Our lives both as humans and as
Christians are always in a state of fluidity.
We have certain anchors that moor us to pilings that do not move, yet
although as believers we have a firm foundation the superstructure above is continually
being altered. Having Christ in our
lives and having the Holy Spirit as a constant in our lives produces changes for
the glory of our Savior as we learn to yield to His work in our lives.
I have often told my children as
they were growing up that “You can never go home”, in the sense that when you
return to that which in your memory has been classified and codified as “home”
will not be the same when you return after many years. The people in the neighborhood will have
moved on, the school will be filled with students you do not know. The buildings, roads and stores you once
frequented will be different. For better
or for worse you simply cannot expect things to remain the same.
I am one personally who does not
like change. I want things to always
remain the way they once were, except for in my personal walk with the Lord.
My thoughts this morning have been
on a place called Faith Academy in Manila Philippines. It was for so very
long a central part of our lives. My
wife graduated from there, all of our children attended school there. We knew all the people up there. We knew all the teachers by name, all the
staff members both Filipino and expatriate.
When we go up to Faith Academy these days there is that strange feeling
of not knowing anyone. I wander around the campus from time to time and I
remember. I can hear my daughters
cheerleading in the gym. I can see them
on the playground. I can see teachers and staff members that I grew to
love. I can see my daughters getting off
the buses from Outdoor Ed. completely exhausted from a long week of
adventures. But things change.
Faith Academy has always been a
ministry within a ministry. There was
the overall ministry of working with the national work, seeing men and women
coming to know Christ and growing in their lives for Him. Seeing new churches
established, orphanages built and schools organized. But within that ongoing national work there was
a sub-culture, if you will, a ministry within a ministry always going on up on
that hill. It was a school which was
started for the education of the children of missionaries who were serving the
Lord both in the Philippines and throughout the Pacific Rim or in all surrounding
the Republic. Here our children were
given a world class education all the while being cared for and nurtured by a
dedicated faculty and staff.
But things do not stay
stagnant. Over the years Faith Academy
has grown. Not only has the campus
expanded and the staff requirements enlarged, but its ministry has expanded
along with it. It is more than ever a
ministry within a ministry. It has been transformed
into a world class international school.
And in the transformation has become an opportunity to see the word of
God be planted in the hearts of those beyond the missionary’s child’s hearts. It is an opportunity to share the love of
Christ and the wonderful salvation that He has provided to a new and growing
group of individuals. Our eyes must be open to the wonder of the opportunity
that the Lord is bringing in this new stage of life, for the school.
Some things however have not and
will not change. One is the dedication of the teachers and staff who still come
to Faith Academy short term or long term to serve the Lord. They still come as those looking to the Lord
alone to provide their needs. No
salaries are paid to faculty or staff, they trust the Lord to provide their
month to month needs. And as costs rise in the Manila area and the availability
of housing shrinks significantly we need to keep these dear servants of the
Lord in our prayers. Some are looking
for affordable housing and are finding none.
Some are often forced to be in competition with other brothers and
sisters in the Lord for the same housing as it comes available. Pray for them as they look to the Lord for
His provision and direction for their lives and ministry. Gone are the days
when there seemed to be many homes available for rent at 300-400 dollars a
month. Time and demand have driven the
prices to double that over the last several years. Pray.
For those of you reading this who
pray for those in the CMML handbook, remember those at Faith Academy. A wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord is
present at this school in the Hills of Valley Golf and as this ministry continues
to grow and expand in many different directions, the Lord is using special men
and women to bring His gospel to many and to help shape the lives of multitudes
of future leaders in our local churches.
Uphold them in your prayers, support them in their efforts. Call them, encourage them. At times they feel
alone and vulnerable and a word of encouragement will go a long way.
I am so very thankful to the Lord
for the ministry of Faith Academy.
