PHILIPPINE MISSION TRIP REPORT APRIL/MAY 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR Our Dear Brethren: During the following few weeks, our Lord willing, I will be sending out the report of our daily activities during my last trip to the Philippine Islands to many of you who are interested in; have prayed for; and in some cases have financially supported the endeavors of myself, and Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, to spread the true gospel message in those islands. This trip began on April 26, and ended on May 19. I apologize for not beginning to send out this report sooner, but my computer quit on me shortly after returning home, finally resulting in my having to get a different one. It has taken me some time to get the new one re-programmed; and since all my e-mail addresses were in the old one, I have had some difficulty in getting the addresses transferred to the new one. Coupled with this, of course, was the fact of having to get caught up on much that was left undone while I was away. Also, adding to the delay is the fact that the church has decided to sell our present property, and relocate, this process taking much of my time getting papers processed, while looking for a new location. I am happy to say that a new location has been found; and our Lord willing, we will soon be moved. As an explanation as to the move, we of the church felt that we could sell our present facilities for more than it would take to acquire new facilities; and that the excess funds could be put to the better use of supporting our mission in the Philippine Islands. Unless something unforeseen happens, this has turned out to be true, as we now have a contract on both the present facilities, and new facilities. We ask your prayers that our Lord will direct us now in the good stewardship of the excess funds. When all is finalized, we will be sending out more information, including new address, phone numbers, or any other thing necessary for our beloved brethren to stay in communication with us. Back to the trip itself, let me just say here that as far as I am able to judge, our Lord was most gracious once again, blessing the work beyond any thing I could have hoped for. Once again, to me it has proved that our Lord “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”! As I tell the church, every time I begin one of these trips I cannot help but wonder if God will bless as He has in the past -- and every time, so far, He has blessed it seems even more! As for the part of myself, and the Filipino brethren who are with me, we claim nothing to be done of ourselves, but constantly appeal to the grace of God which we preach. Other than scheduling places to preach, we make no plans but to pray and preach; preach and pray. Our work is just that simple! This, coupled with the prayers of many both here and there, has accomplished, and is accomplishing, an abundant harvest. Well, this enough for here; the rest will be explained in the pages which follow. As has been my way of sending out this report for the past several trips, I will send it one day at a time. Once again, thanks be to God for your love, prayers, and support!!! As always, it is only by His amazing grace that we of this church remain with all saints in faith, hope, and charity; Paul Jordan   PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT APRIL/MAY 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY TWO Get up at 5:00 A.M., and after getting ready, go down stairs to find Bro. Monceller waiting, along with five other pastors. He has rented a van and driver for the day; so after loading up, we head out to Santa Monte, Bulacan where today’s meeting will be held. Arrive just before 7:30; and the meeting begins a few minutes afterward. There are four pastors scheduled to do the preaching today: Bro. Rey Monceller; Bro. Rolando Mendoza; Bro. Raul Mendoza (no relation); and myself. This is my first time to meet Bros. Rolando and Raul, both being pastors Bro. Rey Monceller has met through the seminary where he is now teaching. Services begin with the usual singing and prayer; after which Bro. Rey preaches on The Sovereignty of God. After him, Bro. Raul preaches on Total Depravity. Bro. Rey -- who is one of my most cherished brothers in this work -- is a very capable preacher/teacher; and his message, as always, is very good. While the message from Bro. Raul is adequate, it seems evident that he, even though he is preaching, has much to learn about the subject of depravity. After Bro. Raul preaches, I preach on the subject of Unconditional Election. Now there are many questions in the minds of the hearers, so they have me fielding these questions for something over the next hour. There are 54 pastors registered at this conference, the vast majority of which have either no knowledge of these precious truths, or at best very little. After this question and answer session, we break for about ten minutes. Then Bro. Rolando Mendoza preaches on the subject of Limited Atonement. This Bro. rejoices my heart in his message; and I hope to have the opportunity and privilege to work with him in the future. Not only did his message cover the subject well, but it seemed to me that there was Holy Spirit power in it! It is time now for the lunch break, which lasts for about an hour an a half, during which time Bro. Raul Mendoza takes me to see the place where he and his wife operate a school for children, consisting of Kindergarten through grade 6. They would like to expand the school to include grades 7 through 10 (10 being the last year of high school here), but has no money to do it. Although he does not come right out and say it, yet it is obvious he hopes that I will help. Actually, they have only enough rooms for half the grades at one time they now teach . Kindergarten through grade 3 attends school from 6:00 A.M. until Noon; then grades 4 through 6 attend in the afternoon. I might add that the facilities are very poor; and while I very much sympathize with their needs, there is nothing I can do. Shortly after returning to the meeting place, the conference resumes with me preaching on the subject of Irresistible Grace; and Bro. Rolando preaching on Preservation Of The Saints. This second message from Bro. Rolando just adds to my thankfulness for the grace of God in this brother! This is the last message for the afternoon, but the pastors have many more questions, which I am called on to answer most of for the next hour or so. Once again I am made to both marvel at the way God brings the messages, and the answers. How different it is here, as opposed to the states! While there is so much resistance to the true word of God in the states, yet here there is so much power that accompanies the word that there is not only very little resistance, but rather much rejoicing!!! After these questions, we then break for the evening meal. After the evening meal, I preach the closing message, which I have entitled “Fifteen Road Signs Along The Straight And Narrow”, beginning with Luke 13:26. The sermon has fifteen comparatives opposing each other, the object being to stay on the straight path, neither moving to the right or the left. As observed earlier, there are 54 pastors here, consisting of Baptists, Pentecostals, Christian Alliance, Four Square Gospel, and even one follower of Armstrong’s group, The World Tomorrow. As also stated earlier, most are not familiar with our doctrine. Were they all converted? Probably not; but the majority of them give every evidence of finding much joy in them! Not only is it evident in their reactions during the preaching, and question and answer sessions, but also in the conversations I have with them individually. Added to these is also the expressions of appreciation as we are trying to leave. There is no quick or easy way to leave, as many follow us all the way to the van, still wanting to talk; and even as we drive away, they are waving and expressing their thanks! Only eternity will reveal exactly what has been done, but it seems to me that something can be rightly discerned by the above, plus the liberty God gives to preach! During the trip over, as always I wonder if God will bless as before; and I do a lot of praying to that end! After today, I am blessed with the assurance that we are off to a good start! Arrive back at the hotel about 11:00 P.M.; and after a much refreshing shower, I fall into bed! Blessed be the name of the Lord!!! PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT APRIL/MAY 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY THREE My day began at about 4:00 A.M., getting up to get ready. I leave the room with Bro. Adel Obien just after 5:00 A.M., and we catch a taxi to the bus terminal; then take a bus to the place of Pastor Albiso, also in the province of Bulacan, as yesterday. From the hotel this trip takes about two hours. We arrive first at Bro. Albiso’s house, where we visit for awhile. We then go to the meeting place, which is the place of Bro. Abiso’s church -- on the roof of a two story building. Services begin shortly after 8:00 A.M. (Attendees keep arriving until about 10:00 A.M., the total number attending reaching approximately 18. I never personally take an exact head count; and the reason I could report an exact number of 54 yesterday is because the host pastor registered the attendees, giving the number to Bro. Monceller.) with prayer and singing. I am the only one who is preaching today, and I begin just before 9:00 A.M. Once again most of those attending are totally unfamiliar with the doctrines of grace -- indeed, only Bro. Abiso has any amount of knowledge of them! I preach about an hour, then we take a break. After the break; and some more prayer and singing; I resume the message. Since I am the only preacher preaching, I am able to cover the doctrines of grace in more of a general way, instead of taking them point by point; and also able to tie many other thoughts in with them. I preach for something over an hour, after which we break for lunch. During lunch, we have good conversation; and Bro. Albiso wants to know if I will come next year during Easter week to be their preacher at their “convention”. This meeting begins on Wednesday, going through Friday. Bro. Albiso fellowships with a group of pastors numbering over 360, on several different islands, but mainly from the islands of Luzon, and Mindanao. Not nearly all of them will be able to attend this “convention”, but I am told there will be quite a crowd anyway! May God grant that I can come! After lunch, and some more singing and prayer, I resume my message, ending about 2:30. After this, we have prayer for all the pastors present, and adjourn with singing, and a closing prayer led by Bro. Abiso. Once again, if testimony and reaction means anything -- plus the fact that they would ask me to be their preacher for their general fellowship -- then it has been another beautiful, and successful day! God be praised! Bro. Adel and I arrive back at the hotel about 5:30 P.M.; and after putting our things in the room, we go across to the mall to eat. I also need an adapter so I can charge my phone batteries; and I need to get a phone card in order to call my wife back home. According to T-Mobile, I should be able to call without this card, but when I tried to contact Dorothy after arriving in Manila, the phone would not make connection. Consequently, I had to call her via regular phone -- the bill for which I have just received in the amount of $74.14 for ten minutes of talk! We then return to the hotel, where I write up this account of today’s activities. After writing up this report, and taking a shower, (It is the hottest time of year in the islands, and neither today’s meeting place, or the one yesterday had any air conditioning.), it is after 9:00 P.M.; and I feel very blessed, but also very tired! Tomorrow is Sunday, and my Lord willing I will preach at our church in the Taytay District of Manila, after which we will have a baptismal service. So, more tomorrow, but now it is time for some rest!   