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| 12/28/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Bayanihan!" (pronounced bahy-ahn-EE-hahn) Filipinos have a term meaning "sharing the burden". When we visited Elvie's mom's home for Christmas, our missionary friend Mark joined us, since his family is in on the other side of the ocean, in California. After the traditional midnight fireworks on Christmas Eve, in the morning Elvie led her family and relatives in her annual Bible time, thanking Jesus for coming to Earth to transform our lives. Then we moved the house. Not Mama's place, but behind her home is a shack that workers live in when extra help is needed during coconut harvest time. We stuck huge fifteen foot bamboo poles to the sides of the shack and over a dozen of us men picked it up and carried it across the property! When we got home from the reunion, Mark received the dreadful news that his mom died of cancer. So we practiced another form of bayanihan. We helped him "carry his burden" of grief by spending the day getting emergency tickets to California so he can attend the funeral. After bringing his fiance to see him off on the plane, Elvie, the kids and I drove off for our two-day much-needed vacation. Two hours later, I got a call from Manila, "Pastor Paul, immigration is going to take away my visa to stay in the Philippines!" So yesterday I came back to Immigration. Bayanihan again! Due to the suddenness of his travel, we forgot to get his exit clearance from Immigration. He may therefore lose his visa when he returns next month. Please pray that Philippine Immigration makes an exception in his place and waives the penalty, so that he does not have to reapply for the complicated visa processing. Through your prayers, you too can experience the joys of "Bayanihan!" Praise God that Elvie and Abigail have healed up from their pinkeye (conjuctivitis). Until next time… Present need: $131 Additional book shelves for the BLC library. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,705 received, $14,295 left to go! "Let the Islands Rejoice!" Rev. Paul, Elvie, PJ and Abigail Barner |
| 12/21/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "I should have sung!" in the Philippines, it is nearly impossible to avoid being invited to at least one Christmas party. The most enjoyable events are with church people, as church people know how to have good, clean fun. Yet Mark and I attended a non-church party that was quite boring. When they passed around the karaoke book, I quietly chose to sing, "Joy to the World," but waited for somebody else to volunteer first. Nobody did. On the way home, I told Mark that, had I sung, it would have livened things up and focused the occasion onto Jesus, the real "reason for the season." But Mark assured me, "You know, once they found out that we pastors were there, they cut out some of the inappropriate events from the program. I overheard the program coordinator say, 'No, maybe we won't do THAT tonight. And definitely not THAT, either." So while we could have done more for Jesus, our presence alone represented our Savior. It is also a challenge for us to speak up for Jesus at other functions during this most opportune season for witnessing to unbelievers, about the saving Gospel which can set them free. Praise God that some dear friends sent funds to Christian Aid Mission to help pay us back for the 100+ pieces of furniture we bought extremely cheaply from 2 banks that merged in Davao. Until next time… Present need: $721 Air conditioner and ducts installed (BLC receptionist's office). Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,700 received,
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| 12/14/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Whenever the cloud lifted, they set out." In my morning devotions I read in the book of Numbers how the Israelites in the wilderness always had to be prepared to follow God's direction. Even at the most inopportune of times, they followed God for forty years to the Promised Land. Whenever the pillar of cloud moved, they moved. Could be at night, or daytime, or even tomorrow or a year from now. I couldn't help thinking about what had happened just the day before (on Monday of this week). Two banks had merged and sold their extra furniture. But they had a whole warehouse full of those items that didn't sell. For $600 BLC bought the whole lot,.of 70 nice large desks, swivel chairs, padded blue room dividers (with windows), and even a couch for our library. The construction company was storing the items in a warehouse and didn't want to pay for another month's rental. That is why they sold it to us so cheaply. Quickly, we got a dozen BLC staffers to help load, unload and drive, 20 trips back and forth across town, to empty out the warehouse. Of course we each had had other plans for the day, but we quickly canceled them for this awesome opportunity. Now many of our BLC teachers and secretaries have had their tiny wooden desks exchanged for massive bankers' desks! I even was able to change my hard plastic chair in my office for a short padded one that turns! In season and out, we will follow our God where He leads us! And as an added bonus, a worker and a manager from the construction company joined us for worship at church on Wednesday night! God is awesome! Praise God that we received a check from Malaysia to help with our $20,000 mortgage payoff: $2500! Yay, God! Until next time… Present need: $600 To replace the money we used to buy this warehouse full of used bank furniture. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library:
$7,695 received, |
| 12/7/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "He's our Super Savior!"Dressed up as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter, I gave the Christmas message during our Toastmasters Christmas party. Elvie, Mark and Dr. Ayoc came along too. Since the theme was super heroes, I focused on the fact that the baby Jesus, in a manger that first Christmas day, did not look much like a super hero. But almost all super heroes have a disguise. Suddenly I ripped open my jacket and shirt to reveal...SUPERMAN! With bright red cape, blue tights & top, red shorts and superman t-shirt before the 50 at the party, suddenly cameras and cellphones flashed picture after picture. "Jesus is the greatest superhero!" I explained. In Matthew chapter one, we see three qualifications that Jesus met as our superhero. First, He was named the Son of David. He was a person who lived among us. He cried. He thirsted. As Spurgeon stated, He who made man, was made man. Second, He was named Jesus (Yeshua Yasha), which means "God, our Savior". He came to save us. That's what superheroes are for. Jesus saves us from sin. And third, He was named Emmanuel, which means "God with us". All superheroes have special powers, and as God, Jesus has the greatest power of all time! So next time we see the little baby in the manger, realize, He is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. He wasn't a bird, wasn't a plane, but Jesus is our "Man of Steel", Super Savior! Praise God that I received first prize (a hotpot) as the best costume (as Superman) at the Toastmasters Christmas party! Also praise God that I finished my fourth marathon (5:25:01) this week! Ooh, am I sore! Next marathon: Feb. 2008 (Manila). Until next time… Present need: $107 Sink for BLC medical clinic. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Praise God that funds have finally cleared for our very last BLC mortgage (of four) to be paid in full! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library:
$7,690 received, |
| 11/24/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Teacher Richard, we're about to have a full-fledged industrial arts laboratory!" Sure enough, an American friend has agreed to get his church to assist in supplying all the tools we need for our new lab, named after my dad who is a retired industrial arts teacher. The room is built, the title will be cleared next week when our mortgage is erased, and the shop tools are "in the mail"! Here's the exciting letter from our friend: Hi Paul,
In Him....Pastor. Until next time… Present need: $900 20 Wall fans for classrooms Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for the mortgage payoff to be smooth. The mortgage company is hinting that they may add extra fees to the payoff amount, since we are a school and no longer a residence. Also please pray for strength in my fourth marathon, next week here in Davao. Praise God that another awesome gift arrived this week to help with the mortgage payoff: One thousand dollars! Yay God! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,680 received, $14,320 left to go! "Let the Islands Rejoice!" Rev. Paul, Elvie, PJ and Abigail Barner Philippine Missionary Church
Planters |
| 11/17/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "I was abandoned at six years old on the streets!" Louie was born of a Muslim father and Catholic mother, and for over a dozen years after being abandoned, called the streets his home. With front teeth missing and thin in stature, he'd fathered over half a dozen babies by various street ladies. Donned in his baseball cap, he gave us the "inside scoop" on street life. "Who cares for these little, abandoned street urchins? They're virtually orphans, with nobody to care for them," I asked. "Oh," responded our informant, "the prostitutes, of course!" Stranger than fiction, the street story unfolded before our gaping classmates. "My new mama (a prostitute) cared for many street kids. She fed us from her profits of sleeping around with various men. She's dead now: venereal disease." These kids fend for themselves, yet churches are now stepping in, to provide showers, food and Jesus for these destitute kids. Praise God for believers who are shining the light of hope through the dark nights! When we start the "Father's House", we'll have more than a message for the kids: we'll give them a life, more abundantly. Until next time… Present need: $1,000 metal gym pillars to replace the wooden ones. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for me to be able to complete the Father's House proposal this week, so that it can be presented to Davao City's mayor by Christmas. Praise God that a $2,000 gift came in this week to help with the payoff of BLC's mortgage! Yay God! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library:
$7,675 received, $14,325 left to go! |
| 11/10/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "This is why we use a microphone!" As Rev. Kuglin, our visiting Canadian evangelist, challenged 50 adult church people from the life of Moses, the rain beating on the tin roof got louder and louder. Bob and Gwen were to be with us for nine days, and in that time we lined up 5 speaking engagements. At 78, he and his wife still have the strengths of 40 year-olds. In our 10 foot by 15 foot Purok Ocho church, without walls, the plain wood benches (without backs to lean against) were moved closer to the speaker, and farther from the rain. "Moses stretched out his rod to part the Red Sea," Pastor Bob continued. "Water was on one side and on the other." Meanwhile water came into the church, on the one side and on the other. But there, before one of God's present-day Moseses, God's people were dry...yet again. Same God. Same Great Protector! Until next time… Present need: $530 for external Christmas Decorations for the BLC campus, as a testimony to our neighbors. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Mark and me this week. We'll be living on the streets until late at night, along with local seminarians, in a class to better understand Davao City's homeless and hungry street children. Praise God for over a dozen wonderful friends who gave designated funds
