 "GOD IS IN CONTROL"
"And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose."-Romans 8:28
When you are on the front lines of battle, you will
be shot at. The telephone rang. The professional voice on the other end of
the line seemed urgent. "Hello, this is the Department of Education
in Davao. We have a letter here that has claims against your school.
Please come to our office immediately."
Running a Christian School means that Satan has many
opportunities to test our testimony. Yet in all we do, we need to shine.
Like in the case of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible, we need to
be sure that not even one fault can be found with our work.
Every false claim was documented inaccurate. All our
teachers are fully licensed. We'd earned our government permit without
bribes, and those who can afford to pay for classes pay the same amount as
the sponsored children's tuition. All our staff has medical insurance and
social security covered by the school.
Since we began our Christian School in 1998, Elvie
has made a point to go overboard in doing everything "by the
book", even when other schools have said it was unnecessary. We carry
the added responsibility, not only of carrying the reputation for our
school, but also of our testimony for Jesus Christ.
God used Satan's attacks against him. In our PTA
meeting, the parents spoke for the school and developed a petition to the
government to extend our kinderschool to first grade elementary classes.
Truly, as always, God is in control!
"Burn
the Fetish!"
"If we burn the fetish, the smoke may bring
demons into our house!" No, God is powerful. We'll pray that He
protect you.
Jane and Ray (not their
real names) are parents of two sponsored pupils at our kinderschool. Our
church elder and I visited their small shoebox-sized cement house.
"Jesus loves you, Ray. He wants to come into your heart." There,
as we prayed, he received the gift of eternal life, becoming a new
believer. "Is there anything that you want us to pray for?"
"Yes, pastor!"
Jane reached into a weathered box and pulled out an old brown folder.
Dance of the Demons was the name of the piano piece. I am familiar with
this active, classical number. But for Jane, every time she played it, she
imagined demons dancing.
So we burned the folder,
praying that its smoke would avoid the house. As the flames leapt up, a
breeze blew the smoke away from the house and down the street. "Let
this folder's burning represent the sin that is taken away from you
through the blood of Jesus Christ as you have received Him into your
heart."
"EDSA
DOS"
The Philippines has a new
president, Gloria Macapalgo Arroyo. She changed from vice president this
month when the Filipinos forced President Estrada from power due to his
stealing. This force of Filipino power, called "People Power"
was begun in 1986 during the Edsa Revolution. This month's revolution was
titled, "Edsa Dos" (Edsa, Part Two).
Arroyo learned much from
her father when he was president 35 years ago. Likewise, our church and
education ministries are training future leaders. A spiritual revolution
is taking shape, as I train our church elder through TEE
(Theological Education By Extension).
Every Sunday afternoon
for an hour or two we correct our lessons about Jesus. After he graduates
next year, Tibs our elder, will train the deacons in the church.
Every week I teach
English and Bible history to college students. Training future leaders to
reach the world for Christ is a revolution, gathering momentum.
 BLC Emergency Medical Fund
"For I was hungry and
you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink…I was sick and you looked after me…"-Matt. 25:35,36
"Pastor, my son
Carlos' leg is not moving. Do you think he's paralyzed?" Why not take
him to the hospital? "I can't. We can't afford it." Then we will
help you from the BLC Emergency Medical Fund (EMF)".
"Pastor, one of the
BLC parents had a miscarriage. It was in the middle of the night, and
blood was all over the floor of her shack. She could not move, as she
exhausted. It was so good that I was there to help clean up the mess and
feed her pig." Did she go to the hospital for a D & C? "She
can't afford it." Then we will help you from the BLC Emergency
Medical Fund."
The BLC Emergency Medical
Fund has, to date, received from various sources a total of over $500 to
assist children in emergency medical situations. They can only be assisted
if the illness is life threatening and if the family cannot cover expenses
themselves.
The fund is unique in its design, for the funds that are placed into it
are never depleted. Instead, only the interest from deposited funds is
used. If the interest to date is used up, no money from the principle will
be released. Therefore every month, there will be a guaranteed amount
available in case of emergencies. To give for this, designate: BLC
Emergency Medical Fund. |
