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"May your Christmas be
filled with the joy and
the spirit of the season ...
God bless you and your family!"

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What an exciting year this has been for us! We apologize for not keeping up with our newsletter. We forgot how much time and energy is spent with a new baby. So much has happened since July and we would like to share it with you.

July 2006

Pete celebrated his 42nd birthday on the 26th!

Pureworks Medical Outreach Team

Rich Young led a group of 8 from The Bridge Foursquare Church of San Mateo, California. Through the collaborative efforts of churches of varying denominations, a grant from the Foursquare Foundation, and volunteer Filipino doctors, dentists, and nurses, reached out to the Filipino people with free medicine, free medical, and dental services through volunteer missions and medical brigades.

Minnesota/Seattle/Wisconsin Team

A team of 8 from Minnesota/Seattle/Wisconsin Foursquare churches, led by Brandon Brazee and Steve Cecil arrived late July for 11 days. They were able to visit 30 of our churches and pre-schools. Their visit was a great encouragement to the pastors, teachers, pre-schoolers and parents as they prayed and fellowshipped with them. For photos of the team, click here.

August 2006

Tina celebrated her 41st birthday on the 2nd and Cameron's 16th birthday on the 24th!

Baby Hyla Passed Away

Photo taken June 2005

We are sad to inform you that Baby Hyla Gonzalez passed away just days after a visit from the Minnesota/Seattle/Wisconsin team. She was one of our 2004 church planter's daughter who was born with serious multiple heart problems. Doctors didn't expect her to live a week or two. Instead she lived over a year and a half. She truly was a miracle baby! But because of Hyla, many have turned to Jesus Christ and is now attending Pastor Jun's church in their community. Pastor Jun, Salve and Hannah are doing well and is expecting another baby in March 2007.

Back to School

It's back to school again for Cameron and Carina. Cameron is now a sophomore and Carina in 7th grade. Summer was quick but they couldn't wait to get back to school at Faith Academy. If any of you would like to teach in the Philippines at Faith Academy, click here. Faith is always looking for teachers. But one caveat. All teachers are missionaries and are unpaid. The teachers rely on their home church, friends, and family for financial support. What a great way to serve!

Cassie's Baby Dedication

Cassie had her baby dedication at Capitol City Foursquare Church. Pastor Jun Ferrez officiated the dedication and was attended by friends and family. Cassie's godparents are Ret del Rosario (Tina's sister), Dino Nilo (Tina's cousin), Pastor Mars Rodriguez (UCPP Director) and Gloria Castillo (UCPP Preschool Coordinator).

September 2006

Music Ministry Team and Strategic Prayer Conferences (SPC)

The Music Ministry Team from Eastside Foursquare Church arrived on the 28th. The team led by Tim Oas ministered for 7 days. It was a short trip to Manila but made a great impact to the communities and church plants. They were able to hold 3 worship concerts despite the fact that a typhoon just hit a day before they arrived. We had planned on 4 concerts but had 3 since there was no power in the community due to the storm. This team was very flexible and was ready to do anything. Isn't that what being a missionary is all about? Being flexible! We apologize for not having photos of this team. Our computer crashed in October and lost 2 months worth of pictures.

The SPC is an annual event gathering of leaders from local existing churches. One aspect of the event besides the music is praying over area maps and asking for God to show us where we should be starting our next churches. Some of these leaders end up being pastors in the communities we prayed over. As of now, it looks like we should have 15-20 new church plant teams in 2007.

October 2006

Our Visit Home to Washington

We were able to go back to Seattle for about 2-1/2 weeks. The purpose of our trip was threefold: to visit family and friends; hold a Thank-You Brunch for our supporters; and do a Rites of Passage to Manhood for Cameron. It was great to have Grandma & Grandpa Forras come to Seattle for a visit since they now live in Tennessee. Tina's sister and brother-in-law (Regina & Mark) also came out to visit from Philadelphia. Tina's cousin (Dokes) from Portland came up too. We want to thank the Messner Family and the Erickson Family for giving us a place to stay. Click here for pictures.

We held a Thank You Brunch for our financial supporters. The event was held in Kirland and only a couple of families couldn't attend due to prior commitments. Once again, we thank you so much for all your love and support towards our mission to the UCPP project in Manila. We wouldn't be here without you! Click here for pictures.

With Cameron turning 16 in August, Pete felt that it was time to have a rites of passage for Cameron into manhood. Click here if you would like to read on and see pictures of the event.

