How do you sum up eight weeks in the Philippines , seeing God's amazing work there?  First, we can testify that God is faithful.  He provided for our every need.  When we were sick, He comforted and healed us.  When we were tired and fussy, He gave us strength and fulfilled us.  When we heard there might be danger, instead of living in fear God filled us with power, love and a sound mind.  God is good; we have lived it. 

Here are some highlights:

• Over 8000 children at 5 different schools heard the gospel of Jesus through drama, dance, song, teaching, and testimony
• Hundreds accepted Jesus Christ for the first time (and we worked with dozens of churches who will be following up)
• We know of two different barangays (large neighborhoods) where our work resulted in 7 new bible studies (in each) being created
• We gave out new clothes, flip flops, reading glasses and food packages to 100s
• Tara and I personally baptized four ladies on one of our last days in the ocean
• Tara and I developed and taught a seminar on the biblical foundations of relationship, family, marriage and parenting
• Bryan was able to teach about God's design for unity and reconciliation in the Body of Christ to dozens of pastors who were experiencing a split in their ministerial alliances
• Tara spent a great deal of time with a mother of three (including one disabled child) who became a Christian, started holding a prayer meeting in her home, and has faithfully attended church for the first time in years ever since.  She also is taking friends with her every week.
• Bryan spent time with several families who lived in an isolated spot near the ocean and discovered a man who desired to teach God's word and start a church. 
• Tanner was so moved by the scarcity many of the children faced that one day he took his shirt off and gave it to a boy who had what amounted to a rag on his back.  Tanner then returned home shirtless!
• Reid and Michelle McCarty and their 3 children had an incredible and life changing experience joining us in the Philippines

You helped make all of this possible and for that we say PRAISE GOD!  We are returning to Fayetteville , Arkansas on the evening of Sunday, September 2nd.  We look forward to seeing everyone and sharing more about what God has shown us through our times of ministry.  Stay tuned and pray for our future plans!  We are still praying about what's next, and it seems God is stirring our hearts to further developing family ministries and encouraging more families into the mission field.  We would love to share at your church or bible studies if schedules permit; please let us know if that would be a possibility!

Love,
Bryan, Tara, Tanner, Keaton, and Regan Riley
FJ Ministries - www.fjministries.com