Should we cancel the trip to the Philippines? Wuhan province in China had a virus. Someone from that province died in the Philippines, but, other than that, travel had not yet been restricted in mid-February. God had just amazingly provided $18,000 for a ministry van for the Church Planting Institute. He also arranged a special grant, which allowed the funds to be transferred to the Philippines tax-free. We decided God wanted us to go ahead with this training trip.
When I arrived, we saw God work through all of the hurdles to getting the money transferred, just as a gently used van came available. The very day we purchased the van, we used it to bring pastors and workers to the church planting training classes.
As I taught pastors and church planters through the Gospel of John, I felt the familiar struggle between a desire to teach deeply, but also simply. Workers must understand and be able to teach what they learn right away in each of their towns and villages. The teaching of Jesus is like this; stories of farmers and grape vines, springs of living water and shepherds with sheep, yet packed with deep spiritual meaning.
Between teaching times, we held evening evangelistic services. I watched as the Holy Spirit melted the heart of a woman to tears. Her mother has prayed for her for years to return to Christ. Another couple, also in tears, said this was the first time in thirty years of marriage that anyone had invited them to a church to hear the gospel.
On weekends, I traveled from church to church, preaching. I celebrated a church anniversary with the Malasiqui church. Afterward, the pastor asked if I could hold a training workshop for the youth leaders (since I was already there!).
Too soon, it was time to return to Birmingham, where a growing group of Filipino families were also waiting to study through the Gospel of John. We now must meet online by Zoom video conference call, because of the COVID-19 meeting restrictions. Even so, we can see their growth in faith as they pray for one another and share encouraging Bible verses through our online Bible study group text.
Our hearts go out to our Filipino church families. They are really hurting, with no work, little food and very restricted travel. Our April trip to help them has been postponed. We trust that God’s goodness and mercy will follow them, as it has followed us through this past trip. Many of you are also hurting at this time. This makes your sacrificial prayers and financial support even more precious to us. Thank you!
Servants together,
David and Joy Weaver and family
PRAISE:
- God allowed us one more training trip to the Philippines before travel was shut down.
- God provided a nearly new van for church planting work in the Philippines.
- Filipinos in our Birmingham Bible study are drawing closer to Christ through the COVID-19 difficulties.
PRAYER:
- Believers in the Philippines need God’s goodness and mercy to help them with basic needs for food as they lose their livelihood due to the COVID-19 crisis.
- Pray God will turn Filipino hearts to Christ as they are kept from traditional forms of celebrating Holy Week.
- Pray that we will be able to provide the spiritual support and encouragement our Filipino families need during this current crisis.