November 2006

Carina celebrated her 13th birthday on the 20th. She and her friends went to an Italian restaurant where they were treated like queens. Click here for pictures.

Manila Plunge Team

Pastor Matt Messner led a team of 15 on the Manila Plunge. The Manila Plunge Team is a "hands-on", missions, ministry, and educational encounter. Team members gained a first-hand look at the UCPP, cross cultural experience, ministry to the poor, and instruction from those ministering among the poor in Manila.

This was far more than a tour -- it was a life changing and project impacting mission trip. The Filipinos were blessed, encouraged and ministered to. Each team member gave 100% of themselves to this experience, and came home with more than they could give. They witnessed the sustainability of this project and churches as many have gone on without financial support and are doing well. This was encouraging because it shows how church planting among the poor can be done effectively with some limited help from a church like Eastside Foursquare Church. New friendships were forged and the world-view of the team was once again expanded. Click here for pictures.

Eastern Council Foursquare Conference

We (Tina, Pete, and Cassie) were able to attend the 2006 ECFC conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Nearly 700 pastors, leaders and members from the Foursquare Gospel church throughout 31 Asian countries attended. The President of the American Foursquare Gospel Church, Pastor Jack Hayford (Pastor Jim's older brother) was the keynote speaker. It was a very encouraging time to hear what God is doing in Asia and meet so many committed people. Click here for pictures.

Thanksgiving Holiday in Manila

Although Thanksgiving is not a national holiday in the Philippines, we were thankful to celebrate it with three American families that we met here in Manila. Thank you Pete & Cindy Malvicini for hosting the dinner!

December 2006

Pete and Tina celebrated their 20th year Anniversary on the 8th.

Bags of Joy Team

This is the 3rd year the "Bags of Joy" have been distributed to our UCPP Pre-schoolers, but the 1st to have a team distribute them personally. Each "Bags of Joy" consisted of toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and toys which were collected by Eastside Foursquare Church and other local Foursquare churches in Washington. The team of 20 was led by Patty and Bryant Sabandal. The mission was to deliver the "Bags of Joy" to all 37 pre-schools and pray for each of the 1,300 kids, parents, teachers, and pastors. The team also shared some fun games, songs, and the Christmas story. To read a great write up from a team member's perspective, click here. For pictures, click here .

Prayers Answered

For our 2003 church plants. They have now graduated from financial assistance and we have not lost one due to lack of finances.

Pastora Tess Talili’s church is exploding. Since the fire in May her church attendance has more than tripled.

For our visiting teams from the US that they greatly encouraged and strengthened our existing churches.

For good health. We have all remained healthy other than some minor colds.

Prayer Requests

For the new church plant teams preparing to attend our Church Planter Training in February. Pray that God would prepare the path for these new churches.

For the Filipino leaders in our project: President Val Chavez, Program Director Mars Rodriguez, District Supervisors Rey Lucion and James Cristobal. Pray for wisdom, good health, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

For the 13 new church plants launched in 2006. Pray they would quickly establish themselves in the community and become a blessing to all in the area.

Continued prayer for all 84 church plants and 37 pre-schools that God would continue to provide all they need to be a blessing in their communities.

For our upcoming teams.

For the health of our family and all of our workers.

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2007 Missions & Outreach Teams to Manila

February 21 - March 2: Pre-school Educators Team
This team will help train our existing pre-school teachers. For more information contact Patty Sabandal at sabandal5@aol.com.

March 21-31: Medical Team
This team will lead medical brigades among the communities within our UCPP projects. For more information, contact Gary Requa at gary.requa@verizon.net.

May 4 -18: Basketball Ministry Team
This team will be doing a basketball ministry among the communities and targeting the youth. For more information, contact Brian Naranjo at brian@organizedspaces.com.

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Filipino Recipe Corner

Turon
(Fried Banana Rolls)

6 ripe cooking bananas (saba)
12 thin egg roll (lumpia) wrappers
Sugar on a platter for coating bananas
Vegetable oil for frying

Peel bananas then cut lengthwise in half. Roll bananas in sugar on a platter. Place cut bananas individually in the middle of the egg roll wrappers and roll like you would a Lumpia (from last newsletter). Wet edge of wrapper with a little water to seal it. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, fry banana rolls in enough oil until cooked and golden brown on both sides. Drain upright in a colander. Serve warm.

Tip: Regular bananas can be used in place of cooking bananas. Select ripe but firm bananas. Serve while still warm to retain egg roll crunchiness. If not consumed immediately, regular bananas will turn soft and soggy.

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