to help with the payoff of BLC's mortgage, coming up this Nov. 30 (20%
of the needed funds have now been given). Praise God also for those who
have already voluntarily given for us to get Christmas gifts for their
sponsored kids! PLEASE NOTE: Starting April, 2008, on the tenth anniversary of BLC, international student sponsorships will experience their very first increase, from $20 per month to $25 per month. This is due mainly to cost increases and devaluation of the dollar to the peso. We plan to not raise the rates again for at least another decade. Some have already started giving the new amount. Thank you, and thanks for understanding! |
| 11/3/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Paul, I can help!" The message from my friend in the USA was a fantastic answer to prayer. Our school copier was destroyed by worn-out parts that just refused to work, and the machine was too old for the parts to be available anywhere. Now I asked my friend if he could help us with the $1820 for a new copier. I'll let his words tell the story: "Hi, Paul and Elvie! We can give you $1000 towards the copier. We sold some coins and jewelry that were a gift from a friend, and also from ourselves, and we were shocked to get almost $800 for them! Plus I had $200 that I was given for speaking (I was waiting for the Lord to tell me what to do with it), so we are so excited to be able to give you $1000. Our church already has other mission projects connected with people who missionaries from here, so I don't know that there will be money coming from the church people. May the Lord bless you richly. Our love and prayers to you." Until God sends the lacking $820 for the copier, our secretarial staff still has to ride downtown to make the 400 copies of exams each month. But we know that God will supply. After all, He's already brought us well over halfway there! Yay God! Until next time" Present need: $820 lacking for our school copier's replacement. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for strength for Rev. and Mrs. Kuglen who have just arrived from Canada. I'll be bringing them to over half a dozen places to speak during the week they are here with us in Davao. Praise God that our combined attendance at our six church plants has exceeded 700! Also praise God that our Cabantian house-church plant had to close off the road to have enough room for everyone as they celebrated their fourth anniversary last week! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,665 received,
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| 10/27/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Callem, I hear a thumping sound. Maybe it's a flat tire!" We went out of the BLC multicab (minibus) to check it out and Callem found the problem- a wheel's lugnuts were not tightened. The day before (Saturday) one of the BLC drivers told me he needed money for 4 new brakes. After he installed them, he forgot to tighten one of the wheels. Sunday morning we drove 25 miles round trip on that loose wheel, to our second church plant's worship service. On our return we noticed a bus that had flipped upside-down in an accident. Then, back at our third church was when Callem noticed the lugnut problem on our vehicle and tightened our wheel. Later in the afternoon when our 4th worship service ended, a car next to us in an intersection lost control and broadsided a taxi. We swerved just in time to be missed in the accident. Had the lugs not been tightened just a few hours before, we would have been hit. Callem and I both breathed out a sigh of relief together: "Thanks, God, for your protection!" Until next time... Present need: $360 On-campus mailboxes or BLC teachers. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for our guests from Canada, who'll be arriving this Thursday (11/1). We have aligned a dozen speaking engagements for them in our various areas of ministry. Praise God that Elvie arrived safely from her missions trip to Thailand. God really touched her heart with the urgency of missions here in Southeast Asia. Praise God as well for a successful United Nations Day presentation by the 400 BLC students yesterday. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,460 received, |
| 10/20/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Elvie, being the national secretary for the ladies' group here in the Philippines, you are invited to help represent your country in Thailand!" Elvie was psyched about the trip, so for a year she saved up her pesos. I couldn't help her financially, as we have been cutting all corners to pay off the school mortgage in November. She bought her tickets on sale months before the trip, and a friend in California provided for what she lacked. But then, just a few days before leaving, she was informed that her passport would have to be good for 6 months to enter Thailand. Her's expires in January! That's only 3 months away! Oh no! She rushed to the passport office, only to be informed that even the express service would release her passport a day late. We prayed. Then, after speaking to the head of the department, we were informed that if she could get a letter of invitation from Thailand proving that she had to leave on that date, they might be able to rush the courier. We found a fax machine and got the information. After submitting the papers, we changed her first flight time to compensate for the late arrival of the courier. Yay, after the long weekend, the passport arrived just a few hours before her flight! Now, her connecting flights were only an hour apart...would she get to Manila in time? Would they let her in the country, seeing that there is war in the neighboring country of Myanmar (Burma)? After rushing to the airport, we waited. Calling from Manila, Elvie was cheering excitedly over the phone that she got there in time. About to come back, home now from visits to Vietnam, Laos and neighboring countries, Elvie sent me a text message: "Honey, this missions trip is deepening my commitment to serve the Lord with you on the mission field at BLC in the Philippines. Seeing the work of the missionaries here is truly an encouragement! I am with you, luv, in this, God's calling. I and PJ and Abigail will support you, Honey. Though the missions convention is just ended, we are now on the border of Cambodia. Tomorrow we travel back to Bangkok, and then back to the Philippines. See you soon!" Until next time… Present need: $819 for basic tools and tables for Industrial Arts lab. Some tools have already been donated, from a church in Utah. Also please pray for the $19,000 we need by 11/30 for our BLC mortgage early payoff. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for the following need: A dear friend has loaned us the lacking $19,000 needed to make the early mortgage payoff for the BLC campus. This is a short-term no-interest loan. Our urgent prayer request is that the funds clear the banks' "holding times" in time to make the payment by November 30. Praise God that the $20,000 we need for our BLC mortgage payoff by 11/30 is decreased to $19,000, due to the following email, sent from a dear friend:
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,445 received, |
| 10/13/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Pastor Paul, a lot of people are sick!" Our missionary friend Mark had helped me with the Wednesday Bible Bee at BLC. Afterward he spoke with a few of the students whose parents and siblings were sick with water-borne and mosquito-caused diseases. Elvie has pneumonia, I have the flu and another missionary (Bryan) just got out of the hospital due to typhoid. "Let's be sure to pray tonight at prayer meeting for those who are sick."said Mark. During errands downtown, we got a flat tire in the BLC multicab. Since the jack didn't seem to work, Mark showed that definitely HE wasn't sick. A big man, he actually picked up the side of the vehicle with his bare hands! In the evening, our 5th grade teacher Richard was scheduled to speak. Surprising to us, he spoke on James 5...about praying for healing! At the end of prayer meeting, of the 180 in attendance, 35 who were sick came to the front and we prayed for them, one-by-one. God cares about our needs! Until next time… Present need: $9,412 or a much-needed Jeepney-bus. Also please pray for the $20,000 we need by 11/30 for our BLC mortgage early payoff. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Elvie's missions trip to Thailand this next Monday (10/15). She'll be joining ladies in leadership from all over Asia. Due to a glitch in her passport, it had to be renewed. It'll be released on the day they depart for Thailand. Please pray that it is not delayed. Praise God for PJ, Abby and Mark, who will be in their first 5-kilometer race this weekend. I'll be in the half-marathon. Praise God also for the successful response of the government inspectors who dropped by BLC in their annual surprise pop-visit this week. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,440 received, $14,560 left to go! |
| 10/6/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "LOOK OUT! Another wave!" It was Baptismal Sunday, and we brought the BLC megaphone to the beach, after church. The waves were enormous, so my assistant reminded me, "Pastor, I can't swim!" After our church picnic, singing and testimonies, we walked out into the Pacific Ocean with the baptismal candidates. Unbeknownst to us, Typhoon Lekima was on its way and had already killed 5 Filipinos in other parts of the country. A few days later, it would cause a quarter-million Chinese to be evacuated from their homes. Suddenly, three huge waves knocked us head over heels, again and again. Four men from church rushed out to us and stood as a human wall to block the waves. Still, we kept getting knocked over by the waves. In a second's time, knee-deep water would suddenly become over our heads in depth. After we were finished, back on the beach, I reminded those baptized that Jesus, like those men who had blocked the brunt of the waves for us, bears the hardest burdens for us. When we face hard times and temptations, Jesus "softens the blow" to help us through. Still, when I went to get changed, PJ said, "Daddy, those waves were so big, you didn't even have to dunk the peopleto baptize them! Just hold them in place, and the water will come to you! Until next time… Present need: $407 for 37 Desks for BLC students. Also the $20,000 needed to pay off BLC's mortgage by 11/30. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for God to "speed up" the government personnel who are processing the tax-exemption status of our new "Father's House" detention center ministry, as well as Mark's residency visa. Praise God for a very successful presentation by our BLC kids who performed at the annual Cabantian village anniversary celebration. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,435 received,$14,565 left to go! |
