Joyce and I returned Wednesday from another trip north to Sagada (pictures will be up soon). We were quite surprised when we arrived to find a street festival on going and crowds filling the streets of this normally quiet mountain town. The noise of stereos and live music filled the air until well after curfew, when things finally settled down on that first night. We were able to make a few new friends at a couple of the local establishments that first evening as we tried out our new Ilokano and Kankaney phrases on them. They were quite surprised and giggled at the fact that we were learning. I was quite surprised at how well most of them understood and spoke some Tagalog also, something that was not true only a few years ago. English still works very well as they are very well educated and converse easily and comfortably in English.
On our second day in town we traveled down to Bulugan to try and find a couple of Mike Smits’ old friends who are in the Lord work there. It was quite a drive down some pretty rough roads over some fairly large rocks and over a few sections of very narrow rutted roads. But we slowly descended into the beautiful valley of rice terraces. We found John and his brother Roy doing well and happy to see us. We were invited into the house and sat for a while and reminisced about the past and the days when Mike and Bev Smits served the Lord in Sagada. We saw the small chapel building where over 15 family meet each week to hear the word taught. It was quite an encouraging visit. Roy rode with us back into town and we stopped along the way to visit with another old friend of the Smits, Nancy Likigan. She welcomed us as well, into her home and we sat and chatted a bit and learned the whereabouts of her sister who lived with the Smits family for many years. The morning was quite encouraging for Joyce and I. It was nice to have some warm and friendly contacts in town with whom we can visit when we return. John and Roy warmly opened up their homes to us and desire that we return again for a visit next time.
We arrived back in Baguio Wednesday very tired but refreshed in spirit. Then we learned that the dates that we had been given for the Special Studies sessions down in Manila (Malolos Bulucan) were incorrect and that I would be teaching next week and not the week after. So tomorrow we must head down to Manila a little over a week earlier than we expected. This has put a bit of stress on Joyce, but she is doing well. I will be teaching each day next week for two hours a day on the subject of Servant Leadership. A subject that is near and dear to my heart. We would ask that you pray for me that the Lord would use me to speak to the hearts of the men and woman who will come for this special week of studies.
We had a very nice Bible Study last night in the home of Florie Rimando. Last night nine were out to hear the word. We continued our study in the book of Ephesians, last night completing the first half of Chapter three.
Thank you all so much for your continued prayers. We are still unsure of what the Lord’s plans are for us regarding Sagada, but we will continue to make trips over the trail and wait to see what He will do. And we continue to study both Ilokano and Kankaney which we can use here in Baguio as well.
Joyce will have some further doctor visits and tests the week following Special Studies. Pray that the Lord’s will be done. We are praying that no further cancer will be found. But our lives are in His blessed hands.
Larnni will definitely be needing some surgery on her vocal cords so please keep that in your prayers as well.
May the Lord richly bless you all for His glory.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Update January 28, 2009
Greetings to you all once again in His precious name. Yesterday we began what will be a very arduous study of Kankanaey along with our study of Ilokano. Kankanaey is the language of Sagada, and of many in the Cordillera, but it is also spoken by many here in Baguio, particularly down in Baguio Gold. Ilokano has little in the way of exhaustive dictionaries as only small and incomplete ones are available, but it does have the complete bible translated and available. Kankanaey, on the other has neither. No dictionaries and no complete bible, as far as I can ascertain. There are, however, portions of the Old Testament translated and the New Testament has been translated and is in print, so that will be helpful. So unlike in the past where we had very good and very complete dictionaries in Tagalog and several good and dependable translations of the scriptures we have much less to work with in Kankanaey. So we become very dependant on others to teach us. We will definitely need your prayers as we continue to learn Ilokano, and begin this long study of Kankanaey. It will be years before we are comfortable in either, but feel we must begin even though we understand the difficulty and challenges of this new beginning. It took many years to become fluent in Tagalog, and it will take many again to become comfortable in teaching in these new languages. But begin we must. Please keep us in your prayers.
We are heading, Lord willing, up to Sagada once again on Monday for a short visit. We will begin scouting out a place to live this time around. We are not in a position to make the move yet, but we do want to see what is available and what it will cost to make the move. Pray with us in this as well.
Things here in Baguio are going very well. It is a continued blessing to be here with the Lord’s people. They are a constant source of blessing to me. The studies are going well and I will be teaching down in Baguio Gold this coming Lord’s Day.
We will be heading down to Manila in a couple of weeks for Doctors appointments for Joyce and we will be staying in that area while I teach at Special Studies at the bible school. I never look forward to going to the lowlands, but having Kim and Larry there along with our grandkids makes the visit most enjoyable. Keep Special Studies in your prayers as I will be handling a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Pray that the Lord would use my time there as a source of encouragement and challenge to His saints.
