Land Development Update

It seems like very time we go down to Bicol, there's new developments on the land there. The Tribal Bible College is one hillside, the BOOST (livelihood + church planting training) on the next hillside, and lots of other developments too. I thought you may enjoy seeing a quick video one of our teammates (Andy) made not too long ago that tours the property. Just click this link to watch the video and see all that's happened since we first broke ground in May 2022.

Also, Claire helped put together this powerpoint that walks through the development phases. Global Empowerment is raising funds for this project. Praise the Lord with us for a generous donation that got us started & well on our way, but there is definitely still room for others to partner with us in this as God leads. It is our prayer that this piece of property would become a training & launching site for tribal as they are sent out to reach tribal groups across the Philippines and beyond. Let us know if you have questions. 

Lastly, we have some exciting news. We have received approval to build a house on the land for our teammates! Here's a pic of them standing where the house will be! In addition to a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath for them, it will have a little 1 bedroom for a single as well as a studio for us when we're there - we'll finally be out of tents! Pray with us as many details have to come together so that we can break ground for this project. 

More Visitors

Before I tell you about our next batch of visitors, I came across something you might be interested in. One of our tribal partners has started a FaceBook page with lots of short fun videos & pics of their work with the Manide tribe. Visit the page & "like" in order to see new posts she puts up - I really think you'll enjoy them. 

On the way down to Bicol last time, we stopped through Lipa and enjoyed a Taiwanese dinner cooked by our teammate, Mandy.

Then our next batch of visitors was our teammate, Macey's, parents as well as our supervisors. We had a blast traveling around and seeing what God is doing with the tribal work, as well as a day at the beach - check out that sand castle masterpiece! We also had a couple of days of training with our tribal team.

So thankful for our many wonderful partners!

Vision Team

Last month, we hosted a group of pastors & leaders from our team's key partner churches. The purpose was to see the big picture, all that God is doing with Tribals Reaching Tribals in the Philippines, then discuss together how to most effectively & strategically partner in the future. This will include bringing volunteer teams & other partnership opportunities. We traveled a LOT of miles over some very rough terrain, spent a bunch of days VERY wet in constant rain (and looked like easter M&Ms in our ponchos!), and met a lot of wonderful people. At the end of our time, we gathered for a couple of days of debrief to strategize future plans. It was amazing to see God work through that time, and we can't wait to see how He continues to use these partnerships in the future. I've put some pics below, but if you want to see more, just visit this FaceBook page & ask to join.

Christmas & Kids

Ok, so I know they're not actually "kids" anymore, but since most of you have followed us forever, here's a quick update on them...
Mikayla completed her 2 yr term here in the Philippines and was part of the team that started a new after-care home for girls rescued out of trafficking. She's now back in the States, switching to a different organization in order to expand her role when she comes back to include training for the staff not only in that home but also other homes around the country. She also enjoyed coaching some girls rugby at her alma mater here.

Zach graduated college in May and is working as youth pastor at our home church in Missouri. He is also in the application process to head overseas for a 2 yr term surveying unengaged, unreached people groups.

Ben is still in college in Mississippi and super involved in his church there, besides working at going to classes. He brought a friend home to my parents over Christmas; we haven't been able to meet her in person yet, but are very much looking forward to working with her this summer as she has tickets to come join us for a summer internship on our tribal team.

Super proud of all 3 and loving watching how God is guiding them into next steps.

For Christmas this year, we traveled up to the mountain city of Baguio with some friends, and Mikayla was able to join us. We had a blast in the chilly weather together. Missed the boys but thankful they are where God has them for now.

Bicol Leaders Training

Right after we got back from Cambodia (see post below), Steve went down to Bicol for the inaugural meeting of the Bicol Tribal Church Association Leaders Training. While, we've had many training for the Agta pastors through the years, we are starting a regular one that will be hosted by different churches on a rotating basis. When they gathered everyone together, including pastors with families & the ones they are training to become church leaders, there were more than 100 people attending! Such a joy to see how God is at work in the Agta tribes!

They also held an election for the next president of the BTCA, and Pstr Vicente was voted in as well as several other officers for 2025.

On Sunday we woke up to these pics posted on FB from one of our tribal partners. Such a encouragement to see God work through our tribal team!

Thank you to you who "hold the ropes" so we can be here working with our tribal team, watching God work with the Agta tribes in the Philippines!

Cambodia

At the end of Nov into early Dec, Steve & I traveled first down to Palawan to visit the family we supervise there - had a wonderful time but didn't take any pics this time. We then went straight to Cambodia for some leadership meetings. The time didn't go at all like we had planned because we were supposed to be attending with our supervisors, and the purpose was to discuss the 10 year plan for strategy for engaging all the people groups in our corner of the world. However, our supervisor ended up in the hospital at home the day before the meetings started, and he was in the hospital the whole time, which meant we attended it as the only members of our leadership team, without our supervisor, so that was challenging. But we see where God still worked, and we sent lots of good notes to our supervisor for once he was out of the hospital. :) At the end of the meetings, I (Jen) got really sick and ended up in bed for several days of what was supposed to be our vacation. But once the antibiotics started doing their job, I was able to get out on the last day, and WOW we highly recommend visiting Siem Reap Cambodia if you ever get a chance. Amazing things to see, beautiful little town, great food & cheap prices. We rented a little scooter to get around, and I took SO MANY pics, just sharing a few here.

Also saw lots of monkeys at Ankor Wat, but they were incredibly well-behaved (NOT true of other monkeys, for those of you who have traveled much, you know what I mean!)

The one with all the trees (Ta Prohm) was our favorite.

Highly recommend a visit if you ever get a chance!

Iraya Consultation

Also in November, Steve & I traveled to Mindoro to attend a board meeting with the Mangyan tribes. As partners in the work to reach the Agta tribes, we try to attend these whenever we can. Normally, we sit off to the side & just speak when they ask us, but this pic was when Steve was sharing the devotional at their request. 

After that meeting, a group from our extended team joined us in Mindoro for a consultation with one of the Mangyan tribes - the Iraya tribe. A consultation asks 1000s of questions (or at least it feels like that many!) to help determine both the health of the tribal church & the capacity of the group in other areas - education, medical, livelihood, etc. The first step is for them to map their entire area, including all churches, schools, farmland, clinics, etc.

After we get answers to questions, each evening the team takes time to discuss the answers to determine a quantifiable score as to the health of the church in that tribe.

At the end of the time, the team lists some of the strengths of the tribe that they should try to capitalize on, as well as makes some recommendations of some weaknesses they will want to address. 

The time with the Iraya leaders was a good time, and we learned a lot. Hopefully the information will be helpful for the ones who are serving Him in that area.