Update - Dec 30, 2011

Greetings once again, to you all, in the precious name of our Redeemer;

                 Happy New Year to you!  Perhaps this coming year we will hear the shout and be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.  But while we wait to hear His sweet voice may we be about His business for His glory.

                  It is hard to believe that another year is about to close.  It has been a challenging year in many respects, but also a another year in which the Lord has blessed and encouraged our souls.  This time last year we were anticipating our trip to Korea to minister to the saints there.  What a blessing that was.  It was a year full year of conferences, home bible studies, speaking engagements, and bible school sessions.  I just pray that the Lord will used His word in the hearts of those who heard, and that genuine change for good will be the lasting result. 

                 This week I was given the privilege to speak at a youth conference here in Baguio hosted by the Navy Base assembly.  Eighty five young people along with several elders and workers from assemblies in the North were in attendance.  It was a lively group of young people and we enjoyed hearing their special numbers and presentations.  I spoke on the theme of “Looking unto Jesus”. They were such an attentive group and I very much enjoyed sharing with them a few thoughts out of Hebrews 12.  I trust the Lord will use it for the encouragement and challenge of these young disciples of Christ.  The message was followed by a nice meal and then fun and games in the afternoon  I am told by the time the conference was over it was like no one wanted to go home.  Such a blessing. 

 

                On Christmas day I spoke at the Navy Base assembly.  We met to remember the Lord, and then went straight into the preaching time after a few songs.  I was a nice way to remember the “Word which became flesh and dwelt amongst us”.  It is wonderful to remember that He still dwells in our midst.  

                The week before the assembly at Navy Base celebrated their 36^th year in the building they now occupy.  That was a wonderful time of celebration of the faithfulness of God.  The youth choir sang, the children performed special numbers and the adult choir sang the Hallelujah chorus and did a wonderful job.       Then we all enjoyed a meal together and in the afternoon met together once more for a time of singing praise unto our Lord.  A truly blessed day.

                This week I will be speaking at the Anniversary Sunday down in Baguio Gold.  I plan, Lord wiling, to share some thoughts on the Faithfulness of our God, out of Lamentations 3.  This will begin a short series on that subject for the two Sundays a month that I speak down there.   Then next Lord’s Day we will begin that last semester of bible school classes on Ecclesiology there as well.  Once that is complete we will begin all over again with a new series of bible school lessons on Eschatology, beginning Lord willing sometime in February at Navy Base.  So please keep these things in your prayers.

                May the Lord richly bless you in the coming year. May He comfort and encourage us all through struggles that will come, may He cause our heart to soar with delight at gems discovered in His precious word, may He teach us and train us in righteousness, may He discipline us when it is necessary, and may we by this time next year have experienced  real growth in our walk and relationship with Him.   

Update - November 30, 2011

Greetings to you all once again in the precious and peerless name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has “…ascended on high (and) led captivity captive and gave gifts to men”.  What a gracious victorious Savior we serve.

We completed the last local Bible School semester at Navy Base, a couple of weeks ago, on the Church.  It was a profitable series, for which we thank the Lord.  Next we will begin a new series on Eschatology which will deal with issues of hermeneutics as well as future events.  This new series of 40 hours of lessons will begin sometime in the new year, Lord willing.   We still have a semester  of Ecclesiology to teach down at Baguio Gold, which will begin in January.  This has also produced some good fruit in the assembly there.  It is such a blessing to see men and women following the written word with conviction in their hearts.

The weekly home bible studies are producing some long prayed for results as well, which gives us much to praise our Lord for.  In two of the studies those in attendance are now in fellowship at the assembly at Navy Base.  It is something we have been praying about for a long time.   These daily evening studies are a blessing, many of them are evangelistic in nature, and the remainder of them seek to build up the saints.  We are thankful for the opportunities the Lord has provided.

