"It is a thrill to see the smiles on their faces and hear them testify of their faith in Christ," wrote missionary Ray Pollock concerning the new Tagbanwa believers in the Philippines.
Last week when Ray taught the last lesson in the evangelistic Bible series, 30 expressed their faith in Christ. Ray talked with many of the new believers and found that they were able to clearly express their trust in what Christ has done for them on the cross. He began meetings to ground them in their faith.
Last Sunday Ray taught at three meetings for the new believers. They were rejoicing in what God has done. Ray told them that singing is praising God and thanking Him. He introduced them to songs such as "Draw me close to You" and "I worship You." The people sang joyfully, many with tears in their eyes.
Ray told them that praying is just talking to God and they could pray anywhere any time. One woman got up and prayed publicly. No one wanted to stop at the end of the meeting so everyone just hung around and visited.
The faith of the believers was tested almost immediately when four families received notification that they would have to vacate their houses, land and rice fields within 15 days or start paying rent to a neighbor. The mother of these couples was born in the village 70 years ago and there has never been any dispute over land ownership until now. The families are devastated but say they trust God in the situation.
Ray and his wife Chris will be returning to New Zealand for six weeks and their partners, Danny and Philipa Brookes do not know the Tagbanwa language well enough to teach yet. However, they will read the Bible portions to the believers and encourage them in the Lord.
Pray for the Tagbanwa believers to grow in the Lord. Pray that the families in the land dispute will continue to trust God for His will in the matter.
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