Christ has promised to come again soon, and to make everything new. He says that, for this to happen, the “gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed… to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
Thankfully, we do not need to wait to see Christ begin to make things new. By His grace, we are seeing:
New Opportunities
We thank God for new opportunities to serve. January 8-10, we were privileged to be guest missionaries for the 3rd mission conference of Glendale Presbyterian Church in Glendale, FL. In early February, for the first time, our team brought pandemic relief to Talim Island churches, where our co-worker, Pastor Diawa and his wife first served 40 years ago.
Starting in January, we have begun preaching regularly in rotation at our Filipino churches via Zoom. We are blessed to see Filipinos learn with us how to make these connections possible. Our new series of church planter workshops also began in January on training disciples who can stand in difficult days.
New Growth
Due to pandemic fears and trials, there is fresh interest in spiritual matters. One church is setting up chairs outside since the inside of the church is full on Sunday. We also continue to welcome new pastors from other churches to join our pastors for Church Planting Institute training via Zoom.
New Home
Heaven is the new home for Joy’s sister, Faith, who passed into the presence of Christ on January 16th, 2021, after battling pancreatic cancer for more than a year. We are grateful she is no longer in pain. We pray God will comfort her husband, Vaughn, and their seven children.
New Family
Ruth is engaged! Our families agree Nathanael Knott and Ruth Weaver are a perfect fit, both growing up in missionary families, Nathanael in Bali, Indonesia and Ruth in the Philippines. Ruth and Nathanael met at Columbia International University. They are planning to be married in Birmingham June 12, after Ruth graduates from CIU.
We long for Christ to make all things new! Until then, thank you for serving with us to make the most of every new opportunity Christ gives us to serve the Filipino people.
Servants together,
David & Joy & Weaver family
Praise: We praise God for bringing Nathanael Knott into Ruth’s life! We thank God for the new opportunities for fruitfulness, serving Filipino church planters and pastors. We are grateful that in December and January, God blessed us with some very generous gifts for our ministry.
Pray: Please pray that we will be able to take full advantage of the new opportunities we have to serve Filipinos through church planter training, preaching, pandemic relief and Bible studies. Pray comfort for the Hamilton family grieving the death of Joy’s sister, Faith. Pray for Filipino disciples to be firm in faith, faithfully serving Christ through every trial.