The women from the assembly at Navy Base enjoyed a women’s conference down in Malolos Bulucan last week.  One of the women who attended was from one of the weekly bible studies.  It was her first time to attend such a conference and she was blessed, as were the others.  We are just so thankful to the Lord for the fruit that His Spirit is producing in the hearts of men and women.  The men’s conference in Pangisanan is this coming Saturday and several of the men are planning on making the trip down.  We pray it will be a profitable time.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.  We believe in prayer.  We believe that the results and fruit that we have been experiencing lately are a result of your prayers.  May the Lord continue to bless you as you lift up His work here in Baguio.

Update - October 13, 2011

Greetings to you all, once again, from Baguio City in the Cordillera Mountains of Central Luzon.  I never tire of the beauty of the mountains here.  Often times the clouds are drifting through the valleys or covering the peaks of the ranges and providing wonderful scenery wherever you look.  It reminds me time and again of Psalm 121, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.  He will not allow your foot to slip,  He who keeps you will not slumber….”  How wonderful to be reminded of His great faithfulness.  We have experienced His faithfulness over and over, as you all have.  It is wonderful to be able to lift up our eyes and call out to the LORD God Almighty and use the terms, Abba Father. 
     This past month we made two trips down to Manila.  Both were experiences we did not expect.  Most of you know that we were called down to Immigration for a hearing on the extension of our visa.  We travelled down the day before Typhoon Pedring crossed the Island of Luzon and dumped lots of rain which caused extensive flooding.  Well in the midst of that we were driving down to Manila in order to keep our appointment at immigration.  We got to within a half a block of Roxas Avenue on Manila Bay when the flooding became so great we had to turn our car around and begin to find another route to the other side of town.  Each turn we made put us into deeper and deeper water, at some turns we could see people walking in water up to their waists.  While navigating a road with water up over my wheels, we received a call saying that the government offices had closed.  So we navigated our way back toward high ground.  It was a good feeling to finally be able to see ground beneath my tires.  The following day we had to once again return to Manila where we were ushered into the room of an immigration attorney who asked us several questions, among them “What are the four gospels?, and name eight of the twelve apostles”.  I guess we passed the test, as our visa was approved.  We are praying that we will be granted at least two more years. 
     Following our interview at immigration we were able to travel home for a few days before heading back down to Manila once again to attend a CMPI retreat for expat missionaries.  This is held down South of Manila.  Between the time of our arrival home and our trip down another CAT 4 Typhoon passed directly over Baguio and dumped more rain.  The drive down to Manila took us over some roads that were completely covered with water and flowing rapidly like a river. But the Lord brought us safely through.  The drive from Manila to Laguna took us another five hours. But the time spent with our missionary colleagues, from Wednesday through Saturday, was a good time of fellowship and encouragement.  We arrived back in Baguio on Monday morning of the following week and this time all the roads were clear.
      The home bible studies are continuing along quite well, for which we thank the Lord.  The Go family really missed the study on the two weeks we were away.  They said; “It was too long, we really missed not having you over to study God’s word”.   I taught the Tuesday study, the Wednesday study and will teach the Friday night study as well this week, which is about normal for me.  This week I will speak only once on Sunday up at Mines View, it will be our last Sunday before beginning the bible school anew at the Navy Base Assembly.   So following this Lord’s Day we will have five consecutive Sunday afternoons of bible school.  This will be the final semester for the assembly there as we finish up our study of the church.
       My preparations for Special Studies are coming along slowly.  I will be teaching four sessions of two hours each on The Family in the Church.  I am praying that it will be a good series of messages that will encourage the saints who are able to attend.  I am also preparing for a youth conference that I will be speaking at in December.  So lots to keep me busy.  
      Thank you all so much for your prayers.  I do enjoy  hearing from you.  When you have a chance drop me a line on FB or via email.  It would be wonderful to hear from you and to know that you are praying.

