4-06 Update from the Philipenes

Due to computer problems and travel I have not been able to send out Goensmyway as often as I had hoped. I am in Tar lac, Philippines and God is blessing. I have many adventures from Davao to tell you but I will catch you up on the last few days first.
I am here with Brother Joey Cosme, a young missionary we were able to help in the states. Brother Joey has a beautiful wife, one with a great sense of humor and an apparent love for her husband, a couple of very cute little girls as well as the the Lord. I have put the Goens charm on one of the little girls and won her over very easily, however, the youngest one will not even eat at the same table with me. Well, I guess that just proves that you can't win every time!
Brother Joey started a church about four years ago and turned the work over to another pastor when he came to America for his education. I had the privilege of holding the first revival meeting this church has ever had. We made a great connection with the people and their pastor and the revival was very successful with good crowds, great altar results a couple of young people called to preach and 4 saved.
We have preached at three other churches here since April 1, when we arrived, and God blessed at each place. Sunday we preached at two churches and all totaled I believe that God blessed with thirty two souls saved. One church, one of Tar lac's largest, the altar was full and the people, once again very receptive.
I am not sure why, but the Filipino pastors are extremely receptive to our ministry and friendships are formed very quickly. The Filipino congregations also are very gracious and even seem to enjoy my rather off beat sense of humor. A bond is formed quickly and my comfort with the pastors and people amaze me.
At one church that we were at the church has a wall around the building, as do all the churches, with barb wire and broken glass embedded in the concrete blocks around the top. Just a couple of months ago, at 2 AM, his home was broken into, all in the house held at gun point, tied up and all of the worldly goods stolen. A frightening experience for his wife, and daughters and of course for the pastor himself. The robbers were caught a few days later, but the area is full of their "friends." I am here but a day, the pastors live here every day and face great difficulties, but their thirst for God is not quenched nor their fire for souls put out. I thank God I can come here to encourage them to continue on and fight one more round.
We are leaving today to go to yet another part of the Island, to a place where Bro. Joey is going to be starting a new church in about a month. We will be "door" knocking and saturating the area with literature. Door knocking is not really the case, everyone in the Philippines are on the streets it seems, 24 hours every day. Stand in one place and hundreds will just pass your way. We will be preaching in several other churches before we come back home. Please pray that many more souls will be saved and lives changed.
I miss my family, my church and my schedule back in America, but God seems to be using our ministry to encourage the people here. Thank you for helping make this trip be successful, with your money, your prayers and your love.
Because He Lives,
Bro. Steve