The Philippines. What do you think about when you read the word?

It is a nation south of China and north of Australia, made up of more than 7,000 islands. You might think of General Mc Arthur forced out of the country by the Japanese, but then returning to help free the nation. Many of our Air Force personnel served at Clark Air Force base.

In November, Pastor Steve De For from the Austin Church of Christ will travel there on a mission trip. Pastor De For has been on many mission trips to China, Mongolian, Mexico, Zimbabwe, and especially to Jamaica. This will be the first time for him to go to the Philippines. He will preach and teach at a Bible College there. Pastor Nigel Pyle is an Australian who graduated from Crossroads College in Rochester, MN. He started the college there to train young Filipino men and women for ministry in the churches there.

Dr. De For will be teaching a course on prayer and another on a Bible study method he has developed in his two weeks in Cebu City. Pastor De For will be bringing as many Christian books he can carry in his luggage for the students and the library at the college. The church took up an offering of $600 for him to take with him to be used on whatever projects the college needs.

There are many churches in Austin who send members on mission trips every year. We hope all the believers in the area will be praying for those on these trips as they show the love of God to people in other countries.

Pastor De For especially asks for your prayers for him, for God’s blessings on his work and for safety in travel and while he is working in the Philippines.