Christmas 2023: the gospel reaching tribes and Muslims
We have a lot to celebrate this time of year! Jesus has continued to lead us to the ripe harvest, where the Gospel is reaching many tribes, Muslims, and unbelievers. We celebrate smooth transitions through a number of big changes this year, from the birth of our second baby to moving down to Mindanao, the largest island of the Philippines.
God has kept our friends and family safe from major earthquakes and violent attacks, both about 5-6 hours away from where we live. Our city of Davao has remained a safe haven where we can freely share the Good News of Jesus Christ, despite the island’s reputation.
We covet your prayers and are blessed that you have partnered with us to keep reaching unbelievers from many different backgrounds. Your support continues to make this possible, including for Joy, whose life was radically transformed last week.
My missionary friend Richard and I were at a new church last week. As I was about to preach, I felt led to pray first for anyone who was in severe pain. Two people came forward, both saying they were in some of the worst pain of their lives. One was an elderly man who had messed up his back a few months before. The other was a middle-aged woman named Joy, who had pain all over her body. Both of them were radically healed by Immanuel!
God isn’t waiting for us to die before we meet Him. His Name is Immanuel, God with us! I know I may sound like a broken record sharing healing testimonies so often, but “the kindness of the Lord leads us to repentance”. For many years, the signs and wonders from God have been such a powerful tool for evangelizing across cultural and language barriers.
My new friend Joy, who had just been healed before the sermon, came up to the altar afterward for more prayer. She wasn’t content with just a touch from Jesus. She wanted Him to truly be the King of her life and to have all dominion. Joy, along with others, received the baptism of the Holy Spirit for the first time! The Holy Spirit came so peacefully on many who desired more of Him.
After the service, the church of about 75 celebrated a few birthdays, including Joy’s. She had been healed and filled with the Holy Spirit for her birthday! Joy still had tears in her eyes long after the service was over. She was truly filled with the joy that comes from God!
We also celebrate the seminary students, who have finished another semester and are continuing to learn what it means to trust in God. Next semester I’ll have the privilege of teaching on healing and bringing the students to a local hospital to pray with faith and see the sick radically healed by God!
Richard and I have been given so much favor inside SPMC, the largest hospital of the Philippines. The head doctor of the cancer ward will be getting us name badges and the privilege of visiting the ER on a set schedule. Many patients come to this hospital from all around Mindanao and the islands of the southern half of the Philippines. It serves roughly 800 new patients each day from all backgrounds and beliefs, and many of them have never heard about Jesus Christ, who died for us to save us from our sins!
Our family continues to walk in favor with the people, missionaries, and pastors of Davao City. We’re so grateful to be a part of God’s plan for reconciling people back to Himself. As the end of the year approaches, so does the chance to sow seed with tax-deductible gifts. If you’d like to give, you can donate to us as your ambassadors in Christ. You can also send support to the Mindanao Initiative Filipino missionaries. Just let us know where the funds should go.
Because they haven’t heard,
Justin & Anna Gilpin
