The Lord is certainly working in Dumaguete, and He has done many great things for us since our last letter! Only some of these will we be able to share in this letter.
The Lord has allowed my family to see over 304 people trust Christ as their personal Saviour since the beginning of this year! I have been able to lead 95 souls to Christ personally. Elisabeth and Zechariah have become fluent enough in the Cebuano language that they can effectively witness in the native language. Every week the members of the International Baptist Church at Dumaguete have been able to see converts baptized.
Elmer Rusiana, a young man I led to Christ at the end of last year, has continued to grow. It is a thrill to see him sharing the Gospel every Thursday and Saturday. He has been a great influence in his neighborhood in sharing the Gospel and bringing many to church. At our last count, he has been able to see 19 of his friends and family saved and baptized!
Kim and I are thankful for the Women’s Missionary Society of the First Baptist Church of Hammond for sending chocolate chips. My wife was able to use the chips recently for a baking activity with her growing college- aged Sunday school class. This “King’s Daughters” Sunday class has about 19 in attendance on a regular Sunday, and it will need a larger place to meet very soon!
It has been an honor to be able to teach classes in Hyles-Anderson College of the Philippines. One of these classes was titled Biographies of Modern Missionaries. We were able to familiarize ourselves with many of the current missionaries on the field, their families, and ministries. As a class we were also able to pray for the missionaries and their current needs. The highlight of the week was a live Skype interview with Missionary Rick Martin of the Iloilo Baptist Church in Iloilo City. We all enjoyed hearing his life story in person and how God has opened a great door of service to him. I was also able to teach a home maintenance course to the college ladies. Last week I taught a doctrine class that covered the scriptural teaching of the Trinity and the doctrine of angels.
Every Thursday night at 6:30, we meet as a church for “Cross Training,” our weekly visitation and soul-winning time. The Lord has used this program in a great way to disciple our church members in sharing their faith. We recently had 54 people attend the meeting and go out to make visits. As a church we have been able to see anywhere from 12 to 42 people every week trust Christ as their Saviour during the evening’s relatively short program. As a result of the “Cross Training” program, many family members, friends, loved ones, and “hard to reach” cases have been reached with the Gospel.
Serving the Lord with gladness,
The Stan Lawrenson Family
