This Sunday will be the opening worship service in Calvary Hills a squatter community located along the polluted San Juan River. ACTION along with Camp Aguinaldo Evangelical Church have been working in the community for several years through feedings, medical clinics, Christmas parties, Easter activities, camping, bible studies and flood relief after typhoon Ondoy so this will be a very special occasion for several of us. Our street children ministry team doesn't intentionally plant churches but churches have started in other locations too as a result of people coming to faith in Christ through our ministries of mercy.

Today we had a good relief operation in Baseco, Tondo for 300 families. We worked in cooperation with World Mission Community, a Korean ministry, which is church-planting there along with doing medical and feeding work. I spoke from John 14:6 so the Gospel was clearly presented which was followed in prayer lead by ACTION's social worker and my long-time co-worker Luv Zacal. We needed to do this in two shifts because the church wouldn't hold all the folks and both were managed well.

Dear Praying Friends,

We trust you are off to a good start in this new year. Despite all the troubles we face within us and around us, we need to keep looking up to the Lord Jesus for encouragement, provision, strength, protection, wisdom and first and foremost salvation which we are experiencing here and now and will throughout eternity with Him. Based on confident faith in Christ and His promises, here are ministry updates and requests for prayer.

1. Minnesota and Wedding
Mary Ann and I were in Minnesota December 22 to 31 and had a wonderful time with family and friends. Amos joined us for Christmas and it was great to have extended, relaxed time with him. A vehicle was generously provided by a friend from Grace Church Eden Prairie. We had an opportunity to speak to a combined class of seniors at Grace Church which was also very encouraging.

We then went to Seattle and spent several days with Micah and her fiance Danny Scott and I had the opportunity to meet his parents, brother and grandparents for the first time. I also to worked at the ACTION USA office several times and spoke during their weekly chapel. I am impressed with their glad service for ACTION missionaries around the world and their dedication to prayer for each of us.

January 9 Micah and Danny were married and I had the huge delight to be the officiating minister. I must say my knees were knocking and I got chocked up just before I pronounced them man and wife but the Lord helped me. They are now establishing their home in Lynnwood near the ACTION office. Danny continues in his work as assistant to ACTION's International Director Nelson Reed. It was wonderful to have Mary Ann's parents John and Mary Hartzell, her brother Paul and sisters Dawn and Janna and Amos attend the wedding. In less than 24 hours after the wedding, Mary Ann and I headed back to Manila very tired but joyful as we leave Danny and Micah in the Lord's hands. At this time we only have a few wedding pictures posted but more will be uploaded soon. You can view them at http://www.me.com/gallery/#100082

Thanks for praying for us because we needed it. We arrived in Manila in good shape and hit the ground running--maybe at a slower pace, but we had much to do.

2. Evangelistic Christmas Party Update
We are still putting together our report but this is what I can tell you. Our theme was "Christmas is coming so receive Christ" and our evangelistic messages were built around Isaiah 9:6. We sponsored 42 fun parties among street children and their families, prisoners, typhoon victims and both the rural and urban poor in partnership with churches and agencies. The total cost was $16,505. There were 6363 people who attended and 5726 indicated they turned from sin to the Savior who are now being followed up by their host church or ministry organization so pray for them please. Each party was full of fun, games, food and laughter along with God's love displayed through the hosts. We will include some testimonies in our hard copy "Yes, Lord!" newsletter which we are working on now and you'll be receiving in a few weeks.

I need to *emphasize* that Christmas parties are not stand-alone activities but are connected to all our other ministries and either initiate a new outreach or strengthen one that is taking place. Each partner hosting a party is totally committed to following up any attendee who is serious about following the Lord Jesus. Our passion for this ministry is giving each person an opportunity to clearly hear, understand and respond to the Gospel, then see them get off the street and be incorporated into a loving, Bible teaching local church. Pray for the on-going follow up as this is very critical.

2. Flood Relief Update
Due to our Christmas party ministry and the holiday break, our flood relief work has slowed down a bit. At present we are focusing on tent cities which are populated by evacuees who lost their homes around Laguna de Bay, the large lake near Metro Manila. At the Pilillia tent city where we had a Christmas party before we left for the States, we are still hoping to start a feeding program along with Bible studies so we are looking for a nearby church who can handle this work. We're praying that a church within our network in the vicinity will step up and volunteer to do this. Pray about this please.

