On October 24th at 8 am we heard a loud voice outside our front door, “The Jubilee school is on fire! Jubilee’s on fire!” We looked outside and thick, black billowing smoke filled the sky.
Jumping on a motorcycle, we followed the smoke towards the school and prayed that God would place His holy shield of angels around Jubilee. Word traveled and many prayed for protection.
From the top floor of the school we witnessed the raging fire approaching. Suddenly, the wind shifted and within less than a foot from the school, God extinguished the fire and demonstrated His protection!
The most difficult part for us to witness was the 57 families in our school that lost their homes. It is estimated that about 300 homes vanished in the flames.
A week later, we gathered the students to celebrate God’s hand of protection over the school. Miraculously, all lives were spared and there were no injuries.
We shared with the children that when you become a child of God, Jesus enters your life and makes a special home in your heart. An eternal home that never burns down. We were blessed that day to witness several students accepting His gift of eternal life.
25% of the students who attend Jubilee Academy are from Muslim families. They allow their children to memorize Bible verses and learn about Jesus at school because they know their children are also taught English.
Because of your support, we were able to provide tarps, cooktops, Petrol tanks, food and clothing for each of the Jubilee families that lost everything.
We also served a few thousand meals to all the fire victims for the first week and shared the message of Jesus as well. Every day we’re experiencing the power of kindness that transcends cultural barriers.
More importantly, the power of God’s love and his promise that He has prepared a place for us has been the blanket of hope for these families.
As butterflies struggle to emerge from their cocoons, so the Filipinos struggle to survive and thrive. Life is hard already, but when tragedy hits the struggle to rise up can be achieved when we become new creatures in Christ and reflect His beauty.
Steve was inspired to paint a mural for the children when they returned to school.
We gathered the students to celebrate life. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6
No matter your age, sometimes we need to take time to blow bubbles, to breathe in God’s grace and soar above the flames of this world.
And like the Jubilee students thanked God for protection and the blessing of life, we encourage you to express your gratitude and to celebrate.
HAPPY THANKS GIVING!
Steve & Susan
Current prayer requests:
1.That doors will continue to open into the hearts of the Ati tribe and the Muslim communities.
- That we will learn and retain the Tagalog language.
- For increased funding to meet the needs of the Filipinos.
“May the Lord bless you and protect you
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26