| 9/29/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “God c-called me to this m-ministry!” Mark, our missionary friend from California has now been in the Philippines for almost four months. At the board meeting for our prison ministry (Father’s House Facility for Children in Conflict with the Law…ie: FHF), he was nervous while giving his personal testimony. The words didn’t come out quite right, and his eyes got blurred over as he stumbled over the page. The lawyers, doctors and guests present strained to hear and understand each word. It became evident, that what they were hearing was not Mark’s words, but his heart. Each board member and guest present was deeply touched as Mark explained through tears how many family members close to him had died or fallen into prostitution over the years through their contact with drugs, alcohol and other crimes. I then explained to the board how Mark came to the Philippines for the sole purpose of “rescuing” kids from crime. After I had emailed Mark about the kids in prison here in Davao, God told him, "Move to Davao!" He obeyed, and now the FHF board has elected him as their volunteer missionary! Until next time… Present need: $1,817 for Scout uniforms for our BLC kids. Plus the $20,000 by 11/30 for our BLC mortgage payoff. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray that God empowers Mark to overcome his handicaps to touch hearts of those in Davao churches and government for God’s work among the child criminals. Praise God for our BLC kids! Out of 30 participating schools in Davao (some quite large), BLC won the first place trophy in table tennis and second place in badminton at the Citywide Sportsfest, 2007! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,430 received, $14,570 left to go! |
| 9/22/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "That man is insane."I was not being derogatory: just stating a fact. The half-dressed young man whom we saw out the window of our BLC minibus kept kicking walls and jumping up and down. His eyes rolled around, turning his head in jerky movements this way and that. When pedestrians on the sidewalk saw him, they moved to the other side of the street for their own safety. "What makes a person get like that?" we wondered. Mark and I were driving to the biweekly Davao C hristian Leadership" (DCL) meeting downtown, where the guest lecturer was speaking on the topic of Davao's drug rehabilitation center. During his lectuere, he mentioned that drugs kill a person's brain cells until they become irreversably insane for life. Two of the major causes of drug addiction here in Davao are hunger (since the poor are hungry, when they take drugs they don't feel hunger pains), and listlessness (their lives are boring). While the Father's House Facility (FHF) we are starting will not cater to drug addicts, we'll fill the hunger/boredom-caused void with farming, schooling and developing their personal relationships with Jesus Christ. This way drugs will lose their charm and the children (ages 8-11) can be productive citizens. Until next time… Present need: $56 to install and build built-in welded tool boxes for 5 of BLC's busses. Also please keep praying for the rest of the $20,000 we need by Nov. 30 to pay off the BLC mortgage. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for my research thesis on CICL (Children in Conflict with the Law), plus Mark's and my module (on Urban Theology) at the local seminary, next month. Praise God for the Kuglens, a delightful Canadian evangelist couple, who just called to let us know they'll be ministering with us for a week in early November. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $7,425 received, |
| 9/15/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "She isn't satisfied!" Mark and I were on errnds downtown, and a little beggar girl in rags came up to my driver's side door. Her face was covered with soot and in her arms was a naked baby girl, about 6 months old. "Gimme money!" she said, using the only English words she probably knew. Reaching into my pocket, I gave her all my change: a peso. She reached her hand through my window.But after receiving the peso, she spoke in Cebuano, begging for more. I had already started closing the window before I realized that her hand was not yet outside. Gratefully, her hand wasn't squashed. Next day, I was driving one of the BLC minibusses and noticed a pair of red baby sneakers on the dashboard. I asked about them, but nobody knew whose they were. A week later our beggar friend approached the car again. This time I had no money. But Mark suggested, "Hey what about the sneakers?" When we handed her the bright red sneaks, you'd think it was Christmas, her smile was so large. Next time we passed her corner, she waved at us, with the naked child wearing only the bright red sneaks. Mark said, "Okay, next time is my turn. I'll get clothes for that baby!" Sanctified Sneakers! Until next time… Present need: $148 for a multiple-section closet to hold the BLC janitorial supplies. Please also keep praying for the $20,000 we need by 11/30 to pay off the BLC mortgage. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for our juvenile detention center plans. After many meetings with the government this week, they have decided to possibly give us a free 50-year lease on 20 acres for this purpose. Praise God for the success of Mark's "pamalahi" (asking permission from his girlfriend's parents to court her). Their wedding date is set for April 12, next year. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $6,920 received, $15,080 left to go! |
| 9/8/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Lord, please bless our...EVOLUTION?" As soon as Mark typed it on his weekly email message, I knew he'd made a mistake. "What are you really trying to say?" I inquired from him, in front of his laptop computer. He shared with me the outreaches that he goes on every Saturday, telling street children about Jesus and prayerfully carrying them on his back (for a mile) to the Bible study. Then I was able to correct his vocabulary: "Lord, bless our EVANGELISM outreach!" Truly, the outreach is EVOLVING, so perhaps there is a Biblical meaning to the mistake! A few days later, during Wednesday night prayer meeting, one of the poor parents in the church was the lay leader, leading our prayer time and announcing the speaker. A little nervous in front of the 200 who were present there in prayer meeting, she slipped- up on her English. "Now our speaker will lead in his EXORCISM." She meant to say "EXHORTATION" (Bible message), and casting out demons (exorcism) was NOT his subject. So we EXERCISED our EXTREME attention during his EXPOSITION, before our EXIT. Until next time… Present need: $334 for five new tires to replace the 5 bald ones on BLC's 7 vehicles. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for the new ministry that God has placed on our hearts: The Father's House Facility for Children in Conflict with the Law (FHF). I am drawing up its constitution and bylaws this week. We incorporated the FHF in February 2006. The property donation fell through and now a beautiful, rural 20 acre lot is available. Praise God for the 600 who atended the combined funeral last Sunday of Elvie's papa and brother. The Gospel was clearly presented, and hundreds of unbelievers were present. Even some of our City Administrators participated. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $6,815 received,
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| 9/2/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “Tell him about the lady who said, 'This is a real celebration!” Mark is our missionary friend from California. He and I were visiting a friend on our way back from the funeral of Elvie's dad and brother. Our friend Joshua was not able to make it for the service. I explained to Joshua's prayer group that a thin woman came to me after the funeral in tears. On this, one of the last of a dozen nights of viewings and accompanying worship, tonight over 100 well-wishers came in from their farms, from the city, and from the jungle areas. It was a difficult trek to where the 2 white caskets lay, side-by-side in Papa's livingroom. Since the dirt road to their place was washed out, after we'd driven an hour from BLC, and after two flat tires, those who attended drove, walked and rode carabao (water buffalo) over a muddy path in the banana plantation. Then on foot, crossing a precarious wooden plank over a stream to hike yet another wet pathway with mud a foot deep. We found our way in the dark with candles and in boots. Others took off their sandals as the mud squished between their toes and halfway up to their knees. My message was from Revelation 22, about the tree of life in heaven, with the 12 crops of delicious fruit. Papa and Romy, in their lifetimes, had been farmers. Yet I am sure that, once they died and went to heaven a week ago, they tasted heaven's awesome fruit. They'd never be satistfied with earthly fruit again, even if they could come back! After I spoke, fruit from Papa's small farm was passed around, with food for those who'd traveled great distances and still had a long way to go home. There was cheerful singing, Bible quizzing and testimonies from the mourners. “Most Philippine funerals I have been to are sad, even frighteneing,” said my thin friend. “There is gambling, drinking, and even fights. But here, you are joyful that you know they are both in heaven. This does call for a celebration!” Until next time… Present need: $20,000 to pay off BLC's restructured mortgage by Nov. 30, saving nearly $400,000, due to a change in mortgage companies. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for discernment in the next step for our “Children in Conflict” ministry. During a meting at City Hall yesterday, we decided that the government would build its “Children's Rehabilitation Village” on 300 hectares (750 acres)of land in the jungle. They may also build a school there and ask BLC to staff and run it as a Christian school. Yet we would have to come up with 500 sponsors for the kids there. Praise God for those who sacrificially gave both condolences and finances to assist with the funeral costs. Even the BLC staff gave part of their salaries to help out! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $6,810 received,
$15,190 left to go! |
