True Love Waits

As we stated earlier, we were asked by a student leader involved at a local college here to speak at a True Love Waits seminar. He really wanted an American couple because Filipinos will listen to Americans better than other Filipinos was the explanation given. HOWEVER, we soon found out that it could have possibly been because the subject of sex is VERY taboo in this culture. No one talks about it. Especially parents do not talk to their children about sex. They unfortunately learn about sex mainly from television. To me, Tara, one of the most surprising statistics that I found was that only 46% of women and 52% of men know that condoms can prevent HIV. That was shocking to me because it almost common knowledge in the states. Well we had the topic of "Virginity and Virginity of the Heart". It went very well. 80 students were there and of those 45 made commitments to wait and learn more about bible studys. There was even a student who said that she believed that you can't stop those feelings and so you just have to fulfill them by having sex. Well when the commitments were made she was one of the ones that went forward. PRAISE GOD!!! Please continue to pray for all of the students that were there.

* The pictures above are: the student leaders who put on the seminar along with the other speakers, with Ronnie the person who asked us to speak in front and us speaking.

Philippines Landslide

So a lot of people have been emailing or texting to find out if we are alright after hearing about the landslide. We are fine, first of all. The landslide occured on a different island. It is to the north of Mindanao which is the island we live on. http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/country/philippines.html
This is a map of the Philippines where you can see Mindanao and Davao which is where we live and Leyte Island which is where the landslide occured. They are now estimating that 1800 people died due to the landslide which is just about the whole population of the village that was affected by the landslide. Please keep these people in your prayers and their families.

Thanks for all your prayers for us as well. Please be praying for Eric as he is north of Manila with Crossfire Ministry until Feb. 27. Also pray for Tara as she is still in Davao.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentines Day! From our heart to yours!!!

We hope you have a great Valentine's day!!!

Busy weekend, and more to come!

Wow, this weekend was very busy, or maybe it was just a busy Sunday! This Sunday Eric was asked and accepted to preach at the Ulas Chruch of Christ! This is where Pastor Elipidio is actively involved! This was a great opporunity to Eric to really come along the side of the local Filipino Church to help, assist, and encourage this great local fellowship! After the Service, Eric and Tara were able to talk more of how they could continue to work and help assist this Church!

Well, after the morning of preaching and sharing! It was on to a Bible Study with the local Sports Ambassador guys! This has turned Tara into a famous chef, where all the guys are loving here snacks. They keep on requesting that she makes Calzones!! This is a great ministry tool, because of her great cooking more guys are coming to the Bible Study! Isn't she the BEST! Well, I sure think so!

A busy Sunday, only to be able to rest little to none. This Wednesday please be in prayer where both Tara and Eric will be sharing with what is or will God willing be 200 college students about a the hard topic of Sex! Please be in pray for us!

Then you can also keep us both in you prayers this coming Friday Eric will be leaving this Friday for about a week and half. He will be meeting up with Cross Fire Ministry to join them and there sports ministry trip! Though, Tara will be by herself and stay back in Davao. Where she will be continuing teaching her baby sitting class, and tutoring Korean students! Through this teaching the baby sitty class full of middle schoolers...she is learning why she never wanted to teach middle schoolers!

Sports Ambassadors Outreach!

Sunday February 5th, 2006

The Local sports ambassador basketball team had an ministry outreach and I was able share my testimony. We pray that we encouraged the pastor, and his players today! May the Lord work in there hearts! Tara said I was sort of drawing a crowd...people on the street were stopping to watch some big tall Americano! But, The Lord uses anything even if it's a big tall americano like myself!

We were able to share the Gospel with two teams from the same church. The best part of the it all was the church has a basketball court right in front of it. Pray that the guys were challenged, and will be able to grow in there faith. Also, we have started up more consistent meetings with our own local players with our teams. We pray through fellowships and Bible Studies, that we can continue to encourage, strengthen, and teach them in a deep rooted faith!

Update on upcoming dates!

We ask that you will be in prayer with us, about the following upcoming ministers:

Feb. 15th - Both Tara and I will be speaking to college group about Love waits..please keep us in your prayers about this!

Feb 17th - 27th - I will be traveling to Manila will be joining a sports ministry team called crossfires. Pray for traveling, minister that God will bring the people he want with an open heart, strength through this trip. Also, please be in prayer for Tara as she will be by herself for really the first time since we have been here in the Philippines she is not looking forward to this at all! Please keep us both in your prayers!

We have a lot more things coming up, and every time I look at the calendar it seems to be filling up faster and faster! Thank you for all your support, prayers, and know that we are feeling them daily!

Discerning Heart

This new year and start has been a season of a new discerning heart. Both Tara and I have a lot of long talks about true discernment in the area that we are working here in the Philippines, and even in the future of our plans. We please just ask for prayer for a clear discerning heart in areas of ministry here in the Philippines, and where and what the Lord is calling us for the future! We are at our fourth month going into Feb, and we feel that our feet are officially wet now! Though, there is a lot of work to be done, but the feeling is where do we begin! What keeps coming up is for us to stay focused on Christ alone, secondly what the Lord has called us to do here in the Philippines. So, with that all said and done. It's back to work.

Pastor Gary

Here is a one of the missionaries that is in our office. This Pastor Gary and he has been a pastor and missionary for over 20 years. Pastory Gary has a true heart and passion for helping, caring, and encouraging Pastors! I have really appreciated getting know him and his family! And he is very involved in sports ministry, and also in a Chaplain Service. He also has two sons that are actually involved in our local sports ambassadors team. If you would like to find more information out about Pastor Gary, family, and ministry check it out now!