April, 2007

Dear Friends,

Psalm 107:8—"O that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" The Lord's goodness (lovingkindness) is a great reason to praise Him. It is everlasting, and we see evidences of it everyday. In the midst of a hectic schedule and diverse problems, the Lord gives strength, wisdom, grace, patience, etc. The school year ended well the last week of March. We have been conducting reenrollment for the past two weeks with 185 enrolled so far for the next school year beginning June 4. We had 283 students this past school year and are expecting close to 300 this coming year.

Last month I mentioned about one of our member's husband being shot and killed. At the graveside service, we met some people who lived adjacent to the cemetery. Since then, we have been conducting a children's Bible club in that area and have been witnessing to the adults. Several have made professions of faith. We average 30+ children in the Bible club. Last Sunday was Anniversary Sunday at the church, and we had 16 attend for the first time from this area (2 adults, 2 teens, and the rest children). Some other adults have promised to attend church tomorrow. Please pray for these people who live in CutCut. One of our outreach pastors (Rodel Dizon) just celebrated one year of pastoring an outreach church (in Pandacaqui). We were planning to attend the celebration but our van broke down just before we were to leave. The radiator fan broke so we had to wait for one to be fabricated since an original one could not be found. We have been driving the same vehicle for the 12 years we have been here, and it has been very dependable. With labor so cheap, it is cheaper to keep a vehicle in repair than to buy a new one. Another of our outreach pastors just resigned, so we are praying for a pastor for the outreach church in Mawaque. Please pray with us about this. The weather has been extremely hot the last couple of weeks with temperatures in the mid-90s every day. We thank the Lord for the air conditioning that we have in our bedroom. Most of our workers are having a hard time sleeping in this hot weather with very little relief at night and no air conditioning. It will probably be a month or more before there is any rain to bring relief. Our Bible Institute extension in Cavite is doing well. I met with the Pastor there and one of our graduates two weeks ago. They had nine students this past semester and are expecting seven new students this coming semester. They have three men from one of the mountain tribes who are attending classes. After graduation, these three men plan to go back to the mountain area where there are no fundamental churches and start churches amongst their tribe. They would covet your prayers. We provide the teaching materials for the classes in our Institute extension and help with feeding the students like these three men who are from other areas and are boarding there. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to help train others for the ministry and to send workers into other parts of the Philippines to start churches. We thank the Lord for all those who are praying for us and for those who are helping support the ministry here.

In His Service,

Tom and Lynn Ashley

2-12 CRISTINA DRIVE/ VILLA TERESA
ANGELESE CITY
PHILIPPINES

teashley@mozcom.com 

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