August 29, 2011 Update

Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior.  I want to thank those of you who actually take the time to read through these updates and to pray for the Lord’s work here .  We covet your prayers.  Things at times can be discouraging and I believe it is your prayers that keep us focused on what things are of eternal value and what things are temporal and passing away.  The scriptures never cease to amaze me.  The portions that the Lord will use sometimes to encourage sometimes surprise us.  Recently the Lord spoke to my heart out of Psalm 73.  It was a good lesson to be reminded of.  The closing verses say:  “Whom have I in heave but thee?  And besides thee, I desire nothing on earth….but as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge…”

This past week a Category 5 super typhoon made a pass at the Philippines.  It skirted the western edge of North Luzon, the main island, and then made land fall on the northern tip of the island. We experienced strong winds and heavy drenching rains here in Baguio and as a result flooding, landslides, and some road cuts.  Electricity was out across the entire region for a while but was restored rather quickly.  Some of the saints from the assemblies here experienced some flooding in their homes, and a landslide near- by one brought some mud inside, but over-all it was not as bad as it could have been and we are thankful.  Some meetings and studies were cancelled as a result of the heavy rains so we hope to get things back on track this week.

The bible school classes down in Baguio Gold will resume again this Sunday.  We began a couple of weeks ago, but the storm caused the cancelation of this weeks class.  We are currently studying the roles of men and women in the New Testament assembly, then we will take up the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

The next couple of month’s schedule is rather full.  So please keep us in your prayers.  With the weekly studies, Sunday speaking, bible school and preparation for upcoming events I find myself spending many hours in my office in preparation, which I enjoy so very much.

There are so many needs around us. Please be praying for the Lord’s provision.  And thank you all once again for your prayers. 

July 29 Update - Safely Back in Baguio

We arrived back in the Philippines on Tuesday evening (July 26^th) and we travelled up to Baguio on Thursday morning.  We were unaware, when we left Manila, that the typhoon that was tracking in the direction of the Visayan Islands veered north and came right across Baguio on Wednesday afternoon and evening.  As we traveled up we were noticing a lot of flooding in the lowlands, and then there were several landslides and downed trees along Kennon Rd, the main road we travel up the mountain.  But they were already actively clearing the roads and we had no delays.  It is nice to be home, but we are very tired and in need of time to recuperate. For some reason we are not dealing with the jet lag as well this time as we normally do.

     Our time at home was a very mixed bag of joyful occasions and very sad times.  It was nice to be introduced to our new granddaughter Anna.  Abby gave birth to Sharon Anna a few days before we arrived in Chicago so it was very nice to have almost three weeks with them all.   Then we were all together for a few days in June for Rachel’s wedding.  It was a beautiful time.  The weather was perfect that day, after several days of rain.  Even the morning of the wedding it was overcast and drizzly and it appeared as if it might be another rainy day.  But in late morning it began to brighten, and by about one o’clock the sun was out, and it was a beautiful day, for which we thank the Lord. Our special thanks to Elaine Littlehales for putting us up for those weeks, even though we arrived a few days ahead of schedule and she was not expecting us for several more days.   We enjoyed our time with her so very much.

      The love of the saints is so overwhelming to us. One dear family rented a car for us to use the whole time we were in Connecticut, it was such a blessing!!  Others had us over for meals and fellowship and we thank each of you.  It was so nice to be able to visit with the saints at several assemblies in CT, thank you all so very much for the warmth of your love to Joyce and me. 

     Following the wedding we travelled down to Florida to visit with Joyce’s folks and enjoyed our time there. It was good to be with the saints at Hiawassa Bible Chapel once again.  But our time was cut short by the sudden death of my cousin’s son.  My cousin is also my best friend and has been for so many years, that we wanted to be there for him and his wife during this difficult time.  We were able to change our tickets and travel up for the funeral services.  Special thanks to Xavier and Elizabeth as well for taking us in and showing us such Christian hospitality, and for the use of their car for the whole time we were there. 

     It was hard to leave everyone behind again.  Kim and Larry and the grandkids are on a year furlough so we will miss having them here in Manila this year.  Abby and Daniel remain in the Chicago area for another year while Daniel works on his second masters program.  Rachel and her husband Ian have purchased a house in Connecticut and will continue to live and work in that area.  We will miss them all.

     We should be back into our regular routine by next week, Lord willing.  I have a CMPI board meeting scheduled for next Saturday so we will have to make the trip back down to Manila again next week.  We will drive down on Friday and back on Saturday afternoon since I will be speaking here in Baguio on that Sunday.  There are a few new bible studies that have started over the last couple of months, we are praying about where the Lord would use me in regards to these new studies.  I have a full Sunday morning speaking schedule for the next several months and we will be seeking to finish up the bible schools on ecclesiology over the next couple of months as well, both at the Navy Base assembly and at the assembly in Baguio Gold.  So please keep these things in your prayers.

