Greetings to you all in the matchless, peerless name, of our wonderful Savior, who provided for us the propitiation for our sins. Now we can approach our Holy God without fear and know that we will always be accepted there because of the propitiation that our Lord Jesus Christ has provided for us.
We finally finished up the final session of bible school for the saints down in Baguio Gold this past Sunday. I was there for three messages this past Sunday. We looked at Exodus chapter 20 and the law, fear and access, in the early morning. Then we shared on 2 Tim 1:13 in the late morning, finishing up with the bible school session on Heb. 12-13 in the mid afternoon. Needless to say I was a bit tired by Sunday evening.
The mid week studies continue to go well. This past Wednesday night we continued in our series on 1 Peter with a reminder to continue to “Gird up the loans of our mind”, and the need to always be prepared. Then on Friday we continued in James and were reminded by the scripture of the sin of favoritism in the local assembly, as well as loving our neighbor as ourselves. The other studies are also moving along well, and we are encouraged.
We will be beginning the next semester of classes on Ecclesiology at Navy Base in a couple of weeks. We had planned to start on the 7th of February but we have encountered a couple of schedule conflicts. On the 7th we will be having our men’s fellowship, women’s fellowship and youth fellowship all at the same time at the chapel. This is something new we are trying with the hope that more will be able to attend. Then on the 14th Joyce and I are hosting a Valentines couples dinner at our house with the couple’s fellowship.
I had my last check-up with my cardiologist on Monday. She has cancelled the stress test that was planned for Saturday instead I will be wearing a holter monitor for 24 hours to check other irregularities that she is noticing with my heart. So please keep these things in your prayers, I so want to have the restrictions, I am under, lifted. But it looks like they will stay in place for the present.
Again, thank you all for your prayers and support of our Lord’s work here in the mountains of Central Luzon. If all things work out, we are planning to take another trip up to Sagada in February or March. Much of this decision rests on being sure the car is in tip top shape for hitting those mountain roads without breaking down in some isolated area.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Update for Jan 8, 2010
The hectic holiday season is over and we are getting settled back into the regular routine once again. We did enjoy a rather relaxing time in Manila with family over Christmas and into the New Year. The Philippines celebrates the New Year with massive amounts of fireworks. From our perch above the city, at the dorm Kim and Larry live in, we could see all the firework displays simultaneously. It was quite a show, everywhere you looked across the entire city of Manila there were fireworks. But being high above it all we faced little of the noise and breathed little of the smoke, which was a blessing.
While in the Manila area I had the opportunity to speak at the assembly in Antipolo, Rizal. The saints there are a wonderful group of believers, always so happy to have you come and share the word with them. This week, back in Baguio, I am back to the regular schedule of meetings and studies. I taught at the Study on Wednesday night, continuing a series in 1 Peter. Friday I will continue to teach the book of James at the home bible study in Fatima, Saturday morning we will have our Men’s early morning fellowship at the chapel beginning at 6 AM. We are continuing our study of Worship, using A.P. Gibbs book “Worship The Christians Highest Occupation.” It continues to be a source of encouragement and challenge. Sunday I will be continuing the mini bible school sessions down in Baguio Gold. Then in a couple of weeks we will begin the next “semester” of classes at Navy Base on the Church. So things are back in full swing again.
It is only a couple more weeks now until my next series of tests on my heart. Please continue to pray that the meds I have been taking now for almost three months, will have the desired effect and that some of the restrictions I am currently under can be lifted so that I can return to the other weekly studies.
Thank you all once again for your continued prayers for us and the Lord’s work here in Baguio. May the Lord richly bless you in this new year. Perhaps this year we will be caught up to meet Him in the air and be always with the Lord. But until that day may we continue to be active in our service for Him.
While in the Manila area I had the opportunity to speak at the assembly in Antipolo, Rizal. The saints there are a wonderful group of believers, always so happy to have you come and share the word with them. This week, back in Baguio, I am back to the regular schedule of meetings and studies. I taught at the Study on Wednesday night, continuing a series in 1 Peter. Friday I will continue to teach the book of James at the home bible study in Fatima, Saturday morning we will have our Men’s early morning fellowship at the chapel beginning at 6 AM. We are continuing our study of Worship, using A.P. Gibbs book “Worship The Christians Highest Occupation.” It continues to be a source of encouragement and challenge. Sunday I will be continuing the mini bible school sessions down in Baguio Gold. Then in a couple of weeks we will begin the next “semester” of classes at Navy Base on the Church. So things are back in full swing again.
It is only a couple more weeks now until my next series of tests on my heart. Please continue to pray that the meds I have been taking now for almost three months, will have the desired effect and that some of the restrictions I am currently under can be lifted so that I can return to the other weekly studies.