To God be the glory; great things He hath done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son! PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY FOUR Another day of blessing! Got a good night’s sleep and rest, and woke up with plenty of time to get ready -- the only problem being that I still do not have a message for today. Thought about it yesterday evening; and off and on through the night, but nothing seemed right. So this morning, after getting dressed, I go to the scriptures, praying that a text would come. I finally decided on the first ten verses of Proverbs chapter three. Shortly after, Bro. Rey Monceller comes by to take me to the church services. Upon arriving at the meeting place; and after greetings are made; I sit down to wait for the services to begin. For some reason, though, I am uneasy about my chosen text, so begin once again to look at the scriptures. My eye fell on Psalm 107:1-3; and after thinking about this text, it seems it is right. The events that would follow would prove to me that this is surely the right text! First, the songs sung related to this text; then unbeknownst to me, Bro. Rey called on the candidates for baptism to give a testimony: what could be better suited than “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so --”! And as if to provide contrast, one of those requesting baptism refuses to testify! Now there is no doubt that once more my Lord has somehow directed my thoughts to agree with His!!! Once more I am bound to bow, and give thanks to God for liberty; and after the close of the services we all proceed to the place where the baptisms are to take place. We first enjoyed a fellowship luncheon, afterward performing the baptisms of eight persons. Added to the blessing of the baptisms was the fact that they were performed in a most public place -- in the swimming pool of a “Resort” -- with people all around to witness! (Actually, we had gone to another one of these “resorts”, which is operated by a religious group; but this one was so crowed that we could not get in; and besides, the noise was so bad that we all felt it was not conducive to the occasion. I am both fascinated, and repulsed, that all this is happening in the name of religion!) After another hour or so of fellowship, we all gather around for a prayer to end the day. It is now 5:30 P.M., and I am at the hotel, and finishing this day’s record. We will need to leave here in the morning no later than 3:00 A.M. in order to catch our flight to Bacolod, on the island of Negros. This will be the first time on this island! May our Lord be pleased to continue His blessings!!! This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24 PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY FIVE What a day -- in more ways than one! Bro. Obien and I get up at 2:15 A.M., and leave the hotel just before 3:00 by taxi to the airport. Our plane leaves for Bacolod on the Island of Negros, at 5:30 A.M., and we land at 6:30. After looking for our ride, Bro. Obien calls on the cell phone to find that they are at the wrong terminal. The terminals are close to each other, so it only takes a few minutes more before we are on the way to Sagay City, to our seminar location. The trip to Sagay City takes about an hour by van, and we arrive about 8:00 A.M.; and then the seminar gets under way about 8:30 with singing and prayer; after which Bro. Dexter Malud gives a history of how the “Calvinistic Doctrines”, so called, came into existence. This already provokes some questions, but it is decided that the questions should be held until later. I am then called on to preach on the doctrine of Total Depravity. After this message, as hoped, it is obvious that understanding is beginning to come to the satisfaction of many questions, although not all. Bro. Dexter Malud then preaches on the doctrine of Unconditional Election, lasting until the noon hour -- 8:30 to noon without a break! A good lunch is served, during which time a few questions take place; and a few minutes before 1:00 P.M., we resume the seminar with Bro. Joshua Gubal preaching on the doctrine of Limited Atonement. After this, Bro. Dexter preaches on the doctrine of Effectual Call (Irresistible Grace). (Earlier I said that not all the questions were satisfied, and several times the messages are interrupted with more questions.) After Bro. Dexter finishes, I preach on the doctrine of Preservation of the Saints, along with working in thoughts relating to several of the other doctrines already preached. By the time I finish, it is already almost 5:00 P.M. -- again with no break. (Bro. Obien is feeling ill from the effects of high blood pressure, so after the noon meal, he goes off to rest, not returning until after the end of the seminar. He needs to rest -- especially since we have a difficult journey ahead to get to the place of our next seminar.) At the end of the last message, more questions are raised; and in spite of what seems to be clear answers, some persist in their resistance (One young man walks out in what appears to be disgust!), and at this point I begin to wonder if we have accomplished what we hoped for! However, by the time we officially come to an end at a few minutes after 6:00, it is apparent our efforts have been blessed. People begin coming by with smiles on their faces to shake hands, and express their thanks; and several linger still for quite a while to talk. Almost always there are some sceptics -- and sometimes some obstinate ones -- but for the most part people find much joy in these truths -- as do all true believers! Even after leaving for home, some sent text messages back to the pastor’s wife to say “thank you”, and express their joy! After the seminar ends, we stay to visit with the pastor and his family for another 30 minutes or so; after which we eat some of the leftovers from noon. Afterward we visit a time longer, finally leaving by tricycle at about 8:00, headed to the bus terminal. (There has been dark clouds building up, with much lightening, and I wonder if we are going to get to the terminal without getting wet! I am happy to say, though, that not a drop fell on us!) About 9:00 P.M. we board a bus headed for Dumagete -- on the exact opposite end of the island of Negros -- to catch a boat over to the island of Mindanao. I am under the impression that this bus will take us all the way, taking about 5 hours. However, after about an hour and a half -- over unpaved roads -- we have to get off this bus at another terminal. I now find out we have about a 4 hour wait until the next bus comes to take us to Dumagete; and then about another 4 hours to get there! (This is not the first time I have gotten a “wrong impression”; and I am sure it will not be the last! My “impressions” about such things as travel usually come from things I just over hear the brothers saying; and I seldom ask questions, knowing they will take me where we need to go; and we will be there when we get there. Also, even though they know quite well how to get around, they have no control over the erratic schedules of most of the transportation!) It is 11:30 P.M. as I write this in a very dimly lighted bus terminal. I’ll let you know how this ends after we -- hopefully -- reach our intended destination for our next seminar! Right now suffice it to say that I am very tired, (As I am sure my three companions are -- although all three have had much more rest over the past 24 hours than I have!), but still looking at probably 14 to 15 hours before we will be any where we can rest! “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” 2.Chronicles 32:8 PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY SIX At the end of yesterday’s report, I said that I would let you know how yesterday ended. Well, we waited at the bus terminal until after 2:00 A.M. this morning until the bus arrived going to Dumagete. This one has just a tad more leg room between the seats, so although my knees are up against the seat in front, yet not so much that it is painful! After all the passengers are loaded, we leave the terminal with not quite all seats occupied. As we continue; as usual with these busses; every few minutes some get on, and some get off; and although the road is rough, with many sharp curves -- which the way these people drive, throws you from side to side -- yet the ride is fairly pleasant in that because it is night, even though there is no air conditioning, it is not so hot. The only negative to this point is that nothing of the countryside can be seen in the dark. However, it doesn’t stay pleasant long! For while a few get off at each stop along the way, yet many more are getting on than are getting off! Before long this bus is packed like sardines in a can! The crowding is not only uncomfortable in itself, but now it is also hot and stuffy! Besides this, so many stops to pick up passengers -- including roosters (fighting cocks) -- is taking a lot of time. If we don’t make the boat dock in time to take the 7:00 A.M. sailing, we will have to wait there for another three to five hours! I am thankful to say, though, that we made it in time. As soon as we arrived at the dock, we got our tickets, and boarded the “ferry”. The passengers part of the ferry is the top deck; and to my surprise each passenger is assigned a bunk, with a mattress on it. These are in rows, and double decked, with just enough room between for one person to walk. This seems like a good idea -- especially since I have had no sleep or rest for at least the past 28 hours. However, my thoughts of getting some much needed rest are soon dispelled. First, the mattresses are plastic covered, with no bed clothes to put on them. Second, as soon as the sun rises the wind stops blowing, and it gets hot, close, and muggy! No one feels comfortable to sleep! We soon get under way, and we spend most of the time discussing different aspects of the work. This, thankfully, helps keep our minds off the heat, and makes the time go faster. Again, thankfully, as these ferries are very slow. It takes us about four hours to cross, but the important thing is that we finally arrive safely at the dock on the Mindanao side . As soon as we get off, we find our van driver, and his helper, waiting for us. They had brought Bros. Malud and Gubal here Saturday; and while Bros. Malud and Gubal went across to Negros, they waited for our arrival coming from Negros. Bros. Malud and Gubal made the trip to Sagay City for the Monday seminar from here on Saturday. Loading in the van, we leave the docks heading for the place of Wednesday’s seminar, which is a town called Calamba. The trip by van takes us just over an hour; and although the van is not air conditioned, the wind blowing on us through the windows is very welcome! Arriving at Calamba, we first go by the house of the host Pastor, (Pastor Natulla first was introduced to the Doctrines of Grace last March 2005 at our seminar at Tangub, Mindanao. He then requested us to come here for the purpose of having a seminar for his church, plus other area pastors. This is typical of the way our work goes: we do not ask them, rather they ask us.), and he takes us to where we are to spend the night; at a little cheap “hotel” called a “Pension House”; the term being taken from it’s inexpensive cost. (P500.00 per room per night = $10.00 each.) It is a two story building, with the guest rooms on the bottom floor, and a large open conference area above. I am surprised to learn that our seminar will be held here tomorrow. Excellent! We get into our rooms at about 1:00 P.M.; and I can hardly wait to get a shower! I am hot, sweaty, and very tired! It has now been some 33 hours since I have had anything like rest and/or sleep. And most of that time has been spent sweating! As soon as I can, I take my shower, intending to lie down afterward for a time. Amazingly, though, now I don’t feel either tired, or sleepy! Instead of resting, the rest of the day is spent taking care of some odds and ends; and continuing discussing the work. It is now 5:20; and now I am ready to relax! “And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.” 