I had certainly been in much anticipation awaiting our journey to the Philippines. I of course, as an American, was very interested to learn and partake of Filipino culture, their houses, their vehicles, clothes, foods, hobbies and interests.

I must admit, though, the greatest of interest to me was to interact with the Filipino women. I had such a desire to know them and find that common bond in the faith.

Mrs. Felicia Laweng,
Dean of Women, Harvesters Bible Academy, Candon City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

My heart’s desire at home and here in the Philippines is to encourage women. Almost every day, I look up to the heavens and say to God (with a giggle), “Now God, you know it’s more difficult down here on earth to be a woman than it is to be a man, so please give us extra help!”. I say this in humor, but there is a small part of me that believes it because most of the time as women we find ourselves in the passenger seat and not the driver’s seat. I will add, however, that God is faithful to us as believers no matter what seat we are in.

My first few days in the Philippines were spent in Baguio where I was complimented several times by Filipino women and then later snubbed by a few. I was certainly aware of the fact that in this strange land, I indeed was the stranger!

I am so happy to report to you that within minutes of my arrival to Harvesters Bible Academy (the PFWBC-Philippines bible college) in Candon City, my search was completely fulfilled.

 

  

The female students cleaning up after the meals
at Harvesters.

I was embraced with much love and acceptance by all of the ladies there, the staff, the students and especially a lady named FELECIA LAWENG, who leads and admonishes the young women attending the bible college with excellence!

I instantly felt the love of Jesus and the common bond of faith through the Holy Spirit. Our sister, Felicia, has given much of her life to this ministry of overseeing and teaching young ladies to serve Christ with an amazing attitude of humility and labor. As I write these words, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit of the book of Ruth. Ruth was acknowledged because of her humility and labor. She was more than acknowledged —she was chosen! I know, like Ruth, these ladies are chosen. They will graduate Harvesters after their four years of training and go out to INVEST their lives into spreading the Gospel.

They are receiving a foundation of truth at Harvesters that will not be shaken. Please help me pray for Felicia and all the young ladies who serve and attend Harvesters Bible Academy.

  

There are SO MANY needs at this time for these young ladies who attend there. If I began to list them all, I would run out of room. I think of all the extras American women have and how these young ladies barely have basic necessities.

If you would like to send a love offering to Felicia and these young ladies, please contact the World Witness Department and they can help get your offering to them. Any encouragement would surely be greatly appreciated. I am excited knowing that my sisters in Christ back home will read this—some of which I know personally to be INVESTORS!

The Lord once told me in prayer, “Don’t wait on an inheritance—instead,INVEST!” We do have an inheritance awaiting us in heaven, but here on earth we are all investors. We invest into the lives of our husbands, children and several ministries, and God yields to us all a great return! So I ask you to invest in these women’s lives here in the Philippines.

Love in Christ,
Regina

Several of the female students from the bible college.