Time Flies...

 

It’s been nearly a decade since I last posted. A lot has happened, and I fully intend to tell you all about it.

But first…

I’m writing this from a small room in the Philippines. Behind me, a brave little fan is doing its best to keep me cool while I prepare a training course on Hydrotherapy. Some local nurses and massage therapists have shown interest in the health ministry we're trying to get off the ground.

Originally, I was supposed to be working as a Bible worker in Palawan right now—but as we all know: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

A few years ago, I entered into the blessed covenant of marriage. Life has changed a lot since then—for the better. There have been some bitter trials along the way, though. The short version of how we ended up back in the Philippines goes something like this:

My wife wanted to receive the same medical missionary training I did, so we applied to attend Wildwood Lifestyle Center and College of Health Evangelism in Georgia, USA. I was accepted as a lifestyle counselor, and she was accepted as a student. My visa was approved. Hers… not so much.

I went ahead to the U.S., especially since my mom had recently been diagnosed with cancer. While visiting her and working as a medical missionary, my wife and I tried every visa option we could think of. Nothing worked. After several months and a lot of paperwork-induced stress, we finally said, “Okay Lord, show us what to do,” and started praying in earnest.

That’s when a door opened. I was offered a Bible teaching position in Palawan. I accepted and got busy preparing—working in gardens, cleaning attics, doing minor repairs, washing windows...basically, channeling my inner handyman. I managed to secure enough funds to reunite with my wife and begin our ministry in the Philippines together.

Then, TWO WEEKS before departure, I got a call:
"Brother, we made a mistake. Your housing has been assigned to another missionary couple… can you postpone until June or July?"

Cue internal screaming.

This was a problem. My visa was expiring in two weeks. I had already left my position at Wildwood. I had to go to the Philippines… but now I had no ministry assignment. No clear plan. No income. And I still had a wife to support.

Then, just a week later, I received a call from a doctor friend:
"Hey, we’re starting a health ministry in Bacolod City—are you available?"

God truly knows the end from the beginning. Funny thing is, back in 2018, I sat in a little vegan café with this very same doctor, talking about how the Philippines desperately needed more medical missionary work.

Fast forward to April 2025, and here we are: launching a health ministry in Bacolod City.

More details to come soon. For now, I’m preparing for a 6-day evangelistic series. I’ve been asked to present a 30-minute health talk each night before the main sermon. Please pray for wisdom and for the Holy Spirit to speak through me—I’m not exactly a natural public speaker…

Until next time,

Peace and Love.