1. Kings 19:8. PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHRUCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY SEVEN Ah! What a good and refreshing night’s sleep and rest! I am ready to begin the day’s activities, which get under way officially at 9:00 A.M. this morning with Bro. Dexter Malud presenting (after songs and prayers, of course) an introduction to the Tulip Doctrine, including a brief history of the Council of Dort. Bro. Dexter is a very capable preacher, having a way with words to really connect with the people. He is very frank with them, but in such a way so the people actually like it! I am very thankful for the men God has provided to work the closest with me here! After Bro. Dexter is finished, light refreshments are served; and while the people partake of this, I introduce myself, telling about my wife and family; and ending with a testimony of my own conversion; and it seems to just flow into the subject of depravity: I can’t remember exactly how, but it does! (I am amazed, and some times literally shocked, at the liberty God gives me in this place, at least most of the time. He doesn’t always, because I think He wants to remind me occasionally that it is Him, and not me, that works. I even hesitate to mention it here, for fear He will leave me alone, just in case there may be a little pride showing! But I really do know to whom the honor belongs; and indeed to see HIM work is my joy!) As always, I try to approach the subjects (I am taking both subjects of Depravity and Unconditional Election) from a different direction; and God gives great liberty, so that even though most of these are hearing this doctrine for the first time, they are very attentive; and it is not long before it begins to appear that we have their hearts, as well as their minds! I preach until a few minutes after noon, at which time our meal is served. They seat me next to the host pastor; Pastor Natulla; and I have a very enjoyable and edifying conversation with him, until the session is to resume. This next session begins with Bro. Joshua Gubal taking up the subjects of Limited Atonement and Irresistible Grace. Once again I am so thankful for the ability and the growth of this dear brother! As he preaches, there are a few questions -- of the sincere kind -- and two or three even ask permission to speak out in support of these truths; thus it is even more certain they are understanding, and being blessed. After Bro. Joshua, Bro. Dexter takes the subject of Preservation of the Saints. During his discourse, they call on me to briefly discuss the idea of “Back Sliding“; and after Bro. Dexter finishes, they again call on me to discuss the idea of “Free Will”. We were supposed to be gone from here by 3:30 today, but it is 4:10 when I finish with this latest subject; and by the time we can get away, it is going on 5:00. It has been such a blessing, though; and before we leave they all want to hug us; and we hear over and over expressions of thanks. Pastor Natulla tells me the people are happy -- which is quite evident! We also have two requests for seminars for the next trip. This is only day seven, and already we have requests for enough seminars to fill half of another schedule like this one! We finally get on our way -- but once again in a race against time! If we don’t make the barge dock at Osamiz in time to board the 6:30 sailing, it will mean waiting until 9:00 P.M. or later. Our driver pushes very hard, fighting the traffic continually to gain every second possible, and we arrive at the dock just as the barge is unloading. Last year when we arrived here there were about a hundred vehicles here; and I am surprised that this time there are only maybe 10 or 12 ahead of us. It takes about 30 minutes for the barge to load; another 30 or 40 minutes to cross the water. As soon as we reach the far side, we take off for Gingoog, where we will spend the night, and conduct tomorrow’s seminar. We arrive Gingoog about 12:30 A.M. on day eight; and get to bed a few minutes after 1:00. After getting rested from the 33 hour stint, we are back to having had a long, hot, and tiring day -- but one well worth it!!! “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Isa. 2:3. Paul Jordan PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY EIGHT Although I set my alarm for 6:30, I wake up at 5:00. I decide to try to go back to sleep, but in vain. So I get up; take my shower; and get dressed. (Actually, it is a good thing I got up, as Bro. Adel Obien came to my room to get my shirt for the day, and iron it. He carries an iron with him; and he always insists on ironing my shirts. In fact, he not only is my interpreter/translator, but he watches out for me in every thing!) As soon as I am ready, we all get in the van, and go to the host pastor’s house -- which is only a short distance -- for breakfast. The pastor’s wife and mother really know how to prepare food! I found this out last year when we were here. So we enjoyed a delicious breakfast; afterward proceeding to the church house. After greeting many people, the services officially begin at 9:30 with a song, and a prayer. Then Bro. Guzaman -- the host pastor -- has Bro. Adel introduce me; and after the introduction, I get up to preach, with Bro. Adel interpreting. As is my usual habit on these trips, last evening I was thinking about what I might preach today, when Isa. 40:18 popped into my thoughts. The more I thought on it, the clearer it seemed to form in my mind. At this point, though, I am not sure if I am expected to preach on one of the grace doctrines, or not. Nevertheless, the sermon forms so naturally in my thoughts that I feel sure it will be preached some where during this trip. It isn’t until this morning before going to breakfast that I find out from Bro. Adel that I will not preach on any of the doctrines of Grace. So now I know when I will preach this message on Isa. 40:18! Bro. Adel has told me that I would have the entire morning session, with a break at about the halfway point. So I begin the message at 10:00, and at 11:00 I ask the people if they are ready for a break. The answer comes immediately -- No! continue! So I preach on until 12:10, showing something of the greatness, glory, and majesty of our God -- especially comparing us to Him; and bringing it to a close by showing how our salvation is necessarily all of God, but also how sure and complete it is -- because of His greatness, glory, and majesty!!! After the message we break for lunch -- another excellently prepared meal! Upon resuming, Bro. Dexter Malud is introduced, and does give as much coverage of the Doctrine of Grace as can be accomplished in just over an hour. Once again I am impressed with his presentation, as were the people! After his message, we prepare to leave, having quite some distance to travel once again to get to the next place of seminar, Valencia City. Before we leave, though, there are many expressions of joy; and many questions as to when we will be back! God is so good, and faithful; proving once again that “out of the belly shall flow rivers of living water!” We leave the church at 2:20 P.M.; and as I finish this, it is 10:05. Another blessed day, thanks be to God! PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY NINE Got to bed last night about 10:30, but for the past several weeks I have been bothered with sinus drainage getting down in my throat, and causing me to cough. However, I was not bothered by it all afternoon or evening until I laid down in bed. Almost immediately I began to cough, and could not seem to stop. I had been taking a medicine for it when I went to bed, but since I had been clear of it for so long, I did not think it necessary last night. I could not stop coughing, though, until I finally got up, and took the medicine. After doing this, within a few minutes it cleared up; and I had a relatively good nights sleep until around 5:00. At 5:30 Bro. Adel brings my shirt for the day, and I finish getting dressed. We wait then until about 8:00, at which time the host pastor comes to show us where we are to meet. It is just a short distance from our hotel; and after many greetings and introductions, the meeting gets underway with the usual songs and prayers. After this they call me to preach; and I preach for almost two hours showing the necessity of a sovereign act of God to save; and how He then saves based solely according to His own purpose, and not influenced by anything either in us, or of us; indeed, in spite of our sin. Although the thoughts were clear and plain, I must confess I did not feel the liberty today. This has bothered me all the rest of the day, even until now! Did I take my God to much for granted? Did I get to relying too much on my own ability? Maybe both? I don’t know for sure, but I know it has brought me back down to earth, and I am very serious about tomorrow!!! After this message, we break for lunch; which consists of rice, a small portion of vegetables, and one piece of chicken, and a small bottle of soda. However, it is plenty enough for me, as I seldom eat much any way during these meetings , especially when it is as hot as it is now. This is the hottest time of the year! As soon as we eat, Bro. Adel and I go to an internet café to try to get some legal papers e-mailed back home. This proves to be a very slow process, so while the girl is doing this, we go to a bank to exchange some money. We get there, and I realize I did not bring my passport. So back to the meeting place, and then back to the bank. When I get to the manager, and tell him my business, it seems he is very suspicious. (I am sure they get precious few Americans here, as this place has no tourism, and there is nothing I know of for which Americans would normally come here for.) He asks me what my business here is, and I tell him we are having a Bible Conference. Then he wants to know where. I call Bro. Adel over to tell him; and come to find out he is a member of that church. His attitude completely changed, and it is all smooth sailing from then on! Leaving the bank, we go back to the internet café. The girl is just finishing scanning the documents, but when she tries to send, there is a power brown out. So Bro. Adel and I go back to the meeting place, only to find they are in the midst of their second brown out. Bro. Dexter has been giving his presentation, and after several more minutes, the power returns, and he resumes. After him, Bro. Joshua makes his presentation, which lasts (including two more brief brown outs!) until 4:00. These two brothers seem to have great liberty; and in fact, Bro. Joshua seems to me to have the greatest liberty I have ever known him to enjoy! At any rate, by the time the seminar ends, there is once more much apparent joy; and once again many expressions of thanks, along with requests for our return. I must also say, though, that there seemed to be more men -- at least four or five, out of about twenty -- who are not at all pleased; and one or two disappear before the end. Those that stayed, though, said they were blessed. As usual, most of these people come being totally unfamiliar with the doctrine we bring; but unlike in the states, when they hear the truth, most receive it with much joy!!! It is going on 8:30 now, and time for me to get ready for tomorrow. We leave here at 4:30 A.M. for a two hour or more drive to San Fernando, and the next seminar. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matt.21:43. Paul Jordan PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY TEN Here we are, 21 hours later: and what a day -- again! I awake at 3:00 A.M.; get up at 3:30; and we are on the way to Kalangagan (I thought we were going back to San Fernando where we held a seminar two year ago, but soon learn that Kalangangan is much farther back in the mountains than San Fernando) by 4:05 for what is supposed to be a two hour drive; but this two hours turns out to be three hours and forty five minutes! And I am surprised that we even got there!!! We traveled the first 18 or 20 miles of this road two years ago, and it hasn’t gotten any better -- but when we get to the other 30 or so miles to Kalangangan, it makes the first seem like a good road! Besides much of the road itself being in some places almost impassable, (Several places we encountered piles of dirt and large rocks dumped across the entire road!), we have to ford one river, along with three other smaller streams -- all with huge rocks, and entrances and exits which one or two I still don’t know how we got up or down them!!! We did get stuck three times, dragging the rear bumper off. We did finally make it to the meeting place; and although I had my doubts about making it back out, yet as I write this, here we are in Davao City -- but only after one complete break down; and for the last several miles the breaks sound like they are shot! I don’t know how much farther this old van is going to take us! Most of this day has been spent on the road. As I said above, 3 hrs. 45 min. this morning; and then 9 hours getting to Davao City -- where I find myself writing this at 12:00 midnight in about the worst place I have ever stayed that is classified a “hotel”! It has been a very long, hard, hot day; and I am very tired! I have to say, though, that it has been blessed by the reception our preaching has received. Once again the main body of people present (around 40) were strangers to the doctrines of grace, but our Lord gave all three of us great liberty to preach; and evidently gave the people great liberty to receive the messages! There was much enthusiastic expression of joy and agreement all during the messages; and many thanks expressed afterward, along with the usual hope for our return. The message is the Lord’s; and the people are the Lord’s! “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt. 22:9-14 Paul Jordan. PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST C HURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY ELEVEN So it was a few minutes into today that Bro. Adel and I get to bed. (Bro. Joshua and Bro. Dexter go on to the bus terminal to go to their respective homes to be at their church services today.) Our van was supposed to come to pick us up at 6:30 this morning, so I set my alarm for 6:00. However, after waking up twice before, I awaken to stay at a few minutes after 5:00. Then at 5:30 Bro. Adel’s cell phone rings, and he is informed that the van cannot make it, as it is still not repaired. So we both get up; get dressed; and leave the hotel at 6:00 to catch a taxi to our meeting place. Arriving at our meeting place at 6:30, we are greeted by the pastor, and his wife. They also live in part of the building which is the church building. The wife