Outreach Update: Our Last Week in Dagupan — A Wonderful Time with God and His People

Our final week in Dagupan was both exhausting and deeply rewarding. After a couple of sleepless nights preparing for two full days of Vacation Bible School for the kids, we immediately transitioned into more late nights preparing teaching sessions on the topic of worship for a two-day youth camp.

Teaching over 30 children brought us immense joy. It was clear that the faithful years of YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Dagupan planting the Word of God in their hearts have borne fruit. We shared Bible stories through arts, drama, and dance, and the kids were incredibly responsive. They loved the DTS (Discipleship Training School) students so much that they gave them handmade gifts—heartfelt tokens of appreciation that deeply touched us.

Right after VBS, we quickly shifted our focus to teaching 28 young people about worship. I opened the camp with the topic of Surrender, sharing the story of Abraham’s sacrifice. Clint, one of our DTS students, followed with Obedience, teaching from the life of King Saul. Miriam, our Fijian staff member, then taught on Encounter, using the story of the ten lepers.

The next day, Jair (a DTS student) taught Worship as a Weapon, sharing the story of Paul and Silas in prison. Mikhaela, another DTS student, followed with Worship as an Expression of God’s Worth, based on the story of the woman with the alabaster jar. We concluded the camp with an hour of worship, inviting the youth to apply what they had learned in a time of heartfelt response to God.

My prayer was that God would affirm our teaching with His presence—and He did. After the first session, as the youth made personal commitments to surrender to God, His presence was powerfully felt. It was as if He embraced us all in that sacred moment of surrender. Even though we had little time to coordinate our teachings in detail, the Holy Spirit wove our messages together seamlessly. It felt like a divine orchestration, not mere coincidence.

Our final worship session was a beautiful encounter with the Lord. His presence touched everyone—both young and old—in a profound way.

Our time in Dagupan was short but sweet—just 23 days. Still, it was a rich and joyful time spent with our family in Christ. My joy was made complete as the Lord faithfully showed up in our ministry, affirming His work among us. Truly, God is good!

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)