A short but merry Pre-Christmas Sunday update [12.17.2017]

Dr. Randy Starr ("Papaw") and Mrs. Shirley ("Mamaw") came over to the Philippines to be with us for a couple of weeks. It is a joy to see and be with them again. Their travel was arduous but the Lord gave them safety! Naturally, WT and Joe are so happy that Papaw and Mamaw are finally with them, again! We are so blessed!

This was our Saturday AM tract distribution and visitation team.

Dr. Starr distributing gospel tracts and inviting folks to our church services.

Marcia and her mom, Shirley, and WT are at the other end of the block distributing gospel tracts and also inviting folks to church.

We split the Children's Sunday School class to allow a more effective Bible teaching time with the children. Above are the 5 year old Sunday School children, and some visiting guests and some workers. The two teen boys (in the green and blue shirts) are brothers and they both trusted in Christ after the morning worship service along with their mother and their father. God is good! This family of four prayed and received the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour.

Mrs. Shirley Starr took the older Sunday School children and taught them a Bible story/lesson while Bro. Ronel translated for her. This allowed me to take the younger ones outside and go over the books of the Bible with them on a more personal level. The children are learning all the books of the Old Testament this year. By the time the New Year hits, they will have said by memory all the books of the Old Testament. We are so excited for them! Please pray that many of them would come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you!

Since it was our "Christmas party" Sunday School time, the children were given some small toys and goodies (fruits, snacks, and candy) in their bags. The biggest hit were the shades or sunglasses! They wore it like no one else's business! What a privilege and joy it was to see their faces light up. Merry Christmas, indeed!

Ella is sporting her new shades.

Evangelist Randy Starr preached both in AM and PM services, and I had the privilege of translating his messages. It was a joy to work under Dr. Starr over the years at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Brogue, PA, and it is still a joy and a huge blessing to work with him here in Tuktukan, Taguig. (Below is a sample video of our "tag-team" Preaching/Interpretation ministry).

In between Marcia and Mrs. Shirley is a lady who also prayed and believed in Jesus. Her and her husband both prayed after AM service and placed their trust in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Pray that these new converts would grow in the Lord. 

After the morning services (Children's Sunday School, Bible Study (adult) Sunday School class, and AM worship) we got enjoy lunch on the premises. We believe that eating is a Baptist distinctive! AMEN?! HA!

Now, first plates don't count (as far as calories that is), after all, we diet for occasions like this! As I always say!

And here is our happy and merry crew...Merry Christmas to you from the Hardeckers and from the Starrs! Thank you for taking interest in our ministry, and please continue to pray with and for us during this Christmas season. Stick by the stuff because Jesus is coming soon, and may we not be ashamed before Him at His coming!