In October, 2013, my son, Christopher. and I went to the Philippines to minister in several churches. Below are two
summary videos of that trip. As you watch the videos, please pray for the people of the Philippines.
10/9/2013 - Sitting in Seoul, South Korea airport after 14 plus hour flying time. Been up over 24 hours. Two more hours of layover
then four more hours of flying time and we will be at Manila. Miss my family.
It is now 8am here. There were a few "snags" last night, including a few computer issues but I laid down for a few hours in a nice
bed in a room with good AC--it is warm over here--then got up to pray and study for awhile. While most of you sleep, we will be up.
We are 13 hours ahead of you here. About the time you awaken, I will be speaking for the first time at a church dinner. On Friday
morning, we will see New Testament Baptist serving the people. Then preach for them in the evening service. What a blessing!
FYI - Korean Airlines is by far the nicest airline I have ever flown. More leg space, the chairs you sit in are nicer, they give real
plates and silverware to eat with. On our flight over, they served two good meals, a sandwich, peanuts, and other snacks. At one
point, they brought a hot rag just to wipe our faces with. They provided a full blanket, free headsets, free video, music, games for the
flight, free juices and water. They provided all those services on the 4 hour flight to Manila as well. I was concerned to be flying on a
foreign airline but I think the US companies could learn from them.
10/10/2013 - he Spirit was very good in the service. It was my intention to not be loud as I did not know how they were accustomed
to loud preaching, but the rains made it difficult to hear—or so I would have thought—and I noticed from the beginning that I was
loud. The people seemed comfortable with me and so I dismissed the thought and settled into preaching. The Lord blessed as the
people joined in with some smiles and some occasional and hardy “amen’s.” My topic was grace, beginning at Philippians 1:2 and 7,
then using Philippians 2:13. I preached for maybe an hour and twenty minutes. I have been told that the people like long preaching
so I completely forgot the clock and preached until I felt the Lord was finished. After preaching, I turned the service back over to
Bro. Tolibas who gave an initiation. The aisle filled with many coming forward. The invitation was in Filipino so I am not certain
what the people were coming forward to do other than to pray, but Bro. Tolibas expressed repeatedly that the people had been
blessed and I feel certain that the Holy Ghost spoke to some.
10/11/2013 - This morning, Christopher and I decided to look around Meycanuayen. On the way out, we decided to ask about the
internet and learned that it was available at the front desk. That is how we posted earlier. After that we walked about ½ mile to
McDonald’s and got a sausage, cheese and egg McMuffin. Americans are somewhat of a novelty here. While sitting at a window
seat, one Filipino family was working in front of the restaurant. Their job was to stop the street traffic so the customers could back
out. Their pay was one pesos, which is 1/43rd of a dollar. That is how that family lived. Bro. Tolibas said most of the people would
live off of $6.00 per day but that family will not make nearly that doing this job. But back to the story, in between helping the cars, I
caught the wife and daughter starring at me. I smiled back and said hello to them, but I felt a little like a monkey at the zoo! Then I
turned around and noticed another lady with her family staring too.
We did not get to go to the feed the children ministry. There is a low pressure system forming a potential typhoon so that it has been
rainy and windy. As getting there required that we ride a boat across a river, Bro. Tolibas said the government would let him go but
not foreigners because of the risk to their safety, so he cancelled the ministry. That was a disappointment but Christopher and I
understand. I told him that I am certain my wife would want to thank him. She knows that I would have been glad to go anyway so
she really appreciates someone using common sense on my behalf.
Brother and Sister Tolibas have been such gracious hosts, sacrificing their time, energy, and money for us. I know they cleaned the
church today and that Bro. Tolibas went to a funeral, in addition to looking after us and their other duties. May God bless them.
Later in the afternoon, Brother Tolibas called to say the church wanted him to take us out to eat. I was and am so amazed at their
hospitality and generosity. I know that 50% of his church members live in abject poverty. They live on dollars a day; yet they gave
sacrificially so that we can eat a beautiful meal. (I think I forgot to tell you yesterday that they fixed a wonderful food basket for us
to take back to the room. They wanted to give us another but I told them the first was so large that we would not be able to eat it
before we left and asked them to give it to the Pastor instead. They are such a wonderful people.