Thank you all once again for your continued prayers for us and the Lord’s work here in Baguio. May the Lord richly bless you in this new year. Perhaps this year we will be caught up to meet Him in the air and be always with the Lord. But until that day may we continue to be active in our service for Him.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Update December 8, 2009
Greetings to you all in the precious name of our wonderful Savior, who came into this sin cursed world to save us. What a wonderful time of the year. It is always such a blessing to our hearts to remember the Grace of God that brings salvation.
I am sorry it has been so long since my last update. When I checked it yesterday I could not believe it had been a month since my last note. Things here are going well. I am still on several restrictions due to my heart problems but have been able to still carry on teaching at a couple of the studies. The Friday afternoon study in Fatima does not require me to do any stairs and so I am able to continue to teach that as well as the Wednesday night study at the chapel. The Fatima study sees different ones in attendance each week. There are the regulars who host the study then there are always new faces that have an opportunity to hear the word taught. We pray that this study will continue to bear fruit for His glory.
I taught down in Baguio Gold again this week on Sunday morning, but due to a joint Women’s Fellowship we postponed the next bible school class until this coming Sunday. This Sunday is also the 34th anniversary of the Navy Base Chapel at its present location. The meeting itself was actually started in 1968, by Ken and MaryLou Engle, but moved to its current location in 1975. I will be speaking at the anniversary meeting on the Faithfulness of God, which will be followed by a special celebration and dinner at the chapel. Then in the afternoon we will head down to Baguio Gold to teach the bible school. The following week Baguio Gold will be celebrating their anniversary and I have been invited to speak there as well in the morning, and will have the bible school as well in the afternoon. So we have a couple of busy weekends coming up.
I went to my cardiologist this past Monday and had my first normal EKG in a while. It appears that the meds are beginning to work so please keep praying. I will remain under the same restrictions until my next stress test in late January. It is our prayer that the meds will continue to have the desired effect, and that no surgery will be needed at this time. So we would covet your prayers as well.
Our Ilokano lessons continue. It appears that we are beginning to make some progress as I am able to use more and more of it among people in town and in the market etc. We still have a long way to go, but it is always nice and comforting to know that progress is being made. I still am using three languages as I teach down in Baguio Gold and that is a challenge. Thank you for all your prayers.
Lord willing, we will make our next trip to Sagada in February. This will depend on whether or not the doctor lifts certain restrictions I have on travel. So keep that in prayer as well.
I am sorry it has been so long since my last update. When I checked it yesterday I could not believe it had been a month since my last note. Things here are going well. I am still on several restrictions due to my heart problems but have been able to still carry on teaching at a couple of the studies. The Friday afternoon study in Fatima does not require me to do any stairs and so I am able to continue to teach that as well as the Wednesday night study at the chapel. The Fatima study sees different ones in attendance each week. There are the regulars who host the study then there are always new faces that have an opportunity to hear the word taught. We pray that this study will continue to bear fruit for His glory.
I taught down in Baguio Gold again this week on Sunday morning, but due to a joint Women’s Fellowship we postponed the next bible school class until this coming Sunday. This Sunday is also the 34th anniversary of the Navy Base Chapel at its present location. The meeting itself was actually started in 1968, by Ken and MaryLou Engle, but moved to its current location in 1975. I will be speaking at the anniversary meeting on the Faithfulness of God, which will be followed by a special celebration and dinner at the chapel. Then in the afternoon we will head down to Baguio Gold to teach the bible school. The following week Baguio Gold will be celebrating their anniversary and I have been invited to speak there as well in the morning, and will have the bible school as well in the afternoon. So we have a couple of busy weekends coming up.
I went to my cardiologist this past Monday and had my first normal EKG in a while. It appears that the meds are beginning to work so please keep praying. I will remain under the same restrictions until my next stress test in late January. It is our prayer that the meds will continue to have the desired effect, and that no surgery will be needed at this time. So we would covet your prayers as well.
Our Ilokano lessons continue. It appears that we are beginning to make some progress as I am able to use more and more of it among people in town and in the market etc. We still have a long way to go, but it is always nice and comforting to know that progress is being made. I still am using three languages as I teach down in Baguio Gold and that is a challenge. Thank you for all your prayers.
Lord willing, we will make our next trip to Sagada in February. This will depend on whether or not the doctor lifts certain restrictions I have on travel. So keep that in prayer as well.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Update Nov 4, 2009
Greeting to you all. These last couple of days have been absolutely beautiful. The sun is out and the sky is a wonderful blue and it appears as if the rainy season is finally coming to an end. Not to say we will not still have the potential for storms, but if appears that the rainy season has closed for another year.