serves breakfast, and we visit with the pastor, wife, son, and a few early arrivals until services begin at 8:30. We begin by singing a few choruses composed and set to music by the pastor, wife, and son. (Hardly any of these native churches have hymn books, so they either sing the same hymns over and over, or sing other songs they have learned by heart. Probably the one thing that bothers me about many of these churches is that they tend toward Pentecostal practices in singing. It just seems to be a natural way to go, since they cannot afford hymnals.) After singing and prayers, Bro. Cano (the host pastor) calls on me (and Bro. Adel) to preach. I have been sitting in the front row, and know there are a few people behind me, but I am shocked to turn toward the congregation to find every chair occupied, plus some. There are 90 plus people looking at me! What a way to begin! The message lasts for some two hours, showing how our God has worked prophetically and providentially in the lives of His people to accomplish His purpose; and in the coarse of the message God weaves thoughts pertaining to several different aspects of salvation, including a warning about too much emphasis on emotional type music. I am very, very happy to report that the pastor and people received the message with much thankfulness, with many expressions coming throughout the message; and then so many expressions of thanks afterward, along with -- once again -- many requests for our return, and hopes to have seminars in other places where we have never been, and who have never heard our doctrine! (The pastor told me just before we left that I am the only preacher outside of the nine churches they normally fellowship with, that has ever been invited into their pulpit, but that I am welcome any time.) At this point I think I already have enough invitations to places for seminars to fill another three week schedule! I am so thankful for the mercy and blessing of my God; and I some times can hardly believe this is not all a dream from which I will soon awaken! Yes, I know only eternity will tell, but I truly believe God is doing a wonderful work here! After services, we have our lunch; and after lunch most of the people stay around, giving me the opportunity to get better acquainted with many of them. We visit until around 3:00, when our van arrives. We then say our good-byes, and depart for Digos, where our next meeting will be. As usual, though, a few people ask to go with us, and be dropped off at or near where they live. (This saves them a few Pesos Jeepney fare.) One of these is a dear lady who lives, I would estimate, a good 7 or 8 miles away; a distance she says she used to walk every Sunday to church. (She told me this in response to a question I asked her.) Then before going to Digos, Bro. Adel and I go to a little place by the name of Padada; and there we visit for about an hour and a half with Bro. Miranda, and Bro. Wilson (this is his first name -- don’t remember his last name), both of which were at our seminar held in General Santos City last year; and planning to be there again this year. We just thought since we had time, and they were so near, we would avail of the opportunity. We had a very good time of fellowship at Padada, after which we came to our hotel in Digos, where it is now 7:00 P.M. as I finish this. I have already enjoyed a refreshing shower; entertained Bro. Dexter (along with his little daughter, named Dorothy Grace, after my wife); and wrote this report. The rest of the evening will be spent in preparing for tomorrow; visiting with the brothers; and then hopefully get a good night’s rest! “Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Isa. 43:5-7. PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY TWELVE All in all today has been a quite day; a quite day, but a good one! Got a fairly good night’s rest except this bed is hard -- little “mattress” is thin foam, and so old it has lost all firmness, so that it is almost like just sleeping on a flat board -- almost, but just not quite! Left the hotel just after 8:00, as the meeting is to begin at 8:30. I called my wife on the cell phone, (First time I have had a cell phone with me -- supposedly had it fixed before I left home so that I could call home, but it did not work; so Bro. Adel had it fixed over here so I can buy a phone card to call home.), but ran out of time on the card, and our talk was cut off abruptly. So on the way to the meeting place we stop to buy another card, and I finish my conversation with my wife just as we arrive at the meeting place. Upon arriving, we begin the process of greeting those who are there, including one lady who had requested prayer during our trip the first past of March. She has had several tumors inside now for well over a year, but no means to have them removed. She now has all the test results necessary, but needs P16,000.00 before she can get anything done. The total cost of an operation will be P60,000.00, with P25,000.00 to be paid for by the government program called Philhealth; but she must first put down a P16,000.00 deposit, with the rest supposedly to be paid out monthly. I have no idea how she would ever hope to make the monthly payments, but the important thing right now is just to get the tumors removed! Shortly after talking to her, the meeting begins with maybe 15 people present. I wonder if this is all there is to be. However, after about 30 more minutes, more begin to arrive; and within the hour the place is full -- somewhere between 40 and 50 people. Bro. Dexter began with a brief history of the Doctrines of Grace -- once again most of these are new to these truths. After he finishes, he calls on myself and Bro. Adel to preach on Depravity, and Unconditional Election. Once again I am amazed at how my God brings the message in such a refreshing way -- even as well as I think I know these doctrines, yet as I continue to preach them, more scriptures relating to them come to mind so that instead of getting old and/or stale, they just become more precious and beautiful! All those people who think these glorious truths can be over emphasized just ought to spend a little more time studying them, and meditating on them: they just might find out how beautiful, precious, and necessary they are; and just how much gospel is in them!!! After these messages we break for lunch, and a time to visit. I have been troubled in my mind and heart over the plight of the woman with the tumors; and although it is going to put me way over my budget, I can have no peace unless I help her! So toward the end of the lunch break, I get Bro. Dexter to take me to a bank, where I get the P16,000.00. Upon returning to the meeting place, Bro. Dexter gives her the money, whereupon she immediately comes with tears in her eyes giving thanks. (When I do this kind of thing; which is quite often; I almost always do them through the people’s pastor, because they are the ones ministering to them on a daily basis, and I want them to think more of their pastor, than of me: and of course we both always point them first and foremost to their Saviour!) When the meeting resumes ( The trip to the bank delayed the start.), Bro. Dexter calls on me to preach on the doctrine of Limited Atonement; and although I did not enjoy the liberty I enjoyed in the morning service, (In the afternoon service my mind seemed dull and slow!), yet the people voice their approval. Next Bro. Joshua Gubal preaches on Irresistible Grace, and Preservation of the Saints, blessing the people even more! At the completion of his message, the meeting officially adjourns. I say officially because most of the people stay around; and it is over an hour later that we finally leave the place. Immediately after the adjournment the lady with the tumors came -- once again weeping -- to say how thankful she was; and so many came to express their joy and thanks for what they have heard and understood! I only wish that our people back home could personally experience what I do here, because whatever joy they have now in supporting this ministry, that joy would be multiplied many times over!!! We then return to the hotel. Tomorrow we go to Kidapawan, about a two hour drive from Digos -- that is, unless it turns out to be like going from Valencia City to Kalangangan! We are supposed to leave Digos around 6:00 A.M.: our Saviour is so wonderful! “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matt.25:34-40.   PHILIPPINE MISSION REORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY THIRTEEN Did not sleep well last night. Had my alarm set for 5:15, but had already woke up several times during the night, so at 4:50 I got up, and got ready for the day. As I begin writing this, it is 6:30 P.M.; and although it has been another hot day; and although I am very tired; it has been another blessed day! Leaving my room a little before 6:00 A.M., I find the brothers waiting for breakfast. We visit while they eat, then load up in the van headed for Kidapawan. It takes about an hour and a half; and as soon as we arrive, introductions begin. Then it is not long after that the services begin with the usual singing and prayer. The host pastor; Bro. Aguilar; does the formal introductions; after which he turns the meeting over to Bro. Dexter Malud. Bro. Dexter begins with an Introduction to the Doctrines of Grace. (As usual, most of these meeting here today are unfamiliar with these doctrines; and are from several different denominations.) After Bro. Dexter, I am called on to preach on my assigned subject of Total Depravity; and after I preach, we break for lunch. Enjoyed a good meal. (Actually, at breakfast this morning Bro. Adel had informed me he would buy a pizza for me, as he was concerned about the sanitary conditions of the food to be served. Last year at General Santos City he did this, and I very much regretted it because I do not want the people to feel that I am separate from them, but rather that I am one of them. So I objected to doing this, and ate with all the rest, and ate what they ate: so far I feel just fine! In all the time I have spent over here; and all the places we have been; all the things we have done; and all that I have eaten; so far I have only experienced a very short feeling of illness last year after returning from another place near Kidapawan. My trust and confidence is that my God who has sent me, will keep me safe from all harm and danger as long as He has a purpose for me here!) After lunch, the meeting resumes with Bro. Dexter taking the subject of Limited Atonement. However, before he finishes, questions begin to come. In all I spend about the next hour answering these questions; and after answering the last question, Bro. Dexter has me go right into the Doctrine of Irresistible Grace, taking another 45 minutes or so. Then Bro. Gubal takes the doctrine of Preservation of the Saints; after which we officially adjourn. Once again I say “officially”, for once again it is hard to get away for all the thanksgiving, along with invitations to different places, as well as a request to return here. As is usual, when we arrived the people were friendly, but when the services begin, they are somewhat reserved. As the services progress, though, there is much evidence that they are becoming more and more relaxed; and by the time we finish, they are happy! They are eager to shake our hands; give thanks; and even some will give us hugs! There is just a remarkable change! Once again, too, I have marveled today at the way my Lord has brought the scriptures to mind; together; and has made them to seem like music! I had thought of using many scriptures -- especially in the sermon on Irresistible Grace -- but the course of things changed almost everything I had thought to use, my Lord making it all come out like I never dreamed! Once again, I am very hesitant to say this for fear of pride; but all I want to do here is talk of, and testify to, the wonderful works of God! It really makes me want to shout -- and sometimes during a message it actually comes out that way! God is indeed real! God is good! God is Faithful! And He is giving blessings every day! I can hardly believe He can keep blessing as He has, much less increase those blessings! “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” Col. 3:2-4.       PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY FOURTEEN Just as I started to bed last night at 10:00 P.M., there was a knock at my door; and upon opening I find Sis. Elly Malud, and Sis. Nillas. Bro. Dexter has come to the hotel to discuss something with Bros. Obien and Gubal, so these two came with him to visit with me. So I invite them in, and we visit until almost midnight, until Bro. Dexter comes to my room. We continue to visit until about 12:15, when they finally take their leave. I was so tired before they came, but now I am extremely tired! But things of this nature are also part of the work! Actually, they came not just for a visit, but for the purpose of talking about the possibility of getting financial help for some home based business they want to start for livelihood projects. After discussing their ideas, the possibility of the success of these endeavors seem to me not good enough to risk the funds it would take, plus the fact that they do not seem to have the ability to manage. So, they leave disappointed -- but still with smiles, and hugs. This is one of the things which endears these people to my heart! After they leave, I take my shower, and then to bed. I set my alarm for 5:45, but at 5:20 I get up. We actually leave the hotel bound for Malungon at 7:30. When we get to Malungon, we find the pastor of the church waiting for us, to take us to the meeting place. We go back toward Digos, from which we have just come, for a ways, and then turn off the highway on to a dirt “road” that proves in several places to be questionable -- once again shades of Kalangangan!-- as to whether or not it is passable. Finally, after about two miles we come to a place where it is thought it best if we walk the rest of the way. So we walk for about another mile or so to a mountain village. Here we find a building framed out of bamboo; walls made of sheets made from coconut branches; and the roof of scraps of plastic, and feed sacks. The seats inside (dirt floor) are slabs of lumber held up by bamboo poles. The services begin soon after we arrive, with Bro. Dexter doing the introduction to the doctrines of grace. Then I preach on Total Depravity; Bro. Gubal on Unconditional Election; Bro. dele Gente on Limited Atonement; Bro. Gubal on Irresistible grace; and then Bro. Dexter finishes with Preservation of the Saints. We purposely keep these messages brief, because of the threat of rain, and the possibility that if it rains in any amount, we probably will not be able to get out. Nevertheless, after we are through, there are a few questions -- but not concerning the doctrines we have just preached, but rather concerning baptism. Although these people are not directly familiar with the Doctrines of Grace, yet they declare their understanding that man has no free will; and that they understand, and rejoice in, the irresistible power of God’s grace toward a sinner! They are a mountain people, as poor as any I have seen, but they certainly are neither dumb or ignorant!!! As is the usual case, there is much expression of rejoicing, and giving of thanks, along with the request for seminars at new places. During the services two things struck me: one is that it seems in every service there is one older woman, who gives every indication of great wisdom! I don’t know what the significance is, but it sure is true! The other is that I thought of Rev. 10:11 where, after the angel of the Lord declares the beginning of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, he also tells John that he must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. Since I take John to be, in this case, a type of the future; and in fact the very day we live in to be the fulfillment; I wonder again at the blessing my Lord has called me to: for not only am I privileged to preach to “peoples, nations, and tongues” (over 100 dialects here!), but sitting before me today (and many times before!) is a “king” in the person of the “Datu -- the tribal chief! (In my third visit to the Philippines, the people of the Tiboli tribe of southern Mindanao bestowed on me the honor of “honorary chief”.) After the services, even though now the threat of rain is much closer, we do take time to eat, out of respect for the people, and the fact that they have gone to much trouble to prepare this meal mainly for us. Then just as we are finishing eating, Bro. Adel comes to tell me that one of the members wants to show me something mysterious. I have already learned that many of these people not so long ago were spirit worshippers; so what does he want to show me? It turns out he has found a large rock, (He says it weighs 7 kilos, or about 15 pounds; and I judge that to be pretty accurate from holding it.), and that when it is put in water, it floats -- and this proves to be true! Since I am an American, he says I will probably know what makes it float. (They think we Americans know everything! When Dorothy was with me in Digos in March, there was a lady there who thought the same thing, asking me a question about computers. Little did she know just how little this American knew about computers!) It appears to be some type of volcanic rock, and I tell him there probably is air pockets trapped inside the rock. I don’t really know this for sure, but it seems to satisfy him. We visit for a while longer, and then take a few pictures. We then load in the van, (which the driver and his helper have somehow managed to get as far as the opposite side of the ravine from where we are); and after maneuvering back to the main highway, continue on to General Santos City, where our next seminar will be held tomorrow. As soon as we get to General Santos, we locate a cheap little hotel, (three rooms for the equivalent of $35.00); and as I finish this, it is 4:30. Besides it being hot, and very humid on the mountain, this has been a rather leisure day, but again a very blessed one in many ways! Oh, one other thing: it began to rain before we got to General Santos, and has been raining ever since. God is good to watch over us, and to direct our path! Oh, and one last thing:. During Bro. Dexter’s introduction I noticed that no one was looking up the scriptures; so after I begin preaching, I ask who has Bibles. Out of above thirty people, only one person other than the pastor has a Bible -- and the one the pastor has is very old, and so small I am sure it is difficult to read. So I promise to send money to Bro. Gubal to buy them some Bibles! I also promised to send them enough money to buy some corrugated iron roofing. As I type this today, both these promises have been fulfilled. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” James 2:5. PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY FIFTEEN I set my alarm last night for six -- but not to worry, as I am awake by 3:00. I tried to go back to sleep, but finally gave up at 5:00, and get up. At 6:10 Bro. Adel comes by with my ironed shirt for the day; and after putting it on, I go down to the restaurant to visit with the brothers as they eat breakfast. As soon as they are through, we check out; load up the van; and go to the meeting place not far from the hotel. When we arrive there, greetings are made, after which we begin with hymn singing and prayer. (This meeting place is the church meeting place of Bro. Arnie Gamilong -- and is one of the very few that has hymnals, although only a few.) Then Bro. Arnie has everyone to introduce themselves, and tell where they are from -- which turns out to be from both near, and far! The place is packed full; and Bro. Arnie says he has just received a text message from a group of 11 pastors saying the fare to get to the meeting is P14 each, which they do not have, so they cannot come. Bro. Arnie says he thanked them for not coming, as there is no more room! Try to imagine! (When I say the place is packed, this just illustrates to what extent. And we are upstairs, so not even a possibility to hear from outside. And this is not so unusual. At least twice now services at Burgos Street Church in Tagbilaran, Bohol, people have sat on each other’s laps, plus stood outside.) The first presentation follows our usual pattern of beginning with Bro. Dexter doing an Introduction to the Doctrines of Grace, which takes about 30 minutes. I come next, and Bro. Adel has told me that I am to take the rest of the morning session. The message lasts something over two hours, and not one person moved out of their seat, even as hot and humid as it is. By the time the message is over, it is pretty evident that once more we have not only their attention, but their hearts! (Once again I can only marvel at how my Lord puts the message together; and how He brings out different scriptures, and ties them in with our subject!) As we break for lunch, the hand shakes and thanks are already beginning; and during the lunch break, several are already requesting seminars at their respective places of worship. Some times it is hard for me to realize how many pastors there are in this nation. Out of necessity they have small groups consisting of people near to the meeting places, necessarily caused by the fact that they cannot afford to travel far: remember the pastors who did not have even P14? After lunch, Bro, Arnie preaches for a little over an hour, reviewing the doctrines of Depravity, and Unconditional Election; and ending with Limited Atonement. Bro. Arnie is a young man, but one I have confidence will soon be greatly used of God to help us older ones. He has shown great understanding, love, and growth even in this past year through the correspondence I have had with him via e-mail. He is a real blessing to my heart! Also, he, his wife, his seven year old daughter, and two young ladies sang a couple of songs for us. Bro. Dexter then closed out the meeting by preaching on Preservation of The Saints -- as usual doing an excellent job! I just cannot express the thankfulness for the men my Lord has given to work with me here!!! No one can convince me that they were not hand picked by God! During the lunch break, Bro. Felix Dilag came, and asked me to go with him to his house, which is just down the street from the meeting place. Bro. Felix was one of the first ones I met here, being at the first conference at Davao City in 1999. However, some two years ago he left the fellowship because I would not make him a “supervisor” over some of the churches. I tried to explain to him that we do not have either a denomination as such, or an organization with a hierarchy; that instead, what binds us together is the fellowship of, and in, the truth. All other religious groups, though, follow pretty much the same system of setting up groups, sub-groups, and “supervisors”; and it is easy to follow this course, as these people are already used to the tribal system of following a Chief. We have many who want to “join” us; and it is difficult to get them to understand that they don’t have to “sign up”; or be “re-baptized” in order to fellowship with us -- or that they don’t need to change the name of their church. We are constantly assuring them that all they need to do is believe the truth, and they are “in”! After talking to Bro. Felix at his place for about thirty minutes, I trust that he now understands this; and I hope our fellowship can resume where if left off. He attended the afternoon session, and expressed his happiness before we left. We left there about 4:30 after many expressions of joy; went by Bro. Dexter’s place in Digos (about two hours from General Santos) to drop him off, (He will not go with us the rest of the way, as there are many pastors requesting him to visit them and their churches as quickly as possible.), and to pick up my clothes which Sis. Elly has washed and ironed for me. We visit at Bro. Dexter’s for about thirty minutes before going on to Davao City, where the next meeting will be held. (While at Bro. Dexter’s, he introduces me to a young woman who is visiting them; and Bro. Dexter tells me that she, and her parents, were at the conference we held in Digos in 2000; and that her parents were saved, and baptized; but they have no church near to them. Their hope and prayer is to get a church started where they are; but in the meantime they come a far distance every other month to worship with the church at Digos.) Leaving Bro. Dexter’s, we continue on to Davao City. As I finish this, it is 10:30 P.M.; and time to get some rest. Our meeting here at Davao City will last until around noon tomorrow, then we will go on to Panabo for the afternoon and evening services. “And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.” PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY SIXTEEN Woke up again this morning at 3:00 A.M.; and lay there meditating until 5:00, at which time I get up, and get ready for the day. Only Bro. Adel was with me through the night, as Bro. Gubal and Bro. dele Gente went to their respective homes. We went to breakfast at 6:30; then came back to our room to wait for our ride to the meeting place. At around 7:30 Bro. dele Gente, the host pastor, arrives. Then after a few minutes Bro. Gubal arrives in the van. He has brought with him from Panabo Bro. Ben Allan, pastor of one of the mountain villages, (This is one reason Bro. Gubal went home, because several of the pastors -- along with their wives and children -- had already arrived at the Gubal’s place for the services tomorrow; and Sis. Gubal was having to feed them, and take care of them! It is very common for these mountain pastors to come unannounced to the Gubal’s. I feel sorry for Sis. Gubal; and at the same time greatly admire her -- I don’t know many who