L.A. church planting update

This update is from Angie and Saddie Tabin, the Filipino couple who are in the process of planting a church in Los Angeles, California. It is excerpted from their newsletter–to read it, click here.

We thank our Lord for the work he is doing in our church planting efforts here in Los Angeles. We praise our great God for all the people he is raising to support us with their prayers and resources.

As you can imagine, the journey that God has laid before us is full of joys and challenges. I do admit that sometimes it feels like we are riding a roller coaster with all the ups and downs. In all these, we find comfort and strength in our Lord Jesus. Here are examples of how God blessed us recently.

In response to last month’s newsletter (we send one out monthly), a friend sent us a cell phone and said he’d pay for our phone service for two years. He said he felt that it is his contribution to God’s work.

The newsletter also mentioned the need for our car to be fixed to solve smog problems so we can renew our registration. Once NewLife Fellowship (pastored by Bermie Dizon) heard of this need, they decided to pay for the repairs. So, we now have a newly registered car. By the way, the car was donated to us by Pastor Romy Degolacion of Christian Fellowship Church International. Other blessings came in the form of brochures and business cards through GCI pastor Glen Weber and Heber Ticas’ help.

In August we met Eloisa with her sister and aunt. Since then I regularly phone her to ask how they are doing. In October, as her aunt and I were talking over the phone, her niece asked me if I could start another small group in their apartment. Another answered prayer! This new group has seven adults, one teen and two children. We have decided to gather every Tuesday evening in their apartment. We only recently met, yet already we feel like one big family. Love is in the air! Their kids, Mateo and Luke are fun. We get to play with them too. For two consecutive meetings now, their dad gives us $10 per meeting for gasoline. Another exciting part, we can eat Filipino food for Auntie Precy is a good cook!

In October we had a Christian version of Halloween trick or treat. We invited two families and two members of our church for a dinner and a social gathering at our home, just to get acquainted.

We have come to know a lot of seniors in the Glassell Park area of Los Angeles. In August we attended one of their gatherings for the first time. Then in November, we received a card inviting us for a surprise birthday party for one mother who will be celebrating her 70th birthday. We connect with Filipinos though these types of events. Another is through distributing free bagels.

In answer to our prayers, God is sending to us people who are hurting, lonely and who don’t know the solution to their problems. Our prayer is that God will send us a team to help us work with what Jesus is doing in this church planting effort. Please join us in praying for the formation of our core team—gathering people who have the passion and time to commit themselves to this kingdom work. We plan to invite 30-40 people to share in our mission and vision of church planting here in Los Angeles. Please pray for the success of this team-building plan.