We are heading, Lord willing, up to Sagada once again on Monday for a short visit. We will begin scouting out a place to live this time around. We are not in a position to make the move yet, but we do want to see what is available and what it will cost to make the move. Pray with us in this as well.
Things here in Baguio are going very well. It is a continued blessing to be here with the Lord’s people. They are a constant source of blessing to me. The studies are going well and I will be teaching down in Baguio Gold this coming Lord’s Day.
We will be heading down to Manila in a couple of weeks for Doctors appointments for Joyce and we will be staying in that area while I teach at Special Studies at the bible school. I never look forward to going to the lowlands, but having Kim and Larry there along with our grandkids makes the visit most enjoyable. Keep Special Studies in your prayers as I will be handling a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Pray that the Lord would use my time there as a source of encouragement and challenge to His saints.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Update January 18, 2009
Greetings to you all, once again, in the precious name of our Lord and Savior…Jesus Christ.
I was moved once again this morning when reading several passages of holy scripture….Isaiah 52:14; “Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage (face) was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men.”
Matthew 26:67 “Then they spat on His face and beat Him and others struck Him with the palms of their hands”
It is in that beloved “face” that we find “….the knowledge and the glory of God.” It is that “face” that we will once day behold. (1 Cor 13:12, Rev 22:4) And the “face” from which the earth and the heavens will flee away, when Judgment strikes. And those who reject Him shall call upon the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hid them from the “face” of Him who sits on the throne.
Oh my friend, how wonderful that His perfect love has cast out fear for us. And that we now long to see His face, and do not fear His coming. What will it be like to look into that beloved face that was so marred for us, that suffered the degradation of spitting and buffeting? “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities and the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.” Oh what a wonderful savior.
Today, Sunday Jan. 18, I will be speaking at Navy Base in the morning and Baguio Gold in the afternoon. This morning I will be continuing the series on the priesthood of all believers, looking specifically at our consecrated hearing, service and walk. This afternoon we will finish up the second session of Bible School in Baguio Gold completing, Lord willing, chapter 6 of Hebrews.
We now have reservations at a guest house in Sagada for the first week of February, since nothing was available in January. Continue to pray that the Lord would open doors of opportunity for us there, if this be His will. We will also be looking for a place to rent, so that we can begin to spend more time in that town in the weeks and months to come. So we would appreciate your prayers in that regard as well.
Dave Johnson will be coming for a brief visit with us this week and we are looking forward to catching up with, learning about what the Lord has been doing in his life and through his ministry. He will be speaking at a cottage meeting on Wednesday night here as well.
Larnni’s voice shows little improvement, but there is some. So continue to keep her in your prayers. We continue to pray that she will not require surgery, but we leave that in the Lord’s hands.
Thank you all for your prayers, He is indeed at work among us.
I was moved once again this morning when reading several passages of holy scripture….Isaiah 52:14; “Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage (face) was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men.”
Matthew 26:67 “Then they spat on His face and beat Him and others struck Him with the palms of their hands”
It is in that beloved “face” that we find “….the knowledge and the glory of God.” It is that “face” that we will once day behold. (1 Cor 13:12, Rev 22:4) And the “face” from which the earth and the heavens will flee away, when Judgment strikes. And those who reject Him shall call upon the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hid them from the “face” of Him who sits on the throne.
Oh my friend, how wonderful that His perfect love has cast out fear for us. And that we now long to see His face, and do not fear His coming. What will it be like to look into that beloved face that was so marred for us, that suffered the degradation of spitting and buffeting? “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities and the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.” Oh what a wonderful savior.
Today, Sunday Jan. 18, I will be speaking at Navy Base in the morning and Baguio Gold in the afternoon. This morning I will be continuing the series on the priesthood of all believers, looking specifically at our consecrated hearing, service and walk. This afternoon we will finish up the second session of Bible School in Baguio Gold completing, Lord willing, chapter 6 of Hebrews.
We now have reservations at a guest house in Sagada for the first week of February, since nothing was available in January. Continue to pray that the Lord would open doors of opportunity for us there, if this be His will. We will also be looking for a place to rent, so that we can begin to spend more time in that town in the weeks and months to come. So we would appreciate your prayers in that regard as well.
Dave Johnson will be coming for a brief visit with us this week and we are looking forward to catching up with, learning about what the Lord has been doing in his life and through his ministry. He will be speaking at a cottage meeting on Wednesday night here as well.
Larnni’s voice shows little improvement, but there is some. So continue to keep her in your prayers. We continue to pray that she will not require surgery, but we leave that in the Lord’s hands.
