Hello to all of our family and friends, we hope that all is well in your lives. We are doing well and are excited about the opportunities we have had to minister to the local people. Opportunities that allow us to minister to the people’s personal needs as well as their spiritual needs.

We continue attending and partnering we our local church. We also attend Wednesday night “cottage” services and Friday night prayer services. David also attends a monthly meeting with all of the local AG church Pastors. The meeting is held at a different church every month. The Pastors have dinner, review church business and then go over any problems they may be having in their congregations. This is a special time where the Pastors fellowship, seek wisdom/counsel and prayer. These meetings run until all business and or Pastor concerns are addressed; this means all night if need be. These Pastors have been holding these meetings for about 15 years.

We continue to take care of two young boys; age six and age five. The first young man has no mother and his father is working somewhere in Manila. The second young man has no father and his mother has been going through some mental issues.

We continue with “mercy’ missions such as medical support, dental support and supplying food to families in need. We took one young man to the dentist to remove an abscessed tooth and one middle aged women to the dentist to have five teeth extracted. The cost is minimal compared to the U.S. but it is still more than these people can afford.

We helped several adults, children and infants with their prescription medicine needs. Most people cannot afford medicine even though the cost may be as low as two dollars. The average person earns only about 150 peso’s a day or about $3.50 a day; that is if they have a job.

We see adults and infants that have skin bacterial infections from bathing in dirty, bacteria infested water. We see infected cuts/sores on their bodies that are slow to heal. We see people becoming so dehydrated from having diarrhea that they are admitted to the hospital and when they are admitted the hospital does not supply the needed IV, the patient has to purchase this from a pharmacy.

We had one young father come to our house for help because he had not urinated in about one week and the “whites” of his eyes were literally turning yellow. We took him to the hospital where after a few days it was determined that he had Hepatitis “B”.

While in the town of “Bato” we came across a young man from church; he had just come from the medical clinic. He said that he had some type of stomach ulcer and that he purchased a few pills but could not afford many. We helped this young man purchase the medication he needed. The reality here is if people cannot afford medicine they go without and that sometimes cost’s them their lives!

We ask that you keep us, this ministry and all the people of the Philippines in your prayers! We thank you for your financial support of this ministry. May you and yours be richly blessed!

Love David & Vicenta

Isaiah 58:7

Hello to all, we are now at our home in Anahawan Bato Leyte. It has been an eventful first couple of months and we now see how the Lord had prepared many paths to cross ours.

School started here the first week of June so we had the chance to provide much needed school supplies and uniforms to many of the local children. It is amazing how just a few pencils, pens, and writing paper can ease a person’s burden and help keep their children in school. There still are quite a few children who do not go to school, either because they do not have school supplies or they work to help their parents support their families. I hope that everyone would lift these children up in their prayers and may we have the opportunity to minister to them!

On June 11th while I was working around the house when I ended up cutting a finger on my right hand. The cut was about two inches long and went all the way through the skin to the muscle. Vicenta went with me to the Baptist hospital which is located about 30 to 40 minutes from our home. When we arrived at the emergency room the emergency room staff was already attending to a seven month old girl. The girl had been cut by a piece of glass; her tiny nose was almost cut in two. The doctor provided initial first aid to the baby and then went to work on my hand. After the doctor finished working on my finger and we started to leave the hospital I could feel the leading of the Holy Spirit; the leading to minister to this family. It was an opportunity not only to provide financial support but also an opportunity to provide spiritual support. It’s amazing how the Lord takes situations like these and brings about good.

On June 12^th I had the opportunity to teach at a Wednesday night service. Every week the Wednesday night services are held at a different person’s house; these services are called “cottage services”. This was an amazing night of fellowship! We started off with a worship song, no big production just one guitar and everyone singing from their heart. Then everyone had a chance to recite a memory verse and testify how that verse applies to their life. We took an offering to help pay for new church instruments, sang another song and then went into prayer. I really enjoy how the services flow here, there is no rush, no time limits for anything. After my teaching we went into prayer; individual prayer and group prayer. To me this type of fellowship is what being a Christian is all about. Upon completion of the service the host provided snacks and we all had a chance to build relationships.

