Ongoing Updates About Mission Philippines

Ongoing Updates About Mission Philippines

July 23, 2014 Bryce Homes Update

Dear Bro. Mike and Bro. Roger!

Grace to you!

I am glorifying God for what He is doing in the ministry of Bryce Homes here in the Philippines. Last June the Lord added three new children in Bryce Homes. They are John Eric 13 years old., Roemrod Carreon 13 years old and Mary Joy Castro 11 years old. Under Bryce homes program they will be receiving daily school and food allowances. They are chosen among other children because of their faithfulness in attending the church and they are among the most needy. In the attached pictures you can see the Bryce Homes recipients with their parents showing school supplies and school uniforms that they bought from the school allowance sponsored by UTTI. I would like you to know how they are thankful to the Lord for using UTTI as a means to unload the burden of poverty and to feel a little bit of comfort. On behalf of them, thank you very much Understand The Times International and all of its sponsors for making yourself as an instrument of God’s grace in reaching these less fortunate families. You can rest assured that all the support you are extending them will be used for its intended purpose.

Let us continue to pray for the provision of the Lord and we will be looking forward on the day that these children will be the one who will help other less fortunate children also.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

In Christ,

Richard

July 22, 2014 Mission Philippines Update

Dear Bro. Roger and Mike,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I received the support for the month of June and July Thank you very much.

By the grace of God were safe for the past typhoon Glenda that hit metro manila except for some isolated cases in our areas like fallen trees and ripped roofs because of strong wind . this month of July to September is rainy season in the Philippines and we experience rain showers for more than a week last week after the typhoon I'm collecting the trees use for firewood we started using firewood since month of January due to high prize of LPG and since March I planting pechay and other vegetables to vacant lot owned by government

The Lord is doing well especially to Abner in his spiritual life and his study my family is very thankful to God and Praying for UTT and the sponsors. I would like to thank God for you Roger and Mike for using your life to others as a blessing truly the support of UTT is great help to Abner and my family for their needs. God Bless.

In Christ,

Rey

July 10,2014 Prison Ministry Update

Dear Bro. Mike and Bro. Roger,

I would like to give you an update on what the Lord is doing in our prison ministry supported by UTTI here in the Philippines.

Last Saturday July 12, 2014 we baptized two inmates in Medium Security Compound namely, Bro. Rudy Campos his case is Homicide and Illegal Possession of Firearms and Bro. Dickey Thomas his case is Robbery. Both of them get to know the Lord Jesus Christ in prison, through the prison ministry. It’s been quite a long time since they confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior and yet we delayed the process of their baptism because we want to confirm the genuineness of their confession to Christ by fruit of repentance and by showing the life that was really change by God or through holy living and I can attest that these men are really born again.

Prior to baptism I explained to them that believers baptism is not the same with baptismal regeneration but instead this is just a symbolism of death, burial and resurrection of Christ by which through their confession to Christ they participate in His death burial and resurrection. Their old man was crucified to Christ and buried with Him in Baptism (Rom. 6:4) and they will now walk in the newness of life.

Joy overflowing in my heart to see men, which in their former lives are living in darkness and wickedness and yet through the grace and mercy of God are now living in light and walking in obedience to Christ. Truly, all our sacrifices and efforts are not in vain because God is doing a good work in prison, saving souls and changing lives and all glory belongs to Him.

The hymn of Alfred Judson describes it best,

Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters,
Chained like a slave I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.

Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,

Let us continue to pray for more souls here in prison that are still living in sin and darkness, that they may not harden their hearts but instead submit themselves to the Lordship of Christ.

I attached herewith some of the pictures taken during the baptism and a glimpse of life inside the prison cell.

In Christ,
Richard

April 2014

Dear Bro. Mike and Bro. Roger,

Grace to you!

I am very grateful to the Lord for the recently concluded VBS (Vacation Bible School) and feeding ministry attended by more than 100 children last May 6-9, 2014 in our church in Malanday. This annual event that usually lasted for 4-5 days is intended to train the children to study God’s Word and learn the cardinal doctrine of the scriptures. This year, our theme is, “Jesus the way, the truth and the Life” and we focus on three fundamental truths about the Lord Jesus Christ. Firstly, He is the only way to salvation and not religion or good works. Secondly, that truth can only be found in Christ not in science or education and lastly, Jesus is Life which means He is the source of life and not big-bang theory or evolution, and as a source of life he is the one who is able to give eternal life through faith in Him alone. I trust that these cardinal truths of the Scriptures, which we proclaimed, opened the understanding of the children (especially the teenagers) through the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit.

After the session we serve dinner for the children. We do the VBS from 5-7pm because it is very hot in the morning since it is summer time now here in the Philippines. On their graduation day we gave school supplies such as notebooks, pencil, ballpen, crayons, pad paper, socks etc. for each of the students who graduated and these would be very helpful for the upcoming school year that will begin next month (June). We also gave them rice so that they can bring something to their family.

Truly, the feeling is good when you know that you are used by God to bless the life of these little children. I trust that all the supporters of Understand The Times International feel the same, knowing that we are blessed by God to be a blessing for others. The lyrics of the hymn of Fanny J. Crosby describes it best.

To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;

Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;

With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,

Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.

To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;

To the fountain of life let the weary be led;

In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,

While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”

Refrain

To the work! To the work! There is labor for all;

For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;

And the love of our Father exalted shall be,

In the loud swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”

Refrain

To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord,

And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward,

When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,

And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”

Refrain

Toiling on, toiling on, Toiling on, toiling on,

Let us hope and trust, Let us watch and pray,

And labor till the Master comes.

To God be the glory!

In Christ,

Richard