Once again we greet you from California where sunny is nowhere in sight but it is very cool (for a couple from Cebu). We have had frost warnings and very low temperatures. Still we are enjoying our time here as the doctors continue to work on restoring my health.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN CEBU

Shepherd’s Heart Calvary Chapel celebrated the Birthday of Jesus with many celebrations. Each ministry had its own celebration and the church had two celebrations. The children from the church and from our feedings were invited to a Children’s Celebration, over 1,400 in all, and about 1,000 showed up. There were action songs, a message about Christmas for children, a memory verse, along with games, food and a gift for every child. For some of the children it was the only gift they received this year. The entire church had a celebration where there was worship, food, a Christmas Message, dramas and good fellowship. Each family received a food pack to enable them to have Christmas dinner for their families and the day was capped off with a “Night of Worship” singing praises to the King of Kings as we wished Jesus a Happy Birthday.

CHRISTMAS IN DOWNEY We shared Christmas morning with the Carretta family opening gifts and having breakfast together and later in the day we spent our time with my daughter and my grandson opening gifts and eating Christmas dinner with her and her family. It was the first time in 14 years that I saw my daughter and grandson for Christmas. God truly blessed me.  

Cebu2You January 2013

Feeding Ministries combined Christmas Celebration

Austin, Sheilani, me and Krysta

CALIFORNIA SIGHT SEEING We have been blessed in the past few weeks to see some of the sights of California. Sheilani has never seen any of this before and is being blessed. We have recently seen “The Aquarium of the Pacific” in Long Beach, “Solvang” (a Danish community north of Los Angeles), “City Walk” at Universal Studios, and toured an area called “Naples” to see amazing Christmas light displays. Sheilani also had a chance to visit San Diego with a new Chinese friend, Julie, who is going to school there. They saw many sights along with Maria and Clarissa (Mother and daughter of the family we are staying with) including Coranado Island and the beautiful Hotel del Coranado. We are blessed to be here and to be getting healty and seeing so much but we miss our friends and family in the Philippines and our kids, Chai Chai, Sarah and Tiny.  

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS I was blessed to do a New Year’s Message for the Single’s Ministry, based on Revelation 3:8 entitled “Open Door” encouraging them to let God open and close doors and to make New Year resolutions focused on serving God and growing closer to Him. I am also blessed to share in January at the “Missions Kickoff”, I will share at the CC Downey Christian School Middle School Missions Chapel, and I will be teaching a Home Bible Study on Jan. 18th. I am open for other opportunities to share, please contact me at 562-688-8631.  

 

 

TYPHOON “PABLO” As you may have heard, a massive Typhoon was heading directly for Cebu at one time and other parts of the Philippines. Praise the Lord, just before it was due to hit Cebu and our church, it changed directions and the City of Cebu was spared from terrific damage. Thank you Jesus.

HEALTH UPDATE My health continues to show signs f improvement. A new procedure was tried on my left leg and initially seems to be doing some good. We are about 3 weeks from determining if the procedure will make enough of a difference to save my leg or if it is time for them to take my leg. Your prayers are appreciated.

Cebu2You January 2013

 

The Carretta Family Sheilani @ San Diego

Prayer Requests Pray for: 

• Wisdom and discernment in all things. • For finances • Controlled growth as the Lord leads • Health for the church and the family • Spiritual growth • New home for the church • Children’s ministries • 6 feeding ministries for over 1,400 children • Salvation for the lost • My personal time with the Lord • Our Marriage • Continued recovery from heart attack • Salvation for Austin (my Grandson) • Salvation for Krysta (my daughter) • Additional supporters • God’s provision especially for the new  • Praymedical tests and treatments • Provisions for our trip to the States • Pray for James Kaddis recovery from surgery 

 

To support this ministry in the Philippines, send your donations to:

Calvary Chapel of Downey, 12808 Woodruff Avenue, Downey, CA 90242 ATTN: Missions Support for Tom Maxwell

If your donation is for a specific purpose in Cebu, please designate the purpose, ie: sponsorship for HS/Elementary, etc.

All donations are tax deductible

Contact us at shepherds_heart04@yahoo.com look at our web page, @ cebu2you.com

Call us from the USA @ 011-63-32-268-6280 or text us @ +639164233620.

Please return this coupon with your donation and thanks for being our partner in fulfilling God’s purpose in Cebu. (Please send support to

reach CC Downey by the 10th of the month.) Thank you. Tom and Sheilani

‘Do not fear,

for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for

I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will

help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right

hand.’

Isaiah 41:10