Outreach Update: Our First Week in YWAM Dagupan

James Ephraim Tabilla
Apr 14
2 min read

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV)

Good News

Erica (staff) and Mikha’s (student) round-trip tickets were purchased at a discounted price on Wednesday, April 9. Just a few hours later, someone generously donated a large amount, allowing James (staff), Jair (student), and Clint (student) to have their round-trip tickets purchased at a discounted price as well.

Bad News

On the same day the tickets were purchased, my guitar (James') was accidentally broken during transport. It had just been used in the afternoon for the Kids Ministry, and while being brought back to the base, it accidentally fell, causing the neck near the headstock to break. At the time, it was under the care of one of our Dagupan staff.

That Washburn guitar was a precious gift from a YWAM team from the U.S. to my mom back in 1995. It had been used in ministry for 30 years—in Abra, Mindanao, Baguio, and many other places.

Though I grieved the loss deeply, I felt the Lord prompting me to release the staff from the burden of replacing or repairing the guitar, as it was truly an accident. So, with that in mind, I chose to let it go.

Good News

Even though I released them from the responsibility, YWAM Dagupan still decided to have the guitar repaired. It will be restored in the coming months.