At a Crossroad

Dear Faithful Ministry Partners,

We thank you for your prayers for our family. The past months have been a test of faith for us. Since we came back to Manila we have been through one test after another—our support level is barely above the red mark, the whole family took turns at getting sick (probably due to our adjustment to Manila air), Grace’s father was flown to Manila to be hospitalized for infection in the spine, and my mom (in India) was rushed to the hospital last week for collapsing due to high blood pressure. We can only hope that we will pass these tests and that God would honor our reliance on Him. As we hold on to the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we also look up to Him for what He wants for our ministry and lives.

We have shared with you that Grace was given another chance by UP Diliman to finally finish her masters and graduate within the coming school year. But this was on the condition that she enrolls again for a full year (beginning June), take three penalty courses and defend her paper. We see that this is an opportunity Grace shouldn’t miss. This means that we would have to stay in Manila longer.

The recent medical condition of Grace’s father (spine infection and slip disc in the neck) is making the whole family (including Grace’s mom, sister and relatives) to re-think her parents’ going back to Davao. The degenerating nature of Grace’s dad’s illness necessitates that they be close to his physicians, the hospital and needless to say, the family. Going back to Davao may not be advisable.

We are still trusting God to provide for our trip to India. At this point, our support is at the lowest. But we are still hopeful that even I could go home for at least two weeks to finally settle things there. My mom has not been well and both my parents are getting old. It’s at this time that I really need to be there to personally attend to matters (even for just a couple of weeks). And then come back to the Philippines to be with Grace and the kids.

In line with all these, we are seeing that it may not be possible for us to go back to Davao anymore. While we have initially planned to extend our service with OMF-MUPT for another two years, it seems that God is leading us to another path. By God’s grace, the two and a half years we spent in Davao was fruitful, resulting in the setting up of the community-based drug rehabilitation project. We praise God for the team there which is very capable of continuing what has been started among the youths of Bucana. We leave with the confidence that He who began the good work in Bucana will be faithful to complete it. MUPT has graciously let us go though we all feel some sadness for the parting. We ask that you continue to journey with us especially now that we are at the crossroad of our life and ministry.

Thank you for your prayers for our family. We also ask that you say fervent prayers for our parents who are beginning to feel the toll on their ageing bodies. They still yearn to serve the Lord despite their physical limitations. Please pray with us that they would also heed God’s bidding to rest when needed.

God bless,

Mang (with Grace and the kids)