Thank you all for your prayers, He is indeed at work among us.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Up date 12-16-08
Christmas Greetings to you all in the name of our wonderful savior, whose name is “…wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. “ How often we have drawn on His counsel through His word, His power in difficulties, His tenderness as Abba, and what wonderful Peace which passes understanding that He has brought to our hearts. This past year has once again demonstrated to our hearts the abounding grace of God. His faithfulness, gentleness, longsuffering, provision and mercy, which is new every morning, has been experienced again and again. For which we give Him the fruit of our lips.
This past Lord’s day we celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the assembly meeting on Morning Glory street in Baguio. The work actually began well before that time back in the late 60s when Ken and Marylou Engle were used of the Lord to start some Bible studies in which men and women were saved and the assembly established. The theme for the celebration was very appropriate, Ang katapatan ng Dios noon, ngayon at sa hinaharap” (The Faithfulness of God in the past, present and for the future.) The Engles, Brooks (Cyril and Anna, and Ken and Elaine) and others were fondly remembered by some of the old timers. As were Bev and Mike Smits and others who served the Lord among them over the years. We are actually the third generation of our family to have served the Lord here at the assembly in Baguio. Amazing Grace. Indeed He has been faithful in all of our lives and He is our hope for the future. I was privileged to give my personal testimony as a part of the celebration. It was good to once again reflect on the work of the Lord in my own life over the many years. This year I celebrate the 50th year of my new birth.
This week will be a full one. I will have Bible studies each evening, Monday through Friday, then I will speak three times at a conference down in Pangisanan and once on Sunday morning at Navy Base. The conference theme is the responsibility of men in the assembly of God’s people, with an emphasis on worship. A very appropriate theme for the day and age in which we live. Please be praying that the Lord would use the words spoken for His glory.
Larry, Kim, Tyler, Abby, Holly and Aunt Rose Brooks will be coming up to Baguio to spend Christmas with us. So we will have a full house, which is such a blessing after having an empty house last year. We will miss our Rachel, Abby and Daniel, but know they are where the Lord would have them in their service for Him.
Once again I would like to thank you all for your faithful prayers for us this past year, and for being sensitive to the voice of the Lord in your sharing with us. In Philippians 4 Paul rejoiced over that which was received from the hands of the people of God, and I can repeat his words as from my own heart to you all….”Not that I seek the gift but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you a sweet smelling aroma an acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
We love you all. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Perhaps this coming year we shall see Him coming in His glory, or be called home to Him. Oh that will be glory for me, when by His grace to look on His face. That will be glory…be glory for me.
Christmas Greetings to you all in the name of our wonderful savior, whose name is “…wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. “ How often we have drawn on His counsel through His word, His power in difficulties, His tenderness as Abba, and what wonderful Peace which passes understanding that He has brought to our hearts. This past year has once again demonstrated to our hearts the abounding grace of God. His faithfulness, gentleness, longsuffering, provision and mercy, which is new every morning, has been experienced again and again. For which we give Him the fruit of our lips.
This past Lord’s day we celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the assembly meeting on Morning Glory street in Baguio. The work actually began well before that time back in the late 60s when Ken and Marylou Engle were used of the Lord to start some Bible studies in which men and women were saved and the assembly established. The theme for the celebration was very appropriate, Ang katapatan ng Dios noon, ngayon at sa hinaharap” (The Faithfulness of God in the past, present and for the future.) The Engles, Brooks (Cyril and Anna, and Ken and Elaine) and others were fondly remembered by some of the old timers. As were Bev and Mike Smits and others who served the Lord among them over the years. We are actually the third generation of our family to have served the Lord here at the assembly in Baguio. Amazing Grace. Indeed He has been faithful in all of our lives and He is our hope for the future. I was privileged to give my personal testimony as a part of the celebration. It was good to once again reflect on the work of the Lord in my own life over the many years. This year I celebrate the 50th year of my new birth.
This week will be a full one. I will have Bible studies each evening, Monday through Friday, then I will speak three times at a conference down in Pangisanan and once on Sunday morning at Navy Base. The conference theme is the responsibility of men in the assembly of God’s people, with an emphasis on worship. A very appropriate theme for the day and age in which we live. Please be praying that the Lord would use the words spoken for His glory.
Larry, Kim, Tyler, Abby, Holly and Aunt Rose Brooks will be coming up to Baguio to spend Christmas with us. So we will have a full house, which is such a blessing after having an empty house last year. We will miss our Rachel, Abby and Daniel, but know they are where the Lord would have them in their service for Him.
Once again I would like to thank you all for your faithful prayers for us this past year, and for being sensitive to the voice of the Lord in your sharing with us. In Philippians 4 Paul rejoiced over that which was received from the hands of the people of God, and I can repeat his words as from my own heart to you all….”Not that I seek the gift but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you a sweet smelling aroma an acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
We love you all. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Perhaps this coming year we shall see Him coming in His glory, or be called home to Him. Oh that will be glory for me, when by His grace to look on His face. That will be glory…be glory for me.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
It was quite enjoyable this year to have family to celebrate Thanksgiving with. It was truly a blessing from the Lord. Not only did we have Larry, Kim and the grandkids but ten dorm boys to celebrate with us, three of whom never have had a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner before. We had a great meal, and it caused me to remember what a wonderful Lord we have and serve, so much we have to be thankful for.
