What a blessing it has been to be able to serve the Lord here in the Philippines for a little over four months now! We now have a more stable schedule, with the children attending the International Baptist Church’s private school. They have been VERY happy to be back in school with fellow classmates, instead of the road-school, park-school, anywhere-school schedule that they had while we were on deputation. Mary-Ann has been assisting in the school as well, and she has enjoyed being able to do so. We are still working on some various paperwork items here in the Philippines, so please continue in prayer for us that these can be finalized in the near future.

My 43-year-old sister passed away unexpectedly in March, so Titus and I returned to the States for the funeral and to spend some time with my family. This is my second sibling who has gone on to Heaven before my parents, so I was glad to be able to spend some time with them. We were also able to complete a few things which had not been finished up back in November before we left for the Philippines. Also, we were able to meet with four of our supporting churches and give them an update. Please pray for the Holy Spirit’s comfort for my family, especially for my sister’s surviving husband and three children (ages 17-21).

Our family has continued being used by God to spread His Gospel here in the Dumaguete area, as from January through the end of March, our family alone has seen 103 trust Christ as their Saviour! At least one of them has been able to come to church and be baptized. We are praying for and trying to follow up with those we can so that they will be able to attend church and choose baptism. After his first time in leading someone to Christ in December, Timothy has followed up with 5 more in the past 3 months! We are so happy to see him, Luke, Titus, and Hannah happily working on church “bus” routes. (We use vans and motorcycle pedicabs instead of buses.) They are also enjoying the church’s afternoon program for teens and encouraging their riders to participate.

There are too many testimonies to share here, but I want to include two. First, due to Titus’ and my unplanned trip back to the States, we had to fly to Manila and spend the night there to catch a morning flight. We were able to stay in one of Mary-Ann’s relative’s home there in the Manila area, and I was able to witness to her cousin Lea and a housemaid Marylou. They were not confident in their English, so Mary-Ann’s niece Alaina, whom I had the joy of leading to Christ 10 years ago, helped translate for me, and both of them trusted Christ for salvation! The next morning, we had to take a 45-minute taxi ride to the airport. I was able to present the Gospel to our driver Marchito, and he was sweetly saved. I don’t know all of the reasons why God allowed my sister’s death, but these three precious souls heard the Gospel due to our changed schedule.

We thank God for all of you out there praying for us, and we are grateful that God has partnered our family with you! Stay strong in the Lord, and by God’s grace, we will do the same!

Sincerely,

R. Daniel Williams and Family to the Philippines
All for Christ!