This is mentioned several times in the book of Acts–
“The word of God kept spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase” (Acts 6:7).
Our passion is for that to also happen through DCO, beginning in Davao City, then in neighboring regions, and then tribes on our island and other countries. Thanks to our donors and prayer supporters, it’s happening!
Gina has always been very comfortable leading worship, organizing events, cooking 100 meals, hosting, doing kids’ ministry… But for years she wasn’t eager to teach the Bible to adults. I always knew she could do it, and now she’s doing it more often than ever. Here’s a ladies’ group that Gina teaches twice a month.
What a coincidence! Our congregations in Bacalso, New Valencia, and here in Garcia Heights all heard sermons about love on Sunday, 2/14. I wonder why. 🙂
We do birthdays! With Marc translating, I was honored to preach Jesus at a birthday party to about 20 in attendance (plus the neighbors who heard) for about 20 minutes. We appreciate this family in Agdao for inviting us.
As soon as Matthew (AKA Levi) started following Jesus, he threw a party. He invited all of his unsaved friends… and Jesus. We also like to bring Jesus to parties.
I was honored to preach at a wake/viewing a month ago. The family of the deceased lady heard about us from our church members, and they wanted us to minister. Lots of unchurched people outside heard the Gospel, thanks to our big portable speaker.
Before the sermon, Gina led the worship.
Partnering with a church in Toril (about 1 hour away). We sent a team–along with donated items–to a church there which is pastored by my former Fire School student Nash Pates. Street preaching! I love it.
Hans and Shelda, couple who came to our church for a few months (but now they live far away), asked if I would lead the prayer for the dedication of their new house (a common practice in this country, usually done by a priest). They asked what my fee was (which is also common). I replied, “My fee is that after the prayer, I would like to preach the Gospel for about 20 minutes.”
Thank God for an attentive group of guests…and even some who were not guests! If the camera had been pointed to the left a bit, on the other side of that fence you would see at least 10 others, seated and listening intently.
Thanks, Donna, for translating.
A new location weekly neighborhood Bible study. Several are members of one family.
There’s a baby in the red blanket. She loved the topic! 🙂
We have over 20 weekly Bible study locations now. I teach or preach about 15 times per month, and we have several leaders who also teach and/or preach.
Two of my teaching opportunities are online, including every Thursday with my Swedish friend Jan and his Filipina wife Evelyn, who attend the Bacalso meetings; they live too far from me for weekly in-person study.
We thank God for Ebi! He’s a medical student from India who started hanging out with us in 2019. He loves to teach and preach–my kind of guy!
I offered to drive these four ladies to their ministry on the mountain in New Valencia, but they wanted to hitchhike. Climbing into the truck was almost like climbing the mountain! 😄 (Bee took the photos.)
When Bee was moving years ago, Gina bought her some new restroom accessories. But Bee thought they worked better as fashion accessories. 😀 Is her ministry going down the tubes? 😛
Bee has many gifts. As an effective public speaker, she’s the default ‘emcee’ whenever our church has a special event. Bee excels in kids’ ministry, in discipleship (she has disciples who have disciples), and under Gina’s tutelage, Bee has become a very good cook. But there’s one gift that she desperately wants that’s simply out of reach: Bee wants to be a singer. We know because she tries so often! 😮
Don’t get me wrong; her singing doesn’t induce pain or cringing (like many karaoke singers in this country), but rather laughs. 😛 It’s hilarious!
Some people sing off key. Others always get song lyrics mixed up. Still others have no rhythm, so they get off beat. Bee is all three! 🤣 Yet she keeps trying. You have to admire her persistence! 😆
Recently she happened to be on the stage when it was time for offering. I should have scheduled someone to lead the offering song. Bee did it! 😮
So this post is revenge. 😃 🤪
Keep trying, Bee! God loves persistence! 🙂
Gina and I would love to talk with your fellowship group, Bible study, or church via Skype or Facebook chat. We could talk about whatever you’d like: the Philippines, our mission, our personal testimonies, or to urge folks to prayerfully consider serving the Lord in another culture. I think it would be encouraging for your group–it would certainly encourage us!–and it might inspire more prayer supporters and financial supporters for Davao City Outreach. And it would be a chance for us to “see” the US again for a while. The time factor should be easy enough to work out–in the US, your evening is our morning.
To those who give, thank you so much!
Here are the ways you can donate:
We could never repay you for your generosity to Davao City Outreach, but certainly “you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:14)
Please forward this website to others who might be interested.
Please pray that God will send more laborers into his harvest field.
Please do not write to me here. Your message would get buried in the 1000s of spam messages. Please contact me via jgapinoy@gmail.com. Thank you!