More Filla from Manila

As it is in most other countries when you get away from home and office, you run into internet problems. We had internet here at the guest house in the mornings but nothing late at night. And since we have been going from early morning till evening, I haven't gotten to post since Friday. But here I am at nine in the evening on Monday, that should be, if my calculations are correct about five p.m on Sunday for you. Hope you had a happy birthday, Jan! By the way, this guest house, owned by World Team Missions is great. Here's a picture.

Friday, we were able to visit one of the large shopping districts before starting our meetings. The have a Mega Mall and a Hyper Mall. Then there is the Asia Mall, which is said to be the largest mall in Asia. Carlos wanted to purchase a typical Philippine shirt for Sunday. We ate lunch at Max's and then proceeded on to a place called "Robinson Homes." I found out I am a big man here because Robinson is on everything important, land, shopping, streets, etc. We went there to discuss with a many named Manny Pera, his goals and ideas about planting churches. He comes from a different background and has recently affiliated with Friends. It was a profitable visit. We spent some time that evening discussing some options for this role.

On Saturday, we drove to a town called Marikina, still a part of Metro Manila, to meet with a group of pastor's gathering there. Three or four came from the island of Samar, were some churches are meeting in buildings made from bamboo and banana leaves. They traveled two hrs. by ferry and ten hours in a car to come to the meeting. It's like driving from Friendswood to Wichita just for a pastor's gathering. They did stay over for the celebration on Sunday. We, of course ate, which Friends do when they get together; rice, vegetables, fish, boiled quail eggs, bananas and the universal food, Coca Cola. It was fun to get acquainted with pastors from all over Manila and other parts of the country. That afternoon, we went to meet a pastor in Villa Cuana, who was starting a church in a home he had built on top of a former landfill. Could you do that? This guy and his family are so talented and dedicated, that they see only the possibilities. They are building a second story on their house for the church to meet. Wow.

Sunday, a huge day. We split the team into three different churches. I went to Angono to preach to a small congregation. Rodell is the pastor and the location is where Jaime and Lydia are preparing their new home, right in the edge of the mountains. What a beautiful setting and wonderful, excited people. After lunch, it was almost time for the 30 year anniversary celebration service to begin at 3. It was a great time and lasted till 6:30. There were about 350 there and the church fed us all, chicken, pork, and rice. Then the team with Jaime, Lydia, their daughter Lois and her new husband John went out for ice cream. I think it was about 10:30 when we turned in.

Then today, Monday, we were up driving to the north side of the city to Kawit, Cavite the site of a small church in a very depressed area of the city. A wonderful lady, Nora pastors this congregation along with her daughter. The meet in a rented duplex house. We shared with them and they fed us again, rice, vegetables, fish (and steamed mussels, what a treat for me!), fried chicken, pork, pineapple and bananas. Then we traveled across the city to the south side, about 3-4 hours drive to a small church called Bagang Salang (New Birth) Friends church. Pastor George Montoya and his congregation treated us to singing and fed us some delicious rice cakes called Biki (bee-kee). So now we are ready for a good rest.

Tomorrow we visit the Faith Bible College where several Friends students are studying, and then in the afternoon to the Great Commission Theological Seminary where I will speak to the students and faculty on retreat. I'll try to update you again before we travel the 7,000+ miles home.