The Trainers

Danny, an agriculturist, is one of our trainers. Last June, a wealthy land owner heard about Danny’s innovative farming techniques. The land owner visited Danny’s farm and was impressed. He asked Danny to come give a brief training to his farm manager. Danny agreed, but then the typhoon came and wiped out much of Danny’s farm. Danny had to work hard to replant his farm. For several weeks, his family had no meat, vegetables, or fruit to eat.

But Danny kept his promise to the land owner and went to his farm last month. After spending several hours with the farm manager, the land owner was very grateful and requested Danny to come back and train his other farmers. He offered to pay Danny whatever he wanted. Danny refused payment. His only request was that he be free to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with his farmers. Danny plans to start a church among the farmers of the land owner.

Lily, a housewife and educator, is one of our trainers. She has had a problem. For the past several months she has been sharing gospel stories to three groups. In one of these groups, too many people were coming to hear the stories. They had to stand outside the house because the inside was already full of eager learners. Her other groups are wanting Lily to go to their relatives and share the same Bible stories so they can know about Jesus.

Lito, a carpenter, is one of our trainers. Last week, he started evangelizing his third group in the nearby town of New Lucena. Several in his other two groups have already been baptized. Lito loves to share the gospel. Two years ago, he made several trips to a remote village and, in two months time, baptized about 80 men and women. A church was started there.

Atong, a welder, is one of our trainers. He has been sharing Bible stories to, among others, a large family living about a mile from his house. Two weeks ago, I joined him in a remote mountain river where he baptized four members of the family. A religious leader came to their house a few days later and asked them why were they joining this Christian group. They replied, “Because these people cared enough about us to come and teach us the Bible. Now we know the truth and we are not going back to your false religion.”

This is why I am here – to train men and women to plant churches where Christ is not known. My heart leaps with joy every Friday when these and other trainers report what God is doing in their areas. Please pray for these leaders that their relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ would grow deeper and that their love for Him would continue to shine through. Ask the Lord to bring more people to be trained so His family can grow. Thank you for being my partner in ministry. (P.S. Hannah has started her first week in college and seems to be doing fine as she goes through cultural adjustments. It’s also her first time to attend a traditional school. You can send her a note at halfling390@yahoo.com)