|
First report from the Philippines
The first day, the team arrived in Philippines with some drama of the
plane not being able to land on account of bad weather. If the plane
were not able to land in Manila, it would be diverted to another airport
at Clark airbase at Subic Bay. There would be inconvenience of needing
sufficient buses to transport the few hundred passengers over a few
hours, back to Manila in the darkness. The implications were not missed
by the passengers, many were Philippino. At the second attempt, the
pilot managed to land the plane safely through the low-lying mists and
the passengers broke out in claps of appreciation.
Next day (Sunday), Jason and I were first to deliver main sermons at
different satellite churches of Radiance of Christ Ministries
International. Before we reached churches, the van taking us there was
involved in an accident with a taxi. The taxi was traveling very fast
and cutting into the lane of our van without adequate clearance. There
were damages to side of the taxi and front left fender of the van. All
were delayed in the wet morning, but the two teams still managed to get
to our speaking engagements by alternative taxis. Mary Ong, Annie Sang
and I were in the one group ministering at the North Fairview sister
church with Jason and the other three women at the Mandalay church.
I spoke about real prosperity, lasting, dependable and eternal and
reliable role models. It seems the message was appreciated by the
locals, Annie and Mary, based on their feedbacks. After service, there
was the lunch hosted by the Pastor, wife and co-workers. They were
humble and very hospitable. They gave me a love offering which I
donated to them as a blessing to help them get a more permanent service
place.
In the evening, we all congregated at Sister Linda and Art's house at
Santa Maria. This is the couple who built houses for their children
close around their home. Since my last visit two years ago, they have
built another house for one of their daughters. The team members
briefly spoke while a worker and Pastor Orlando conducted the service.
My brief contribution was to congratulate on additional children
attending the church instead of being outside the church, complimented
the Philippino culture centering around the family, exhorted children to
be obedient to parents to be under the divine blessing of longevity, and
generally to emulate exemplary adults such as the scripture-based
generosity of the hosts in Luke 6:38. The co-worker was really beside
herself with excitement as the verse was one of their songs. Hooi was
the main speaker with the theme of Christian living - salt and light of
the earth. Naturally, the older women were busy trying to match Annie
when they found out that she was single!
The banquet was BBQ of squid, beef, chicken and fish, accompanied
by
local delicacies and salad. We ate and thoroughly enjoyed of time with
these sincere people. They welcomed us with what they have and shared
with us their difficulties and sought blessings from us. The children
take our hand and placed it on their forehead to receive blessings.
Annie was so thrilled with her experience of praying for the people and
reaching out to the children.
Pastor Jason Chong was astonished about the high standard set for
workers in the church. Each candidate wanting to join the ministry
team had to be interviewed separately by a panel, individually as well
as the
spouse. Then they have to wait a year without any guarantee of support
from the church to test for durability! The leadership of a department
in the church depends foremost on the calling of God and not seniority.
I am not sure how the calling of God is recognised.
So much to talk about but all for now, using a rickety game-worned keyboard.
John
|
