We have been ministering in the Philippines since 2010. After learning Tagalog, the national language, in Manila we moved north to begin church-planting among the Ga’dang (GAT-dung) people. Raising five children and homeschooling them in a remote village is a lot like doing the same in Canada—just with more electric fans and no winter boots. In fact, that was one of the things the Lord showed Valerie as we were sensing the Lord’s call to the mission field. One day, Valerie was hanging cloth diapers on the clothesline and thought, I could be doing this anywhere in the world, couldn’t I? Why not overseas? Sure, there are a few more interruptions—people at the door needing medical attention or any manner of other things—but the Lord gives grace for all of those things.
We praise the Lord that we were able to finally teach the first phase of Bible lessons in 2020 along with our co-workers, Polter & Claudi Pulac.
The Ga’dang of our village are steeped in a religion that has blinded them to the wonderful grace of salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ. Instead they seek God’s blessing and healing by trying to do good works. It was a great privilege to declare to them that Christ has paid our sin-debt in full. However, they will need to hear more teaching before a church is established. There are two neighbouring villages that we plan to teach soon as well. Pray for the Holy Spirit to break through the lies that hold the Ga’dang in bondage.