Spring Update 2025

As promised in the last update -see what God did on our Thailand team last summer.

Thank You for Your Partnership!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are so grateful for your continued partnership in what God is doing here in the Philippines. Your prayers, support, and encouragement mean the world to us. You are an essential part of this ministry, and we’re constantly amazed at how God works through the body of Christ to accomplish His mission. Thank you for standing with us!

A Look Back: Fruit from TEAM 4:5

In our last newsletter, we shared about our summer work through TEAM 4:5, a short-term missions discipleship program. Since then, we’ve been keeping in touch with many of our participants—and what we’ve seen is nothing short of inspiring.

A couple Sundays ago, our church here in Davao hosted a ministry fair. Each ministry set up a booth to showcase its role in the church. Julie and I represented the Missions Ministry, highlighting how short-term missions can ignite a passion for long-term missions.

While I was explaining this to one of our church elders- a voice behind me burst out:
“I AM ONE OF THE RESULTS OF A SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRIP!”

It was Richelle—one of last summer’s TEAM 4:5 participants! She’s a young teacher by profession, but after months of prayer and mentoring, she has decided to leave her teaching career and pursue seminary training in Singapore. She is preparing to serve as a full-time missionary!

She’s not the only one:

Adrian, once a youth leader, is now pastoring a church full-time.
Kervin, previously just an occasional leader, is now part of a church planting team ministering two hours from his home church.

These are just a few examples of the impact of TEAM 4:5—and we give all glory to God!

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for TEAM 4:5?

Originally, we planned to run another month-long program this summer. However, due to changes in the academic calendar, we’re exploring new options and praying for guidance.

In the meantime, an exciting opportunity has opened up: A church from Cebu Island reached out to us, asking if we could organize a short-term mission trip for them. Lord willing, we’ll send a 15-member team to Palawan for 12 days to minister among the mountain tribes—an area our TEAM 4:5 backpack team served last year. Training will be half online and half in-person at our training camp.

Additionally, one of our U.S. ministry partners, Royal Servants, is planning to return to the same location our boat team ministered in last summer. God is on the move!

Our Work in Davao: Missions Momentum

A major reason we’re here in the Philippines is to partner with local churches in fulfilling the Great Commission. A few months ago, our church asked us to help establish a missions committee—something we’ve been praying for! In the coming weeks, we’ll form the missions board, which we hope will continue even after we return to the U.S.

Our goals this year include:

Sending out a short-term missions team from the church in Cebu.
Hosting a Missions Conference this October.
Continue to serve as the Missions Pastor at CFC for another year.

We’re incredibly excited for what’s ahead!

Family Updates

Josiah is planning to join a Royal Servants team heading to Kenya this summer. He signed up late due to our uncertain summer schedule, so it will take a miracle to raise all his support in time. We are proud of his heart for service and ask for your prayers—and financial support, here's a link if you feel led. (scroll down to find his name on their site)
Luke is doing well in middle school and growing fast. He has improved so much this year that his teachers are amazed. A huge answer to prayer.
Nhaya is enjoying motherhood with baby Adeline, who is now 6 months old. We love seeing our granddaughter via video calls—thank God for technology!
Caleb has started a new job and is rising to the challenge—it’s been wonderful to see him growing and maturing.
Julie is deeply involved in a women’s small ministry at church and also serves on the board of the school our kids attend.

Looking ahead, we’re planning a year of home service starting next summer. With Josiah heading off to college, we want to be in the U.S. to support him through that transition. That means three of our four kids will be in the States, while Luke will remain with us in the Philippines.

We are so excited to be featured on the SEND.org website.

Link to read article on the SEND website

We’re Grandparents!

One of the greatest joys we’ve experienced this last year is becoming grandparents! Little Adeline Mahal is now six months old, and we are completely smitten. She’s full of giggles, big eyes, and the most contagious smile. (We may be biased, but we’re pretty sure she’s the cutest six-month-old in the world!)

We are so proud of Jake and Nhaya—they are doing an amazing job as new parents. Watching them raise their daughter with so much love, patience, and grace has been a blessing beyond words. Even though we’re oceans apart, we get to see Adeline on video calls often (thank God for technology!).

Being grandparents is a whole new adventure—and one we are loving every second of.

Highlights from Our December Trip to the U.S.
We had a special trip back to the States last December—Gilmer meeting his granddaughter for the first time, spending quality time with family, and reconnecting with several of our supporting churches. Grateful for the moments, the memories, and the ministry!

We also had a couple birthday's we can't forget to mention.

Josiah had a birthday adventure!
He flew to the U.S. on his birthday in December, which meant his special day was 15 hours longer than usual! He’s always up for a travel day—and yes, the hotel waffles were a highlight.