I hope they know how special they are to Christopher and myself.)
So we are going out to eat and Bro. Tolibas takes us to visit a few people on the way. We stopped at a member’s house who was not
home, but her brother lives with her, Manuel. Manuel is a man 62 years old who has traveled a lot in the Middle East in years gone
by. He is now a widower and takes care of his daughter by working from 6 AM until he is finished putting together one large sack of
plastic clothespins. It will take him most of the day to do one sack and one sack per day is all they will let him do. For that, he will
be paid a couple of dollars. This is his sole income. The government here does not have welfare or any type of assistance. I asked
Bro. Tolibas about this and he said the people either find a way to make some money or they don’t eat.
Manuel was very gracious and Brother Tolibas had talked with him about the Lord before, but the door was opened and I chatted
with him for a moment. He believes all the gods of the world are the same God. I told him that is not the case and I could sense that
God is going to have to convict him about this truth. He is very religious, reading the Bible through many times and praying often,
but without a saving knowledge of Jesus. Please pray for Manuel.
Manuel and his sister live in a block house. It is walls and floor and ceiling and that is about it. He told me that he lived in a flood
zone (most of the island appears to be a flood zone). He pointed to a spot on the front door between four and five feet high and told
me that is where the water came to the last time it flooded. He was thankful to have a place to live, but most American would not
have been willing to store their furniture in his house, let alone live in it.
From there, we went to another member’s home. When we drove up, I asked Bro. Tolibas if they had built the home out of scraps.
He said yes. When I was a youngster, I built club houses that looked something like this house. Random squares of different sized
wood, nailed here and there along with pieces of metal to keep the rain out. It was built up about six feet high to keep the flood
waters out. I went up the steps first. They were tall, maybe twelve inches apart in height, made up of two slats of wood about 3
inches total thickness. Once at the top, the family greeted us and motioned for us to go in. I hesitated as the porch was no more than
3 feet wide and the lady of the house was at the top of the steps. I felt I might get too close to her and offend her if I tried to go
further but Bro. Tolibas called up, “Go on in. We would offend them if we did not enter their home.” The narrow porch gave as this
heavy American walked around to enter the home. The home was probably no bigger than 20 or 25 feet square. They had a sofa
covered with a spread and a bed across from it. The lady asked us to sit down and I moved to do so but no one else heard the offer
and there was no place for everyone to sit so we ended up all standing. Bro. Tolibas spoke to them some in English and some in their
native tongue. The lady tried to fix her hair some and apologized just loud enough for me to hear her say that she knew she was not
prepared for company. I told her that she looked lovely and thanked her for allowing us to enter her home. The husband had been
speaking in Filipino and Bro. Tolibas translated his thoughts. He was apologizing for the electricity being out. He said it had gone
out just a little while ago because of the storm. Bro. Tolibas told me when we got back to the car that they did not have electricity.
They were too poor to have it and he was embarrassed to have guests in his home and not be able to turn on the lights when it was
dark and overcast.
In all of our time here, I never saw a single “nice” home. Some were more sound than others but most were shacks made up of tin
and wood scraps. We saw many people like this—poor beyond description, living in a world where prices are may 75% of ours but
they make only $200 per month. Then there were others who were dressed nice, the ladies wearing hoses and makeup, and driving
nice cars. Bro. Tolibas said all of the people lived in the same communities. Some just had things nicer on the inside than others.
After this, we went to eat. Again driving on roads where people do whatever they want to do whenever they feel they need to do
it—but they honk the horn first to give you warning. We had planned to go one direction but the traffic was stopped and Bro. Tolibas
said it might take two hours to get things cleared so that we could drive the two miles to get to the restaurant, so we turned a
different direction and went to a place called “My Kitchen,” I think. Across the street are block buildings that we might call slums,
but this restaurant was in a new three stored, modern, red brick strip mall. It had a glass elevator, beautifully laid rock and tile
flooring throughout. The restaurant itself was modern, designed for the professions of New York or Atlanta. The ceilings had abstract
art designed to come down 12 to 18 inches to meet you. The whole restaurant, although small was decorated with creative taste. One
of the waiters, and there were several, had a modern chic hairstyle which would require the latest tools to keep it looking nice and
was colored. The church treated us to a blend of local and American foods. We ate until we were full and then ate more. It was
delicious and the restaurant was of a style and quality that I have never eaten in before. What a contrast in people!
