September newsletter 2011

Bridge to the Islands & Nations Ministries Inc. Philippines

September 2011

The Time is NOW!

Greetings from some of our BTTI team!

It’s a Time to Plant, and A Time to Reap – There are over 100 million Filipinos spread over more than 7,000 islands. Planting God’s Word is changing lives. Our team has been getting into new homes, praying with people, planting seeds and reaping the harvest. People are responding positively to the Good News. Even this week there were several who wanted to receive the Lord in Balanti, one of our outreach churches.

A Time to Seize the Opportunities – Everywhere we look there are exciting opportunities to reach out. The children and youth are especially open at this time. Some of our team have weekly classes where they teach about Jesus at public schools. Last week in the children’s ministry there were some kids who asked if they could have a children’s class every day – from Monday through Sunday! Just like it says in Eph 5:16, “We want to make the very most of the time (buying up each opportunity), because the days are evil.” We are not satisfied with an ‘ordinary life’. We want to live lives that will really matter for eternity. We want to make the greatest possible difference with the rest of our lives.

A Time of War – We’ve experienced greater warfare against the forces of darkness this year than we’ve ever known. As people are being rescued from spiritual destruction – the enemy doesn’t like it. Rescuing is dangerous business. It has been and continues to be a battle, yet we know that our God is greater and we’re the winners! Some of the men gather early in the morning (around 4:30 to 6:00) daily to pray, and are having a wonderful time together. Others gather in the evenings to intercede for souls and various aspects of the ministry.

A Time to Heal – God is in the business of healing broken people. Some of those hurting individuals have come to us and we’ve been able to assist them in recovering and moving on with renewed hope for the future.

A Time to Love – We’ve had the joy of two weddings this year. Charity was married to Joben Baluyut March 18, on a beautiful white beach here in the Philippines. Cassia was married to Ryan Esping July 15, at a beautiful golf course in Camas, WA. We are so happy to have two more ‘sons’ added to the family. God has been so good!

A Time to Laugh – The grandkids gave us a lot of joy and laughs while we were in the States. It’s nice that life isn’t all serious!

A Time to Build – For many years we have been praying for the capital to invest in a building that will be appropriate for the needs of the BTTI Ministries in Tarlac City. Currently, we are renting 3 different ministry buildings (one of them is just for the regular Sunday services). We feel that it is time to prayerfully consider investing money in a permanent building that would be adequate for all the needs! Also, Lord willing and providing, we are praying that we will be able to buy our house by the end of this year (which we have been renting for the past 11 to 12 years). For those who may be interested in more information, click here: Facilities.

A Time of God’s Favor – Ps 102:13,14 “You will arise, and have mercy on Zion (the church) for the time to favor her, yes, the set time is come. For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.” It’s time for the grace and favor of the Lord to be poured out upon us.　

A Time for Thanks – Thank-you for teaming up with us in this Philippine mission effort. Thanks for your prayers, and financial support. We appreciate you so much.