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| 12/30/2021 | HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2022! Innocence Day (Prankster Day to commemorate the Magi fooling Herod: 12/28), Please pray for safety. Twice during this 2021 Christmas season Elvie & I have suffered food poisoning. 1st from fruit, 2nd from a casserole prepared by a friend. Praise God for continued good health, yet please pray for safety. Please also pray for the release of Elvie's Philippine passport before our departure date of March 9, 2022. She has an appointment on February 7. May it be thorough & speedy so the renewal will be completed in time. Please pray that the BCA teachers will take to heart the Christmas message I gave them at the annual Teachers’ Christmas party, “Eggs or Ice?” These were abbreviations of “EX-egesis (eggs) or EIS-egesis (ice)”. Exegesis is like the word exit. It means to draw out from. We are drawing out the meaning of the Bible verses. Eisegesis means to put into something. This is bad, when referring to Scripture. Revelation says that when we add anything to it, curses will be added upon us. So, we should take a single passage & glean its inherent from it. Please pray too for over 4 million individuals who were displaced by Typhoon Odette. 4,200,000 individuals were affected by the typhoon, with 570,000 sheltered in 1,179 evacuation centers, according to the Department of the Interior & Local Government (DILG). The government’s operation is now focused on the six regions, 14 provinces & 222 cities & municipalities most severely affected by the typhoon. Praise God for our orphanage! One of the older kids, Jovi, is taking advanced courses online & needed to come to the mainland to take a test. So, we “borrowed” her (since our own kids are in the USA) & she joined us for Christmas Day & also at our speaking engagements over the weekend. Praise God also that a family who sponsors 2 BCA students recently gave an extra $600 for typhoon relief & emergency projects, which was matched by their friend! This $1200 is buying cinderblocks & cement to replace some of BCA’s wooden walls with cement ones to be less prone to rot (from the rains) & termites. Praise God too that our daughter Abigail will be graduating in May! Her final semester grades from community college were all A & one B. Congratulations! “Happy Christine Day, a new holiday between Christmas & New Year’s!” In an effort to get our Christmas cards into the mail before 2022, Elvie & I took the barge out to the Island to get the 13 BCA orphan kids to assist. Aged 7 to 20, the orphans pitched in, assembly-line fashion, one jotting “Merry Christmas” in the blank cards, & others sealing the envelopes or putting stickers on or even taping the addresses down so they would not come loose as they traveled around the globe. Suddenly John-John came over with a smile on his face and a card in his hand. “Look! We have a new holiday! Christine is so used to writing her own name that, when she had started writing ‘Christmas,’ CHRISTINE came out instead. So, happy Christine Day!” Some dear American friends had given funds to the orphanage, so that we were able to buy a large bookshelf & electronic keyboard (piano) with stand, & new sheets & pillowcases for each orphan (along with other personalized gifts). As the kids sat around in a circle with full tummies (we had butchered & roasted one of the goats they’d been fattening-up), we sang together & prayed. I then told them of “The Christmas Miracle”. Originally, I had planned to read to them the Christmas book my dad used to read to us kids as we were growing up. However, during our family Zoom meeting the day previous, my older brother in New York reminded me that there is a place in the book when a child asks his mother, “Did Mary know Jesus would grow up & die?” Her response was, “Every parent knows that a child is not to keep.” This might not be pleasant for an orphan child to hear. So instead, I told them of the “Miracle of the Late Box”. Once upon a time, about two years ago, a pastor & his wife retired & as our family helped them sort through their things, they donated some of their collectibles (Bibles, books, ministry stuff) to BCA. Even during retirement, the pastor’s wife still teaches piano, sometimes online. Fast-forward over a year later, as Elvie & I were rushing to get boxes sorted & packed to ship back to the Philippines. Since the boxes require 3 months before they arrive, we had all 255 large boxes unpacked before December 25…or so we thought. On Tuesday morning, we popped by the school before heading out to the island to present the orphans with their new piano. And there, on the steps going up to my office, were two large shipping boxes (#256 & #257) that somehow had gotten separated from the “bunch”. I had a few minutes to spare, so took out my box cutter & sliced open the tops. Lots of stuffed animals, used clothes & preschool toys were inside. Elvie called upstairs, “Time to leave!” Yet before shutting off the light to head out, I reached down into the bottom of the box and…Wala! A dozen red & white “John Thompson’s Piano Lesson” books! When we arrived at the orphanage three hours later, the kids helped us set up the bookshelf, with 16 large cubbies for the handsome burgundy Encyclopedia Britannica set which my sister had donated, plus the other series by CS Lewis, Tolkien, Bev Lewis, Bible story books, National Geographics, & so forth. “But I don’t know how to play piano!” interjected Abigail, the youngest of the bunch. Oh, but now they have John Thompson to help them out! Thanks, Lord, for separating those two boxes so that they miraculously arrived just when we needed them! BCA’s teachers had decided to decorate their individual “Computer Zoom cubicles” to compete with each other for the beast decorations. Teacher Romnick (whose cubbie had a crepe paper jungle-theme) had also challenged to his own 4th graders just before Christmas break, “Parents, let’s join our children in singing, ‘The miracle of Pasko (Christmas) is here. The Lord has come, dala Niya’y pag-asa (He brings us hope)’” “Crisis. Pandemic. Typhoon. Flood. Earthquake. You name it, no matter what happens, Jesus brings us hope in all situations.” The Philippine government allowed Romnick to invite half a dozen of his students to actually come on campus for remedial reading on-site. All the kids did well, but… Shakira was not fluent. John was challenged with “ed” words. Xyril mispronounced many words & punctuation emphases. Ar-ar & Christyl were weak in comprehension. Using HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills), Romnick considered that all his students have been created to be different, thus each person needs personal care. Let’s make Christmas personal this year… For unto US a Child is born, to US a Son is given! Yes, let’s make Christmas personal this year by thanking God for the uniqueness He made in each of us to serve Him… Merry Christmas, and Happy Christine Day! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TH- #192 12 min, 37 sec. December 23, 2021. Merry Christmas from our home to yours! The Night of the Child. Rensselaer, NY. https://www.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/669695324408851/ C. TU- #191 12 MIN, 56 SEC. December 12, 2021. Advent Candle #4: LOVE- Join us on T/Th nights! HE IS BORN • IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR • I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. Request your faves for a future LNW. Let us know how God's calling you to worship in your own home! D. Sunday message. Tacunan Alliance Church, Davao City, Philippines. Paul Barner December 26, 2021. 1 hr, 9 min, 13 sec. “God Pulls No Punches” (Prophet Simeon, 4th Sunday of Advent). Luke 2:25-35. E. Gift giving at Tacunan (#1) 12/26/21 1 min, 35 sec. https://www.facebook.com/rizzamarie.alvarado/posts/6804891652917662 F. Gift giving at Tacunan (#2) 12/26/21 1 min, 1 sec. Sunday Message. Faith Fellowship Church, Laverna Hills, Davao City Philippines Dan Dejolde (Cebuano language) Dec. 26, 2021. 1 hr, 38 min, 8 sec.: 4th Sunday of advent. https://www.facebook.com/jaykathleen.ocon/videos/986094101979290/ Present Need: $300 for (installment #43 of 155) $46,500 3-story, flood-proof (9-foot-high backfill) raised parking garage/ church sanctuary & teachers’ apartments next to BCA’s present building. $31,600 remaining. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $7,259.50. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $5,540. |
Support us through Amazon Smile! Go to smile.amazon.com and type "Paul M Barner Ministries Inc" as the charitable organization you want to support. That's all you have to do! Now when you shop, 0.5% of the purchase price will be automatically donated to our ministry, at no additional cost to you. Thank you! PayPal Merchant ID for Paul M Barner Ministries (Barner Christian Academy) is Z89E34M2ZBQM6 OUR ACTIVE MINISTRIES: Abby- Youth Group President, Church Music team, High School Varsity Volleyball team PJ- University of Albany Student Elvie- National Board of Trustees for CAMACOP, Principal at BCA, Sunday School teacher Paul- Senior Pastor at FAF church, Board of Trustees Recording Secretary & Professor at FIA Missionary School, Spiritual Aims Chairman at Kiwanis Club, Vice President at DCL Prayer Foundation, President at BCA, Honorary Member of PI Eagles FOE, President of PMBMI, Half-Ironman Triathlete Paul & Elvie- Founders & Directors of 25 churches & FHF orphanage, Kiwanis members, DCLFI Community Prayer team members & vice president, Professors at DABC College, Board members at FAF church. Rev. Paul, Elvie, PJ and Abigail Barner BCA Landline: 011-63-82-234-4000 Home address: 18 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144 PLEASE NOTE: OUR PJLILTIM@SKYINET.NET ADDRESS IS DISCONTINUED. PLEASE INSTEAD USE BLCKIDS@YAHOO.COM THANKS! |
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| 12/23/2021 | Christmas Eve (12/24), Christmas Day (12/25) THIS WEEK: Please pray for the pandemic to decrease in effectivity so that BCA’s students will be allowed to attend classes on- campus when they return from Christmas vacation Jan 3. Praise God for an excellent Christmas program! The students, to maintain social distancing requirements, came in four shifts, over the course of two days. Although they had practiced online, they performed in-person. After the 4th-graders performed “Christmas is a Time for Love,” we announced the winning team, for the “star-lantern” contest. The 4-ft long hanging star made from colorful tin cans (4th grade) came in 3rd place, the golden 3-ft-long star hanging on the stage itself & made from recycled bamboo sleeping mats (5th grade) came in second. But the 1st place winner was the huge 6-ft-long one made from cardboard egg trays (6th grade), & cleverly shaped with varying colors. “Joy to the world!” Singing carols & hymns with choreography, nearly 100 young people from 4 churches descended on the BCA campus for Sunday’s “3rd Sunday, 3rd Month” (Quarterly) talent night featuring multiple groups from each church. Testimonies & food rounded out the occasion for a night of fun. Elvie & I reminisced back to just a decade ago when most of these teens & young professionals were young students at the school. “M begins the word magsipilyo, which means BRUSH.” “M also begins the word maligo which means BATHE.” Students, who was there in the stable when Jesus was born? Joseph, the dad. Mary the mom. Jesus the son. They were a family. If you came to give good-hygiene gifts to each of those family members, what would you give to each one? Christine spoke up “Mary gets the hairbrush!” Then Jay-ar added, “and Joseph gives the baby a bath!” One of the students piped up. “Teacher, I have no Mama & no Papa. Am I still a family?” Viola was shocked. Catching her breath & keeping back the tears, she said, “Y-yes, you are a family, because God takes care of you. God is your Father.” To which the girl said, “Teacher, can I ask God for a papa for Christmas?” For Viola, this hit home. Her real dad died just a few months ago & he had abandoned the family over 20 years ago just after she was born. So, she really grew up with no father at all. As the rain fell outside the building, the internet started flickering due to Typhoon Odette. Quickly, Viola inserted, “Class, whatever you ask for this Christmas, whether it be a toy car, a backpack, food for the table or even for a real Dad, know that God still gives you all the other things you need for life through His Son Jesus Christ, our Messiah, & that is our last “M.” Merry Christmas! NOTE: Due to the typhoon, our internet has been down on & off for half a week. Typhoon 'Odette' (also called “Rai”) claimed 375 lives, with 56 other people still missing. Communication lines nationwide are just now being restored. More than 300,000 people fled their homes & beachfront resorts as Rai slammed into the country on Thursday as a super typhoon. The storm ripped off roofs, uprooted trees, toppled concrete power poles, smashed wooden houses to pieces and flooded villages. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 8 min, 56 sec: December 7, 2021. Rensselaer, NY #187. Advent Candle #2: PEACE. Join us on T/Th nights! O COME ALL YOU UNFAITHFUL • O COME ALL YE FAIHFUL. Request your faves for a future LNW. Let us know how God's calling you to worship in your own home! C. TH- #188 9 min, 55 sec. GOOD KING WENCESLAS • IN THE FIRST LIGHT. Rensselaer, NY. D. TH- #190 11 MIN, 19 SEC. December 16, 2021. Advent Candle #3: JOY. Join us on T/Th nights! JOY TO THE WORLD • GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIENDS REJOICE • GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN • COME ON RING THOSE BELLS https://web.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/443198893865847 E. Sunday Message. Faith Fellowship Church, Laverna Hills, Davao City Philippines Rev. Jeremiah Jaime (Cebuano language) Dec. 19, 2021. 1 hr, 22 min, 44 sec.: 3rd Sunday of advent. F. BCA Kids’ Christmas: Laverna Hills #1 G. BCA Kids’ Christmas: Laverna Hills #2 H. BCA Kids’ Christmas: Laverna Hills #3 I. BCA Kids’ Christmas: December 19, 2021. 8 min 48 seconds. PRESENTING THE CHRISTMAS DANCE OF KINDER, PREP AND NURSERY LEVEL "JOY TO THE WORLD AND STAR NG PASKO" (2021-2022) Merry Christmas & Happy New year Kids !! https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/246767790875392/ J. Flashback 48 years, Part 1: Barner Family Christmas Dec 25, 1973: Dad, Mom, Ginger, Steve, Sue, Bud, Philip, Paul, Marie & Timmy. 50 min, 15 sec. https://www.facebook.com/paul.barner.5/videos/1560432177649136 K. Flashback 48 years, Part 1: Barner Family Christmas Dec 25, 1973: Dad, reading “Night of the Child”. 12 min. 24 sec. https://www.facebook.com/paul.barner.5/videos/668110234354547 L. Collection of Barner songs, pre-1993. 1 hr. 2 min. 18 sec. https://www.facebook.com/paul.barner.5/videos/2957378504578306/
Odette Typhoon coverage: 7 min. 25 sec. Eastern Portions of Bohol. No signal coverage and Electricity in Second district and neighboring 3rd District Municipalities. Most Barangays are inaccessible due to fallen trees and damaged roads. As of now, no update from Island. Barangays since most passenger boats were wrecked by the typhoon. The Local Government Unit of affected Municipalities are doing their best efforts to respond to people’s immediate needs. People are in dire need of food, water, clothes and temporary shelter. https://www.facebook.com/JosephTheExplorer/videos/474070524153593/ Present Need: $863 FOR 2 pcs cooling pad for 2 units of laptop computers $26, Laptop parts: USB port $7 & Installation of Microsoft (2 units) $16 & Dry Seal Repair $90, Curtains for computer lab & Sponsorship office $72, RG45 wire for Innove Internet $5, Entrance roof Repair- materials/painting $150, Repair of gutter (front gate) $50, Door knobs (1st & 2nd Grade rooms) $15, Admin building exit roof $16, Painting materials- gutter, offices, stairs, hallway & etc. $145, Sponsorship office bodega door & wall repair- materials $45, BUS “Fi” – gasoline $28 & spark plug $1 & Brake fluid $4, BUS “Ph” gasoline $80 & battery charged $1 & labor checkup of alternator & charge up IC $36, BUS “M” deisel gas $20 & sand paper $1 & Brake fluid $4 & bearings $19 & oil seal $3 & H Kit FGA $4 & rubber cups $15 & battery charge $1 & spring $3 & Motor Oil $5 & electrical tape $1. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $5,179.50. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $5,495. |
| 12/16/2021 | Upcoming Christmas events:
Please pray for the construction plans & permits for the building adjacent to BCA’s campus. After discussing with the engineers, we will likely only get the foundation and first floor parking garage completed before March, when Elvie and I fly to the USA. We can then tackle the 2nd & 3rd floors upon our return in October/November, 2022. Also please pray for the renewal of Elvie’s expired passport before we fly on March 9. Praise God that, of the 600 backpacks to distribute, already we have given out 1/3rd of them! “With twelve days left ‘til Christmas, Tucanga (country church) gave to me…
The rural church was so pleased that we were driving the three hours to their church that they prepared some of their local farmers’ produce for us to bring back with us. In the month of December, we are visiting each of our 26 churches (only a few are combining for us, due to pandemic restrictions) to give each of the 600 students his or her Christmas backpack. Our staff has been busy filling the 600 backpacks, with food, clothes, Bibles, and school supplies. This project (stuffing, collecting items donated, shipping, appealing to sponsors for the funds) has been ongoing for three years! So, Monday morning at 6am Elvie & I joined half a dozen of the BCA staff & started driving one of the BCA buses & my pickup truck. Upon arrival in Tucanga (Too-KUNG-Ga), after we finished taking the barge across the channel & driving on limestone-bouldered dirt paths (not roads, but paths) & up steep mountain roads, the farmers’ kids were already gathered in Tucanga church with their parents. Elvie had a Bible message prepared, on “The Shepherds” of the Christmas story. The kids performed & the people fed us an incredible amount of food! Leave it to farmers to really know how to eat! Then we lined up the kids and each donned one of their colorful new BCA t-shirts & held up their backpacks & stuffed animals for the individual pictures to send to their sponsors. Around 1pm, we left for churches #2, and then 3, & then 4 (Bandera, Sion & Kaputian). The paths were so rocky and narrow that once, when Elvie commented about the incredibly colorful island flowers, I reached out the window while driving and picked a bright orangy-pink one for her. Needless to say, it was quite dark when we got back to the BCA campus late Monday evening! Faith, one of BCA’s secretaries, had accompanied us so her work for the day was postponed until Tuesday. She had to print out documents for the Renewal Application for next year’s School permit. Still a tad drowsy from the Monday busy-ness & travel, she faced the strain of her computer mouse acting up. Teacher Janice came to her rescue and let Faith borrow her mouse, since Janice is younger and more used-to the finger-mousepad than using an actual mouse. Since we had all been gone for the Monday devotional, they pushed it to Tuesday and the message was appropriately on Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose!” Faith was comforted. Yet now this is the busy Christmas week, as 210 students (from preschool through 6th grade) are coming to BCA’s campus at one of four sessions (on Wednesday & Thursday) for their Bible message and Christmas backpack distribution, along with the children’s performances. Seeing the joy on the kids' faces as they repacked their backpacks and proudly threw them over their shoulders, makes all those miles and months of preparation well worth it. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TU- 8 min, 28 sec: December 14, 2021 WHAT CHILD IS THIS? • GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN. Rensselaer, NY #189. https://www.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/215282457456274/ C. Sunday Message. Faith Fellowship Church, Laverna Hills, Davao City Philippines Jairus Alvarado (Cebuano language) Dec. 12, 2021. 2 hr, 3 min, 39 sec.: 2nd Sunday of advent. https://www.facebook.com/jaykathleen.ocon/videos/213630057589904/ Present Need: $828 for Materials for repair of roof & painting $254, Home Economics classroom: materials for room division & door $27, Coconut lumber for flood-protection palates/ riser $8, Faucet $5, BUS “Fi”- gasoline $20 & rubber cup $4 & Brake fluid $3, BUS “M”-renewal of government registration $72 & deisel gas $10 & oil seal bearing $17 & bearings $52 & -gear oil $15 & pinion oil seal $4 & wiper blade $7 & lamp $9 & toggle switch $3 & Labor- detatched & installation of side florq $1 & warning device $7 & Letterings government requirement $11, BUS “L”-warning device $7 & Letterings $11 & 1 recapped tire $48, BUS “Ph” - oil seal (crankshaft) $10 & silicon gasket $3 & replacement of crankshaft oil $3 & installation of oil pump $20 & gear oil $19 & Machine shop press in/out of bearing $16 & gasoline $90 & steering wheel bushing $3 & steering bunch $3 & repair of starter/replace of bushing $32 & repair flat tire $1 & repair of solonoid $4 & All vehicles- grease & grease-gu $19. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $4,679.50. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $5,495. |
| 12/9/2021 | Happy Hanukkah “Festival of Lights” (November 28-December 6, 2021) Please pray. According to studies, before the current pandemic, the Philippines had around 88,000 Bible Believing/ Evangelical Churches. Of the 42,000 Barangays (villages/cities), only 22,000 have a Bible Believing/Evangelical Church while 20,000 Barangays still have NOT EVEN ONE Bible Believing/Evangelical Church. Most of these are in the mountains, where terrorist/communist rebels live. Much needs to be done. Please pray, for on December 6, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) implemented a one-day COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers over age two coming to the United States. Regardless of vaccination status or nationality, any individual coming to the United States must show a negative pre-departure COVID-19 viral test taken the day before they board their flight to the United States. Negative results must be shown to the airline before boarding the flight. Pray for Elvie, who needs her new Philippine passport to arrive before our scheduled March 9 return to the USA. Praise God too that this week, a check arrived for $5,000 toward the new BCA bus garage! Praise God that this week, boxes #240-255 arrived from the USA, many containing brand-new Bibles! Since this is the last shipment until Valentine’s Day next year, we opened the boxes & even gave stuffed animals to the men who had carried the boxes from their truck, so their own kids could enjoy the celebration too! Praise God also that, even though Elvie & I were sick with food poisoning last week (bad fruit), I still preached Sunday, & we were feeling somewhat better by Tuesday, in time for the funeral & burial of a friend who had died of a stomach aneurism. Praise God too that the pastor of a church we have occasionally attended in the USA expressed to our son PJ his church’s desire to help out with the expenses of repairing/replacing water damage from Davao’s devastating October flood. Also Praise God for BCA’s 2 Christmas projects- 1. The church youth group has filled 600 backpacks with Bibles, toys, school supplies, etc. I paid them $200 for the work & they’ll use the funds as a down payment to replace church sound equipment destroyed by the heavy rains. 2. By classes, the BCA students’ parents have come to the school to build “lanterns” for the annual Christmas contest; these are large hollow stars, hung from the ceiling & averaging 2-4 feet in diameter, with dangling tassels to represent the star which led the wise men to Jesus. One is made of painted egg cartons, & another from colorful tin cans! “Ok students, time for a Quiz Bee.” BCA’s Teacher Jovi told her 3rd graders to each take out a clean sheet of paper. “I will give you a problem. Let’s say, 9 x 3. Number your page from one thru 20 & on #1, put your answer. Do this in pencil, in case you change your mind…. Are you ready?” In response, Jovi heard a nervous & trembling little voice, “tt-t-t-teacher?” Yes, Juliene? “I can’t do it!” Teacher Jovi remembered a few years earlier when she herself was taking her teaching exam & how nervous she was at the time. She had been so confident before the exam that she only prayed to do well, but had not studied. She flunked. Then for the next year she studied super hard, including pulling an “all-nighter” the night previous. On the day of the exam, she was so drowsy that she fell asleep while on the bus & missed her stop. Thus, she was late for the test. Jovi had asked God to give her a sign: “If I can be sure of the first question, then I will pass.” The first question was super simple, but she was still very tired. She even fell asleep during the test! But since she had prayed & studied, God woke her up in time & she passed. Back to the present time, she assured her troubled student, “This is not a test of you as a person Juliene, but a test of what you have learned. I will then give you each a temporary grade, or ‘mini-card’ so that you know where your strong points are, & where you need to work harder.” Oh, responded Juliene. And that was all it took! She was fine afterward. Didn’t get a terrific score, but she did her best. Teacher Jovi also noticed Juliene’s mom rushing over to give her daughter a great big hug with, “Very good!” Jovi felt as if the hug embraced her as well. After their online Zoom class, Elvie gave each of the teachers some buko (coconut juice) & bibinka (rice-flour based muffin cooked in a small piece of banana leaf). They happily ate together & thanked “Madam” for the snack she gave. Jovi mentioned in her daily journal that she enjoys being with the BCA family because she really feels like she belongs in the group. “While doing our work,” she noted, “we talk about all kinds of things, like jokes that make everyone laugh, teasing some of our colleagues & having fun, which makes work enjoyable.” That afternoon, Jovi directed a reading remedial class right there in the school, since the Philippine government, though not yet allowing in-person classes, is allowing smaller tutorials. It was incredible to see, real & not on a screen, the five students who came: Prince, Reiner, Thirday, Jelaiza & Kate. “Now students, before we start, who really cannot read?” Prince was honest in answering “Me, teach. I do not know how to read.” And the 2 girls said that “teach we know how to read a little bit.” The other 2 stayed quiet. And so, Teacher Jovi started the 3rd-grade VRP (Virtual Reading Practice). Before she introduced the vowels & consonants to them, she played a video of the phenomics alphabet. “Listen to the sound of the letters carefully,” she told them. “After watching the video, I will introduce the vowel letters to you again, to listen to the sound of each letter, carefully.” When the video was done, Jovi first introduced the vowel letters to them, pronouncing the sound of each particular letter. “Okay class, let’s use emojis to try & figure out the sounds we are supposed to make.” For the letter “A” she drew an emoji of a smiley face with teeth showing on the top of its mouth. Each student pronounced it by mimicking the smiley face. With their own rounded faces, there were many similarities! “I” is like the emoji with the teeth on top & bottom both showing. “O” is no teeth, just a big hole where your mouth is, & “U” is… “well, I guess I can’t find an emoji for ‘U’, but use your imagination! It sounds like ‘uh?’ like uh, I don’t know?” Five students. Five vowel sounds. As Jovi watched her students leave, quietly in her mind, she imagined they were the emojis. Each kinda did resemble those emojis after all. 😊 Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TU- 7 min 55 sec: November 30, 2021 Glen Burnie, MD (PJ & portion of Operation Christmas Child volunteer team) #185. https://www.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/325717696048165/ TH- 0 hr, 7 min, 44 sec December 2, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #186. Advent Candle #1: HOPE ("The Prophecy Candle") Join us on T/Th nights! O COME, O COME EMMANUEL • MARY, DID YOU KNOW? Request your faves for a future LNW. Let us know how God's calling you to worship in your own home! https://www.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/424088022602419/ D. Toril Capital Alliance Church December 1, 2021. Theme: "Reshaping Life's Desires (The Prodigal Son)" Opening Prayer: Sis. Lucille Rocaberte, Worship leader: Ssis. Kariz Ayah Martirez Speaker: Rev. Paul Barner, Response Song leader: Bro. PJ Barner, Prayer: Ptr. Bert Labawan, 1 hr, 31 min, 52 sec. https://www.facebook.com/TorilCapitalAllianceChurch/videos/644212429928218 Sunday Message “Constantly Abiding” John 15:4 & Luke 1:46-55. Faith Fellowship Church, Laverna Hills, Davao City Philippines Dec. 5, 2021. 2 hr, 32 min, 8 sec.: 1st Sunday of advent (Mary’s song) https://www.facebook.com/jaykathleen.ocon/videos/399451511930534/?comment_id=399489925260026 Present Need: $151 for cleanup supplies, as parents & staff were helping at BCA: $74 for 4 garden hoses (for cleaning up mud), $60 for 3 mops, $9 for 5 nylon brushes, $5 for 4 scouring pads & sponge, $3 for a gallon of bleach. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $1,300. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $5,495. |
