Forras
Missions
Metro Manila,
Philippines
JULY 2004
Here are the highlights for June and July:
Pastor Jim Hayford’s Visit to Manila
What a great blessing it was for Pastor Jim’s visit to Manila! It was like getting a booster shot of happiness
for the whole family. His presence was a great encouragement for us. To be honest, we all have been down a bit the last month with the housing
and container issues. We just wanted a place we could call home since our arrival in May. Pastor Jim was here to meet, rally and encourage the
UCPP Church Planters of 2003 and 2004. He was also able to visit the church plants and preschools. He also preached at Pastor Mars’ church
one Sunday. We sure missed hearing his sermons! It was like being back at Eastside Foursquare Church.
Forget the House ….. Found a Condo
We finally found a place we can call home! Yay! Another house fell through but with God’s grace we were
able to find a condominium that totally fits our family. It is in a safe and secured neighborhood. It has a grocery store downstairs with many shops
and restaurants around. It even has a movie theater and a bowling alley nearby. The kids love it! Here’s our home address:
14GH Olympic Heights, Tower 2
10 Orchard Road, Eastwood
Bagumbayan, Quezon City
Philippines 1110
Home Phone: 011.632.687.2436
Bangkok Conference
Pete and Pastor Mars Rodriguez were sent to Bangkok, Thailand by Pastor Jim Hayford. It was a
weeklong conference on community transformation and church planting in urban cities. He met some amazing people from India, Brazil,
New Zealand, and the Philippines. It was a very informative week.
Tina’s Dual Citizenship Approved
Tina just received the letter granting her dual citizenship status. PTL! This helped waive the taxes
of $3,000.00 US for our container of household and personal effects. Now she can apply for a Filipino Passport.
Manila Plunge Team 2004 Arrive
A team of 13 from Seattle, Washington arrived Manila on July 17 until July 23. Most are from
Eastside Foursquare Church. They were here to visit the UCPP Projects of church plants and preschools. One of the highlights of their visit was
visiting and praying for Baby Hyla Gonzalez whom the congregation has been praying for these last few weeks. The church is also helping
financially for the surgery. Hyla Gonzalez is only 2 months old and was born with her heart outside of her chest. She is the daughter of one of our
church planters, Pastor Jhun Gonzalez. The specialists are still discussing on the logistics of operating. They are also waiting for her oxygen level
to increase and to stabilize. She is a beautiful baby girl and is growing strong. Please pray for the Gonzalez Family!
Patricia Shirley,
one of the team members, stayed an extra week. Being a schoolteacher herself, she was able to help, train, pray for and encourage the
preschool teachers. She had also helped distribute schoolbooks and computers donated by her school district to the communities in need.
Thank you Patricia for your passion and encouragement to the people in Manila!
Pete Turns 40
What a special birthday Pete had! His mother, Nancy Forras, arrived on his birthday. She is here
visiting for 2 weeks. Nancy cannot leave Manila until she makes her famous cinnamon rolls for Pete. Tina also celebrated her 39th birthday a
week after Pete.
Prayers Answered
Thanks for all your prayers last month.
Prayer
Requests
Here are this month’s prayer requests: