Tagbanwa People Profess Faith in Christ

In our last post we mentioned our plans to visit a tribe in the Philippines where missionaries where preparing to present the gospel for the first time. The following is an account of what God has been doing with the Tagbanwa people. There will be new believers for us to meet when we get there!

As the first round of evangelistic Bible lessons drew to a close among the Tagbanwa people of the Philippines, 30 of them professed faith in Christ.

Right through the teaching missionaries Ray and Chris Pollock saw good attendance with few missing a lesson here and there. The Tagbanwas responded well to the lessons. Last week the Pollocks began teaching the final lessons on the death and resurrection of Christ. "It has been really exciting to see faith begin to develop in the hearts of the people leading up to these lessons," wrote Ray.

There was a positive response from the first group that contained 30 attendees. Some spoke up and declared that the teachings were the truth and they believed. On Sunday the Pollocks had a follow-up meeting with this group. They went over a few previous lessons and gave them some scriptures of assurance. Ray and Chris emphasised that if the Tagbanwas were trusting in Christ alone, they are now the children of God.

When the Pollocks asked if anyone wanted to share their testimony, one woman, Minda, stood up. She told everyone how hard her life was, but now that she's heard the truth, she was really happy. Since the Sunday meeting, "we have seen some of our friends walking around and they just seem to look different. As they talk with us, there seems to be a real peace and happiness," wrote Ray. One woman in particular went up to Chris, put her arm around her, and said "Now we are sisters!" Please pray that these new believers will grow and flourish, and that they would be a light to the rest of their people.

(For full report and related details see: http://uk.ntm.org/news/news_details.php?news_id=5537 )

July Prayer Update

Eph 2: 25-30 Epaphroditus went from the church at Philippi to assist Paul. Paul said of him, he came ‘…to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.’ Another translation of Paul’s comments helps us to understand the reason for this ‘lack of service’. Epaphroditus ‘…was trying to do for me the things you couldn’t because you were far away.’

Many thousands of miles separate us from missionaries who are working in remote locations around the world. They are there to bring the Gospel to needy people but they are separated from their friends and churches at home and the support and fellowship that would bring. It is a privilege to be the ‘Epaphroditus’ who go to help and encourage them in their work, assuring them not only of support at home but bringing practical help and fellowship right there to them.

Two weeks and counting!
The first of our summer Summit teams is fast approaching. On 23 July I travel to Manchester to meet with the team I’ll be leading to the Philippines. Although I’ve led quite a number of teams over the years I still experience a mixture of apprehension and excitement with each one. Apprehension, because I am aware of my own inabilities and the many challenges a team leader can face during the course of a trip; Excitement, because God promises to be with us and we have seen Him carry us through on many previous occasions.

During our time in the Philippines we plan to visit a tribal area where missionaries have been teaching God’s Word for the past few months. This week they will present the Gospel for the very first time as they come to the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We are trusting that by the time we arrive many of this group will have put their trust in Christ as their Substitute and Saviour. We look forward to meeting many brand new believers.

Then in August another team will leave. This team lead by Steve & Moira Poulson will go to Mozambique. Things don’t always run smoothly in the period before going out with a team as Steve & Moira have found.

Moira explained in a recent email what was going on in their lives:

Something has been going on that threatened us even going to Mozambique. It has been a time of making an effort not to worry but turn any worries into prayers. I had a scan and was told that I had a cyst that looked malignant. They decided to operate last Monday, 2nd July….and guess what!? Praise the Lord! It did not look malignant. We have so much to thank the Lord for. It looks as though we can go to Mozambique now, for which we are sooo grateful.

Moira went on to ask for prayer that the Lord would ‘renew her strength’ for the trip.

* Please pray for wisdom for the groups leaders, for safe and uncomplicated travel especially with the present heightened security.
* Pray for good team relationships, for health and safety as we work.
* Pray we will be a blessing to all we meet.
* Pray that God will work in each of our hearts by His Word and through the things we see and experience.
* Pray for Bobby who has been on ’standby’ to lead the Mozambique team depending on Moira’s health. Otherwise she will be holding the fort at home and be the contact person for both teams while they are away.
David, Alicia and Sarah have had some sickness but are doing well in Peru and making progress with language.
Judith, Allan and the boys will probably not leave to work with GoodSeed in Canada until next Spring. They will be involved in deputation before they go.

Thank you for your prayerful and financial support that enables us to continue in this ministry.