We went to the hotel to rest and return for the church service. It has rained all day, mostly light but hard at times. To get to the
church, we drove through water 12 inches deep—not on the sides of the road but in the road. But we passed people walking to the
service in the rain, through the water, as many as three of four under a single small umbrella. The church was almost full when we
arrived. Christopher and I spoke to as many of the people as we could as we walked to the platform. By the time the service started,
there was not an empty seat and people were again standing outside under the cover to hear me preach. Bro. Tolibas told me that he
was surprised by the crowds both nights. It said that was his Sunday morning crowd but they came in the weather to hear the
American preach and to celebrate the church’s five year anniversary. After some songs, I preached using Jonah 1:1-4 as my text.
Everything was much like it was the night before except tonight the water did not run into the building, despite the continued rain. I
suspect I preached an hour and half again. Dozens upon dozens of toddlers and elementary age children said in the back four rows
and did not move or make a sound, except one fell out of their chair and bumped herself so that she cried. It was so unusual to have a
child cry, I saw several look back to see what had happened. When God quit giving the words, I stopped and turned the service over
to Bro. Tolibas who gave the invitation. Again, many (maybe fifteen or twenty, teen and adults) came forward for prayer. I asked
Brother Tolibas after the service if that was normal. He said some do come as they are a growing church but that the numbers were
very unusual. He assured me that he knew this people and that God was touching them. I stand amazed that God would let me be a
blessing to these people.
As Brother Tolibas was closing the service, he had gifts for Christopher and me. He told me what they are called but I do not have
the internet to confirm how to spell it as I write, but they are the style shirts that they wear while they preach. Then he presented us
with gifts for our wives. Then he took the offering of the last two nights and gave it to me. Tears are in my eyes as I write these
words. I cannot comprehend this people’s graciousness and love. Bro. Tolibas said he wanted to teach his people to give and to take
care of God’s man. He asked me not to look on the amount for it would be small but to consider how it was given. (I could no longer
contain myself but have spent a good long time with such tears,,,,,,,) I say that I have never received a gift so large. I feel as though I
am standing at the temple and watching the widow give her last mite to me. Oh, my soul!!! How easy it is to love this people.
Afterward, Brother Tolibas insisted on taking us to the convenient store to get us something to eat. Ronny Wildman, they have
Magum Ice Cream bars here! I was not hungry but after Bro. Tolibas kept insisting that I get something, I got one (my son made sure
I got the last chocolate one). He also bought us drinks.
Well, it is obvious that I could say more but I must get ready for tomorrow. We fly to Cebu tomorrow and someone in the church
who wanted to remain anonymous purchased foot massages for us! Tomorrow, I try something new! Bro. Tolibas wants to show us
some things tomorrow before he drops us at the airport. Pray for us. I will go to the front desk area to post this and hopefully to read
how God is blessing you.
10/13/2013 - Another good day on the islands. Brother and Sister Denisi met us last night at the airport with a big banner. They took
us out to eat and got us settled in the hotel. This morning we preached at their church. God is blessing them is so many ways. There
were at least 5 people playing musical instruments, none of whom knew anything about playing when they were saved but learned
specifically for the purpose of serving the Lord in church. I met the first church convert, a sweet lady who came to help the Denisis
in their home, was lead to the Lord, and has been faithful ever since. She is one of those who learned to play a musical instrument.
The church has built an enclosed chapel onto the back of the house they were meeting in. It is an awesome place to worship. After
lunch, we were treated to another great meal.
10/15/2013 - Considering the way the day started, the remainder of the day was quite calm. There have been aftershocks all day,
mostly they were very light but a few have been heavy. A lot of business closed for the day. Some of the public buildings had to
close until the could be inspected. I have not seen the news but I was told that the last count was 36 dead in Cebu. I would think that
the rescue continues and tat the number will go higher.
On other fronts, the Denisis’ took us out for lunch and fellowship today. They have been so gracious to us and we are very
appreciative. It is obvious that they love our church and are appreciative of our support for these eleven years. Many of the church
families came to thank me for our church’s support.
