Send Relief

We hosted another group since we've been back - Send Relief is an organization that has helped with several disaster relief & community development projects through the years, and we are looking forward to continued partnership in the future. Once again, Steve drove down to Bicol, then I met them in Manila & flew down with them. Then we put them on the plane at the end of the time, and we drove back up to Manila. Our time with them went well, and it was good to see the progress at the Tribal Bible College (1st pic) as well as the BOOST project (2nd pic; Bicol Out Of School Training - livelihood/skills training combined with church planting training). 

Thanks for standing with us in prayer!

All the Hats

As you guys know, while our heart beat is Tribals Reaching Tribals, there are also several other ministry hats we wear, and we're passionate about those as well. One of them is supervising and guiding new coworkers who are studying Tagalog. On the way back from Bicol, we stopped through to touch base with them and see how they were progressing after our time in the States. 

We also spent some time on another island helping with a 2-week training for Filipinos who are preparing to GO to the nations. Such an inspiring time as we see how God is using and will continue to use Filipinos in the harvest fields!

We also got a visit from someone from our home church. Claire has just finished college and is praying about her next steps. She was such a blessing to us in the 3 weeks she was with us. She helped sort through and set up Steve's new office and many other tasks around our house, as well as joined us a trip with Send Relief to Bicol.

Several of you have asked how much we've been able to see Mikayla (she's serving in a home for girls rescued from trafficking here in the Philippines). We're thankful to say that, while we honestly weren't sure how much we'd be able to see her, we've actually been able to hang out quite a bit. She comes to our place often on her days off, and we've been blessed to be able to hang out with her & their girls on several occasions. It is a joy to see how God is using her in that ministry. Thankful that we get to be a part! Claire & Mikayla enjoyed getting to catch up too. 

Vision Trip

 Right after we arrived, a couple from the States came for a visit, called a vision trip, as they pray about the possibility of joining us full time in the work here. We had a wonderful time getting to know Brandon & Macey, and we believe they would be a perfect fit for our team. Now we're just praying for God to lead them!

Thanks for praying with us!

Back to the Philippines

In February, we visited the boys one last time, then we headed back to the Philippines. We met up with Zach & Ben in New Orleans, and we had a great time (and ate some great food!).

Our trip back across the big pond was eventful to say the least, but we arrived just a day later than planned, and thankfully our luggage made all the reroutings with us! The day we got in, Steve went to get me a new vehicle; because he travels so much and public transportation doesn't work from our neighborhood, we needed something pretty quickly. He found a cute little Suzuki Jimny. It looks funny next to our Montero - looks like it had a baby. :)

Our home church recently asked for a video to show about what we've been up to since we got back, so here's a sneak peak for those who actually follow the blog. :) And figured those not in our church would enjoy it too!

Spring 2023

Mikayla to the Philippines

So while we've been back in the States, we've been speaking at churches (every Sunday has been booked!) and connecting with current & potential partners. It's been a busy, but good, time. 

Also while we've been here, we've been helping Mikayla prepare for her move over to the Philippines. I (Jen) even did the 2-day culture & language orientation/training with her and her ministry partner before they left. It was such a blessing to be there when her home church sent her out, and we got to bring them down to the airport to fly to the Philippines. She is doing well settling in over there, and we are thankful for the many people there to help them get their feet under them. 

And in just a couple weeks, we'll be over there too! We fly on Feb 21, so we appreciate prayers as we buy everything we need, say our final goodbyes (we'll go down to see the boys this weekend), & try to pack everything into the suitcases - we used to get 10, but now we're down to 4 since they don't give us bags for the kids when they're not traveling with us. Go figure :)

Phase II

So the Tribal Bible College was Phase 1 of the project on the new land we purchased in Bicol. The buildout for the 2nd Phase has been going on now. This will be a livelihood skills training combined with church planting training, and we are praying that God will use it in mighty ways to plant hundreds of churches amongst the Agta tribes in Bicol. Here are some pics from the building that has happened while we've been in the States.

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with our kids & my (Jen's) parents. We even had a WHITE Christmas! What a blessing to be with family during this time.