Philippine Mission Report October/November 2007

PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 MONDAY 15 THRU WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER Woke up early this morning with eager anticipation of getting on the way to the Philippines! I feel like I am better organized this trip than ever before, having nearly everything already packed; and even having my wife’s (who is going with me for the second time since I have been making these trips!) things already packed. I have also taken care of everything that needs to be taken care of, like bills, except for a couple of last minute ones that I did not have the statements yet. I have moved all the pot plants together around a sprinkler system, so all our son, Joel, will need to do is turn on a switch, and turn it off. So I really do not have much to do before leaving for the airport. Just need to run to Tomball to pick up the money I have asked the bank to have ready for me; and then go to the MoneyGram place to wire some of it to Bro. Adelmo Obien, one of the pastors I work with in the islands. I am really feeling good about the day! So Dorothy and I get up; get dressed; and while she is getting the last few things of hers packed, I take care of the two bills I need to make arrangements to pay; then make my trip to Tomball. I am back home by 11:00, and we eat lunch about noon. After this I get the car packed, and we are ready to go. Our flight is scheduled to take off at 7:00 P.M, so it is our plan to leave home about 2:00 P.M.; go by Joel and Madel’s to leave some things; and then go by our grandson’s apartment to leave some clothes Dorothy has for him; and then to the airport. Actually, we are to leave our grandson’s apartment, and go to Demontrond Automotive. Over a month before, I took our van in for the fifty thousand mile service; and while they were servicing the car, the mechanic dropped a bolt down in the engine, unknown to him. When he started the car up, it ruined the engine. So for the past month and more we have been driving a Volvo sports type car they have loaned us. So we need to return this car, and they are to drive us to the airport; and when we get back, they will pay for a taxi to bring us from the airport to Demontrond. This even worked out perfect, as Joel was going to have to take off work otherwise to take us to the airport; and again to pick us up. All goes just as we planned it, leaving right at 2:00 P.M.: and it begins to rain just as we are leaving. Good! It has been very dry for several weeks now, so the rain is coming at exactly the right time! We won’t be concerned about the grass, or the flower beds! As we drive towards Joel and Madel’s, the rain gets a little harder, but no indication of any extreme downpour. Reaching Joel and Madel’s place, we pull in behind their town house; get the things we need to leave there in the house; say goodbye to Madel, and the two little ones; and then we are on our way again. I am even more excited now, and anxious, to get to the airport; and when I drove out of the drive from in back of the row of town houses, into the street in front, I drove right into deep water! In the short time it has been raining, the street is flooded; and we only get a few feet until the low to the ground Volvo drowns out! Now what do we do? We notice that water is beginning to seep into the car itself. I decide the only thing to do is get out, and try to push it. So I take off my shoes; roll up my pants legs; and open the door. Now water pours into the car! Besides that, I can’t get the car into neutral, so there is no way I can push it. It is still raining, so I wade on to the parking lot of a strip center we are next to, and make a call to Demontrond, asking them to send a wrecker. In the meantime, Dorothy has gotten out of the car, and made her way to the porch where I am; and where it is dry. After several tries I finally get Demontrond, and they promise to send a wrecker right away. While we wait for the wrecker, we see other cars drowned out. We also watch as big trucks and buses plow through the water, each time watching the Volvo rise and fall according to the waves. What is happening to our suitcases we don’t know: we only hope they are not in water! We wait for what seemed like an eternity, and finally we see a wrecker pull up on the parking lot; but he does not make any attempt to do anything. Is this our wrecker? I wait for several minutes, and he still does nothing. So I decide to go see if he came for us. I walk over to the wrecker in the rain, and sure enough he is for us -- but he informs me doesn’t want to get wet, and intends to wait until the water goes down. I tell him we just might be here all night, if that is the case! I go back to the porch, and call Demontrond again; and while I am making this call, the wrecker driver begins to position his wrecker. He says there is something in the trunk of the car he needs in order to hook on to the car, and so will have to unload all our suitcases. So once again I wade out into the street, and get the first two suitcases to carry them to the porch. The water is deep, and I can’t see where I am stepping; and as I make my way, I trip on something, falling flat in the water, with the suitcases falling into the water, too! I retrieve them as quickly as I can, and get them to the dry porch. Then go back to get the others. Needless to say, by this time I am drenched; the suitcases are wet; and we don’t know what the condition of the contents is. So much for the perfect day, and perfect planning!!! The driver drags the car up on the back of the wrecker; we load out things back into the car; and we get in the wrecker with him, going to Demontrond. Immediately upon arriving, I get some dry clothes, and a towel I have brought along, and use their restroom to change. I put the wet clothes into a plastic bag, and put them in one of the suitcases so we can dry them when we get to the Philippines. Although the bottom of Dorothy’s skirt is wet, she does not think it enough to change. So, as soon as this is done, the service manager for Demontrond gets a car, and we are off to the airport. We were supposed to be at the airport at 5:00 P.M., but it is already about 5:30 when we leave Demontrond. Then the service manager, being new to this area, does not know exactly how to get to the airport, and passes up the exit; so we have to go out of the way in getting to the airport. However, we make it just after 6:00 P.M.; and even then it does not take us long to get checked in. By this time, though, Dorothy is hungry; and although our plane is scheduled to begin loading any time, we go to a fast food place, and she orders a hamburger, fries, and a drink; and I order myself a drink. I keep rushing her to eat, which she does not appreciate; but I am concerned lest on top of everything else, we might miss our flight. As it turns out the plane is delayed, and we have plenty of time! I must admit that at this point, I am wondering that if all things work together for the good of those who love God, just how this is going to accomplish that purpose. What was the purpose of our Lord and Saviour? I know that if it works for our good, it must be for our salvation, but how? In my fleshly mind it would be much better if this had not happened -- especially since it would appear that it is going to cost us the deductible on our car insurance; and all I can think about is how this money could be used to relieve some of the suffering of our brethren in the islands and/or be useful to the preaching of the gospel message we are to bring! It seems to me it is enough of a struggle every day trying to meet these needs, without this added burden! This weighed on my mind and heart all the way over, and for at least a couple of days thereafter; and I had to be in much prayer for my Lord to make my heart right! The rest of the trip over was without incident. We changed planes at Los Angeles; and as we flew over the pacific, we suddenly found ourselves going from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17 as we crossed the international date line. We changed planes again in Taipei; afterward arriving at Manila about 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Getting off the plane, we immediately collect our suitcases, and get a taxi to take us to the Airport Hotel, which is very near to the airport; and where I have made reservations over the internet. However, upon arriving there, we find they have given our room away. Nothing to do but try to find another. I first think we will return to the airport, where there is a desk especially for hotel clerks; but our driver insists he knows another hotel near by. So I consent for him to take us there; but when we get there, I don’t like either the appearance of the hotel, or the surrounding neighborhood. There is a little travel agent office here, and the taxi driver insists on trying to find us a hotel we will be satisfied with. I realize at this point that he is working with this hotel and/or the travel agent, and probably gets a little commission. This process takes some 30 or so minutes, and Dorothy is getting very nervous. She did not like the idea of going with the taxi driver in the first place; and she gets very suspicious when it takes him so long -- especially in this kind of neighborhood. After waiting for some time, I finally get out of the car to go see what is going on. I go inside, and they tell me they have contacted The Atrium Hotel, and they have a room. (We find out later from Bro. Rey Monceller that this is the holiday season for All Souls Day coming up on Oct. 30 and 31. The entire holiday covers about two weeks; and this is going to affect us again the next day.) I agree to this, and we go back to the car to find that Dorothy has locked all the doors. We get back in, and are soon at the hotel. This hotel is in a 25 story building, with the lobby on the 15th floor; and the room will be on the 20th floor. Since Dorothy usually prefers to be on the ground floor even in two story motels, I thought she might object; but she doesn’t, and we find the room very comfortable. So we unload our suitcases; I pay the driver; and we spend the rest of the afternoon washing and drying the clothes we were wearing that got wet, and checking to see if there was anything else that got wet. Thankfully, the only suitcases that were affected by water was my carry-on bag, and the suitcase that I had packed full of booklets for the conference at Pagadian. These were the two I had when I fell into the water; and there was a little water got in each one, but not enough to damage anything. I just emptied them out, and the contents easily dried over night. Besides the above, I contact Bro. Rey Monceller to make arrangements for the time he will come tomorrow so we can get our plane tickets for the rest of the trip. Everything we need is right at us, there being a shopping mall in the same building as the hotel, where we can eat, plus the hotel having a restaurant. So the day(s) closes peacefully! “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Romans 11:34-36 PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER FIRST FULL DAY IN THE ISLANDS After spending a relaxing and restful afternoon; and evening; yesterday, today began quite the same way. We got up around 6:00 A.M.; got dressed; and went down to the hotel restaurant, where we enjoyed a very leisurely breakfast of eggs, hash browns, several pieces of bacon, jelly, toast, and drink -- all for a total of about $5.00 each. After breakfast, we go back to the room, where we have agreed to meet Bro. Monceller (Hereafter referred to as Bro. Rey.) at 9:00 to go out to get plane tickets for the domestic flights; and to get some money exchanged. Bro. Rey arrives at about 10:15, having been delayed by traffic, and not knowing exactly where our hotel is located. When he arrives, we spend a few minutes in greetings, and planning how to proceed. Since there is a money changer in the mall; which is located in the same building as the hotel; we decide this is as good a place as any to make the exchange. So we first do this, then go out on the street to get a taxi. There is a taxi unloading some people at the door, so Bro. Rey asks if he is available. The driver points to a young woman as the one who is his next fare; but she is very kind to tell the driver to let us take the taxi. So we get in, and Bro. Rey tells the driver to take us the the Philippine