Dick & Gloria Persons
PO Box 75 Mandaue Central PO
6014 Cebu
Philippines

Greetings from the Philippines.  Thank you for your interest and prayers for our ministry.  I will try to give a brief synopsis of our current ministry here in the Philippines.

It is exciting to see God at work here in Mandaue, Cebu these last two years.  Historically this place has been very difficult to reach and is one of the least reached areas with the gospel in the Philippines.  We had several Bible studies that we have now combined into one so that we have more time to start new Bible studies with other interested men and women.  We are also working with the youth in our neighborhood.  We have about 17 to 21 youth in regular attendance at the Friday night Youth Group.  On Saturday afternoon, we have around six children that gather for a kids’ club.  On Sunday morning, we are now averaging around 50 people in our worship service.  Training has already started for new leaders in the church.

Prayer Requests

1. Strength, health and wisdom as we reach out with the gospel
2. Discernment for our Bible study people to leave the old behind (idols and pagan practices) and put on the new (clear salvation experience, regular worship with the believers and growing in their salvation)
3. Church members to grow, mature spiritually and begin to take on responsibilities in the church
4. Financial struggle because the exchange rate has gone down from 53:1 in June 2006 to 44:1 this month October 2007 and it is still dropping, this makes it difficult to make ends meet and continue the same ministry.
5. Our children to continue to walk with the Lord and do well in their studies as they are far from home.