would put up with what she does!), and he has some others with him, one being a mother with a little boy (I don’t know his age, but probably not more than two.) who has been bitten by his right eye by a stray dog. They took him to a doctor, and he recommended two shots be given for rabies; but the shots cost P1450.00 each, and these people don’t have one Peso, much less that amount! Neither does Bro. Gubal, so he brings them to me. I go to take a look, and the area around the eye is swollen and red. Bro. Gubal has advised them to go into Davao City, to Davao Medical Center, where the treatment by the doctor will be free, but they still will have to pay for the medicine, plus they will need transportation money, as well as something to eat -- it will be a long and tiring wait at the clinic! I know this first hand because of an experience there with another person ! So I give them P3,500.00, and they go on their way rejoicing! We then go on to the meeting place, which is close to the hotel. This will not be a seminar as such, but just a preaching service; so we visit for some time before the services begin. There is also a former pastor of some denomination, (I don’t know for sure which.), who has gotten up in age, and they have “retired” him -- without money; without pension; without any support whatsoever -- and this is not an exception! He has been advised by Bro. Monceller and Bro. dele Gente to meet me here to tell me his problem. So he shows me his diagnosis, which says he has PTB, a form of Tuberculosis. I don’t know exactly what this is, but it seems to be becoming a problem here, as I have heard of several cases lately. Any way, he needs medicine, but again he has no money; so I give him P3,000.00. According to the information he showed me from the doctor, this is only about a tenth of what he needs, but he is so very thankful to get even this amount! And the last time I saw him after the services, he was very much rejoicing! By the time I get through with him, the rest have already begun singing. We sing several hymns -- they have a couple of books, and the rest of us sing by memory. Bro. dele Gente then calls on me to preach. No one has told me I would be the only preacher until a few minutes before I am to preach, so I have not even considered a text until then. I open my Bible, and my eye falls on Ezek. 36:35-37; and this seems to be a good text. However, I did not use it as a text; but it ended up being the closing scripture, instead. I began by giving a brief history of my personal back ground; and this then just seemed to follow a natural course, one scripture leading to another -- so I just followed that course to Ezek. 36:35-37. The people gave every evidence of being genuinely blessed, and we had a good time of fellowship! They also served us lunch, after which we went on to Panabo. Reaching Panabo, we find a good crowd of people; and after greetings, (most of these are familiar friends), we are informed that Sis. Gubal has a meal prepared for us. It has only been about an hour since we ate, but none of us has the heart to turn down what this dear sister has worked so hard to prepare! Soon after eating, the services begin, which once again turns out that I am the only one preaching! However, since I know that the ones attending will be quite familiar with the doctrines of grace, I have this time been thinking I would use Phil. 2:13 as a text today. So after songs and prayer, Bro. Gubal calls on me. Once again my Saviour is very merciful and gracious to edify the hearts of His people with comfort and encouragement by showing through many scriptures how He works in us His will every day, and every way -- we are His workmanship indeed!!! After the services, the rest of the evening is spent visiting with different ones, (Including providing Bro. Ecleo -- another mountain pastor, and a converted former ordained Catholic priest -- with P1,000.00 to get him back home, along with a little for food for his wife and new baby.), until it is time to go to our rooms at the little “resort” where we always stay when in Panabo. The rooms here are about $15.00 per night. As I finish this, it is a little after 9:00 P.M., and time to get ready for some rest. We plan to leave here at 7:00 A.M. going to Asuncion for our next seminar. Once again today my Lord has given so many blessings -- but are there any real blessings without a cross? “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” Mark 8:34-35. PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY SEVENTEEN Felt very tired most of today. Got to bed last night about 10:45, and had no trouble falling to sleep; but woke up several times before getting up at 5:00, after being awake since 3:00. Is the long hours of activity, plus the lack of solid hours of sleep finally beginning to take it’s toll? Also had a lot of trouble with sinus drainage this morning; and on the way to Asuncion we stopped to get some rolls and coffee for those with me; and I got a coke, and took a Benedryl gel cap. I was very drowsy all during the morning session. We left the “resort” at 6:00 this morning, and went to the Gubal’s place to pick them up. We found some of the native pastors still there, so while we waited for the Gubal’s to finish getting ready, we visited with the pastors. While doing this, I realized the P1,800.00 or so that I should have in my pocket is missing! I think it must have somehow fallen out of my pocket in the room last night. I informed Bro. Adel; and we get everyone loaded up, (Some of those left from last night will be going with us for a ways.), and head back to the resort. We look in the room, but the money is not there. So we continue on to our day’s destination. On the way, it suddenly dawns on me that I put that money in the pocket of my pajamas last night, and went to the snack counter to get a coke. I am happy about this! Our destination is Asuncion, but on the way we go by the village of Bro. Salantay. This is the brother who two years ago was so persecuted, being put in jail because of false accusations; but now he has a position with the same government who was his persecutors. Whereas during the time of this persecution his family was being deprived of the very necessities of life, he now is given a salary of P8,000.00; and has gotten the government to turn what was not much more than a cow trial leading to their mountain village into the best non-paved road I have seen in these islands -- and better than most paved ones! Bro. Adel refers to him as “our Filipino Joseph”! Leaving here, we go on to Asuncion, where the meeting gets started soon. We have a different makeup of our preaching team today, with Bro. Gubal leading off with the doctrines of Sovereignty, and Depravity. Bro. Albert Montero follows with the history of The Doctrine of Grace, showing the true origin being the Bible. After him, Bro. Tacatani takes Unconditional Election. I am pleased with their knowledge; their understanding; and with their delivery, (This is the first time I have heard either Bro. Montero or Bro. Tacatani preach, although I have known both of them for several years. In fact, Bro. Montero was one of the very first ones to attend the first conference we had in Davao City in 1999.), but I can’t help but wonder if everybody today feels as tired and drowsy as I do! There is an occasional “Amen”, but no enthusiasm like usual! After Bro. Tacatani finishes, we break for lunch, resuming the meeting at 12:45 with Bro. dele Gente preaching on Limited Atonement. I am pleased to hear him today. I had heard him twice before today, and was not particularly impressed. Today, for whatever reason, was different! I do see much growth in him; and for that matter, in many! On the way this morning, Bro. Gubal has informed me I would have the doctrines of Irresistible Grace and Preservation of the Saints. So after Bro. dele Gente, Bro. Montero calls on me. The way I have felt today, I really have some reservations about being up to this -- and especially in view of the lack of enthusiasm from the people. Silently I have been in much prayer; and once again my Saviour proves faithful -- in spite of my reservations! It isn’t long into the message until the people come alive; and from then until the end, there are not only the individual expressions of joy, but several times there are simultaneous outbursts from nearly everyone! I am so very surprised, but also so very thankful! After we adjourn the meeting, as far as I could tell, every person came to shake hands, and express their thankfulness! They then all gather outside for a couple of pictures; and after this we say our good-byes, and head for San Francisco for tomorrow’s services. Bro. and Sis. Gubal, and Bro. dele Gente go with us as far as Tagum City, and then take a bus back to Panabo, and Davao City respectively. This will be the last time we will see them this trip; and we part reluctantly, but all know what we are called to do, so our parting is with joy, as well as sadness. From this point it will be the two drivers, Bro. Adel, and myself. Bro. Adel tells me I will be preaching tomorrow morning during both the Bible Class time, and the regular preaching time. This will be with the whole congregation. Then in the afternoon I will just have the preachers to preach to who have gathered from various places in north Mindanao. I have no idea how many. The trip from Asuncion to San Francisco has been tedious and tiring! It began to rain just as we were loading into the van at Asuncion, and rained all the way to San Francisco; and along with the road being torn up for three fourths of the way, and dark besides, it took four and a half hours to make this trip. It is now going on 10:30 P.M., and I really do need a good night’s sleep and rest. I have already had to change rooms at this Pension House, as water began pouring through the ceiling, and running down the light bulb in the bath room in the first room they put me in. Hope nothing else happens! “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isa. 51:9-11.   PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY EIGHTEEN Took three Bufferin last night before going to bed; and although I still woke up around 3:00 A.M., yet I did get about four hours of sleep before doing so. Then I also went back to sleep for another hour or so. I felt much better today. Yesterday and the day before I also experienced some discomfort in my stomach, but that is also gone today. I always bring along -- at the insistence of my dear wife -- gas pills, and Diarrhea medicine, but so far have never had to use any of them. I did have quite a bit of trouble this morning with sinus drainage, but refrained from taking any medication for fear of being drowsy again. Had a couple of minor problems during the sermon, but other than that have done pretty well most of the day. The Pension House hotel we stayed at was a couple of blocks from the church we met at, so we left the hotel at 9:10. Arriving at the church I am surprised to see how large it is. It is wide enough for three rows of 10 foot benches; and deep enough for 12 or 13 rows. It is also old, though, and there are many holes in the roof. There are quite a few people already there; and we spend a few minutes greeting everyone. When we enter the building they all express our welcome with hand clapping. The services began shortly after with prayer, and singing. We sang the songs by looking at words projected on the wall. After several songs, and another prayer, Bro. Cuebala (Host pastor) called on Bro. Adel for introductions.; and after doing so, Bro. Adel called me to preach. Bro. Adel has told me they are already familiar with the Doctrines of Grace, and profess them; so I have chosen to preach on Fearing and Reverencing God, using Ps. 96:1-4 as my text. (As I began to preach, more people arrive, filling the building, plus many more standing just outside the wide double doors at the entrance.) The message lasted about one and a half hours; and I was blessed in delivering it -- and the people must have been, too! They we're very vocal throughout; and after close of services came streaming by to shake hands, and voice their joy and appreciation. The faithfulness of my Saviour just never ceases to amaze me! After the message, one of the families brought their little baby girl forward, requesting me to have a dedication of the child. So I first read Ps. 127; gave some comments; then had a prayer. Then after close of service, the family invited us to their place for lunch -- which was a very well prepared meal. I normally am not fond of Oriental style food, but occasionally there happens a meal like this one: but since I have already been told we are expected to return to town to have lunch with the pastors, I dare not eat much! After lunch, then, we meet with the pastors, and enjoyed a good time of fellowship at the little restaurant. Afterward we walked back to the church house, where they want me to talk to them “man to