On June 26^th I had just finished feeding our pigs and was washing my hands when Vicenta yelled for me. I could tell by the tone of her voice that something was wrong. I went to the outside kitchen where I could see that Richard, the seven year old we care for, was bleeding from his forehead. He had fallen down somewhere and now there was a hole in his forehead about the size of a pencil eraser. As I looked closer I could see that the hole went all the way down to his skull. Well Vicenta had to make another trip to the hospital! The hospital took x-rays and then closed the cut with one stitch.

On June 29^th we attended the Fifth Annual Women’s Fellowship Conference put together by several Assembly of God Churches. The guest speaker was Rev. Levie Lapura who is from Palo Northern Leyte. There were about one hundred women and 10 Pastors. The conference started around 8:30am and went until 3pm. Vicenta was asked to give her testimony in the afternoon session; she was amazing! As I am learning prayer and worship are a big part of all church related events here. The worship has been amazing, simple yet so pure, straight from the heart. It was an amazing day of fellowship!

We were also invited to participate in a crusade that was to take place on July 6^th in Bato Leyte. We attended a planning meeting on June 30^th where we met several more local Pastors and other Christians who support the Lord’s work. The Crusade was supported by several denominations and several local churches. It was good to see the church youth involved in this ministry. There were about 50 teens/young adults at the meeting; they would all have a part in the Crusade.

On July 3^rd we were able to help financially support a mother who was in need of an operation. Mrs. Helen Bunol had a tumor in her ovary that was bleeding but could not afford the blood needed for the operation. Here in the Philippines the doctors will not perform the operation until all the needed units of blood and prescription medicines are paid for. We were able to purchase two units of blood and all required prescriptions. We also provided the family with some food for they had not had food for about one week. The operation was a success, Mrs. Bunol is now resting well at her home.

On July 6^th the day of the Crusade we gathered at 6:30am so we could drive around the local towns broadcasting the event information. We all met in Bato where we would start. We had one vehicle and several motorcycles. Vicenta and I rode standing up in the back of the vehicle which had a loud speaker mounted on the roof. We had a recording of the information which we continually played. Tall people beware, there are low hanging branches and wires everywhere here! We drove around for about 3 hours visiting several local towns.

About 3:30pm we returned to Bato to attend the Crusade. The guest speaker was Mrs. Pilar Pilapil, a Filipino movie star. The theme was “from silver screen to servant hood”; Mrs. Pilapil would be giving her personal testimony.  There were about one thousand people in attendance. The conference started off with a local youth group performing a dance, then prayer and worship. Then Brother Ely Tabar gave his personal testimony; a testimony of how God saved him from a life in jail. Brother Ely now leads a jail ministry! Mrs. Pilapil then gave her testimony, a testimony of how she tried to find contentment in the things of this world only to be left empty. A testimony of how the Lord is all we need! The conference ended with a massive alter call and some ending worship. It still amazes me to see how these people truly worship from their hearts despite their circumstances!

On Sunday July 14^th I had the opportunity to preach at an Assembly of God Church in Sitio Victory Tigboa Matalom Leyte. The church sits on the side of a mountain overlooking a valley that is filled with terraced rice fields. Amazing location; amazing beauty; amazing creation! The church has a congregation of about 60 people; what a blessed day we had! Before we departed Tigboa we were invited to participate in a local Barangay (Barrio) Crusade. The crusades focus was to be directed at reaching the local youth.

On Thursday July 18^th we participated in the Tigboa Crusade. The crusade started off with a few worship songs and then I gave a short testimony followed by an elderly ladies testimony. After a few more songs Pastor Falla preached the Word and then held an alter call. Approximately twenty youth and three adults gave their life to the Lord. What a wonderful experience! There are 32 Barangay’s in the Bato Province. The local churches plan on holding these type of crusades twice a month provided they can upgrade their sound system and instruments. Please keep these in your prayers!

We thank you for your continued prayers and financial support of this new ministry.

Love David & Vicenta

Isaiah 58:7

Wow it’s hard to believe it, but we finally made it to the Philippines. God is so gracious and faithful! We departed from Los Angeles on May 20^th after spending some time with our children and grandchildren; we truly had a blessed time!

