Newsletter from the Blacks - July 24

We hope this letter finds you all well and happy. We try to remember to pray for you daily. Thank you for praying for us.

The rain has finally paused a little and the sun is shining through the clouds now and then. Typhoon Florita stalled over the Philippines dumping a lot of water and causing many landslides and massive flooding in places. Thank the Lord we were spared the worst of it in our area. We did experience some flooding in the nearby city of Urdaneta. The main highway into the city, at one place, was turned into a literal river which we had to drive through to get into town. The good news is that the campus did not flood as it has in the past.

The seven teens, along with Brad Hawn, who visited here recently, were such an encouragement! They came to us through the Touching Lives for Christ ministry out of Hobe Sound, Florida. Roanna loved having them here! They gave her hours and hours of great American fellowship. The Filipinos admired the team’s hard work in the hot summer sun. The TLC kids painted the front of our school building and

cleaned up some areas on the campus that desperately needed attention.

Thirteen of us traveled all around and gave out children’s books about Jesus, held children’s services and youth rallies. The team had skits, stories, songs, and games ready for each service. Those American young people were really affected by all they saw here and were especially touched by the needy children.

We went so far into the remote part of the country that one of the villages we visited wasn’t even named…it just had a number. It thrilled me to think that a small village, which the government didn’t find important enough to name, is full of people Jesus knows personally. Thanks Mark Potter and TLC for sending such a good team!

This new Academy school year is off to a good start. We have proudly framed and put on display in the office the permit from the government which allows us to now operate a high school! We have a nice group of upper grade students enrolled and Christina is enjoying teaching

them their Bible class.

We have included some pictures in this newsletter of our elementary school children showing off some of their new toys donated by Hobe Sound Christian Academy. Filipino children don’t have a room at home overflowing with toys, so these are pretty special to them! Thank you, American children, for selling some of your own so you could share with us!

David has spent hours helping organize the new modular program for this college year. The teachers and students are quite excited about it. The Lord has given Mrs. Castro, our college administrator, a physical touch. She is enjoying better health. Thank you for praying for her.

We recently went up to check on the Alibagu project and were again amazed by the professional level of the work that is taking place there. It is a beautiful facility! Thanks again to all who continue giving to this worthy endeavor!