It was another great service tonight. A brother spoke before me in the native tongue of Cebu, mostly. In truth, English is so woven
into their language, that regardless of what language they intent to speak, it becomes a mixture of language. It appears that every
Filipino can speak at least three language, the national language, their island language, and English. To stay in just one language
requires a lot of thought for most of them. Even in their television shows, one or two words of a sentence might be English while the
remainder is an island language Although I did not understand the message tonight, I could easily tell God was in that place and that
the people were being blessed.
Afterward I preached and again during the invitation the altars filled up. There was one saved last night after the first preacher
preached and the people have responded well during every service. I pray we have been a help to them.
Going back to the earthquake, one pastor who was there shared that 6 homes of his membership had been destroyed. There is no
government aid and it will be hard for another families to take them in because of the limited space. I asked the pastor what it would
take to rebuild the homes. He thought they could build something to shelter them for $150 each or $900. Please pray for these people
and if God lays it on your heart to help, let me know. If we helped, the money would be directed to our missionary, Peter Denisi, and
they would have the oversight. Please pray for the people.
Pray for us. We are blessed but tired. It would have been an intense few days just being here and preaching, but add to that the hotel
fire, the typhoon, and the earthquake, and you can understand we might be a little weary. We will meet the Denisi family at 9 AM
tomorrow for our last few hours of fellowship, then fly to Manila at 2:40 (the Lord willing) and on to America the day after. God
bless.
10/16/2013 - We are back in Manila tonight. Things are going well with us. I tried a few times to post our travel but the internet is
not working well on Cebu since the earthquake. Had a snack with the Denisis' before leaving Cebu. Bro. Tolibas picked us up and
made sure we were in a hotel. We catch the shuttle tomorrow for 20 hours of flying time and at least 7 hours of airport time then 5 or
so hours of driving to get home. We would and do appreciate your prayers.
10/17/2013 - We are in Korea for a layover. Will board again in less than an hour. Saw a pretty sunset over the Korean mountains. I
think my dad served back in the Korean war. Interesting.
Back in America!!! Through customs and enjoying being treated rudely. Three is no place like home!!
10/18/2013 - At home. Getting settled and caught up. Thank you for the prayers.
then four more hours of flying time and we will be at Manila. Miss my family.
It is now 8am here. There were a few "snags" last night, including a few computer issues but I laid down for a few hours in a nice
bed in a room with good AC--it is warm over here--then got up to pray and study for awhile. While most of you sleep, we will be up.
We are 13 hours ahead of you here. About the time you awaken, I will be speaking for the first time at a church dinner. On Friday
morning, we will see New Testament Baptist serving the people. Then preach for them in the evening service. What a blessing!
FYI - Korean Airlines is by far the nicest airline I have ever flown. More leg space, the chairs you sit in are nicer, they give real
plates and silverware to eat with. On our flight over, they served two good meals, a sandwich, peanuts, and other snacks. At one
point, they brought a hot rag just to wipe our faces with. They provided a full blanket, free headsets, free video, music, games for the
flight, free juices and water. They provided all those services on the 4 hour flight to Manila as well. I was concerned to be flying on a
foreign airline but I think the US companies could learn from them.
10/10/2013 - he Spirit was very good in the service. It was my intention to not be loud as I did not know how they were accustomed
to loud preaching, but the rains made it difficult to hear—or so I would have thought—and I noticed from the beginning that I was
loud. The people seemed comfortable with me and so I dismissed the thought and settled into preaching. The Lord blessed as the
people joined in with some smiles and some occasional and hardy “amen’s.” My topic was grace, beginning at Philippians 1:2 and 7,
then using Philippians 2:13. I preached for maybe an hour and twenty minutes. I have been told that the people like long preaching
so I completely forgot the clock and preached until I felt the Lord was finished. After preaching, I turned the service back over to
Bro. Tolibas who gave an initiation. The aisle filled with many coming forward. The invitation was in Filipino so I am not certain
what the people were coming forward to do other than to pray, but Bro. Tolibas expressed repeatedly that the people had been
blessed and I feel certain that the Holy Ghost spoke to some.
