We want to begin by expressing our sincere thanks and appreciation for everyone who continues to pray for us and financially support us as we serve with CBM in the Philippines.  You faithful love and support means so much to us and serves as a reminder of God’s love, faithfulness and provision.  Thanks for joining us on this journey…TOGETHER we are impacting families and communities through word and deed!

VISIT WITH JOHN CHAN

We had the wonderful privilege of welcoming CBM’s new Director of International Partnerships, John Chan to Manila last month.  We gather together as a CBM team at the Guthrie’s home and shared a meal together (Pizza) and enjoyed conversation, laughter, games, and a time of prayer.  For 2/3 of our CBM Philippines team this was our first time meeting John so we were grateful for the opportunity to spend a few days with him and to get to know each other.  John begins his new role at the beginning of July.  If you would like to know more about John please check out this CBM Press Release.

Please be in prayer for John & Ruth Chan as they transition back to Canada for John to assume this new role with CBM.  Please pray for John as he begins new leadership to this vital role within CBM.

DAVAO CITY

Last weekend we travelled to the city of Davao (which is located on the Island of Mindanao) to spend a few days with our CBM colleagues, Emo & Kathy Yango.  The Yango’s were great hosts and treated us to some of the special treasures found in Davao such as Durian fruit (as seen in this picture).  Durian is considered the King of Fruits here in the Philippines…all we can say is, it is like nothing we have ever eaten before!

While there we spent a lot of time (often late into the evening) talking together and learning more about the Philippine culture, their ministry in Mindanao with CRUIS Inc., and learning from their vast experiences of serving globally for over 25 years.  We were also glad to meet a few members of their team and hear a bit more about the new Business Initiative Program (BIP) that CRUIS Inc. is launching.  It is exciting to hear about initiatives like this that are creating good, stable employment for people and transforming families and local communities.  Please be in prayer for all those involved in this Business Initiative Program and others that will develop over time. 

Emo & Kathy also took us to a place called Eden Park which is situated at the base of Mt. Apo (tallest Mountain in the Philippines).  It was so nice to spend a few hours enjoying nature, smelling flowers, and fishing.  Now that we live in one of the worlds largest cities we don’t get a lot of time to enjoy nature.  This was a special treat and one that we all enjoyed!!

FOOD FOR LIFE

Last week, our colleagues Duane Guthrie and Michael travel back to Roxas City to continue journeying with the Business Development Committee of Kabuganaan Philippine Ministries (KPM), our partner in Capiz Province.  This has been a long journey (one that began long
before we came to the Philippines) but Food for Life is getting closer to becoming a reality.  Food for Life is a Cooperative of rural rice farmers who will work together to provide good, healthy rice at an affordable price for families.  Food for Life was born out of a desire to support poor rice farmers struggling to make a living off of their land, poor farm workers who are struggling to earn a fair wage for their work, and of course poor families who need good healthy rice for their families rather than the unhealthy mixed hybrid variety that is sold at the markets for a lower price.

Please be in prayer for the leaders of Food for Life as they finalize their plans for this cooperative. Please pray that all the necessary details for start-up will be taken care of adequately (such as production, packaging, transport, storage, funding, etc…) 

LOOKING AHEAD

April 17th to 20th – Michael will be traveling to Bag-ong Barrio, Tapaz in Capiz Province to attend the 110th Annual General Assembly of the association of Kasapulanan Baptist Churches Inc.  The assembly will take place at Sunrise Baptist Church on April 18th & 19th.  While there, Michael hopes to strengthen existing relationships and build new relationships with pastors and church leaders from the Kasapulanan association.  Our prayer is that God will use this opportunity to present opportunities for ministry in, to and through the marketplaces.

June 5th to 8th – Michael will be traveling to Davao to participate in an Interfaith Youth Leadership Gathering.  This gathering is being co-organzied by CRUIS Inc & KPM.  The gathering will bring together youth from different faith backgrounds to explore commonalities, shared hopes & dreams, and goals for the future.  The goal of the gathering is to develop a strategy for positive interfaith relations within their communities and circles of influence.

Language Learning – Please continue to pray for us as we continue learning Tagalog.  We continue to go to language class 3 days each week and are starting to see the results of our efforts.  However, it is hard work and we still have so much to learn.  Many of the language rules are hard to grasp, but we are determined…thanks for continuing to pray for us!

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Thank-you for continuing to support us through prayer and with financial support!

If you are interested in becoming a Partner-in-Mission please contact Barb Keys (bkeys@cbmin.org or call 1-905-821-3533) at Canadian Baptist Ministries.   You can also visit their website at www.cbmin.org to give online or for more information.  We are only able to follow God’s leading in our lives thanks to the monthly support of generous individuals and churches.

All donations of $10.00 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt at year end. 

Thank-you!

Michael & Melanie

Kyla, Sean, Carter & Allie