The Duenas Family

It is always a privilege to see God’s hand at work in other places. Last night we experienced this opportunity as we visited Bible Baptist Mission in Telebastagan, a suburb 30 minutes south of where we live. This mission church was started two years ago and is still in its early stages of growth with only a few members attending. Yet, it was encouraging to see how God is working through the Duenas family and others as they serve the Lord there at the mission.

Some of you early blog readers may remember Pastor Duenas. He was the temporary pastor at our church (Mountain View Bible Baptist Church) while the Quinlans were on furlough in the States in 2008. He has also been a guest speaker at both of the youth camps in Baguio. We are always so encouraged to be under his teaching, because God has blessed him with wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures.


A little background on Pastor Duenas….


He was a graduate from our church’s Bible school many years ago. Now he balances many responsibilities, as the LORD uses him in many ways. During the week he serves as a teacher at the Bible school and teaches several subjects from personal evangelism to hermeneutics. He is also actively pastoring in the mission at Telabastagan and discipling the believers there. And in the mean time, he fulfills his God-given role in his family. He is a busy man!


Visiting this mission and also other churches here in the Philippines has been blessing, because we see how rich they are in faith and in the love of the Lord. Many of them go through hard times financially or physically, yet they remain solid in their faith and steadfast in their fervor for the Lord. Their lives are a reminder that spiritual blessings and the presence of God's love is more valuable than physical or financial abundance. As Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”

When God's love abides in a home, it not only shines through the lives that dwell their but it also draws them closer to Him in times of need. Once in His presence, we learn that He truly is all we ever need. :-)

“Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.... It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalms 73:25-28.