We are experiencing some action as Hulda and Solveig witnessed an armed robbery at the local SM shopping mall here in Cavite. Three guards were shot and wounded. We give thanks to the Lord for His protection of all here.

We have started the work among the 80 families living at the dump site in Cavite.

Twice a week we have feeding for 70 children, teaching them cleanliness and the word of God together with a nutrient-rich chicken soup and vitamins. They are very hungry and the mothers are very grateful for the help. It is hard to understand how people can live in such conditions.

We wanted to start a day care for the children, but the local government first said no. When they now see what we are doing through the feeding without a building, they changed their mind and gave us permission to do all we have planned. Today we signed the contract and we are starting to put up the building next week.

In Mindoro we had an inauguration of the new multipurpose house with Joey and Vivian in Mamburao. The old house collapsed due to termites and this new place will be a great tool for the church as well as for the fisherman ministry and jail ministry.

We also plan for the church to have a daycare for poor children in the area. In the picture (right), people are enjoying food and fellowship in front of the building.

In Mindoro we also have a good working relationship with the police. Once a month I am invited to do a Bible study to bring every policeman to God, so there will be a change in the whole police corps. I believe in the power of the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to make a change.

In Mindanao we gave slippers to 90 children in the village of Rongonan together with second-hand clothes from Norway. Most of the children had no shoes and very little clothes. We are working closely with the teacher assigned to this village. She is part of our church in Pigcawayan. It takes one and a half hour to reach the village, but the whole village is now opening up to the love of God. The children formed MWBPI with their slippers, to say thank you for the help given.

Tone and Noralv Askeland

On Sunday August 29, members of the church met in Birchfields Park for Church in the Park. It was a fun and exciting morning with lots of singing, dancing and eating.

Many had come equipped with wellies and rain coats, but God blessed us with amazing weather – it did not rain one drop and the sun was shining all the time.

A huge marquee was set up and we worshipped as the band played.

We heard testimonies on what God has been doing in people’s lives such as extending work visas, providing accommodation on time and granting fantastic A-level results among others.

Pete Paine shared a short message about peeling off the skin of a fruit so it can be enjoyed.

He likened it to how God’s people are appealing people who have fruits of the Spirit to share to the people around us, if only we peeled off our fears, habits and cultural expectations that hinder us from sharing God’s good news.

After that, the picnic mats and camping chairs came out as everyone went to sit outside and eat together.

The children went on bouncy castles and had their faces painted while Church in the Homes teams battled it out in classic games like the egg and spoon, three-legged race, obstacle race, dress and run, sumo race and tug of war.

I had a lot of fun shouting for my team to win (Stockport did come out tops!) and really enjoyed being with my family.

Wan Phing