This month marks one year since God called us to serve at Faith Academy. It marks our eighth month as part of this ministry and also our fourth month living in the Philippines. We are in awe of all that God has done and is doing. We are greatly blessed to have you as our ministry partners. Thank you for your prayers for us and our students. God has been so steadfast in providing for us and opening doors for us to build relationships with more of our students.

Since our last update, there have not been any big changes. It is that part of the school year when both students and teachers realize that it is crunch time. School and extracurricular activities are in full swing and keeping us busy. Between the lesson planning, the grading, and guiding students through college applications, it is sometimes easy to get into a rut. But as we find a quiet moment with God, he focuses our thoughts on his faithfulness and the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

It has been on our hearts lately to share with you a couple of thoughts about hope in Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV says:

3 Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

We have a living hope in Christ. What does living hope mean? Well, living hope is first and foremost eternal life. 

Hope also...

1. comes from God (Psalm 43:5)

2. is a gift of grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

3. is defined by Scripture (Romans 15:4)

4. is a reasonable reality (Romans 3:15)

5. is secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 11:25-26)

6. is confirmed in the believer by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)

7. defends the Christian against Satan's attacks (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

8. is confirmed through trials (Romans 5:3-4)

9. produces joy (Psalm 146:5)

10. is fulfilled in Christ's return (Titus 2:13)

It is God’s faithfulness and the living hope that we, God’s children, are born into that encourages us to diligently serve where God has placed us and to persevere through every circumstance. We pray for all of you to take courage in the eternal hope that is Christ.

• Please continue to pray for our students and for more opportunities for them to come to campus.

• We are now at 67% of our monthly support raising goal, and 77% of our one-time goal. We praise God for you and are so grateful for our partnership. Please pray with us for more partners to join us in God’s ministry.

• We have been experiencing some issues with our car and we’re having it looked at this week. Please pray that it will be an easy and affordable fix.

Some time we spent hiking with friends. Most of it was spent walking on nets suspended above many jagged rocks.