man”. I was not real sure just what they expected, but I talked to them about the religious situation in the USA; the nature of most Sovereign Grace churches in the USA; how I came to the islands in the first place; something of my back ground; encouraging them in their situation; bringing in scriptures as seemed suited. This lasted for about an hour, after which I gave them a chance to ask any questions they might have. (No computer questions this time; and no floating rocks!) Bro. Ceubala wanted to know if it would be permissible to use the name “Sovereign Grace” in connection with their mission program. This gave me the opportunity to emphasize that we are not a denomination as such; and that if they wanted to use the term it would be perfectly fine. Then another pastor (I don’t know his name.) asked to say something; and when Bro. Ceubala called him forward, he began by expressing his thanks for my coming, saying that he had never met a missionary like me -- to which there was a general round of agreement. I have had several of these native pastors express such, but I have always been too shy; modest; embarrassed; whatever; to really delve into just what they mean. Maybe some day I’ll ask, but right now it is enough that every where we go, our Lord spreads joy, gladness, and encouragement among the people, along with a love of the truth! It seems I am theirs, (They often refer to me as “our missionary”.), and they are mine! Bro. Adel; my interpreter; expresses it as “Abraham has many children”! May our Heavenly Father shield us from the darts of the Devil, as I am very much aware that he cannot be very happy! But it is God’s work, and my confidence is in Him! There was a couple of other interesting things that happened; but lest this get tedious, I will leave it here. After saying our good-byes at San Francisco, (and receiving the usual requests to return; and to visit new places), we came on to Butuan, where I write this; and where we have services scheduled tomorrow. “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17 PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY NINETEEN Shortly after going to bed, sinuses began draining, making me cough so that I finally took one of the antihistimine thinking that would solve the problem -- as it usually does -- in a few minutes; but it was almost 1:00 A.M. before it settled enough for me to sleep. Awoke then at five, and lay thinking about what to preach; or rather, how to approach the presentation of The Doctrines of Grace to these people. I will be the only preacher; and I don’t know what they know; (I don’t even know much about them at all!); the pastor of the church , who was to be host, was invited to go to The Netherlands, so elected to go there rather than be here. He has left his wife in charge of this meeting, so I do not know what to expect there; have no idea how many will attend, but told not to expect many. So, all I know to do is commit it to my Lord in prayer. Got up at 5:45, and got myself ready for the day; and as I waited for Bro. Adel to come, looked at several scriptures. The services are to begin at 9:00; and at 8:30 Bro. Adel comes; we go down to check out; and then wait for a few minutes until our drivers return from breakfast. We then load our luggage, and ourselves, in the van, and drive the 10 minutes or so distance to the meeting place. As soon as we arrive, greetings begin with the few that are there, including Sis. Helen, the pastor’s wife. I find her to be a most humble, pleasant lady; and the more I got to know her, the greater impression to good she made on me. There are only about ten others here, though, and at 9:00 when the services begin, maybe two or three more had come in. They sang about four songs, none of which we knew -- possibly ones they had composed. (The first one, though, said, “It’s All About Jesus!) By the time the singing was over, we now had about 20 people in attendance. As soon as the songs are over, the visiting pastor who lead the singing had Bro. Adel to introduce me, after which I began my message. I am glad they could understand English well enough that I could preach without an interpreter, as I am supposed to cover the Doctrines of Grace in one session, ending at the time of the noon meal. The message lasted almost two hours before Bro. Adel signaled it was time to bring it to a close. I spent most of the time on the power of God; the sovereignty of God in His holiness and righteousness; an then on the depravity of man. In doing this, I emphasized the necessity of understanding these three in order to easily understand the others. I only used about 20 minutes on the last four -- but the emphasis on the first three must have accomplished the purpose, as the people expressed much amazement, as well as agreement and joy, with the message! The exact words of the pastor who lead the singing were, “Twelve years I have been a pastor, and I never heard a message like that”. And there was that “older, seemingly wise woman” sitting right directly in front of me; and almost right from the start I could see by looking into her eyes that she was hearing and believing; and the farther we got into the sermon, the beam of her face told it all! Sis. Helen also showed, and expressed, much approval; and during the lunch she told me several times how happy the people were with what they heard. Yes, there were those invitations to return, along with invitations to other places. After sharing a nice lunch, we loaded into the van to begin the trip to Cagayan de Oro City. We thought we could get a flight from either Butuan, or Sarigao City, to Tagbilaran, Bohol (our next destination), but none are available, so we have decided to go to Cagayan de Oro to either get a flight from there, or catch a ship. We will go in the van to first find a place to exchange some money; then our drivers will take Bro. Adel and me to a bus terminal, where we will leave them. The drivers will return to Panabo, while we go on to Cagayan. The bus trip to Cagayan is about 6 hours, so we arrive at Cagayan after the airline offices are all closed. What to do? We go to the boat pier, where we find a ship scheduled to sail to Cebu City, on the island of Cebu, at 8:00 P.M.; or we can wait for a ship direct from Cagayan to Tagbilaran. However, the ship to Tagbilaran will not sail until 7:00 P.M. tomorrow. So we decide there is nothing to do but board the ship to Cebu. Bro. Adel buys the tickets, and we board the ship, going directly to our bunks. (When we made this decision, I was really dreading this trip as I thought it would be like the ferry we took two years ago from Leyte to Mindanao, only having plastic benches on a single deck for passengers. Turns out this ship has three classes: one with just open bunks; one with state rooms; and ours with bunks enclosed. Better than I thought, but still not the greatest! After getting our luggage stowed away in a corner; and after getting our sheet and pillow; we go take our supper, and then just watch a television in the dining room for a time. The ship actually sails about 8:10 P.M., by which time we have returned to our bunks. We talk awhile, and about 9:00 P.M. decide to go to ”bed”. I am just about to get settled when I hear Bro. Adel call me with a distressed sound to his voice. I cannot imagine what has happened, but when I open the curtain to my bunk, I am met with a very sad and disturbing event of the trip. Before leaving the hotel this morning, Bro. Adel put a wallet containing his I.D. Card, Driver’s License, a necklace belonging to a friend, and P12,000.00 into the back pocket of a pair of his pants, then put the pants in the bottom of his suitcase for safe keeping. He has opened the suitcase tonight to find the wallet gone. We searched the suitcase, and a back pack he carries, very thoroughly to make sure he had not missed it somehow, but to no avail. Back tracking our activities of the day, the sad thing is that we cannot come to but one conclusion -- the drivers of the van have taken the wallet. From the time Bro. Adel packed the suitcase until the time he discovered the wallet missing, the only time the suitcase has been out of our sight was during the services at Butuan -- and the van was never out of sight of the drivers during that time. So we are forced to only the one conclusion. The sad thing is that we had really thought we knew these men. The one whose father owns the van has been driving us around for three years now, every time I am in the islands. I paid for hotel rooms so they wouldn’t have to sleep in the hot van; (This is the hottest time of year!); I bought their meals; and we considered them as members of our team! As sad as this has been, it only proves once again that human nature is just that -- human sinful nature!!! I will not go into further detail about this incident, but by the time we get through with this, it is after 11:00 P.M.; and it has been another long, tiring day. We finally get in our bunks then to try to get some rest. “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” Micah 7:5-7. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 7:24-25a. PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY TWENTY After getting to bed last night, I was so cold (An unusual turn of events since most of the time we are having to battle the heat! But tonight the air conditioning is blowing right directly on our bunks -- and the air is cold!) that I slept fitfully until around 3:00 A.M. when I finally got into one of my bags, and got my sweater I carry in case it gets too cold on the airplanes; and also an extra pair of socks. I finally get fairly warm, but by this time I think I have very little time to sleep. I have understood that we should be to Cebu City about 6:00 A.M.; so a little after 5:00 I get out of the bunk to get ready to whatever extent I can. Shortly thereafter, Bro. Adel also crawls out. However, upon getting ready, I find out we still are a long way from reaching port. It is actually almost 9:00 A.M. when we finally dock, twelve and a half hours after we sailed -- and approximately 4 hours after I got up! The next question is whether we can catch the Ocean Jet before it sails for Tagbilaran. As soon as we get off the ship, we get a taxi to take us to the Ocean Jet pier -- which, thankfully, is near by. Thanks to our Lord, we get tickets only about ten minutes before it sails. We make the two hour trip to Bohol without any problems; and as soon as we get off, we get transportation to The Chrisenville Pension House; get a room; get a shower; and then go to get lunch -- the first meal we have had since 7:00 P.M. last night. Then after lunch, I need to go to a bank to withdraw some money thru ATM; after which we go to the airline office to buy my ticket back to Manila tomorrow. After accomplishing this, we begin to fulfill the purpose of coming to Bohol. We first go to visit with Bro. Miro, pastor of Mabang Baptist Church. After much prayerful thought I have decided the best way to continue the work on Bohol is by giving as much support -- both spiritually and financially -- as possible to two, or perhaps three, pastors and/ or churches, depending on the results of my visits with these individual pastors. We have a very profitable visit with Bro. Miro; and after leaving Bro. Miro, we then proceed to the place of Bro. Boloron. During this visit, he tells me of the plight he has. Their attendance is growing; and Sundays they have 40 people in a space that is hardly big enough for 20 or so; and there are others that want to come, but do not because of the crowded conditions. Praise God! Wouldn’t I love to have that problem at home! When I first met Bro. Boloron, and started to help him, he was trying to hold services with six or seven people in a tiny run down house, where he was ridiculed by his landlord because “his faith could not even produce enough to pay the rent!” After a good visit with Bro. Boloron, we go back to the hotel for a few minutes, then leave again to meet with Bro. Jonathan Aparre. Bro. Aparre is a young pastor, who I thought was sound in the faith, but who also got tempted into going after money so that for a little over a year I was afraid we had lost him. However, after talking to him for about two hours tonight, I am reassured that he is still with us -- indeed it would seem that our Lord (and I believe his!) has chastised him in such a way to show him his sin, and now I really believe he is stronger than ever! Thank you Lord! The problem now, though, is how to help him. He has learned by his mistakes, but it has cost him dearly! He built his church house on borrowed land, based on the promise of the owner that he could use it as long as he liked. However, now the owner has broken his promise, (what is new!), and is making him move. They are dismantling the building, saving as much of the material as possible; but they have no place to move to, seeing they only have $800.00; and the least expensive lot large