| 8/26/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Adtona ta?" (Cebuano for "Shall we go now?") I couldn't sleep. Suddenly, before 3am, I was wide awake. An hour's drive away, Elvie's father ("Papa") was taking his last breaths. He died just minutes later. Elvie's brother also had only a few hours to live. Both had terminal illnesses. Romy is 48 with cyrrhosis of the liver and Papa is 88 with prostate cancer. They died 17 hours apart, on the same day (8/22). In the morning, we hesitated to tell Romy that his father had died. Then Romy mutterred, "I had a dream that a skinny man was asking me to come with him." Elvie whispered to us, "How could he know? That must be Papa!" Of course we know that when we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord, but perhaps God was preparing Romy for his journey out of this life, through the vision he'd had. Papa's illness had made him a virtual skeleton, so he'd been quite thin, like the man in the dream. We'd given Romy our bed for the past few days, while Elvie and I slept on the floor. Just hours after Elvie had gone to help with Papa's funeral arrangements, Romy died in our bed. We rushed him to the hospital, but he couldn't be revived. He was already in heaven. It was comforting though, what Romy said before he passed away. Looking up toward the ceiling, he asked, "Adtona ta?" (Shall we go now?) as if he was talking to Papa. Then he looked at his wife and told her, "Adtona ta." (We'll go now.) The phrase is used when you have visited a friend, and tell your companions that it is time to move on. Romy knew it was time for him to "move on". Losing two family members in one day is hard. Two white caskets sit side-by-side in Mama's house. Yet it is comforting to know that the cancer, the cyrhossis and all the other illnesses are left behind. Our dear Papa and brother have new bodies in heaven. Until next time… Present need: $489 for a water pump and a compressor for BLC's bus tires and for cleaning BLC's air conditioners. $3700 for this week's double funeral and unpaid hospital expenses. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for our proposal to the mayor this week in combining the efforts of the city government with the efforts of our "Father's House" Christian prison ministry to build a juvenile detention/vocational training facility with government funds. Also pray for the extension of Mark's visa this Tuesday. Pray for strength for Elvie. There will be 12 days of viewing before the burial (9/2). Praise God for our pastors' evangelistic door-to-door outreach in the mountains. While there, a man had died, and they asked our team to preach, since there was no resident pastor. At the funeral, many people who'd never heard the Gospel before received Jesus into their hearts! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $6,805 received, |
| 8/18/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Honey, I need help!" Elvie called me from the hospital parking lot after visiting her brother who is confined with cirrhosis of the liver. "I've been here for half an hour and can't get the car started!" Since I was in my office at the school 5 miles away I agreed, but jokingly added, "Ok sweetheart, on one condition.You'll have to get me ice cream at McDonalds!"To which Elvie responded, "Sure, but if you can't get it started, then not only do you owe me a ride home, but you'll have to buy the ice cream for me!" Twenty minutes later I pulled into the parking lot, shifted the car out of DRIVE and into PARK, and then started up the car. After we got to McDonalds drive-thru, an employee came by foot to the car windows to take our orders. Back and forth he went between the two cars. After the order was taken, a little boy in rags held up some sampaguita flowered necklaces. The fragrance was so sweet I couldn't resist. After buying one for a quarter, I asked him to give it to the pretty woman in the blue car in front of mine. He smiled and, after handing the necklace of flowers to Elvie, he came back to my window with her response. With a sheepish grin on his face, he quoted, "She said 'I love you!'" Not only did we have fun, but we showered a little example of love into the life of a little bedraggled beggar boy. Until next time… Present need: $445 for a much-needed replacement welding machine. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Elvie's brother Romy, who'll be staying with us awhile until he recuperates. Also pray for our missionary friend Mark who will be presenting his testimony at the 2nd annual board meeting of our prison ministry this Friday. The chairman of the board is the third most powerful politician in the city of Davao. Praise God for the very successful men's weekend we had yesterday and today at church. Since I'd been in a few marathons, they had me plan a 5K race as one of the events. I came in first place! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $6,750 received, |
| 8/5/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "God is soooo good!" Felix, a middle-aged grandfather, stood on the rickety scrap lumber stage, which is propped up a foot from the church's dirt floor. He gave his personal testimony of how he was a slave to drunkenness before visiting our Panantongan church plant the first day of services, 2 years ago. Today, on the church's second anniversary, he is a believer in Jesus. He no longer drinks. Now he is head of the men's group at church, and is often seen inviting church first-time visitors to his humble cottage for raw coffee after church. Next on stage was Carmen. The stage is too small for everyone to get up there at the same time. She had been a member in a local cult, following a man named Apollo, who claims to be God's only son. She was one of his one million followers. But when she came to our Panantongan church, Apollo was left with only 999,999 followers as Carmen turned her back to Apollo and her face to the cross. In appreciation, she sang a solo that she wrote herself. Next was Rich. Before he met Jesus, his life was so full of vices that it was like maggots crawling from a piece of rotten fruit. Yet when he joined the fellowship at Panantongan, his vices lost their appeal, and he hungered like a famished man for the spiritual knowledge found in the unfathomable depths of the Word of God. Now he teaches adult Sunday School and is helping to build the church building, little by little. Block by block, each week he reinforces a little more the frail, woven coconut leaves which make up the present walls of worship. Rich also witnesses to everyone he meets about Jesus...whether they want to hear or not! Praise God for the many lives dramatically transformed these past two years since we opened this satellite church plant in Panantongan! Until next time… Present need: $360 for teachers'/staff mailboxes for intercampus communication. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Mark, our 400-pound missionary. He has developed a very painful rash in this tropically humid wetaher. Also pray for the family of Willyboy, a pastor who was one of my former students when I taught at the Bible college a decade ago. He was killed by a terrorist bomb in Marbel, a few hours' travel from Davao, last week. Praise God for answered prayers for the marathon I ran in Australia last week. My time improved by four minutes: 4 hours, 54 mintues and 27 seconds. Praise God also for Doug, a widower from NY who, while assisting us here in the Philippines with our ministry, met his future bride! He's to be wed this month. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $6,740 received, $15,260 left to go! |
| 7/31/2007 | Blacktown, Australia "Gotta clean my shoes!" One drawback on Monday to seeing kangaroos, koalas, dingos, tazmanian devils, wallabies, cucaberas, wombats and emus at a zoo in Australia with the kids is...cleaning the goo off our shoes later! These sneakers have been through a lot. We needed to fly to Australia to renew our visas for the Philippines, and while in the "land downunder," I joined a 40km marathon. Elvie, PJ and Abby were at the finish line to cheer me on. Problem was, though my legs were pretty sore, there were no taxis to bring us back to the hotel in Rooty Hill. So we walked the 3 miles back. Then, the hotel elevator wasn't working, so we trudged the six floors up to our room. Since no Sunday is complete without worship, we took a taxi to church. But silently we were praying, "Lord, how are we going to find a taxi back, late at night? We definitely don't want to have to walk miles again!" "G'day mites!" greeted a delightful couple at church. "Where're ya stayin'? Rooty Hill? That's where we live! We'll bring ya right ta yer door!" Praise God! Here, thousands of miles from home, where there are fellow believers in Jesus, we're with family! They even invited us back to their home for dinner! Until next time… Present need: $2,222 for our BLC teachers' & staff's salaries on Wednesday, August 1. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for God to develop the contacts we've made with many wonderful Austalian Christians who are willing to pray for God's exciting ministry at BLC in the Philippines. Praise God for a very, very dear family that has given for the music shelves we mentioned needing last week. These shelves will be enclosed with locks to protect BLC's fifteen musical instruments. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's 3rd-floor library: $6,735 received,
$15,265 left to go! |
| 7/24/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “I will be here!” The men in church all were directed to sit on the
right side of the BLC gym (where we worship), while their wives sat on
the left. Since this month's sermons have focused on “family,” the guys
all sang to their brides (of various vintages) in a special serenade,
“If in the dark we lose sight of love, hold my Until next time… Present need: $204 Shelves for Music Room. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for our BLC school and 8 Faith Fellowship church plants
to run smoothly while we're away in Australia, 7/24-8/3. A friend from
NY, Doug, will be arriving while we are away. He'll be assisting BLC for
two months. Praise God for an American school and church which partnered
together to send over 1,000 Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: |
| 7/20/2007 | Davao City, Philippines He would cure him of his leprosy!”During the first of our semiannual Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA) meetings for the school year 2007-8, I challenged the hundreds of parents present in our BLCgym to learn from their kids the “faith of a child”. Many of these parents are unbeleivers, so PTA meeting is a fantastic opportunity to share the Gospel in creative ways. Which one are you like? Naaman the lepros soldier, who prefered to go to clean rivers to bathe instead of the Jordan which God commanded? Are you too proud to come to God in faith? Or how about the Aramean king who thought he could win over God's favor by showering gifts (which God refused to receive)? Do we try to bribe God, or do we cry out, “Nothing in my hands I bring, only to thy cross I cling?” Let's learn from the little Jewish slavegirl who said, “Trust in God. He will heal you!” Let's learn from our kids! Until next time… Present need: $1650 for a motorcycle to carry out the
errands
Please also pray for our upcoming trip to Australia, next Tuesday. We'll
be renewing our Philippine visas by leaving the country for a few weeks,
and then Praise God for a totally unexpected gift of $85 from a Philippine friend for the feeding program at BLC. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $6,725 received, $15,275 left to go! |
| 7/7/07 | Davao City, Philippines “How about the twelve disciples...but leave out Judas?” In our weekly
teachers' meeting, we were determining how to differentiate the multiple
sessions of each class. Since God has blessed us with a 30% increase in
sponsored kids this year, our student body is 400. Many of the classes
have two teachers in separate classrooms. A more colorful way than calling
the divisions “First Grade A” and “First Grade B”, we dcecided to use
Bible themes. Yet because the classes are co-ed, we opted out of using
people's names. Next thought was places. But often different locations
have mixed histories. Like Rome- it was Until next time… Present need: $1,000 Metal reinforcement bars for rotting wood struts in gym. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for my training for the Blacktown marathon in Australia at the end of July. Elvie, me and the kids are going to renew our visas, and I decided to run the marathon while we are there. We'll see kangaroos and koalas! Praise God for the Deaprtment of Education giving us many positive “thumbs-up” for our applying to open a high school next year. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: |
