We’re sending a group of Americans to the Philippines this December — from the 12th to the 19th — to visit our orphans. Details are at Orphans.PH.

If you’re getting this newsletter, it’s because you’re part of our church family — whether you’ve been here a long time or just tuned in recently. And that means you’re invited.

We have 14 orphanages in the Philippines, home to over 600 children, and our American friends are going for three reasons:

1. Matthew 25 in action.
2. To encourage our local volunteers.
3. To see what locals can’t always see.

First 20 people to sign up get a spot. We may open more. Go to Orphans.PH  to register.

Jesus made remarkable promises about prayer.

He said, “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13)

He said that when two or three agree in His name, the Father will respond. (Matthew 18:19)

He said that when prayers are answered, the Father is glorified.

And still, there are moments when we pray with all our hearts, and Heaven seems silent.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

—1 John 5:14

There’s a quiet pattern that runs through the life of Jesus — a rhythm that powered every miracle, every word, and every moment of peace He carried into a restless world.

Before He chose His twelve apostles, He prayed all night. Before He faced the agony of Gethsemane, He prayed. Before calling Lazarus out of the tomb, He prayed. Before He taught, before He traveled, before He broke bread — He prayed.

Everywhere Jesus went, prayer went first.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

—Proverbs 3:6

How would you live if you knew time wasn’t on your side? Not in the poetic sense — I mean really knew your days were short. That the calendar wasn’t a comfort anymore, but a countdown.

Would you rush to leave your mark? Would you hoard what’s left? Or would you start giving it all away while you still could?

“... just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

—Matthew 20:28

And that’s how eternity begins —

right here, in the short life you still have time to live well.

Before he became Paul the Apostle, Saul was feared. His name carried weight across cities. People hid when they heard he was coming. He believed he was serving God by silencing anyone who followed Jesus.

He had Scripture memorized, arguments ready, and the confidence of a man certain he was right. But for all he knew about God, he didn’t know God.

Then came the road to Damascus.

“I once was blind, but now I see.”

—John 9:25

The mountainside was quiet that night, soft and still, as if the world had taken a deep breath. Jesus knelt alone, speaking to His Father, listening as much as He prayed (Luke 6:12). By morning, He would choose twelve ordinary men to carry hope into the world, but first, He let the Father guide Him.

Every whisper of wind, every pause of silence seemed full of direction.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

—Psalm 46:10