10/11/2013 - This morning, Christopher and I decided to look around Meycanuayen. On the way out, we decided to ask about the
internet and learned that it was available at the front desk. That is how we posted earlier. After that we walked about ½ mile to
McDonald’s and got a sausage, cheese and egg McMuffin. Americans are somewhat of a novelty here. While sitting at a window
seat, one Filipino family was working in front of the restaurant. Their job was to stop the street traffic so the customers could back
out. Their pay was one pesos, which is 1/43rd of a dollar. That is how that family lived. Bro. Tolibas said most of the people would
live off of $6.00 per day but that family will not make nearly that doing this job. But back to the story, in between helping the cars, I
caught the wife and daughter starring at me. I smiled back and said hello to them, but I felt a little like a monkey at the zoo! Then I
turned around and noticed another lady with her family staring too.
We did not get to go to the feed the children ministry. There is a low pressure system forming a potential typhoon so that it has been
rainy and windy. As getting there required that we ride a boat across a river, Bro. Tolibas said the government would let him go but
not foreigners because of the risk to their safety, so he cancelled the ministry. That was a disappointment but Christopher and I
understand. I told him that I am certain my wife would want to thank him. She knows that I would have been glad to go anyway so
she really appreciates someone using common sense on my behalf.
Brother and Sister Tolibas have been such gracious hosts, sacrificing their time, energy, and money for us. I know they cleaned the
church today and that Bro. Tolibas went to a funeral, in addition to looking after us and their other duties. May God bless them.
Later in the afternoon, Brother Tolibas called to say the church wanted him to take us out to eat. I was and am so amazed at their
hospitality and generosity. I know that 50% of his church members live in abject poverty. They live on dollars a day; yet they gave
sacrificially so that we can eat a beautiful meal. (I think I forgot to tell you yesterday that they fixed a wonderful food basket for us
to take back to the room. They wanted to give us another but I told them the first was so large that we would not be able to eat it
before we left and asked them to give it to the Pastor instead. They are such a wonderful people.
I hope they know how special they are to Christopher and myself.)
So we are going out to eat and Bro. Tolibas takes us to visit a few people on the way. We stopped at a member’s house who was not
home, but her brother lives with her, Manuel. Manuel is a man 62 years old who has traveled a lot in the Middle East in years gone
by. He is now a widower and takes care of his daughter by working from 6 AM until he is finished putting together one large sack of
plastic clothespins. It will take him most of the day to do one sack and one sack per day is all they will let him do. For that, he will
be paid a couple of dollars. This is his sole income. The government here does not have welfare or any type of assistance. I asked
Bro. Tolibas about this and he said the people either find a way to make some money or they don’t eat.
Manuel was very gracious and Brother Tolibas had talked with him about the Lord before, but the door was opened and I chatted
with him for a moment. He believes all the gods of the world are the same God. I told him that is not the case and I could sense that
God is going to have to convict him about this truth. He is very religious, reading the Bible through many times and praying often,
but without a saving knowledge of Jesus. Please pray for Manuel.
Manuel and his sister live in a block house. It is walls and floor and ceiling and that is about it. He told me that he lived in a flood
zone (most of the island appears to be a flood zone). He pointed to a spot on the front door between four and five feet high and told
me that is where the water came to the last time it flooded. He was thankful to have a place to live, but most American would not
have been willing to store their furniture in his house, let alone live in it.
From there, we went to another member’s home. When we drove up, I asked Bro. Tolibas if they had built the home out of scraps.
He said yes. When I was a youngster, I built club houses that looked something like this house. Random squares of different sized
wood, nailed here and there along with pieces of metal to keep the rain out. It was built up about six feet high to keep the flood
waters out. I went up the steps first. They were tall, maybe twelve inches apart in height, made up of two slats of wood about 3
inches total thickness. Once at the top, the family greeted us and motioned for us to go in. I hesitated as the porch was no more than
3 feet wide and the lady of the house was at the top of the steps. I felt I might get too close to her and offend her if I tried to go
further but Bro. Tolibas called up, “Go on in. We would offend them if we did not enter their home.” The narrow porch gave as this
heavy American walked around to enter the home. The home was probably no bigger than 20 or 25 feet square. They had a sofa
covered with a spread and a bed across from it. The lady asked us to sit down and I moved to do so but no one else heard the offer
and there was no place for everyone to sit so we ended up all standing. Bro. Tolibas spoke to them some in English and some in their
native tongue. The lady tried to fix her hair some and apologized just loud enough for me to hear her say that she knew she was not
prepared for company. I told her that she looked lovely and thanked her for allowing us to enter her home. The husband had been
speaking in Filipino and Bro. Tolibas translated his thoughts. He was apologizing for the electricity being out. He said it had gone
out just a little while ago because of the storm. Bro. Tolibas told me when we got back to the car that they did not have electricity.
They were too poor to have it and he was embarrassed to have guests in his home and not be able to turn on the lights when it was
dark and overcast.
In all of our time here, I never saw a single “nice” home. Some were more sound than others but most were shacks made up of tin
and wood scraps. We saw many people like this—poor beyond description, living in a world where prices are may 75% of ours but
they make only $200 per month. Then there were others who were dressed nice, the ladies wearing hoses and makeup, and driving
nice cars. Bro. Tolibas said all of the people lived in the same communities. Some just had things nicer on the inside than others.
After this, we went to eat. Again driving on roads where people do whatever they want to do whenever they feel they need to do
it—but they honk the horn first to give you warning. We had planned to go one direction but the traffic was stopped and Bro. Tolibas
said it might take two hours to get things cleared so that we could drive the two miles to get to the restaurant, so we turned a
different direction and went to a place called “My Kitchen,” I think. Across the street are block buildings that we might call slums,
but this restaurant was in a new three stored, modern, red brick strip mall. It had a glass elevator, beautifully laid rock and tile
flooring throughout. The restaurant itself was modern, designed for the professions of New York or Atlanta. The ceilings had abstract
art designed to come down 12 to 18 inches to meet you. The whole restaurant, although small was decorated with creative taste. One
of the waiters, and there were several, had a modern chic hairstyle which would require the latest tools to keep it looking nice and
was colored. The church treated us to a blend of local and American foods. We ate until we were full and then ate more. It was
delicious and the restaurant was of a style and quality that I have never eaten in before. What a contrast in people!
We went to the hotel to rest and return for the church service. It has rained all day, mostly light but hard at times. To get to the
church, we drove through water 12 inches deep—not on the sides of the road but in the road. But we passed people walking to the
service in the rain, through the water, as many as three of four under a single small umbrella. The church was almost full when we
arrived. Christopher and I spoke to as many of the people as we could as we walked to the platform. By the time the service started,
there was not an empty seat and people were again standing outside under the cover to hear me preach. Bro. Tolibas told me that he
was surprised by the crowds both nights. It said that was his Sunday morning crowd but they came in the weather to hear the
American preach and to celebrate the church’s five year anniversary. After some songs, I preached using Jonah 1:1-4 as my text.
Everything was much like it was the night before except tonight the water did not run into the building, despite the continued rain. I
suspect I preached an hour and half again. Dozens upon dozens of toddlers and elementary age children said in the back four rows
and did not move or make a sound, except one fell out of their chair and bumped herself so that she cried. It was so unusual to have a
child cry, I saw several look back to see what had happened. When God quit giving the words, I stopped and turned the service over
to Bro. Tolibas who gave the invitation. Again, many (maybe fifteen or twenty, teen and adults) came forward for prayer. I asked
Brother Tolibas after the service if that was normal. He said some do come as they are a growing church but that the numbers were
very unusual. He assured me that he knew this people and that God was touching them. I stand amazed that God would let me be a
blessing to these people.
As Brother Tolibas was closing the service, he had gifts for Christopher and me. He told me what they are called but I do not have
the internet to confirm how to spell it as I write, but they are the style shirts that they wear while they preach. Then he presented us
with gifts for our wives. Then he took the offering of the last two nights and gave it to me. Tears are in my eyes as I write these
words. I cannot comprehend this people’s graciousness and love. Bro. Tolibas said he wanted to teach his people to give and to take
care of God’s man. He asked me not to look on the amount for it would be small but to consider how it was given. (I could no longer
contain myself but have spent a good long time with such tears,,,,,,,) I say that I have never received a gift so large. I feel as though I
am standing at the temple and watching the widow give her last mite to me. Oh, my soul!!! How easy it is to love this people.