Airlines office at the domestic airport. The driver then get into a conversation with Bro. Rey, telling him that the country is in the beginning of the “All Souls Day Holiday”; and that most of the flights are fully booked. Besides, he says the wait at the PAL office would be extremely long -- a fact that experience has taught is beyond doubt! He suggests we go instead to an “express” ticket office; and instead of taking Philippine Airlines, we take Cebu Pacific. To this Bro. Rey agrees, after confirming with us that Cebu Pacific is acceptable. Arriving at the “express” office, sure enough we are the only ones there; so we begin to tell the clerk what tickets we want; and find out that very few flights are still available; and that no flights are available from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu City, Cebu; or from Cagayan de Oro to Tagbilaran City, Bohol. They then decide that maybe Asian Spirit (An island hopper.) might have some space. So they begin to try to contact Asian Spirit; but at far as I know, they never succeeded -- not that it mattered in the end. After about 30 minutes we have finally been able to get enough information to determine that we are going to have to get tickets to Cagayan de Oro for Monday; and tickets from Tagbilaran back to Manila for Nov. 3; and hope we can get on a boat at Cagayan de Oro in order to get to Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Oct. 31. So the clerk begins to write up the tickets, but tells us then that they can only take cash, and no credit cards. Especially since the tickets are much higher at this time than I have planned on, I do not have enough cash on me; and besides, I have not brought along enough cash to cover plane tickets. The clerk agrees to call her boss to see if he will allow her to take my credit card; but when she does, he refuses. So I tell Bro. Rey that we will just have to go the Philippine Airline office, and wait as long as possible. Getting back into the taxi; which has been waiting; the driver tells Bro. Rey that he knows of another “express” office near by; and we agree to go there. Upon arriving, he goes in first to see if they will take a credit card. He returns to inform us that they will, so we get out, and go in. Basically, we go through the very same routine as at the first place, but they finally get all the information they need. At this point the main person in the office asks if it will be agreeable for her to get the tickets printed, and then bring them to our hotel for payment. It seems they do not have the equipment here to swipe the credit card, and we will need to go to another place to do this. I agree, and we leave going back to the hotel. Arriving there, we go to a restaurant in the mall for lunch; after which Bro. Rey departs for home; and Dorothy and I return to our room. (Our original plans were to use the van we have rented to take us around to take care of today’s business; and after this was done, to go on to Pangasinin this afternoon for tomorrow’s conference. However, Manila is trying to do something to cut down on traffic, and has implemented a program whereby vehicles with certain license plate numbers cannot be on the street on certain days. Our van has fallen into that category today, so we first have to use a taxi instead of the van to do our business; and then we will also need to stay another night at this hotel, going on to Pangasinin early in the morning.) Getting back to our room, Dorothy and I are relaxing -- and enjoying it! -- until about 4:30. At this time I am beginning to wonder when (and if) the woman from the ticket office is going to show up. She has given me her card, so I begin to try to call. After being unsuccessful for about 20 minutes, I call Bro. Rey to see if he can get in touch with her -- especially since if there is any problem, he will be much better able to converse with her in their language. Bro. Rey tells he will take care of it, and call me back. Now the relaxing is over, and we are anxious to find out if we are going to get our tickets! Besides this, Dorothy is about to freak out thinking we might need to go out to some unknown place, with a complete stranger. I try to assure her it will be alright, but to no avail! We wait for some time, and finally Bro. Rey calls to tell us they have changed their minds, and will not take my credit card after all! Not only are they not going to accept my card, but evidently they had no intention of letting us know! Now what do we do? I must confess that at hearing this, I am furious! My dear Bro. Rey calms me, and tells me he will get on the internet, and see if he can get tickets reserved for us on Philippine Airlines. So we leave it at that; and all Dorothy and I can do is wait -- but at least she will not need to worry about going out with the stranger! About 10:30 P.M. Bro. Rey calls to tell us he has been successful in reserving our tickets; but my next question is how will we retrieve them since the ticket office has long been closed tonight, and we will be leaving for Pangasinin long before they open in the morning. Bro. Rey says he will send someone for them tomorrow, either his wife, or Sis. Edna, one of the church members. The next question is how will we pay for them, since no one else can use my credit card? It is decided that the only thing to do is for Bro. Rey to use the money I have sent to him through our ATM account, for the expenses of the conferences in Taytay, to pay for the tickets; and I will reimburse him as soon as I can get the cash. Most of this day’s efforts end up being a total washout; and I still have to pay cash for the tickets! The day has had much frustration in it -- one more test to see if I (we) can really rest in the promise that all things work together for our good. I trust that it is so, as these things have once more driven me to confession, and prayer!!! “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” Prov. 21:30 PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER SECOND FULL DAY After getting the plane ticket fiasco settled, (Although I will not be completely satisfied until the tickets are in our hands! Experience has taught me that anything can go wrong -- especially here!) we get to bed around 9:00 P.M.; and although Dorothy slept most of the afternoon so that we wondered if she would be able to sleep at night, after we turned out the lights, it took her about two minutes to be sound asleep; and I was asleep shortly there after! The night before, the air conditioner kept turning off, and I would then have to get up to turn it back on. I got up 4 or 5 times during the night to do this; and last night twice -- but after the second time, I just left it off until we got up at 1:00 A.M. to get ready for the day. Bro. Rey was to come to our hotel at 3:00 A.M., so at 2:30 I went down to the lobby to check out, and found Bro. Rey and Bro. Rolando Mendoza (Hereafter referred to as Bro. Rolando.) waiting. (Later I found out they had been there since 1:00 a.m., not having slept at all!) As soon as I check out, we load us, and our suitcases, into the waiting van. There are six grownups, plus all our suitcases, plus two large sacks of booklets and tracts, so every available space is utilized. Dorothy says she now knows how sardines feel! After leaving the hotel, we drive for about an hour, meeting another group; in another van; at Bulacan, north of Manila. Here we are told to trade places with some of those in this second van. This second van is air conditioned; and I suppose they were just being considerate of us! However, there are eight of us in this van, plus suitcases; so we are just as cramped. Nevertheless, the traffic this early in the morning is light, and we arrive at the meeting place (Where Jezus Leeft -- Jesus Lives -- church meets.) for the conference about 7:30. Greetings are made with all who are already there, after which breakfast is served. Then we go to check into our rooms, which turns out to be a beautiful resort. (Would have been nice to spend some leisure time, but only had a few minutes to look around.) As soon as we get our suitcases in the room, Dorothy and I return to the meeting place, while Bro. Rey and Bro. Rolando stay behind. Arriving back at the meeting place, we visit with many of the people as they arrive. The meeting was to have started no later than 9:00 A.M., but at this time Bro. Rey and Bro. Rolando have not come from the resort. They finally come a few minutes before 10:00, and the meeting is immediately opened with prayer, and one song. Bro. Rey begins the preaching with the subject of The Sovereignty of God. I am pleased and blessed with the message, but as usual the congregation is mostly quite. Then after Bro. Rey, I preach on the topic of Total Depravity. I have been praying about the messages since first planning this trip -- and more often and more fervently the nearer the time came: and know that many of you were praying, too! Our Lord very graciously answered, (Dorothy later said she had never heard me preach like that.), and the people give every evidence they are hearing, and being blessed. However, there are some who it is evident are not very happy -- there nearly always is! Dorothy is observing the reactions, and tells me she is sure several are under much conviction. I preach for about an hour and twenty minutes; until 12:20; after which we take a lunch break. We enjoyed a delicious meal, and fellowship, until 1:30 when we resume with another prayer and song. Then Bro. Rolando preaches on Unconditional Election. We then take a few minutes break, and Bro. Roland resumes with Limited Atonement. The preaching of this brother has been a tremendous blessing to me the last two trips, and now today has c continued! God is blessing more and more with godly, well qualified men to work with me! As usual, the farther we get into the doctrines, the more lively and receptive the people become. Still, there are evident skeptics! After Bro. Rolando finishes this subject, we take another short break. Upon resuming, Bro. Rey informs me that I should finish with both subjects of Irresistible Grace, and Preservation of the Saints. I preach mostly on Irresistible Grace, concluding with a short message on Preservation of the Saints. Most of the people give every evidence of being truly blessed, voicing their feelings with amens, and clapping of hands. Later, my wife for the second time today, gives strong approval of the message. Two times approval from my wife! Wow! The message is about an hour an a half, after which supper is served.; and shortly we go to our rooms for the night. We go to bed at 8:30, having had a long and tiring day -- but a most blessed one!!! “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. “Isa. 40:28-31. