June Newsletter

Volume 13, No. 6
  

• By All Means, Save a Few!
• Letters
• Daddy, Will You Forgive Me?

The Barner 4: in Manila's 
Rizal Park, the week of the 
"EDSA 3" riots.

BY ALL MEANS, SAVE A FEW!

"Drip, drip." Little brown spots appeared on my shirt as I looked up and realized I was standing under the mason who was cementing the arch of our school's new main entrance.

The Apostle Paul stated that his desire was to, by all means, save at least a few. Therefore, in everything we do, we try to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even if it is only a little "seed", God can make it grow to the place where the person becomes a believer.

As the construction continues at the school, renovations are being made in many areas. One of the government's inspectors made the comment that our stairs were too steep. So we pulled out the old staircase, and a few walls, and turned the steps around, facing the other way. This supplied not only a more gradual angle, but also needed storage space above and below the stairs.

This is only one of about 20 projects that are speedily being finished before orientation for school year 2001-2002 on June 4. Carpenters, masons, painters, electricians and plumbers can be heard pounding all day long and into the night.

Every few hours, these laborers see me, the pastor/president, making my rounds, climbing ladders and complimenting them on their excellent progress. Many have never darkened the door of a church, so this is their first contact with a minister of the gospel. Some have even recently visited the church.

Each Saturday is payday. 34 envelopes are filled with paychecks, along with a special gospel tract in the native tongue, Cebuano. As the Apostle Paul said, by all means, to save a few!

Major renovations require major tools: a rented jackhammer does the trick!

Letters

Dear Rev. Paul,I would like to continue to sponsor a child for the Barner Learning Center and have sent $20 for the month.& pray that he will continue to learn and grow in Christian love. I pray for you and Elvie and all the children, teachers and staff at the Barner Learning Center and the people of the Philippines.    God Bless You! -Linda

"DADDY, WILL YOU FORGIVE ME?"

Elvie's new principal's office was almost completed at the school. The last nail for the ceiling was finally in place and covered with blue and beige paint. When Elvie and PJ came by the school to see the new office, PJ played while I showed El around.

Suddenly I turned to the sound of a "clik!". PJ had shut the door! Since the knob had only been halfway assembled, there was no way of getting it open.

"PJ, what did you do?"

"I tutted dah door, Daddy."

"But PJ, now we are locked in!"

And then, with teardrop shaped, puppydog expression, "Torry Daddy. Will you forgive me?"

"Of course. But now we have to figure how to get out of here."

It was late at night, and the builders had gone home. I looked around the floor and found a wire, which became a sort of "key" when I shaped it and wedged it behind the tiny release mechanism in the lock. Ten minutes later, we were free. Or so I thought.

The next day PJ asked again, as he would countless times over the next few weeks, "Daddy, will you forgive me?"

"For what?"

"For locking Mommy's office door!"

At only 3 years old, a little child understands sin, guilt and forgiveness. How much more must we adults, after we see our sin, give it up to God for complete forgiveness through Jesus Christ!

The BLC staircase is rebuilt more "kinder-friendly" and permanent.

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Last edited September 02, 2002
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