Happy Happy Birthday!

This month of April, two (2) members of our family are celebrating their birthdays. Grace is having her birthday on the 24th and Stephen Christian is having his this coming 28th.

Our family wish for both of them is that God will continue to bless with good health and long life in his service to Him.

To my wife Grace and Stephen, happy happy birthday & God bless you!

Our Graduates - Brian Christopher & Stephen Christian

Finally, two (2) of our boys Brian Christopher & Stephen Christian experienced another milestone in their lives. Brian was able to complete his degree in Electronics Communications Engineering (ECE) at the University Of Mindanao. He will be going to Cebu City on May until November, 2006 for the review and board exam in order for him to get his ECE license.

Stephen Christian graduated also with flying honors at the elementary level. He will be First year high school this coming June, 2006. Stephen got his loyalty award from the school management. As a reward he got from us, this summer we had him take voice lessons as he is fond of singing.

This coming June, 2006 John Paul will be on his final year taking up Nursing course.

We are very proud with our boys doing well with their studies. Please continue to pray for their success. Praise the Lord!

Inter-Church Basketball League - 13th Conference

A total of Eight (8) church teams have joined the Inter-Church Basketball League (ICBL), Thirteenth Conference which started March 25 to May 28, 2006.

During the simple opening ceremony last Saturday, I reminded all the church officials and the players to have fun, enjoy their games and thanking the Lord for the game of basketball.

All of our ICBL games will be played during the weekends. I also mentioned during our chaplains meeting that we are not to forget the ministry side of the league. The real purpose of why we have this league is to reach out to our young players and share with them the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So far, I have heard testimonies already that some players and officials are starting to attend their church bible studies and church services on a Sunday.

Ventures for Victory/Sports Ambassadors - Visayas Tour

Last March 6-12, 2006 I travelled to the Visayas and met with the different ministerial fellowships, pastors and church leaders in the area to set-up with them the coming of the Foreign Ventures for Victory/Sports Ambassadors Basketball Teams on June & July, 2006.

I met the pastors from Negros Oriental and Siquijor Island for almost two (2) days to discuss the details of the tour. In Cebu City, I had the just to meet the leaders of all the chinese churches who will be hosting the VV/SA team that is coming from Singapore on June, 2006. Lastly, I also met some pastors from Cebu province and Bantayan Island who will be helping me set-up the games in their area for the July tour.

Seeing these pastors and church leaders in the different areas excites me a lot because they really appreciate our partnership together with their local churches in helping them conduct sports evangelism in the area. Please pray for the success of these tour.

Prayers for Pastor Gary V.

After my Visayas trip last March 6, I went home very sick and was admitted at the local hospital for hypertension, high cholesterol level, irregular heartbeat. My doctor advised me to be on sick leave for one (1) month.

To our ministry partners and supporters, thanks for all your prayers and encouragement. I feel God has still more plans for me in the ministry. I am still on medication and the doctor has advised me to watch my diet and do some regular exercise for my heart.

Please continue to remember me in your prayers. I know that God is in the process of healing me.

Thank you!