enough is priced at $6,000.00. I pray and hope that somehow the amount can be raised! After the visit, Bro. Adel and I come back to the hotel. He goes right to bed, and is sleeping soundly as I write up the diaries for the last two days. As I finish this, it is 10:15. Tomorrow I have some other visits to make, then it is to the airport to catch a flight back to Manila. Bro. Adel will go back to his place in Cebu for a few days, then go back to Mindanao. It has been a hard trip, but a most blessed one -- remember how I said I always wonder if my Lord will bless as before; and that He always blesses more? This tip has been no exception! But now it is winding down; and probably just right, as I am beginning to feel the tiredness. Now I am looking forward to getting back to my church; my wife and family; and continue working from there to promote the work here! “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Hebrews 10:23-24 PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY TWENTY-ONE It was 11:00 P.M. when I finished writing up yesterday’s diary. Got up at 5:00 A.M. (thought it was later), and got ready for the day. While I was getting ready, Bro. Adel also got up. He was so tired last night, he kept falling asleep at the table while Bro. Aparre and I talked. As soon as we returned to the hotel, he went to bed, and fell right to sleep! As soon as he is ready, we go down where he can have his breakfast. We have agreed yesterday to meet this morning at 7:30 at Sis. Aurelia Dabatos’ house. (She is the widow of Bro. Marlon Dabatos, one of the pastors who attended the very first Bible Conference we had in Davao City, Mindanao, in March of 1999.) As soon as Bro. Adel finishes breakfast, we start to her place. Since it is so early, there is no other transportation available, so we hire a young man to take us on his motorbike. Arriving at Sis. Aurelia’s, we wait for a time for some others to come; and while waiting, I have a conversation with a young man I had met some three or four years ago, but not seen since. He has many questions to ask, and it is clear he is religiously minded, but I fear he is rather proud of his knowledge: I only wish I was as sure of his spiritual understanding! His questions were all more designed to show how much he knew, rather than to inquire for answers. It is almost 8:00 when we congregate in the house, and begin a short service with singing and prayer. They then ask me to preach, so I preached for about 45 or 50 minutes out of 1.Sam. chapter 15, warning on the one hand against stubbornness in pursuing a course opposed to the will of God, and instead seeking great things for one’s self; while on the other hand assuring that the way to fulfillment is to be content with God’s will in one’s life. Bro. Adel and I had planned to leave right after the service in order to get him a new suitcase, since his old one is literally falling apart, being held together with some very strong rubber bands. However, Bro. Mario Omila wants us to go by his place, where he also holds services. I have known Bro. Mario almost from the beginning, but until lately he has been loyal to the Primitive Baptist; although he has always attended our services when I am on Bohol. The leader of the Primitive Baptist, Gus Harter, has recently developed some type of cancer, and has had to quit sending any financial aid since last December; so now Bro. Mario is trying to get financial help to make his back payments on a motorbike Gus Harter helped him to acquire. Any way, we go to his place, and find a nice little concrete block house, kept very clean and neat by his wife. (His wife has a goiter; and when Dorothy and I were here in March, I gave them money for some test she needed, as well as for medicine.) After this, Bro. Diogracias wants us to walk over to his place, too. So we do, there to find a lady conducting a VBS with about 30 children. Bro. Diogracias is trying -- at the urging of Sis. Aurelia -- to pastor a small group meeting at Sis. Aurelia’s house. I have tried to discourage this, because I have no confidence in either his knowledge, or ability; but Sis. Aurelia is determined to try to carry on the work of Bro. Marlon. Both she, and Bro. Mario, are now trying to get me to support their church activities financially, but I cannot in good conscience do so. We finally get ready to leave here, but they all want to stay with us as long as possible. I finally tell them that Bro. Adel and I will first go to the mall, and will then meet them for lunch at a little sidewalk style eatery near the hotel where we are staying. This satisfies them, so after going to the mall, and taking our things back to the hotel, we meet Bro. Mario, Bro. Boloron, their wives, and Sis. Aurelia for lunch. This takes perhaps 45 minutes, and then after lunch we go back to the hotel to check out, and get our things. From here we proceed to the airport, along with Bro. Mario, and Bro. Boloron. Last night I have also agreed to meet Bro. Aparre and his wife, Melody, at the airport. Arriving at the airport, we find there is no place at the airport proper for us to visit; but Bro. Adel locates a small café near by. We all go in, and have something to drink. Bro. Adel stays with us for a time, but he is now on his way back to his place in Cebu City by Ocean Jet, so we part company -- reluctantly -- for him to go to the boat dock. He will spend a few days at his place, then is heading back to Mindanao. After he leaves, I continue to visit with the other two pastors until Bro. Aparre, and Melody, arrive. Then shortly afterward,, two young pastor friends of Bro Aparre arrive. Bro. Boloron and I have already been talking about the need to have another seminar here, since he knows several Pentecostal pastors from his former days who are interested to know more of our doctrine. Now these two young pastors are expressing the same interest, so I agree to return as soon as our Lord will make it possible. Indeed, there have been so many requests that I have already been thinking about trying to come back in October or November. (Note: At the time I am sending this out, this does not look possible since the finances are not available.) I visit with these six until almost 3:00, when I am supposed to check in at the airport. They then accompany me as far as they are allowed, where we say our good-byes; they departing to their respective homes -- and me also now as much as on my way home. We were to have one more seminar in Manila, but it has been canceled due to the host pastor having to be absent. So I will spend the last day doing I don’t know what. Of course I will visit with Bro. Rey Monceller, our pastor here in Manila; but what else I do not know. “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.” Ezek. 36:24-38.   PHILIPPINE MISSION REPORT 2006 SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH PAUL JORDAN, PASTOR DAY TWENTY TWO/TWENTY THREE Nothing much exciting happened on day twenty two, so I will combine day twenty two, and day twenty three. Day twenty two was spent getting ready to go home; visiting with Bro. Monceller; buying gifts at the mall to take home; having supper with the Monceller family; and finally getting to bed at around 10:30 that night. The interesting day was day twenty three. My flight home was scheduled to depart Manila at 7:00 A.M., so I get up at 2:30 A.M.; meet Bro. Monceller in the lobby of the hotel at 3:00, and we catch a taxi to the airport, arriving there around 4:00 A.M. after having had no trouble with traffic at that time of day. After getting in the terminal, I go to the counter where I am supposed to check in, only to be told that my flight has been cancelled! I then inquire as to what I am supposed to do. The man at the check in counter then takes me to a room in the terminal, where he tells me a person will come around 6:30 who will help me. So I wait, and actually about 6:00 a lady arrives, and inquires about my problem. She then gets on her computer, and in a few minutes tells me to follow her. We then go back to the checkin counter, where she walks me through the line -- VIP treatment! Or so it seemed! The only problem was that I was to have left at 7:00 A.M. on Philippine Airlines bound for Shanghi, and then on to Los Angeles on United. Now I am scheduled to leave Manila on Philippine Airlines, but at 10:00 A.M.; and bound for Hong Kong. I am assured, though, that at Hong Kong I will connect with United, and will indeed end up at Los Angeles in time to catch my flight on to Houston. The lady also gives me a piece of paper with some information on it, and tells me to give it to the people at the check in counter at Hong Kong, and this will ensure no delays. I learned during this day never to believe every thing airline people tell you -- especially in foreign countries! Upon arriving at Hong Kong, the United flight I am supposed to be on is soon to leave; and myself and about another 100 people are needing to get transferred before the plane leaves. As soon as we get off the plane from Manila, a young Chinese woman meets us, and walks us about two miles through the terminal (actually to another terminal) to the United desk. Here they are rushing all those who are transferring to the United flight to Los Angeles ahead of everyone else. Since I am at the head of the line, I breath a sigh of relief, thinking my troubles are over. I give the desk person my papers, only to be told to step aside while they clear me for this flight. So I wait patiently until I begin hearing calls to board the flight to Los Angeles. At this point I begin to insist that some one tell me what is going on. Now the young woman who walked us over tells me they don’t have a place for me; that I was supposed to go to Shanghi, not Hong Kong. I replied that yes, I knew I was supposed to go to Shanghi, but that United cancelled that flight, and I was put on the flight to Hong Kong instead, with the assurance that I would be put on this flight to Los Angeles. To shorten the story of this ordeal, I had several conversations with several different ones before this was all settled, always with the same results: you were supposed to go to Shanghi; to which my standard answer was yes, but United cancelled the Shanghi flight, and supposedly rerouted me to this flight. It was as though they were blaming me; but I was just as insistent that it was United’s problem. However, the United flight left without me on it; and I never did get any satisfaction out of United! Finally the young woman who walked us over, took me back to the terminal from which we came (I got my exercise that day!), and back to the Philippine Airlines ticket counter. Here I was told once again that I should have gone to Shanghi; to which I gave them the same answer. I will give Philippine Airlines personnel credit, though; for after some not so calm discussion; and after about a hour and a half of waiting without knowing how I was going to get back home; one of the young women working the Philippine Airlines counter made arrangements with Continental Airlines to take me on one of their flights to San Francisco. Now this was good, since I really prefer to fly Continental any way; (and I really prefer to go through San Francisco instead of Los Angeles); and the only reason I don’t is because their fares are too high. The only thing is, besides this causing me considerable frustration, it also caused a six hour delay -- and I am tired, and anxious to be home! I depart from Hong Kong, though, with the assurance that when I get to San Francisco, I will transfer to another Continental flight to Houston; and once again assured there would be no trouble. We get to San Francisco without a problem; I collect my luggage, and get through customs without any problem; and find the Continental check in counter to recheck my luggage, and get my boarding pass. What do you think? The lady at the check in counter cannot find me in their system! However, she uses a little good old American ingenuity, and before long she has me a boarding pass, and has my luggage rechecked to Houston. I could have kissed her!!! From this point on all is smooth sailing! The flight home is uneventful; my wife and son meet me at the baggage pickup; we drive home; and as they say, the rest is history! Well, there is one other thing I forgot to mention. When checking through customs at Manila, they find that I have actually been in the islands for something over two hours more than 21 days; and since my passport only allows for 21 days, it cost me P2500.00 penalty -- approximately $50.00. Today has been one of those days when you really have a problem understanding how literally everything “works to the good of them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose”! Somehow, though, it always does; and I just have to bow and worship before the all wise God, as well as the God of all mercy, grace, and love! “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2.Corinthians 2:14-17.