3. Jomar Update
Jomar, the teenage burn victim who is undergoing surgeries to repair her scars, had her first reconstruction surgery and is healing. We are now waiting for the go ahead for her second surgery which may be soon. Pray for physical strength and speedy recovery for Jomar and Dr. Arroyo who is her physician.

4. February 23-26 Evangelistic Street Children Camp
This week we had our first planning meeting for this camp which will have 10 churches and agencies involved who will recruit 60 campers. We're still working on many details but recruitment has started which is based upon developing trust with each street child and their recruiter. We are pleased that we have the funds for this camp which will cost $2,400. We also set our camp schedule for this year at Camp Jabez and they are: June 22-25, July 6-9 and August 10-13 with each camp costing the same amount for which we must trust the Lord for the funds. If you, your church, Sunday School or family would like to contribute to this strategic ministry, you can send your gift to the ACTION office nearest you. I often bump into people who came to know Christ as Savior at an ACTION camp which continues to amaze me!

5. Bethany College of Missions Interns
In February we will have three interns with Bethany arrive who will serve with us for four months. The team will be led by Erin Johnson, an ACTION missionary and graduate of Bethany College of Missions. We are very happy to reconnect with Bethany, located in Bloomington, MN, with whom we have a long history going back to our ministry days at Midwest Challenge in the late 70s. Pray for Erin who is now in the States raising support and will return to Manila next week. We appreciate having interns from Bible schools because we have them for an extended period of time and are committed to serving the Lord somewhere somehow.

6. Baseco, Tondo Fire
Yesterday we surveyed a very large depressed area located near Manila's north harbor called Baseco which was struck by a huge fire last Saturday started by a candle. The fire left 4000 people homeless (800 families) and 3 dead. The people are in a very dire situation living in makeshift shelters or their gutted shanties in the blazing sun by day and the cold sea breezes at night in the dirt. Since '01 when Baseco was hit by another large fire, ACTION has had a continued ministry presence by recruiting campers, medical clinics, feeding programs, Christmas parties and pulpit supply so we know the area well and are known by many. Next week we hope to supply some basic relief through a partner ministry. Fire is the number 1 fear of those living in congested overcrowded squatter communities because it doesn't take much for a fire to start and spread very quickly from house to house causing great panic as people push and shove for safety. Often times fire fighters cannot get near the blaze and have to let it burn itself out. Since '01 this is Baseco's third major fire. To see a few photos, go to this site: http://gallery.me.com/jma.anderson/100075

7. Trip to Minnesota and Brazil
Guess what? We're returning to Minnesota again! We just can't get enough of winter! Not! We're going to Minnesota February 19 and will be there until March 4. The primary purpose is to host an open house reception for Danny and Micah.

February 28 Mary Ann and I will be speaking in a Sunday School class at Oak Haven Church in Ham Lake and we're available to minister on the 21st so let us know if there is an opportunity.

March 4 we leave for ACTION's annual International Council meetings in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I will represent the Philippines and serve as the Council's Secretary so I'm glad to "recruit" Mary Ann to take the minutes. She will also be presenting a paper on ACTION's strategy in using Short Term Missions to enhance the work of career missionaries and further the Gospel around the world. Micah and Danny will also be attending as Nelson Reed's assistant helping to facilitate the meetings. The Philippine field is covering my airfare and on the ground expenses but we are trusting the Lord for Mary Ann's which we figure to be around $2500. If you would like to assist with Mary Ann's expenses, we would greatly appreciate it which you can send to the ACTION office nearest you.

We arrive back in Manila March 17 then 10 hours later start our field conference with Dr. Harold and Darlene Sala as our speakers. The conference runs through the 21st so pray please that our team will be encouraged and strengthened in their walk with the Lord and ministry service.

