Missions Update: God is my Faithful Provider
- James Ephraim Tabilla
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 4
August 2025 (God provided Wisdom)
Bible School of the Nations Antipolo
It has been fun studying Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Job with the four staff members and five students (one Pakistani, a Bangladeshi family, and two Filipinos). I believe they are all like the Berean Jews in the Book of Acts, whom the apostle Paul considered very noble. These nine brothers and sisters study the Bible with gladness, receiving the message with joy and studying it diligently to see if what I have been saying is true. I mostly focused on the nature and character of God, who is trying to influence mankind to choose His goodness, and on the value and identity of human beings, who have the ability to choose God's goodness.
October 2025 (God provided a Wife, a Clan, and a Tribe)
Engagement with Meriam Legias
It was a wonderful time meeting with Meriam, her clan, and some representatives of her tribe (Maeng tribe). I could see God's faithfulness in providing for my journey there with my parents and some elders. I could also see how I am favored by the whole tribe when they said, "Just contribute what you can."
The engagement talk was a success, and the wedding will be on December 29, 2026, next year, in Meriam's village in Sabnangan, Luba, Abra. (8 hours bus from Manila, and 2 hours Jeepney ride)
Praise report: YWAM Philippines elders and leaders pledged to contribute an amount enough to buy one cow/carabao for the wedding. God is really good.
(read our Love Story here)
November 2025 (God provided Comfort and Healing)
Member Care Seminar
We had a wonderful time learning about YWAM Member Care from our teachers from Singapore. It was a very important processing time along with staff from YWAM La Trinidad and YWAM City Center Ministries. We were looking back on things to improve upon when it comes to taking care of missionaries in all areas, and looking forward to being effective in missions, especially in taking care of one another.
Pongian Community Church
Re-posted 2021 article of the start of the Pongian Church Planting ministry and added Photos showing God's faithfulness from 2020 to 2025:
Upcoming Plans (God provided Guidance)
Going Home to Mindanao (December 2025): I will go to Mindanao this month of December to visit family, friends, and my home church there. I haven't been home for more than two years now.
Praise report: God has already provided for my ticket to go home (through my lovely sister). God is good.
Going to the YWAM Philippines National Leaders Consultation (NLC) in Palawan (January 2026): I will also go to the YWAM Philippines National Leaders Consultation (NLC) in January 2026. I am one of the 50+ legal members of YWAM Philippines who will be voting for the Board of Trustees (YWAM staff who will be deciding YWAM Philippines’ legal matters). During the five-day gathering, we will be hearing updates of what God is doing in YWAM Philippines, future plans, and important legal matters and information.
PRAISE REPORT:
✔I'm now fully paid in my ywam staff fees up until January next year (2026).
✔I'm now fully paid for my tickets and accommodation in YWAM National Leaders Consultation (national leaders legal meeting and updates) in Palawan (Jan 2026).
Bible School of the Nations Staff (March–September 2026): I will be a staff member in the Bible School of the Nations under the University of the Nations of YWAM. My duties will be teaching, checking assignments, one-on-ones, outreach, etc. We already have at least three applicants (from Vietnam and Papua New Guinea).
Prayer request: Pray for the right students to be able to come (and be fully funded).
Word by Heart Core Course (Genesis–Revelation) (September 2026): I will be a staff member who is also learning with the students in remembering and retelling Bible stories word-for-word from Genesis to Revelation.
My Wedding with Meriam (December 29, 2026): It will be in a village in Abra (an eight-hour bus ride from Manila, then another two hours to the village). If you can come, please come. If not, that is understandable. Please continue to cover us in your prayers. Thank you so much for supporting us all throughout.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
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