| 6/29/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Could I do something really special for the school?" This kind of message is so very nice to receive, when trying to bless the lives of 400 students and over three dozen staff at BLC!. "Mr. Barner, I was wondering, if this coming Christmas, if I could do something really special for the school. I was thinking the past two days, about getting a package of supplies together for the school. To be shared with all the students, even those who could not have been supported. I'm sending my sponsored child's first check this week. It is truly a blessing in my heart, knowing that the Lord has chosen me to serve Him in this way. I have always wanted a family of my own, to care for, and I feel that this is a way to show the Lord that I'm ready for the responsibility, even though He already knows that I am, or may not be yet, but just be trying and testing me to see. I love Him so much, I just want to serve Him any way that I can. Please let me know, so I know how to prepare. I thought, it's a few months till Christmas, but this way, things can be gotten now, and perhaps sent early. I'm really excited about serving the Lord with you, and helping you to reach the students and their families. I can't wait to hear from you. Please give my child a big hug for me, and my love. And tell him, he better do good in school, or I'm comin' over and putting him over my knee! ha ha. Take care dear brother, and give my love to your family. Praise God that, even people on the other side of the world are a part in this work to reach the destitute, and tell them of Jesus! Until next time Present need: $110 for construction of an office for our new child Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for our evangelistic outreach this Saturday. We will be going door-to-door to about 60 different homes to share the truth about how a person can commit his life to Jesus Christ. Praise God for the increased classroom attentiveness and renewed health of our students since we began giving them free, nutritious mini-meals every day at BLC. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $6,710 received, $15,290 left to go! |
| 6/23/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “We'll dedicate this house to Jesus!” After 5 weeks of worshipping in different people's homes, our Asuncion church plant finally has a permanent place. Each week we've had services on the tiny lawns of different people's homes, mostly without grass, only mud. The first home had a pet monkey to liven up the worship time. The following Sunday a dozen chickens added their fragrance and clucks to the service, at that week's location. Then, week #3, while I was preahcing (open-air), under a tree, a bird “made a deposit” in my hand just as I was using a gesture in my sermon. Last week a cat walked into our worship service to make his observations. But this week, the Asuncion congregation (one of our eight church plants) of 50 members had finally located a small 10 by 20 foot house in a woodpile. At only $15 per month rent (utilities included), each family has pledged part of the rent so that no funds come from the tithes and offerings for it. Why was the rent so cheap? Legend has it, many years ago, a man hung himself here in this small one-room house. History aside, we took time to glorify God with our praises, and offer prayer, dedicating Asuncion's “first home” to Jesus. As to animals, we have more here than at all the other places combined. A dozen chicks, 2 dozen caged birds (singing away), a dog who comes and goes every ten minutes, and a rooster who crows after every phrase of my message (reminds me of one church we visited in the USA with an “amen man”in the front row!). Yet one thing makes this church unique from all the other places where the Asuncion people have worshipped...it has a roof! Until next time… Present need: $1750 for the unpleasant surprise of newly-required additional government permits for our seven school busses ($250 each). Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for our new “Sponsor Communication Secretary”, Mrs.
Praca Praise God for Mrs. Praca's new office, being completed this week, next to the present sponsorship office on campus. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $6,705 received, $15,295 left to go! |
| 6/16/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "It was his first day of school...and also his last." The newspaper article from Elvie's hometown of Calinan was tragic. Since little Joemarie Manala was from a poor family, they could not afford preschool. So he started public school at first grade. His mother was late in picking him up from school, since she was busy at home washing the family's laundry by hand, and also some neighbors' clothes, to help with Joe's school expenses. She would never have to wash a first grader's clothes again. Little Joe, with childhood ambition, decided instead to walk the whole mile back home to surprise his mom. He never made it. A truck hit and killed him as he was crossing the road. This week, as I watched Barner Learning Center's 400 children wait patiently in the BLC gym for their school bus name to be called, I was so thankful for those of you who had given for us to purchase the seven BLC busses. Recently a church decided to tithe its month's income to BLC, and as a result we were able to purchase yet another multicab, which we named after that church. This will help with transporting the increased enrollment of kids for school year 2007-2008. We can't bring Joemarie back. But we can learn from the lesson that he taught to us all. Until next time… Present need: Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for a new single missionary, Mark, who will be helping us here in Davao with our juvenile prison ministy. Pray that his funds clear in time for him to purchase airline tickets for his arrival on June 27. Praise God for our Assuncion church plant. The 60 in attendance each week have individually pledged equal amounts to cover the monthly rent of a small house so they can use it as a church instead of rotating from house to house. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $6,700 received, $13,300 left to go!
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| 6/10/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “Dear Paul, You are in our thoughts and prayers each day...we love and miss you. I had promised a book drive, and one of my more enthusiastic cheerleaders has taken it on as a project. One of the girls cleaned her bookshelves and brought in 140 small children's books. Combining all the rest that have come in, we have about 325 altogether, plus a promise of a classroom set of The Cat in the Hat (from my dear Christian friend who is our Jr. Hi science teacher.) I am excited for you...it will be like Christmas (it may actually be Christmas) for you when you open them. Another mother emailed me today and asked if we could use three more boxes...she is cleaning the shelves in her classroom. The success of this book drive has to be God at work. We haven't even
posted a flyer...just an email to our English teachers and a little competition
between classes. I am quite pleased. Our love to all of you, and God bless.
(Then, Later...) Steve came to my classroom on Tuesday and we boxed over
900 children's books. There are two balikbayan boxes filled to the brim
with books of all sorts. Just as soon as Steve left with the boxes, kids
started coming in with more and wanted to know if it was too late to donate
(they had another 125 Until next time… Present need: $300 for BLC's Bible Memorization materials and prizes. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for BLC, as we train one of our secrataries in library skills. He'll lead parents in categorizing, recording, stamping, and shelving BLC's ten thousand volumes, in preparation for the students' use this year. Praise God for the healing of our family's bout with colds this month. Also praise God for a few sizeable gifts (some anonymous) for our library construction fund. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $6,700 received, $13,300 left to go! |
| 5/28/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “Arlene had a stroke!” Dodong and his four young daughters (students at BLC), came to church last Sunday with the sad news that his wife was in the hospital. After our four morning worship services, we stopped by to see her. Being poor, her narrow bed was squeezed into the public ward with 40 other beds, all about two feet apart. Arlene's face was contorted with fear and drenched with tears. “What will happen to me? I am still young! Will I die? Look, I can't even move my hand!” She reached over with her right hand and picked up her lifeless left arm, dropping it like a ragdoll with a thump across her chest. We prayed for her, talked with her and even sang with her. Her spirits being lifted, we joked together. Rosalie, a woman about Arlene's age, had a bed right next to hers. She also had had a stroke with the same symptoms. She anxiously watched every move we made and begged, “Please, pray for me too, so I can be happy like Arlene!” After praying for her as well, we bid our goodbyes as Elvie gave Arlene $10 to cover 2 ½ days in the crowded ward. Arlene looked like a different person. Sure, her arm was still lifeless, but the joy of Jesus showed through her face, her laughter, and even through the loving appreciation of her roomate, Rosalie. Arlene was back in church today. Until next time… Present need: $407 for thirty-seven Desks, and $25 for half a dozen pair of boots for our church planting in muddy areas. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for five men who we led to the Lord this week in Kibalang, Junjun, Lito, Jomar, Eric and Danilo. Also please pray for the preparations for my third marathon, July 29. Praise God for Arlene's healing! Also praise God for nearly 500 in attendance at our seven worship services this weekend! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,580
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| 5/21/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "We really are a family!" Summer Classes at BLC were cancelled on Friday, since our kindergarten teacher Phoebe was getting married. Our staff of 35 rode, laughing, singing and conversing, in two of the BLC busses the 2 hours to Compostella Valley for the wedding. In the little church, our staff filled up over half of the building, and much of the wedding party. Our BLC administrator Dr. Ayoc officiated. Abby and other teacher's kids were flower girls and ring bearers. Other teachers were godparents and bridesmaids. It impressed me how much we are truly a community. Phoebe's life revolves around her God, her students, and her coworkers. The groom's parents are in heaven, and Phoebe's mom died a few years ago. When Phoebe's dad died two months ago, she was left as an adult orphan as well. Then, the BLC staff conducted his funeral as well. We teach more than children here at BLC. Adults, teachers, parents and bus drivers are all united together in the process of growing in Jesus, here at BLC and Faith Fellowship church. Amazing, how such a simple act as sponsoring children at $20 a month,
by loving believers on the other side of the globe, has filled the wide-open
expanse of a need for loving Christian family and fellowship here at BLC!
