Dear Friends,
Hi. We send you greetings in the precious name of our mutual Lord and Savior---Jesus Christ. Emie and I pray for the Lord’s fresh anointing upon you, and for His peace, love, and encouragement to be yours in abundance. Isaiah 41:10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
We who believe and trust in Christ have been given the unmerited favor of God. Two of the stanzas above from Amazing Grace, speak of the assurance that the Grace of God that has brought us safe this far will lead us all the days of our lives and at His chosen time will bring us home to heaven. In this world in 2013 there are challenges and uncertainly in the world, but Jesus said in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” These may be familiar words, but they are encouraging words from Jesus that we need to take to heart. God is an ever present help in times of trouble. He is for us. Psalm 50:15 “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” ( 24 hours a day, 7 days a week---God hears your voice---and he makes house-calls.)
We have had a very busy & fruitful month. In addition to the regular Sunday services, youth meetings, radio broadcasts, Bible studies, and monthly pastors meeting,---we have worked with 4 Australian Missionaries (2 teams) , 4 American Missionaries ( 2 teams), and 13 YWAM missions workers in the past 4 weeks; and attended a 2 day seminar outside Manila in the mountains. Also while we were at the conference, our church ministry team (along with other churches) helped a California missions group hold a large crusade at the Astrodome. These last 30days, many people received Jesus as their Savior & Lord and many are being discipled and encouraged in their Christian faith & service. ( I will share a few details of these past 30 days)
When we arrived back from Manila last Sunday night we had no time to go home but went straight to a birthday celebration and then to a funeral service, an unusual combination. The birthday party was for our friend and long-time church member Bobet, and also a celebration for her daughter Jan Denise’s graduation from nursing school. They had been waiting for our arrival, we had good fellowship, food, and we able to pray for God’s blessings on them. The next meeting was for the last evening funeral service for the mother of our church member named Sally, who is an administrator at Leyte High. I was able to share (with Emie Interpreting) a memorial message and the gospel to the people there that night and several people prayed and gave their lives to Christ.
The next afternoon Emie went to minister at the final funeral service and burial. At that time I was going to the bus terminal to pick up pastor Dave Morris, an 84 year old pastor and missionary. He will be with us 1 week, and he is a man who has a lot of wisdom & insight to share about Jesus and the Christian Life and ministry. He had pioneered several churches in Australia which are fruitful today. He is a blessing.
Back to the beginning, on February 26th & 27th we were in Calbayog and Allen on the island of Samar. We helped Australian missionaries Graeme and Paula Connelly and their friend Debbie. They held 2 seminars for pastors & spouses, and church leaders. Paula was the main speaker and her passion is to see lives changed, healed and restored in the Name of Jesus. Emie interpreted for each of them and the meetings were very successful and many people were encouraged & blessed. We had 13 members of a YWAM team stay with us for 3 days. They were mostly students who had completed 3 months of schooling and were now finishing 3 months of field work evangelism. It is always encouraging to see youth who are excited to serve Jesus. During our monthly pastors meeting we had 2 American pastors as guest speakers. Pastor Dan from Colorado, and Pastor Tommy from Georgia. They did an excellent job of ministering to the pastors and leaders, and a Wednesday night service and to the youth.
On March 6th we had Dr. Larry Hunt speak to our Sunday morning congregation in Tacloban. Dr. Hunt has been a friend for many years and was the person God used in the mid-nineties to encourage me to pioneer a church in Tacloban, but we have only seen each other seldom in recent years. He has been president of 3 Bible Colleges and prior to that was a pastor and has a heart for evangelism. He traveled to several places in the Philippines this trip and held a seminar for pastors and church leaders in Tacloban. He wrote these kind and encouraging words at the beginning of a recent email:
“Gordon & Emie:
?First, I want to tell you how much I was impressed with what you both have accomplished in the Philippines, your children, your residence, your church and outreach churches, simply all of it. I admire your work very much and hold it in the highest esteem. I respect you for your lives and work there. You have done very well. God is well pleased, I am sure. The spirit in your church was simply the best I’ve come upon in very many years. The music was straight on. Your passion and vision is well directed and vibrant. Your willingness to help the kingdom of God is unparalleled. I’m simply amazed and am so very glad we connected. Thank you for your love, kindness, graciousness, and ability to care about me. You have always been a constant friend, no wavering. Thank you….” Your colleague and friend; Larry D. Hunt
As we approach 21 years in Missions this upcoming May, we look forward to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ as long as we live. Jesus said in John 9:4 AMP “We must work the works of Him Who sent Me and be busy with His business while it is daylight; night is coming on, when no man can work.”
In the mission field, in order to reach people for Jesus, the partnership between those who are willing to go and those who are willing to help send is of great importance. Emie and I continue to express our thanks to each of you who pray for us, encourage us, and help invest financially in sharing the gospel here in the Philippines and in a few other countries. We continue to pray for the Lord’s blessing on you, your family, church and ministry.
In Christ’s Love, Gordon & Emie
Please continue to pray for us: for wisdom, strength, courage, anointing, healing, protection, and financial and other provision. We could really use some help in regards to finances at this time. Thank-you. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
