Dear family members, friends and colleagues,

Fresh greetings to all of you! We pray that our loving heavenly Father shall bless you and answer your prayers according to His wisdom and timing.

This October 2007 marks the third month of our official return to IVCF staff work in the Philippines. Our theological studies in Singapore at Trinity Theological College (TTC) ended last May 2007. We said our farewell to heavy academic loads in a seminary setting. I am now serving as the Officer-In-Charge National Director of IVCF Philippines until December 31, 2007, or more precisely, until our Board of Trustees shall have chosen our new National Director. Jenny is tasked to oversee the high school work in the National Capital Region. My responsibilities are very much bigger than what had been entrusted to me more than three years back in my previous staff assignments. We didn�t see this sudden appointment coming. This surprising reality brings us to our knees to beg for God�s grace. Undeniably, one continuous training after our TTC journey remains- we need to face the demands of God�s ministry not by our might but by the power of God�s Spirit (Zech. 4:6). We also need to integrate faith, discernment, and most of all Christ-like character into all areas of life and ministry. Please pray for us.

(L-R: with Ramon�s brother, sister and mom)

I am happy for the successful right eye operation of my 75- year old mother done last September in Cebu City. A year ago, her left eye also went through a similar cataract surgery. Now, she may not see as well as she would like, but she has better vision. Please pray that she can manage to handle other eye problems such as ageing of retina and diabetic limitations. But I�m sure that my mom�s prayers for us her children are not limited by her eyesight. She is our faithful prayer supporter. Yet she has a special wish. She has been praying that God will take her life while sleeping, and she�s not joking. She doesn�t want her children to be burdened with hospitalization expenses. I don�t know if this prayer will be granted. One thing I know, I will forever be grateful for her Christian impact in my life. In many ways, my mom has influenced my character and faith. O, my mother dear!

(L-R: with Jenny�s brother-in-law, sister, niece, mother and father)

At this writing, Jenny�s 75-year old father (my father-in- law) is in the hospital in Iba, Zambales. He has been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (C.O.P. D.). Last week, accompanied by my mother-in-law (74) and my brother-in-law, he decided to stay in a beach resort in Iba to get some sea breeze (from South China Sea). He is losing weight and has a poor appetite. Shortness of breath and coughing harass him in his sleep and even in his waking hours. He was taking medicines prescribed by his doctor to stabilize his C.O.P.D. However, he was getting weaker as days went by. So he was admitted to the hospital for better care and treatment. May the Lord extend the life span of my father-in-law. Being a faithful husband and a responsible father and grandfather, he is well-loved by his family, friends and church mates. Please pray that my father-in-law�s C.O.P.D. will be managed and slowed down through medicine, adequate diet, good rest and proper exercise. Pray for us as we provide pastoral care to him and the rest of Jenny�s family members.

As I close this prayer letter, let me remind you that we are doing tough assignments in IVCF. They are loaded with beautiful blessings as well as faith-stretching problems either new or inherited. Whatever storms come our way- be it financial problems, management headaches, clashes of opinions or whatever- please pray that God�s grace will sustain us. Pray that by the power of God�s Spirit, we shall remain as faithful servants of Christ, serving God and his people with love.

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty
Zechariah 4:6

Shalom!

Ramon and Jenny Tecson