| 12/2/2021 | Please pray for the distribution of the 600 backpacks this Christmas to BCA students. Due to covid restrictions (heightened now due to the omicron strain), instead of inviting the students to the school to pick them up, we are personally delivering them to our 26 church plants where the kids worship. Each backpack has many goodies inside, including tools like Bibles & Gospel tracts for the kids to share their faith with their neighbors & friends & families. Praise God that this week I (Paul) have separated into 20 separate 12-cu-ft boxes the items to stuff into backpacks for BCA students for Christmas: Bibles, school supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, rulers, sharpeners, etc,) Gospel tracts, “wordless books”, Gospel bracelets, recycled greeting cards w/Bible verses in Cebuano language, devotional guides, etc., & moved them to an “assembly room” on BCA’s 2nd floor for the church youth group to fill for the 600 kids. (Not including the stuffies & clothing gifts). Praise God as well that on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) we were able to celebrate with two other American families, over pie, roast chicken, rice, fruit salad & a lot of other stuff! The good news is that I didn’t put on any extra pounds. The bad news was that I forgot to “unshake” the liter of Coke Zero before I opened it to squirt all over the table…extra flavor, huh? We made sure to cook & bake 3x what we needed so we could share the rest with neighbors. Praise God too that nothing fell off the shelves during a kind of strong earthquake tremor in Davao Tuesday. Since Davao is in the foothills of the volcanic Mount Apo, these tremors are somewhat commonplace. Yet the locals have not felt any for over a year before this one. “It is just between two things; for me to grow nearer to God & the other…I don't know yet.” As BCA’s Teacher Helen finished her prayer (talking to God), she turned on her computer (talking to her 5th graders). Cold in the Philippine tropics does not mean snow, but warm, with dreary wet humidity. With sheet metal roofing in the school, it is sometimes hard to hear the Zoom meetings with the “ting-ting-ting” banging overhead. But Helen thought inside, “let’s not label this the 2nd major challenge for today. Let’s hold off until something really big happens.” Helen opened the curtains to bring in some sunlight, but clouds kept it gloomy out & she felt a headache coming on, since she had skipped her coffee this morning. “Nope, that does not yet rate as my super mega challenge for the day…yet…” As Helen waited for her students to come online, she began checking module activities written in her students’ notebooks. One particularly caught her eye, with yellow papers covered with pink colored subject labels on it. Organized very well, Helen dug deeper & read her answers & checked them, & she got an outstanding score compared to before. As Helen’s first students were coming online, Helen decided this particular student’s module was so very interesting that she’d hold off on speaking with the online students for just a bit longer, curious about what this module had to say about Science. “Identify which property of matter is being described: is it hardness, elasticity or brittleness?” Oh, this is gonna be good, thought Helen. I wonder… Peeking up, there were now four students in her Zoom meeting, waiting. But since there were still 3 minutes to go & four more students who typically check in, Helen glanced back down at the module. “It is the ability to break easily.” When Helen saw the answer, her face was in shock. “Huh?” this student wrote “bitterness.” That was not one of the choices. It was supposed to be either 1. Hardness, or 2. Elasticity or 3. Brittle…oooohhhh! This student must have jumbled the letters in the word “brittleness” instead of writing “brittleness,” she wrote “bitterness”. To which Helen replied, “God just answered a question I had this morning. The two big things I am to face today. The first is: for me to grow nearer to God, & once I am near to God, the second big thing I am to face will no longer exist!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TH- 0 hr, 12 min, 51 sec November 25, 2021 “Happy Thanksgiving!” Greene Alliance Church, Greene, NY #184. https://www.facebook.com/100003341298537/videos/448239436813732 C. Wednesday message, Toril Alliance Church: Weekly Prayer Meeting: December 1, 2021 “Reshaping Life’s Desires (The Prodigal Son)” Luke 15:11-32. 31 min, 5 sec. https://www.facebook.com/paul.barner.5/videos/1058924068260768/ D. Sunday Message “The Future Glory” Roman 8:18-30. (PJ & Abby on worship team) Greene Alliance Church (NY). Nov 28, 2021. 1 hr, 39 min, 50 sec. E. Invitational during Sunday message, Faith Fellowship Church: Mother Church: (Elvie Barner) November 28, 2021: 4 min., 29 sec. https://www.facebook.com/darrelmae/videos/1525789164461894/ Present Need: $280 for food and clothes for BCA teachers & workers whose belongings were destroyed in the recent Davao City flood. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $270. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $495. |
| 11/25/2021 | Happy USA Thanksgiving! (11/25). BCA’s end of 1st (of 4) Periodical exams, & beginning distribution of 2nd-Quarter modules. Please pray for two of our orphanage kids (Geurgie & Chenchai) who have turned 20 & now “graduated” from our orphanage to live with relatives & get jobs (having now been fully vocationally-trained), & free to start families of their own. Please also pray for the water in our residence to be cleaner, since it currently causes itchiness. Please also pray for wisdom as the USA stands with the Philippines amid the recent incident in Ayungin Shoal where Philippine supply boats were blocked & water cannoned by Chinese Coast Guard vessels on November 16, an act deemed illegal by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), since China is undermining the rules-based International Order of Freedom of Navigation in international waters, as guaranteed under international maritime law. Please pray for the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) to be able to make available enough booster shots of the covid vaccine so that those desiring the shots who have been immunized over 6 months ago can be protected. Presently, only healthcare workers can get the booster shots. The government plans to conduct the booster vaccination program in phases. Their reasoning is that healthcare workers are still risk-based & rollout to other priority groups will be implemented on a phased approach. Praise God that on November 22, Amazon,com gave $52.78 through their “Smile” charitable giving program. Thanks to all who designated Barner Christian Academy & Paul M Barner Ministries! If ordering on “Cyber Monday” or “Giving Tuesday” or “Black Friday”, please consider the Smile program. Praise God as well that our kids, PJ & Abigail, were able to help-out with loading cases of shoeboxes for “Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Shoebox” this past week. Praise God too that one of our church plants, in Bandera, Samal Island, was able to upgrade their church’s dirt floor with cement. Yet still they can only have services on Sundays, due to being next to the highway where police patrol to be sure they are following strict pandemic guidelines. Praise God also that recently, when I spilled nearly half a quart of iced tea on my laptop computer, after draining out the fluid & drying it out for two days with a fan, it started working again! Whew! Praise God for the teamwork represented by BCA parents & teachers via BCA’s ongoing “Christmas Lantern-Making Contest” project. Parents are cheerfully giving opinions, donations & suggestions. Praise God that Elvie fed a mid-day barbecue kabob snack to fifteen highway workers this week, giving them a needy break from their sweaty, weary day as they built a cement bridge over the canal adjacent to BCA’s campus. Praise God that I (Paul) have now finished opening & sorted all 239 boxes mailed to us over past 2.5 years from the USA. Now I am re-sorting the enclosed items into eight categories of 1. books (by grade level in various classrooms) 2. crafts & home economics items 3. canned food, medicine & vitamins 4. Tools & sound equipment 5. clothes for the poor 6. school supplies 7. preschool toys & 8. stuffed animals to be given away at Christmas, in 2021 & 2022. Praise God too that, when 5 years ago one of our church planters (Jaime) started leading people to Jesus in an unreached area of Tacunan, Jaime started Bible studies with the new believers. In Jaime’s desire to build a building, he sold his motorcycle to buy a lot & pay for the cement footings. The new believers were so challenged by the commitment of this young pastor’s sacrifice, that they began to give! Now the one-room church is built (with tile floor), & God also blessed Jaime with a car! The church building is where parents pick up the modules sent by BCA for their students, & also where I will be preaching in their Christmas celebration this December. “I was struggling…” Flo is 88 & while emptying her COSTCO shopping cart in Kentucky, USA for the cashier, a younger lady came by. She saw Flo struggling & started helping out. "Hi. I’m Veronica. Ma’am, you have six huge jars of peanut butter along with bags of beef jerky & 8 jars of kids’ vitamins. Let me guess… are you having a party with kids?” Even better, smiled Flo. “It’s one of my mission projects. We send bandages & supplies to Haiti & Africa, as well as food, vitamins, sewing yarn & school supplies to the Barners in the Philippines.” “Gee, I could so that!” responded Veronica. “Can you wait a second while I grab a few things off the shelves?” Flo cheerfully sat & watched as her brand-new friend Veronica checked-out & accompanied Flo to the car. That was a few months ago. Now in the Philippines, I am opening the boxes. What joy the 600 BCA kids will have this Christmas, for not only will they get brand-new BCA backpacks, but also vitamins, new BCA t-shirts, school supplies & Bibles…but thanks to Veronica, a few added treats as well! Also, in Davao I (Paul) had a surprise coming. My 60th birthday (11/9) had lasted over a week, since families here began celebrating the Sunday before my big day, & didn’t end until 7 days later. Whew, I thought. Finally, I can get on with life in this new decade. But then after I spoke in one of our daughter churches this past Sunday, they started singing “Happy Birthday” again! The whole congregation of 30 people! It’s a house church, & only about 8 feet wide & fifteen feet long (many listen from chairs outside). But big in heart. After I finished the Bible message, they set up a table & began “boodle-fight”. It’s not a food fight, but a Filipino tradition borrowed from soldiers in the jungle traveling without utensils. They lay down a banana leaf & pour kettles of rice into a mountain in the center. Then around & over this little “Rice Mountain”, they stack cooked chicken adobo, shrimp, lumpia, BBQ kabobs & even pizza slices! Then everybody reaches in (with covid-friendly gloves) & eats with their hands, washing it all down with Coca-Cola. Then was the cake. After blowing out the candles, Elvie said, “pull out the HAPPY BIRTHDAY sign!” Considering it a strange request, I did so, & SURPRISE! it was attached to a long banner, all coming out of the little cake! It had peso bills attached: $20 in smaller bills, along with messages…two yards long! And yes, there was still room in the cake for…cake! Meanwhile BCA’s bus driver Ben was busy delivering worksheets to the students who had no internet to communicate with their teachers. Due to the pandemic, there still are no in-school classes. Ben kept the buses in spruced-up condition, knowing that if the buses do not work, the kids do not get their modules. Some buses had been parked overnight in flooded areas of Davao City, so they were overhauled with new parts. Aside from starters, ignition & spark plugs, he even was able to drain out the watered-gas & separate the water from the gas, pouring the “good gas” back into the tanks! Then he made sure the buses were wiped-down & sparkly so they’d be clean on the outside as well as the inside. “More boxes!” cried Ben, as the delivery guy came by from the latest Davao ship to unload 8 more huge boxes. Getting BCA’s guard Bobong to help him, they lugged the 200-pound boxes (totaling almost a ton) up two floors to the BCA library for me to open, ledger & sort. Then, Ben started emptying shelves in the classrooms (& dusting them off) so I could rearrange them to accommodate the new books in the boxes. Each classroom has categorized books. 3rd-grade has Dobson-Swindoll-Graham books plus Readers’ Digest-National Geographics, while 5th-grade has dictionaries & encyclopedias, & 6th-grade has law books. Sweaty & needing a break before Elvie’s biweekly teachers’ meeting, Ben helped the staff make peanut butter sandwiches for them to snack on. Thanks for the peanut butter, Flo & Veronica! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. MO - 0 hr, 9 min, 7 sec November 15, 2021 Exodus 15:2 Join us on T/Th nights! “WORTHY OF IT ALL// I EXALT THEE” Request your faves for a future LNW. Let us know how God's calling you to worship in your own home! Hi everyone, Abigail here. I'm taking over for Kuya PJ Barner tonight, since he can't stream currently. I hope we all have a great time in worship together! Rensselaer, NY #180. C. TU- 0 hr, 6 min, 8 sec November 17, 2021 Psalm 148:13 (Join us on T/Th nights!) “HOSANNA” (Request your faves for a future LNW. Let us know how God's calling you to worship in your own home!). Hi everyone, Abigail here. I'm taking over for Kuya PJ Barner tonight since he can't stream currently. I hope we all have a great time in worship together! Rensselaer, NY #181. D. TH- 0 hr, 5 min, 40 sec November 19, 2021 “REJOICE!” Camp of The Woods, Speculator, NY #182. E. 0 hr, 15 min, 12 sec November 23, 2021 Join us on T/Th nights! Nations: “JEHOVAH-JIREH// GREAT ARE YOU LORD// SPIRIT BREAK OUT” (Request your faves for a future LNW Late-Nite Worship. Let us know how God's calling you to worship in your own home!). Greene, NY #183. F. BCA’s Orphanage “Father’s House” or “FHF”: G. Sunday message, Faith Fellowship Church: 3rd Communal Church Plant: November 20, 2021: “When I Call on Jesus” John 8:3-12. 1 hour, 22 min., 7 sec. Present Need: $1,034 for:
Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $170. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $495. |
| 11/18/2021 | Please pray for healing for BCA’s school nurse Lucy. Her “stage 4” cancer has caused her to be bedridden often (although not 24/7). Please also pray for the church Youth Group. Ever the evangelists, they have decided to have a talent night every third Sunday of every third month. This December it just happens to land on our church’s Christmas celebration, December 19. It will be a full day of excitement, singing…& food. As guests come, they will also enjoy hearing the Gospel through many forms. Surely, the Holy Spirit will stir the souls of unbelievers. Please pray for our kids, PJ & Abby. One of Abby’s roommates has covid and thus the other girls in the house are staying indoors until it passes. With PJ, he is headed on a missions trip to New Hampshire to assist a ministry there. Praise God that the Bible study (written by one of PJ’s camp directors) is enjoyed weekly by our church. This week I led the 3rd lesson on Genesis, which focused on exemplifying God’s love for us by loving others. Praise God that in Filipino “minibus” transportation (Jeepneys), there is no longer any need for plastic dividers between passengers. Passengers had complained that the dividers were dirty & would do more to spread disease than being face-to-face. Praise God as well that I (Paul) have been able to open over 200 boxes which we shipped to the school over the past 2 years, and just in time too, as the church youth group will be filling the 600 chidlren's backpacks with the school supplies, stuffed animals, and Bibles that we had sent, for the students’ & orphans’ Christmas. “Family: Dad, Mom, brothers & sisters. As a unit, God has created your family with built-in unity.” BCA’s Teacher Janice explained to her 1st-graders, “God is mighty. So Sonjoe, what can you see in your family that is like God, your family’s Creator?” Love was his response. Great. Then Samarah added, “and protection.” Not to be outdone, Spark included, “and of course stuff we need like food. Don’t forget food!” To which Nhick asked, “Spark, God is not food. What does food have to do with God?” Spark said, “A whole lot. Who is the one who makes food? God.” Nhick quipped back, “No, God does not make our dinner. My Dad is the cook in our family!” At this juncture, Teacher Janice immediately stopped the conversation to remind the students of class rules while online. “#1-wait until you are called upon, and #2…who knows #2?” With his head down, Nhick mumbled “#2- Never put down a fellow 1st-grader.” Janice then said, “And what do you say next?” After Nhick’s apology to Spark, Teacher Janice then got an idea. “How about combining your ESP (GYM & family) subject with art?” YAY! No question about it, the first graders love art. “Okay then, Draw a picture of a similarity between God & your family.” But first…& all the students realized that, after all, their teacher had not forgotten the most dreaded part of each online class… “your 20-question quiz!” AWWW! Janice was actually quite pleased, as the parents took pictures of the completed quizzes so she was able to grade them instantly instead of waiting for the bus drivers to pick them up, which they do twice a week while also delivering the next modules. The next day, as Janice sat on her chair in her specific BCA cubicle, the dozens of uncompleted modules were surrounding her, as if they were waving at her. “If they can just talk to me maybe they’ll say to me, ‘Hey Teacher, how are you? Here we are again! We need to be checked by you. You're doing fine? How have your students found learning through me? How was their score? Did they get a high score?’ Hmm, maybe I had too much coffee this morning. But maybe they will talk like that if they have been given a chance to talk to me?” Janice began checking the modules and was especially pleased with Colo. He got a high score in every subject. This kid has learned something from the self-learning materials as his grades had shown. He was trying to answer the modules even though his teacher was not able to facilitate beside him; only his parents could assist him. When Colo was too confused to answer a module, his mother would immediately communicate with Janice just like what had happened earlier, when she asked Janice about the instructions in Health. Then, Janice responded to her question regarding the modules in which her child, Colo, had been confused. Janice reflected on how, just a few days ago she came in late to work so that she could get to the government benefits office to pay her dad’s funeral expenses. “These kids,” she reflected, “They ought to cherish their families. It is very possible that, like my dad, who died before his 40th birthday, they might only have a few more years to enjoy them before they are gone.” But she wouldn’t explain it to the first graders LIKE THAT, lest they have nightmares. While grading the kids’ Art projects, surprisingly, Sophia’s was the best. She answered the activity that was given in the modules. Janice saw her best effort to draw in the planned activity. She drew her family on the paper and she used different lines, shapes, and colors. Janice know she was the one who drew it because her family of stick figures looked like skeletons. But overall, she did an amazing job. So Janice gave her a high score for her output. When the flood hit Janice’s residence that evening, the flood waters were rising and she considered, “What if I should drown? Have I told my family of the joy they bring me?” The gushing, thick brown torrent rose one step at a time, every ten minutes. When would it stop? Yet thankfully the waters receded before they could get to the roof. The next day, after staying at a neighbor’s place overnight, she trudged through the mud to see what was left of her things in the boarding house. It was “chaotic, stinky & everything around the house was muddy…even our belongings. There was nothing left that was not wet, all our stuff was wet and muddy.” Ah, but remembering those stick figures of Sophia’s in her Art project, Janice said, “Lord, you are my closest family. There is nothing that I have gone through that You Yourself have not been with me. Y’know what? With many of my belongings gone, now it is only You that I depend upon. Thanks, God!” She then started collecting her muddy, smelly, musty clothes dangling from the rafters & pinched them in her fingers, dragging them over to a hose to spray them down before scrubbing them clean by hand. As a friend cam over to help her scrub, she said, “Thanks Helen. You are like a sister to me.” Helen just smiled and kept scrubbing away. Isn’t that what families do? Thanks, God for being my family! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 0 hr, 11 min, 26 sec November 10, 2021 Matthew 23:11 (Join us on T/Th nights!) “LORD I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN” (Request your faves for a future LNW. Let us know how God's calling you to worship in your own home!) Camp of The Woods, Speculator, NY #179. https://www.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/377325300810597 C. Sunday worship, Faith Fellowship Church Youth Sunday, November 14, 2021 (Singing). Part 1: 25 min., 58 sec. https://www.facebook.com/jaykathleen.ocon/videos/217631837110294/ D. Sunday message, Faith Fellowship Church Youth Sunday, November 14, 2021 (Jairus Alvarado): “Stay Attached to the Vine” John 15. Part 2: 1 hour, 4 min., 27 sec. https://www.facebook.com/darrelmae/videos/846828102676910/ E. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #1- Grade 6- Proverbs 5 min, 10 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/698094664491973/ F. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #2- Grade 5-Acts 18 min, 42 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/253427673473826/ G. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #3- Virtual Presentation, Faith Alliance Fellowship - Communal FAF- Richard Charina Rapha Praca Charvin Draich Praca 4 min, 7 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/4416709161780724/ H. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #4- Virtual Presentation 5 min, 35 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/307424944549098/ I. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #5- Virtual Presentation 2 min, 20 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/2671281276506301/ J. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #6- Virtual Presentation/Birthday Greeting (Father’s House Orphanage) 3 min, 7 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/576663450260205/ K. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #7- with the theme " Celebrating God's Son" Grade 4 Jeremiah 8 min, 35 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/560996548325559/ L. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #8- GRADE-3 CHRONICLES M. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #9- with the Theme: "Celebrating God's Son" Grade_2 Psalm 11 min, 38 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/4492391097480904/ N. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #10- Grade 1 - Genesis Presentation 33 min, 52 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/1568137600213782/ O. Barner Christian Academy’s International Day: Presentation #11 2021 United Nations Presentation Part 1 “Nobody Left Behind in Post-Pandemic Philippines” 14 min, 50 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/1918570904995022/ P. Barner Christian Academy’s International Day: Presentation #12 2021 United Nations Presentation Part 2 “Nobody Left Behind in Post-Pandemic Philippines” 19 min, 56 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/848553862479622/ Q. Barner Christian Academy’s International Day: Presentation #13 2021 United Nations Presentation Part 3 “Nobody Left Behind in Post-Pandemic Philippines” 21 min, 55 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/616192719510748 R. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #14- Virtual Presentation 30 min, 36 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/615255952956955 S. Barner Christian Academy’s 24th Foundation Day: Presentation #15- Virtual Presentation NURSERY, PREP AND KINDER PRESENTATION 7 min, 29 sec https://www.facebook.com/bcadavaocity/videos/271820488071149/ Present Need: $1,624 for 1. Food for those homebound due to covid lockdowns $1,024, 2. Students’ Module Materials for Printing $170, 3. Clean up/ Disinfection materials from muddy, heavy rains $35, 4. extra food for poor children $20, 5. BUS “C” -battery charged $4, 6. BUS “Fi” -overhauling of carburetor (labor) $10 & -gasoline $30 & -rubber cup $5 & - Brake fluid $4 & -motor oil $25 & -oil seal $5 & -sand paper $1, 7. BUS “Ph” - labor- overhauling of carburetor $10 & -gasoline $40 & -motor oil $25 & -oil seal $5 &// -hose clip $2 & -tire repair $1 & -flash relay $3 & - Brake fluid $4 & -rubber cup $3 & -electrical tape $1 & -battery charge $1 & -sand paper $1, 8. BUS “N” -labor, overhauling of carburetor $10, 9. BUS “M” -diesel gas $16 & -fuse $1 & -electrical tape $1 & -check up of wiring $40, 10. BUS “L” -renewal of registration $75 & - diesel gas $20 & -stud bolts $4 & -pull-out of bolts of brake drum $9 & -electrical tape $2. # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $155. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $495. |
| 11/11/2021 | Please pray for compliance in the USA’s newly-adopted global air travel policy. On October 25, the announced policy prioritizes public health, protecting U.S. citizens and residents as well as those who come to visit. Effective November 8, 2021, all non-citizen, nonimmigrant airline passengers traveling to the United States must demonstrate proof of vaccination as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Order prior to boarding a U.S.-bound aircraft. Fortunately, Elvie and I are vaccinated and also since she has a “Green Card” this policy does not negatively affect her. The question remains: will this policy still be in effect when we travel next March? Will it include the booster shot (Vax#3) also, and will that 3rd shot be available by that time in the Philippines? This presently applies to all travelers – U.S. citizens, U.S. LPRs, and foreign nationals. Unvaccinated travelers will now need to test within one (1) day of departure. Praise God that to date, $395 has been given through Facebook’s birthday giving (5 donors) for BCA’s new garage to hold BCA’s 2 new buses. 43 people had died from Tropical Storm Kompasu, with 17 missing; more than 11,525 people have been displaced. Many are cleaning up deep mud from their homes after the flood waters receded. Five days later the electricity finally came back on. Zoom mtgs began again from the teachers. BCA's secretary Faith wrote in her BCA daily journal that all of BCA’s students need to be “transferred” into the LIS (Learners Information System) from the pre-covid years to the online facility for registration of students. Those students who have transferred out of the area are a different kind of transfer. They have gone away from Davao to places like Agusan, Bukidnon, and Surigao, all located in different regions than Davao’s “Region Eleven”. Faith had learned this process while in an online webinar and forum for Christian Schools. In order to complete the process, all the credentials must be met: Birth certificates, previous schools’ grades, etc. Faith decided to print-out the information so that she could study it from home, but since the teachers are all using the printers to make modules for their hundreds of students to study from at-home, it took a while to print out the material she needed. Faith made plans to travel to her cousin’s place for the funeral. Fortunately, a resolution has just been passed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that Jeepneys (public mini-buses) no longer require plastic dividers between the passengers. People had complained that they were dirty and would do more to spread disease than being face-to-face. Thus, it was announced that plastic barriers in public utility vehicles such as jeepneys, taxis, & buses are no longer required. instead of protecting the passengers – they say that the virus “could even stick to the plastic barriers.” And yet, the day was not over. Bus driver Ben drove Faith and some of the teachers, an hour away to Tacunan, where some of the modules needed to be delivered for the waiting students. Parents were there with the completed modules from the week before, and each of them got the next week’s worksheets and lessons. This was quite a project, since the heavy rains had destroyed about a thousand pages of modules, which then had to be re-printed. When Faith returned from delivering the modules, she travelled to the funeral. Then after the funeral she traveled back just in time for BCA’s double-celebration. Due to the heavy rains, the October event (International Day) was pushed to the beginning of November…just a few days before my (Paul’s) 60th birthday. According to custom, I was woken up out of a deep sleep at 4am, and serenaded by the church and school groups for a few hours of singing and well-wishes. It is also Abby’s 21st birthday and the school’s 24th: Foundation Day. During the events, the teachers & staff sang and dressed in costumes. We also were dressed that way for Missions Sunday at church. Then were the games and singing for Foundation Day. Videos were shown of BCA students and also alumni. They thanked the administration (Elvie and me) for giving them an education and a chance to really make something of themselves. Some videos even came from other countries where these BCA graduates now work! Like a mom, we follow-through to love these kids even long after they have completed their lessons at Barner Christian Academy. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA C. TH- 0 hr, 7 min, 0 sec November 4, 2021: 1 Samuel 15:22, Camp of The Woods, Speculator, NY #178. D. BCA International Day faculty singing “We Are the World” November 4, 2021. 5 min 14 sec. E. Faith Fellowship Youth Group Performance for Missions Sunday Davao City, Philippines 2 min, 0 sec Sunday, November 7, 2021. F. Sunday message, Faith Fellowship Church Sunday, November 7, 2021. “The Power of the Cross” 1 Corinthians 1:17-24. 17 min., 52 sec.https://www.facebook.com/paul.barner.5/videos/1117013822037193/ G. PART 1: Nov 7, 2021. 4am morning serenade for Paul’s 60th birthday (a tad early- Nov 9). 1 min, 46 sec. H. PART 2: Nov 7, 2021. 4am morning serenade for Paul’s 60th birthday (a tad early- Nov 9). 10 min, 57 sec. I. PART 3: Nov 7, 2021. 4am morning serenade for Paul’s 60th birthday (a tad early- Nov 9). 34 min, 41 sec. J. Foundation Day Presentation by BCA kids Nov. 9, 2021. 30 min, 36 sec. K. Foundation Day Presentation Thanks from Alumni: former BCA kids Nov. 9, 2021. 8 min, 58 sec. Present Need: $3,000 for replacement sound system, destroyed in the recent citywide flood. # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks for Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $155. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $495. https://www.facebook.com/donate/570856390669043/