Closing
Mary Ann and I do not enjoy flying because the glamour, if there ever was any, wore off a long time ago. We are not road warriors and prefer to stay home and do our ministries here. We do not have a lot of money but the Lord has been faithful, continues to be faithful and will be faithful to meet all our needs which we trust Him for. Often times we're tired and know we are way over our heads in ministry but the Lord continues to give us strength and energy for Him and our service. But when I think of and see street kids eating out of garbage cans, families living in push carts and scavenging garbage for recycling, see the destruction and misery that our recent typhoons have caused and victims of fire living in the dirt under plastic sheets, what do I have to complain about? I have absolutely nothing to belly ache about and I don't. We gladly spend ourselves on behalf of the Gospel and compassionate care for the poor whom the Lord has put in our hearts.

Edmund Burke said, "All it take for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." The Apostle Paul said it another way in Galatians 6:9-10 "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." NASB

Brothers and sisters in the Lord, thanks for your prayers and giving by partnering with us in spreading the Gospel and compassionate care among the needy.

Sincerely in Christ,

Jeff

Today we surveyed Baseco, a large depressed area near Manila's north harbor in Tondo, which had a large fire Saturday at 9:30pm started by a candle. 800 families were burned out leaving an estimated 4000 people homeless and three dead. The situation is dire as people are staying in makeshift shanties or their gutted out shacks in the blazing sun during the day and in cold sea breezes at night. This is the third large fire to strike this very congested community since '01 and ACTION has responded with needed relief each time. Since '01 ACTION has had a steady ministry presence in Baseco by recruiting campers, medical clinics, feedings, evangelistic Christmas parties and pulpit supply so we're well known in the area. Fire is the #1 fear in congested communities like Baseco because fire spreads very quickly from house to house, panic spreads as people push and shove seeking protection and fire fighters usually can't get near the blaze to put it out. Next week we'll return with relief which we'll give in Jesus name.

January is a busy month of year-end and new-year reports for our Manila office. We report to the following: city and national governments in order to maintain our legal status to operate as well as our missionary visas, ACTION's Board of Trustees on our expenses and accomplishments the previous year which is signed off and also turned over to the government, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in order to maintain our license with them and we're preparing our field's report for ACTION's annual International Council. I oversee all this with the capable help of our office staff so it's a lot of deadlines while reminding busy people of them and being sure they're met. I don't mind reporting to government, supporters or ACTION leadership because we need to be able to report what God has done and is doing as well as be accountable to the level of authoritative input of the one requiring or requesting the report. This is transparency and credibility between partners.

God honoring wedding, great to have fellowship with family and back in Manila

Danny and Micah Ann's wedding Saturday was God honoring, a blessing to those who attended and had a clear Gospel presentation as part of the message given by Nelson Reed ACTION's International Director. I was the officiating minister and the Lord helped me pronounce them man and wife as I choked up. It was great meeting Danny's relatives, parents and brother for the first time, about 30 people connected with ACTION attended and five from Mary Ann's family came from Minnesota so the Anderson side was represented. After I marched Micah to the alter and was asked "who gives Micah to Danny to be his wife" I said "her mother and I do" I put her hand in his. I did this with confidence knowing that Danny will be a godly husband for her and she'll be a loving wife for him. They are now building their own home as we stand by to help and advise as called upon and to pray.

After the wedding it was great to have relaxed fellowship and a meal with the Minnesota gang, relatives from Portland and our son Amos before we went our separate ways Sunday. We sat in a hotel room and ate cheese and crackers, trail mix, chips, fruit and other food left over from the weekend as we debriefed the weekend, counted God's blessings and enjoyed one another's company.

Sunday Mary Ann and I left Seattle with mixed emotions but with full assurance that the Lord's guiding hand is upon all of us. This gave us the ability to return to Manila with a deep joy.

We arrived late Monday night, Tuesday we unpacked or bags and heads and today we get back to our God given work for His glory and the good of those we serve.

Mary Ann and I arrived in Seattle Thursday and have been getting acquainted with Danny Scott's relatives while we're helping our daughter Micah Ann and Danny prepare for their wedding this Saturday. We're busy handling details and will be hosting several people from Minnesota when they start arriving Thursday. This is a joyful occasion but it could be very easy to get bogged down with details and get distracted from the real purpose which is to glorify God by helping Danny and Micah start their home with Christ as their Foundation. We're focusing on their marriage rather than an elaborate ceremony.