Have you ever stood under a hot shower after a long day and just experienced the sheer joy of it? That’s how we felt during our recent ministry trip to the Philippines. Only it was a shower of blessings as God kept bringing together the right people at the right time. Here is what our Filipino sisters and brothers said about our time there.

Samaritana Transformation Ministries based in Manila ministers to at-risk women caught in prostitution. Thelma commented after our workshop: “You have given us the language and helped us to adapt social entrepreneurship to our situation. Now we know how to plan for the change [to incorporate sustainable income generation in our program].”

Central Philippine University’s President, Dr. Robles, invited each of us to deliver the addresses at its 89th Commencement ceremonies (see this article). He wrote: “Thanks a lot for your commencement messages and the entrepreneurship seminar. You both have done so much for the university. I am sure that your footprints here will linger for a long time.”

Bruce had a reunion with the first graduates of the entrepreneurship major he started at CPU in 1991. Rhea, who now teaches in the program, remarked: “We are very proud and grateful for you sir. Much of who we are, what we are, and what we’ve become is because of you. Thank you for teaching us what we need in life (morals and values) which helped mold the kind of business people that we are now. Indeed, we are the fruits of your social entrepreneurship by faith in action!” These are words every teacher longs to hear!

Lenny Rose commented on the social entrepreneurship curriculum development workshop Bruce led for faculty and students at CPU: “Thank you for inspiring us – especially me! After the seminar, I realized that this is actually what I foresee myself getting into.”

The Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches’ General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Jerson Narcisso, sent us a warm thank-you for helping the Convention think about how to provide better support for its churches and regional conventions: “Kami sa CPBC nalipay kag nagapasalamat gid sang inyo hamili nga bulig sa pag facilitate kag paghatag ideas kon paano namon himoon ang institutional assessment.“ (“We at CPBC are so happy and we thank you so much for your valuable input to facilitate and share ideas on how we can conduct an institutional assessment.”)

Ann also participated in fruitful conversations between leaders of the Baptist Convention of Vietnam, CPU and International Ministries to identify ways to provide contextualized theological education for pastors and leaders and establish a Bible School to equip future leaders.

We were blessed by the opportunity to reconnect with the dear friends who made us part of their families during the 9 years we served in the Philippines from 1987 to 1996.

The final blessing we want to thank God for is … you! These ministries are only possible because of your prayer and financial partnership with us.

Ann & Bruce