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Dear Ministry Partners,
Last month, after our Fall Tour of the Western United States and Canada, a friend of mine took me to see Niagara Falls. It is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, with over 168,000 cubic meters of water flowing over the edge every minute during peak flow. For size comparison, those boats in the water are about 90 feet long and can carry up to 600 people each. As my friend and I walked up close to the falls, especially when we entered the tunnel underneath it, we could see and feel the thunderous power produced by the water falling over the crest and onto the rocks below. Both Canada and the United States harness this incredible force of the water to turn turbines that can generate close to 4.9 million kilowatts. That’s enough to power 3.8 million homes! (https://nyfalls.com/niagara-falls/faq-4/)
And this reminded me that people have no idea of the tremendous blessings that we as believers have received from God. Paul said that God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). People are either ignorant of this truth or don’t pay much attention to it. Paul gushed about these blessings and prayed that we “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” (Eph. 3:18-19). May we have the same appreciation for the incredible blessings that we have received in Jesus Christ.
Let me tell you how the Lord continued to bless the ministry of CCI Philippines in October.
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We appreciate your prayers and support.
Henry Ventura
CCI Philippines National Director
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We started five new classes with a total of 58 new students in Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and South Cotabato. | |
One of these new classes was started by Pastor Dominto in Musuan, Bukidnon (photo above). He is very thankful for the new motorcycle he recently received. It enabled him to reach the area through muddy roads that are so bad that they “are like carabao trails.” | |
Teacher Training Workshop (TTW) | |
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On October 8th, Pastor Manny conducted a Teacher Training Workshop with Pastor Doy de Leon of Rock of Refuge Christian Church in Quezon City. After the TTW, Pastor Doy ordered a complete set of books and will talk with the leaders in his church about starting a CCI class.
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The Cross Before the Crown Seminar | |
David Nelson led a Cross Before the Crown seminar at Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Winkler, Manitoba, during our Fall Tour in October. Two other National Directors and I were allowed to teach a small part of each seminar. This opportunity was to prepare us to teach the same seminar in our respective countries. | |
God's Financial Principles (GFP) Seminar | |
Pastor Caindoy led two God’s Financial Principles seminars in October. The first GFP Seminar was held at Mission Church of Tagbilaran on October 7th. Seven women from the women’s Bible study group attended the seminar. They enjoyed the new things they learned, especially because they are the ones managing their finances at home. | |
The second GFP Seminar was held on October 26th at Heavensent Gardens Ministries in Maribojoc, Bohol. There were four participants, including four current students and three people from other churches. | |
According to the participants, they are excited to share what they just learned with the church because these principles are too important not to be shared with others. | |
- The Luzon team met in October to discuss Pastor Henry’s tour of the United States and Canada and the CCI graduation in Hong Kong. Pastor Steve Guianan gave a report about the devastation caused by Typhoon Kristine in Bicol. Pray for three of his CCI students who lost everything in the floods, including their CCI books.
- Pastor Nonie has identified two potential Area Coordinators for Western Visayas, namely, Pastor Jero Salem and Pastor Nimrod Pulotan. Pastor Nonie will start training them in the coming months. I’m planning to visit them in November to help with their training.
- The Midnorth Association of Southern Baptist churches held their semi-annual conference, which representatives of 38 churches attended. Pastor Mabano promoted CCI at this event, and we now have possible openings for more classes in these churches.
- Pastor Dominto, together with the officers of the alumni association in Northern Mindanao, planned and held a Sportsfest in Bukidnon to encourage cooperation, coordination, and communication among the alumni, students, and teachers. There were 80 pastors and church leaders in attendance. They formed five teams and competed in a basketball tournament. As a result of the testimonies and fellowship during the Sportsfest, many students and teachers in Bukidnon were encouraged to continue the training.
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Luisa C. Sarabia graduated from the CCI class in Hong Kong on September 18.
“I find myself more equipped for every topic I share in prison ministry. As I lead in Sunday School, other Sunday School leaders would oftentimes sit in our class to benefit from what I am sharing with them, especially the method of Bible study.”
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Prayer Requests & Praises
- I thank God that I was able to visit a few friends in Canada and spend a few days with my son Ezy, who lives and works in Edmonton. Please pray that Ezy will prosper in every way in Canada.
- Please pray that Naga City will be able to recover from the devastation brought about by the recent typhoon. Many people have died, malls and stores were closed, and there have been lootings. People cannot even cook their food because of the flood. Travel is very difficult, and many cars have broken down in the streets.
- Please pray for Leo Usi’s son Timothy, who still suffers from asthma despite the high dose of steroids that the doctor prescribed for him.
- Please pray for the health of our Coordinators, especially Pastor Manny Gocon, Sister Linda Gocon, and Eloi Cabillan.
- Pray for support-raising events that we are going to organize in the Philippines.
- Pray that the Lord would give Pastor Caindoy some faithful men who can help in Leyte, Cebu, and Negros Oriental.
- Please pray for our team in South Central Mindanao as they work to expand the ministry into North Cotabato and the Davao Region.
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