Raz

We’ve returned from a month-long trip to the Philippines where we traveled to several islands to have face-to-face time with all of the staff and missionaries faithfully serving with First Love International. Our days were packed with many blessings and wonder; it’s difficult to know how much to edit and how much to share.  It was beautiful to hug Alma and Elsie (sisters…

“I heard the bells on Christmas dayTheir old familiar carols playAnd wild and sweet the words repeatOf peace on earth good will to men And in despair I bowed my headThere is no peace on earth I saidFor hate is strongAnd mocks the songOf peace on earth good will to men” We’re all familiar with the Christmas carol,…

The psalmist David says in Psalm 17:8  “Protect me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings . . . .”   This courageous woman, Ritma, is one of our First Love missionaries who ministers as a seminary professor and also disguises herself as Muslin in Afghanistan, teaching women who are forbidden to receive an education. As widows with children who seek…

These are the words spoken this week by one of our missionaries in Ukraine.“I am ready to die.” The world is witnessing the country of Ukraine in torment, and many of the images seem unbelievable. Children kissing their fathers goodbye as they stay behind to fight the greatest war of their lives… and innocent lives lost. Please pray for our First Love International missionaries…

“A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices” — a line from that famous Christmas carol “O Holy Night”. This year we have truly witnessed God’s hope descend on the weary world in the Philippines. Because of your consistent prayers and support, numerous families on the islands of Boracay and Panay have faithfully received  the message of God’s love…

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil. 2 : 4 In March we heard the news that Americans with a 9G Visa could possibly enter the Philippines for a limited time. I reluctantly booked only one ticket as Susan needed to stay back because of severe undiagnosed eye allergies.  After a seven-day quarantine in Manila I returned to…

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…. And His name shall be calledWonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father  PRINCE OF PEACE. It feels especially good in this season of our world and calendar to proclaim and rest in the Prince of Peace.   During this time of waiting we have created these images to…

Like most of you, we are waiting for life to return to normal before COVID; however, we shouldn’t be surprised that God is working in the waiting. We are in the states until given permission to return to the place God has called us to love and serve. At this point, only citizens and diplomats…

OH NO!….. It was early morning when we got the news . . .  an enormous typhoon will be hitting the islands! Ursula, winds up to 121 mph.  Soon losing contact with our staff . . . all we could do was pray and try to get the latest updates from the Philippines. We had returned to the US to celebrate…

It is with grateful hearts that we close this first year in the Philippines. Since our last newsletter we wanted to share a few beautiful life change celebrations of Gods’ touch on the hearts of those we’ve been serving. To our amazement, we have experienced “more than we could ask or think.” When we first…