I am feeling so much better these last couple of days and have been sleeping well once again. I had a few bad days due to the side effects of one of the new meds I was put on, now that I am off it and on different drug my body has adjusted and I am feeling fine. We will continue this course of medicines for two months to see if they will produce the desired results. It is, of course, our prayer that they will. If not, and certainly the Lord already knows the answer to that question, then we will be forced to pursue some other procedures to deal with the heart problems I have been experiencing. Thank you for your prayers I am feeling so much better.
I am resuming this week some of the studies that I have been teaching. I was able to teach this past Sunday and will be teaching on Wednesday night and Friday afternoon down in Fatima. All of these studies require no climbing of stairs or steep hills. I can just park the car and walk in. After two weeks of little to no activity it really feels good to be back teaching again.
The last typhoon that was pointing right at us moved south and even missed Manila as the eye crossed about 60 kilometers south of the city. They still had some strong winds and rain and some flooding, but it was not as bad as it could have been.
Joyce and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this past Monday. The Lord sure blessed me when he put that wonderful woman into my life.
Thank you all once again for your prayers. Lots to look forward to in the next months…we are excited about what the Lord has in store for us.
I am feeling so much better these last couple of days and have been sleeping well once again. I had a few bad days due to the side effects of one of the new meds I was put on, now that I am off it and on different drug my body has adjusted and I am feeling fine. We will continue this course of medicines for two months to see if they will produce the desired results. It is, of course, our prayer that they will. If not, and certainly the Lord already knows the answer to that question, then we will be forced to pursue some other procedures to deal with the heart problems I have been experiencing. Thank you for your prayers I am feeling so much better.
I am resuming this week some of the studies that I have been teaching. I was able to teach this past Sunday and will be teaching on Wednesday night and Friday afternoon down in Fatima. All of these studies require no climbing of stairs or steep hills. I can just park the car and walk in. After two weeks of little to no activity it really feels good to be back teaching again.
The last typhoon that was pointing right at us moved south and even missed Manila as the eye crossed about 60 kilometers south of the city. They still had some strong winds and rain and some flooding, but it was not as bad as it could have been.
Joyce and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this past Monday. The Lord sure blessed me when he put that wonderful woman into my life.
Thank you all once again for your prayers. Lots to look forward to in the next months…we are excited about what the Lord has in store for us.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tues Oct 27, 2009
Greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord. He who is light and life.
We are so thankful for all of your prayers over the past weeks. I believe it was the prayers of the people of God that moved the last typhoon out to sea just hours before it was due to make landfall north of here. Instead, on the day that we were expecting stormy weather there were blue skies and sunny warm weather.
This weather has given the family from the assembly at Navy Base, who lost half of their home in a landslide, time to get some necessary repairs done. It will be another week or two before the work is completed but we are so thankful to the Lord for providing what was needed to get this work completed. Many of you sent gifts to help and for that we are so very thankful. Not only were materials for repair and securing this house made available but much needed food and supplies.
The recovery work is still on going in the Manila area. Some areas are still flooded a month after the first storm hit. But for the most part things are beginning to get back to normal. Much building and repairs are still needed, but things are beginning to dry out and chapels are being restored.
Last Saturday while returning from Tip Top, I began having chest pains again. These had been occurring on and off since Thursday. This time however my throat began to constrict and a cold sweat came over me. I immediately turned around and went to the ER in town. After some initial tests I was sent home.
Monday I returned to see a cardiologist who confined me in the hospital for further tests. It turns out that I have a number of heart problems at present. I had a stress test today and that confirmed some problems. I have not had a heart attack, for which I am thankful, but I have been diagnosised with Coronary Heart Disease, Arteral Fibrillation, unstable angina, and a few other things.
So, I am on rest for the time being. I am being treated with meds currently and will continue to be monitored for the next two months. Then depending on how well I respond to the medicines other courses of action will be considered.
So I would appreciate your prayers. It is very hard for me to just sit and rest. But I know it is what I must do at the present time.
In a couple of weeks, I am praying I can be back to doing some teaching. But for the time being doctors orders are for rest. So please be praying. I will try to keep you updated as I get information.
I spoke at Navy Base this past Sunday. But have cancelled my visit to Baguio Gold, due to the step climb down and back up. And others will continue the bible studies for these next couple of weeks.
We are so thankful for all of your prayers over the past weeks. I believe it was the prayers of the people of God that moved the last typhoon out to sea just hours before it was due to make landfall north of here. Instead, on the day that we were expecting stormy weather there were blue skies and sunny warm weather.