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER THIRD FULL DAY This day begins at 4:00 A.M. (Actually I woke up at 3:00, and Dorothy is awake at 4:00.) as we are by this time both wide awake. We get ready; and I spend the time, before the brothers come for us, writing up our Daily Diary, while Dorothy is reading. Around 7:00, our van driver comes to the door; and we think he has come to take us to the meeting place. I also did not realize the time, so we asked him to come back in about 30 minutes; but shortly after he leaves, Bro. Rey comes to tell us the driver has brought breakfast to their room, and we are to join them. After breakfast, Dorothy and I walk around the resort complex, taking a few pictures. The van driver shows up again shortly before 8:00, and takes Dorothy and me to the meeting place. Bro. Rey and Bro. Rolando are to follow later. At the meeting place we mingle and visit among those already there (Many of them spent the night in some vacant rooms in the building, which formerly was a restaurant.), while we wait for the meeting to begin. We are wondering how many of those from yesterday will come back today. As we wait, a few at a time come in until by 9:00 nearly everyone has returned, and the place is full. (It is rice harvest time, and a very few are employed in this. We are also told that many more would have attended but for this reason. Nevertheless, there are about 100 or more in attendance.) Just a few minutes after 9:00 the meeting actually begins. (Oh, I forgot to mention that while waiting for the meeting to officially begin, Bro. Rolando and I have a discussion with four of the men. Very profitable, as indicated in the expression of one, “Yes, now I get it!”) We open again with prayer and song. Then Bro. Rolando gives a presentation comparing the Calvinistic doctrine with the Arminian doctrine. This takes about 30 minutes, and then the meeting is opened up for questions from the floor. This lasts until about 11:00. Thanks be to God that once more He provides answers which are clear; and which appear to satisfy those who ask. During the coarse of the questioning, it actually provides a chance to preach approximately another hour, in increments of 10 to 20 minutes each. With the questions having come to an end, they call on me to close with a message of my choosing. I begin with James 4:14-17, showing the will of man being opposed to God’s; and the will of man coming from pride. The object of the message being that the purpose of the doctrines of grace is to break this pride, in order to exalt God. The message was, from all appearances, very well received. After this message, we have lunch; fellowship with the people for some time; and finally get away at about 2:30, leaving many of the people expressing a desire for us to return. Once again our van, as well as the other one, is packed to the hilt; and this time of day the traffic is very heavy, especially through the towns. We did have a few miles when we were on toll roads that we could travel at a good, and consistent, rate of speed. We finally get back to Bulacan, where we switched vans yesterday, and changed back again. From this point the traffic is horrible, (The only expression I have for it!), and we move at a snail’s pace most of the time, if we move at all. Dorothy has not only been very tired from the start, but in pain from indigestion, plus trying to find a comfortable position for her bad leg. After five and a half to six hours of this, we finally reach our hotel; get checked in; and bid the others a good night. Dorothy takes a shower, while I begin writing the “diary”; and as soon as she gets through, she falls into bed, and is asleep almost immediately. I finish writing at 10:30, then get to bed at 11:00. It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep, either! It has been a long, and extremely tiring, day; but we have both agreed a most blessed and rewarding and successful one!!! “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.” 2.Corin. 2:14. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER FOURTH FULL DAY I set my alarm last night to wake us at 6:30 this morning, but I was awake by 4:30; and Dorothy wakes up at 5:00. I had just been lying still, not wanting to wake her. When she wakes at 5:00, she says she needs to get up at 6:00, and then goes back to sleep. I continue to lie in bed, and just before 6:00 she wakes up again. This time we both get up, and get ready. We are having services today with Sovereign Grace Church of Taytay, Manila; the church we established in 2001 with Bro. Rey as the pastor. After getting ready, we go down to the hotel restaurant for the complimentary breakfast. I talked to our son, Joel, back home this morning; and he informed me there had been a bomb set off in a shopping mall in the Makati district of Manila; the district adjoining the one where we were when we first arrived. While we await breakfast to be served, we read the newspaper account. The bombing occurred the day after we arrived, and more bombings are threatened. Nine people were for sure killed; two more were missing; and about 100 injured. After eating, we go back to the room; and shortly Bro. Rey comes, along with his wife; two teenage children; and Sis. Edna Jinon, the first member of the church other than the Moncellers. (Sis. Edna has been one of not only the most loyal, but zealous, members of this church, or any other church, that I have ever known! She, and her three daughters, are a great blessing to the church -- and to me!) We go then to the place of worship, which is a structure that we have supplied the funds to build (P90,000.00, or about $2,000.00.), and which was being completed even the day we arrived in the islands. It is built on a piece of property dedicated by another member of the church, known by me as Sis. Eilene, and her husband. Another wonderful blessing, as they had planned to sell the property, but changed their minds in view of the need of the church! When we arrive, several of the people are already present, so we immediately begin greetings and fellowship. More and more keep coming, until by the time services begin, not only are the 50 or so chairs in the building proper filled, (The building has three complete walls, and one partial wall facing the pulpit area; the building being approx. 35 feet long, and 20 feet wide; with the pulpit being placed in the center of the long wall.), and at least that many more on the outside of the partial wall, facing the pulpit. Many of them are children from the surrounding area, (Which consists of living quarters joined wall to wall along what is more an alley way, than a street.), and there are also several adults who attend for the first time. The services begin with prayer, and then several hymns. Then Bro. Rey opens up for testimonies. Then a couple more songs, and Bro. Rey calls on me to preach. We are to baptize five this afternoon, and the Lord has laid on my heart Ps. 116:15. After reading the text, I use my wedding ring, and than a “precious” three month old baby girl, to illustrate the term “precious”; afterward comparing the preciousness to Jesus, as the Son of God; then going on to show how the death of Jesus was precious to the Father; and then to show how, and why, our death in Christ is precious. Bro. Rey translated as I preached; and for whatever reason, he had some difficulty doing so; which hindered the consistent flow of the message. Nevertheless, our God is able to bring strength out of weakness, and I am confident that the content was “precious”; and it is evident that many were blessed -- and we trust many more we knew not of! After the message, songs were sung; offering taken; then Bro. Rey calls on me to lead in a prayer of dedication of the building. Another hymn is then sung; and then the closing prayer. After this, a fellowship meal was served. This time of fellowship continues until around 2:30, after which we proceed to the place of the baptism, which is a swimming pool belonging to an acquaintance of one of the members. As soon as we arrive, I change clothes. We then all gather around for the reading of the scripture, and prayer. The candidates consist of three women, and two young men. One of the women is 76 years old, and we are told she goes around all the time rejoicing in what she has found! Another is a young woman who suffered a stroke in 2004. She is still partially paralyzed on her left side. She, and her 5 year old daughter, are dependent on her mother for their livelihood; and in spite of the fact that the mother is Catholic; persecutes the daughter; is very much opposed to the baptism; yet Jennifer is very much rejoicing in her new found faith! Praise to our Almighty God! After these services, we continue in a time of fellowship, during which the owner of the place is introduced. He is a Japanese man of 62 years, having moved here in 1975. He is curious about the baptism; and his questions give Bro. Rey and me a chance to witness to him. I don’t know what will come of it, but thank God for the opportunity! A few minutes after 5:00 we leave to go back to our hotel. The early morning traffic was once again light, but the evening traffic is also once again “horrible”! It takes us over two hours to get to the hotel. Here we part company; Dorothy and me going to our room, and the others going on to their respective places. It has been another tiring day, but also a rejoicing one! “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 MONDAY 22 OCTOBER FIFTH FULL DAY After getting showers, and getting our things together, we got to bed last night at 10:00. Our flight to Cagayan de Oro, on the island of Mindanao, was scheduled to depart at 5:10 A.M., so I set the alarm for 2:00. We cannot get to sleep, though, because there are a lot of young students of some sort on our floor who are making a lot of noise. After some time of this going on, Dorothy calls the desk, and asks them to quite them down, which they promise to do. However, nothing happens, and the noise continues. Dorothy calls the desk three more times within the next 30 or 40 minutes, but still nothing happens until I finally talk to the desk person on the last call. By the time the noise is under control, it is around midnight; so we got at best two hours of restful sleep before the alarm went off. At 2:10 we get up; get ready; get a bell boy to get our suitcases; and meet Bro. Rey downstairs. After checking out, we get two taxis, (With our suitcases, and Bro. Rey’s, plus the boxes of booklets and tracts we are taking, we cannot get it all in one taxi.), with Bro. Rey in one, and us in the other. The traffic is light, so we reach the airport at 3:30. Not many people in the terminal, so we get right through the check point; and when we get to the ticket counter, we are the only ones there -- all the others must have gotten there before us, for our plane is full. After the check in, we eat a light breakfast; and soon board the plane. The flight is an hour and 20 minutes without incident. We are met at the Cagayan de Oro terminal by some of the brethren; and after loading all our suitcases and boxes, we literally squeeze into the vehicle; and after about a 30 minute drive, arrive at our hotel, called “Good News Traveler’s Inn”. It takes only a few minutes to get checked in, and get to our room. Immediately, Dorothy changes into something to sleep in; gets into bed; and falls right to sleep until noon. Our air conditioner power goes off, but she is so sound asleep that she hardly knows that people have come to fix the problem! The day is then spent very leisurely in writing; reading; resting. We tried to get the local news. A young man with the hotel told us there had been an explosion that morning in Cagayan de Oro. According to him, it was thought to have been caused by faulty electrical installation; but we thought since we had the time, we would check it out. However, we could never find a local station speaking English. At 8:00 P.M. we both decided we were tired of doing little or nothing, and would just go to bed for a good night’s rest. So I set the alarm for 6:00 A.M., for a 7:00 A.M. check out from the hotel. The plan was to go to the meeting place at 7:00; and since it is a room above a restaurant, take breakfast there. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:00 in the morning. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” Mark 6:31. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER SIXTH FULL DAY As I write this, it is 6:00 A.M. on this 23rd day of October. As I stated in the previous day’s diary, we went to bed last night at 8:00; and it did not take long for either of us to go to sleep. I woke up some time later, and was trying to see the clock as what time it was when Dorothy also wakes up, and asked me what time it was. I told her it was 3:30. So she went back to sleep, and I lay there in meditation and prayer. Some time later Dorothy got up, and started her process of getting ready. I don’t know how long she spent doing this, but it was quite a while. She was in the bath, not having turned on any room lights; but having finished, she came over to the bed where I was still lying; and now light from the bath room made it possible to see the clock clearly -- which told us it was three in the morning! We were both shocked, but had a good laugh at ourselves because we were both so sure it was much later than it actually was! She stayed up, and I continued to lie in bed. The next time I looked, it was 3:30 -- the time I told her it was when we first woke up! She then laid back down, and went to sleep. At 4:20 I checked the time again; and then at 5:00 I got up, having laid in bed as long as I could. At 5:00 then, while I was getting ready, she turns on the T.V., but still can find no local news. So when I finish getting ready, she turns the T.V. off; and while I am writing, she reads. Then at 6:40 we decide to tell the others we are ready, in case they want to leave a few minutes early. I call their room, but get no answer. I go to the room, but no one is there. So I start downstairs, and meet Bro. Rey coming to get us. So we get our things downstairs; check out; and then proceed to the meeting place. Before we get there, though, we need to pick up Bro. Dexter Malud (Hereafter referred to as Bro. Dexter.), who has come from Digos last night by bus. Having gotten Bro. Dexter, we go to the meeting place, and begin greetings. The meeting officially begins at 8:30 with singing and prayer. By the time the preaching begins, there are somewhat over 40 adult people, and a few children. This is more than I had expected here. The first presentation is by Bro. Dexter; and is an introduction to the “Tulip Doctrine” by way of giving the history of The Council of Dort, as an answer to Arminius’s Five Points denouncing the doctrine of predestination. Bro. Dexter is an able preacher, who knows his subject well. It seems to be received well, but there is little enthusiasm shown. After Bro. Dexter, Bro. Rey preaches on Total Depravity, giving what I consider an excellent presentation on the subject. Once again there seems to be an acceptance, but there is not the expected “Amens” and/or the clapping of hands that so often accompanies when these people feel really blessed. Under these circumstances it sometimes is difficult to know just how you are coming across! (Oh, on the way to the meeting this morning, Bro. Rey said one of his seminary students, that has consistently opposed these doctrines, sent him a text message this morning saying that after the conference at Pangasinin he now understands. Thanks be unto our Lord -- again!) When Bro. Rey is through, Bro. Tacatani preaches on Unconditional Election. The message is good, (This is only the second year that Bro. Tacatani has been a part of our team of preachers, but he has grown quickly in knowledge, and ability.), and the people are considerably more responsive. However, since these people know Bro. Tacatani well, it is not easy to determine whether their response is from real appreciation of the message. Next Bro. Joshua Gubal (Hereafter referred to as Bro. Joshua.) preaches on the doctrine of Limited Atonement. Once again the people are pretty familiar with Bro. Joshua; and while I certainly do not want to take anything away from a good message, the same is true with Bro. Joshua, as it was with Bro. Tacatini. After Bro. Joshua’s message we break for lunch, and some good fellowship. The meal is served by the restaurant below the meeting place; and while it is just basic food, (As usual, the center piece is rice.), yet it is very well prepared, and well enjoyed! Up to this point nothing has been said to me about what I will be expected to do; but just before we resume, Bro. Joshua comes to tell me I am expected to finish the meeting by preaching on Irresistible Grace, and Preservation of the Saints. So after a song, and prayer, I begin by establishing the almighty power of God in the minds of the people; then His sovereignty; then proceed to show how His almighty act of love in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is irresistible to His blood bought bride. This leads us into the preservation of the saints -- the bride -- because of the same power of His love! As the message progresses, the people begin to respond in the hoped for way; and although there are a few who have questions afterward, by the time the message ends, there is no doubt as to whether or not the majority is greatly blessed! Once again thanks be to the God and Saviour of His beloved saints! The meeting comes to an end with the people sending us on our way rejoicing. The going is slow, but we finally reach Valencia City at 7:45, where we are to spend the night. We first stop to eat a bite; (A decent meal for six people cost the equivalent of about $9.00 here.) then go to our hotel. It is now 9:50 as I finish; and we will need to be up by 5:00 A.M. for a 6:00 A.M. departure for San Fernando, a mountain village some 35 miles north of Valencia City -- and what will take close to two hours to drive due to the road conditions. May our God of all mercy and grace be glorified again tomorrow is my only prayer! “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.” Psalm 70:4 - 71:1. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 WEDNESDAY 24 OCTOBER SEVENTH FULL DAY It has been a very blessed, and rewarding day! So much so that Dorothy for the first time has said she is glad she came! Up until today, she has been O.K. with the trip, but today has been different! And I am reminded of what the apostle has said, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” We were to leave the hotel by 6:00 this morning; so before going to bed at a few minutes after 10:00, I set the alarm for 5:00. I have woke to check the time twice before finally getting up at 4:30; and Dorothy is also awake by this time. We got ready for the day; and we are all in the van, and on the way to San Fernando shortly before 6:00. It takes about an hour and a half over rough gravel roads; and when we get there, we go past the church building a ways down the road to a house which we will learn later belongs to some relatives of Bro. Tacatani. Here we visit before, during, and after breakfast, until it is time to go back to the church building to begin the conference.; but instead of going in the van, we decide to walk. Bro. Rey walks with us; and we take a few pictures of interesting things along the way. One was a woman with a basket of as beautiful vegetables as you will ever see; and we were wishing we could buy some. Instead, I took a picture of her with the vegetables, and gave her P50.00. The look on her face said, “You just made my day!” After arriving at the church building, we visit among the people who are there, until the meeting begins at 9:00. A prayer is offered; introductions are made; and then Bro. Dexter does his usual excellent introduction of the doctrines we are preaching. (One of those present today is a Southern Baptist pastor in San Fernando, who is a friend of Bro. Tacatani. Bro. Tacatani told us at breakfast that he had invited this man, telling him he could learn from these Pentecostals what Baptist doctrine once was, and ought to be again. We all had a good laugh at this. Now, as I said in my diary of the trip this year in April, these are Pentecostals mostly in name only, as they do not believe in tongues, or miracle healing, and so forth. They do clap hands when singing, many times.) When Bro. Dexter is through, Bro. Rey preaches on Depravity, having an excellent presentation on this subject; and the people are very attentive, as well as appreciative! When he is through, there are a couple of men who have questions -- not antagonistic questions, but rather serious questions of clarification. For once the brothers handle their questions without calling on me; and it is evident those who raised the questions are completely satisfied. This is such a blessing for two reasons: first, because our Lord opens the hearts of the inquirers to receive the answers; and second because I think it is another indication of the growth of the brothers God has given to work with me. By this time it is about 12:30, so we break for lunch, and resume about an hour later with Bro. Tacatani calling on me to preach. Since the doctrine of Limited Atonement is next in order, I know they expect me to preach on this doctrine. Up to this point no one has told me which doctrine I will cover, but since the brothers are enjoying such success in preaching on the doctrines per se, I have already decided that what ever it falls to me to preach on, that I will spend only a short time on the doctrine itself, and rather preach on a related subject. I begin by addressing the subject of hyper-Calvinism. (I had heard this mentioned a couple of times today, one time being during a discussion on other subjects during lunch.) I then proceeded to show the necessity of one being able to both lay down his life, and then take it up again, in order to accomplish our salvation -- which no mere mortal can do! I then did spend a few minutes on Limited Atonement, illustrating how righteous we would feel if we gave our lives for our brother, without considering anyone else; and then asking if we had a right to charge God with unrighteousness for doing the same. I then began with Gen. 9:24-27 to show the predestinated plan of salvation through the ages through the prophecy of Noah regarding his three sons. The people give much evidence of being very blessed with this message; and even Dorothy said that though she has heard it before, yet she was blessed by the message as never before. Our God is good! After this Bro. Joshua preaches on Irresistible Grace; and Bro. Dexter closes out with Preservation of the Saints. Both are excellent messages, but I am particularly blessed and impressed with Bro. Dexter’s message. By the end of this message, the whole place is filled with expressions of joy and praise! People at home may not be enthused with these doctrines, but these people are!!! I never question “if” any more, just how much! After saying goodbye to most, we load into the van, along with some others who live in San Fernando. One is the Southern Baptist friend of Bro. Tacatani; and when he gets out at his church building, he expresses his joy by proclaiming that he is changing the name of this church; and then gives Bro. Tacatani a very enthusiastic “high-five”! Not one doubts about how he felt!!! There is also another brother from San Fernando, along with his wife, with us. I had talked with him, and Bro. Joshua, this morning before services began. He was explaining how he was trying to teach Bible to as many of the young adults as he could, along with teaching them some secular subjects to try to equip them to cope with things necessary for success in livelihood. He asked me to come by their place after the close of the meeting to see the facilities, and perhaps get a better feel for what they are trying to accomplish. His work is presently being supported (To some degree.) by “Overseas Missionary Fellowship”, but they are saying they will no longer support the work after December. I know he is looking for someone else to help them; and although I don’t know how I can possibly help, I agree to go by his place anyway. It is an encouragement to these people just to know someone cares enough to take a few minutes to visit with them. When we get there, we first walk about 300 yards through a rice paddy to a rather large building; but it is evident right away that it is in very poor condition. He shows me through, and not only is it in very poor condition, I see very little of things necessary for teaching and/or study. This is another case where they are desperately trying to do something with nothing! I ask several questions, including how many students they have; and how much support is received. He says they have 10 students, with P17,000.00 per month support (About $400.00) with which to buy supplies; maintain the place; and feed the students, along with his family. He tells me their budget for food is P500.00 (About $12.00) per person, per month! I do believe his is a worthy cause, but all I can do is promise to include them in prayer; and as we left, I gave him P2,000.00. Leaving here, we go by the place of Bro. Pedong, as he wants to express his thanks for some help we have given him. We then head back to Valencia City, (Which seemed like it took twice as long as it did this morning! By this time it is dark, and we are very tired.) Arriving in Valencia, we first eat supper, then go to the hotel. Here we are joined by Bro. Adel Obien (Hereafter referred to as Bro. Adel.), who has come from Cebu City, Cebu. Also with us now is Bro. Tacatani’s wife, and a teenage girl, who is a relative. They are headed back to the Tacatani home in Panabo, and intend to ride with us in the van. First, though, they will need a place to sleep; and there is no way they can all sleep in the one room the brothers had last night, so I make arrangements for a room for Bro. Tacatani, his wife, and the girl. We then all go to our rooms, after agreeing to leave in the morning at 6:00 to go to General Santos City, an all day journey. As I finish this diary, it is 9:40, and time for a shower, and bed. Another long and tiring day, but a most wonderful one!!! “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2.Corin. 10:3-5. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER EIGHTH FULL DAY Most of this day was spent in traveling from Valencia City, in the North Central part of Mindanao, to General Santos City in the far Southern tip of Mindanao. However, we made several stops along the way. I went to bed last night at 10:00, after writing up the diary for the day, and taking a shower. Dorothy was completely exhausted by the time we got into our hotel room. When we arrived back at Valencia City from San Fernando last night, before going to the hotel we ate supper; so it was around 7:30 when we got back to our room; and as soon as Dorothy could take a shower, she went straight to bed, and to sleep. She never even knew when I went to bed! I set the alarm for 5:00 A.M., but after waking up twice (again), Dorothy and I both wake up at 4:30, and get up. All of us were ready by 6:00, and checked out and started on our way. All of us that is, except Bro. Tacatani’s wife, and the teen age girl relative. There is no way we can all get in the van, so I gave them enough money to ride the bus, and eat along the way. After leaving the hotel, we drive for about 45 minutes, stopping for breakfast at a little restaurant the brothers know. This takes about 30 minutes, after which we continue on our journey. We are soon in the mountains; and having come though here several times before, I ask Bro. Joshua to stop at an overlook at the top of one of the highest peaks. From here we have a wonderful view of the country side. So we take a few pictures; buy some bananas from a little Pilipino girl; then continue on our way. We drive for about another 30 minutes to the Conservative Baptist Seminary, which Bro. Joshua was in charge of for some 15 years before embracing the Doctrines of Grace. We stop to look around, Bro. Joshua showing me all the building projects he over-saw, and worked on. It is a beautiful place, and makes us appreciate all the more the grace it took for Bro. Joshua to leave this organization in order to embrace the truth of God’s word! Leaving here, we do not stop again until we almost reach Digos. Before we reach Digos, it is lunch time, so we stop to eat at another little restaurant, where I have eaten before. We then go on to Digos, the place of Bro. Dexter’s home, and church. Sis. Velasco; an elderly Chinese saint; has been suffering for some time with Lukemia; and Bro. Dexter had sent me word saying she was praying that she would live until she could see me once more. So we go to her house, but are told that she is in the hospital. So we go to the hospital. Here we find her, along with two of her grand-daughters who are sitting with her. I bend over her bed, and we hug each other. She tell me how weak she is; and how tired she feels. In spite of this, it is a blessing to see her smiling, and to hear her testimony. We visit for some time, and then they want me to pray with her. Bro. Dexter and I kneel down by her bed; and as I hold her hand, I pray. After the prayer, we get up; and immediately she begins to sit up, greatly surprising all of us! Bro. Dexter steadies her a little, and she sits up on the side of the bed, seemingly having found some renewed strength and energy! We visit a time longer, then take our leave, with her still sitting up on the side of the bed. We promise to see her again on Saturday; our Lord willing; when we return to Digos for the conference to be held here. As we leave, she is smiling, and thanking us for coming. What a blessing it is to minister to the true saints of God, even -- and maybe especially -- in their dying days! From here we continue on to Padada, where we stop by for about 30 minutes to see Bro. Miranda, a pastor I have not seen for almost two years. They are surprised to see us; and we enjoy the brief time we have to spend with them. Taking our leave from there, we go on to Malungon, where we are to meet Bro. Chavit, pastor of our church in the mountains near Malungon. One of his members has donated a lot on which they hope to construct a house for worship for a new congregation. Bro. Chavit wants us to meet the member who has donated the lot. Arriving at Malungon, we pick up Bro. Chavit; proceed to the house of the member, and visit there about 20 minutes. We then continue on to our final destination of General Santos City, arriving there about 5:30. I have told Bro. Joshua that I do not want to stay at the hotel where we generally stay, thinking that Dorothy will not be able to rest there. Last April, my room was infested with roaches; and all through the night I kept feeling bites, so that I myself hardly got any rest. I don’t mind so much this kind of condition for myself, but I know Dorothy is going to have to have her rest, if she is going to make the entire trip without getting sick. So we look for another hotel, and find The Royale Hotel. However, when we check for rooms, there is only one available. So Bro. Joshua secures it for Dorothy and me; and the rest go to find another place -- actually ending up at our usual hotel. (Actually, if Dorothy was not with me, I would have preferred that hotel simply for the price!) The irony is that about 30 minutes or so after the others left, the desk of the Royale called our room to say they now realized they do have another room available! Too late! Dorothy and I get our things arranged in the room; a man comes with some towels; and then we go down to the lobby, and then out to buy a phone card; and to check on some eating places in front of the hotel. We get the phone card, but decide we will go back to the hotel restaurant to eat. I ordered a T-bone steak, with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a good sized bowl of Cream of Mushroom soup. (We have found that the Pilipinos make some mouth watering Cream of Asparagus, and Cream of Mushroom soups!) Dorothy orders grilled fish, also with steamed vegetables, potatoes, and soup. We both order iced tea. All this for only P457.00, or about $10.60. Going back to our room, we take showers; Dorothy watches the news for awhile, and then decides sleep is better. I first write up today’s expenditures; and then write up today’s diary. It is now 9:25 as I finish; and I, too, am ready to get some rest. Although we have had no formal services today, yet it has been a full one; and a very long, and tiring, drive! “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.” 1.Corin. 16:15-16. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 FRIDAY 26 OCTOBER NINTH FULL DAY Got to bed right at 10:00 last night (Dorothy had already been sleeping for some time.), setting the alarm for 5:00. No trouble getting to sleep. Woke up three times, though, to check the time; finally getting up at 4:45. Shaved, and took a quick shower; and then got Dorothy up to get ready. Don’t know for sure what time the others will come, but aim for 6:00, so Dorothy will need to get stirring. While she is getting ready, I call Bro. Joshua to see when they will come. He tells me they will eat breakfast first, then go by Bro. Arnie Gamilong’s place (Hereafter referred to as Bro. Arnie.) to check on some things concerning today’s conference, as he is the host pastor. This suits us great, as we have a slip from the hotel for complimentary buffet breakfast; and since the restaurant does not open until 6:00, this will give us ample time. By 6:10 Dorothy is ready., and we go down to eat. When we go into the restaurant, there is only one person there. Then as we are getting our food, another comes in; and by the time we sit down, they are coming in one right after the other. I guess it is just coincidence, but we notice this happening quite often. We finish a very good breakfast; and shortly after getting back to our room, Bro. Joshua calls from the lobby. I get a bell boy for our things, and we load up, and are on our way to the conference site. To get to the conference site, we drive for 10 or 12 miles west of General Santos, and then turn north on a dirt road. We are not long on this road when we find ourselves in the midst of The Dole Pineapple Plantation. We drive through this for about four miles, finally coming to the conference site; which Bro. Arnie, and the brethren who fellowship with him, has named “Camp Higher Ground”. It is aptly named as it is in the mountains. We haven’t really realized it, but all the while we are going through the pineapple plantation, we have been going up; and now as we get out of the van, we are looking back down, with mountains on three sides. The countryside round about is beautiful; peaceful; and a wonderful cool breeze is blowing. The conference site consists of a tin roof building, with a complete wall behind where a lectern stands, with the three other walls only rising from the ground about three and a half feet. The walls are of woven bamboo; and the floor is dirt; and there are two rows of “benches” made by splitting large bamboo, and then nailing the two pieces to a bamboo frame. (They have no back; and I am really concerned as to how Dorothy will make it through the day with her bad leg; and she soon voices the same concern. I am very thankful to say that she did remarkably well, thanks be to God’s grace, and the strength He gives -- especially as we need it!) Besides the building in which we have the services, there are several other make shift buildings for sleeping, and cooking. The site is periodically used by the fellowship of churches Bro. Arnie is associated with for youth camps, and other church related events. They hope to later add to it enough to accommodate the Bible students they are instructing; and while the conference is in progress, Bro. Arnie introduces a young pastor, and announces that he is going to begin holding regular church services here. This being such a remote place (This is the reason for holding the conference here, instead of in General Santos where we usually do: many of the pastors who are here have a problem getting into General Santos; and have not been able to do so the last two times we have been in General Santos; and have made a special request to have the meeting here today.) many of the people are late arriving, so the meeting gets under way about 9:30 with prayer, and two hymns. The hymns are written on large pages, which are hung over a chalk board in order for the people to be able to read them. I said earlier that there was a cool breeze blowing, and now the breeze has increased in intensity so that the pages of the hymns have to be held to keep them from blowing away. After these hymns, there is a brief time of introductions, and greetings; and then Bro. Dexter gives his usual well done presentation of the introduction to the doctrines of grace. The people listen intently, but with little response. Then Bro. Arnie preaches on the doctrine of Total Depravity. I was very thankful for the evident growth of this brother; not only in knowledge, but in confidence! Having finished, he calls on Bro. Rey to present the doctrine of Unconditional Election. Once again I am thankful that nearly every time I hear these men, I can perceive that they are growing, as they are using more and more scriptures, with better interpretations! When Bro. Rey finishes, it is time for lunch. At this point I again have not been informed what part I will have, but now Bro. Arnie tells me that I will be first after lunch. We are served a very well prepared meal; and as we are eating, Bro. Dexter comes to tell me they are expecting me to cover the other three points in the afternoon session. I have already been praying about what God would have me preach, but now I pray even more! After lunch, there is song and prayer. Then I am called to preach. I can only say that this was another time I felt so great liberty, the message flowing from one thought to another for two plus hours; and if the expressions of the people were any indication -- both during and after the message -- then the people were thoroughly blessed! One more time my Lord is faithful to Himself, and to His poor people! The meeting then formally ends with several prayers. After we adjourn, there is still much joy being expressed so that it takes another 30 minutes or so before we can get away. We are heading back to Digos for the night, where the next conference will be held tomorrow. Our driver for this trip is very slow, so that it takes three hours and 45 minutes to get back to Digos. We are supposed to stay at Arnaldo’s Hotel, where I have stayed the past several times I have been in Digos. We need two rooms, (One small one for Dorothy and me; and a “family” room for the five brothers who are now with us.), but they tell us they only have