A bamboo church in the mountains
We just wanted to share that we’re thankful for you. We’re grateful for your prayers and support. Both have been fundamental in changing people’s lives. Those people aren’t just numbers on some ministry checklist. Each and every one of them has a name, a face and a story. I’d like to share with you one of those people, someone whose life has been forever changed by your commitment and obedience.
A few weeks ago I was speaking at one of our new Assemblies of God churches up in the mountains. It’s so new that the building is made of bamboo. The building may be in poor shape, but that doesn’t reflect their attitude. Many were thankful that someone had been sent from another country to minister to them. Ultimately, they’re thankful that you sent my family and me to preach the Gospel, because we couldn’t go unless you sent us.
After sharing the Word about how God is our provider, we had an altar call. A number of people came for prayer and God healed them miraculously, but one young newlywed stood out to me. His name is Fedil, and he’s just 24 years old. He’s been a hard worker since he was 8, when his father passed away. The family struggled, and even though he was so young, he got himself a job.
His employer paid Fedil to climb fruit trees (likely coconut trees). One day he fell from a tree and badly hurt his back, and it never fully recovered. For years his prayer was that the Lord would give him strength and keep him strong.
Fedil struggled with pain for many years. He kept pressing on with life and started a family. He married his sweetheart, and the two of them are now expecting their first child. He lives a simple life, doing construction when there’s work and going to the city dump to find recyclable material that hasn’t already been picked over. Both of these jobs put a lot of strain on his back.
At the altar call he shared that his back was in pain every day of his life. It was nearly unbearable to do much of anything, but he had to, or his family wouldn’t eat. He said his pain was an 8 out of 10, with 10 being the worst pain of his life. Despite this tremendous struggle, he still had hope. He had hope that God is still a personal God who cares for him. Immanuel (God with us) did reveal Himself as Jehovah Rafa (God who heals). Praise God, Fedil was instantly healed!
God also healed his wife, Jessa, who was having a hard first trimester with stomach pain. They put their hope in God and left extremely thankful!
My family and I are thankful for the opportunity to partner with God and with you to make a difference in people’s lives here in the Philippines. Jesus is worthy of the ones He died for. He paid the price to redeem all men, and it’s God’s will that none shall perish. So thank you for supporting us and making it possible for us to be agents of change for people like Fedil.
Because they haven’t heard,
Justin & Anna Gilpin
