The day I boarded the plane for the flight from Manila to the Bicol region, the ceasefire between the Filipino Government and the known rebels was declared void. By faith, I knew God had brought me there “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). I also knew that there were many faithful friends praying for this survey trip during this time.
I want to give God all the glory for the great things He has done and for how He prospered my survey trip. Here is a short overview of what God allowed to be accomplished during my trip:
I was able to move about the city without interference from the rebels. They remained mostly in the rural part of the region.
God’s hand of protection was evident. Not only was I able to move about freely, even when the red alert was issued in the region because of the voided ceasefire, but there was even a typhoon on track to hit the region, which just dissipated as it approached. Glory to God!
Holly’s permanent resident visa is being processed.
I have obtained my dual citizenship certificate.
I was able to visit our first church plant near Manila and was greatly encouraged by their faithfulness to our Lord.
I was able to share the Gospel with many people, including one couple (Oscar and Betty) that trusted Christ after hearing salvation explained through God’s Word. He was a retired deputy director of NBI (equivalent to America’s FBI), and his wife was a retired nurse.
God led me, and I was able to secure housing for our family.
I was also able to lead a woman named Rose to Christ, who is living in the area where God has led me to begin the new church plant, and she is excited and eagerly awaiting our return to begin the church.
After spending the month of February in the Philippines, God brought me back safely to the U.S., and God blessed us with new partnerships during that month as well. In March, my wife and I had the privilege of being a part of a missions conference in Arizona. God blessed with souls that came to Christ, like Maria whom we met at the airport who was visiting from Colombia. My wife shared the Gospel with her, and she trusted Christ as her Saviour. The church was also encouraged by the other souls that had come to Christ that week and the commitment to the Great Commission of Christ. The church became one of our partners in the Lord’s work. Praise God! We are currently at 81% of our target support level.
Prayer Requests
Pray that God would grant us the partnerships needed for the remaining 19%.
Be in prayer for the sale of our vehicle and for the furnishings we will both be needing and looking for in the Philippines for our home.
Pray that we would be able to finish preparations to reach our goal of moving by the end of May 2017.
Pray that God would continue to use us to be a channel of blessing and reach souls for Christ wherever we go.
Lastly, pray for the ceasefire so that when we get there, the Gospel would have free course and we would be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, because our God is faithful (II Thessalonians 3:2-3).
Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support of our ministry. The Lord said our labor is not in vain, and every accomplishment for the Lord is fruit added unto your account. Thank you for your faithfulness.
In Christ’s service,
Dennis and Holly Lagos
“Be cool; pray for Bicol.”
