The Caampued's are well and, as always, we thank God for blessing us with the gift of family in the Philippines!
Paul will be traveling to Cebu to meet with the pastors there for a week-long seminar. With him he brings the translated materials, which have been worked on for months, and, for the first time will be tested in the field that week. Paul spoke of the emotions that accompany the reading of God’s word in one’s own language for the first time and it is with much anticipation and joy that he will be able to share this with the other pastors.
Economic times being what they are, budget cuts are being felt in many areas, and the PTC Ministry is no exception. There has been a partial loss of funding from the PTC’s primary source of income for this year and, by July of 2013, there will be no funding available for the PTC. This is not a surprise as the primary source of funding has lost much of its income and they are concentrating their support in Africa. Paul shared with us that there will be cutbacks in the amount of teams being sent out for training seminars, as well as the amount of seminars, but that it is also good there are trained pastors in many of the areas that will be impacted by the funding cuts. Paul spoke of ways to implement different means of income generating on a local level, which does include more development at the farm. CrossWay's elders are aware of this situation and will be in discussion regarding the funding of the PTC.
As Arcy continues the study group with the pastor’s wives (The Excellent Wife, a Biblical Perspective), the pastors themselves have the companion book, The Exemplary Husband, a Biblical Perspective. Pray that God would use this time of study, for both the pastors and their wives, to show Himself in their marriages.
Marichu continues to work at the orphanage. They have planted vegetables and are raising goats to offset budget cuts in their area as well.
Paul III has started to teach economics one day a week at a local Christian college, where he also is benefiting from being able to encourage students their faith.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
·
Pray that
God’s work will continue in Cebu, and that, with the newly translated
materials, there would be a better understanding and knowledge of God, as well
as an increased desire to share God’s word.
·
Pray for
safety in travel for Paul.
·
Pray, as the
Lord desires to continue the training of pastors, that He will provide the
means to sustain the PTC ministry and that God would continue to enable the
pastors to effectively preach the gospel.
·
Pray for
Pastor Arman Aspa’s wife, Arlene, as she struggles with “change of life”
issues.
·
Pray for
Ulysses, pastor & PTC member, who is preparing for advanced theological
training in London and that his application will be approved for further study
as part of the PTC training in 2013.
