Do you think you always need cash to say yes to God and to partner in missions? The Tiberio family from the Philippines has a different story to tell. Saying “yes” to God starts with obedience to God’s call. As the Tiberio family illustrates it’s not necessary to have cash on hand when God asks you to give; you can start your partnership with faith, compassion for the lost, and with what is in your hand.

Christine teaches at School of Promise

Christine Dialing is a sponsored missionary serving on the Southeast Asia Field. She serves as a teacher at the School of Promise in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Earlier this year, she returned to her home in the Philippines for home assignment. While there, she visited churches to share what God is doing in Thailand and to raise funds for her return. In May, a donor offered Christine a matching grant of up to $1,000. Full of excitement, she posted about it on Facebook. Just one day later, Cheryl Tiberio, a pastor’s wife, contacted her and told her that they wanted to partner with her by donating an organic painting, specifically, one painted in squid ink.

The proceeds from selling the artwork would then help fund Christine’s ministry. Christine posted a picture of the painting in her Facebook group and then began to wait and pray. Three days later, her prayers were answered; the painting had sold! God transformed organic art into ministry dollars. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a concern that the paintings would be difficult to sell. However, God honored the hearts of the Tiberio family when they offered what they had to the Lord. Christine’s ministry fund is growing, and she is planning on returning to Thailand when regular flights resume.

The completed painting, done in squid ink

Pastor Marvin & Cheryl Tiberio are currently serving God through a church planting ministry in the Philippines. We praise and thank God for their partnership! Recently, the squid ink painting was featured on the Philippines’ leading television networks GMA Network (May 28th) and ABS CBN (TV Patrol) (May 29th), and it became an encouragement and inspiration to many people all over the Philippines.

Contributed by Christine Rosemel Dialing, serving as a volunteer missionary of the Church of the Nazarene at the School of Promise in Thailand.