We had a 15 hour flight from LA to Manila; we arrived on May 21^st at about 5 pm. We made it through immigration and customs with no problems, but then since we arrived early we had to wait at the airport for about 3 hours for our transport. The heat and humidity was not that bad, no more than it was in Texas. The smell of the Philippines brought back so many memories; it was just like I was here last week. Vicenta’s sister and brother-in-law picked us up at the airport and drove us to their home. On the way to their house you could see that the need is so great in this area. While we were driving in massive traffic jams, children would be walking in and out of traffic just trying to get some money for food. Adults would be trying to sell drinks and food while the cars are moving. My heart goes out to the people!

On Sunday May 26^th we conducted our first outreach; we provided much needed school supplies to the needy children of East Kabulosan Muntinlupa City. We went to the Devisoria market which is in Manila, it is an area where the multitude come to shop. There are street shops, street vendors and massive buildings filled with shops. The area was wall to wall with people. We found a vendor and bought pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, crayons, note books, note pads, and pens. We then went to the “SM” Market located in Muntinlupa City to buys some snacks. We bought the children crackers, cookies, milk, suckers, and laundry soap for their family.

We then went to a housing area that had been built between two retaining walls over the top of a creek. You enter buy walking down a set of stairs into a narrow corridor which is barely wide enough for two Filipinos to stand side by side. We then went into a house to separate and bag the supplies. As we were doing this the word spread and the children came. You could see the excitement in their faces and hear it in there shouts. They were so excited that someone had brought them gifts. As the line formed outside the door my heart went out to these children; these children who live in crowded unsanitary conditions where it seems they have no hope. We put together bags for children in elementary grades and in intermediate grades; there were about a total of one hundred children. It made my heart happy to see the smiles upon their faces and the excitement in their voices. The children lined up and patiently waited for their surprise.

Vicenta handed out the bags to shouts of joy! After we handed out the bags we spent a few hours of fellowship with some of the parents. They had questions as to why we were there. So Vicenta explained our mission and what the Lord had done in our lives; what an awesome time this was! It seems we were the first missionaries to meet a need in this impoverished area.

We stayed in Manila for about 1 1/2 weeks in order to complete my immigration paperwork. On June 1st we flew to Leyte Island and drove the three hours to Anahawan where our house is located. Since the children return to school in June we continue to provide needed school supplies and uniforms. We also continue to establish and build relationships.

Last week while getting my finger stitched up at a local hospital we had an opportunity to minister to a young couple. They were at the hospital emergency room because their seven month old daughter had a massive wound to her nose. The little girl had been cut by glass and her nose was nearly split in two. I was lead by the Holy Spirit to help meet their need; financially and spiritually. It’s amazing how our God will bring Jesus into peoples lives, especially when they really need a touch from heaven.

On June 12th we attended our local churches Wednesday night prayer and bible study where I was the guest teacher. The worship here is simple but amazing. On June 16th I was also blessed with the opportunity of preaching at our local church. And this Saturday, June 29th we will be attending a women’s conference in Bato with the local Pastor. The ladies will attend the conference and all of the “male” Pastor’s will fellowship together; what a great opportunity to build relationships!

We thank you for your continued prayers and financial support of this new ministry. May you and yours be richly blessed!

Love David & Vicenta

Well we made it to Los Angeles CA our last stop before we head to the Philippines. We were supposed to finish paperwork for our dog’s flight to the Philippines but that fell through so I guess we will enjoy our time with the kids and grand kids! I know this time will be a blessing for us and them. We had such a wonderful and blessed time in Texas. We were truly welcomed and blessed by Family Worship Center of Elgin Texas; Pastor Jerry Edmond, Irvin & Gloria McCorkle, Sandy & Ross Fisher and the whole congregation welcomed us and brought us into their family. The love of Jesus truly runs deep in that church! I look forward to this time with family and even more to next Monday when we fly to the Philippines. Please keep us and our family in your prayers.

Well we have finally made it to the web! It has been a few years since the Lord had given the vision for this ministry and now He has made it a reality. A quick update – we depart from Austin Texas next week to spend a few days in Los Angeles. We need to take care of some paperwork and visit our children and grandchildren; then on May 20th we fly to the Philippines. I thank all of you for your prayers and support! May we all continue to follow His leading with a joyful heart!