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| 11/4/2021 | BCA Annual International Day 10/27 (postponed, due to flood). BCA 24th Annual Foundation Day (11/9/98). Happy 21st birthday, Abigail (11/9/21). Happy 60th Birthday, Pastor Paul (11/9/61). Daylight Savings Time ends (11/7/21) Please pray for BCA Teacher Janice. Her father died and yet since she has been sick, she has not yet been able to process the papers for her dad’s burial and funeral service. Praise God that, after nearly an entire week, the electricity has finally been turned back on by the power company. During the 9-ft-deep flood, there were many short circuits due to the outlets being submerged. “It’s not called Facebook anymore…” When I told Elvie the new name assigned by Mark Zuckerberg for the brand used by 3 billion users globally, she laughed. “You know,” she explained, “In my tribal language of Bagobo, the word meta sounds like the word for…” And at this, she spun her index finger around the side of her head and finished, “…It means crazy!” So, if Zuckerberg’s plan is that the new name will reflect the new universe…perhaps for some, it’s kinda an off-kilter metaverse? Every Sunday here in Davao is exciting. Four weeks ago, Elvie and I were finally released from a 2-week quarantine in Manila. Then the next week we visited one of our house churches and gathered together the leadership team to finally, after over a year of it being closed, reopen the church we started on the BCA school campus. Last week we had a full church, with limitations on how many could attend, due to government occupancy allowances during the pandemic. It was a very lively service, & this past Sunday (Halloween) was also a delightful time. People just didn't want to leave, especially the youth group. So, we had lunch in one of the school's classrooms and then studies the Bible together. Back in New York, the daughter of one of my Bible college professors had designed this excellent study, which covers the entire Bible. Beginning at “The Beginning” in Genesis, the study ended with a suggestion to write a prayer thanking God for planning so very well this intricate planet & also our very lives. The kids came up with another idea: “why don't we make up a song?” Here is what they came up with, “No matter where I am, with YOU I’m Home” (pretty good, though it took an hour): https://www.facebook.com/paul.barner.5/videos/897607550959887/ 4 min, 40 sec (song from .25 to 1.50 There have been a series of tragedies this past month, and this study was a nice way of focusing on our God who is still in control. Two more pastors joined the ranks of the dozen or so who locally have died of covid. One is Abraham, the pastor of one of our church plants. His people in Matina Pangi Cataluñan Pequino Tiguid must feel like Job in the Bible, as they had a fire which destroyed many of their homes, then 2 weeks later a flood which devastated their rebuilding efforts. Counting their blessings though, there are not any recent earthquakes not volcanoes. Yet. But even if they come, God still has us in the palm of His hand. Much of the recent flood was captured in a local television news broadcast: GMA News (television) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1abMZyGLotw (from 13.26-15.49) In the focus of our universe, we see everything in light of the God-verse (not necessarily metaverse). And the verse that we focus on God through is one of PJ’s favorites: Gen 1:16B “He also made the stars”. God who makes enormous gaseous bodies of energy equivalent to gajillions of hydrogen bombs with just a “He also made” still intricately cares for us. Another person who died this week was a Filipina missionary who reached out in love for decades among her Muslim neighbors. When she died of covid, her grandson wanted to say his last goodbyes to her in the morgue before they would cremate her. (One local pastor mispronounced it as “marinate” instead of cremate). Yet he overheard, from outside the door, her voice muffled & saying "Could you unwrap me? I can't breathe!" They rescued her and she lived for another two weeks before God finally took her home to her eternal reward. Sometimes we cry out, "I need oxygen" and wonder if anybody hears us, Yet God does. He is intricately caring for our every situation. On Monday Elvie spoke at the weekly Bible study on "God's Care for us". Less than 12 hours later the floods came. Some of our teachers climbed up to their rooftops after escaped out a window to the fire escape, and then the roof. What would happen with the plans for the school's annual International Day, coming up on Friday? Of course, when God says, "not just yet" then we re-arrange our universe-metaverse-Godverse. Even though the students each had already put together costumes (almost like American Halloween- except not with candy), from various assigned countries worldwide, for the virtual c celebration, the videos they compiled would just have to wait another week or so. This will be back-to-back with our next celebration, “Foundation Day” which always falls on my birthday, as the founder of BCA. Teacher Dianne’s 6th graders were especially creative in their costumes. She read to them from Matthew 19:14, “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The parents were in on the meeting, and one chatted an aside, “We can’t return the test paper today because of…” Diane had heard all the excuses before. Laying down the law, she pressed, “We have a schedule. It is not a suggestion. It is mandatory. We cannot hold up the government grading system just because you delayed your assignment due to having to make dinner!” Fortunately, God doesn’t have to make dinner. He follows the schedule which He has set to carefully care for us just as intricately as He did when he created the universe. One child, Joshua, forgot to put his name on his paper. Diane knew who it was, since it was delivered by the bus driver. Still, a name is an important thing. So, Diane stated, “I will just name this one ‘Carabao (Water Buffalo)’. Carabao, you will get your real name back when you start using it. Have a great day in the swamp, carabao!” A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 0 hr, 6 min, 7 sec October 26, 2021 Camp of The Woods, Speculator, NY #175. C. TH- 0 hr, 11 min, 27 sec October 28, 2021 Camp of The Woods, Speculator, NY #176. D. Footage of Davao flood, Monday, October 25, 2021 58 min, 59 sec. Present Need: $1,500 for 100 plastic chairs, lost in the recent flood (they washed away downstream). # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $140. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $100. |
| 10/28/2021 | Please pray for the upcoming schedule for the children in BCA’s Zoom classes. International Day is this week and in three weeks (Nov. 9) is Foundation Day. Many of their assignments and projects/consumes will be hampered due to the severe humidity. Please also pray for those who will be cleaning up the deep mud from their homes after the flood waters recede. Praise God that some of the American churches which we have planned to speak at this next Spring/Summer (2022) have already confirmed our coming to share with them missions challenges! Praise God as well that, after worship this past Sunday, we had a luncheon meeting of over a dozen of our church ministry leaders & made definite plans for outreaches over the next two months. “Oh, yick!” I guess the meat I bought at the market was second-rate, for after cooking it, we spent ten minutes with paper towels, scraping the hardened grease off the rooves of our mouths. Speaking of rooftops, many Filipinos in Davao City are still on the tops of their houses (including some of our teachers & staff), since ridiculously heavy rains caused severe flash flooding. Never in a quarter of a century have we seen it this bad. It is also very dark for them, since their electricity has gone out. One of these teachers, Teacher Janice, comes into work with a smile on her face, yet a high fever while at home. She was one who lost much during the flood. I had just opened some boxes of clothes which we had shipped form the USA 2 years ago, and they are stored in a dry room in the school, so she was able to change into them. Fortunately for another staffer, BCA’s senior-citizen treasurer Minmin, her home is on high ground. Still, when the weather gets super soggy like this, her arthritis flares up and makes it difficult for her to write-up the financial budget sheets for me to evaluate each month. Yet pain or no pain, she still faithfully clasps her fingers together daily to pray for the rest of the staff. How appropriate, that God led Elvie to give the teachers' weekly devotional message this morning from Exodus 17, "Overcoming with Faith" The heartache of the flooding was added to other pains, as we attended the funerals for two of the main people in our jungle church plant, Ann and Carmen. For Gary (Ann’s widower) it was his birthday too. About twenty miles away, before the rain, was a fire. A dozen families lost everything. So Elvie & I went there with a team to bring construction supplies & food & kitchen items to them. When we met at the hardware store, I helped load the empty rice sacks, filled with nails, saws, hammers, etc. onto a pickup truck. Unfortunately, the nails were sticking out from the bottom of a sack & my hand got some pretty deep scrapes. The recipients though were very thankful. Three of those families attend one of our church plants. That church lost its pastor to covid a few weeks ago. Another nearby pastor is still breathing, but already brain dead due to covid. On a lighter note, the local government let us reopen church for the first time in over a year. We did have to limit the number of people and also social distance. But people were ecstatic to be together again, in person. And one couple who was there had just come back from their honeymoon! Andrew came with his new bride Lineth. Andrew had been one of the first children, at 9 years old, that I witnessed to when first coming to Davao City in 1996. We had even started a Bible study in his home. Now, a quarter of a century later, Andrew & Lineth had delayed their wedding until Elvie & I could return to the country, so that we could attend. Even though we were thrilled to worship together, Elvie’s heart was touched on Saturday night, for one of the small children who is in Zoom meetings for her BCA classes, texted Elvie with the question, “Our parents can come to church, but can we?” She had to break the news to them that the government has restricted any small children from leaving their homes during the pandemic. While the young ones were watching from home, the older ones enjoyed being in person as both groups were encouraged by studying the life of Barnabas in the Bible book of Acts. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 1 hr, 29 min, 56 sec October 19, 2021 Camp of The Woods, Speculator, NY #173. C. TH- 0 hr, 5 min, 24 sec October 21, 2021 Camp of The Woods, Speculator, NY #174. D. #1 0 hrs, 0 mins, 20 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. https://tinyurl.com/2cxmh4ne E. #2 0 hrs, 0 mins, 15 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. F. #3 0 hrs, 0 mins, 57 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. G. #4 0 hrs, 0 mins, 42 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. H. #5 0 hrs, 1 mins, 2 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. I. #6 0 hrs, 1 mins, 31 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. J. #7 0 hrs, 12 mins, 44 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. K. #8 0 hrs, 20 mins, 14 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. L. #9 0 hrs, 0 mins, 51 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. M. #10 0 hrs, 0 mins, 17 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. N. #11 0 hrs, 1 mins, 40 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. O. #12 0 hrs, 27 mins, 2 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. P. #13 0 hrs, 55 mins, 57 secs October 24, 2021 Worship at Laverna Alliance church, Davao City, Philippines. Q. Elvie giving weekly Teacher’s Devotional. Monday, October 25, 2021 at Barner Chritsian Academy, Davao City, Philippines. 42 min, 18 sec. OVERCOMING WITH FAITH, Exodus 17. Present Need: $1,630 for: aid for needy poor fellow pastors, missionaries & church planters: ($400), Printing Materials- Modules ($298), Materials for Repair of school Roof (Gym) ($42), Repair and Painting of 2nd Floor Classrooms’ doors ($34), Faucet ($1), Electrical Materials($4), BUS “Fi”: Renewal of LTO Registration ($82), BUS “Ph”: Renewal of LTO Registration ($82), BUS “Fi” Gasoline ($64), BUS “Ph”: -gas ($34), -cable wire ($6), -upholstery materials, cover of back seat ($9), -battery ($78), -overhaul -spareparts BUS “Ph” Cab Expenses: -Spareparts for general overhauling of engine: Piston Assembly ($40), Overhauling gasket ($32), Piston ring ($18), Thrust washer ($4), Com Rod bearing ($11), Main bearing ($13), Liner ($24), Oil filter ($4), Silicon ($2), Pilot bearing ($3), Release bearing ($17), Gear Oil ($14), Tension bearing ($6), Havoline oil 3 quarts ($12), Brake fluid ($4), 2 Quarts Delo oil ($10), 6TK Gas 20w50 oil ($24), Oil filter ($5), Spark Plug (3 pcs) ($17), Hub bearing ($7), -machine shop ($139), -mechanic/labor ($90). # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $140. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $100. |
| 10/21/2021 | Please pray for the surviving families of 11 Filipinos who died (and another 7 missing) in landslides (caused by flash floods from Tropical Storm Kompasu or “Maring”) this past week. Over 6,500 villagers had been evacuated from their homes. One security guard had been inspecting damage to the pier when a wave drowned him and swept him away. Off the coast, some waves were over 30 feet high. Praise God that, here at BCA, the small culverts over our drainage canal which previously backed-up frequently, causing flooding in the area of BCA, have been demolished and are being replaced by cement bridges. Eight such bridges should be completed by the end of the year. Please also pray as, even though the number of active virus cases is diminishing, according to World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines ranked third among countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with regard to the highest number of active COVID-19 cases, with 90,927 active cases. Malaysia, which had 116,596 active cases, was ranked first, closely followed by Thailand with 110,880 active cases. Compared to nations worldwide, the Philippines took the 20th spot. Please pray for wisdom for Philippine voters in the next presidential election, coming up in May, 2022. 97 Filipino leaders have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for president of the country, including “Bongbong”, son of the late former dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, as well as Christian Senator-Athlete Manny Pacquiao. Also please pray for the DepEd (Department of Education) as they decide whether mandatory Vaccination of minors will actually be a vital step toward safe school reopening after more than a year and a half of lockdown. Praise God that Elvie and I were able to buy imported spices in the grocery store. Returning after being gone 27 months, we had to throw away the expired (stone-solid) spices on our shelf. Also, we are thankful that the Philippines is considering eliminating the 2-week required quarantine for international travelers. Go figure, huh? Right after we are finally released! Like the twisted adage says, “be anxious about nothing but in all things be obnoxious.” Nearly 22% of the population is fully vaccinated. Praise God as well that Andrew, a ten-yr-old when we started our children’s ministry in 1997, is now in his mid-30s and he and his bride-to-be Lineth, delayed their wedding until this week so that Elvie and I could both attend and share the Gospel with their relatives and friends. They promised to be at church this Sunday, after their brief honeymoon. “The Barners are back! Let’s re-open the church!” The timing of our return to Davao was excellent: even though it included a 3-hour drive, an 18-hour flight, and a 10-day quarantine (in a tiny Manila hotel: no fridge, no iron, no microwave, no coffee, no credit card). Finally, we once again saw the light of day, and made another 2-hour flight and faced yet another quarantine in Davao for four more days! Finally, upon the seventeenth day after leaving New York, we had acquired all the government permits so we could go out, drive and get groceries! Albeit, every place (banks, stores, schools, etc) requires a special personalized “QR code” on a necklace or cellphone (which we didn’t yet have locally upon landing), attached to our personal online health & vaccination & immigration status, scanned often 5x or more by security guards upon entering, leaving and even while mingling within the shops, to be sure that only those who are fully vaccinated are present. Also face masks and cumbersome face shields always must be worn. And social distancing is the rule. My huge face-shield was always getting fogged up, due to multiple layers of glasses, mask & shield. Ah, but we had been so free and unencumbered back in good old New York, USA! A few days later (Sunday) Elvie and I visited one of our house churches. Since leaders from the “mother church” (the church we started 25 years ago) were present in the house church, they asked, “Is there any reason why we can’t open up the main church again?” Since the death toll nationally from the pandemic is decreasing, the government has approved churches to function at half-capacity, as long as the other guidelines are met. So, next Sunday (October 24) we will reopen the church! YES! I will be the speaker, to encourage them and also to thank them for their prayers for us while we were away. Even though Elvie and I have been locked-down due to quarantines, we still face jetlag: tired in the middle of the day and wide awake at night. So Elvie answered her cellphone’s “Messenger Call” on one of its first rings at 1:00 in the morning. On the call, our daughter Abby (in New York) showed Elvie the background behind her on the road. Our jeep was turned over on its side. A car had sideswiped her while she was turning and this altered the car’s center of gravity. She said that pedestrians had seen her through the sunroof and helped her out of the car’s passenger side, facing up toward the sky. A crowd joined around her. “Did they bring the driver to the hospital? Is she alive?” one bystander asked. Abby interjected with, “I am the driver!” They looked astonished, since she did not have a scratch on her. "How did you survive the crash?" Abby matter-of-fact answered, "I was wearing my seatbelt.” While I (Paul) led the BCA teachers’ Devotional Bible study a few days later here in Asia, I challenged them, "That man, upon hearing Abby's response, said, ‘from now on I will always wear my seatbelt!’" And then I challenged, "Will people see your relationship with Jesus and say, ‘From now on, I will follow your Jesus!’" Jovi, BCA’s 1st grade teacher, confided in me, “Yeah. We often grade ourselves based on what we see in others. Just last week I came into work all dressed up in my green uniform. Then I noticed all the other faculty were wearing their blue uniforms. Oops! Green is the Monday color and today is Thursday!” After our Teacher’s Appreciation luncheon and message (by me) I headed up to my 3rd-floor “President’s Office”. Ok, now I know a bit of what Rip Van Winkle faced, after being asleep 100 years. For me it was just two and a half years, but my office was a mess. Birds somehow had gotten in and feathers and “deposits” were everywhere. I guess they had come in to eat the spiders, as cobwebs were as abundant as “Spanish moss” in Florida. Broken ceiling tiles were on my desk and shelves, since one of BCA’s janitors had cleaned out birds’ nests in the space between the ceiling and the roof, and his foot had gone through my ceiling. I used my cellphone as a flashlight since the light switch is on the other side of the office and I did not treasure the idea of those long dangly gray spiderwebs being caught in my hair and down my neck in the dark. Or perhaps a spider or two which the birds had missed during snack time. So, back to Jovi, in the wrong uniform. Being extra cautious today, she was online with her 1st grade students in a Zoom Art Class. “Here is the difference between Actual Texture and Visual (Implied) Texture. Actual texture is art that really has depth. Some artists use thick paint while others mix stuff in the paint to make it “rise” off the canvass. Sculptors always use real depth in their art. But visual texture art makes it look like it has depth, when it is not actually real. The artist creates the illusion of textures through manipulation of the media.” Unbelievers are like Implied art. They think they have depth. They make it look like they have depth. But really, deep down inside, they really know that they are shallow. True Jesus-followers are kind of “3-dimensional humans:” 1-Beings, 2-Human Beings and 3-Child-of-God Beings. Yet imperfect, we 3-D people might still put on the wrong uniform on the outside. It doesn’t change who we are on the inside. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TU- 0 hr, 6 min, 29 sec October 12, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #171. C. TH- 0 hr, 7 min, 10 sec October 14, 2021 Camp Of The Woods, Speculator, NY #172. Present Need: $970 for Repair of airconditioner ($60), Bond paper/ink for students’ modules (289), Repair of printers (4 units: $70), Materials for classroom repainting ($235), BUS “L” gas ($10), BUS “M” gas ($9), BUS “Fi” gas ($30) & rubber cup ($4), brake fluid ($6), BUS “Ph” gas ($83) & change oil ($21) & fuel hose ($3) & hose cup ($1) & fuel pump ($24) & oil seal ($5) & replacement of accelerator/labor ($44) & Registration ($76). # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $140. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $100. |
| 10/14/2021 | DAVAO QUARANTINE DAY #14. WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY (10/5) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: October 10: fly back to Davao for last 4 days of quarantine. Please pray for our plans when we finish self-quarantine this upcoming Thursday. During the poast ten days’ quarantine in Manila, Elvie and I made plans on how to empower the churches, school, and orphanage during these five months that we will be on this continent. There are still lockdowns in particular areas, and our staff is filling us in on what places are open and which others are not yet open to travel to. A few definites are: buying a lot for the new garage, buying two new buses, empowering the home Bible studies, developing at least one satellite church-preschool, and re-opening the closed church. Praise God for getting us through all the complex requirements to travel 13,000 miles from New York to Davao City, Philippines. Since the covid numbers keep changing in intensity, up and down and back up again, there is no way to know which old requirements are still in force and which new ones have been added. Yet due to your prayers, we made it, and are back on the mission field: moving out the cobwebs from cabinets from 28 months ago when we were last here. “I hope I don’t see you again.” With a smile on my face, I explained to the front desk clerk at Go Hotel in Manila that, even though we paid for fourteen days, we were required to self-quarantine now at our destination in Davao instead. But there are so many requirements to qualify for getting on the flight, it is very possible that they will deny us to get on the plane and send us back to the hotel for another 4-part, extremely-deep, painful covid test and wait half a week more before making the flight. In short, if they deny us at the airport, then we will come back to the hotel to finish out the time that we’d paid for but would not be using. No refunds. Fortunately, we passed all the requirements and 8 hours later we were back home 900 miles away in Davao, having lunch on self-quarantine. Thank you for praying! And since we had paid for the hotel in advance, the previously-required 14-day quarantine, changed to ten days, did not allow a refund of those last 4 days. Ok. I had gotten the cheapest price anyway. Tiny room. No amenities like microwave or fridge or coffeemaker. But it was ok. We had each other. And jetlag. Meanwhile in another part of Davao at BCA, Teacher Romnick was reminiscing his challenge to his 4th graders with, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;” from Numbers 6. Romnick had celebrated his birthday a month ago, and the kids had words of appreciation for him as a gift. “What better words to hear, than the Word of God?” He included that a quote from scripture can make the perfect addition to any birthday card or cake, reminding them of God’s love. As Romnick prepared for his online class, he decided to next do Science. Lesson 1: Properties of matter Lesson 2, Materials that float or sink and Lesson 3: Materials that undergo decay. He studied how to use the “Google Meet Application” for this online class, since it would be complex. Also in Math, Rom’s 4th grade class would next be studying “Place Value” and the value of numbers. So, he decided to divide the class into two sections of 20 students each. In BCA, each classroom has chosen the name of a book of the Bible for its identity, and the 4th Graders chose Jeremiah. So, unlike the Bible that only has one book of Jeremiah, BCA has First and Second Jeremiah! With smaller classes online it is easier for there to be interactive communication. In Social Studies (Araling Panlipunan), they studied the location of the Philippines on the map of the globe. “If our country is made up of 7,107 islands, which place value is the 7?” They took a vote, and the First Jeremiahs did better than the Seconds, as more of them included both the thousands’ place and the ones’ place as their answer. The firsts and seconds worked well for a week. But then Rom noticed that he was running out of time, and the students were falling behind when studying on their own. So, after four days of classes, on Friday… (Fri- YAY!), Rom informed them that they would no longer be divided into two groups so that he could teach more subjects each day. True to their namesake, the class next memorized a verse from Jeremiah 17 which ends with, “no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Now class, you can bear the fruit for good grades, since we are once again united together as one unit. He then prompted his students, “and it’s Fri…Fri…Fri…” to which they all responded from both halves of the class, “YAY!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA Present Need: $300 for (installment #42 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $31,900 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $100. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $100. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 10/7/2021 | MANILA QUARANTINE DAY #5. COLUMBUS DAY (USA) 10/11/21 [Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas 529 years ago on October 12, 1492] BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: September 28: fly back to the Philippines for a 2-week quarantine, arriving in Davao October 14. Please pray for the families of three who died in our ministry this past week, mostly due to COVID: 1- 21-yr-old former BCA student Ricci (she had lupus many years ago, but had been in remission until COVID reactivated it), 2- Abraham (a pastor in one of our larger church plants) and Ronie (Elvie’s brother-in-law). Please also pray for Elvie and I as we complete our 2-week quarantine. There are daily changes in requirements. One in particular may be just semantic, but says that I might be restricted from flying to Davao next week, since tourists are not allowed during this phase of lockdown. I am on page sixty of a book I am writing during quarantine. Praise God for stamina on our across-the-planet flight…wearing required face masks and shields in the plane, even while sleeping. “Hello literally everyone," Twitter tweeted, as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp all took to Twitter to confirm the problems, Twitter poked fun at the ordeal. Facebook had been down overnight in Asia, but was up again Tuesday morning. Meanwhile in a 2-week quarantine at a tiny hotel room in Manila, Elvie and I (Paul) wondered how our daughter Abby had fared in her driver’s test. Since Facebook Messenger was down, we resorted to email to find out that New York no longer immediately tells students whether they have passed. This is because some students occasionally threaten the instructors when they receive negative results. “Email at 6pm” responded the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) website…. (LATER) SHE PASSED! FIRST TIME!!! Meanwhile at BCA, since most of the teachers correspond via free “Messenger” on cell phones, instead of audio calls for which they are charged, they were in the dark as to what surprises might await them at work. Fortunately, they were in good spirits, since they all shared cake yesterday during Minmin the Treasurer’s 67th birthday celebration. “Wishing you a GREAT Morning, Colleagues!” BCA’s Teacher Jezel entered the office Tuesday morning with not just her 2nd grade students on her mind, but her coworkers as well. “C’mon guys, let’s whistle while we work!” Gloomy and Messenger-less Tuesday faces transformed to smiles as they all joined in the chipper, catchy Snow-White chorus. They buckled down to finish lots of tasks: cleaning their office to organize the things and of course to place their modules in specific places where we were collated by grades. The teachers changed curtains and cleaned windows and also organized their respective desks. After arranging the tables to look new, they waxed the red cement floor. Then Jezel finalized the song with, “When hearts are high the time will fly so whistle…while…you…work!” Glancing around the office, it was as if a magic wand had waved and time had stood still, for just an hour earlier the place had a lot of unkept corners. But now it was spick and span and they all high-fived. Suddenly the lights flickered, the internet shut off and on, and thunder roared. The tin roof of the office clankity-clanked as the first raindrops of a downpour plunged down to Earth. Unfazed, Jezel quoted her daughter’s line, “God is pouring His blessings out over and over again!” With a new Math Topic intitled “Knowing a Place Value & Knowing the Value of the number”, Jezel went to Google & jumped on to YouTube to clip video presentations. She then made a new outline for her backup lesson plan if they will be successful to meet her students via Zoom. “Gotta strive more to adapt all the education systems in this NEO-normal,” murmured Jezel. happy and eager to learn new things as she explores more. In that light, she listened online to the INSET 2.0 Seminars for Teachers, to refresh on updates of teaching with new techniques… “How to cater to students online & upgrade for the sake of both students & teachers” Although connections were scanty due to the storm, Jezel was successful in discussing with 19 participants and they were delightfully involved while she was online. Eager to learn with her, they were surprisingly excited; probably because they missed going to school & in a face-to-face learning mode. “I can do this, for today is God’s Day. So, it is an EXTRA-ordinary day!