I spoke yesterday at Hill Crest Bible Chapel here in Antipolo. It was a part of my regular schedule to speak there once a month, while we were still living in the Manila area, so it was nice to see them all again and to share with them from the Word of our precious Lord.
These few days here in Manila have given me many hours to meditate and contemplate the work of the Lord in our lives over the past couple of years. To reflect once again on how the Lord has led, opened doors and provided opportunities for service all along the way, has cause my heart to swell once again in Worship. This morning as I sat on the porch of the Faith Dorm and looked over the city while it still lay in silence, I was remembering all the years the Lord has given to us here. What a blessing to remember His faithfulness!, and to remember how much He has changed us over those same years. It also provides encouragement and hope, as well, for the time which still lays ahead. To remember, once again, that “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” That He does not change, and there is “no shadow caused by His turning.” What confidence that gives as we move into the months ahead. His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is indeed great. So, as we travel back up the hill to Baguio in the next couple of days I return with a refreshed soul and an encouraged heart.
Thursday we will continue the bible study at Mines View in the letter to the Ephesians. It is a purely expository study, which I love. We will continue to observe the long sentence which draws our attention to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and their work in our redemption and future hope. To know that we have “redemption in His blood, the forgiveness of sins” is a wonderful truth that we too often take for granted, when in reality it is the greatest of works done in our lives and that which has placed us In Christ forever…wonderful truth.
The bible school at Baguio Gold will be on hold until after the first of the year. This Sunday is a joint fellowship with the saints from Baguio Gold and Navy Base. The men will once again do some evangelism in the mining area, and the ladies will enjoy a time of prayer and teaching together. Then on the 14th Navy Base will celebrate its anniversary and the following Sunday the assembly at Baguio Gold will celebrate theirs. So the month holds a lot of activities along with the regular Christmas celebrations and programs.
Thank you all so much for your prayers for us. May I ask, if it would not be too inconvenient for you, please take just a moment at the end of this note to pray for us, for the Lord direction for the months that lay ahead for the conferences, bible schools and special studies I will be teaching in the next couple of months. Lots of preparation will be necessary and we desire that the Lord use us not only to feed the mind but the soul, so please pray with us to that end.
I spoke yesterday at Hill Crest Bible Chapel here in Antipolo. It was a part of my regular schedule to speak there once a month, while we were still living in the Manila area, so it was nice to see them all again and to share with them from the Word of our precious Lord.
These few days here in Manila have given me many hours to meditate and contemplate the work of the Lord in our lives over the past couple of years. To reflect once again on how the Lord has led, opened doors and provided opportunities for service all along the way, has cause my heart to swell once again in Worship. This morning as I sat on the porch of the Faith Dorm and looked over the city while it still lay in silence, I was remembering all the years the Lord has given to us here. What a blessing to remember His faithfulness!, and to remember how much He has changed us over those same years. It also provides encouragement and hope, as well, for the time which still lays ahead. To remember, once again, that “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” That He does not change, and there is “no shadow caused by His turning.” What confidence that gives as we move into the months ahead. His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is indeed great. So, as we travel back up the hill to Baguio in the next couple of days I return with a refreshed soul and an encouraged heart.
Thursday we will continue the bible study at Mines View in the letter to the Ephesians. It is a purely expository study, which I love. We will continue to observe the long sentence which draws our attention to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and their work in our redemption and future hope. To know that we have “redemption in His blood, the forgiveness of sins” is a wonderful truth that we too often take for granted, when in reality it is the greatest of works done in our lives and that which has placed us In Christ forever…wonderful truth.
The bible school at Baguio Gold will be on hold until after the first of the year. This Sunday is a joint fellowship with the saints from Baguio Gold and Navy Base. The men will once again do some evangelism in the mining area, and the ladies will enjoy a time of prayer and teaching together. Then on the 14th Navy Base will celebrate its anniversary and the following Sunday the assembly at Baguio Gold will celebrate theirs. So the month holds a lot of activities along with the regular Christmas celebrations and programs.
Thank you all so much for your prayers for us. May I ask, if it would not be too inconvenient for you, please take just a moment at the end of this note to pray for us, for the Lord direction for the months that lay ahead for the conferences, bible schools and special studies I will be teaching in the next couple of months. Lots of preparation will be necessary and we desire that the Lord use us not only to feed the mind but the soul, so please pray with us to that end.
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