Wrapping up the trip

I knew it would have to come to an end. Just about the time we get over our jet-lag, we have to pack up and get readjusted to another time. It is now 8:47 am on Wednesday. According to my computer clock it is 6:47 p.m on Tuesday at home. Our flight leaves tonight at 10 here and arrives in Los Angeles at 6 pm on the same day. I plan to arrive in Wichita at around noon on Thursday.

Yesterday we were able to visit two Bible Colleges, one of which has a graduate program also. Several Friends students attend the Faith Bible College which is an OMS school. The current president is Dr. Karl Luff, who with his wife Peggy, served as pastor in North Carolina at the same time I was there. It was a special treat to see them again after 30 years. They were having an all school retreat and this was their closing service. We had a good time of fellowship with the group. Chuck Mylander spoke to them. Several responded to a call to greater involvement in the kingdom that might involve Missions service.

Following lunch we went to the Great Commission International College and Seminary, where I shared a message with the students and faculty. And after some refreshments, we went to the huge Mega Mall to purchase some souveniers to take to our families. Back in the car again we joined Jaime and Lydia's daughter and son-in-law John for a chinese dinner. We had a festive occasion (as much as our tired bodies allowed) in sharing and fellowship. Then to the guest house for a night of rest before our next day. Today is scheduled for meetings with Jaime and Lydia, processing all we have learned and endeavoring to provide as much support as we can to their great work here in planting churches.

Let me leave you with some pictures of cultural life. The "Jeepney" is the public transportation in Manila, both privately owned and publicly owned. They are all the way from quite fancy to rather plain and usually full of people.

While the city is ultra modern with massive malls and sky scrapers, there are huge problems with poverty and pollution. The rivers are jammed with garbage and the poor build "shantytowns" alongside, wherever they can find a small open spot to locate. This, of course is not unlike many large cities. Manila has a metro population of over 15 million residents, which makes for a massive amount of problem in governmental administration. The papers are continually filled with exposing corruption by the governmental officials.

I am told that 60% of the population is under 25 years of age. This is why there are so many young people in each church. They do some incredible praise and worship. In fact, we did not sing one "hymn" the whole time. Each church, small to large had some type of worship ensemble from acoustic guitar to the whole band. They are very much influenced by Hillsong, a P&W team from Australia. So it is very lively, energizing, upbeat and loud. But provides for great worship experiences.

I want to request that you pray for Jaime and Lydia Tabingo, who are serving as our national leaders here. Their task is ominous, but they seem to be helping to fulfill the Great Commission through the planting of churches and developing leaders in ways that are unique. They deserve our love and support.