A New Goal

Our dear pastor, Rev. Stephen Tan made some interesting announcements last week. One was to continue our building fund and to raise five million pesos (P5 M). I can't quite remember clearly what it will used for, but I believe it is for the GMTC (Grace Ministry Training Center), since it has become old quite early.

Second announcement is the goal for an extension branch. No, not a student center or anything; but another church branch. Aiming at our church members and lost brothers who live a little farther. Our church is aiming to build another Grace Christian Church in the Ortigas area. Of course, this would a little further from now, and probably not on 2010; but we could all start praying now. Yes, it is a new goal, a difficult goal; but nothing is difficult to our God.

Joshua

I've posted about Joshua last December. I just received the sad news that he went to be with our Lord. It was this morning (3/17/2009, not sure which hospital). 

I know he struggled hard. He fought and trusted God. We prayed for him, for his family; even though some of us never met him; because he is our brother in Christ. We may not need to pray for Joshua anymore for we know where he is, in heaven. However, we do need to pray for his family, friends, and love ones. Those whom he left here on earth. Let them be comforted by God's promise that they will meet Joshua again at the appointed time.

I leave you with this verse, of comfort. To remind us that the place where he is... is a wonderful place.

Revelations 21:4

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Joshua Back in School!!!

So last Sunday, I was able to talk to Reuben hia (Joshua's Dad). Not only is Joshua back in Junior Church, but he's also back to school (SSHS) until lunch time. It's a really great news.

So MRI results showed that his tumor, on January 3, 2009, had a dimension of  4.2 * 5.7 * 3.5. Compared to the results last September 7, 2008 of 5.7 * 7 * 4.8, this seems to be more or less 40% of what it used to be. Though, I really don't know how it is computed; his dad said that it only shrunk a little. Anyway, a little can go along way. 

God is really amazing. Let us always remember to thank him and to "pray unceasingly" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Joshua Updates Again

I've promised to give you an update regarding Joshua. However, I'm still not sure of the results of the MRI yet. I wasn't able to talk to his dad last Sunday. BUT BUT BUT.. I heard from our beloved pastor that Joshua attended Junior Church last Sunday. WHOA!!! Can you believe it? God is truly working in Joshua and his family's lives. I'll post more updates once I get concrete facts. Let us continue to pray unceasingly for more of God's miracles.

Joshua MRI Results Today

Joshua's MRI results came in today. His dad probably has it already. I still don't know if it is good or bad news. Anyway, I'm just asking all of us to pray for good news. Thanks.

Joshua De Leon Updates

Last Sunday, I was able to speak to Joshua's Dad. According to him, Joshua is currently undergoing alternative medicine such as Wheat Grass, Transfer Factor, and Beam Ray. He is currently ingesting thirty (30) different medicines a day. Yep, 30.. so imagine how hard of a time his body is working just to cope up. They are currently spending more or less p65,000 a month. So if any of you are moved by the Lord to give even a just a few hundred pesos, that will help them a lot.

Anyway, despite the bad situation, the Lord is always gracious. A few weeks ago, his Coritsol level was 0.3. It miraculously reached 12, which is the normal level, in just four (4) weeks. This would usually take around six months just to normalize. Even the doctors are amazed at what happened. A little information about Cortisol is that it is a part of the Adrenaline gland. It is mostly referred to as our "stress hormone". I don't know much about this; but you'll need to take Steroids if you're Cortisol deficient. 

He'll have another MRI check up on January 4. If the tumor shrinks, he can most probably go back to school. Let us pray that this happens. It may be impossible for us, but nothing is impossible to our Almighty God.

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

A Prayer for Joshua

If you've been involved in church ministry, or attend church regularly.. You may have noticed an entry of prayer for a kid who has a brain tumor. It's sitting in a brain of a six year old child named Joshua De Leon. The tumor is inoperable and can only be minimized by radiation or chemo therapy. Doctors have declared that he won't last more than six months. Even so, they (his family) are pouring all their finances just so he could live longer.

His parents are devastated, yet still hoping for a miracle. This Christmas, I want all of us to pray for him. Pray for his family. Pray for God's miracle, whether it is physicial or spiritual healing or both. Yes, we may doubt, we may not know God's will. We can't comprehend God's sovereign will, yet let us not just pray for our own satisfaction. Let us pray for God's will to be fulfilled in the lives of the De Leon Family.

If there's anyone who'd like to help in anyway, feel free to do so. Just message me (YM: speng_14), post a comment, or something. I'll relay whatever help it is to them.

1 John 3:16-17

“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”