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA Present Need: $300 for (installment #41 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $33,200 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $0. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $100. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 9/30/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: September 26: Downsville, NY CMA. September 28: fly (51 hours) back to the Philippines for a 2-week quarantine, arriving in Davao October 14. Please pray for new sponsors for four of BCA’s students; Jian, Sam, Alyssa & Grace. They were sponsored by a dear senior widow in Minnesota who recently went on to her eternal reward in Heaven. Praise God for our BCA teachers & students. In a normal school year, the students work on culture-related projects for International Day at the end of October. But due to the pandemic-related calendar delays & lockdowns, they are faithfully transforming the projects / deadlines & events. And we will be with them, since we arrive in Davao (Lord willing) Oct 14. “Students, our school’s founder & principal will be here from America next week! Let us prepare our best worksheets for them!” BCA’s Teacher Helen prompted her 5th graders’ Science-weather disturbances projects, for Elvie’s and my return. Little did they know that the trip almost didn’t happen. But God is in control. Meanwhile on the other side of the world in New York, Elvie & I were at Price Chopper grocery store to get last-minute groceries for “the BEAR college girls” (Brianna, Elissa, Abby & Ruth), preparing for our 6-month trip, when a woman rushed over with her shopping cart “Paul! Paul Barner!” Marianne had been a classmate of mine in high school, 40 yrs ago. “When I saw you struggling to breathe on Facebook in January, I was sure you were a goner. But you survived!” There in the dairy aisle, Elvie & I filled Marianne in on how thousands of people (like yourself) had prayed, & God answered those prayers to not only resurrect me from the hospital bed, but also empower me through 8 months of exercise to cross the finish line in my 13th Ironman triathlon. “Just yesterday,” we continued, “we were in the Walmart parking lot when the phone rang. It was Japan Airlines. ‘Sorry, but your flight tomorrow is cancelled.’ WHAT? They’d explained that, due to covid, there is a 2-wk quarantine in Japan, & our flight itinerary from NY-NJ-MA-JP-PH would require a Japan visa, cutting off the last leg of the trip. That couldn’t happen, since Elvie’s passport would then expire.” We MUST take that flight! I had spent sixteen months planning dozens of ever-changing (due to covid outbreaks, lockdowns & re-openings) requirements, from visas to vaccinations to medical tests to car rental to prepaid quarantine hotel stay in Manila, starting October 1. Searching other airlines, I found one that decreased the travel time by 60% (18 hrs instead of 51) & left a day later. Whew! Thank you, Lord. One glitch though…the tickets were $2200 more. But then the mailman arrived. A letter from a friend down south. It had been sent a few days before, but God knew our future need. Inside the envelope was a check for $2,000! There were other exploits in the trip (like having to call from JFK in NYC to our BCA staff in the Philippines for a copy of our marriage contract, for the new visa requirements) but as always, God came through… just in time. So now I am typing this on the plane, over the Pacific Ocean. Tomorrow we begin quarantine when the plane lands. But as always, God is in control. LATER NOTE: We made it! It is Saturday. We just finished Day#1 Quarantine (of 14) in a tiny hotel room in Manila. As BCA’s Teacher Helen just taught “Austronesian Migration Theory, Wave Migration Theory, Core Population” in Davao, she also used info she’d retrieved in a week of governmental virtual seminars to get certificates in helping kids’ parents who are unable to access all the instructions for the lessons. One of the lessons taught her how to use a backup phone to call & walk thru the lessons, since internet citywide was scanty, at best. Sort of what we’d experienced on the unclear guidelines for the immigration, with half the painstaking requirements unnecessary & not needed for processing, & another half not known to be needed. But praise God for officials on-site who spent a few hours on both sides of the ocean to get us onto, & off-of the plane! Is God good? Definitely! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TH- 0 hr, 8 min, 32 sec September 23, 2021 Camp Of The Woods, Speculator, #166. C. TU- 0 hr, 5 min, 51 sec September 28, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #167. D. TH- 0 hr, 6 min, 16 sec October 1, 2021 Camp Of The Woods, Speculator, NY #168. Present Need: $300 for (installment #40 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $33,500 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 544 (56 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $0. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $100. PS- A NOTE ABOUT USING “ZELLE” FROM YOUR LOCAL BANK, TO SPONSOR YOUR STUDENT: BCA may request money from another Zelle User. BCA understands and acknowledges that Users to whom BCA sends payment requests may reject or ignore BCA’s request. In most cases, when you are sending money to another user, the transfer will occur in minutes; however, there are circumstances when the payment may take longer. The service is intended for sending money to family, friends, and others whom you trust. The current daily limit for sending money is up to $1,000.00 over any calendar day, commencing 12:00 A.M. Central Time, ending at 11:59 P.M. Central Time. Please ask your financial institution about this service, or research it online if interested. The Service is generally available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven days a week, with the exception of outages for maintenance and circumstances beyond our or Zelle’s control. There is no fee to use the Service; however, regular charges will apply to your Account(s), as applicable. Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. |
| 9/22/2021 | 1st day of Fall (Autumnal equinox) 9/22. BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: September 19: St Thomas Independent Brethren Church, Mt Pleasant Mills, Pennsylvania. September 26: Downsville, NY CMA. September 28: fly (51 hours) back to the Philippines for a 2-week quarantine, arriving in Davao October 14. Please pray for Elvie and I (Paul) as we fly back to the Philippines in less than a week (Tuesday 9/28). Travel restrictions continue to change, as well as quarantines. Praise God that the funeral of Ann-Ann, one of our key church members in Davao, truly focused on the Greatness of God. PJ, Elvie, Abby and I sang on a Facebook video, which they played at the funeral. Also praise God that a church in Arizona is planning to come out to Davao next October (2022) on a short-term missions trip to help out at our orphanage for 2 weeks. Praise God too that, when our car tire had a blowout on a Pennsylvania highway, we were not harmed when trucks whizzed past us at over 70 miles an hour. The (donut) spare tire was soft as well, so we pled with the Lord to get us to a gas station that was open at 2am, with tire sealant to spray into the tire. Praise God that, after speaking and singing at a Brethren Church this past Sunday, both young people and old came up to us afterward, telling how they too were challenged to pray for God’s work on the mission field. They also, along with a New York church on Wednesday, laid hands upon us to pray for our upcoming trip. “Son, may your years be many!” On Monday, BCA’s Teacher Diane was rushing to finish her 6th Grade class preparation early so she could head home to cook food for her son Sid’s first birthday party. “Thank you, Lord,” She prayed as she locked the door to her classroom, “for guiding me to Proverbs 9:11. I will make that the theme for the party…that Sid will be smart…for wisdom adds years to a person’s life.” Diane, like most Filipino workers, used one of her unused sick days to cook food all day Tuesday. She timed it just right so that when the other teachers punched their time cards to go on lunch break, she was waiting with Sid in her arms and a wagon load of scrumptious delicacies for them to feast upon. On Wednesday, a parent stopped by the school with a very late assignment submission. The Mom’s explanation was that the whole family had the flu, all at the same time. “You are forgiven,” she assured them. Preparing for Thursday’s lesson, Dianne suddenly set down the textbook. “Oh, how appropriate!” She told the Lord, “That you would bring before my eyes the lesson of SOLUTE & SOLVENT. For Solute can be defined as the substance that gets dissolved by the solvent in a solution, while the substance that dissolves the solute is called as the solvent. "Therefore, the solute is present in the lesser amount than the solvent. May my life and that of my boy constantly be absorbed into Your Great and Perfect will, oh Lord! May we never feel as if we are able to exist without you!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. MO- 1 hr, 6 min, 6 sec September 20, 2021 Camp Of The Woods, Speculator, NY #165. C. TH- 0 hr, 7 min, 30 sec September 16, 2021 Camp Of The Woods, Speculator, #164. Present Need: $300 for (installment #39 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $33,800 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 548 (52 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: 2021 Christmas Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $0. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $0. |
| 9/16/2021 | Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) [September 15/16]. BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: September 11 & 12: Dad’s burial Service & St John Barner Lutheran Church, Liverpool, Pennsylvania. September 19: St Thomas Independent Brethren Church, Mt Pleasant Mills, Pennsylvania. September 26: Downsville, NY CMA. Please pray for Krizza, a Bible College intern who is our new houseparent for BCA’s “Father’s House” orphanage. She is in charge of 15 children: 4 Elementary, 7 Jr High, 2 High Schoolers and 2 in Junior College. Please also pray for the new school year, with a new phase of challenges. The Department of Education (DepEd) has once again implemented a blended (distance learning) setup, including 1-print, 2-online, 3-television, & 4-radio. A combination of any two or more modalities constitutes “blended learning.” The number of students who enrolled for school year 2021-2022 has breached the 24-million mark. Every school opening is supposed to inspire hope & bring forth the means to fulfill one’s aspirations in life. Please pray for Joshua, Jayson & James, brothers whose mom Annann used to help them in their studies during the pandemic. But Annann died a few days ago, so the boys will have only their dad to help them when he gets out of work late each evening. UNICEF has warned in a report that absence of in-person learning leads to mental distress, learning loss, & heightened drop-out risks, among others, & all this in light of the fact that the Philippines & Venezuela are the only two countries in the world that have yet to resume in-person classes. “In 2020, schools globally were fully closed for an average of 79 teaching days, while the Philippines has been closed for more than a year, forcing students to enroll in distance learning modalities,” UNICEF said. Praise God that the church we spoke at this past week in Pennsylvania had a pig roast after the service to celebrate the golden anniversary of a couple in the church. It was nice to have full tummies as we headed back onto the road for the six-hour drive back to Upstate New York. Also, many of my siblings joined in serenading the couple with “I’ll Fly Away”, since they had come from hundreds of miles away anyway for our dad’s burial that Saturday. The family also sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” together on the stage during the worship service. “Whew! It is a brand-new day for You & me today, God. You & me. We got this…okay? OKAY!” BCA’s Teacher Janice gave herself her daily pep talk as she also welcomed the Lord into her prep for her 1st grade online class. Then the printer broke down. “Still with me, Lord? Remember, we do still have this aaawwwlllll under control…” A calmness rested over Janice, & then she heard the familiar hum of the printer! “Hey! It is working now! Whoah, God. Not that I doubted You or anything but…whoah God, You got my printer to work! Yeah!” Then Teacher Violeta came in the door to Janice’s classroom. “Hey! You got your printer to work!” Janice assured her fellow teacher that she had done nothing to get the printer to work, It was only God. So, Violetta brought her kindergarten papers over to Janice’s printer to get them printed as well. The two ladies together collated the worksheets from Module #1, Week 2 and, as the pages came out of the printer, the ladies chatted about their personal testimonies of how many times God had miraculously stepped-into their lives to make something work that had previously been broken (like the printer). As they completed the project, Violetta started humming. Before she knew it, since Janice recognized the tune, she sang along with Violetta, first softly, & then as the words came back to her memory, “Count your blessings, name them one by one…” They smiled, with completed, printed & stapled papers, piled high in their arms. A knowing smile came across the face of Janice as she said with a wink, "Hmm, fellow teacher Violetta, I kinda think that we have an extra, unpaid volunteer teacher in Barner Christian Academy...that being God Himself!" Amen. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TH- 0 hr, 10 min, 27 sec September 9, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #162. C. TU- 0 hr, 5 min, 46 sec September 14, 2021 Speculator, NY #163. Present Need: $300 for (installment #38 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $34,100 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 546 (54 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. BFF: Backpacks For Filipino children (filled with school needs for the kids) 600 students @ $15 each = $9,000. Raised: $0. BCA’s new Bus Garage: Sponsorship for 2022 (Geneva, NY) Ironman race. NEED: $30,000 RAISED: $0. |
| 9/9/2021 | Happy 54th Birthday, Elvie! [September 9, 1967]. 20th Patriot Day [9/11/21]. Grandparents’ Day [September 12]. Rash Hashana (Jewish New Year, 5,781 years since Creation: Happy Birthday, Universe!) [September 7, 3760 BC]. Yom Kippur (When God provided a ram for Abraham) [September 15/16]. BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: September 5: Saranac Lake, New York. September 11 & 12: Dad’s burial Service & St John Barner Lutheran Church, Liverpool, Pennsylvania. September 19: St Thomas Independent Brethren Church, Mt Pleasant Mills, Pennsylvania. Please pray for our travel arrangements getting back to the Philippines. We have reserved & paid for our 2-wk Manila quarantine hotel, but there is no guarantee that the country will not change the accepted list of hotels before our plane lands on Oct. 1. Of the CDC’s 4 levels of COVID-19 (1-low, 2-moderate, 3-high, 4-very high), the Philippines is labeled #3. Please pray also for the Philippines, during a COVID-19 outbreak in Manila which, according to the Manila Bulletin, has caused the city to remain under the 2nd-strictest coronavirus containment measures, a senior official said on Tuesday (9/7). The Philippines has among the highest number of coronavirus cases & deaths in Asia & has been battling an epidemic since March last year. Cases in the past 30 days alone accounted for more than a fifth of the country's 2.1 million cases, while total deaths have exceeded 34,400. Praise God that, this past Sunday we enjoyed a special time with the Alliance church at Saranac Lake, New York. Their bi-vocational pastor Randy leads the congregation in ministries to the community through Young Life, Crisis Pregnancy Center & also feeding dozens of high school children every single week, right there in the church before they head off to school! Praise God as well that, since I did well in the Maine Ironman triathlon (Age 60-64: #25 of 29// Overall: #1,056 of 1,200// Time: 7:44:22 of 8:30) I have registered for my 14th to be next year, in Geneva New York, on July 10, 2022. Some things that were lacking in Maine are present in NY (e.g.: buoys on right, flatter bike & run courses, warmer but not hot). Since the funds for the down payment on BCA’s 2 new buses has already been fulfilled, the payment of our no-interest loan ($30k) for the garage lot & building is recipient of funds donated for the race. Praise God that, when a fire hit the storage building of a next-door neighbor’s house in New York, spreading to nearby trees, the fire department kept it from spreading to our house, & their propane tanks & gas-powered lawn tractor did not explode. Why? Because in the Philippine Archipelago, the “ber-months” (starting with Septem-ber) initiate the Christmas holidays! Holiday cheer spread through the campus as the teachers started up their computers to prepare online lessons for the students, who would be tuned-in (or receive papers at their homes) in less than a week, for the beginning of the new school year (2021-22). From another classroom, Teacher Violeta played on her computer “Angels we have Heard on High” & like a symphonic choir in Dolby sound, the soprano, alto, tenor & bass parts wafted through the BCA campus hallways from each succeeding classroom… “GLOOOO-OOOO---RIA!” It had already been a month since Romnick had presented his teaching demo & been approved by the BCA faculty as the new teacher for 4th Grade. Now, the staff worked together so well as a cohesive unit that like a family or machine, the parts all worked well together as a unit with one purpose: to provide a QCVE (Quality, Christian, Values-based Education) for these precious hundreds of BCA students. Later that evening, on the other side of the planet in New York, Elvie was on a 3-hour Zoom meeting (it is night on one side of the planet while it is daytime on the other) to decide to accept a dozen kids from a Philippine homeschool program under the umbrella of our educational permit, as long as all the government requirements are followed. This would not have been possible before covid had forced all schools to dive into online learning. A few days later (after the weekend), classes began on 9/6. But first, Minmin gave the teacher’s devotional: “4 Rs of Christ: He Redeems, Relieves, Reassures & Reward” Romnick considered how Jesus had redeemed his work, relieved his attitude, reassured him during this first week of teaching, & rewarded him with students who were excited to be learning, even on cell phones. For Romnick had taken a class on how to make a video lesson using mobile phones for those learners unable to attend the online classes. Nearly half of the students cannot join online classes due to the lack of gadgets & internet signals. “That went well,” thought Romnick. “Now for Science lesson #2 on ‘CHANGES: Solid Materials when they are bent, pressed, hammered or cut.’ Hmmm, I should DEFINITELY keep an eye on the printer machine not jamming when I print THAT lesson!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 0 hr, 6 min, 13 sec August 31, 2021 Camp O’ the Woods: Speculator, NY #159. C. TH- 0 hr, 6 min, 6 sec September 2, 2021 Camp O’ the Woods: Speculator, NY #160. D. TU- 0 hr, 10 min, 47 sec September 7, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #161. Present Need: $300 for (installment #37 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $34,400 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 546 (54 more children waiting to be sponsored) Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 9/2/2021 | [Labor Day USA 9/6/21) [Patriot Day 9/11/21] Grandparents’ Day [September 12] Philippine National Heroes’ Day [August 30] Classes begin for SY 2021-2022 at BCA (not including ongoing tutorial & remedial classes) [9/6/21] BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: August 29: Old Orchard Beach, Maine (IRONMAN Race). September 5: Speculator, New York. September 11 & 12: Dad’s burial Service & St John Barner Lutheran Church, Liverpool, New York. Please pray for our niece who was in a car accident. She survived, but there were 2 fatalities. Please also pray, as the International UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) has stated that “The Philippines is one of the five countries in the world that have not started in-person classes since the pandemic began, affecting the right to learn of more than 27 million Filipino students,” citing the DepEd’s (Department of Education) decision to lengthen the school calendar from 200 to 220 class days. Various international assessments have ranked the Philippines the lowest in reading, math, & science. Praise God that, this past Sunday I (Paul) successfully completed my 13th Ironman 70.3-mile triathlon. Thanks for your prayers! Praise God also that a friend in New York gave $100 this week to BCA in memory of my dad. These funds, combined with the other $1,645 already donated, will be used in the Philippines to begin construction of BCA’s new “Kids’ Town” Activity Center on the second floor over the school’s gymnasium. The town will have a main street with kid’s cars, & shops with toys designed to train children in stores (classrooms) of bakery, auto shop, etc. Date of expected completion of the entire $80,000 project is 2030. $6,350 have also been given in memory of a different friend, & $5,000 of those funds will go toward construction of the kids’ bakery. The other $1,350 of these funds have already been spent to feed families who have no access to food during the pandemic. Since $900 in additional funds were also donated for this project, the Kids’ Town is only lacking $72,355 for its completion. “3RD WEEK: Yes! I can do it!” Teacher Veolita is the new kindergarten teacher at Barner Christian Academy. When classes begin next Monday, her students will have some exciting PowerPoint lectures on zoom & hand-held worksheets to draw on (delivered to their doors by our bus drivers). Three weeks ago, Violetta was nervous, but at the same time, “I am excited meet my potential new co-teachers!” Before being accepted, she needed to pass her teaching demo. Viol researched various creative learning tools to use during her online & on-site demo class. She even researched & revised some modules from the teachers in previous years. After her approval, she began her 2nd week by discussing, with the other new teachers, & having their evaluation results presented by Minmin, our “in-charge”. Viol was very happy to be part of this new family. Week three, on MONDAY: “I have a grateful heart & blessed face. Devotional time singing is such a delight! Amazing Grace! This song was my favorite in times that I feel so alone.” Then on TUESDAY: “Amazing Grace, Still I can’t forget the devotional message & song yesterday. Thank You Lord for everything you have done!” WEDNESDAY: “Amazing Love. God, You are Love & Your love always overflows in my life. I thank You, God for everything that happens me today, this wonderful morning that brought me joy & happiness. And today’s work I still continue in printing for Preschool modules week 2 & still editing my presentation in preparation for virtual class.” Meanwhile on MONDAY, on the other side of the planet in Maine (USA), the floods & winds & cold of recent Hurricanes in New England had me (Paul) concerned. The ocean water was frigid & the waves a few feet high & strong. I’d jump into the water and waves would knock me backward, shivering on the shore. “PJ,” I said, “Please understand if I cannot finish this race. My most important line to cross is not the finish line, but the starting line!” A week later, on Aug 29, my 13th 8.5-hour Ironman race began. Over the past 2 years I’d trained over 5,000 miles & laps of swimming, cycling & running in the heat & cold & early morning hours. Just after 6am, I dove into the waves. “Amazing Grace” is the first song that went through my mind as I thought through songs of the alphabet, A through Z. Twenty times I got lost on the swim route. Breathless, I considered, “Is this COVID coming back? Why can’t I breathe?” Remembering my hours & days & weeks in a hospital bed connected to hoses pumping oxygen into my lungs, I’d catch my breath & go on to the next buoy. One of the lifeguards could tell that I had a challenge finding each marker buoy (they are on the left but I breathe over my right shoulder). So, he directed me. I finished the 1.2-mile (70-minute) swim course in one hour, with 10 minutes to spare! Just under 7 hours later, after the 56-mile cycling & 13.1-mile run, I sprinted to the finish line, with explosive cheers from Elvie, who was frantically clicking off pictures! My finish was half an hour faster than my past five races! Thank YOU for praying, & thank You LORD for answering! During the run (actually it felt ok, since I paced myself), I thought, "Cross that finish line & the school has two new school buses!” Donors had pledged enough for us to pay the down payment for the two new buses, as long as I finished the race in time. The race announcer yelled, “Here comes Paul Barner, & look at how fast he is running into the finish!” I gave a hug to Elvie at the huge finish arch & re-echoed the comforting words of BCA’s Kindergarten teacher: “Amazing Grace & Amazing Love. God, You are Love & Your love always overflows in my life. I thank You, God for everything that happens me today, this wonderful day in which you have brought me joy & happiness!” From COVID Man to IRON Man! God, with Your incredible grace all things are possible! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TU- 0 hr, 3 min, 38 sec August 24, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #157. https://www.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/372987337732939/ C. TH- 0 hr, 14 min, 21 sec August 26, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #158.https://www.facebook.com/pj.the.barner/videos/544484136775810/ Present Need: $300 for (installment #36 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $34,700 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 546 (54 more children waiting to be sponsored) Triathlon bus fund (RACE: 8/29/2021): $8,131.43 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 8/26/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: August 22: Jericho, VT. August 29: Old Orchard Beach, Maine (IRONMAN Race). September 5: New York. Please pray, as this Saturday our son PJ will be starting his 12-month LIFT (Leaders in Further Training) program in Speculator, New York (Camp of The Woods). Plus, please pray that I remain string through the entire 70.3-mile triathlon race this weekend. Nearly 2,500 competitors will participate. Please also pray for BCA’s 3 new teachers, as they acclimate to the inspiring (& covid-compliant) educational environment. Praise God that, after we sang & shared at a church this past Sunday in Vermont, the congregation gave us a standing ovation! Also, we joined them for 3 inspiring baptisms at a nearby stream. “Today I am attacked by excitement!” BCA’s 2nd Grade Teacher Jezel, new to the faculty this school year, was preparing the PowerPoint for her English students. The day’s topic was “Sounds”. “Students, what sound does a clock make? Right, TICK, TICK, TICK. Now, which word that explains what you do with a lollipop, rhymes with the sound that a clock makes? LICK or LOOK AT, or GIVE AWAY? Right, LICK rhymes with TICK. And one LICK is never enough with a lemon lollipop, so you LICK, LICK, LICK, like a clock TICK, TICK, TICKS!” Even though the overcast sky had made it a GMM (Gloomy Monday Morning) in Davao City (Philippines), Jezel shone thru the gloom since her goal as a Christian teacher was to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). She’d begun by sanitized her hands & face upon arrival at the school, in her government-required face mask and face shield, first before entering the office together with her colleagues. I was reading Jezel’s online daily journal from across the ocean at Old Orchard Beach, Maine, USA. Elvie & I had visited a local church the night before for prayer meeting & shared how, when I cross the finish-line this Sunday at my 13th 70.3-mile Ironman triathlon race, we will have had enough donations for this race to pay for two new school buses which we will purchase in October when we are back in the Philippines (after 2-wks quarantine). Like the lemon lollipop, I will LICK this race (with strength form God)! