April 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” Rom. 5:8. It is exciting to be able to share the message of salvation with the lost around us. The Lord has given me several opportunities this month to be a part of presenting the gospel message through music ministries.
Our BJMBC choir visited three different church ministries on March 2 and 9. We shared our hour long concert at each of these ministries. This concert includes a very powerful salvation message. It was exciting to be able to travel into the provincial areas. One church we visited was small, and the people spoke only Tagalog. I tried to talk with some of them, but my communication was very limited due to my minimal vocabulary. Please pray with me that I will be able to learn more of the Tagalog language, so I can minister better in this country.
The choir also gave a concert at the nearby University of the Philippines. About 43 unsaved UP students attended and heard a clear presentation of the gospel. Some indicated an interest in having a Bible study, while another told Dr. Berrey (a teacher at BJMBC) that he meant what he said when he prayed the sinner’s prayer. Please pray for our BJMBC students as they follow up with the contacts we made through this ministry.
Living in the Philippines often leads to interesting experiences. My roommate Rachel Uhler is going to begin a master’s degree in violin performance at UP; I traveled with her to play piano for her audition. As we rode in our jeepney, I looked through the front window and noticed that the back right wheel of the bus in front of us was on fire. Thankfully, a man notified the driver, and the bus stopped to let its passengers out and fix the problem. We praise God for the protection He gave us from a potentially dangerous situation.
Another experience happened the night Dr. Kamibayashiyama (the director of BJMBC) and his family invited Rachel, Beth, and me over to their apartment for a party. While we were eating, a large cockroach flew at me. Needless to say, I screamed and jumped from my chair. It disappeared under the table and came out a bit later. Thankfully, Dr. K rescued us from a “life-threatening” situation by killing the critter. We later returned home to our apartment only to find another one of the same kind crawling on our floor. That one soon found its grave under Rachel’s shoe.
Please pray for safety for me as I travel back to the States on April 7-8. My flight leaves at 6:30 PM April 7 (EST) and arrives in NY at 3:30 PM April 8 (EST). Please pray for opportunities to witness as I fly and for a quick adjustment to the 12-hr. time change.
Please also continue to pray for the Lord’s will concerning my future ministry for Him. I will drive down to Greenville, SC, on April 14-15. My interview with GFA is scheduled for April 16-18. Please pray for wisdom for the men on the Candidate Committee as they interview me and seek for God’s leading.
Prayer Requests:
1. Tess Brosoto: Please pray for her quick recovery from hip surgery and for God’s provision for much needed therapy.
2. Opportunities to witness, spiritual growth, good health
3. Salvation: Leah, Sarah, Marilou, Christina, Mrs. Loyola, Catherina Bona (I tried to invite her to church and to attend one of our BJMBC concerts, but she and her husband have been away for most of this past month. Please pray for an opportunity to speak to her again before I leave next week.)
4. Spiritual growth/Church attendance: Angelita Hipolito, Marilyn Dayao
5. Wisdom as I continue writing hymn arrangements for piano students. The staff at New Song Ministries (the Bachorik’s publishing ministry) are already working on the first publication of these books. Please pray that the Lord will also provide the funds that are needed for publication.
Thank you so much for your consistent prayers and support.