one room to accommodate three people. After some discussion, we get them to call the Crisbell Hotel, where I stayed the first few times I was in Digos. It is a better class of hotel, but about twice the rates. While the girl is calling, the manager of Arnaldo’s suddenly announces that she can get another room. We are thankful, and agree to take them. The two rooms cost P1550.00 a day, or about $35.00 together. They are not the greatest, but they are at least clean. They also have a small restaurant where we can eat supper after getting our things to our rooms. Seven of us eat all we want, and more, for P710.00, or about $16.50. As we finish eating, Bro. Joshua tells me he has gotten a text message from his wife asking him to come home to help with some problems, one being that some of the mountain village pastors have already arrived for the Sunday meeting -- two days before time! When these pastors do this, (and they do it quite often!), the Gubals have to provide them food (Which Sis. Conchita has to cook.) and a place to sleep. Sis. Conchita has already recently suffered a mild stroke; and besides this, she has her brother, and his wife, taking care of them, as he has also recently suffered a stroke which has left him paralyzed on one side. There is no way I can express the thanks I have for the love which God has put into the hearts of these people to minister to the needs of their brethren! The Gubals, and the Maluds, especially since they are constantly being visited by the extremely poor village pastors trying to get help for their needs. So I give Bro. Joshua money to get home on, and then back to Digos. He will go home tonight, and expects to be back some time tomorrow morning. After supper we go back to our room, where Dorothy gets into her night clothes, and goes to sleep. I first make a list of our day’s expenses, and then write up today’s diary. It is 10:55 as I finish, and I am really ready for some rest! “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” Isa. 55:11-13. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER TENTH FULL DAY Today begins as usual, except we did not get up until 6:00; and I did not rest well. The “mattress” is only about an inch and a half thick, and so old that the foam has no firmness; the pillow is small, and very lumpy. Dorothy says she slept fairly well; and every time I was awake, she seemed to be sleeping. At 6:00 we get up, and get ready for the day. By 7:00 we are ready for breakfast. I go to get the others, and we all eat at the hotel restaurant -- six of us eat for P510.00, or about $12.00 -- and these were not continental breakfasts. We enjoy a leisurely, and good, meal; and a good time of fellowship discussing some Biblical questions. At 8:20 we load our things in the van, and go to the meeting place, which is a small, plain, room at a little restaurant, used as a place for groups of people. When we arrive, there are maybe six other people besides those of us holding the conference; but more begin to trickle in soon. Bro. Dexter says some will be late arriving due to the fact that it is the last day before election, and they have something to do with the political process before they come. We were to begin at 8:30, but actually wait until a few minutes after 9:00 to begin with prayer and singing. By the time we do begin, there are about 20 people present. After the prayer and singing, Bro. Dexter begins with the introduction to the doctrines; and while he is making his presentation, more people come, finally numbering more than 40 -- and completely filling the room! These people are very reserved, but seem to be very attentive. Bro. Dexter’s wife; Sis. Elly; tells us after the conference that all the pastors (19) are new to the doctrines. After Bro. Dexter, Bro. Rey preaches on Total Depravity. I am surprised that he does not use any notes, as this is the first time he has preached without them. I must say that it seemed to me that his message had more of a sense of sincerity, as though he was preaching from the heart. While he is preaching, though, the restaurant people begin serving refreshments; and I am very disappointed that this seems to be a distraction from what I consider to be a most excellent message; and the most necessary of all these doctrines: for once a person well understands depravity, he will have little trouble with the rest. If a person ever truly sees the effects of depravity, he will understand why unconditional election is an absolute necessity; why not only is God just, but glorified, in limiting the atonement as far as numbers are concerned ( but not in power to the elect!); and easily see why grace is irresistible; and can easily see that if God has loved us in our sin, He can never cast us away in the righteousness of Christ. Also, because of the distraction of the refreshments, it is difficult to judge what is being received by the people. I will try to make a note of this, and ask the brothers who are responsible for hosting these meetings to not do this any more. Bro. Dexter has told me before the meeting begins that I would have the two subjects of Unconditional Election, and Limited Atonement; and that he wanted me to include the message showing the predestinated plan for the gospel down through the ages, as is shown by the prophecy concerning Noah’s three sons in Gen. 9:24-27; the message that was so well received by the people at San Fernando. The message lasts about one and a half hours; and although there are “amens” from time to time, yet the people for the most part are quite. However, from the intensity of their attention; and the expressions of their faces; I am confident that we are succeeding in reaching them. We then break for lunch, during which several do express their appreciation individually; and this is good to hear. We have a good lunch; which includes a roasted pig; and good fellowship. We resume at 1:30 with Bro. Joshua preaching on Irresistible Grace. While he is preaching, Bro. Dexter takes me to get some money exchanged, as this will be my last chance until Monday; and I am afraid I will run out of Pesos before then. When we get back, Bro. Joshua is still preaching; and once again I am both surprised, and pleased, that he is preaching without notes; and as with Bro. Rey, his message comes across much more like he really believes what he is preaching; as from the heart. (I will put a note in here to the effect that he must really believe what he preaches, as will become evident from his testimony when we get to the report of the conference at Carmen, Bohol.) The people remain very attentive, but do not express themselves much. It is not until Bro. Dexter is half way through the last doctrine of Preservation that they finally begin to show evidences of joy in what they are hearing. By the time Bro. Dexter is through, though, it is very evident the messages have touched their hearts! Immediately after he ends his message, he gives a chance for questions. One man has a question, which Bro. Joshua quickly gives a Biblical answer. This same man then has a follow up question for clarification, after which he seems to be completely satisfied. Another man then states that although he began with many questions, now he has none -- to which general consent is voiced. (This is a common occurrence!) A third man then wants to know if they need to change the name of their church in order to fellowship with us. This also is a common question, to which it is always explained that all that is necessary to fellowship with us is to love the truth! So the conference once again ends with much joy and harmony, as people begin to depart for their homes! One note here: there is a pastor attending this meeting that was at one time a friend and co-worker with Bro. Tacatani. He parted company with Bro. Tacatani some 20 years before, without Bro. Tacatani ever knowing why; and they had not seen each other until today. Through this conference; and the doctrines which he received here, (He was the one asking what was necessary in order to fellowship with us.), the two of them have been reunited in fellowship. The providence of our Lord is truly wonderful, and amazing!!! We are scheduled to go from Digos to Panabo tonight; but before we do, I want to go by to see Sis. Velasco one more time. She is now at home, so Bro. Dexter and I go to the house; and when we enter the room, she immediately sits up. We are amazed at how much stronger she appears; and she tells us she can even walk a little! We visit with her for a while, and then pray with her again. I may never see her again on earth, but she has been a blessing while I have known her! Thank God for His beautiful people! We then go back to pick up Dorothy, who has stayed to visit with Sis. Elly. We say our goodbye to Sis. Elly and Bro. Dexter, (He needs to be at their church in the morning, but will rejoin us in the afternoon.), then get on our way. We make two more stops to visit a few minutes before getting to Panabo about 8:30. We then eat supper, being joined at a little restaurant by Bro. Joshua’s wife; Sis. Conchita; and Sis. Lillian, who is a member of the church in Panabo. We leave the restaurant a few minutes after 9:00 to go to the little “resort” where I always stay when in Panabo; and where Bro. Joshua has rooms reserved. As I finish writing this, it is 12:00 midnight; and Dorothy has already had a shower, and has been sound asleep for some 45 minutes. Another day in which our God and Saviour has greatly honored His word in the hearts of His people is ending, and another is beginning: my prayer is that He will continue to bless to the praise of His glorious name!!! “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.” Zep. 3:8-9.   PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER ELEVENTH FULL DAY By the time I finished with yesterday’s diary, and got to bed, it was 12:20 this morning; and although I was in bed, I still do not have a message for today. I have been thinking, and praying, about it for two days. Night before last I thought I had the message, but yesterday it was gone. Yesterday I considered preaching on Heb. 12:26-28, but could get no peace about this text. Thought about going to one of the outlines in my Bible, but could get no peace with that idea either. Too tired to think, so I just commit it to my Lord, and I am soon asleep. Slept well until 3:00, when I woke up, and checked the time. I then went back to sleep. (Dorothy woke up a couple of times -- once too cold, and once too hot. They gave us two sheets for the bed, but neither of them was large enough to even cover the entire surface of the mattress, much less to be able to tuck in around the mattress. We did the only thing we could, using one to spread on the mattress, and the other to cover up with. They are very thin, though; and the only way it would cover both of us was if we were right next to one another. I had pajamas on; and Dorothy only had a short gown, so she mostly used the “cover”. Nevertheless, she woke up once complaining of being cold, so I got up and turned the air conditioner off; then later she woke up again, complaining of being too hot, so I got up and turned it back on.) I then woke up a little before 5:00; and as I meditated on what to preach, a message began to form in my mind and heart; a message on the family of God, beginning with Eph. 3:15. This settled the question. Got up at 5:45 to get ready so I would have a little more time to look up some verses, and meditate on them, before going to the church services where Bro. Joshua is the pastor. I let Dorothy sleep until I was almost ready, as she is getting very tired; and I knew that today was going to be long and very tiring. She gets up at 6:30; and while she gets ready, I study. At 7:30 our van comes for us; and we then go to a little diner in Panabo (The Do Dine In) for breakfast. Since services are to begin at 9:00, we are able to enjoy another leisure breakfast; and since this place is only a few blocks from the church meeting place, we have time to eat, and still get to the services (Which is also on the same lot as Bro. Joshua’s house.) well before time to begin. When we arrive, there are already quite a few people there, (Actually, many of them have been there for two days, as stated earlier in the diary.) and we begin the greetings. One family (Dad, mother, son, daughter) is there who are Americans; originally from southern Missouri; he being a medical missionary. Bro. Joshua’s