Praise & Prayer Updates

Praise and Prayer Requests – May 2012

1. Praise the Lord that, during April and May, Faith Comes by Hearing is recording the Agutaynen New Testament into an audio format.

2. Please pray for the many hours Stephen and Manfred will be investing in the process of working with Faith Comes by Hearing to record the Agutaynen New Testament.

3. Please pray for God to be glorified through the work of recording the Agutaynen New Testament. Please pray that many will hear God’s Word and receive Jesus as their Savior.

4. Continue to pray for the discipleship and growth of the young Agutaynen believers.

5. Praise the Lord for continued health and strength He has given our family.

6. Please pray for Luke who is showing early asthma symptoms again. He has been sympton-free for about a year. We have an appointment on May 21 to see what proactive steps we can take to help him.

Praise and Prayer Requests – April 2012

1. Praise the Lord for a wonderful language evaluation. God has answered your prayers and has brought Stephen to a place in the language where our leadership has given Stephen permission to teach the Bible in theAgutaynen language.

2. Please pray for Stephen’s continued progress in the language. As Stephen now moves into the role of a “Bible teacher”, he will be learning new phrases and spiritual terminology.

3. Please pray as Stephen is now teaching God’s Word. Pray that the message is clear. Pray that Stephen’s words will be pleasing to the Agutaynens ears. As Stephen moves into this new role, our partner Manfred will be observing and assisting Stephen. At this time, Stephen will be teaching on Tuesday nights, the Creation to Christ series.

4. Please pray for us as we raise our children in this culture. We are always looking for ways to help our kids build relationships with the Agutaynens. Last month, we set up a volleyball court in our backyard. This has been a great way for Rebekah to spend time with her Agutaynen friends.

Praise and Prayer Requests – February & March 2012

1. Thank you for praying for a language evaluation for Stephen. Two men will be coming to give Stephen a language evaluation March 2-5. This will be Stephen’s first language evaluation for over four years. Stephen has spent the last few years assisting our partner in the development of Bible lessons. However, Stephen has never formally finished language study. So that is why Stephen is at it again. Please pray: 1. As Stephen prepares for this evaluation and all the details that need to be done before this evaluation; and 2. that the men will give Stephen clear direction for his continued studies.

2. Praise the Lord for a wonderful conference. Our kids absolutely loved it and can’t wait until next year.

3. Please continue to pray for our children and their spiritual growth in Him. Praise the Lord that Jonathan recently trusted Jesus as His own personal Savior!

Praise and Prayer Requests – January 2012

Happy New Year!

During this New Year, we are trusting God for His mighty hand of protection, His gentle hand of guidance, and His uplifting hand of strength & encouragement.
Praise the Lord for a wonderful Christmas with Agutaynen believers, our partners and with Stephen’s folks.
This month begins with our annual get-together of NTM missionaries. Please pray that this time will be refreshing and an encouragement to everyone in our family.
Please pray for Language Consultants for the Philippines and pray for a language check for Stephen. At this time we desire to know where Stephen is at in the Agutaynen language and guidance as he continues on. However, our field at this time, has no Language Consultants. Please pray.
Please pray for our children’s physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. As parents, we are looking to the Lord for daily wisdom concerning their individual needs and struggles.

Praise and Prayer Requests – December 2011

Our family is excited that the Christmas Season is finally here. We look forward to celebrating Christmas at home as a family. And then around the 27^th of December, we will visit Stephen’s folks, who are missionaries also in the Philippines, and celebrate Christmas with them.
December is a busy month with many village activities. Please pray that we will be able to remind the Agutaynens of the true meaning of Christmas during these weeks.
Praise the Lord that our health is good. Last month was a month of passing the flu from one person to another.
Please pray as Stephen continues his language study. Please pray for quick comprehension, fluency of speech, and wisdom for direction.

Praise and Prayer Requests – November 2011

Praise the Lord for the Agutaynens who continue to come to the Bible teaching. Please pray that their hearts will be open to receive the truths found in God’s Word.
Please continue to pray for Stephen’s language study, especially for encouragement.
Praise the Lord that our children have settled back into life in the Philippines.
Please pray for our health as a family. Several of us have had flu-type symptoms this past month.
Please continue to pray for Ginger as she home schools our four children. Please pray that God gives her wisdom and strength.

Praise and Prayer Requests – October 2011

Praise the Lord that our partners have returned from Germany and have resumed Bible teaching among the Agutaynens.
Praise the Lord that Stephen has found five new Agutaynens to help him in his continued language studies. Please pray that these Agutaynens will be faithful in attendance and in correcting/encouraging Stephen’s language.
Please pray for Ginger as she home schools our four children. Please pray that God gives her wisdom and strength.

Praise and Prayer Requests – September 2011

Praise the Lord for a wonderful mini-conference last month. We were encouraged, had a great time of fellowship with co-workers, and received some guidance for Stephen’s continued language study.
Praise the Lord for our family’s move back into the village on August 17. We are mostly settled back into our home.
Please pray as Stephen resumes his language study. We are trusting the Lord for His strength, encouragement, and guidance.
Praise the Lord that Luke continues to be healthy and has had no signs of asthma.
Please pray for the Agutaynens and God’s working in their hearts.

Praise and Prayer Requests – August 2011

1. Praise the Lord for a new vehicle and its arrival to our island.
2. Praise the Lord for Stephen and Rebekah’s trip into the village during the first week of August to clean and repair our home.
3. Please pray as we make final preparations for our family’s soon return to the village.
4. Praise the Lord for how our family is readjusting to life in the Philippines.
5. Please pray for encouragement and guidance as we attend a mini-conference this week with our fellow missionaries and leadership.

Praise and Prayer Requests – July 2011

1. Praise the Lord for a safe flight to the Philippines. All 12 suitcases and 4 children arrived with us into Manila.

2. Pray for our continued need for a vehicle. As of this time, we have not found any vehicle that will meet our needs. Please continue to pray for our search and for any extra funds we still need as the dollar is weak at this time.

3. Praise the Lord for our kids feeling at “home” back in the Philippines.

4. Pray for Stephen’s trip into the village this month to clean and prepare our home for the family’s return in August.

5. Praise the Lord for a quick adjustment for our family to the time zone here in the Philippines.

6. Praise the Lord for doctor visits this past week and their results. Luke was tested for 48 local allergens and tested negative for all of those, including mold.

7. Please pray as we discovered this past week that Abigail has a minor case of scoliosis. At this time, she doesn’t need any treatment. Please pray as we will continue to monitor this as she grows.

Praise and Prayer Requests – June 2011

1. Praise the Lord for a wonderful Home-Assignment and for all the wonderful opportunities to share God’s work among the Agutaynens.

2. Please be praying for our children (and for us too), as good-byes are harder since we’ve made friends in the States.

3. Praise the Lord for the wonderful memories our kids have made in the States.

4. Please pray for us as we prepare to return to the Philippines on June 29.

5. Please pray for us as we adjust once again to the climate, culture and ministry among the Agutaynens.

Thank you for partnering with us!