ anyway. I can’t imagine trying to prepare our people for our absence–not to mention setting up flights & buses–with Tab’s passing hanging over our heads.
Throughout this heartbreaking time in our lives, we are reminded constantly in various ways of our God’s faithful love. We feel your prayers lifting us up. Thank you so much.
As I was saying goodbye one more time, son Isaac (20) came up to comfort me
Our work continues. We are in Arizona to give a report to Chandler Christian Church, our biggest supporter, during their Mission Expo this weekend, & we are seeking opportunities to also report to any of you who would like to meet with us (we return to Davao on 6/5). We also would be delighted to visit Bible studies & other groups who might be interested in our ministry. Our number while we are in the US is 480 825 8166.
I conducted my first wedding a few weeks ago. Aisha & Alexis had been living together sans marital vows before they were saved, but now they are living together God’s way.
Interestingly, the Kano (American) is wearing a traditional Filipino shirt, while the Filipino bride & groom chose Western attire 🙂
In these blog posts, I have mostly shared what God is doing in various groups. Now I want to focus on individuals, in their own words. Prescy said this about Davao City Outreach & the Davao Bible Fellowship:
Daddy John and Mommy Gina modeled me how to serve/ honor God in many ways such as sharing the Gospel, volunteering in God’s ministry (feeding, evangelistic storytelling training, outreaches, and the likes), praying for the missionaries, being courteous, love others the way God loves them/us.
They also help me to be a good mother.
They encourage and motivate me to soar high.
DBF helps me in:
My walk with God.
Knowledge of Him.
DBF is an avenue of growth not just spiritually but even in making decisions.
I found a family who love and care for each other.
Daddy John and Mommy Gina didn’t just help me in my spiritual growth but even in my financial need they extend their help,.
Because of DBF, I got deeper understanding of God’s redemptive plan for all nations.
Prescy is a joy to work with. She leads her own outreach Bible study on Saturday evenings, & she helps us often with translation & other duties.
Jeremy had never been to a group like ours before he came to DBF. Before he was born again, Jeremy was living with his girlfriend, who is the mother of his two kids, but he has been living with us since last year.
He wrote this:
First of all, good day to you Kuya John and Ate Gina. I made this testimony because I am so thankful to bothof you because you are Heaven sent to me. I am thankful that God sent you and made you as his instrument for all of us in our DBF ministry especially for me. I have learned a lot from you about the word of God, about how to be respectful, etc. You are the kindest people I have ever known. I thank God that you gave me the opportunity to live with you in your house and to spend time with you. Words cannot express how much I love you and thankful I am. God bless you! I will miss you while you’re gone for one month. To God be the glory!
Jeremy is possibly the hardest working man in Davao City, & he is always joyful & humble.
Jeremy, with fiancee Richelle at the recent wedding
If you would like to contribute financially to our efforts, please go to http://ripeforharvest.org/ & ensure your gift goes to “Davao City Outreach.”
When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
— from Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 9