son; JoJo; has known and worked with him (Dr. Sam Evans) for several years; and the past couple of years Bro. Joshua has been helping to coordinate his work among many of the tribal people. Bro. Joshua wanted me to meet him last April, but our schedule would not allow it. So when they found out we would be there today, they decided to attend the services. He has been in the islands for six years; and she and the children for five. From visiting with them today; and from the testimony of Bro. Joshua; there is no doubt but that they have a great compassion for these poor tribal people; and we are very thankful for what they are providing! We very much enjoyed our time with the whole family; and it seems Dorothy and Sherry especially hit it off with one another. The services actually begin after 9:00 with singing and prayer; and then announcements; acknowledgements; and introductions. Then more singing and prayer. Then Bro. Joshua calls me to preach. I know more people have been coming while we were visiting, but when I get up, I am surprised to see not only the building full, but as many more outside. The message lasts for over an hour, and I trust from the people’s reactions that once more they were blessed; and although I did not feel as much liberty as I would have liked, Dr. Evens wife told me later that Dr. Evans told her it was the best sermon he had ever heard on the subject. Our God is faithful! After the message there is more singing; and there are five members of the church who have birthdays in October, and they are recognized. Then another song, and prayer; and then dismissal. The noon meal is then served, along with much enjoyment of fellowship. We get to visit with the Evans family as we eat; and after eating, Dorothy continues to visit with them until they leave. The people want to visit with me, though; so I excuse myself. From that time until we leave at 2:15, I visit with the people, listening to the problems of many of them -- as well as accepting their thanks for the things we have done to help them. One that I especially visit is Bro. Donding, a native village pastor, and the brother of Sis. Gubal; who I have mentioned before. He, and his wife, have been with the Gubals now for several weeks as he tries to recover from the stroke. He has made some improvement, but still has a long way to go. We would like to have stayed longer, but we still have facing us at least an eight hour trip back to Cagayan de Oro today. We finally make our way to the van, leaving at 2:15. We arrive at Cagayan de Oro at 10:30. It has been another long, and tiring, day -- the most tiring being the eight hour and fifteen minute drive from Panabo to Cagayan de Oro. (But there scarcely is any other kind of day!) It is now 25 minutes after midnight as I finish writing this diary; and time now for me to try to get a few hours rest. Dorothy has once more been sound asleep for the past hour or more. We will need to leave here in the morning at 7:00, our Lord willing, with about a five hour drive (or more) to Pagadian, our next conference place. I am scheduled to preach there tomorrow afternoon; and I think again Tuesday morning. “To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.” Psalm 61:1-4.   PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 MONDAY 29 OCTOBER TWELFTH FULL DAY Having gotten to bed this morning at 12:30 A.M., and getting up once to get extra cover (No thermostat in the room.), I am awake at 5:00, but do not get up until 5:30. By this time Dorothy is awake, and gets up to begin getting ready. We are ready, and gone from the hotel by 7:00, stopping for breakfast about an hour down the road; stopping twice more -- once for restroom, and once for fuel -- before getting to Pagadian about 1:30 in the afternoon; turning what was supposed to be a five hour trip into a six and a half hour trip. By this time, everyone is hungry, so before we try to get a hotel, we get something to eat. We then go to a nearby hotel; check the rooms; and decide this is the best place to stay. So we get checked in, and are supposed to “rest” before going to the meeting place at 4:30. However, I decide instead to write up our expenses for the day; and then to write up as much of today’s diary as I can, so I will not have so much to do after services tonight. (I am now scheduled to preach at 6:00 P.M. tonight.) Just as well I do not try to rest, (Dorothy has tried, but has just a couple of minutes ago given up, as it is already nearly 4:00, and she needs to do some things before going.), as first the front desk calls to say I owe an extra P100.00; Bro. Adel comes to inform me what time we are to leave for the meeting place; and then Bro. Albiso -- the host pastor -- comes. I meet Bro. Albiso at the front desk; and after greetings, I take him upstairs to meet Bro. Adel, who first introduced me to Bro. Albiso two years ago when I preached to a gathering of pastors at the place of his church in Bulacan, Luzon; north of Manila. After getting the two of them together, I go back to our room, after agreeing that they will come at 4:30. Getting back to the room, I did lie down for a few minutes for quiet meditation. (On the way today, Dorothy was saying she would be glad to get to the hotel, and relax. My thought was, “I will only be able to relax after next Sunday’s services, when we walk into our hotel room, and lock the door.) It is a very few minutes, and they are knocking at the door. They come in, and we visit a few minutes while Dorothy finishes getting ready. We then go down to the van, where Bro. Joshua is already waiting. Bro. Dexter, and Bro. Rey, are both not feeling well, so they are not going with us tonight; but Bro. Tacatani is not here, so Bro. Adel goes to find him. Through all this, it is 4:45 before we actually leave; and instead of the meeting place being about 5 miles as thought, it turns out to be about 11 miles. After one stop on the way for Bro. Albiso to pick up some drinks, and bread rolls, we get to the meeting place about 5:45. I was told I would be preaching at 6:00; and we thought we would be returning to the hotel reasonably early. However, things seldom work the way we think; or at least the way I think; and today is no exception! Instead of straightway beginning the service, we are first taken to the house of Bro. Albiso’s daughter, a short walk from the meeting place. Here we visit with the family first; and then with two preachers; for 45 minutes, or so. We finally go back to the meeting place, where the services are beginning with prayer. After the prayer, we are ushered up on the platform behind the pulpit to some chairs. Then there is singing and prayer ; introductions and recognitions; and then more singing before I am called to preach. It is almost 8:00 when I begin, with Bro. Adel translating. I never like to preach this way, as it is impossible most of the time to maintain continuity of thought; and rhythm; but sometimes it is necessary; and as long as my Lord uses it, taking the message to the hearers, that is all that counts. After all, I am not here for the pleasure, except as it is pleasing to be used of God! The message lasts about one and a half hours; and at first the congregation seems to me to be especially cold and distant (I would estimate at least 150 people present.), as though I was someone invading their territory. However, they gradually warm up, and about two-thirds way through, I see what I believe to be some understanding in the faces of many. After the message, there is another song while an offering is being received. We finally close with prayer and doxology at about 9:50, after which we begin to make our way slowly to the van, shaking hands with almost everyone present. I think this is good, as I believe I got a better feel for how the message was received. There were many warm handshakes, bright smiles, and bright eyes; but there were some that sure seemed to be hesitant, and not so friendly: and there were some who seem, at least at this point, to be indifferent -- but these seem to be mostly teenagers. Making it to the door, we find a light rain falling. Bro. Albiso is concerned about Dorothy, and has sent his daughter to find an umbrella; and although Dorothy assures him this is all unnecessary, he insists on us waiting for her to return. Dorothy is very tired, but tries to wait patiently so as not to offend his kind thought, (At the beginning of services, Bro. Albiso seemed insistent that Dorothy needed to say a few words of encouragement to the ladies, which almost gave Dorothy heart failure: she is not one to do much public speaking! I figure Bro. Adel must have said something to him, though, because he never called on her. Or maybe it was because the services were going too long.) After some time without the daughter coming, we finally just tell him she will be fine, and start to the van. We haven’t gone far, though, and here she came. We go the rest of the way under the umbrella; load up; and finally are on the way back to the hotel. Before going to the hotel, though, Bro. Albiso (Who is with us, and is going to stay in one of the rooms with the pastors who are traveling with us.), insists that we need to eat. Thankfully there is a little eating place just a few doors down from the hotel, so we stop in there to eat. This really only takes about 25 minutes, since there are not many there this time of evening. Having already eaten at the house of Bro. Albiso’s daughter, Dorothy and I eat very light. After we finish eating, we go directly to the hotel. It is quite evident that everyone is very tired, as it is no trouble separating from the others, as they seem just as anxious as we are to get to their rooms! As I finish writing this, it is five minutes after midnight. Dorothy has been asleep for about 20 minutes, as it took her probably at least two minutes to fall asleep! Now it is my turn! “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Eccl. 11:6. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER THIRTEENTH FULL DAY After getting to bed at 12:15 this morning, I slept until 5:00; and Dorothy slept until 6:00. All the long days, and the conditions she is under ,(Especially since there is seldom ever a comfortable place to sit during the daily services; and even the seat in the van becomes pretty uncomfortable in a short time, as there is little padding.), is quickly wearing on her, and I am getting concerned. There is really little I can do, though, at this point. I had planned the trip so we would finish up here at Pagadian this afternoon about 3:00, so we could drive back to Cagayan de Oro, to arrive there about 8:00 P.M. in order to get a good rest through the night. My plans were to then take a plane Wednesday to Cebu City, on the island of Cebu; and then go directly to the boat dock and take a fast boat on over to Bohol. This would have put us at Tagbilaran City, Bohol in the middle of the afternoon. There would then be the rest of the afternoon to relax before resuming activities on Thursday. Those plans went awry at the beginning when we could not get plane tickets from Cagayan de Oro over to Cebu City. All flights were already booked due to the “All Saints Day” holidays -- a big thing on these islands! Tried also to just get tickets on one of the “puddle jumpers”, but to no avail. So we had no alternative but to trust that we could get tickets on a boat from Cagayan de Oro over to Tagbilaran City, Bohol. We also could not get boat tickets until we get to Cagayan de Oro from Pagadian. So the plans changed to spending Tuesday night in Cagayan de Oro, and taking the boat across to Tagbilaran City on Wednesday morning. I found out in Panabo, though, that the boats only sail at night, so now we need to leave Pagadian today in time to get back to Cagayan de Oro to buy tickets, and make the sailing at 7:00 at night. The plan for today then is breakfast at 7:00; leave for the meeting at 8:00; begin the meeting at 8:30; I preach until 10:00; eat lunch at 10:15; leave for Cagayan de Oro at 11:00. So we meet in the hotel restaurant for breakfast; and I can tell right away there is going to be trouble keeping this schedule, as not only are the pastors not in any hurry, but the waiter is so slow you would have to look twice to make sure he was moving! Bro. Adel went and found a menu so we could at least start deciding what to order! So I am getting somewhat exasperated; and by the time breakfast is over, and we get back to our