Until next time… 1.Summer School Ends May Please also pray for our teachers/staff retreat this next weekend, to nourish all in a deeper relationship with Christ. Also pray for our evangelistic outreach in the mountain foothills of Marilog this Saturday, that many mountain people become saved. Praise God for our very first worship services at two new church plants this week (5/19 & 5/20), with total attendance of 58 and 41! Even the rain did not dampen our joyous time of worship! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,575 received, $17,425 left to go! |
| 5/8/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “Bayad sa mingaw!” (payment for loneliness) Ducks were crossing the
road in front of our car in Koronadal (Southern Mindanao) , where we attended
a conference this week with 2000 other pastors. As the mother duck and
her dozen or so little ducklings crossed the road in front of our car,
our passengers reminded me not to go ahead too soon, lest “bayad sa mingaw”
should capture me. In some areas of insurgency in Southern Mindanao, travellers
must be wary, lest they run over a dog, chicken, or even a wandering child.
Due to the rural nature of some of these dirt roads, locals often glean
all they can from passers-by. If you hit something, and damage or kill
it, you may end up, not just paying to replace the item, but also paying
for the loneliness that is felt by the owner of that damaged item. Let's
say you hit a duck. The owner runs out, and demands that Until next time… Present need: $834 Paint to prepare classrooms for new school year. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events: 1.Summer School Ends May Please also pray for Elvie this week as she is the main speaker for a youth convention of 300 delegates in Tamayun. Praise God for the safe travel of our friends from New York (Vangie and Sarah DeVol) who are visiting us during the month of May. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,565 received, $17,435 left to go! |
| 4/30/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Everybody should be able to read!" After shelving two thousand books that we had mailed here from the USA, this letter from Wahsington State, from a boy named Kaleb who was in an AWANA Group we spoke at, was refreshing! He is interested in donating toys and books to BLC: "About the drum set you need - what do you need - a kid sized, or an adult sized? I have a kid size drum set that I have never used. Do you have a DVD player? I have a DVD that teaches how to play it. And I'd love to donate some of the things that you need if I had them. I'm going to donate to you $100 for your library. I like donating to missionaries AND I love to read and I think everybody should be able to read and should WANT to read. I got the money from doing chores, dogsitting and doing well in school and then there's a bit of money I got as a gift. I kinda wish I could go over there and help you with some things. I can't this year but maybe sometime in a few years, hopefully. Afterall I do think it would be fun digging out that river. [our overflowing canal] It was really nice to meet you and this $100 is all I have in cash right now and I just hope you get blessed by it. -Kaleb (P.S. from his mom - we are sending a check in the mail today to Chrisitan Aid on his behalf.) :) Praise God for Kaleb! Until next time… Present need: $1375 for three needed air conditioners for BLC.
Please also pray for the fifteen people a friend and I prayed with to receive Jesus into their hearts this week: Esther, Pacquito, Jun, Polinaria, Julia & Juliata (twins), Charmin & Sharming (teen neighbors), Chona, Annabelle, Lolly, Daisy, Adee, Shasha & Laisha. Please also pray for Elvie and I as we leave tomorrow for a week-long conference in a dangerous area of Mindanao. Praise God for over one hundred new poor sponsored kids that Elvie has accepted after interviewing their families and doing site visits to see where they live. Please pray for understanding on the part of those who were not accepted because they were not poor enough.We accept on a prioritation basis, due to limited numbers of sponsors. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,460 received, $17,540 left to go!
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| 4/23/2007 | Davao City, Philippines " Pastor Paul who is my sponsored child at BLC?" After 7 months in the USA to find sponsors for poor children to have free schooling at BLC, in 38 states and over 30,000 miles of driving, it is now time to assign children to the 110 new sponsors. Each morning, the hall outside Elvie's office is lined with plastic chairs filled with children and their parents, waiting their turn. "Let's pray." Elvie says at the beginning of each interview. The father, mother and kids watch to see what she does. Many have never prayed before. Elvie bows her head. They bow their heads too. She closes her eyes...but they keep their eyes open, to see what she is to do next! BLC is teaching more than just reading, writing and arithmatic. It is teaching how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! Our goal is that all sponsors will have updated pictures and info on their "adopted" children by the end of May. Until next time… Present need: $300 Summer School papers. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for the DeVol family, traveling this week from New York for a short-term missions trip to Davao City. Please also pray for our evangelical door-to-door witnessing outreach this Saturday. Praise God for over 100 new BLC students (now in BLC's Summer School) already enrolled after Elvie interviewed their parents and did site visits to see their housing situations, to determine their level of poverty. It's been a busty week for Elvie! Plus her parents were here for her dad's hospital visits. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,455 received, $17,545 left to go! |
| 4/16/2007 | Davao City, Philippines "Jervy, Jesus loves you and died for you!" At Panantongan, one of our six church plants, 20 pastors from Davao City gathered to share the Gospel with neighbors. We divided up into groups of 3 or 4 each. Boboy was the team leader for our group. He had a simple, straight forward approach in presenting the Gospel, as we went from door-to-door. Within 100 minutes, 11 sinners were introduced to Jesus Christ. Jervy and his wife were very open. As we sat on bamboo stools in their one-room hut, his wife held a sleeping baby, while tugging on a rope to rock to sleep their other, who was hammock-style in a former flour sack "douyon". At the next hut, Enring, a teenage mom, was holding a baby. It seemed, as she repeated the prayer that Boboy prayed, that her soothing prayer lulled her little boy to sleep. Next were Bebing and Emerson, then Nory. At Jecie's hut, a little Sari-sari store which sells small sachets of shampoo and laundry soap at a few cents each (lemonade-stand style) distracted her husband somewhat as we shared the Gospel with her. Yet as she prayed, her husband smiled over at her from behind the customers he was servicing. Last was a pool hall. The domino game in the corner went on, yet the billiards were silent as Dora, Jinny, Reco and Gloria prayed to receive Jesus into their hearts! Praise God for sending His Holy Spirit to draw these eight to a saving knowledge of Him! Until next time… Present need: $1200 for three huge 4-foot industrial fans to be installed in the gym, as it is hot both for church there on Sunday and also during the week for classes. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Summer School, which begins today. We will have about 310 children here for this. As Elvie approves children for the sponsorship program, they are immediately enrolled in the Summer School to prepare them for the new school year which begins in June. Praise God for the sponsors who are faithfully sending their $20 each month for these destitute children! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,445 received, $17,555 left to go! |
| 4/10/2007 | Davao City, Philippines “Buzzz...Crunch! 79!” After our plane had landed in Davao, we had a busy week with Baccalureate, Graduation, Prayer Mtg, Good Friday, Sunrise and Easter Servicees. Then we took a break. Monday was a holiday (Araw Ng Kagitingan) so we went to Elvie's little bamboo hut on Samal Island, where we cut and burned the tall grass. Since there is no electricity, I brought my walkman cassette player so I could listen to Bible tapes for devotions in the dark at 4am. When the sun rose, our mosquito net was covered with bees! One by one, I squashed 185 of the bees with my Bible cassette player. Then the kids got their slippers and made a game of killing another 80 bees in the air! My Bible cassette player showed that the Word of God is truly powerful! Until next time… Present need: $600 for wall fans to be installed in each classroom. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for PJ as he catches up with his classmates at Faith Academy after being gone for 7 months. We homeschooled him while traveling, yet it may be a challenge for him to transition back into a classroom environment. Praise God for the hand of God, moving during Graduation exercises last week! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,440 received, $17,560 left to go! |
| 4/5/2007 | Davao City, Philippines HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY & RESURRECTION DAY! “We're back!” Breathing a sigh of relief, Elvie and I unfolded to our BLC staff the misadventures of our trip home from the USA. We'd missed our flight Monday in Washington, due to delayed secuity checks and being misdirected to the wrong gate/terminal. Concerned that we'd also miss our connecting flight in California, we called a New York prayer chain to pray that we'd find another flight and that the Philippine flight would be delayed. God had already begun answering our prayers! A group of four passengers from Copenhagen did not arrive, and therefore the fully-booked flight had four seats available…just for us! Still, that only left 45 minutes for us to get checked-in to the Philippine flight. When we got to the gate in California, a big crowd was waiting- the flight was not only delayed…it was cancelled for bad brakes! After waiting until 2am, they put us up in a hotel overnight. Since they had no other planes available, they mentioned that we might be delayed for four days! We prayed again, and were put on a plane for a different airline the next day, through Taiwan. In Taiwan, we started running through the airport, trying to find our new gate. A dozen others were with us, but since all those in the airport spoke Chinese, we couldn’t get them to understand our need for the transfer flight. Eventually we found it, about fifteen minutes before it was to leave. Then when we got to Manila, there was also no connecting flight available. They suggested putting us in a flight the next day, and in another hotel overnight. Yet Elvie was able to convince them that we had to get to Davao asap, since we’d already missed the recognition exercises (Thursday) and could not miss the baccalaureate and graduation exercises on Friday too. They squeezed us on a full flight and we arrived in Davao about 8pm. God once again provided His “angels” to assist us in this adventure. While at the hotel in San Francisco, a Christian couple in their sixties sat down next to us at breakfast. “Let’s share our stories” they suggested. For the remainder of the journey, they were with us. The hours and days seemed to fly by as we shared together interesting tidbits about our lives. They were like grandparents for Abby and PJ. They’d carry the kids when we were exhausted, and even got them little treats on and off. Soo… thanks so very much for your prayers! God answered abundantly! Until next time… Present need: $2100 for a large generator for BLC's fans and lights in times of power outages. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Elvie's strength in the next few weeks. Though suffering migraines from jetlag, she's interviewing 110 new sponsored kids for the 2007-8 school year! Praise God that Elvie's dad has responded to your prayers! His intestines began to soften up, and the backed-up toxins were released. Although he had been on his deathbed, he now is released from the hospital! Please continue to pray though, as doctors say that this 86 year old has a mild form of prostate cancer. Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,435 received, $17,565 left to go! |