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TU- 0 hr, 17 min, 26 sec August 17, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #155. C. TH- 0 hr, 17 min, 40 sec August 19, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #156. D. Message: Sunday, August 22, 2021. Rev. David Coons (James 1:12-18 “Testing our Assumptions”) & Paul Barner (Missions Moment). 1 hr, 27 min, 44 sec. Jericho Congregational Church, Jericho, Vermont. Present Need: $300 for (installment #35 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $35,000 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 545 (55 more children waiting to be sponsored) Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $8,131.43 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 8/19/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: August 15: Albany, NY (Dad’s Memorial Service). August 22: Jericho, VT. August 29: Old Orchard Beach, Maine (IRONMAN Race). Please pray as, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed cases of COVID variants Alpha, Beta, P.3 (Theta), Delta, & Lambda (a 35-yr-old pregnant woman), in the country. Pray that this will fizzle out & also will not jeopardize Elvie’s & my return to the country at the end of next month. The DOH reiterates to the public the strict adherence to the minimum public health standards, strengthened PDITR (Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate). The Manila capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities that is home to 13 million people, remains under a strict lockdown to contain the spread of Delta, while the government ramps up its vaccination drive. A key member of one of our churches died last week of COVID, as well as a few district superintendents of churches. Praise God that, even while an earthquake has devastated Haiti, one of similar magnitude hit south of Davao City in the Philippines. Since it was in the ocean, concerns about tsunamis were warned. But the quake was deep enough (40 miles) that the threat was lifted. Praise God too that, this past Sunday in Albany, New York, my father’s Memorial service was well attended (100+!) and the gospel of Salvation was clearly presented through slides, stories, & songs of his incredible life. Praise God also that a very dear college student gave almost $500 for the purchase of a new bus for BCA, through my upcoming 70.3-mile Ironman triathlon race in Maine next week. Pleas pray that I can finish the race in the allotted time of under-8.5 hours. “You guys are like my right arm! Literally, with the 2nd dose of the vaccine, my arm is sore, so I need you guys as my right arm!” When one of BCA’s teachers proved positive for COVID a month ago, the whole staff paid to get the first vaccine shot. Now it is a month later, so time for the next shot. Since classes will begin in a few weeks, new teachers are replacing some who have gone on to “greener pastures” at better paying public schools. As each new applicant was considered, teaching demonstrations were scheduled. Helen is the fifth-grade teacher &, while watching the new teachers perform, remembered fondly her own demo when she came into the school last year. While everyone was a stranger back then, they are now almost like family. Helen was kind in grading them. All three passed with flying colors & were welcomed after they signed their contracts. Helen helped then set up Zoom accounts to start preparing for the new school year. In a way, she was their “right arm”. Next was the day-to-day calendar for the year. By setting this up, Helen was avoiding the possibility of overlooking some of the many important dates that would come up, like Teacher Appreciation Day or the school’s Christmas Presentation. Monday’s Teacher’s Devotional was on Psalm 27; to wait patiently on the Lord, confident that He will strengthen you. Helen noticed that the bonds were getting stronger with each of the new teachers. Every day they’d learn new things about each other. In a way, she reflected the kindness of Christ to these new teachers. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TU- 0 hr, 10 min, 9 sec August 10, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #153. C. TH- 0 hr, 9 min, 6 sec August 12, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #154. D. 700 CLUB INTERVIEW OF Paul & Elvie (with actors & animation): “God Reunites Lovers | Paul and Elvie Love Story” 0 hr, 3 min, 43 sec. Aired on Jul 10, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfXCDRR01dc E. Message #1: Sunday, August 15, 2021. Perry jones from Albany City Rescue Mission (Luke 8:40-48 “Traveling with jesus, Rescuing the Lost”) and Dawn Sessler from WMHR, Syracuse. 1 hr, 17 min, 28 sec. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpP3K1qH7ds F. Message #2: Sunday, August 15, 2021. “Make Me A Blessing” (Philippians 2:12-16) Albany, NY (Pineview Community Church) Dad’s Memorial Service. 2 hr, 10 min, 55 sec. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiXeZ3AratM Present Need: $300 for (installment #34 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $35,300 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 545 (55 more children waiting to be sponsored) Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $8,131.43 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 8/12/2021 | Dad’s Aug 15 Memorial Service Invitation: https://misterb.carrd.co/ BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: August 8: Washington, DC. August 15: Albany, NY (Dad’s Memorial Service). August 22: Jericho, VT. Please pray that the 2-week Philippine 13 million-person Manila-lockdown will successfully halt the recent four-month daily high (10,623) in new cases. This includes nearly 500 highly-contagious Delta variant virus cases, which brought the number of confirmed coronavirus cases to 1.64 million, approaching 29 thousand deaths. Praise God that the Davao City Fire Department has inspected & approved the Barner Christian Academy for another year in time for the submission of the school’s annual permit. Praise God too that, this past Sunday at Washington, DC the “Missions Moment” we gave & the uplifting songs that our kids sang, placed people in the mindset of global evangelization. While in the capitol city of the USA, we also had the privilege of being toured by our well-informed friend Tom at The Smithsonian Institution & also The Thomas Jefferson Memorial (plus viewing in passing, Congress, The White House, The Library of Congress, the Lincoln Memorial & Washington Monument). “66 pages!” BCA’s 6th-Grade Teacher Hazel submitted her 2-week notice that she was leaving us (after 8 yrs!) to teach in public school. Yet loving her students, she made sure to give each one the attention they needed to pass into 7th Grade. But when she received her last set of online lessons from the Department of Education (DepEd), she had to condense 66 pages of lessons into 5! Added to that, it was her most challenging subject: Algebra! The Monday-morning Teacher’s Weekly Devotional introduced 4-Rs of Christianity: Receive Christ, Resemble Christ, Represent Christ & Reign with Christ. This emphasized the 3-Ps of: Prayer to God, Praising God & Holding onto the Promises of God. Hazel muttered under her breath, “& a fourth P: lean upon God when Projects (like Algebra) become difficult!” Leaning on God’s strength, Hazel brought her laptop computer home & told her family: “This corner of the house is mine tonight. I am a hermit until I understand this subject of Algebraic Expression & Equations!” & to herself, “Patience, I need patience…” “My brain is full of formulas!” exclaimed Hazel. She then read, “Is this an expression or an equation? [J + 35 = 60]” Okay, I have a 50-50% chance of getting this right. It has an equals sign, so it must be an equation. She pressed the button, & sure enough, she was correct! “Oh,” thought Hazel, “will this become beyond the ability of my brain to process? Let’s try the next one” [5 (h+9)] “Now, there is no equals sign, so it must be an expression…” CORRECT AGAIN! Although Hazel would rather do something easier like “Finding the areas of Composite Figures” or “the Science of Sound Energy,” she dove into creating the lesson. She made an answer key so that once the notebooks were submitted after she taught the lesson, she could check them faster. “Hang on, my dear printer. You’ll find rest soon,” she consoled, as she copied hundreds of pages for the lesson. Then she contacted the parents. They preferred an evening lesson, since most were at work during the day & they wanted to supervise their kids. It was Thursday, Hazel’s second-to-last day. Since the lesson was interactive, the students roared with laughter when Hazel’s question “Do you know the meaning of “Log” [as in logging-in to a lesson] was answered by, “LOG is slow internet connection”. She corrected him in pronunciation between LAG & LOG. Just before Hazel’s farewell party on Friday, she photocopied the report cards of the students, to give the original to the DepEd, a copy to the parents & one to each student’s sponsor. The students had done such a fine job, that Hazel attached certificates of award to each card. “Thank you, Lord,” Hazel presented in her farewell speech Friday afternoon. “By sending me to be part of this BCA institution for eight years, God has allowed me to Resemble & Represent Christ before hundreds of 6th graders, some of whom now already have children of their own!” Hazel continued, “My last Algebra project is finished & now I am praising God for the more pleasant memories which we’ve made & shared to be treasured forever…” And as a postscript, she added, “By the way, a short quiz: if 8 years of teaching at BCA plus x years before retirement equals 40 years of work, is it an equation or an expression?” The blank stares she received all broke into smiles & bursts of laughter as she responded, “Either way, God’s got it all under control…so HE gets an A+!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TH- 0 hr, 6 min, 9 sec August 5, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #152. C. Message: Sunday, August 8, 2021. Rev Wallace: “The Church”. Rev Barner: “Missions Moment: Fire in my Bones” (Jeremiah 20:9) [yet to be posted] Washington, DC: Washington International Church. Present Need: $300 for (installment #33 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $35,600 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 542 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,706.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 8/5/2021 | [Dad’s Memorial service Invitation: https://misterb.carrd.co/] BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: August 1: Valley Cottage, NY. August 8: Washington, DC. August 15: Albany, NY (Dad’s Memorial Service). Please pray that the Davao City Fire Department will quickly inspect our Barner Christian Academy, since COVID lockdowns have caused a shift in the month of graduation and therefore the timing of the fire permit’s annual renewal overlaps with the Philippine’s new educational calendar. Praise God that, although the drop-out (chain-shifter fork-end derailleur) broke again a few days ago, on my TREK triathlon bicycle, my brother Steve has agreed to let me borrow his Serotto bike for the upcoming Ironman race in Maine on August 29. Also a friend just today told me he was going to send additional funds for the bus which the school needs, and for which I am competing n the Ironman. Praise God also that the United States recently delivered around 3.2 million doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the Philippines. The pandemic aid given by the US to the Philippines has so far amounted to P1.38 billion ($27.5 million) based on the information from the US Embassy in Manila. Praise God too that, this past Sunday at Valey Cottage, NY, the church family was very kind. PJ & Abby also led the worship team in songs before the message. “Charvin, please open your camera!” BCA’s Teacher Angel hardly ever saw this 4th grader’s face, since he often left the camera turned off. But that was ok. At least she knew he was there, and he even answered her questions as soon as she called on him via Zoom. Graduation Day was quickly approaching, and Angel had to calculate the grades of her 30 students. After printing her final modules for delivery to her students, Angel helped her fellow teachers to print, collate and staple their final exams for delivery to the homes of the kids. Sighing to finally be able to rest, Angel opened her Bible to 1 Corinthians 13; the characteristics of love. Since God is the Author of love, to really understand love, we need to study God. God’s love is patient & kind…oh, how Angel had to practice patience with not only her students, but also the kids’ parents. A few claimed they had not received the corrected notebooks in time for their kids to finish the next lessons. But they were just trying to cover up the fact that their kids had procrastinated in doing their assignments at all. Angel brought a heavy bag home, filled with those notebooks which she hadn’t gotten-to while on the BCA campus. This night she would be burning the midnight oil to finalize the grades of her students. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Ben, one of BCA’s bus drivers, was there with bags & bags of food! Oh, how excited Angel was! Since the COVID lockdowns have been unpredictably on-and-off, Elvie & I sent funds to the school to buy over a thousand dollars’ worth of rice, noodles, eggs & meat, to give to each employee of the school. “Oh Lord,” Angel prayed a bit later, as she ate her dinner of noodles, eggs & rice, “I am so content in Your love. You knew exactly what I needed. Tomorrow as I clean out my “cubicle” & desk for the summer, throwing away the papers no longer needed, I will cherish within my heart the warm thoughts that when I talk with You, your camera is always turned on & I can see your lovely Face in the eyes of special people in my life!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 0 hr, 6 min, 42 sec July 27, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #149, Part 2. C. TH- 0 hr, 21 min, 2 sec July 29, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #150. D. TU- 0 hr, 19 min, 37 sec August 3, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #151. E. BCA Graduation virtual 2021 0 hr, 6 min, 38 sec July 30, 2021 Davao City, Philippines F. Message: Sunday, August1, 2021 “Welcome Them Home” (Luke 15:11-32) 1 hr, 16 min, 46 sec. Valley Cottage, NY: Community Bible Church. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLVQ7kKuB2k&t=113s Present Need: $983 for Water Line Parts, Materials for Repair of Stage Riser, Insurance of BCA Bus C, Repair & Maintenance for BCA bus Fi, N, L, Ph & M. # of students sponsored at BCA: 542 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,706.24 received of $20,000 needed |
| 7/29/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: July 25: Andover, NY. August 1: Valley Cottage, NY. August 8: Washington, DC. Please pray for the Delta Variant of the COVID-SARS virus to diminish so that our flight back to Davao (9/28) will not be cancelled, and so that my Ironman Race in Maine (8/29) will not be postponed, and that my father’s New York memorial service (8/15) will go as planned. Dad’s service will be intentionally evangelistic in nature, with the theme, “Make Me a Blessing”. Praise God that the Philippines, for the first time in history, has won a gold medal in the Olympics! 30-year-old Hidilyn Diaz became her country's first-ever Olympic gold medalist on Monday, winning the women's 55 kg category for weightlifting a combined weight of 224 kg (an Olympic record) at Tokyo 2021. Praise God also that the Philippine Department of Health has finally released a travel document for Elvie, preparing for our flight back across the Pacific Ocean at the end of September. Once arriving in Manila, we will be quarantined for half a month before being allowed to head-on to the last 2 hours of our trip. Praise God for the successful rendition of "Faith" which PJ and Abby sang at church this past Sunday. The fast-moving, upbeat song lyrics were written by my brother Phil, who is the pastor of the church. “Amieza, what volume of measurement would you use to fill a bucket with water from the stream to wash my clothes?” Teacher Helen was pleased when her 5th-grade student responded with “Liters, Teacher Helen”. “Amieza, could you take a video of you getting water from a stream, to share with your classmates?” This fifth grader is very adroit at taking videos with her mom’s cell phone, so she agreed immediately. The next day began with Helen’s reading from Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” She leaned on this verse a lot as each student’s report card required a complicated calculation of the percentage of absences based on the revised school calendar, adjusted by COVID stay-home orders. She’d just finished her project when the class’s Zoom meeting began. Amieza was so excited about her homework assignment, that she seemed to nearly leap out of the screen to give it. In the video, she headed down to the stream, which was at flood stage due to it being rainy season. She narrated as she dipped her one-liter plastic Coke bottle into the water. But the class gasped as the stream tore the bottle out of her hand and she chased it down the stream. This repeated itself twice before she was able to get the bucket filled. Adjusting according to the number of times she filled the bucket, she declared, “My three-liter bucket took a total of five liters of water from the stream to fill!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TH- 0 hr, 12 min, 7 sec July 22, 2021 Lenox, Massachusetts #149. C. Message: Sunday, July 25, 2021 “Welcome Them Home” (Luke 15:11-32) 1 hr, 21 min, 10 sec. Andover, New York Andover Alliance Church. https://www.facebook.com/AndoverAllianceChurch/videos/980247122829102 Present Need: $300 for (installment #32 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $35,900 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 542 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,706.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 7/22/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: July 18: Albany, NY. July 25: Andover, NY. August 1: Valley Cottage, NY. Please also pray for Elvie to be able to accompany me to the Philippines at the end of September. While we have taken care of her passport challenge, there is now question on whether the consulate will be able to process her Travel Health Clearance in time for the flight. Praise God that 4 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against COVID. The Philippines received 2.7 million additional vaccines on July 16. Praise God too that a dear friend in Pennsylvania this week shipped a box to the Philippines with books & flannelgraphs inside for our BCA students. The day that she had been about to give the books away to another charity, was the same day that she learned where she could get a box & shipper to ship from for BCA. The other charity only wanted preschool books, so she gave the rest to us: series books and homeschool curriculum by Christian authors. Praise God also that a New York friend donated $100 to BCA for a new school bus, based on my reaching the finish line in the August Ironman race in Maine. “Everyone in the country must wear a face mask & a full-coverage face shield when in public!” The Philippine government’s mandate is also accompanied by additional requirements during this pandemic. The present categories for quarantine classifications are: 1. MECQ: Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine [including Davao], 2. GCQ: General Community Quarantine (sometimes with heightened restrictions) and 3. MGCQ: Modified General Community Quarantine. And this is what Elvie & I plan to fly back to in two months. Meanwhile in New York & along most of the USA’s Eastern Seaboard, fully-vaccinated adults are not required to wear masks. This might change, due to the ever-increasing surge in cases of the “Delta Variant”. Also, time will tell if my upcoming 70-mile triathlon race will still be held at the end of next month in Maine. “RHAEN, last month, in June, in Math we showed, described & recognized HALF & QUARTER OF A WHOLE. Everybody got perfect scores on the quiz! If I had taught this to you half a year earlier, what month would that have been?” Janice knew that in combining two subjects in a question, she’d have to be sure & soften the blow by reminding Rhaen that there are twelve months in a year. “ZACH & LUKE, God is greater than the greatest, & higher than the highest. So therefore, I am encouraging you to always study harder. God will help you through since He knows everything! Our class average grades are lower this quarter than the one previous. Please recite together the five days in the week when we study for classes.” Of course, this implied that every class-day they will study. “JAPHETH & ALEXA, yesterday we learned about Obedience & Respect. In remedial reading class, we saw videos teaching SLMs (Self-Learning Materials). Since it was remedial, there were lots of extra further study bonus lessons. Please each tell me (Alexa first) which bonus questions you chose.” She further requested they start on Sunday, reciting the days of the week and stopping on the day the assignment was turned in. “JAYWARD JOHANNA & SAVANNAH, with God’s strength we will continue doing our job well, even in the midst of Covid. A few months ago in English Class, we predicted possible endings in a story. We were all excited and participated during the lesson. We recently had many floods throughout the city due to heavy rains. Supppose your home was flooded. Please tell the class what important things you would save from the muddy waters and what you would leave behind.” They were told to go through the months of the year & tell which month each destroyed item could be replaced from the very messy, dirty, muddy and smelly mess. A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA B. TU- 0 hr, 10 min, 19 sec July 16, 2021 International Barner Headquarters Rensselaer, NY #147. C. Th- 0 hr, 8 min, 1 sec July 20, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #148. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3cOtN7XS9U&list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA&index=147 D. Message: Sunday, July 18, 2021 “Be an Encourager” (Acts 11:19-26) 1 hr, 35 min, 48 sec. Albany, NY Pineview Community Church https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5jtyozya74 Present Need: $1,170 for repair of Printer, Government annual Registration of buses Fi & Ph, Repair & Maintenance of Buses L, F, N, M & Ph. # of students sponsored at BCA: 542 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,706.24 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 7/15/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: July 4: Rome, NY. July 11: Hoosick Falls, NY. July 18: Albany, NY. July 25: Andover, NY. Please pray for Elvie’s passport renewal before our scheduled September flight. Otherwise, we will have to delay our return overseas until January, 2022. Praise God that Elvie was elected to a Davao Philippine District Executive Committee (DEXCOM) volunteer board specializing in Christian Education/Youth in Davao City. She took her oath of office via zoom call while at family Bible camp in Upstate New York on 7/8/21. “I have some good news & some bad news. Which do you want first?” After spending six hours online & on the phone with the Philippine consulate, I finally came to the conclusion that, since Elvie’s passport expires in November, she needs it renewed before we leave in September. Problem: renewal requires an in-person interview & all slots are booked solid until mid-October (after our airline tickets expire). Enter: the Consulate itself. “Is this an emergency?” emailed the consulate. “Yes. Elvie is the BCA school principal & must be present to renew the annual permit.” We are now praying & waiting for a favorable response from the NYC office. Meanwhile on the other side of the globe, BCA’s 2nd- Grade Teacher Shela was also emailing us. “Thank you so very much! While we were homebound due to covid, you sent us rice, meat, eggs & other groceries! We all feel so very loved!” BCA’s faculty were each quarantined at-home due to one of the teachers contracting covid. Shela was reminiscing about her days in class online just before she was sent home (most homes have no internet, so teaching via Zoom off-campus was often not possible). “Students,” she had said, “let’s study lapsed time. If you start paniudto (lunch) at noon & end at 1pm, how many minutes have lapsed?” “Sixty, Teacher Shela. But you asked the wrong question!” Shela was a tad curious about Micah’s challenge, so she took the bait. “Why, what is the real question?” “During paniudto, if Papa starts praying for the food at noon & my little sister Jane sneaks her hand over to my plate at 12:05 to steal my bico (sweet rice) while my eyes are closed, how long will it take me to grab it back?” Hmm…let’s go back to New York, while Shela figures out the answer. July 6, 2021 (Tuesday) was Elvie’s & my silver wedding anniversary. PJ & Abby had a surprise awaiting us: a 13-clue treasure hunt with each clue leading to another phase in our relationship. Three very special clues though were 1) in the exact seat (in the 7th row) that I was in at the Youth Tab at Delta Lake Bible Camp, when I was ten years old, & God spoke to me, telling me I was to become a missionary to the Philippines when I grew up. 2) When we were seated at a cottage as a pastor friend came out the door in his Sunday best to renew our vows (while singing!) 3) headed on down to the camp’s boat dock to represent our travelling around the world with the Gospel. The camp’s pontoon boat was waiting to cruise Elvie & I (with other passengers) across the lake while PJ & Abby serenaded us on the ukulele with Christian love songs. Halfway across the lake, the boat stopped & we were given flowers to place in the water, as we prayed out loud for each other. Little did we realize that three of the passengers on the boat were not from the camp. They were neighbors who just wanted to join the boat ride! Wow, how many minutes lapsed before those ladies could feel God tugging on their heartstrings to join this exciting & loving, worldwide family of believers! Hopefully just about as few seconds as it took Micah to get his bico back! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 0 hr, 21 min, 36 sec July 6, 2021 (Our 25th anniversary) Rome, NY #144. C. TU- 0 hr, 14 min, 17 sec July 8, 2021 Delta Lake Bible Camp, Rome, NY #145. D. TH- 0 hr, 2 min, 35 sec July 12, 2021 BCA’s Father’s House Orphanage Kids: E. TU- 0 hr, 5 min, 48 sec July 13, 2021 Rensselaer, NY #146. F. Message: Sunday, July 11, 2021 “Our Deliverer” (Daniel 3:16-25) 1 hr, 55 min, 5 sec. Hoosick Falls, NY Alliance Church https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61kF0ubh56A G. FLASHBACK: 7 videos from Albany Medical Center Hospital, with Covid-19: Present Need: $300 for (installment #31 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $36,200 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 532 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 7/8/2021 | Happy 25th (Silver) Anniversary to Elvie & Me! (7/6/96) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: June 24 & 27: Pinehurst, NC. June 30: New Hope, PA. July 4: Rome, NY. July 11: Hoosick Falls, NY. Please pray for my (Paul’s) Ironman race (8/29) in Maine. It has a glitch, since the registration has been transferred twice (CT-ME-ME). They said the glitch has been taken care of, but my name is still not yet on the athlete participation listing of 3,000 competitors. Also please pray that I will be able to get a visa to travel back to the Philippines a few weeks after my race. Praise God that hundreds of children’s books were donated by friends along our speaking this past week through through Florida, North & South Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey. Praise God as well that the Philippine Department of Education has finally come up with three possibilities, in the adjusted school calendar, for the reopening date of the new school year, after present classes have ended on July 10: August 23, September 6 or 13, once they have presidential approval. Praise God too that generous friends donated (through Facebook) over $400 in honor of PJ’s birthday. These funds will be used in the new BCA preschool room. “Food! Blessed, glorious food!” When BCA’s Teacher Jovi came down with covid, the teachers had to quarantine at home for a week. Elvie & I, back in New York, authorized our treasurer to buy a ton of rice & other food items to be delivered to the homes of our faculty. Working now from home, the teachers still sent to their students their lessons via online Zoom and worksheets. These students also were being followed-up by the BCA secretaries who are gathering letters & pictures to send to the sponsors. “Dear Sponsor,” wrote Chris, “I am so lucky to have you. Please pray that I too inspire more kids to be helped like what you did for me.” As the students were formulating their letters back in early May, the five of us (Paul, Elvie, PJ, Abby & Briana) we about to head out on the road for our 6,000-mile speaking tour. I had sent a letter to Beryl, a friend who has always been a sweet grandmother figure for our kids. “Hi! We plan to pass through New Jersey on our way back home from our southern trek and would love to see you!” Almost immediately, this dear sweet woman responded, “Hi Paul, I’d love to see you. I’m marking my calendar right now! I just can’t wait. In the meantime, consider yourselves genuinely loved and most welcome.” Elated, I informed the kids and hinted to Beryl, “Awesome. It'll be the day after PJ's 24th birthday. He'll love seeing one of his favorite people in the universe!” Back in the Philippines, a small disappointment, as Lloyd, a student who recently moved away, was being replaced for his sponsor by another child, RJ. Lloyd had enjoyed visiting the BCA music room, which had been partially paid for by Beryl when her daughter had died of cancer, over a decade ago. Rizza is another student who wrote to her sponsor, “I praise God for His goodness. He never leaves me, by my side. He stays me health and keeps me safe all through this year and also for my family.” We were just about to end our furlough travels and the kids were in anticipation as we pulled into Beryl’s driveway. Something was wrong. I could feel it. The grass was liong. She walys had the neighbor boy cut her grass. “Oh Lord, have you really taken Beryl to heaven?” I knocked on the door and an unfamilliar face appeared at the door. “Oh. I guess you haven’t heard. A week after Beryl sent you her message of welconme, she had a stroke and passed into heaven.” Hmmm. Dissapointment. The kids joined me on the invitaiton to enter the house. Beryl’s neice gave us one of her daughter Janet’s drawings. It was perfect: a bird singing. It will go on the wall of the music room which was built with funds in her memory. Back to Rizza’s note: “But as this quarantine has gone on, I think we have come to appreciate that the most important things in life are at home with us, and ultimately we have everything we truly need through our almighty God. MAY God shower you with strength and truly bless you. Love, Rizza.” We will miss Beryl. Yet the ministry goes on, even without this loving prayer warrior. And years from now, children will look at that wall, of the Janet K Music room, and see the cheerful bird in the picture continue to challenge them to sing out God’s praises. