Stories from Three Continents

 

From Asia (Philippines) – Surprise Discovery!

This picture was taken in 2016 when Kuya Jess
(2nd from far right), VOICE Philippines Director,
visited the area. These high school students

had begun attending the church from which

the Biblical Values volunteers came.

About seven years ago, VOICE Philippines conducted a training on the island of Leyte and some of those trained started teaching Biblical values in a public high school. Toward the end of last year, a destructive typhoon passed through that area of Central Philippines. VOICE, along with other groups, worked toward sending relief items, using local churches as their point of contact. They were surprised to receive a longer-than-expected list of evangelical churches and learned that several churches had been planted somewhat recently, some of them as a direct result of the teaching of Biblical Values! But the even more encouraging surprise came when they found out that two of these new churches were pastored by students who were reached for Christ through those classes!! What an encouragement for VOICE Philippines, especially as they, and many other faith-based organizations, struggle to survive the effects of the pandemic restrictions. Praise God and pray for increased fruit!

From Africa (Uganda) –

One of the Biblical Values classes being taught in
that Primary School.

All schools in Uganda were shut down due to pandemic restrictions and with a few exceptions, remained closed until early this year. Soon after the schools reopened, South Sudanese refugees trained by Beth, a missionary with Scripture Union Uganda, and her assistant, Chris, shared the program of teaching Biblical values with a number of public schools Principals; they were generally well received. The leadership of one Primary school in particular was reeling with the realization that during that two year period he had lost around 400 students, with the worst news being that a significant percentage of the female students was due to pregnancy. That Principal/Head Teacher grabbed the opportunity and asked Scripture Union to teach Purity to all of the classes...which really stretched the fellow refugees who have been trained to teach the VOICE modules! But it’s happening! Pray with us for tender and eager hearts to receive and apply what they are hearing.

From North America (New Brunswick, Canada) – Filipino Blowout

Many of you responded to my (Ruth’s) invitation to help Laura celebrate her entrance into the 7^th decade of life—thanks so much! As of her last count, she received 80+ cards, 70+ Facebook Birthday greetings, and numerous email greetings as well as e-cards. She (and I) are overwhelmed with God’s gift of wonderful friends from around the world—a small part of God’s great blessing upon our lives.

Group Picture minus a couple who arrived after the
this was taken. Embroidered tablecloth imported from
the Philippines!

Added to that gift was the courage God gave her to open her home and celebrate Filipino style—put on your own party, also called a “blowout”! She invited just over 20 Sussex area Filipinos with whom she has connected as friends over the
past several months. Sixteen arrived and filled her home with the Tagalog language, laughter, and joy. (She’s also grateful for the two fellow Canadians who joined to help with food/logistics!) Since cooking space is limited, Laura gave the ingredients and asked one of them to make “Adobong Manok” and cook the rice. Another one made a cake as a gift. Each of the three Filipino young people that Laura teaches Biblical Values to and does a cooking or baking project with each week, recited Bible verses they had memorized, and Laura read a Daily Bread devotional which mentioned the Philippines. Filipinos love to give gifts for a birthday celebration and so Laura suggested that they give toward SEND’s “Help and Hope for Ukraine” fund and more than $200 was given! All in all, a very special time for the birthday celebrant and no doubt for all who joined her! Pray with us for eternal fruit in their lives.