Dear Friends,
I just read I Corinthians 15:50-58. Simply put, it is speaking of our final victory when we will be changed and our present body will be exchanged for an immortal body. Verse 58 concludes with, “…therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Some of you have or are going through very difficult times on your journey through life. God knows and reminds us that our “…labor is not in vain.” We may not see or understand our circumstances at the present time, but whether in this life, or in the life to come we still have the victory in God!
The summer and fall have been busy at the facility in the Philippines. Pastor Allen, our administrator and the staff at the Virac school, continue to oversee the development of the grounds and the teaching seminars. We have had 158 students from a local vocational school attend seminars on our campus in the past few months. Of the students attending, most made decisions to follow Christ. It is exciting to see many secular college students being touched by God. Though most will not end up being full-time ministers as a profession, they will touch their generation for Christ in their respective workplace.
Below are two of the many testimonies from the students attending the “Values Training” seminar at the Virac school:
“I have learned that in every problem God is in the center…I am overwhelmed and thankful because I feel perfectly the presence of God. I learned to thank Him everyday….”
“I have learned that God has unconditional love. We are special because He sacrificed his only child to pay for our sins. I have learned that we are to forgive and forget…especially our family…. I am learning how to love God and have a relationship with Him.”
One of the main purposes of REAP is to see the kingdom of God expanded. We are encouraged to see so many young people choose to become followers of Christ.
On a personal note, for those that do not know, I (Nels) have been experiencing some difficulties with my heart. We are planning to go to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to have further testing done sometime this winter. Thank you for your prayers!
Nels, for Lorrie and Amy