Afterward, Brother Tolibas insisted on taking us to the convenient store to get us something to eat. Ronny Wildman, they have
Magum Ice Cream bars here! I was not hungry but after Bro. Tolibas kept insisting that I get something, I got one (my son made sure
I got the last chocolate one). He also bought us drinks.
Well, it is obvious that I could say more but I must get ready for tomorrow. We fly to Cebu tomorrow and someone in the church
who wanted to remain anonymous purchased foot massages for us! Tomorrow, I try something new! Bro. Tolibas wants to show us
some things tomorrow before he drops us at the airport. Pray for us. I will go to the front desk area to post this and hopefully to read
how God is blessing you.
10/13/2013 - Another good day on the islands. Brother and Sister Denisi met us last night at the airport with a big banner. They took
us out to eat and got us settled in the hotel. This morning we preached at their church. God is blessing them is so many ways. There
were at least 5 people playing musical instruments, none of whom knew anything about playing when they were saved but learned
specifically for the purpose of serving the Lord in church. I met the first church convert, a sweet lady who came to help the Denisis
in their home, was lead to the Lord, and has been faithful ever since. She is one of those who learned to play a musical instrument.
The church has built an enclosed chapel onto the back of the house they were meeting in. It is an awesome place to worship. After
lunch, we were treated to another great meal.
10/15/2013 - Considering the way the day started, the remainder of the day was quite calm. There have been aftershocks all day,
mostly they were very light but a few have been heavy. A lot of business closed for the day. Some of the public buildings had to
close until the could be inspected. I have not seen the news but I was told that the last count was 36 dead in Cebu. I would think that
the rescue continues and tat the number will go higher.
On other fronts, the Denisis’ took us out for lunch and fellowship today. They have been so gracious to us and we are very
appreciative. It is obvious that they love our church and are appreciative of our support for these eleven years. Many of the church
families came to thank me for our church’s support.
It was another great service tonight. A brother spoke before me in the native tongue of Cebu, mostly. In truth, English is so woven
into their language, that regardless of what language they intent to speak, it becomes a mixture of language. It appears that every
Filipino can speak at least three language, the national language, their island language, and English. To stay in just one language
requires a lot of thought for most of them. Even in their television shows, one or two words of a sentence might be English while the
remainder is an island language Although I did not understand the message tonight, I could easily tell God was in that place and that
the people were being blessed.
Afterward I preached and again during the invitation the altars filled up. There was one saved last night after the first preacher
preached and the people have responded well during every service. I pray we have been a help to them.
Going back to the earthquake, one pastor who was there shared that 6 homes of his membership had been destroyed. There is no
government aid and it will be hard for another families to take them in because of the limited space. I asked the pastor what it would
take to rebuild the homes. He thought they could build something to shelter them for $150 each or $900. Please pray for these people
and if God lays it on your heart to help, let me know. If we helped, the money would be directed to our missionary, Peter Denisi, and
they would have the oversight. Please pray for the people.
Pray for us. We are blessed but tired. It would have been an intense few days just being here and preaching, but add to that the hotel
fire, the typhoon, and the earthquake, and you can understand we might be a little weary. We will meet the Denisi family at 9 AM
tomorrow for our last few hours of fellowship, then fly to Manila at 2:40 (the Lord willing) and on to America the day after. God
bless.
10/16/2013 - We are back in Manila tonight. Things are going well with us. I tried a few times to post our travel but the internet is
not working well on Cebu since the earthquake. Had a snack with the Denisis' before leaving Cebu. Bro. Tolibas picked us up and
made sure we were in a hotel. We catch the shuttle tomorrow for 20 hours of flying time and at least 7 hours of airport time then 5 or
so hours of driving to get home. We would and do appreciate your prayers.
10/17/2013 - We are in Korea for a layover. Will board again in less than an hour. Saw a pretty sunset over the Korean mountains. I
think my dad served back in the Korean war. Interesting.
Back in America!!! Through customs and enjoying being treated rudely. Three is no place like home!!
10/18/2013 - At home. Getting settled and caught up. Thank you for the prayers.
Filipino Blog
Filipino Blog
While in the Philippians, I posted our adventures on Facebook as I had opportunity. Below are the posts.