     It is evident to us that we must seek to replace our old car.  It is a 1991 Mitsubishi Pejero (Montero) that has served us well these last few years. It has been a real work horse, but it is getting rather old and the maintenance is getting more and more frequent.  And with the many trips we take we really need a vehicle that we can depend on. We have been reluctant to make any trips across the mountains to Sagada for this reason, and we do have to travel back and forth to Manila and to meetings in the lowlands and lately this has been a concern.  We do not know what the Lord has in store, so please keep this in your prayers as well.  

     Thank you all so very much for all your prayers, they do mean so very much to us.  We would love to hear from you as well.  Just drop us a short note via our email address.  It would be such an encouragement to us. 

April 28, 2011 The Latest from Baguio

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” 

 


A simple verse but one that take many experiences in life to fully appreciate.  These last couple of months have been difficult ones in many ways.  But the Lord has been our strength and He is teaching us that we can do all things through Him.  Thank you all so very much for your prayers for I believe that they very often sustain us. 

This past Lord’s day  I had the opportunity to speak twice at an anniversary Sunday down in Balaybuayan, Pangisanan. Meetings began at 9 with breaking of bread followed immediately by the teaching time.  I spoke on “Looking unto Jesus” in the morning session.  Following lunch there were several special numbers sung by groups from the various assemblies in the area which were quite enjoyable.  I spoke, a bit too long I fear, on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 sharing the need to give up our rights for the sake of others and the gospel.  I trust the Lord will use His word to encourage and challenge His people.

Last week I spoke down in Baguio Gold.  It was nice to be able to visit them once again.  The road was finally opened the week before, so it was good to be able to drive down once again.  This coming Sunday I will speak there again before we head down to Manila.   I was also able to finish the third semester of bible school at Navy Base last Lord’s day.   Unfortunately I was unable to finish the entire course, so we will pick it up again in a few months.  

The home bible studies were cancelled last week, due to Holy Week,  with the exception of the one I teach on Tuesday nights.  I am very much encouraged by this study as the family seems to be really appreciating the Word and enjoying the times together. 

I had the privilege to speak again this year at a camp on Wednesday of this week.  It is a Care Channel’s sponsored camp for young people.  It was quite enjoyable to see all the young people singing and listening to the word of God taught.  Then I shared a short devotional in the evening at the prayer meeting at Navy Base. 

This coming Sunday we will have a baptism and assembly outing down at the Hiding Place on Marcos Highway,  a resort owned and operated by one of the families from the assembly.  It is always a good time of fellowship.  Following the meetings on Sunday morning we will all drive down and spend the afternoon together.  

Next Friday (May 6^th) Joyce and I will travel down to Manila to help Kim and Larry pack up their home for their up coming furlough.  It is really hot in Manila this time of year.  I was just checking yesterday and saw that it was 97 degrees, with a heat index of 107.  Not looking forward to being in that heat, but looking forward to seeing the Keating family.  On May 11^th we will travel home to the States for a brief visit.  Our youngest daughter Abby is giving birth to their first sometime in early June, then our oldest Rachel, will be getting married on June 25^th.  So it will be a busy but enjoyable time at home.

For those who have been praying, Maria’s home is in much better shape now than it was a few months ago. I think it is ready now to face the rainy season.  We were able to replace all the roofing sheets with new corrugated metal sheets, and the inside floor has been cemented, so they are now off the dirt floor. We are currently seeking to put in a new “septic” and toilet area for the family since the other is not covered over an unusable.  

Barney, the woman I wrote to you about from one of our Friday evening studies, has had the testing done that she needed and we are thankful to report that no surgery will be needed at this time.  She is on meds to clear up an infection.  Thank you for praying for her.   The needs remain great in many families, but the Lord is faithful and is supplying according to His will and purpose and so we give Him thanks.

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to read these updates and for your prayers.  They do mean so much to us.