Work Continues

 One of the cool things while we're in the States is seeing how our partners continue on the work; we see pictures posted every week of Bible Studies and other ministries continuing on. We are so thankful for our partners in the ministry! 

One of the things that has been a challenge during this season is that we feel like we're burning the candle at both ends. When we were first doing tribal church planting, when we came to the States, there was no way to bring any of the work "with us" as it were because no one was really online. However, now, after covid lockdowns, everyone is much more connected online. This is great because it allows us to stay in touch with our partners, even from this side of the world, but it is also difficult because then we are trying to invest on two sides of the world simultaneously. Exciting but tiring. Prayers appreciated as we sort through all the opportunities and find balance - and time to rest - during this Stateside. BUT rejoicing for sure that our partners are there, continuing on the work, even when we are on this side of the world.

Under Construction

In November, construction began again on our new land. The Tribal Bible College is up and running, but now the construction has begun for the Church Planting/Livelihood Skills Training Center. Steve has been coordinating with the guys on the ground as they move forward with construction, even though we are here in the States.

Hagen Family Reunion

One of the things we got to do on this last road trip was attend a family reunion for Steve's side of the family. We had a wonderful time and even spent a couple of days at the beach!

Stateside

 We arrived back in the States the end of Oct for a 4-month furlough; we'll head back to the Philippines on February 21. One of our first weeks back, the boys had a college break, so we got to enjoy some family time. It had been almost 2 yrs since we'd seen Zach, and we cherished every moment together as a family.

We also enjoyed a couple days with my sister and her family; the cousins had fun hanging out again.

In November, Steve, Mikayla, and I did a 3.5 week road trip to visit friends, family, supporters & speak in a couple churches. We are thankful for safe travels, and we got to stop in and see the boys at their school too!

As soon as we got back from that road trip, I was able to attend a fundraising dinner put on to help support Mikayla as she gets ready to move to the Philippines in January.

So thankful for time to reconnect with family & friends during this season!

Mikayla's News!

 Thank you all for praying for Mikayla as she visited the Philippines last month on a vision trip. She has been praying for a long time about the possibility of coming to the Philippines to serve full-time in a rescue home for girls rescued from trafficking and OSEC (online sexual exploitation of children). While she was here, she made the decision to move to the Philippines to serve in this critical ministry. She is currently raising support, and she hopes to leave mid-January for the Philippines! Please join us in praying for her as she prepares for this move. If you'd like to get her updates or partner with her in this, click on this link for more information.

Join us in praying for Mikayla and standing behind her as she goes!

Visiting Trustees

 Just before we flew back to the States, we hosted a group from the Board of Trustees from our organization. They were a great group, and we were blessed to be able to show them all that God is doing with tribals here in the Philippines. One couple was in their mid-70's, so we were unsure how it would go getting them in and out of the villages, but we chose where we went carefully, enlisted help for them, and they had great attitudes so it was a success!
We thought you might enjoy a couple pics from their visit - maybe you can come visit next! 

First Semester on New Campus

We are so excited to announce that the first semester of the Tribal Bible College on the new campus has begun. We have 11 students attending (additional 2 are part time), and that means we will have 29 students eligible for the next semester, which starts in January 2023. The way the Bible College works is the first semester is an introduction and covers the foundations of our faith; it is required before attending any of the following 6 semesters required to graduate. The 6 semesters can be completed in any order; but everyone must start with the introductory seminar. 18 students completed the first of these introductions, and now we have 11 taking it now.

They have also started planting the gardens. The long-term goal is for the campus to be self-sustaining.

Rejoice with us, and thanks to so many of you who have partnered with us and the tribals to make this possible!

Advanced Operations Training & Tribal Bible College

There are some exciting new things going on with Tribals Reaching Tribals. One of them is called Advanced Operations Training, in partnership with a group called Nehemiah Teams. It is a 3-month, in-depth discipleship and training for young people in ministry. It is being held up in the Bugkalot tribal area, and they have 7 people attending. At the end of the classroom training, these young people will lead teams on short term trips to share the Good News & plant churches.

The other exciting development is the start of the first semester of the Tribal Bible College on the new land. It was supposed to have started this week, but there was a death in the family of one of the students as well as several other factors that has delayed the start. Pray with us that it will start next week!

This sign was created by one of our Bugkalot partners for the property down there. So exciting to be a part of this partnership. BBCF is Bugkalot Bible Christian Fellowship. BTCA is Bicol Tribal Church Association. MTCA is Mangyan, IMB is us with International Mission Board, and then my dad's organization, Global Empowerment.

Here are some pics of the campus with classroom building, teacher houses and student dorms. 

Also pray for Pastor Isaias and his wife Leni. Isaias is the principal and one of the teachers for the Bible College. They were understandably discouraged when only 1 person showed up for the start of the new semester. Pray with us that the others will be able to come next week so that we can just start a week late.

Lastly, please continue praying with us for the Manide tribe. They were identified as a UUPG - Unengaged, Unreached People Group. We had a Bugkalot team up there, and they learned the language, but then they were kicked out with Covid and now have lost their homes & partners for the ministry there. Pray as the Bugkalot figure out how to get another team up with the Manide. Pray for more laborers in the harvest.