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June 11, 2022
Dear Praying Friend,
Here’s the quick summary: In our last prayer update we prayed that God would provide for the needs in Alberta. We didn't even suspect that we might be the answer to that request. We will continue for now to teach online at BJMBC but will take a heavy teaching load here in Alberta. Please pray for God's grace and strength as we transition to this ministry.
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We are coming up on 5 months in Alberta. The time here has been rich with learning and relating, new experiences and just life. Joel taught 3 classes for BJMBC and 2 for Foundation, as well as 2 block classes. We have loved attending Lighthouse Baptist Church, and it has been our joy to get to meet other faithful believers in some other local churches. The fellowship has been strong and immediate, with as much opportunity to capitalize on friendship and discipling as we are able to take.
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One major prayer request and answer to prayer was getting to Canada. We drove from Greenville, SC to Alberta in about 10 days. And then through extraordinary grace and despite Covid restrictions, God got us across the border!
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In our last prayer update we asked for prayer that God would provide a teacher to serve here in the college after we returned to the Philippines. Many of you prayed. We certainly did, with increasing earnestness the longer we were here. God answered our prayers for the long-term need by actually redirecting us to stay here.
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The change of ministry focus feels much like that on a wedding day—rich joy and excitement, but not unmixed with strong pain at what must be left behind. Some don’t have a family painful to leave, just as some are not involved in a ministry that hurts to leave; we know the pain we experience is due to the rich blessing we have known. We count ourselves blessed to have known and loved deeply such wonderful, faithful ministries. Our Philippines coworkers are our family, and we couldn’t ask for better. We love both places and want to continue serving in both.
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It has been our privilege to invest at Lighthouse Baptist Church during these months.
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We are immeasurably thankful to you, our churches, who have been such a strong support at this time. This was a deeply painful decision; we were so thankful to not have the need of making that in a vacuum. The rich and varied questions of our mission board and pastors were so heartening—including several who recognized the potential pressure on our marriage, counseling for extra time and attention and conversation, those who asked particularly about how our kids are doing, and the many who have kindly asked about our needs at this time. Your willingness to take time, to listen and give solid counsel, was invaluable. We have never been more grateful for your ministry to and with our family.
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A recent Bible reading party through the book of Revelation
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Several highlights of the last 5 months stand out:
- Classes taught in the Philippines (via Zoom): Delivering Bible Messages, Bible Doctrines 2, and Biblical Theology.
- Classes taught in Alberta: Apologetics, Systematic 1, Exposition of Romans
- Hosting two Bible reading parties, reading out loud with our church friends through Genesis 1-35 and Revelation.
- We had 36 people enroll for recent block class on Ecclesiastes with lots of energy and involvement.
- We have had delightful breakthroughs and conversations with our neighbors, opening up opportunities for greater relationship and evangelism.
- Another major breakthrough—we were able to organize a way that Foundation Baptist College can provide accredited degrees for the first time. This has been their ambition for upwards of 10 years and we are astounded and delighted at God's grace and favor that this project can already be complete. More details on that next time!
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Prayer requests
- The wife of our coworker and fellow faculty member at the college received a diagnosis of serious pancreatic cancer. We are praying constantly for her healing.
- The ongoing flourishing of faculty and students for both BJMBC (Philippines) and Foundation (Alberta).
- Clearance of our visa for Canada and other transition details.
- An upcoming trip to the Philippines, setting up tech for BJMBC and closing our apartment.
- Efficient preparation for classes this coming semester: I will teach four at Foundation and three at BJMBC. Either one alone would be considered a full time load.
- Connection with out neighbors as people are outside more in the milder weather (please pray specifically for our friends Nestor & Angela and Ariel, Parrish & Nita, Constance, and Cheryl, Joy, Gury and Harenda).
- Additional 10% of support because of higher cost of living in Canada than in the Philippines.
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Exciting turnout for the recent block class on Ecclesiastes
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Thank you so much for your encouragement, support, and prayers!
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