Dear Brethren,

Happy New Year Greetings to You All!!

The Lord once again gave us a wonderful gift wrapped with love and a box full of exciting chances-the new 24 hours of each day of the year 2007!! These are God’s golden moments for us to be used wisely and with care, reaping glory for His Name.

We are happy to report:

On opportunities ahead:
We are looking Lord willing for 2007; first the possibility of opening another afternoon worship service in Bacan Pavement Banga town. This will be held in the home of Relado family. Three families committed to involve in this work; Relado, Orquiola, and Carpio.We are planning to start on the third Sunday of this month (Jan. 21st) – giving us ample time to organize. There is an ongoing Bible study held every Saturday morning at Relado’s place with some of their neighbors attending.
Three groups will now be mobilized to lead worship services every Sunday afternoon for each three locations. Batan outreach is moving again. Bro Jaime Prado is back, though quite broken hearted because of that artificial limb which cannot yet be installed due to infection; he is recommitting himself to be of use for the ministry of the Word in Batan Aklan. Bible study and worship services will again be restored in his home.
Next, the opportunity to develop Tangalan Aklan outreach. We are gearing to help move Tangalan meeting place to new location in Barangay Dapdap Tangalan 3 kilometers from Lindy Francisco’s home. We need first to help rehabilitate the place that was destroyed by the typhoon last month (see photo). The property is owned by Sister Darlene Serino’s family. Her father, Jose Magbanua is offering the place for free to be used as church’s meeting house. This 200 square meters property could be used also by PIBS-Aklan in one of our sessions. Dapdap ( the new location) is a peaceful fishing village. The proposed meeting house is located at the beach front, conducive for church and Bible school activities. As for repairs we needed funds to restore the roof and sidings that was completely blown away. Needing around eight thousand pesos to complete the repairs, we have set aside one thousand five hundred from our family savings and another thousand from Kalibo church’s meager treasury. Brethren in Tangalan around 15 of them, still meets at Lindy Francisco’s place. But because of their proximity to some unsympathetic residents who does not like what the church's doing, we are seeing some disadvantages. One particular “bully” neighbor would play their stereo on full blaring blast in timing of our worship. Moving out that neighborhood is the best thing that we could think for now. The Lord is providing us a place. Brothers please help us pray and if in anyway you feel concern about this effort, please contact us through this email address or Bro Brian Bishop email aklan@sbcglobal.net or the church of Christ in Jersey Village (www.jvchurchofchrist.org).

On PIBS-Aklan and WestVis Youth Camp:
Last month’s PIBS-Aklan activities was made to tie up with programs of WestVis Youth Camp held in Passi City, December 26 to 29, 2006. We created series of workshops for young people, Basic Christian Behavior; Practical Song Leading; Organizing Thoughts on Sermons; and Practical Bible Study. Hundred young people attended the four days camp came from 11 locales namely: Kalibo; Tangalan; Roxas City; Passi City; San Miguel; Cabatuan; Bacolod City YMCA; Iloilo City YMCA; Bago City; Balasan Iloilo; and Leon Iloilo.
This month, PIBS-Aklan turned one year old. This small Bible school is instrumental in bringing good Bible knowledge to our church workers here in Aklan. The brethren’s reliability to work in outreaches with minimal “supervision” is remarkable. They could lead worship services and deliver sermons now with more confidence and aptitude. We are planning for their continued learning in the ministry for this year. They will be exposed from time to time with other church works, by bringing PIBS-Aklan to other places. They could observe and met other workers, relating themselves with one another concerning church works. We are preparing special subject to study for this type of extension class with current lessons ongoing. The special subject will try to connect with the needs of the hosting congregation. Coordination is now on progress with San Miguel and Sta. Barbara churches in Iloilo or Roxas City Capiz (whichever comes to prearrange first). The first extension class will be held on the third week of this month.

On Kalibo’s Year End Offering of Thanks:
Brethren here ended 2006 and welcome 2007 with thanksgiving to God. Worship service started at 7:00 AM the earliest schedule made so far in the history of Kalibo church. Games followed after and special food were served, lots of gifts and prices were given to children. Fellowship ended at around 1:00 PM with spiritual songs and prayers of thanksgiving offered to the Lord. In spite of the rain the church gained good attendance. Friends whom we are ministering the Word was also present.

On other Matters:
We are also looking the possibility of airing the Gospel of Christ TV program via local cable network. The Gospel of Christ is a stateside TV ministry of Ardmore Oklahoma church of Christ. They could provide free DVD materials for broadcast. The 30 minutes Bible lesson could be played 3 times a week. We inquired to one local cable TV station about the rate. They are charging 325 pesos per broadcast which means 3900 pesos only monthly for twelve broadcasts, much lower than radio rates with the same block time at 650 pesos per broadcast! This one particular cable TV station is serving more than 5000 subscribers all over the province of Aklan.
The Gospel of Christ DVD materials are in good broadcast quality with clarity that is crystal clear. The hosts Ben Bailey and Timothy Sparks are sound and very precise on their presentation in English that an average Filipino can easily understand and follow. We are requesting additional free DVD lessons. As the program would go on air we could flash on rolling captions advertisements, church addresses and cell phones, ministries, schedule of services, etc. If you feel that this project could help our ministry in Aklan in many ways please give us your comments and suggestions.
Our children Sunday school needs new study materials for ages 7 to 12 years old. Brothers, any extra materials that you can send specially those used in your previous VBS is highly appreciated. Please send them to us at this address: The church of Christ 1877-c D. Maagma St. Kalibo 5600 Aklan Philippines.
We will take this opportunity once again to express our heartfelt appreciation for making us worthy of your trust for partnering in the Ministry of the Word in Aklan. Peace to you all and grace with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

In His Service,

Sammy and Janel