| 3/25/2007 | Seattle, Washington, USA "You will never make it!" Friends were concerned seven months ago when we set the goal of having 88 more sponsors for the poor Filipinos to be given free schooling at Barner Learning Center. As over half a year of cross-country travel loomed before us (in 38 states and 30,000 miles), the task did seem ominous. But is anything impossible for God? Of course not! Last Sunday we surpassed the 88 new sponsor goal, and now, as we are tying up our last few speaking engagements, it looks as if there will be over a hundred new poor children who will be goven a chance at overcoming illiteracy! God is sooo good! Hallowed be His name! Until next time… Present need: $2,040 for our BLC teachers' & staff's salaries on Friday, March 30. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Elvie's dying father Sadim in the Philippines. Pray that he lives until we return to the Philippines this Wednesday. There is a slim possibility that, due to your prayers, invasive surgery might be avoided by medicine. Pray that God, our Great Physician, intervenes ! Praise God that our grand total for new sponsors this furlough is 101! God is Fantastic!!! Praise God that our 30,000 miles of driving in the USA is now at an end. We now fly out Monday (3/26) back to the Philippines, to arrive (crossing the international date line) on Wednesday (3/28)! Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,230 received, $17,770 left to go! |
| 3/20/2007 | Anacortes, Washington, USA “Mommy Rose, why are you so happy? You are always smiling, even when we have no food on the table for us, your three kids, and when Papa has no work!” Little 8-yr old Ruel is a third-grade pupil of Barner Learning Center. His nickname is Wel. They live in a “Relocated” squatter community. This means that since they had no place of their own to live, they built a shack on someone's land without permission. When the landowner found out, they “relocated” them to another location, miles away. Wel's dad works with cement, but often goes for weeks at a time without an income, as he searches for a construction team that needs help. He actually assisted in the cementing of our buildings on the BLC campus a few years ago. Since Wel's parents were not married at the time, we went ahead and performed the ceremony for them in 2002. “Wel, I smile because God takes such good care of us. At church we have great friends. Plus somebody on the other side of the world loves Jesus so much, that they show their love to Him by paying for your schooling! How can I help but smile, when our Jesus cares so much that He has traveled all the way to the other side of this planet, just to find a sponsor for your schooling! Surely, a God like that will take care of our every need!” Until next time… Present need: $850 for BLC's February electric bill. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Elvie's dying father Sadim in the Philippines. Pray that he lives until we return to the Philippines next week. Praise God that we now have exceded the 88 new sponsors needed for the poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. We now have increased our goal to introduce others to the sponsorship program. May we reach our faith goal of 100 by next Monday! Only 9 more to go! Praise God that we have now travelled 29,500 miles on this furlough...only 500 to go! Speaking Schedule: The next 3 weeks (3/21-3/29)
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,225
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| 3/12/2007 | Sophia Nicole (Nic) and her little sister (Inday) were embraced by their grandma, they were comforted before dozing off to sleep. Their daddy Mike was out making a living until late at night as a taxi driver. Their mom had abandoned them years ago and moved 500 miles north to Manila. As a first grader, Nic is a delightful student. Her BLC teacher Gemma is like a second mother to her, kindly peering over her shoulder as she studies her lessons in Reading and Spelling. In a difficult society where the poor get poorer and the rich get richer, Little Nic's faithful studies may just be the tool that will lift her tiny family from the downward spiral of poverty. From Nic, her sister and dad and grandmom, a resounding thank you goes up to Sophia's sponsor who faithfully gives $20 every month to be sure that Nic becomes literate! Until next time… Present need: $400 for extra BLC graduation expenses (awards ceremony
on Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Please also pray for Elvie's dying father, Sadim, in the Philippines. Pray that he lives until we return to the Philippines in 2 weeks. Praise God that we now have 72 new sponsors for the 88 poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. Only 16 left to go! Praise God that we have now travelled 29,000 miles on this furlough...only 1,000 to go! Speaking Schedule: The next 3 weeks (3/11-3/29)
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,220 received, $17,780 left to go! |
| 3/5/2007 | Los Angeles, California, USA “Mama, where is Papa?” Little Francesca is only 5 years old, so it is difficult for her to understand how her father (Armand), a soldier, could abandon his five little children and wife in Davao City. Francesca is a kindergartner at Barner Learning Center. Her nickname is Mae. Since Mae and her family live close to the school, her brothers and sisters can walk her to class. Mae's mom Evelyn, though her life is filled with trials and problems, still loves singing and cooking. She is smart. While her kids are in school, she keeps food on the table by working at a plastic bag manuafacturer in the city. Evelyn is now active in attending the prayer meeting, Sunday worship, and Bible study. After a hard day of work, Evelyn comes home to the delight of her children. Mae, her youngest, is a good girl and quiet; she’s good in class. Together this family of six strives to take each day at a time to solve their problems. Evelyn looks into the big brown eyes of her littlest girl and is warmed by the knowledge that dear friends, somewhere on the other side of the world love her enough to sponsor each of her beloved children. Thus her love and respect for a God who cares enough to touch your hearts, dear sponsors, make each day a blessing for them. “Mae, you may never see your Papa again. But you know what? Think of
God as Until next time… Present need: $236 for medical coverage (and Social Security) for our BLC teachers and staff for February. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Praise God that we now have 65 new sponsors for the 88 poor children
who Speaking Schedule: The next 4 weeks (3/8-3/29)
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,217 received, $17,783 left to go! |
| 2/26/2007 | Denver, CO, USA “You're from New York? Then this blizzard is nothing to you...you're
used to Until next time… Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Praise God that we now have 63 new sponsors for the 88 poor children
who Speaking Schedule: The next 4 weeks (2/27-3/26)
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,212 received, $17,802 left to go! |
| 2/19/2007 | Dallas, TX, USA "Rev. Paul, our family will sponsor 1 child!" While visiting
a church in Corpus Christi, Texas this Sunday, the congregation was challenged
to consider providing an education for a poor child in the Philippines.
THEIR RESPONSE WAS TREMENDOUS! Celia writes, "We could challenge
the congregation to personally sponsor 1 child. We all eat out dinner
at least once a month. We can sacrifice a weekend dinner so one may be
able to sponsor a child at BLC. I have seen lots of TV commercials asking
the audience to sponsor a child. I am hesitant to do it because I don't
know if all the amount is spent to the child being sponsored. This is
our opportunity to give back to the Lord and to our community a part of
the Lord's blessing. Every single cent that we give goes to the child
being sponsored." Yay! Praise God for yet another child who will
be lifted out of the depths of illiteracy and paganism! Until next time…
Praise God that we now have 59 new sponsors for the 88 poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. Only 29 left to go! Praise God that through the gifts of a number of dear people like yourself, we are able to rent a minivan for the last leg of our journey to Seattle (TX-NM-CO-WY-UT-AZ-CA-OR-WA)! By my flying out tomorrow from Texas to get the car, and driving the 2200 miles back to Dallas to pick up Elvie and the kids, I will be saving $2,000 from renting "one-way". We will then head up to Denver... Speaking Schedule: The next 4 weeks (2/27-3/26)
Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: |
| 2/19/2007 | Dallas, TX, USA "Rev. Paul, our family will sponsor 1 child!" While visiting a church in Corpus Christi, Texas this Sunday, the congregation was challenged to consider providing an education for a poor child in the Philippines. THEIR RESPONSE WAS TREMENDOUS! Celia writes, "We could challenge the congregation to personally sponsor 1 child. We all eat out dinner at least once a month. We can sacrifice a weekend dinner so one may be able to sponsor a child at BLC. I have seen lots of TV commercials asking the audience to sponsor a child. I am hesitant to do it because I don't know if all the amount is spent to the child being sponsored. This is our opportunity to give back to the Lord and to our community a part of the Lord's blessing. Every single cent that we give goes to the child being sponsored." Yay! Praise God for yet another child who will be lifted out of the depths of illiteracy and paganism! Until next time... Present need: $275 still lacking for round-trip rental of a minivan to bring our family the last leg of our furlough, through the Rocky Mountains and up the Pacific Coast. Praise God that we now have 59 new sponsors for the 88 poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. Only 29 left to go! Praise God that through the gifts of a number of dear people like yourself, we are able to rent a minivan for the last leg of our journey to Seattle (TX-NM-CO-WY-UT-AZ-CA-OR-WA)! By my flying out tomorrow from Texas to get the car, and driving the 2200 miles back to Dallas to pick up Elvie and the kids, I will be saving $2,000 from renting "one-way". We will then head up to Denver... Status of $22,000 needed to build BLC's third-floor library: $4,207 received,
$17,797 left to go! |
| 2/12/2007 | Corpus Christi, TX, USA “Daddy Brando, what do you make paintings of? Are they coconut trees? Are they banana plants?” Donna Jane is a 6-yr old internationally-sponsored kinder student at BLC. “No, my daughter Gaga. I paint houses.” Donna Jane's family is quite poor, so they do not have a home of their own. They live in a squatter hut, and her parents are not married. “Daddy Brando, if you paint houses, then why don't you paint ours?” With work being very scarce, Brando's scanty income is barely enough to keep food on the table and clothes on the backs of her and her quiet-natured older brother, let alone to buy paint. “Oh, my little Donna Jane. How do you paint bamboo walls? How do you paint coconut leaf ceilings? God has painted our hut. See the richly-shined bamboo? See the deep texture of our leafy ceiling? How could I, on even my best day of painting, match the handiwork of God? I tell you what, Gaga. Tonight as we go to Bible study at our neighbor's hut, why don't we offer that next week we will host it, okay? That way we can show all our friends from prayer meeting and Sunday worship what a wonderful job God has done in painting our home!” Present need: $850 for BLC's January electric bill. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Praise God that we now have 57 new sponsors for the 88 poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. Only 31 left to go! Praise God that a very dear friend has replaced the $400 broken sensor and old belts on our car. The missing sensor had caused the speedometer to not work. Speaking Schedule: The next 4 weeks (2/18-3/12)
Status of $3,000 (2005 debt reduction) matching gift: $3,000 received!
