But wasn't the Bible revised twenty-something times?

Dear Praying Friend,

"Wasn't the Bible revised twenty-something times anyway? How could we actually have any idea what it's supposed to say?" As we made further progress on our way to church, the taxi driver opened up more about his thoughts on faith and Christianity. "Or how can there be so many religions? They must all be equally good ways to God." While hearing his thoughts and answering them, I was even more convinced that our work this semester is critical—both reaching people like him, but also training Filipino men and women in apologetics and biblical theology. This is the goal!

We have now been back home for long enough that our birth culture seems distant; our surroundings here are the “normal” that we rejoice to be a part of.

It’s also amazing to realize that over the last five years of our life in Philippines, we have changed. The first time I traveled outside of the US and experienced immersion in other languages was when I was 18. Then and in many mission trips following, I often wondered what it would be like to hear, speak, and relate to people in two different languages.

I could list many other blessings of the last few months:

Being blessed and challenged by sermons from men I have been able to invest in through classes.
Teaching two, week-long block courses and then discovering that some of the men use that very content as the core to lead their churches for the next year of preaching and teaching.
The testimony of one former student that the theological resources we had made available for him “changed his life.”
Being personally reshaped and convicted by deeply studying and then teaching through the book of Ecclesiastes.
Creating and administrating a doctoral level online Apologetics course.
Teaching Bible Doctrines again for the fourth time and finding that even as my thinking has deepened, it is more fresh and personally encouraging than it was the first time.
Seeing the BJMBC building coming to completion and enjoying the building dedication service.
Organizing a recently-launched mentorship program, which has increased both our burden and respect for the students and faculty.
Teaching new classes on Matthew, Apologetics, and Biblical Theology.

We are excited about several upcoming opportunities. Will you pray for these specific requests?

Teaching a new class on Systematic Theology in Hong Kong.
Our hope for our children to pick up Tagalog secondhand has not materialized, and we desperately want them to be able to minister with us as a family. So we are working hard with several new strategies, including enrolling them for study at language school. With people here as friendly and accommodating as they are, it will take determination for them to switch over bit by bit. Please pray for us as we facilitate their learning and cheer them on their way.
The final 10% needed for the building project.