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: Present Need: $614.34 for houseparent assistant in orphanage, Cloth for Christian flag, Repair & Maintenance of BCA Buses Ph, N, Fi & L # of students sponsored at BCA: 529 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 7/1/2021 | Happy 245th Independence Day, USA! (7/4/1776) Happy 24th Birthday, PJ! (6/29/1997), Happy 1st Day of Summer (6/20/21) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: June 20: Bishopville, SC. June 24 & 27: Pinehurst, NC. June 30: New Hope, PA. July 4: Rome, NY. July 11: Hoosick Falls, NY. Please pray for our Barner Christian Academy (BCA) elementary school in the Philippines. Our 3rd grade teacher has Covid & as a result some of the faculty & staff have to be quarantined at home; working online. Since some of the employees are already safe from Covid, they are receiving the modules emailed-in from those working at home, then printing them & sending them to homes via the BCA bus drivers. Praise God that, while driving along the Southeastern USA coast, we stopped at gas station, which had a very good price ($2.55/gallon) & we got their last drop of gas- that manager afterward labeled all pumps as “out of gas”. Then tragedy struck. A third of BCA’s staff & faculty fell under quarantine. BCA’s 3rd-grade teacher Jovey had tested positive for Covid. As a result, Helen was one of the teachers who had to stay home under quarantine. Here was the leverage she needed. Once home, she messaged the parents of her students to ask why the tests were delayed. “Wela just needs 2 more hours!” The excuse was used over & over, from Wela, from Queenie, from Alexa, from Felix, & the list went on & on. By Friday, all 14 of the missing 14 tests were in! Whew, God works in strange & mysterious ways. Meanwhile on the other side of the planet in South Carolina, PJ, Elvie, Abby, Briana & I stopped at a sale-stand on the side of the road, between speaking engagements in SC & NC. “Y’all dunn gotta trahy this dadgum great BBQ sauce. Well I declare, it’s fixin ta be good on evurthun from a mouthful of seekaydahs ta pork. But that don’t amount to a hill a’ beans if y’all can’t never could take it home with yuh.” Since the salesman was so comfortable with his southern accent & we were newbies at this beautiful melodious dialect, we could not resist buying a bottle of the sauce. He even let us taste samples of it. Since we took a while to figure out whether to get the mustard or tomato flavor, he continued his pitch. “Bless yer little hearts. All-y’all gots hung on the size an’ price? If I have my druthers, I reckon I gots yer answer over yonder in the back room. Franny, can yuh get the littler one for these precious northerners, if the creek don’t rise first? Ain’t she purdy as a peach?” Needless to say, we got the smaller-sized, mustard-flavored one! And slopped a dop of it on the jerky we made from deer venison given to us by a generous huntress at the next incredibly wonderful church we spoke at. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: Present Need: $614.34 for houseparent assistant in orphanage, Cloth for Christian flag, Repair & Maintenance of BCA Buses Ph, N, Fi & L. # of students sponsored at BCA: 528 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 6/24/2021 | Happy Father’s Day (6/20/21) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: June 16: Jacksonville, FL. June 20: Bishopville, SC. June 24 & 27: Pinehurst, NC. June 30: New Hope, PA. July 4: Rome, NY. Please pray for the many on our BCA staff who are helping their neighbors clean up from the recent Davao City floods. Many families have lost precious personal belongings which were destroyed by the muddy waters. Praise God as well for fantastic people and churches we have met this past week in Florida, Georgia, & South Carolina! “Sabrina, half of your homework was done perfectly, & the other half not so good. Did somebody help you?” The little black-haired 4th grader answered, “No, Teacher Angel. Nobody helped me with my homework.” Teacher Angel, knowing that the “bad” half of Sabrina’s homework was done in an entirely different style than usual, tried to re-word the question. “Hmm, did you do ALL of your homework on your own?” On the Zoom call, Sabrina squirmed in her seat a bit at this new wording. “Well, not necessarily. I did my half & my mom did the other half.” Then she added her “justification” with, “But even though they did half of my homework themselves, Papa & Mama let me do my own half all on my own…so they didn’t really help!” On Father’s Day weekend, since Teacher Angel understood the desire for parents to see their kids succeed, this loving & caring teacher took the opportunity to write a note & include it in with the worksheets to each of her 30 students: “Dear students & parents, thank you for getting your assignments done on-time. However, when you work on the projects, please be sure that the handwriting is completely done from the hand of my student. Like God the Father does, we want to work with our kids in their studies. “Yet God also directs us to use our own hands to obey His plan to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, & so forth. Let us be God’s servants to the world and let your child use his or her own hands to do Math, Science & Artwork. Respectfully yours, Teacher Angel, 4th Grade @ BCA” Meanwhile on the other side of the planet in South Carolina, USA, PJ, Abby, Brianna, Elvie & I were driving hundreds of miles from our dozens of speaking/singing engagements in Florida. Arriving at our destination, we settled-in with our luggage. PJ said, “GRATITUDE CHECK.” Abby began her response with, “I am so thankful for the incredible people we met & stayed with in Florida!” One by one, we each thanked God for traveling mercies (including a quarter-million-mile car). It wasn’t until we’d hit the 4,000-mile mark on this trip a day later when I had yet added another “gratitude item” which assured us all… “I am so very thankful that…I found my blue sneaker!” Driving through 13 states & thousands of miles (and many thrift stores), items get lost. PJ was wearing flip flops since I had to borrow his red sneakers (which had been handed down from me, three years ago). Now, all was back to normal…kinda. “But now I only have one flip flop…” Oops. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA Present Need: $553 for Faucet for school kitchen, Spare parts for aircons, Electrical materials, Materials for repair of fire exit doors, Repair and maintenance of BCA buses: Bus N, M, L, Fi, Ph # of students sponsored at BCA: 528 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 6/17/2021 | JUNE 12- PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: June 13: Orlando, FL. June 16: Jacksonville, FL. June 20: Bishopville, SC. June 24 & 27: Pinehurst, NC. Please pray for the Philippine Government Department of Education to speed up their release of raw data for the modules that the teachers have to revise for their students. Covid lockdowns have slowed down the government’s production of educational materials, and as a result, it means the teachers have got to scurry to get the lessons revised and prepared and printed and also for PowerPoints to be created for the zoom classes. Please also pray fpor the thousands of residents in Davao City who are temporarily homeless as they clean up the deep mud from this week’s heavy rainfall: over 20 inches in less than 24 hours! Praise God for the Teacher’s devotional of BCA’s Teacher Shela last week, from Hebrews 12: Praise God as well for the delightful people we have met, as well as the good running of our very old minivan through these thousands of miles, while traveling & speaking this past week in churches in Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida… as well the great deals we have gotten in second-hand thrift stores! “Give me a fraction less than 1” BCA’s Teacher Shela waited on her 2nd graders as they communicated with her online. The pupils gave their best to answer all the activities that she had prepared for them. They proved very attentive and participative in their discussion. Some had even worn their school uniforms, even though they were just online from home. She herself however felt a little like a “fraction less than one” today, and even a little woozy. After the class was over, and her students signed-off (those who were able to join the Zoom mtg), she reached for the stack of modules from the students who couldn’t be on Zoom, due to lack of electricity, cell phones or laptop computers. It was a heavy stack of Papers, and when she reached for them, as well as the Art and Health subjects, her arms, legs and back began to itch terribly. Dizziness took over as she reached across the desk, and she woke up ten minutes later lying on the floor. Two of her fellow teachers had heard the thump of her fall and rushed over to fan her. As BCA’s nurse Lucy evaluated Shela’s symptoms, she explained that German measles had attacked Shela, and she was assured a week’s break from teaching. As she was leaving the building, she assured her fellow staff that God was gracious to have protected her from hitting anything when she fell, and also that she could now do her work from home instead of on campus. The fresh air at home is also comforting, since in the hot climate, she is otherwise indoors and has to wear a jacket to keep from scratching her arms and legs, making it hard to focus. “Lord, You are the one who gives courage and makes a way when there seems to be no way! Thank You Lord, for the strength and, in advance, for healing me, as I know that You will!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLItygvjoq26Ect13SsSOTweW7ZTbCUMSA Present Need: $701 for Spare parts for airconditioners, cement & sand for additional steps at San Lorenzo St, Repair & repainting of 2nd floor exit doors, Electrical supplies (fluorescent bulbs, electrical tape, etc), Repair & maintenance of BCA buses: -Bus B (Battery charge), F, Ph, Fi, N, L, & M. # of students sponsored at BCA: 526 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 6/10/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: June 6: Crestwood, KY. June 8: Ft Myers, FL. June 13: Orlando, FL. June 16: Jacksonville, FL. June 20: Bishopville, SC. Please pray for Filipinos who have been caught in Typhoon (Tropical Depression) Dante’s potential path of devastation through to its outer rainbands with isolated to scattered flooding, including flash floods, & rain-induced landslides due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels. Also, a new low-pressure area is also being monitored near the Philippines. Praise God that our son PJ has just been notified by the Navient student loan association that he has made his final & full payment & no longer has student loans. Praise God also that the BCA students have just finished their third quarter & the faculty members are now computing grades. Praise God for sending Brianna, a pastor’s kid from Upstate New York, to accompany our family’s 6-week, 5,000 mile speaking tour to interpret with sign language & also to celebrate her 19th birthday with us, while on the road. Praise God for a delightful pastor’s conference that we attended in Nashville, Tennessee this past week. “Dear Sponsor, God’s love is the greatest of all.” JR’s letter to his sponsor enhanced my accompanying “President’s comment” card which accompanied it, stating “You are creating a major step of confidence in the life of this future leader…changing the world, one child at a time.” Kristyl also reiterated JR’s comment with, “While I pray you have a healthy body, I also am happy that God has guided you to sacrifice taking your wife out to eat on a date at a restaurant and making a wonderful memory… so that you could pay for my education. What love! What better way to show your spouse how deep is your love for her…” Kristyl went on, saying “Friendships are lifelong. While I have no BF [boyfriend] on Facebook, I have learned from you that happiness comes from helping others, not just having others tell me how great or pretty I am.” Finally, she added a postscript of “By the way, if you still want to go on that date, the Philippines is a pretty place to visit…that is all I have to say… I know it is little but I hope you like it.” Brief appreciative comments from others kids ranged: [from Airesh] “Thank you so much for you.” [to Kyen] “Thank God for creating a sponsor like you” [to Silane] “As I am so blessed that you are my sponsor, may God shower back upon you additional blessings and also to protect you.” [to Melody] “I am praying for your good health always” [& James] “Thank you for praying for my family to be safe during the pandemic.” “The whole world,” [penned Michael] “is under a pandemic crisis. And yet you, touched by God Himself, You, loving sponsor that you are, you, continue to support me. Thank you for your big big love.” [Michael’s comment was reiterated by cute little Rizza, with] “you never leave me & stay by my side, keeping me safe all through this year, & also for my family. Yet the quarantine has continued. Staying home, we appreciate the most important things like family & food & togetherness. Sometimes we have no food. Sometimes we are lonely, but ultimately we have everything we truly need though our Almighty God.” Julia said, “You have chosen to reserve a very special, place in your heart, just for me. I am a Filipino & many Filipinos are not very big. So, there is room in there for me to grow!” [Mytreakyl] With ALL my heart, thanks for yoru generosity [Sophia] “Stay really healthy for a long time, so that one day I can save up to meet you someday.” [Derek] “Whoah. Talk about generosity! Even as you have been full to overflowing with generosity & kindness, even so may your day be filled to overflowing with joy, love & kindness.” [Xyryl] “How are you? I am very happy to write this letter. Sometimes, I read the letters you sent me. Even as God loves me through you, I pray that God makes you strong through me. Thank you verrry much you are verrry supportive & loving to me.” And finally, John wraps up all the comments with his concise note to his sponsor. “If ever I finish my studies, it is because of you and your support or me. Our day here is full of sweetness because I wish you were here on this blessed day.” How incredible that these kids lives are being transformed positively for the next many decades by people they may never see in this life. What love. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong masterlink: B. TU- 11 min, 44 sec June 1, 2021 C . TH- 6 min, 40 sec May 27, 2021 D. Message: Wednesday, June 2, 2021 “Rise Up!” (John 11:37-45) 0 hr, 27 min, 13 sec. Present Need: $543 for Davao City engineers office annual inspection: Building fee, Renewal of signage permit & electrical fee, and also Repair of Aircons- spare parts, Repair and maintenance of BCA Buses: Bus Fi, N, L, Fo & M. # of students sponsored at BCA: 526 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 6/3/2021 | Happy Memorial Day, USA! (5/31) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: May 30: Bloomington, IN. June 2: Nashville, TN. June 6: Crestwood, KY. June 8: Ft Myers, FL. June 13: Orlando, FL. Please pray for our BCA staff overseas. They are actively seeking out qualified teachers and a licensed librarian for the next school year. Praise God that our speaking at Poughkeepsie Alliance Church recently went well. Their church had a bad fire a year ago, so they meet temporarily in a Reformed Church nearby. Our son PJ helped the tech crew to adapt our background accompaniments in audio & visual to that in the Reformed Church. "👍" Klanenz was asked by BCA’s Teacher Angel, in the chatline, what his response was in one of the discussions. She expected at least a paragraph or a sentence, or even a phrase for his answer. But instead, this 4th grader sent a “thumbs-up” sign! Most of the students were really performing well, even during the pandemic. Yet for those few who have internet, some of them could not hear clearly because of roosters crowing in the background or little brothers & sisters playing. And then there is the ever-present challenge of defective gadgets & headphones they are using. Angel avoids favoritism toward specific students, yet gives points to those who answer & participate. But really? A “👍"? Is that considered a response? She also noticed that some students listen & close their cameras, muting their microphones. “Well,” thought Angel, “When I was a kid, I also had siblings who were my age studying & becoming a distraction....” Angel was rescued when she was invited to go with another teacher on the school bus to deliver rice to a needy family in the Oceanview squatter hut area. Angel asked the driver to bring her to the “thumbs-up” hut, & she brought along her reading comprehension books. Klanenz & Dennis both were thrilled, that after so many months of studying at home, they were able to have their teacher come right to their doors! During their quick reading tutorial, as Angel instructed them to read, she was shocked at both of their improvements in reading speed. She let Dennis read CVC, giving him a rate of 6/10. Yes, more assignments will lead to more attention & practice. So, she left with him some reading materials she’d brought for him to practice at home so that when it comes time for the students to return to campus (whenever that may be), there will be even more improvement. As she left, Teacher Angel brought back to the school some completed homework papers from her students. Setting them on her personal cubicle at BCA, Secretary Faith informed her that the cubicles had been rearranged and that hers was now on the second row instead of the first. As she was transferring her papers from one cubicle to the other, she picked up an assignment that she had not yet corrected for Klarenze. So, she graded it &, before placing it into the stack of papers to be delivered by the drivers the next day, developed a mischievous grin on her face & took a few markers into her hand. At the top of the page, she drew a yellow & red "👍". At home later, Angel opened her Bible, reading from the passage, “Well done, thou good & faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” Taking a pencil, she underlined “well done” and drew in the margin, a thumbs-up"👍" Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong master link: B. TU- 9 min, 29 sec May 25, 2021 C . Message: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 “Called To Win Souls” (Romans 10:15) 0 hr, 10 min, 26 sec. Present Need: $422 for 1 set socket wrench for all buses, Repair and maintenance of Buses # of students sponsored at BCA: 525 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 5/27/2021 | Happy college Graduation, PJ! (5/16) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: May 23: Poughkeepsie, NY. May 26: Dayton, OH. May 30: Bloomington, IN. June 2: Nashville, TN. June 6: Crestwood, KY. Please pray for Davao, which remains under General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Nationwide, the Philippine government mandated all persons to wear full-coverage face shields together with face masks while in public places. Local governments continue to implement additional requirements to slow the virus’ spread. Please also pray for wisdom as we research the option of possibly providing bank-to-bank transfers for sponsors’ monthly BCA student sponsorships, through a ministry entitled “ECCU: Evangelical Christian Credit Union”. Pray also that BCA will find faculty for the following positions required for our annual permit submission for the next school year (due in the next few weeks) librarian, preschool and 2 grade-level teachers. Praise God that our son PJ graduated this past Sunday with his Bachelors’ Degree from the University of Albany! “Teacher Grace?” injected one of BCA’s best 5th-grade students, Rooey. “Yes, Sophia?” answered Grace. “No, I am not Sophia, I…am…Rooey.” “oops…sorry…Rooey.” Then Noah injected, “Our internet…connection…keeps cutting…us off!” Suddenly in their Tuesday class-time ZOOM meeting grid, four screens disappeared, those of Samantha, Krystal, Olean & Joshua. Mariel piped in, “Mine seems fine. But I think we just lost 25% of our class!” While concerned about the loss of some students for the day, Grace was pleased that Mariel was using her math skills to analyze the situation. So, she jumped in right away. “Fine deduction, Mariel. Now let’s jump to synonyms.” “What…did you…say?” quipped Alfonzo. Jane, always the helper, clarified, “An…antonym is an opposite. Synonyms mean the same.” Grace noticed that, even though the incessant rains of Davao had frustrated the internet citywide, the class suddenly had a clear window of strong internet, & she was going to take advantage of it… While searching for other resources earlier, she had put her books aside & asked herself, “Why not see what the Bible has to say?” In 1 Peter she had read, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous…but against those who do evil.” Grace dove in to her English lesson. “Jane, if there was a comparison/contrast between the just & unjust, would they be antonyms or synonyms?” Nichole instead leapt in with, “Oh, I know, I know!” But Grace responded, “I asked Jane, not you. You’ll get your chance later, ok?” Jane actually responded with a fine comeback. “Our God is AMAZING. His eyes are on everybody, all at the same time. He knows the struggles & every action we take & even think about taking. He listens to our very thoughts & hears the prayers that we never pray…as well as the ones that do make it to our mouth. He knows the paths we take & helps us choose the right one, since He is like a Father to us & wants the best for us.” Suddenly, Lyka jumped in. “Great sermon, Jane. But what is your answer?” Jane continued her soliloquy. “The answer is BOTH.” James argued, “You can’t have two things be both the same & opposites…can you?” Techer Grace interjected, “Well, let’s see her out, James. Please continue, Jane. This is getting veeerrr—yyy interesting.” Jane continued. “God is in control of everything, so all people, good & bad, are in the same boat as to receiving blessings from God. So, in that way, they are synonyms. But God also gives preferential treatment to those who accept God as their Master, & become Christians. That is where we differ with unbelievers & unjust people. Thus, we are also antonyms.” “I GET IT!” quipped Leshe. “Everybody equally has the opportunity to be on God’s good side, & God gives hints along the way to help the unjust to become just. In essence, God offers to make the antonyms to become synonyms.” A collective “Oooohhhh…” came from all in the class. Except one. Mariel. “I still don’t get it.” Grace consoled Mariel. “That is fine. Now let’s go on to something easier. Get out your science textbooks & turn to your HOMEWORK assignment on page 124. We’ll now study open & closed circuits, then on to reading stories in English & Filipino…” What was a collective “ooohhh” before suddenly became a sad, “uh-ohhh…” Now Grace would see the antonymous or synonymous relationship between the students’ conscientious parental help & the “other catergory”… And then, she should have anticipated that this would happen, but it still was a funny surprise… “kkkkkhhhh…I think….my internet…connection is getting…weaker…” Then another one caught on, “Mine too…” Ah, the BCA teacher’s kind favor rests on the good & the…um…not so good, but nonetheless…good excuse makers! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: A. PJ & Abby’s singalong master link: B. TU- 16 min, 46 sec May 18, 2021 C. TH- 13 min, 48 sec May 13, 2021 D. Message: Friday, May 21, 2021 “Be an Encourager” (1 Corinthians 1:17-24) 0 hr, 29 min, 25 sec. Present Need: $515 for BCA Guesthouse needs, courier for teachers’ report of Form 137, Binding of documents for Department of Education Permit, Paint & 2 mattresses for additional BCA guest room, materials for tables at Nursery & Kinder, classroom, materials for BCA water line, Repair & Maintenance of vehicles: Buses N,M,L, P & F. # of students sponsored at BCA: 519 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 5/20/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing:
Please pray for our upcoming 5,000-mile speaking tour, traveling along the USA’s East Coast, May 23-July 11. The “Brood X” 17-year locust (also known as cicadas), hibernating underground since 2004, are due to come out by the trillions in June, with their excruciatingly-loud 100+ decibel hum, & part of our journey will include camping outdoors in NC & SC. Fun! Praise God that, while cutting up the enormous tree that fell on Dad’s storage barn, we found my Bible & cellphone which have been lost for nearly 2 weeks. I’d been listening to the Bible online while working, & keeping my place in the book itself. But when I got distracted they both slid under the wreckage and debris. “Love is seen in a heart-shape.” Each of BCA’s students were studying the concept of love, in 1 Corinthians 13. A 9-yr old was jotting a note to his sponsor & poetically penned, “It is an intense feeling of affection with no limits nor conditions.” She added, “There is romantic love, God’s love, friendship love & sibling love.” Then she paused &, before signing her paper, jotted one last idea: “But you know, I love you & that must be its own special type of love, huh?” A six-year old’s comment was a tad bit hard to follow, unless it was read over & over, at least three times. “Thank you for the blessing of being my sponsor. I love you like my shoes. You are a blessing, for you fit my need for an education, ‘just right!’” Mark, a 7th grader, blended-in his Social Studies notes: “Dear sponsor, WOW. Even during this global pandemic, God is so faithful to meet my needs though you. Even my family suffers from day to day, not from starvation or anything like that, but from being couped-up inside our tiny hut. Yet I am personally warmed inside when I think that you, my sponsor, on the other side of the earth, are praying for me. No longer do these walls block me in. No, my soul soars across the ocean to embrace you for your kindness.” Rooey, a 3rd grader, noted, “Whoa. These modular courses & blended learning are really kind of strange to get used to. But then, I do have my two sisters to help me out, & I don’t get that when I am in a real classroom. So, I guess the coronavirus is not so bad when you have older siblings, huh?” One of her older sisters, Reinne, wrote, “Lord, thanks for my family. Every day they remind me that eventually, everything will go back to normal…& THE SOONER THE BETTER!” And her oldest sister, Red, added, “I am doing ok…well, even more than okay. Next year I will be a senior high school student. I want to study Japanese! A Philippine Government scholarship, combined with your sponsorship of me at BCA, will allow me to actually go to Japan with 21 other students as cultural exchange students! Please pray that I be accepted… They’ll release the results in July.” She noted as well that she’ll miss her family if she is accepted in Japan, but after getting used to distance learning during this Pandemic, she knows how to communicate via Zoom on a daily basis with loved ones. “…and I can still help my little sister doing her Science homework, from 3,000 miles away!” Finally, 6th Grader Sedney closed out this section on evaluating 1 Corinthians 13. “Love never fails. And you never have failed me, my dear, dear, loving & committed sponsor. Since I was young you have been there, from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Sometimes my grades were really, really bad, especially in subjects I didn’t like, like Math. But I did not give up. Now I promise I will not ever give up. I doubly follow & listen to my heart. I also will get an ‘A+’ from God my Bestest Teacher, in praying for you, that you all are 1) heathy, & 2) strong in the faith. Remember, ‘love never fails.’” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $1,008 for Repair of aircon, Bond paper/ink for modules, Repair of printers (4 units), Materials for classroom repainting, BCA Buses: Buses L & M (gas), Bus F (gas, rubber cup, brake fluid), Bus Ph (gas, change oil, fuel hose, hose cup, fuel pump, oil seal, replacement of accelerator/labor, Registration). Number of students sponsored at BCA: 519 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child.
