Pastor Alvien started the first WELS church in the Philippines. It has been encouraging to see how God has worked in him and through him to share his faith and grow knowledge of Jesus love and grace here. I am thankful for Friend's network because we have the opportunity to be committed to encouraging others in Christ and sharing Jesus' love in fellowship and community with the people here. We all need Jesus. Having the opportunity to know people here and to share Jesus' love with them is the greatest blessing.
Since living in the Philippines I have been able to more fully understand how big and how loving our God is. It's been exciting and humbling to learn about the culture and see the different ways God meets us all and is present through it all. I've grown by praying for God to be with me to see others and love them as He does.
Prayers for Pastor Alvien and his wife as they lead us, for the congregation as we adapt to new locations and for our team to be able to serve and share Jesus with the people we have the opportunity to meet while we are here.