This weather has given the family from the assembly at Navy Base, who lost half of their home in a landslide, time to get some necessary repairs done. It will be another week or two before the work is completed but we are so thankful to the Lord for providing what was needed to get this work completed. Many of you sent gifts to help and for that we are so very thankful. Not only were materials for repair and securing this house made available but much needed food and supplies.
The recovery work is still on going in the Manila area. Some areas are still flooded a month after the first storm hit. But for the most part things are beginning to get back to normal. Much building and repairs are still needed, but things are beginning to dry out and chapels are being restored.
Last Saturday while returning from Tip Top, I began having chest pains again. These had been occurring on and off since Thursday. This time however my throat began to constrict and a cold sweat came over me. I immediately turned around and went to the ER in town. After some initial tests I was sent home.
Monday I returned to see a cardiologist who confined me in the hospital for further tests. It turns out that I have a number of heart problems at present. I had a stress test today and that confirmed some problems. I have not had a heart attack, for which I am thankful, but I have been diagnosised with Coronary Heart Disease, Arteral Fibrillation, unstable angina, and a few other things.
So, I am on rest for the time being. I am being treated with meds currently and will continue to be monitored for the next two months. Then depending on how well I respond to the medicines other courses of action will be considered.
So I would appreciate your prayers. It is very hard for me to just sit and rest. But I know it is what I must do at the present time.
In a couple of weeks, I am praying I can be back to doing some teaching. But for the time being doctors orders are for rest. So please be praying. I will try to keep you updated as I get information.
I spoke at Navy Base this past Sunday. But have cancelled my visit to Baguio Gold, due to the step climb down and back up. And others will continue the bible studies for these next couple of weeks.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Update Oct 15, 2009
Thank you all for your prayers. Things have settled down here at the present. We have had a few dry days. But the earth is still very soft and we had some rains again last night but it was not strong or continuous. There is however another storm on its way. It will be arriving here sometime next week. It is still a long way off but according to the latest models it is pointing right at us again. Pray with us that it will make a turn and head out to sea.
It is crucial for us to get the home of one of the believers secure before this next storm gets here, if not we fear we may lose it completely. We have had their situation evaluated and now know what needs to be done. As of yet we have been unable to begin the necessary repairs. We pray that before this week is out we will be able to buy supplies, which are becoming scarce due to demand, so that we can get started at least on the drainage and pipes we need to begin to secure this home. Another big storm could be devastating in many ways. We pray that it will move out to sea and away from us. There is too much death and sadness already in this town.
Reports in the news today is that they are going to be releasing more water from a dams north of us there and down south…and they are warning people in Pangasinan, La Union, Rosales, Bulacan and other locations of possible flooding in their towns and cities as a result. I suppose it is needed so that the dams do not burst and with a new storm coming it becomes critical. These areas were just beginning to dry out and clean up and it seems they are in for another round of trouble.
My main concern, of course, is to care for and look out for those in the two assemblies here in Baguio. We are very thankful to the Lord that none were injured and there were no fatalities as a result of the last storm. Baguio Gold had some minor damage to water supply and, of course, you already know of the one family whose situation regarding their home is critical. Continue to pray for the Lord’s protection in the coming weeks…
We will try to keep you up dated as we are able. But your prayers are much needed still, both for those in the Manila area, where Dave Harvey is carrying a great deal of responsibility with so much relief work there, and also for us here in Central Luzon.
It is crucial for us to get the home of one of the believers secure before this next storm gets here, if not we fear we may lose it completely. We have had their situation evaluated and now know what needs to be done. As of yet we have been unable to begin the necessary repairs. We pray that before this week is out we will be able to buy supplies, which are becoming scarce due to demand, so that we can get started at least on the drainage and pipes we need to begin to secure this home. Another big storm could be devastating in many ways. We pray that it will move out to sea and away from us. There is too much death and sadness already in this town.
Reports in the news today is that they are going to be releasing more water from a dams north of us there and down south…and they are warning people in Pangasinan, La Union, Rosales, Bulacan and other locations of possible flooding in their towns and cities as a result. I suppose it is needed so that the dams do not burst and with a new storm coming it becomes critical. These areas were just beginning to dry out and clean up and it seems they are in for another round of trouble.
My main concern, of course, is to care for and look out for those in the two assemblies here in Baguio. We are very thankful to the Lord that none were injured and there were no fatalities as a result of the last storm. Baguio Gold had some minor damage to water supply and, of course, you already know of the one family whose situation regarding their home is critical. Continue to pray for the Lord’s protection in the coming weeks…
We will try to keep you up dated as we are able. But your prayers are much needed still, both for those in the Manila area, where Dave Harvey is carrying a great deal of responsibility with so much relief work there, and also for us here in Central Luzon.
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