In this Issue:
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CEF Inc. Board Chairman Visits Philippines
The recent visit of MR WILLIAM ELGIN, Chairman of CEF Inc Board of Trustees was a privilege. He was here for a short time with daughter’s family who are missionaries in the Philippines. He graciously participated in the World Day of Prayer and joined a short trip to Cavite to observe the Elementary School Evangelistic Campaign (ESEC) at first, eventually taught a class himself. He also visited an Elementary School Values Education Class (ESVEC) in Taguig of the CEF National Capital Region (NCR). He requested to visit these classes and was glad to note the openness of our public schools to the Gospel. Back in Pennsylvania, Mr Elgin teaches three Good News Clubs® (GNC™) each week, besides serving in the Board of Trustees, and as director of a local CEF chapter.
A Welcome and Thanksgiving celebration was given in his honor with the CEF National Board, some committee members and staff joining the occasion. He gave an inspiring devotional and report of CEF world-wide. Commending CEF Philippines for reaching out to children as “it has never been done before, in any place”, he challenged us to “keep up the good work”.
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NLBBS Hosts TCE in Ilocos Norte
New Life Baptist Bible School (NLBBS) in Paoay, Ilocos Norte was venue of a Teaching Children Effectively™ (TCE™) Level 1 course last October 23 - 27. The 24 students were composed of 17 NLBBS students, three Christian workers and four teachers of a feeding Center in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. Graduates of this year’s Leadership Training Institute (LTI) Alma Dolendo, Mylene Tamayo, Darlaine Fabillar and Ferdinand Marsan were Instructors, with Lani Gregorio supervising them. As required, the students were to conduct GNCs . Being challenged by National Director, Rev. Joel Indico during the closing program , the students gladly committed to conduct a minimum of two clubs each. Here were some of their testimonies:
“The 5-day training was great. We learned a lot … from visual making to Bible lesson preparation and presentation … especially in setting up a GNC….”
“This seminar added many things to our teaching knowledge.”
“We know that His Word will not return to Him void but He will accomplish what He has purposed for it. To God be the glory!”
What joy to note the students’ commitment. Last November, when a team from the National Office (who went on a mission trip to Northern Luzon) dropped by Paoay, they found the students busy preparing lessons and visuals for their GNCs. What more, instead of the two GNCs they have committed to open, some had five clubs going on .
Presently, there are 58 GNCs in the area with hundreds of children attending.
Thanks to the 17 NLBBS students, and praise the Lord for a dear lady who sponsore
the course. Pray that a CEF work could be started in the area as soon as possible.
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“...a return to their Jerusalem...”
The team from the National Office which left in November for Bacolod was a return to their “Jerusalem” for a mission trip. They were Bacolodnons, Joy Agarrado , Filipinas Galvan, Rachel Joy Pico, Rona Villahermosa and Nilo Ledesma with the exception of Susan Serquina (from Manila) and Ferdinand Tobias (from Iloilo). Mr. Elgin committed them to the Lord in prayer.
The group was to assist the local CEF work in its evangelistic campaign in the public schools. Arriving in Bacolod, they teamed up with 17 other staff and volunteers. Between November 6 and 10, the group ministered in 37 schools reaching 31,159 children with the Good News, with 26,620 decisions for Jesus Christ.
Rachel Joy Pico, one of the team members shares:
“In one of the schools we went to, the guidance counselor asked me to teach Grade IV students, hinting that eight among the 30 plus children are into drugs. I breathed a prayer, asking God’s help how to speak and counsel with the kids. I had my attention to the pinpointed students, praying that the Lord will touch their hearts while I give the invitation. Seven out of the eight, raised their hands to indicate their desire to receive Jesus. One had his head bowed and I thought he was in tears. After the class, I had a quick conversation with one of them. I learned he was an orphan and had no one to care for his needs, the obvious reason why he had nothing on his feet that day. He shared how his whole family was massacred and that he is now living with relatives. My heart broke hearing his story and thought, how many others out there in the schools could be like this boy, thirsting for the love and care of a family. What joy that we could let them know Someone does care – GOD. That’s what we went there for.”
The participation of a 74 year old committee member, Nanay Lorenzo and ten Bible School students was encouraging. Nanay Lorenzo refused special treatment, and insisted on getting at the back of the van with the younger ones, as they went from school to school. The Bible school students willingly took evening classes to join the team during the day. What a rejoicing for God’s mighty work, all for His Glory!
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