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Big News from the Philippines—For 2 years we waited for God to provide an evangelist for National Hoops Philippines. I had learned to delight in the process of God’s timely provision. His hand was evident as we waited. He provided huge opportunities and prizes for the teams. He provided much of the needed equipment. He allowed us to meet special friends and be able to conduct tournaments in several different locations on several different islands. He saved many. Then he opened HIS hand, and delivered His choice for a full time evangelist. Through a variety of providential leading, God led us to ask Amos Antonio to fill this role. Amos is a pastor’s son and is from Manila area. He is just finishing Bible college and had sensed early in his life the call of God to be an evangelist. He has had a burden to be involved in sports evangelism. When I asked Amos to pray about the full time position, he was overwhelmed at the grace of God and replied that he felt like Moses---unable to speak, and wondering if God had the right guy…He is a humble servant and God has already used him in a great way. We look forward to having Amos train with us in the USA starting in July for one year and then conducting tournaments week after week all over the Philippines! Robbie Asuncion will continue to serve as the full time director for NH Philippines. We appreciate his spirit of excellence and God-given leadership ability. He will play a vital role in mentoring Amos. We are excited! God’s way is best, as always and I rejoice both in the product and the PROCESS of this answered prayer.
Cagayan De Oro, Mindanao—We had a great week for our first tournament in Mindanao. Our team worked throughout the week to get the word out in the public schools in the area. God opened many doors. In one school, we were told that there were 11,000 students! All 7 of the team members split up and went classroom to classroom, talking about the details of the tournament and the big prize of the PBA. God moved in a special way at the JV tournament on Thursday night and the Varsity tournament on Friday night. Each night, we saw 16 teams participate with around 80 salvation decisions Thursday night and over 76 the next night. It was wonderful to see the Bible college students from Lapasan Baptist Church use their zeal for souls to win many spectators to Christ as well as the basketball players.
