1. Salvations and Spiritual Growth: As always, please pray that hearts will be opened to the Gospel here in the Philippines. And as they are being discipled, we desire to see them have a passion for God, and an urgency to tell their family and friends about this personal relationship with God!
2. Simbalay Leadership: Please pray for these faithful men and women who volunteer to help us each week with leading Simbalay bible studies all over Mactan and Cebu. A couple of these leaders are training new leaders to start bible studies as well. Please pray for strength, boldness, good health, and steady jobs for these core group of leaders: Nonoy, Jimmy, Sammy, Melchezidek, and Ruthie. Two of these men (Jimmy and Melchezidek) were recently ordained (July 24th). We were priviledged to have Bro. Grady Higgs, Bro. Randy Gattis and the VSM team, along with the leaders' families to attend this occasion.
3. Simbalay Bible Studies: We are excited about our Simbalay bible studies here in Mactan/Cebu. We only have one big problem. We don't have enough leaders for all the potential bible studies, and because of this, the number of bible studies has remained the same. Once our next generation of leaders are ready, Simbalay is going to explode. We can't wait to see God do this! Please help us pray for more leaders!
4. Church Planting: Please pray for the established works throughout Cebuano speaking areas of the Philippines. Pray for the funds to send several young men who have expressed their call to plant churches in new areas. Please pray for and consider supporting these ministry needs monthly. For more information, click on "Current Needs" on the homepage of our website.
5. Radio shorts: As a new outreach tool, we have partnered with Lifeword and begun to broadcast one minute "shorts" (or small skits) on a local Cebuano radio station here in Cebu. These shorts ran twice a day throughout the week, for the whole month of May. Because of posting our cell number for more information, we have been receiving 25-35 texts per day. We are praying that these contacts lead to open doors/hearts to the Gospel. Please pray for wisdom in how to be effective in this new outreach ministry. We are currently working on the next group of shorts to be broadcasted.
6. Southeast Asia travels: Please pray for Robert as he travels to Japan/Taiwan/Hong Kong/Indonesia and other Creative Access Nations throughout the year to help encourage the national BMA work there. Pray for safe travels, good health, and for his family while he is gone from Cebu. **He is currently in a Creative Access Nation from Aug 1-9.
7
. Homeschooling: We can't believe our summer went by so fast. It just seemed like yesterday that we were whooping and hollering because it was our last day of school. We are going to officially start on Aug. 11th. We would like to ask prayer as we get back into routine, and as we try a new homeschooling tool via the ABeka dvd program.
8
. Jesse Murphy Sr.: Some of you may have known about, or been praying for Robert's dad. He has had several back surgeries over the last 6 years since we have been in the Philippines but he is still in constant pain. Please continue to pray for healing!
9. VSM Team: We had a wonderful time with the team! They are all back in the states, trying to get over jetlag. We have posted pics and videos of their trip on our photo gallery.
10. Connie's Grandmother: Please remember Doris Bruce in your prayers. She has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks due to an open heart surgery. During this process, she has lost circulation to one of her feet. After watching, and hoping that she would regain circulation, our biggest fears have become a reality. She is due to have her leg removed (up to her knee). Please pray for all the family as they are in shock. Connie's grandma has been heavily sedated, and hasn't gotten to talk to the family since her surgery, but the doctors feel she is aware and knows what is going on. Her Grandpa is extremely discouraged about this prognosis, as is the rest of the family.