Dennis & Daisy, Philippines
8 years ago when I first set foot on Tacloban, I was determined to be a part of God’s move in this city. With the thought that to work hard in snatching souls from hell from morning to evening would surely build a big congregation, we worked hard in reaching out to the heads of the families. But the idea did not work. After 9 months of hard work, there was only 16 people in our Sunday Worship Service. Most people shut their doors when they knew that we are born-again Christians. Some even shout at us to leave their home. We came back puzzled and upset with the opposition. I was confused and discouraged and even contemplated returning to Singapore if the situation did not improve. I spent much time crying and seeking the Lord concerning this.
During that time, in one of my devotions, God spoke to me, “When I sent Moses to deliver the Jews, how many years did I take to bring them into the promised land?” I answered, “40 years”. God asked me again, “How long have you been here?” I answered, “9 months”. Immediately my mind lighted up. I knew for sure what God wanted me to do. He wants to raise up a new generation of leaders to enter the promised land starting from the children and to disciple them when they are young. That was the day God planted the seed of starting a kindergarten in my heart.
King Solomon said in Ecc. 3:1. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”. We believe the season is right for us to pursue the kindergarten vision now and to disciple them from there onwards. By faith we are preparing to start a kindergarten by June 2005. Since few churches give attention to children’s ministry, we are praying that God will use this ministry to make a significant difference in Tacloban.
Do pray with us for favour pertaining to all legal matters and financial support to start the school. In October, Daisy conducted our Children’s Teacher Training. Some of the youths attended were our fruits 8 years ago. Yesterday, they were little children and today they are teenagers! They are now actively helping in Children’s Church and in the children caregroups.
FRUITFUL FRUITS – Daisy teaching in the Children’s Teacher Training
New Life Missionary Training School (NLMTS) now has four students in our 2nd batch. In October, the students were taught on Pastoral Ministry, they learnt how to solemnize weddings, funerals, water baptisms, child dedications, etc. Pray with us that more students will join us during the 3rd intake and additional graduates of NLMTS will take the challenge to plant churches in other towns.
MOCK WEDDING – Students in a role-playing training
Ps Richard Tng visited us in October and taught in NLMTS as well as ministered in CNL-Tacloban and CNL-Ormoc. We gathered all our out-station pastors together in Tacloban and Ps Richard conducted a series of teachings. God spoke directly into their hearts and during ministry time some of our pastors even praised God in tears. I trust that God had sent Ps Richard here to renew their vision.
CNL-Ormoc celebrated their 3rd anniversary in October and many new believers were added into the kingdom of God as a result of the evangelistic celebrations!
CNL-ORMOC ANNIVERSARY – Ps Richard was the main speaker
In November, God sent Ps Paul Lansdown and Stephen Johnson from Australia (both are friends of Steven Teo) to minister in our daughter churches. This was our first time to meet them yet we became like old friends immediately. They ministered to the street children, prisoners and taught in NLMTS. In CNL-Ormoc, together with Ps Jasmin (pastor of CNL-Ormoc), Paul and Stephen hiked to the villages to visit and pray for the church members. Our believers were very touched by their visit and many people were drawn to them, especially the children.
AUSTRALIAN BLESSING – Buying small gifts for the street kids
OPEN DOORS – Ministering to prisoners
We will be starting Alpha Courses in local colleges soon! November 2004 will be our first attempt to teach the 15-lesson Alpha Course in the Philippines System Institution. Please continue to pray that opportunities be given to us to teach in this school and that students will open their hearts to the Gospel.
Please Pray
- Pray for Dennis’ mother for complete healing. 5 of her heart arteries are clogged.
- Good health and God’s protection for us as well as strength and focus to persevere on.
- A 4-wheel drive, diesel-engine vehicle for us to move around in for ministry.
- Pray for us for favour pertaining to all legal matters and financial support to start the kindergarten.
