John and Rodelyn Holbrook grew up playing together in the mountains of the Philippines where John’s family served as AFM missionaries. Both John and Rodelyn heard God’s call to missions while still in elementary school, and both pursued educations to prepare them for this calling. After John’s graduation in the States, he returned to the Philippines to start a new AFM project among the Tawbuid. His friendship with Rodelyn was rekindled, and they eventually married.
John and Rodelyn, along with their daughter Ellen Joy, continue to plant churches among the Tawbuid on the Philippine island of Mindoro. God’s ministry through them and the native church leaders has grown to include four tribes and numerous churches. Currently, their primary focus is training and equipping native leaders and missionaries in church leadership, evangelism, healthcare, agriculture and earning a livelihood. They are also working to help native students receive higher education in order to return and help their tribes in development and evangelism.
As I slowly walked away, it seemed that I could hear God crying with me, calling to the lost of the world, “I can save you. If only you would trust me. Please, won’t you let me save you?”
By:
John Holbrook
November 30 2012, 7:22 pm | Comments 0
The grey mists swirling around the dilapidated hut seemed to accentuate the dull hopelessness in the eyes of the hunched figure. His history was one of despair. For the last four years, he had vainly sought healing from a disease that was slowly eating his body.
By:
John Holbrook
September 30 2012, 8:20 pm | Comments 0
Here on Mindoro, the parable of the sower is acted out daily in our lives. Growing upland rice in the Philippines is a bit different than growing barley in Palestine, but both teach us the process of growing disciples. As Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt. 13:9).
By:
John Holbrook
August 31 2012, 8:17 pm | Comments 0
Awe fills me as I stand staring upward. Massive tree trunks tower above me, silent witnesses that have stood guard since the days when the kings of Babylon ruled the earth. A movement beside me puts me instantly back on guard.
By:
John Holbrook
July 31 2012, 8:14 pm | Comments 0
Standing’s machete whistled through the air, embedding itself in a charred tree trunk with a dull thunk. Again and again, the blade dug into the wood, sending chips flying in all directions.
By:
John Holbrook
May 31 2012, 8:13 pm | Comments 0