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| 5/13/2021 | Happy Mothers’ Day (5/9) Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)! Please pray for a quick response from the insurance company after an enormous maple tree fell on my dad’s barn/storage building April 31. The tree was over 10 feet in diameter, and destroyed the roof and walls. We’re chopping up the tree now, with a large pile of firewood. As soon as the insurance settlement arrives, we can repair the damage so that we will once again have storage space for our things before we leave the country for 6 months back to Davao. Praise God that I survived my 2nd Pfizer coronavirus shot, without too many complications (except temporary yet severe headaches). “Can I do the math exam 1st?” asked the cute 6th grader with a pink bow in her hair, whose face appeared in the Zoom call. BCA’s Teacher Hazel responded, “No Khaila, Filipino first & Math isn’t until 3rd period.” Teacher Hazel had painstakingly preparing questionnaires & tests that would adapt to the Google format, pleased that the kids had responded favorably to her advances in technological prowess. With rain threatening to compromise the unstable internet connection, Hazel prioritized the subjects which were less popular (like Aral-Pan Social studies, and frictional forces in Science) before the more popular ones like solid figures in Math. At the end of the day, as the rain poured outside, Hazel praised God for holding off the rain until the last test had been submitted for correction. Logging-into her gradebook the great grades of the students was a joy to Hazel. She had worked oh, so hard in preparation, evaluating how to do things via YouTube instructional videos, etc. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean in New York, our kids PJ & Abby are also taking exams & submitting final reports. Their last school year ends in just 2 weeks! Yay, almost cap & gown time once again! And whatta year to adapt to as well! Adapting was the subject of my morning message this week, from Acts 20. Eutychus was a boy who had curled up in the window to take a nap while the Apostle Paul was preaching. He fell out the window & died, but God, through Paul, brought him back to life again. Rejoice! This past week had been filled with challenging situations. I lost my cell phone & after buying a new one, spent hours and hours activating it & transferring information to it. Then Elvie & I were severely sleep-deprived, since the pastors’ conference in the Philippines was during Filipino daytime which is NY nighttime. All night long from 7:30 pm to 8:30am…whew! Then the dishwasher broke & I had to every day bail out the grungy water. And finally, the crowning calamity: that gargantuan tree in the back yard fell on our barn, destroying it. Whew! Ok, that week is done. But like Khaila in Hazel’s class, “Y’know God, just one thing at a time, in Your perfect order (well, maybe four things at once) & then the good stuff comes! Rescuing boxes of old letters from the attic of the barn so they wouldn’t be destroyed in the rain, I spent one afternoon poring through the boxes of old pictures & reading cheerful old letters from decades ago. Hmmm, maybe this isn’t all so bad after all… Then on Sunday after church we were still all dolled-up & we scooted over to Washington Park where it was downright sunny and almost warm. The four of us posed next to the tulips in bloom: stunning deep red ones, moody purple, yellow & lively orange ones, along with many other flowers I can’t pronounce. “Lord, even when things are not going quite according to plan…as I read in Psalm 23, it’s okay, because you are with me. Together, we can get through this. Yeah, no prob.” Back in the Philippines, Hazel had graded all the tests, but one last thing was on her agenda. The bus drivers had brought in the little white Styrofoam cups with plants in them, which each student had planted 3 weeks ago. All were growing, so she went up to the rooftop garden & in the rain planted each gingerly in the rows she’d prepared for them. “Lord, even as I watch these plants grow and produce fruit (vegetables) I know that you are growing these kids (and myself) into better servants of yours.” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $2,546 for wire & labor for rewiring of internet connection, Fluorescent bulb, Repair & Maintenance of BCA buses: Ph, N, Fi, C & M. # of students sponsored at BCA: 519 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 5/6/2021 | Philippine Labor Day (5/1) USA National Day of Prayer May 6 BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: Please pray for Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, Philippine northern provinces whose continued Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) has been extended until May 14, 2021, after the country had its one millionth positive case of covid. Praise God for an American policeman friend who responded to last week’s request for funds to pay for food & fuel for hungry Filipinos during covid lockdowns. Now we can send the hungry Filipinos more food! Prasie God also that Elvie & I joined 4,630 online delegates for a Philippine pastor's conference this week. Since the 4-day conference is in the daytime there, it is nighttime here, so we were up every evening from 7pm until 8am! Whew! Can't wait to get back overseas! Also, one of our very gifted pastors, Jaime, was ordained during the ceremonies! “Yay! We are back in school!” Since four of Teacher Grace’s 5th graders really, really needed face-to-face tutoring to bring them up in their reading skills, the school had governmental permission to have these few students receive permits to travel Davao’s roads & be under BCA the school roof. For the past 14 months, no students had been allowed on campus, due to threats of the virus. Teacher Grace has been constantly busy every day in preparing PowerPoint online lessons & also creating/printing thousands of pages of worksheets & lessons on all eleven subjects for her non-internet students. Modules, printers, computers & research…it just hadn’t been the same as being right there with the kids previously. Grace (GH) had just submitted the 2nd quarter report cards & designed to print certificates for the student with highest honors thus far, plus 3 others who had honors, then the dozen-or-so close runners-up (above 85% grade). Aral-Pin (Social Studies) has been the one major subject with the most challenging research to be done. Since it guides students in processing & practicing life skills & values in society, the Filipino society has transformed to one of excelled protection & safety over this past year. The students have shared online the development for their life skills and, since they are already 5th graders, exemplified a proper work ethic. “Oh Lord,” prayed GH, “Thank you for the teachers’ devotional this morning!” Every week, the faculty & staff take turns leading the morning Bible study, & today the “exhorter” was the school’s cashier, Minmin. “We learned that You give us more grace when the burden is greater, You send us more strength when the labors increase…when our strength has failed before the day is half done, well, You got this already Lord. I just give it all to you!” With renewed energy, GH tackled the burden of preparation for her first in-person students of the year (recently termed “learners” in the Philippines). Since Teacher GH had downloaded some stories & reading materials both in Filipino & English, she decided to also use the modules she’d printed in both subjects since there are many topics to use in reading comprehension. Temporarily distracted by a quote in her Science textbook, it surprised her when, out of the corner of her eye she saw a student come in through the door to sit in one of the four chairs she had sterilized & prepared. When all four “learners” had found their seats, GH opened the class-time with prayer & then they stood to sing the national anthem. GH did not consider this superfluous, as it helped the kids look beyond the vast empty space in the classroom, & instead to get the feel for existing in a school again. True to Teacher Grace’s expectations, it became apparent that the reason why the students’ grades had suffered was their non-accountable environment of learning at home instead of with a trained teacher right there with them. Fortunately, only four of the thirty in the class needed this added impetus. In fact, these four kids learned so quickly that GH had them take a break after the first hour to sing & dance with the music of a Christian song she had on tape. Once they caught their breaths again, they ate the snacks they had brought with them & then continued practicing their reading skills. Intonation, pronunciation, ability to understand what they had read…all aspects were received with an A+ rating. After sending them off for the day, GH knelt down at the foot of each chair & desk where here students had just sat. “Oh Lord, You truly have fulfilled Your promise. When the burden grew greater, you gave more grace. When the labor increased, you gave me the strength. Now, please do what I cannot do…I am here & my learners are there at home. Be with them for me now, Oh Lord, I pray. Amen.” Still feeling the ambience of school & re-imagining the memories of teachers, students raising their hands, taking turns, & the fun noises of classes in session, GH began her work for tomorrow’s typed & printed & also online virtual modules of Science…electrical currents (yet she felt like she had supernatural current flowing through her now!) Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $957.92 Cash for Food asssistance ($40 x 20 teachers & staff), Cleanup supplies & disinfectant supplies, Gas for BCA Bus Fi. # of students sponsored at BCA: 519 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 4/29/2021 | Philippine Barners’ Prayer Diary 4/29/2021. Happy Arbor Day (4/30) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: April 25: Nelliston, NY. May 2: East Greenbush, NY. May 9: Geneva, NY. Please pray for the few BCA students who are having difficulties studying from home. Especially the speech-impaired ones who really thrive when there is close interaction. Covid’s distance learning has taken its toll on these students. Praise God for the stamina and endurance of our dozens of house churches! These bivocational pastors truly love their congregations and are careful to remain fully masked & social distanced, even though some of the members are not, as they visit them in their homes to pray for their families. “Oh, He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own…and the joy…” BCA’s Teacher Shela had a lilt in her step as she hummed away the tune to this precious hymn, coming into work. Shela arrived at her desk and a pile of modules from her students had been delivered there by the bus drivers. Two notebooks looked very similar, since they were from the twins, Maree & Mhaya. Another thing they had in common was that neither of them had finished their assignments. Shela called the mom, but was informed that she is often at work, & it is the older brother who helps them with their schoolwork. Shela probed a tad further & was assured that the mom would follow-up on their completion when she gets home. Meanwhile on the other side of the ocean in New York, I (Paul) was looking through my dad’s papers. He rarely threw away anything regarding his children, since we were so precious to him. Since Dad died four months ago, we now have the privilege of weeding out what to keep & what to recycle. I went out to get the mail, & what was there in the mailbox with the letters, but my third-grade report card! Of course, it was not lost in the mail for 55 years, (one of my siblings put it there) but nonetheless, I could see that I couldn’t really judge the twin BCA students, since even I was far from perfect when I was in 2nd & third grades! Back in Davao, Shela started up her online class with those who had internet. The topic was English: synonyms & antonyms. “Class, I will be meeting for the first time this year with three of your classmates, in the school 2nd grade classroom. I am so excited! What is a synonym for excited?” They came up with “EAGER! PASSIONATE! THRILLED!” and what about an antonym? “BORED. LAID-BACK. APATHETIC.” “That was great! Good answers.” When the online class was over and Quennie, Rob & Anton were due to arrive, Shela set up the chairs, preparing carefully for the required social distancing. Anton, being the more talkative one of the bunch, dominated from the get-go. “HI GUYS! YAY! WE ARE BACK!” Shela let know-it-all Anton ramble on about his homelife for 2 minutes, then interrupted. “Thank you so much, but now let us get on with our class.” “If you, Quennie, were to give an antonym of Goliath in today’s Bible story, who would it be?” Since she had directed the question to Quennie, Anton was polite & quietly let her answer. Yet when her answer was “Adam,” Anton interrupted with, “Uh, I don’t think so. Wouldn’t it be David, Teacher Shela?” Of course, both answers could be right, so Shela used it as a lesson to look at both the obvious answer as well as possible other ones. When the kids had gone home a few hours later, Shela was back to singing the song that she had started the day with. “Oh Lord, it was a great, awesome, super fantastic day today. And why? Because you walked with me, and you talked with me, and you told me that I am Your own. And the joy we shared…” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $1,460 for Rice/ Groceries for BCA Teachers & Staff & FAF Elders, Repair & Maintenance & fuel for BCA Buses M & Fi. # of students sponsored at BCA: 518 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 4/22/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: April 18: Watertown, NY. April 25: Nelliston, NY. May 2: Albany, NY. Please pray for those 100,000 displaced Filipinos living as refugees in churches & schools, since they lived in the path of Super Typhoon Surigae (locally termed “Bising”) a few days ago. While the storm didn’t actually make landfall, its rains & 190mph winds affected many towns & villages, & a 79-yr-old man died when a coconut tree fell on him. The 500-mile stretch of rainclouds flooded 22 villages & caused power outages in 4 provinces. One farmer is missing after bringing his boat to a nearby island to secure his farm animals. Mayors said they have to open more evacuation centers to ensure social distancing during the pandemic. “It’s really tough, it’s toxic, but we have no choice.” The storm’s rains also affected countries half a planet away in the USA. Praise God for the hospitality of the dual-serviced Watertown, New York church we spoke at this past weekend. The people were very kind & four even agreed to sponsor students at BCA! Of the 21 Sundays we still have in the USA before flying back to Davao in mid-September, 40% of the Sundays are already confirmed for us to speak. Praise God also that, even though the three main Philippine airlines have cut Hong Kong off as being “high-risk”, the USA is starting to once again receive more favorable status. This is due to Hong Kong’s grouping the Philippines in with India & Pakistan as “extremely high-risk countries” due to a second local coronavirus case with a mutated strain. Frontline workers are being vaccinated now at a higher rate, for the safety of the passengers. These include pilots, cabin crew, ground staff & counter clerks. “Please prepare your 1st-grade daughter Savannah for today’s class from 9-11 this morning, okay?” BCA’s Teacher Janice had added pictures to her online PowerPoint, as well as her door-delivered modules so that her 30 students could easily identify the ideas. Her PowerPoint also had the advantage of videos, which the modules did not. So, she included links in the paperwork which the kids could access if they knew somebody with a cell phone. The morning teachers’ devotional had focused on God’s love: “Our salvation,” said BCA’s Nurse Lucy, “would not exist if it were not for Jesus. His love is so incredibly deep that He died & rose for us.” Janice reminded herself, “This is my surest example of true love, Remembering Jesus’ love helps me to also love these kids!” At 8:59, she could already see a few of the 1st graders signing into her Zoom mtg, using the chat -ID code she had provided (with their parents’ help). After they all sang the National Anthem & prayed, they joined in a rousing 15-second Tik-Tok-like “Energizer Song”. Lots of the 1st graders were dancing in the background! “Ok class, time to settle down. While you were dancing around, I noticed some of the stuff in your homes rattling & shaking.” Michael piped in with “Uh-oh, gotta watch Mama’s glass cups on the shelf!” Teacher Janice shared about the government-required seminar she’d joined with the moral, “Earthquakes do not kill. Buildings do”. Johana quipped, “my internet signal is so on-&-off that it almost seems like an earthquake!” Janice was pleased that the kids so enjoyed their class that neither the sporadic signal, nor the current pandemic could dampen the continuation of the class, due to their interest & willingness to study. In preparation for next week’s exam, Janice ended the 2-hour class-time with a quiz. Japheth & Alexia both joined in with an “Aw, do we have to?” But Janice assured them that they could answer the questions in the form of a poem or a prayer, & then they could piece them all together in the next week’s energizer song. “YES!” exclaimed Rhaen. “I can TOTALLY do that!” “But Teacher Janice,” responded Jayward, in a wee little voice, “I don’t know how to pray!” Janice was pleased as punch when Justine assured her classmate, “Aw, Jayward. It is so easy. When we pray every day, it becomes as normal as eating and drinking.” Twenty minutes later, after Janice had already signed-off the class, she pored through their quizzes. Immediately she noticed a common denominator in all, whether they be focused on Math, Social Studies or Filipino Language. Due to the “Rhyming & Praying” focus, they all mentioned showing love & respect for others. Zach’s quiz especially caught her attention, since it hinged on her morning teacher’s devotional about God’s love: “Jesus does my math for me.// Not my Dad. Not my Mom. Not even Ate (older sister) Dee.// When I add one, ten, two & three,// He whispers “answer sixteen’s the key!” Teacher Janice smiled, jotting down a postscript to Zach’s 1st grade rhyme, “Your grade just raised to A from C!” A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $1,531 for 2 units of Epson Printers, Printing of modules (bond paper, ink, 3 staplers, staple wire), Disinfection Materials, Materials for cementing the pathway beside the canal, Painting materials for building’s wall beside canal, BCA BUSES: Bus “L” oil seal, Bus “M” fuel, Bus “Ph & C & Fi” gas, Bus “F” oil seal, bearing, carrier differential, machining of gear checkup of differential & overhaul of transmission. # of students sponsored at BCA: 518 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 4/15/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: April 11: Inner-Albany, NY. April 12-14: Horseheads, NY. April 18: Watertown, NY. April 25: Nelliston, NY. Please pray for an end to the brewing tensions caused by the Chinese military along the Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea. American & Philippine military are planning a defense since the Chinese now have over 200 vessels amassed there. Col. Brunk said by training together, the two militaries (Philippines & USA) build upon each other & strengthen & add value to their partnership & friendship. Praise God that, in honor of a friend’s mom turning 80, she wants to give toward the need mentioned last week, for fuel, paint, paper, ink & some other pressing school needs at BCA. Praise God too that I was able to share at a pastors' conference this week, and my brother’s church hosted me at their “annex” (actually a whole house!). "Teacher Shela, I disconnected again! Please re-send me the link!” Shela must have received these “emergency” cellphone text messages 20 times during every class day. Out of Shela’s 30 2nd graders, only five of them have internet, and the rest complete piles of daily worksheets and notebook entries at home. “I feel like three people: a teacher, a technician, and a secretary!” But shela noticed something unexpected during the daily class sessions. Unlike the “normal pre-covid” years (oh, those were the days!), the class was now, not just listening. Rather, they were participating. There was much more interaction, even with the “off-line” students. “It is like we are in a ship, and everybody has their duties to do. I just wish I didn’t have to swab the deck so often when things get a tad messy!” But on Tuesday, it seemed as though nothing worked right. She shut down the entire program and rebooted it. While waiting (knowing that her students were also at home, waiting for the system to be restored), she opened her Bible to the passage which Teacher Diane had referred to in the morning devotions. Philippians 4: “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!” Well, she thought, God does give ME strength, but it would also be good if He gave this internet some strength as well! As she looked up form her Bible, the screen clicked back on and the Math lesson she had prepared was right there in front of her. The first lesson was on “Division as Equal Sharing”. In it, a boy had fifteen balloons and five friends. Three times, he gave a balloon to each friend, until there was nothing left. “Students, how many balloons does Mario have left?” None. How is this like God? God gives to all of us all that we need. Yet how is this NOT like God? Nadya piped up. “God never runs out!” exactly. God has continual supply. Just like my verse, thought Shela. “I can do all things through God whose strength never, ever runs out!” Nadya then started a poem, “God is the God who always supplies…” This time it was RJ who finished the couplet, “God’s already provided the next day’s so we don’t have to count sheep!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $1,124 for Printing of modules (bond paper, ink, staple wire), Computer Mouse, Repair of printers (3 units), Hard Drive/external for Sponsorship pictures, Carpentry work materials, repair of ceiling outside offices of principal, registrar & Sk offices -flexiboard for clinic’s office wall, 4th grade exit door, repair of 2nd floor bathroom near science lab, BCA BUSes: Bus “M” fuel Bus “Fi” gas, amper gauge, taggle switch, window riser, wires, jumper/carbueretor space, Bus “Ph” gas, repair of differential & installation of bearing, bearing, axle o/s, cross joint, brake shoe, gear oil, press in/press out, brake fluid, motor oil, hub nut, grease, sure brake, rubber cup, bulb. # of students sponsored at BCA: 516 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. Wish to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 4/8/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: April 4 (Easter): Albany, NY. April 11: Inner-Albany, NY. April 12-14: Horseheads, NY. April 18: Watertown, NY. Please pray for the end of the recent surge of global anti-Asian violence. A video released on Instagram by Diet Prada on March 29, 2021, showed a man punching & kicking a 65-year-old Filipino-American woman, who was on her way to church in Midtown Manhattan in broad daylight. Sadly, the footage also captured guards shutting the doors on her, hence the media site’s caption, “If you see something, do nothing?” Praise God that, after the death of Alma (one of the BCA moms), the whole school (teachers, drivers, secretaries, etc) along with the church (members, pastors, deacons/esses, youth, kids) came to the house to sing & encourage the family, around the casket in their living room. “You are my inspiration!” Alnico, a BCA student, was sending a thank you card to his generous sponsor. “I promise I will strive hard to reach my goal & will make you proud. Like I said, you are my inspiration to succeed!” Alnico, along with 2 of his Eleventh-Grade classmates; Ronavic & Abegail, have been struggling these past 14 months of pandemic to keep up in their studies through reading hundreds of pages, & filling-out weekly worksheets & exams/quizzes designed by their teachers. “I had finally, after 7 months of modular lessons, started to get the hang of this ‘blended learning’ approach.” If you looked closely, Alnico’s handwriting turned a bit shaky at this point. “But then, calamity struck! On the day before Christmas, my brother was admitted to the hospital & he, myself, mother, father, Tita & grandma were diagnosed with COVID-19.” He went on to explain that they were all isolated from people in quarantine so that the virus would not spread & weeks later they were finally free & healthy, thanks to God. Abegail added in her note, “I am glad that we are safe. Through it all, you never let me down. You faithfully supported me every month, & as I sneezed, coughed, ran a high fever & found it hard to breathe, I thought about you.” All three kids inserted the same postscript in their notes as they said, “I hope that you are safe right now. I may not ever be able to show this enough to you, but thank you so much for your kindness with many thanks & prayers.” God is our refuge during this time of pandemic. Abegail worded it succinctly when she referred to God’s Sovereign plan. “I want to thank the Lord for choosing you as my sponsor. Indeed God is always, always perfect!” Jhey sent one final word, “I am so sure that, since you have such a kind, generous heart to provide this education for me, God will keep on providing for your every need. I guess you could say, God is your sponsor!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH:
Present Need: $1,010.78 for Printing of modules (bond paper, ink) Cabinet for modules (plyboard, nails, paint, etc), Materials for classroom repainting, Flower pots (cement, paint & brushes), Repair & repainting of kindergarten room , BCA Bus “M” gas, “Fi” gas, repair/ reconditioning of carbueretor, Bus “Ph” gas, motor oil, spare parts (4 pcs bearing, electrical tape, toggle, welding acetelyn, wiper bushing, motor oil, A-wire, A-bulb, A-bulb, starlight switch, Rubber cup, labor and materials of electrical connections, check up, rewiring, Bus “Fo” labor & mechanic, gas, starter 12 volts, hose & hose clips, relay & relay switch, toggle switch, Brake fluid, rubber cap, bulbs, auto wire, silicon, blinker light, non-sng for dashboard, spark plug, oil filter, fuse glas/ plate in, chamois, fuel pump assembly, t/m support, sealed beam, motor oil, labor- tune up of engine, replaced oil seal of transmission & reconditioning of differential. # of students sponsored at BCA: 516 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,606.24 received of $20,000 needed. Want to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 4/1/2021 | Easter (Resurrection) Sunday (4/4) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: March 28: East Greenbush, NY. March 29: Helderberg Christian School. April 4: Albany, NY. April 11: Inner-Albany, NY. April 12-14: Horseheads, NY. Please pray for our BCA teachers & students. In a typical year, they would be graduating around now. But the school calendar is off-kilter due to the lockdowns. Please pray that the students will not lose hope, even though they usually would be starting their Summer vacation and Vacation Bible School this week. Praise God that Pastora Gripo, one of our middle-aged church planters, has accepted a proposal to be married! On the way however, traffic was backed up, due to checkpoints by the police for those who do &/or do not have passes. However, once she got to the bank, there was no traffic, since nobody has any work, therefore no money to deposit nor withdraw. A mini-blessing of the pandemic? She also had Faith help her buy the supplies (like construction paper, etc.) for the fourteen BCA orphans’ school projects. Back at the school, Minmin prepared the salaries & then assisted in the arranging, checking & stapling thousands of worksheet modules which the teachers had designed & printed for the students who have no computer access. In a separate pile were the Homeroom Guidance forms. “Why homeroom guidance” asked BCA’s bus driver Ben. “Due to Covid, nobody is in school. So how can you have a homeroom?” Teacher Helen explained, “This is virtual, Ben. Even though they may be at home or online, there is a protocol they must follow, to avoid distractions or cheating.” Minmin paused & looked around her at the busy-ness of the teachers & staff as they worked together in getting the delivery of papers prepared. Minin thought out a prayer of thanks… “Lord, I am so very blessed to be with these beautiful teachers & staff who are hardworking & supportive. That is why I am always inspired to work, although sometimes I feel weak physically, at seventy. Praise God for this incredible teamwork! Before heading out the door at the close of the day, the 11 staff & faculty members in the computer lab held hands in a circle & one-by-one prayed for each other & also for the Barners back in the USA. Minmin closed in prayer. “It is just about time for Holy Week, Lord Jesus. 2000 years ago, You headed up to Jerusalem, knowing full well what awaited you- the cross. Even though the pain was to be nearly unbearable, You never hesitated in your determination. Lord, may we too have that same determination- in preparing our students for a life of service to You!” Thank you for the kids. Thank you for each other. And especially Lord, thank you for the cross! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $1,048 for courier delivery of LBC for Government-required Form 137, Disinfection Supplies, Capacitor – repair of water supply, Painting Materials, Repair of 3rd Grade Door, Dry Stand Pipe- Installation & Materials, Repair & Maintenance for BCA Bus N, M, Ph, L & F. Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,406.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 3/25/2021 | Happy 1st Day of Spring (2/20) and Happy would-be 92nd birthday, Dad! (3/20/1929: Dad entered heaven 3 months ago), Happy Palm Sunday (2/28) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: March 21: Walton, NY. March 28: East Greenbush, NY. March 29: Helderberg Christian School. April 4: Albany, NY. Please pray for wisdom on the part of the Philippine Immigration Service. Last week they instituted a COVID-instigated “Temporary Entry-Ban” into the Philippines, suspending entry of all foreign nationals & returning Philippine citizens who are not Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), through April 21, with a few categorical exceptions, & also limiting inbound arrivals to 1,500 daily. Also, in some areas minors may not move out of their local villages during that time period. Praise God that, after we begged God for over a year to give us a free treadmill, this past weekend a woman in Walton, NY informed us that a friend of hers was moving & gave us her incredibly huge combination treadmill/lifting bench. God, are you awesome, or what? Praise God as well that one of BCA’s orphans, Geurgie (Apple is her nickname) passed her NCII assessment last week at the Davao Assessment Center. This means that she will qualify to work in Davao. After we have been operating this orphanage for almost 2 decades, Apple is the first we have seen to achieve this honor. Way to go, girl! Thank the Lord for our Philippine BCA staff who came to sing & preach & give comfort to the children & family of Alma, the mom who died of cancer last week. Alma’s daughter Leslie is a 5th-grade student at BCA. God is good! This past weekend we spoke at Walton CMA church & many dear friends were present, including 95-yr old Rev. Jacob Bouw & his wife Suzette. “Uncle Jake” was the man God used 50 years ago to lead me to become a missionary in the Philippines, when I was ten years old! Also the people in the church gave many school supplies & stuffed animals for the BCA students. “Class, what is the difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate?” Among the attentive students of BCA’s Teacher Hazel’s online 6th-Grade class, Joshen had the answer. “Oh, I know. Vertebrates have backbones & an internal skeleton, while invertebrates don’t.” “True. Could anybody else give an example, or phylum, of a vertebrate?” The next to answer was Aira. “A fish & a mouse both have internal skeletons, & so do I! But neither of them smells as sweet as I do!” “Once again, excellent, Aira. What about an example of an invertebrate?” To which Jane had a totally unexpected answer. “My Uncle Fred. Aunt Gertie said he is such a coward that he has absolutely no spine whatsoever!” Hazel stifled a chuckle as she immediately avoided getting into trouble by changing the subject. Since Hazel had watched YouTube videos to understand better the lesson, she shifted the discussion to analyze different “systems” of the body. “Could you put all these systems into one sentence?” Jazzle was ever-alert & supplied the answer, in English. “My internet is so slow, it makes me NERVOUS. So, I wait for the BCA bus driver to CIRCULATE & collect the module worksheets to my neighborhood. I need to DIGEST my lunch & be strong to get a good grade on this month’s exam in Filipino. My parents are in trouble because I did so well on my grades that they EXCRETED the worksheet onto the internet, which my classmates copied to also get a good grade. This caused the RESPIRATION of my teacher to accelerate!” Teacher Hazel was noticeably pleased. “Well done. That is all for today, class.” As the students each signed-off, Hazel typed up a summary of the day’s transcript to send to those students who have no internet. Then she logged in the day’s grades on her laptop & shut it down. Praying before she was to leave campus for the day, she said, “Oh Lord, these kids are so very smart! Even amidst COVID & all the frightening challenges of lockdown, you are preparing the students for life as an adult, which is right around the corner, since these kids will be graduating from 6th grade this year, Amen.” Now, maybe tomorrow I could get this stubborn printer to cooperate, so my students can DIGEST more information! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $1,075 for 2 pcs water pump Capacitor, Thermal Scanner, Stainless Sink & water lines materials (entrance gate) , Materials for repair of roof at side office & stairway roof to 3rd floor, Materials for blocking the birds to enter the library, Painting and welding materials for fire exit & ladder , Government Registration of BCA Bus C & L, Tail Light- BCA Bus C , Repair & Maintenance of BCA Bus M, N, Fi, L & Ph. # of students sponsored at BCA: 515 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,406.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 3/18/2021 | "Pi” Day (3/14-3.14159…), “Shakespearean Ides of March” (3/15), “500th Anniversary the Philippines founded by Magellan” (3/16/1521), St Patrick’s Day (3/17/385) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: March 14: Ohio, NY. March 21: Walton, NY. March 28: East Greenbush, NY. Please pray for Lucy, BCA’s school nurse. She has been battling cancer for five years. Her younger sister just started having cancer symptoms a year ago and her funeral is this week. Praise God that I finished filing my taxes (for me & Elvie), both state & federal, and we only owe a few hundred dollars. “What a generous heart you have!” Katie is a sponsored child at BCA & her letter to her sponsor glowed with adoration. “Dear Sponsor, your kindness keeps me safe, as I do not have to go out & work to pay for my books, uniform, tuition & food. After all, I am only eight!” While the entire country is celebrating the quincentennial (500-yr) anniversary of Christianity coming to the country through Magellan in 1521, BCA students are celebrating a nearer item on the historical timeline: their education! Patricia was a 4th grader whose family moved away, so her replacement (Grace) wrote a letter to her new sponsor. “I know you feel sad about losing Patty, but look on the good side: now you have cute lil’ ol’ me!” Then there is Mordy. “Pandemic or not, you are so very faithful! You are my role model, sponsor. Thank you. Thank you! THANK YOU!” Mordy went on to say that his sponsor was an answer to his prayers & the prayers of his parents, that he, though really poor, would be able to get a good education. “And BOOM! There you were, like an angel of God! Thanks again.” Jemmie is a 9th grader. Her thank you card had religious overtones from years of being in such a Christian school as BCA. “Dear Sponsor, God makes no mistakes. Many victims of covid have positive test results in our city. But by God’s grace I am not one of them! I will keep praising God, no matter what.” Jemmie is a great student & really studies diligently. “I had a choice to either have online studies or modular worksheets. I chose the latter since our internet is practically nonexistent.” Finally, a note from 7th grade Flory. “Boy, are you kind. There is nothing I can give you to thank you, so I will just use my pen. THANK YOU! Because of you, I have hope over the disease. You did not leave me when things started getting so bad around the planet. If God can send such a delightful sponsor from 13,000 miles away just to give me an education, well, I guess that He can help me anywhere I go, & anything I face, in my whole life…even when I live to be a hundred & ten!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
Present Need: $1,151 for Computer lab aircon repair & freon, Computer lab materials for teachers’ cubicle installation, white boards (7 pcs), curtains & rods, Computer repair (office reinstalling), 7 pcs headsets & delivery charges, Installation of gutter (San Lorenzo St), COVID-19 IATF Photocal requirements, Repair & Repainting of BCA façade, entrance gate & Cashier’s office (outside only), Gas for BCA Bus Fi & Ph, Oil for BCA Bus Ph, Parts for BCA Bus M: renew registration, fuel, hand brake bonding, repair of hand brake, plate light, gear oil, back light, wiring of headlight& replacement of relay switch, brake fluid, rubber bolts, Devcon fluid, silicon, bulb assembly light, 3 gallons castral oil, oil filter, backup horn, auto wire cable, bumper lamp, corner lamp, clutch cable, hand brake cable, electrical tape, socket terminal. # of students sponsored at BCA: 515 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,406.24 received of $20,000 needed. Want to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to:
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| 3/11/2021 | St Patrick’s Day (3/17), Daylight Saving’s Time (one-hour forward: 3/14) Please pray for Eddie, the furnace guy with whom I was able to share a bit of my faith with when he came over since the water was not getting hot. Please also pray for an end to COVID. Exactly a year ago, on March 10, 2020, all Philippine schools were temporarily closed & students from every level stopped attending face-to-face classes due to the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Praise God that our family was able to, online & virtually join the Alliance Regional Forum for church leaders in Davao Philippines (Albeit it was night here while it was daytime there, on the other side of the planet) Praise God that our family was able to attend the funeral of 76-yr-old Francis of Ithaca, who went home to the Lord. This man had, for over 2 decades, been delighted at the work that God is accomplishing through us in The Philippines. Philippians 4 was the source for the brief study, as fellow Teacher Helen quoted, “Rejoice in the Lord always, & again I say rejoice!” God gives us hope, even though we often sin. The hope is that there is always a “second chance” to come back to our former intimacy with Him. Classes started for the day a few hours later, & 4th-grader Nina asked, “How do I do this English language? It is so weird!” Then another student, Shirine, added online in the Zoom meeting, “Yeah. Why is PLAQUE pronounced PLACK, while PLAGUE is pronounced PLAYG? What is behind this UE-thing at the end of a word?” Teacher Angel thought back to the morning’s Bible study on keeping God first in all things. She answered Nina & Shirine, “Think about sin. I know you would never do this, but if you steal a fish from the fresh market, you have sinned, right? Right. But if you buy a fish, you have not sinned. Right? Right. Is the fish bad? No. Is the fish still edible either way? Yes. Same fish, but different in different situations. UE is kind of like that. Depending on the word, it can change the pronunciation of the word.” Nina quipped into her microphone, “English is still weird. But then again, so are we, if we insist on stealing things we could easily buy.” Angel signed off with her class half an hour later. Then she opened her Bible to Philippians once again, smiled & prayed, “Lord, every day you make it easier & easier to rejoice in You. You are helping me explain to these precious students from both the words of their lessons, and YOUR Word, in the Bible.” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
2020 BCA Kids’ Christmas: Stay Strong & Safe for 2021!” $15 will give each child a face shield, face mask, Christmas BCA t-shirt, stuffed animal & food. NEEDED: $15 x 600 = $9,000. Received: $8,300. Present Need: $300 for (installment #30 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $36,500 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,406.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 3/4/2021 | 35th Anniversary of Philippine Edsa “People’s Revolution” Day (2/24/86) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: March 7: East Greenbush, NY. March 14: Ohio, NY. Please pray for the family of a dear 76-yr old supporter who passed away during surgery last week. Francis sponsored 5 BCA students for nearly 2 decades & often shared with coworkers & friends the need to sponsor & pray for destitute Filipino children. Praise God that the DepEd (Department of Education) has adjusted the school calendar for 2020-2021, aiming to allow schools to implement intensive intervention and remediation activities for students & to give time to teachers for the different learning delivery modalities due to CIVID, ending the school year in mid-July instead of March. “It is a mini report card!” BCA’s Teacher Helen, like a ballpark shortstop catcher, had to field the questions of the parents of her 5th-grade students. “But why is it so small?” asked Bertha, the mom of Abigail. “So that you do not confuse it with the real report card. Please do not show it to your child. Instead, if you see that he or she needs practice, train them before two weeks from now when the real FULL-SIZED report cards will be released.” Helen actually fit a whole lot in that tiny little envelope. “I made a list of required outputs & activities to base the grading of the students upon, for the use of you parents as you monitor the activities of your kids.” Pedro (Marissa’s dad) this time responded, “Yeah, but I will need a magnifying glass to see those tiny instructions!” This conference session with the parents was not in person, but online. Thus, the poorest of the poor kids’ parents could not participate. However, one child’s Dad was able to visit his neighbor’s home & share the screen with the parent who lives there. “I have provided a study sheet for you to follow-up your kids’ learning in mathematics.” Each of the parents pulled out the study aid (which accompanied the tiny envelope). “You can see that our study on decimals ties-in like a puzzle piece with our previous class on fractions.” Bertha was on deck again with a hearty comment which made Helen grin. “Wow, this is great! Makes me wish I was back in 5th- grade again!” Helen piped in, “and the last item in your packets is the homework papers…” To which Bertha quipped, “On second thought, I dislike homework. I am very glad I am NOT in 5th- grade anymore!” As Teacher Helen closed-out her teacher-parent conference call, she closed her eyes to talk with God. “Oh Lord,” she began, “This has been great. I do so miss my students & their parents. As the kids without internet receive their mini-report cards, I pray that the parents can understand them & also train their own kids well. Oh & by the way, Lord…I really miss my family in the mountains, due to the travel bans. As I look at these kids’ parents, I think of my own. Please protect them from harm until I can see them again. Love, Helen” Helen then began work on the upcoming exam for her students, & also graded their weekly notebooks. At the end of one notebook, a lollipop was taped to the page. The student had written next to it (with an arrow), “I love you, Teacher Helen. You are so sweet, just like this candy. If God is as great as you, it’s no wonder He makes such gorgeous sunsets!” Helen shut the books, began licking the lollipop & raised her beaming face to the sky, whispering, "No wonder the kids have a great teacher. I learned from the very best...YOU!" Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH:
2020 BCA Kids’ Christmas: Stay Strong & Safe for 2021!” $15 will give each child a face shield, face mask, Christmas BCA t-shirt, stuffed animal & food. NEEDED: $15 x 600 = $9,000. Received: $8,300. Present Need: $316 for 15 pcs uratex plastic kiddie chairs, Decorative fence outside the preschool rooms, Materials for garage gate stopper, Repair of airconditioners (spareparts), Fluorescent bulbs, Renewal of government registration of Bus “L”. # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,406.24 received of $20,000 needed. Want to sponsor a Filipino BCA student? It's easy! Just send your first monthly $30 check to Barner Christian Academy, 5 Eileen Drive, Rensselaer, NY 12144, & you've given hope to a destitute Asian child. |
| 2/25/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: February 28: West Rensselaer, NY. March 7: East Greenbush, NY. Please pray for the delightful people who responded to our missions challenge this past Sunday at the church where we shared & sang. Two agreed to sponsor kids at BCA & one even discussed the possibilities of Samaritan’s Purse coming to do a medical mission in Davao! Praise God that, even though all three of my credit/debit cards were compromised & cancelled these past few weeks, making me (in PJ’s terminology) “off the grid,” one of the companies was able to get their replacement card to me the very next day! Also, a check arrived in the mail from a woman who agreed last week to sponsor a child. When I looked at the check’s memo line, it said she decided to sponsor two kids instead of one! PTL! “Begin with prayer.” BCA’s Teacher Janice followed-up the school-day’s opening prayer for her 1st-graders, with the national anthem & review of online “virtual rules”. The 8 students online represented both themselves & the 22 others who had no access for a Zoom call. During announcements, BCA’s Secretary Faith came into the room with a note for Janice, then left. “Class, it seems that there is a special video presentation that we are required to watch, right now.” The students were curious. Savannah (the class’ top-honors student) mentioned, “Is it an emergency? Is President Duterte announcing that Covid is finally over? Can we go out of our homes now?” Janice was just as curious as the kids were, so she stated, “Let’s watch to find out!” Since the presentations lasted only 20 minutes, there were still five hours of lessons left for the class to participate in; 2 hours online & the remaining 3 at home, with the kids doing their assignments there. This was a perfect opening for Janice. She had been stymied on how to incorporate inquiry-based strategy into her daily class discussion time. Now she had fuel for her fire. “Students, I’d like to take the remaining time of our class for you to evaluate your classmates’ online performances. You will each choose 2 students, telling how their performances applied to MAPEH: Math-Art-Physical Education & Health” Although Janice was not sure if her spur-of-the moment idea would take off, the online kids were ecstatic! The rest of the day was filled with laughter, discussions & depth of insight. In 1 hour & 59 minutes, the 8 online kids voiced a collective “Awwww…” when Teacher Janice told them it was time to sign off. “But before you go, class, tomorrow we will have a short quiz to test the understanding of what you learned from your classmates!” As Janice’s laptop computer screen darkened, she bowed her head & prayed. “Worthy is Your Incredible Name, Lord Jesus. Every day is another opportunity for You to reveal your incredible surprises. Thank you for the strength you have given me to both enjoy you & to see you in all that occurs. Bless my students tonight, Lord. Wow. How can I improve tomorrow on the wild events of today? I guess that is up to You, Lord. See you then!” Janice then began correcting the homework of her kids & preparing her online & at-home modules for next week. When the day finally ended, Janice punched her time card. On her way out the door, Faith caught up with her. Janice gave her a hug & said, “Thanks Faith. That was a lot of work you did.” Faith smiled & said, “Well, actually the surprises are not finished yet…” Curious, Janice followed Faith down the stairs into the gym, & there was a huge table with plates & food, & at each plate was a teacher’s name. Alongside the plates were flowers, handwritten notes & chocolates form her students. A tear streamed down Janice’s cheek & she closed her eyes with a grin to tell Jesus, “Now I am REALLY excited to see how you will top this one, Lord!” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice!