PTL!!! MATCHING GIFT HAS BEEN MET! The $3,000 HAS BECOME $6,000! Thank
you! Yay, God! |
| 2/7/2007 | Gulf Shores, AL, USA “Shouldn't you be moving your arms?” The officer directing traffic around the marathon runners' path was giving some wise advice, yet in my case all I could say was, “I can't!” After making good time on the first 17 miles of our 26.2 mile race, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my left shoulder. Pulling a muscle (delphoid phoenix), I wanted to just drop out of the race. The pain was too intense. But realizing that people were sending a total of nearly $20 to BLC for every mile that I run, it pushed me onward to plod along until the finish line. Toward the end of the race, God sent his “angel” in the form of a tall man named Ted. He'd had problems with his socks and was way behind his normal time. He “paced” me for the last two miles, and kept me going. At one point, he called out, “hey bud, you're going the wrong way!” Quickly correcting myself, we were shortly at the track for the last quarter mile. He pointed out to me the finish line. “There it is, buddy.” Sprinting to the finish line, I made it...all in under five hours (4:58). Thanks for your prayers. Through them, God sent His angel to guide me home! Until next time… Present need: $236 for medical coverage (and Social Security) for our
BLC
1.Tree Planting for Graduating students Feb. 9 Praise God that we now have 55 new sponsors for the 88 poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. Only 33 left to go! We've also driven 17,000 miles so far...Only 13,000 left to go! Speaking Schedule: The next 4 weeks (2/14-2/25) Status of $3,000 (2005 debt reduction) matching gift: $2,613 received, $377 left to go (by the end of February)! |
| 1/31/2007 | Toccoa Falls, Georgia, USA "We'll sponsor three children at BLC!" Wow! How exciting! A dear church has an annual chili dinner and a dessert auction, whose proceeds go to a missions project that they are interested in. They had this last night and had about 70 people there. After a great chili dinner, they had an auction of all kinds of desserts and craft items.This year 1/2 of the money is going to BLC to sponsor kids at the school! YAY!! They raised $720.00 to sponsor three kids for one year. PTL! Yay, God! Present need: $2,040 for our BLC teachers' & staff's salaries on |
| 1/25/2007 | Williamsport, PA USA "Daddy, Abby just threw up in the car!" Not the best thing to hear from your son while traveling in a tiny, enclosed car on a 200-mile trip to Southern New Jersey and back. Our little girl is fine, but her breakfast had just disagreed with her. As soon as we arrived at our destination, Elvie, with her "mother's touch" made Abigaill as sweet, clean, and fragrant as before, even though we had no change of clothes with us at the time. I was to speak at the Rotary Club in an area just outside of Atlantic City, and with our two kids freshened-up, they were gung-ho to help out the missionary work of their Dad and Mom. After PJ set up the display table, Abigail approached each Rotarian as he/she entered the dining hall of the country club. Into their hands she placed one of our prayer cards and also a child sponsorship form and a prayer letter. Then, to each and every Rotarian, she would go into detail explaining what everything meant on the literature. Our 6-year old helper! She was so effective that by the end of our visit, there were two who agreed to sponsor kids at BLC, and one new friend even sponsored my running in the marathon for $2 per mile! On her way out, the program coordinator looked at our two darling children and chimed, "Those are the best two assets you have in your minitry! Keep up the great work!" Until next time… Present need: $850 for BLC's December electric bill. |
| 1/15/2007 | Princeton, NJ USA “These classrooms at BLC...they are so nice. And they even have computers
in Until next time… |
| 1/9/2007 | "Dear Jesus, thank you for this food, and please give us 88 new
sponsors and a minivan. In Jesus' name, Amen." Every time our little
Abigail and PJ pray, whether it be at bedtime or mealtime or in-between
times, they always pray for "88 new sponsors and a minivan". The
reason for the 88 sponsors is that there is a waiting list of 88 poor kids
in the Philippines who can't afford to go to school, and we are praying
that God will touch hearts while we are in the USA, that people will respond
by sponsoring those kids at Barner Learning Center. As to their other request
(for a minivan), God has blessed us with our faithful red 16-year old Plymouth
car for this furlough. We used it three years ago, and are using it again.
Approaching 130,000 miles, it has shown some wear, but continues to plod
onwards. Yet now we have the last leg of our journey ahead of us, and these
next 18,000 miles, crossing 21 more states in sun, sleet, snow and rain,
loom before us. I asked dad to make some sort of a wall in the back seat
so that our suitcases will stop falling over on the kids whenever we go
around a turn. Typically the kids' feet are propped up on some boxes under
their feet, so they travel thousands of miles in an "L" position.
After visiting a church, the pastor noticed our car and offerred a challenge:
they will give us $400 as "seed money" toward renting a minivan,
as long as we can come up with the other $3,000 it will take to rent one
for the 68 days it will take to cross the country. That's about $45 per
day as we travel, touching hundreds of lives in churches, Bible Studies
and homes. There is one catch: the lacking $3,000 must not come from me. It has to come from others like yourself, whom God touches to meet this need. Please pray with us regarding this. If the funds are not available before we leave Albany next Tuesday, then we will continue the journey in this 1991 car. We are sure that God will provide. Until next time… Present need: $3,000 for rental of a minivan to finish our 2006-7 furlough. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events:
Praise God that we now have 44 new sponsors for the 88 poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. Only 44 left to go! We've also driven 12,000 miles so far...Only 18,000 left to go!
Status of $3,000 (2005 debt reduction) matching gift: $1,652 received, $1,348 left to go (by Feb. '07)! |
| 1/2/2007 | Ohio, NY USA "Daddy, where is my mommy?" Little Joshua is already 11 years old, and neither he nor his dad Junie know where his mother is. She left the Philippines many years ago to work in another country as a maid, and no longer sends letters nor support. Josh's dad Junie scrapes together what few pesos he has and buys little trinkets from the sea gypsies to sell as a street vendor to tourists. "Daddy, what does Mommy look like?" Junie once again showed Josh a picture of the wife he last saw a decade ago. "Will I ever see her again?" Probably not. "Sorry, son. I have to go now. You stay home here in our nipa hut and scrub your school uniform so it will be clean for tomorrow. I want to go out and drink with my friends. If you need anything, go see your Auntie who lives down the path." "Another night alone, daddy? Can't you please stay with me, just tonight?" Dad hangs his head as he hurries out the door. One last glance inside, and he can just catch the glimmer of a single tear from his boy, who has tossed into the corner the picture of a mother he never really knew. Barner Learning Center is his new family. Josh and his dad both find love and friendship at the school and church. In a way, we are the only family that has stayed with them, through thick and thin. Josh will wake up bright and early tomorrow morning, so that he'll look fresh for his new brothers and sisters (classmates) at BLC. Thank you, Josh's sponsor, for the hope you have given to this small and otherwise hopeless family of two. Present need: $236 for medical coverage (and Social Security) for our BLC teachers and staff for December. Please pray for the upcoming BLC events: 1.Annual Government Inspectionof BLC Jan. 3 Praise God that we now have 42 new sponsors for the 88 poor children who were on the BLC waiting list. Only 46 left to go! We've also driven 11,700 miles so far...Only 18,300 left to go! Speaking Schedule: The next 4 weeks (1/2-2/2) 1/2 Princetown Community Church Princetown, NY Status of $3,000 (2005 debt reduction) matching gift: $1,600 received, $1,400 left to go (by Feb. '07)! |
| Archived news from 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 Last edited
August 22, 2012
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