Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

- From Jen and I in the Philippines - 

We pray that you are doing well, full of hope, life, light, as we celebrate the giving of the timeless gift, Jesus the Christ.

Atioc Community Church | A Great Beginning 

It has been a great year living here in the Philippines with the starting of the Atioc church. We first started visiting the community of Atioc weekly. Going house-to-house, praying for people, healing the sick and preaching the gospel.  

Last August we held a VBS outreach touching 75 plus kids and their families. Just last Sunday the 17th we held the first church Christmas party handing out bags of food, praying and encouraging this new church.  Please pray for Pastor Dante and his wife, Edna, for wisdom and encouragement. I believe they are leading 5 cell groups as of now.  Dante has some great ideas on Outreach. This is the first time they have been pastors of a church. They also need someone to help lead worship.

Atioc Community Church | Children's Ministry

Here are some photos of the children reciting their favorite memory verse during the Christmas party.

Atioc Community Church | Christmas Pack Giving

Here are some of the recipients of the Christmas Pack at Atioc Community Church.

Multiple Birthday Celebrations! 

I just celebrated my 64th birthday, I am healthy and very blessed. 

Keep praying for Jen and I to walk in boldness and that we would have the right words to share the gospel to all whom might meet.  | Ephesians 6:19 We had three different birthday parties for me.

One.............................................................................

Celebrating my birthday with the Tarlac Talkers Expat Group, the expat group I started last October 2023. We have around 10 members (except the spouses).

Two.............................................................................

Celebrating my birthday with Pastor Dante Laxamana and the Atioc Community Church.

Three..........................................................................

Celebrating my birthday with my Monday Cellgroup.

At our Monday cell group it was a Christmas & Birthday party. Jen asked all who attended to say something nice about me that impacted their life. I really did not want to hear these things however, Filipinos say they want to tell people the good things that impacted their lives, and not to wait until their funeral. 

At our Monday cell group it was a Christmas & Birthday party. Jen asked all who attended to say something nice about me that impacted their life. I really did not want to hear these things however, Filipinos say they want to tell people the good things that impacted their lives, and not to wait until their funeral. 

My great joy was to hear over and over again how people have grown in the Lord thru the Word taught to them. That was pure joy. My step son Eros who is 19 and attending college.  He thanked me for being a living example on how to love a woman. (Eros has a girlfriend now) He has watched how I have tried to live out 1 Corinthians 13 daily to my wife, Jen.  My step son Gaius said he has learned how to humble himself and ask forgiveness even when he is not wrong, but to open doors for a restored relationship. I think those words were the best gift a person could receive ever. 

Some Clarifications --

A word of clarification Jen and I are still working as missionaries with the World Outreach Ministries.  We stepped down as volunteer leaders in the Tarlac First Baptist Church.  This allows us to minister to many different churches and ministries not just TFBC. In addition, Jen has more time to for her trainings in upgrading her knowledge on new computer tools and software, focus on the family and the business she desires to start.

Christmas Packs | Other Recipients

Here are some of the other recipients of the Christmas Pack...those who we know work hard.

This is Wilson. He collects recycled items and sell them to the recycle station. Sometimes he comes by with his wife but lately she is busy taking care of their children

This is Grace. She works as Lady Guard in the subdivision where we live. She has children and earning a monthly salary of $150, no day off and working almost 16 hours.

The Garbage Collectors 

Every year we really make sure to it that these people are recipients of our Christmas Pack. Apart from knowing how hard their job is, their daily pay is only PhP 350 or $7 for an 8 to 10 hours of work.

According to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), for a typical family of four to have a simple and comfortable life, they should have at least a gross monthly household income of PhP 120,000 ($2,400). An average Filipino family would actually need an aggregate income of PhP42,000 ($840) per month to live above the poverty line.Every Saturday they pickup our trash and we give them extra $2 for their lunch...we know it is already a big help for them.  

Those who would like to buy my book from Amazon, just click:

Some Clarifications --

A word of clarification Jen and I are still working as missionaries with the World Outreach Ministries.  We stepped down as volunteer leaders in the Tarlac First Baptist Church.  This allows us to minister to many different churches and ministries not just TFBC. In addition, Jen has more time to for her trainings in upgrading her knowledge on new computer tools and software, focus on the family and the business she desires to start.

We are always thankful for your prayers.  Many, many are daily coming to Christ as you pray, I go out and obey.  When I remember I take pictures which you can see below. Pray for doors to open to raise up disciples who want to learn how to heal the sick, cast out demons and preach the gospel. Funny this is all Jesus did while He was walking around Israel for three and a half years, I find not many churches want to do these things, nor believers. Read Luke 10 as the 72 Jesus said pray the Lord of the harvest would send out workers.  This is what we need here in the Philippines!! In the past 50 months I have found 15 Filipinos who refused the gospel, all the rest said yes I want to exchange my sinful life for Jesus's righteous life.  I want to thank you for your prayers, and all who gave sacrificially for this ministry. Jen and I spent about $500 - $600 (USD) for the last two outreaches. And two weeks ago, we were broke. I do not like to ask anyone for money nor put this in our praise letter.  So, I just go to our Father and give Him our requests. God moved people to send us some wonderful gifts, people who do not give monthly, just moved by God at the last minute to send us help.  To you, I say thank you. As you come to my mind, I pray for you.  Remember two things will last forever in this world and into the next where we are all headed - God's word and men's souls. Love you much.

House Dedication of PSG Agustin and wife, Reina Salazar

More salvation and healings...

Sambang Gabi...

Simbang Gabi (Filipino for "Night Mass") is a devotional, nine-day series of Masses attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. It is similar to the nine dawn Masses leading to Christmas Eve practiced in Puerto Rico called Misa de Aguinaldo. Originally intended as a practical compromise for farmers that started working in the fields before sunrise, this cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing. Simbang Gabi is held daily from December 16 to 24, and occur at different times ranging from as early as 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Anticipated celebrations, meanwhile, are held from December 15 to 23, typically at 8:00 p.m, or as late as 11:00 p.m or at midnight. On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo (Spanish for "Rooster's Mass"). 

But at Tarlac First Baptist Church (TFBC) we call it "Sambang Gabi" or Night Worship, starting December 1 to 22. The worship starts from 6pm to 7pm and afterwards all attendees go to the Paskuhan Village (Christmas Village) where you will find several booths/stalls designed by each tribe/group. Some of them provide free snacks, giveaways and some of them sell items on a cheap price. 

Supporting our ministry is easy and gifts are tax deductible. Here’s HOW: 1) ONLINE GIFTS: www.WorldOutreach.org/692 and follow the prompts. Also, please consider selecting the “Monthly” option when you give online. An automatic monthly gift will really help our budget. 2) CHECKS – send to: World Outreach, PO Box B, Marietta GA 30061 and designate for Wendell and Jennifer Schultz # 692. 3) Bill Pay – you can send one-time gifts or set-up monthly gifts through your online Banking account. All Banks now offer this free service.

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