2020 BCA Kids’ Christmas: Stay Strong & Safe for 2021!” $15 will give each child a face shield, face mask, Christmas BCA t-shirt, stuffed animal & food. NEEDED: $15 x 600 = $9,000. Received: $8,300. Present Need: $300 for (installment #29 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $36,800 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,406.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 2/18/2021 | NOTE: 2020 DONOR RECEIPTS have been mailed out. If you have not yet received yours, or if the one you received requires revision, please submit any updates to blckids@yahoo.com. BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: February 21: Yorktown Heights, NY. February 28: West Rensselaer, NY Please pray for the parents & sister of one of our former students who was killed in a house fire which also took the lives of his younger brother & two cousins, about 12 houses away from the BCA school campus. Praise God that, after we spoke at a New York church last Sunday, some members of the congregation decided to sponsor three previously-unsponsored BCA students! “I love you!” Jamaica may only be 3 years old, but in the letter to her sponsor she drew pictures & wrote with a crayon in her chubby little fingers, “Happy Valentine’s Day! I study hard because you keep praying for me to do my very best!” An older 8-yr-old student, Mordecai, wrote, “Dearest loving sponsor, I would like to express my gratitude & thankfulness for your supporting me even when there is a pandemic that we face. Even though many in Davao City have covid, I have been spared because, through God’s grace, you are praying for me! I love you! I hope this message put a smile on your face.” Katie, one of Mordecai’s 3rd-grade classmates, drew lots of bright red hearts on the page. After sneezing, she wiped sniffles on her sleeve & penned, “I pray for your good health.” Then there is a high schooler, Harvey. “Hi! How are you?” Harve sat for nearly 5 minutes trying to figure out what to write next. Secretary Faith prompted him, “Just write what your mind says you feel inside, Harvey.” Hmm, ok, then Harvey penned, “I hope you are doing well.” Harvey sighed. Boy, this is so difficult! Then he glanced up at a poster on the wall of an Olympic skier about to go off the high jump, accompanied by the Bible verse, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!” Harvey’s pen started writing as his mind was trying to catch up. a flood of ideas flowing through his mind. “As a 10th grader, learning with modules is so, so hard! I can barely understand, since there is not that face-to-face communication. But you know what? Even though it is hard to understand, thank God for giving me knowledge & wisdom, & for keeping me healthy. I love you; my sponsor, & God bless you.” Whew, done. He got up & went back to his studying, with renewed fervor. Faith glanced around the room & saw just one student left, diligently & artistically designing a big, colorful Valentine for her sponsor. 16-yr-old Ana. Among the pastel flowers & hearts, she penned, “When anybody asks me if I can prove there is a God, I tell them about you, my loving sponsor. Even though you are in this same fight against covid, the Almighty God we share has spanned the oceans, connecting your heart & mine as you provide for my schooling.” Ana left the room to get a drink, & meanwhile Faith peeked over to check the spelling. Perfect. Ana returned to her work, with gusto. “I don’t lose my hope that one day we can overcome this kind of challenge because God is with us. And I have a kind, loving & great sponsor like you. Thank you for helping me & for not forgetting me. I so much appreciate your kindness. I can almost feel the love that you have given to me. And because of that I continue to pray for you, that God will prosper your life, providing everything that you need to live happily ever after!” Faith gathered up the creations these kids had made, carefully arranging them in the respective cubicles above the desk of Inday, BCA’s communications secretary. Inday would stuff the letters & prepare them for mailing in a few days. Then Doris, BCA’s government liaison, bundled & brought them to the post office to mail them to the other side of the planet. As these precious notes were making their way around the Earth, Pastor Paul shared about God’s love in a New York church. Three new sponsors will soon be receiving Valentines from their Filipino students this coming March! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH: PJ & Abby’s singalong:
2020 BCA Kids’ Christmas: Stay Strong & Safe for 2021!” $15 will give each child a face shield, face mask, Christmas BCA t-shirt, stuffed animal & food. NEEDED: $15 x 600 = $9,000. Received: $8,300. Present Need: $306 for chain, padlock, key duplicate for the buses & classroom Panel Doors (3 pcs) painting materials & door knobs. # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,406.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 2/11/2021 | Chinese New Year (2/12), Valentine’s Day (2/14, USA President’s Day & BCA Teachers' Appreciation Day (2/15) NOTE: 2020 DONOR RECEIPTS have been mailed out. If you have not yet received yours, or if the one you received requires revision, please submit any updates to blckids@yahoo.com. BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: February 9: Helderberg Christian School, East Berne, NY (postponed til April, due to snow). February 14: Delhi, NY. February 21: Yorktown Heights, NY Please pray as, while BCA’s teachers prepare lessons for their students, they also lean on each other’s creativity & ideas to build excitment for their kids. Praise God that, next Monday (2/15) is the BCA Teacher appreciation Day. Oh, how we love these instructors & their incredible dedication! “Time for Takyan!” BCA’s 6th-grade Teacher Hazel, to develop the coordination of her online students, was testing the kids’ music, art & gym skills in a traditional dance to celebrate Chinese New Year. Since Takyan involves using a hackysack which the kids could not afford to buy, they improvised with all sorts of beanie-bag inventions. One even used the head of a chicken wrapped up in a cloth. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice!
2020 BCA Kids’ Christmas: Stay Strong & Safe for 2021!” $15 will give each child a face shield, face mask, Christmas BCA t-shirt, stuffed animal & food. NEEDED: $15 x 600 = $9,000. Received: $7,800130. Present Need: $300 for (installment #28 of 155 of) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $37,100 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,800 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 2/4/2021 | NOTE: 2020 DONOR RECEIPTS have been mailed out. If you have not yet received yours, or if the one you received requires revision, please submit any updates to blckids@yahoo.com BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing:
Please pray as, according to the Philippine Airlines (PAL) website, all international passengers arriving in the Philippines, have newly-revised quarantine protocols, updated monthly by ever-changing resolutions of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging & Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). It is still extremely difficult for foreigners to enter the country, which is why our family has postponed our return to Davao until mid-September. International Passengers register on the Electronic Case Investigation Form (e-CIF) as early as three days before their flight to Manila, and spend 1.5 months in quarantine: 1. 14-days pre-departure at home, 2. 14-days in Manila, upon arrival, & 3. 14-days at destination. The middle quarantine is interspersed with evaluations by health teams which visit the pre-approved hotel with RT-PCR testing. Passengers who test positive will be flown back to their port of departure. Since we have already suffered COVID & since we plan to be immunized in March, any COVID-tests might misconstrue the conquered virus antibodies in our blood as active. Praise God that, after our orphanage’s houseparent Ludy died last week, the local pastor (Randy) who has been discipling the kids has agreed to move-in, along with his wife & baby until the new family moves in this May (as administrators) to supervise the children & farm. Praise God too that I just finished reading the Bible from cover-to-cover for my 76th time! I’d like to read it 150 times before I turn 75 (in fifteen years). Also praise God that PJ & Abby broadcasted their 100th LNW (Late Night Worship) online session, with the favorite songs/hymns of many who cast their votes. “6am! Time to wake up!” BCA’s 4th-grade Teacher Angel had gotten to bed extra early on Sunday night (after grading the last of her students’ papers) so she’d be fresh for teaching Monday morning. With all her newfound energy, she leapt out of bed & straightened up her room. After B&B (bath & breakfast) & a speedy trip to the BCA campus, the morning Teachers’ devotional Bible study left her feeling motivated, responsible & focused. Angel sat down at her computer-lab cubicle, with laptop in front of her. Great- just enough time (before her Zoom-call to students) to run-through the downloads, & print-off modules after revising them for her students. After printing English, Math, EPP & Filipino, the first students showed-up on Zoom. Some of Angel’s students couldn`t join the class because they were just connecting with their neighbors’ WIFI. Others don’t have smart-phones (which are sometimes easier to connect). Also, one student couldn't join the class anytime because she has a sister in 5th-Grade who also has the same schedule with Angel. But the day had started out great, & Angel was not about to let this glitch get her down. Teacher Angel had prepared her PowerPoint presentation for teaching English, with the lesson on “Similarities & Analogy”. Since Angel had only started teaching English this year, she still felt a bit unsure of herself. Even though she’d studied it & researched for more information, she began to feel like her efforts in doing the job didn’t make sense. “Maybe my best is not good enough for others?” Then Zoom kept reminding her about the time limit, since the connection was slow. So, they had to re-enter the site again & again. After the virtual class, with a slight sigh, Angel informed the students, “I decided not to have an online class Tuesday, since I need to focus on checking your notebooks & correcting last week’s test.” After a few cheers, they signed off. “3:30. Good. Just enough time to check a few notebooks.” Angel finished 8 of the remaining 18 notebooks before the bell rang that it was time to go home. In her mind she calculated the # of subjects she’d just graded: 18-10=8 notebooks, times 11 subjects each, totaled 88 lessons. Divide that into 2 hrs of 60 minutes each, & she’d done 22 every half hour! Feeling a bit better about herself now, she closed up her laptop & headed down the stairs for her trip home. Correcting the students’ notebooks had been a challenge, since some students did not follow instructions or even left a few answers blank. So, each time she saw that a student did not comprehend, she prayed that they would get higher scores with more understanding next time around. Arriving home, she prepared rice & viand (meat) for dinner. As it was cooking, she watched the news, called her parents & checked a few more papers before getting ready for bed. “Lord.” She prayed after her nightly Bible reading, “Today was an adventure. Thanks for getting me through it. And you know what the best part of the day was, Lord? I improved kids’ lives. Oh, how I love to be a teacher. Thanks again, God! Love, your angel...Angel. Amen.” Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH:
2020 BCA Kids’ Christmas: Stay Strong & Safe for 2021!” $15 will give each child a face shield, face mask, Christmas BCA t-shirt, stuffed animal & food. NEEDED: $15 x 600 = $9,000. Received: $7,130. Present Need: $1,080 for BCA Bus “L”: repainting & general repair overhaul. # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,206.24 received of $20,000 needed. |
| 1/28/2021 | BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing:
Please pray that the severe COVID pandemic will diminish enough to allow our return overseas to the Philippine ministry this coming September. While we have 32 Sundays left to challenge congregations in the area of missions, as well as another Sunday to compete in the Maine Ironman, we still are counting down the weeks until we can once again be on Asian shores. Praise God that God has answered your prayers by using Paul’s lung exercises over the past three weeks to eliminate 4% of the COIVD-induced phlegm residue in his chest. In a few days he can once again gradually build up a regimen of exercises to bring him back to 100%. He is now breathing at 96% & getting his voice back. However, occasionally he still gets winded during routine exercises like walking up the stairs. Praise God as well that, after nearly a year of being closed, the Philippine Postal System is once again operating! “Math Test tomorrow!” BCA’s 5th Grade Teacher GH knew what it took to get the students’ attention, even if they were only online & not in person. While there were also to be tests in Art, Health, Music and Science, GH knew that their uncertainty in Math would light a fire under them to study. When GH suggested that the parents & relatives assist the kids, little Marco’s “Uncle Maurice” piped in with, “I haven’t studied multiplying fractions & analyzing how scientific changes in matter affect the environment, in thirty years or more!” GH said, “Guess now is a good time to start taking notes, then, huh?” Teacher GH had actually well-prepared the students for their upcoming test, though. In the past, students had depended too much on the answer keys when they were doing quizzes, so she took them away & made them find the answers by her telling them the worksheet # where the answer could be found. In Art class, the kids made miniature houses with popsicle sticks & other recyclable items. In Science, GH had almost missed the class as her clock had stopped when she was having coffee over breakfast and she lost track of time. Grabbing her stack of colored paper, spilling her coffee & rushing out the door, she arrived just in time to punch her time card & scoot upstairs to begin her day’s lessons. “Class, notice the colored construction paper which I placed in the packets that were distributed to you by our bus drivers this past Monday.” GH reached over the stack of notebooks which she still had to correct from a few days before, retrieving her many pages & colors of construction paper. Delicately folding the paper, she frame-by-frame instructed the “Module #8” science lesson in the petals, stamen, pistil and other parts of the flower, as they shaped, cut, folded and glued together their flowers which were very colorful and realistic! To be sure that those students without internet also would not miss out, she made a video to send out to them. The hard work paid off, for when GH began correcting the exams, colorful pictures graced the pages as the students energetically gave 101% effort to do their very best! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! 2020 BCA Kids’ Christmas: Stay Strong & Safe for 2021!” $15 will give each child a face shield, face mask, Christmas BCA t-shirt, stuffed animal & food. NEEDED: $15 x 600 = $9,000. Received: $6,435. Present Need: $300 for (installment #27 of 155) $46,500 flood-proof (4-foot-high backfill) raised garage next to BCA’s present building, to protect our school buses. $37,400 remaining. # of students sponsored at BCA: 513 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,206.24 received of $20,000 needed. A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH:
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| 1/21/2021 | USA Inauguration Day (1/20) BARNERS’ speaking / singing / visiting & / or sharing: January 24: Colonie, NY. January 31: Ithaca, NY. Please pray as, according to the January 21 Manila Bulletin, https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/20/will-you-get-vaccinated/ 47% of Filipino adults will not get vaccinated against COVID-19, because of their concern about the safety of such vaccines. 29 elderly patients died in Norway as a consequence of their Pfizer shots. Please also pray as, according to the January 17 Manila Bulletin, https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/17/ice-cream-tests-positive-for-covid-19-reports/ An investigation is underway in Tianjin, China after 3 samples of ice cream reportedly tested positive for coronavirus. Epidemiological investigations conducted show the company produced the batch of ice cream using imported raw materials. 1,600 employees of the Tianjin Daqiaodao Food Company have been quarantined & are undergoing tests. Praise God that, as one of the benefits of Abigail’s recently completed 3rd semester in college, she is now certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), a lifesaving technique useful in many emergencies, including heart attack or near drowning, in which someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. The other two topics were Social studies & Math. Here goes… “Students, who is the Philippine national hero?” Jose Rizal. Every Filipino knows that. And who died for your sins? Jesus. Unanimous again. You too are a hero. Pursue your dreams & desires in life. Dr Jose Rizal travelled the world in the 1800s to tell people how special the Filipino people are. You too can confidently seek to achieve your dreams! Now, let’s go on to comparing #s 1- 100 using relational symbols (greater than, less than, equals). We mentioned three heroes: Jesus who died for your sins, Jose Rizal, and you. All are great people, but if you used a “greater than” sign, who would be the greatest? Once again, the class response was unanimous…. Jesus is the Greatest! The Greatest Overcomer. The Greatest Protector. The most Heroic of Heroes! Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! Present Need: $303 for Insulation/wires at gym & labor, Repair of classroom doors (materials). # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,206.24 received of $20,000 needed. A FEW TOOLS FOR PERSONAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH:
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| 1/14/2021 | Martin Luther King Day (1/18) Paul & Elvie’s Silver (25th) Paperversary/Anniversary (1/15/96 & 7/6/96) # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,206.24 received of $20,000 needed.
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| 1/7/2021 | 1/7/2021 Happy New Year, 2021! (1/1) Praise God that, even though we lost a long-time but aged sponsor for one of the BCA students, during December, a woman at a church where we spoke in early December decided to sponsor a second child! For the past year, due to covid travel bans, I have had the privilege of sharing the duty with siblings to daily care for my 91-yr-old dad whose dementia has slowed due to constant care. When we arrived from abroad in 2019, he had asked who I was. Now, when his nurse would come daily, he’d say proudly, “This is my son Paul”. Almost daily I get calls from local schools for mentally disabled requesting me to substitute teach. Occasionally, when I have an alternate to care for Dad, I agree. In mid-December, they called & PJ agreed to fill in as his grandpa’s aide. After downloading the “Daily Dozen” reports from our ministries in the Philippines, to myself as their president & pastor, the final one before I left to teach, was from Alex, my 70-yr-old secretary (a retired pastor). “Rained hard last night, so I mopped the office. Trained the male faculty in weekly devotional from 1 Peter: ‘Hope that is never shaken’.” As I checked-in to the school, half an hour away, I considered Alex’s message. Hope. Hmm. Kind of the opposite of HYPE which we often get caught in, when things catch us off-guard. Teaching while wearing a mask is challenging, since you have to keep repeating yourself. But little 2nd-grader Tommy was responsive as I taught him how to add. “Put up 3 fingers. Now count from five. What do you get?” When Tommy said “8” & I told him he was correct, a huge smile spread across his face. Then it happened. Tommy’s mask fell off, & the charming little 7-yr old sneezed. On the way home later, it did not seem like I could turn the heat high enough in the car. I began shivering. At home, I curled in my bed with blankets. For a week I was homebound. The rest of the family decided to have covid tests, but were negative. The bones in my heels started twisting painfully so I could not walk. Coughs brought sharp pains to my chest, & my lungs began to fill with phlegm so that I struggled to breathe. Christmas week, PJ brought me for my very first covid test. Three days later, on Christmas Day, the results came back positive. While I had been bedridden upstairs, my father downstairs had caught a cold he could not shake. Christmas night, Elvie came into my bedroom upstairs. “Dad is now in heaven. A few minutes ago he was sitting in his favorite chair…then we prayed…& then he stopped breathing. He went more peacefully than anyone I have ever seen, as the angels came & brought his soul to his new home.” Wow. Dad is gone. But ever being the teacher, I almost wonder if Dad was saying, “Paul, if you do not go to the hospital…immediately, then you will join me tonight in heaven.” PJ drove me to the hospital. “Ma’am, I have covid…and…I…can’t breathe.” Rushed to the emergency room, gadgets, tests, hoses, auto bp cuffs, compression balloons, etc. made me feel like a robot. High-flo oxygen tanks made up for my lungs that could not function beyond 65%. Very loving doctors & nurses (in protective gowns, air purifiers backpacks, helmets of multiple layers like on the space station) cared for me & every few hours another patient died when “code blue in room #” was announced on the PA system. Then heaven was bombarded. Elvie, PJ & Abby, plus my brother & sister caught covid. “Please pray for us!” Elvie sent out the message to thousands of friends, who in turn contacted their prayer chains. In Intensive Care, I opened my Bible to Psalm 91. “I will protect him, for he knows my Name.” Incredible peace gently descended upon me, overwhelming me with God’s prescence. Just as Dad had said “This is my son Paul,” God was now saying, “This is my son Paul.” I can’t breathe. But God is here! I have painful gadgets & hoses & machines keeping me alive, yet God is here! I can’t yet feel him, nor see Him, but He is here! Imagine, God is in ICU! In the middle of the night, among the beeping & oxygen whirring, suddenly I woke up to demons. They appeared before me. But God is in ICU. With great confidence I shouted (in my mind, as my voice was limited) “GET OUT OF THIS ROOM! THIS IS HOLY GROUND! I CLAIM THE BLOOD OF MY SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST OVER THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW!!!!” They left, never to return. Good riddance. The doctors were amazed as my lungs started taking over once again. 65%...75%...87%...” New Year’s Day came & went. Hours…days…weeks…”Paul, what do you want to do today?” asked the very kindly Dr. Bernei. “I want to go home.” Hmmm, let’s see what we can do. On January 8, I was already back home (Yay, God!) & our family finally opened our Christmas presents. Mostly dollar store stuff, as our holiday shopping had been curtailed. I still can’t sing well as my voice is not 100%. But you know what? I have peace. Peace that passes understanding. I love God so very much. He cared for me, like the tender, loving hands of a nurse who is still there as you pass in and out of consciousness. He was there at my bedside. I was in pain, & He was there. I couldn’t breathe & He was there. And the peace that passes understanding, He gave…just by being there. For me. Cool. A friend has a refrigerator magnet that says, “God loves the whole world…but I am His favorite!” Thank you for praying. In a nutshell, the past month can be summed up in two words: Peace…Always. Until next time…Let the islands rejoice! # of students sponsored at BCA: 514 Triathlon bus fund (NEXT RACE: 8/29/2021): $7,206.24 received of $20,000 needed.
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| Archived news from 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 Last edited
December 30, 2021
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