Our team families are all safe.  We did take heed to the warning and sought higher ground until the tsunami alert was lifted. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for the many people who are being affected.

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What a full year we’ve had in Dumaguete.  January 15, 2012, was the one-year anniversary of International Baptist Church.  We are so encouraged by all that God has done “with us” this past year and already see God working as we’ve entered 2012.  A foundation was laid in 2011 upon which we are ready to build.  Our soul winners are on fire and already are training their converts to win souls also.

The vision I’ve laid before our church is a church full of soul winners.  Not just people who share the Gospel with others, but those who also lead their converts to be baptized, and then they themselves work with their converts to memorize Scripture and become soul winners also.  This is an exciting time; the hard work mixed with trusting God’s leading has already begun paying off in big ways.  I’ve said often since we first arrived here, “God is working in Dumaguete.”  After one year I can say, “God is STILL working in Dumaguete!”  Please enjoy our latest update, and be sure to watch our “Year in Review” video.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/12/26/11/dumaguete-flash-floods-caught-cam#ooid=Bvbm82MzqY707iFtT7Ux94XTiDwORar_

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2011 has come to an end and we are rejoicing for all that God has done for us.  Not least of our reasons to rejoice is the safety He has provided to our team families during the recent tropical storm that passed through our area of the Philippines.  This month’s update tells the story of one of our church families that suffered loss but has remained faithful through it all.  Please continue to pray for us as we look forward to a great 2012!

All of our team families are safe and sound and were unaffected by the storm except for periods of time without power and water pressure.  Thank you for your prayers.

Unfortunately, although the bulk of the storm and its devastation was to the south of our location, the extreme rainfall that came to our city and the mountains above us brought flash floods into several areas.  Areas immediately north of our church as well as areas just south of our church had waist deep waters.  Most of our church families had water in their homes or shops or at minimum had to wade through water to get to church.  One family in particular suffered great loss.

The Anasario’s, one of our most faithful families, came to the church on Saturday morning as they always do for soul winning.  Due to the heavy winds and rain at that time we cancelled our organized soul winning.  Bro. Anasario drives a jeepney for a living and we use it on Saturday mornings.  I told him to go ahead and drive between the morning time and our Christmas program rehearsal that was to take place later Saturday afternoon.  Shortly thereafter he received word that their house had washed away from the flood waters coming down the mountain.

Bro. Jun Anasario made an attempt to get to his house but was unable to.  One of their children was left at home that morning because he had a Christmas party at school.  For a while they were uncertain of his whereabouts, but by God’s grace they found him safe.  This family came back and took part in the rehearsal, knowing they had no house to return to that evening and having only the clothes on their backs.   Later they began to hear reports that Mrs. Anasario’s brother, who was also a member of our church, was missing.  There were mixed reports that he had died, but those reports were not confirmed until later.  Still, this family was in church on Sunday morning and took part in the Christmas program on Sunday evening.

A group of our men went this morning to see what could be salvaged from their house.  There is not much at all to rebuild with.  Please pray as this family looks for a new place to live and as they prepare for the burial of Eric Camporedondo, Mrs. Anasario’s brother.

Many people are hurting around us, please continue to pray as we work to reach the people of Dumaguete and beyond.

Vol. 02 - Iss. 15 11-27-11

We certainly have a lot to be thankful for.  God continues to bless as we serve Him here in Dumaguete, Philippines.  We had a wonderful time as a team celebrating Thanksgiving Day together.  Please read about it in this month’s update.

Please be in prayer as we prepare to have our Christmas program entitled, “The Greatest Gift” on Saturday and Sunday, December 17 & 18, 2011.  We are promoting this musical event to those around us and will use this as an opportunity to share the Gospel with those who come to hear the Christmas music and narration surrounding our Saviour’s birth.

We are just about six weeks away from our first anniversary and are getting ready to move our church into a new level of ministry in 2012.  Please continue to pray for as we press forward.  In 2012 we will have our first conference for pastors, we will also be starting our Bible college to train pastors and missionaries.  We covet your prayers!

Dear Friends and Family,

Vol. 02 - Iss. 14 10-30-2011

Another month has passed and we continue to see fruit.  October was a great month of seeing our church members bringing visitors to church, bringing converts to church, and seeing their converts baptized.  In October we celebrated the 9-month mark since International Baptist Church started in Dumaguete.  Please read about what is taking place by faith!

Vol. 02 - Iss. 13 09-25-11

God continues to work in Dumaguete!  International Baptist Church just held its first annual missions conference and the members responded very well!  Several decisions were made to serve the Lord and three young men surrendered to be missionaries!  Please take a moment to read about it in this month’s two-page update.  Additional photos from the conference may be found on the International Baptist Church website.

Vol. 02 - Iss. 13 09-25-11

Thank you for your continued prayer and support.  Please pray about our upcoming 9-month celebration that will take place on October 16, 2011.  We plan to have a big day and see many souls saved and baptized.