room for our bags, my wife is getting exasperated with me! She doesn’t think I need to be pushing the pastors. She isn’t the one, though, who is expected to preach through the last three points of these doctrines of grace, and do it so as to cover them in such a way that will be both understandable, and comprehensive! I am wanting all the time I can get!!! When we do get started, it is 8:05. Not so bad you say? But I know these people; and besides the driver being so slow, they have to stop to get bottles of mineral water. I have told Bro. Adel that I am making him responsible to see that we keep to our schedule; and he understands me pretty well, and usually follows through when I give him specific instructions. Usually we do not have any deadlines as we do today, so I am content to follow their schedules -- which is that things happen when they happen; or in other words, “In Pilipino Time”! So Bro. Adel keeps after Bro. Albiso, and services begin right at 8:40 with prayer and singing. Normally they would sing for 20 or 30 minutes, but Bro. Albiso cuts this short so I can begin by 8:55. My Lord is so gracious to direct the message; and in one hour and ten minutes I am satisfied by the expressions of the people that they have understood, and have been blessed. I can never get over how hungry these people are for the Word; and how receptive they are to truth! As proof that they were truly blessed, they take up an offering to help with the expenses of our work! After the service closes, we go immediately to the house of Bro. Albiso’s daughter, where she and a friend have prepared a very delicious meal. We eat, and fellowship, for about 30 minutes, and then load up to go. We actually get away at 10:45, with Bro. Albiso going with us as far as Osamiz -- and we really needed to leave the meeting place at this time as it is a good 15 to 20 minutes farther to Cagayan de Oro. Our boat is to sail at 7:00, so I calculate -- according to our previous travel time -- that we will need every minute we can get in order to make it in time. So we start out, with our driver taking his own good time. I hold my peace for about 30 minutes thinking he will soon speed up; but when he creeps at about five miles an hour up a long hill, I not so subtly suggest that we are not going to make Cagayan de Oro in time at the rate he is driving. Bro. Joshua; who is responsible for hiring this driver; and Bro. Tacatani tell me the reason he is so slow is because the van is loaded so heavy it doesn’t have enough power. Nevertheless, Bro. Joshua speaks to the driver, and from then on our increase in rate of travel improves remarkably! The brothers all try to assure me that we will make Cagayan de Oro in plenty of time, anyway; but as I indicated before, I didn’t start coming over here just yesterday! I not only know how many things are subject to go wrong, but I also know they are not very good at planning ahead, so will very likely need to make some stops before we actually get to the docks. I also remember that Bro. Adel and I took a boat from here to Cebu City last year; and it took the better part of an hour just to buy the tickets. They also suggest that we might spend the night in Cagayan de Oro tonight, and then take the boat across Wednesday night; but I nix that idea, once again not wanting to take any chances on something going wrong. Bro. Joshua has calculated it will take four and a half hours to Cagayan; but even with the driver increasing speed, it takes five hours and fifteen minutes; and then sure enough they need to find a bank. Also, I have intended to purchase the tickets with my credit card again; but just to make sure, I inquire if they will take one, (Especially after the fiasco trying to get plane tickets at Manila!), and get a negative answer. So in order to be sure to have enough cash, we also have to find a money changer. By the time we get to the docks, it is 5:45. Upon arriving, Bro. Adel and I go straight to the ticket window; and since we were the second ones at the window, it only takes about 20 minutes to get the tickets. (Several others come to the window right after we do; and if we had not been there when we were, it would have taken no telling how long!) We then go back to where the others are waiting; get two porters to take our things, and go into the terminal. Since we ate lunch so early, everyone is hungry; so we go to a little fast food place in the terminal to get a quick bite to eat. We then board the boat. On the boat Bro. Adel and I took last year, we had private, and relatively comfortable, air conditioned bunks, (The trip across is approximately 12 hours.), and I was told this would be the same. However, when we board I find out the private bunks are all taken (Again because of the holiday travelers.), so we will have open bunks, (There are about three hundred to each deck.), and no air conditioning. It is close; hot; and muggy! The bunks have bare, plastic covered, mattresses. After boarding, we visit among ourselves until the ship sails. By then Dorothy is really exhausted, so lies down and shortly goes to sleep. Bro. Dexter has a boil, and has not felt well for the last two days, and immediately lies down, too. One by one the brothers lie down; and by 8:00 I am the only one left up, so I decide I may as well lie down, too. I laid there for about ten minutes, but it is so hot I don’t feel like sleeping at all. I also know how badly Dorothy needs the rest, so I decide to try to make her as comfortable as possible. So I take my writing pad, and fan her until it begins to cool down a little, a few minutes after 10:00. Shortly after 10:00 I do lie down, bringing this day to an end. Oh, but remember that the brothers wanted to stay tonight at Cagayan de Oro, and take the Wednesday night boat? Well, when Bro. Adel and I went to get the tickets for tonight’s sailing, we found out there was no Wednesday night sailing! They have two sailings each week to Tagbilaran -- one on Tuesday, and one on Thursday! If we had stayed over night in Cagayan de Oro, we would have had to either wait until Thursday night to sail, or take a boat to Cebu City on Wednesday night, than take another boat from Cebu to Tagbilaran, thus adding considerably to the cost; plus messing up our entire schedule for Bohol! God’s providence is great! “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” Prov. 16:33. PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 WEDNESDAY 31 OCTOBER FOURTEENTH FULL DAY After lying down last night a few minutes after 10:00, slept off and on until 4:00. Got up, and a few minutes later the others began to get up, one by one. Dorothy gets up around 5:00; and as we get up, we do what we can to “get ready”. We talk among ourselves, and soon we hear an announcement over the P.A. system to the hands on the ship to get ready for the landing. We were scheduled to dock at 7:00 A.M., but we are arriving early -- so much the better! As we are coming into port, we all go the side of the ship; and I take a few pictures. As we near the dock, two small boats approach the ship, one with a man and woman, with two small children; the other just a woman, and a little baby; the baby on her lap, as she paddles the little boat. These people have come to the ship to dive for money. As coins are thrown from the ship (twice someone threw paper bills), they dive to retrieve it. Particularly interesting was the woman who, as she approached the ship, laid the baby down in the boat; and as she would dive, and get back in the boat, the poor baby was getting more and more water on it, until by the time we were ready to disembark, it was undoubtedly soaking wet! The poor thing cried almost the entire time -- but we calculated that the mother had a pretty good pay day! As soon as the ship is docked, we get a porter to take our bags; and then after reaching the dock, find a vehicle capable of carrying both us, and our bags. Bro. Adel negotiates a price of P150.00 to carry us to the Christcent Ville Pension House, where I like to stay if they have available rooms. I am hoping they will today, as their rates are reasonable, and the rooms are clean. When we get there, Bro. Adel checks, and they are able to accommodate us. We get checked in about 7:00 A.M., and then everyone is ready to eat breakfast. The pastors do not want to eat in the small restaurant in the Pension House, and instead want to eat at a restaurant down the street. (They want fish, and there is no fish being served at the Pension House restaurant.) So we walk down the street, only to find that restaurant closed. So they decide they will go back to a place near the docks, and begin to hail some tricycles to take us. Dorothy does not want to ride the tricycle, so we decide to let the others go to the docks, and we walk back to the Pension House; and get a breakfast of two eggs; two pieces of toast; four slices of bacon; butter and marmalade; banana; and coffee for just a few cents over $2.00. (Actually, I got tea, as I do not drink coffee!) After breakfast, the pastors go different directions, mostly to visit relatives; and some to visit friends. Bro. Dexter is still not feeling very well, though better; and goes to their room (All five are in the same room.) to rest. Dorothy and I go to our room, where we both first take a very needed, and refreshing, shower. Then she begins to sort through our things, and gets some of her clothes, and washes them in the bathroom lavatory; hanging some of them on the shower rod, and putting a couple of pieces near the air conditioner, to dry. Since I could not write up yesterday’s diary on the ship last night, while she does her laundry, I write up the diary. By the time I finish the diary, it is about 12:30. Dorothy wants to go to the mall; about two blocks away; and see if she can find some small gifts to take back home. So we walk to the mall, first finding a pizza hut, and having lunch. We then shop for the next two or so hours, until she is tired, and wants to go back to the Pension House. Upon reaching the Pension House, the desk clerk informs us we have visitors on our floor. When we go up, we find Sis. Aurelia Dabatos; her dad; and her children. (Her husband, Bro. Marlon Dabatos, was killed in a bicycle accident a few years back, so she is a widow. We have helped support her, and the family, ever since.) We visit with them for a while, then they leave for home. We will see them again at Saturday’s meeting here in Tagbilaran. Normally they would go with us tomorrow to the Mumar’s, but this trip we will not return to Tagbilaran until Friday evening, because we have a conference scheduled at Carmen, just near to Bilar, where the Mumar’s live; so we will stay at a hotel in Carmen. After they leave, Dorothy wants a light supper, so I order from the small restaurant in the Pension House. When they bring it up, she eats supper, and I snack on some things we have packed from home. We then get ready for bed; I take care of my record keeping; and then we lie down to watch T.V. for awhile. However, it is not long until Dorothy is sound asleep; and by shortly after 9:00, I am ready to sleep, and turn the T.V. off. The day comes to a close without us having had the rest we expected, but all in all it has been an enjoyable one! “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” PHILIPPINE DIARY OCT./NOV. 2007 THURSDAY 1 NOVEMBER FIFTEENTH FULL DAY Today has certainly been another very enjoyable; and I trust profitable; day. Woke up for good a little after 5:00 this morning; and got up about 5:45 to get ready. Dorothy is up a few minutes later. I had invited Bro. Boloron and wife; and Bro. Mario and wife; to eat breakfast with us at the Pension House; and they were to be here at 7:00, meeting us in the lobby/restaurant. After I am ready, and while waiting for Dorothy to get ready, I write up part of yesterday’s diary. At about 6:50 the phone rings, and it is Bro. Boloron informing me they are waiting. So as soon as Dorothy finishes, we go down. We meet Bro. Boloron and wife, Sis. Nenen, along with another pastor (Whose name I have forgotten.). Bro. Omila has not yet arrived. We sit down anyway at a table, and begin to look over the menu. Dorothy and I already know what we will order; and it does not take long for the other three to order. Then as we wait, Bro. Omila arrives, but says his wife had to stay home with the children. He then orders breakfast; and as we eat; and for about thirty minutes after we finish; we enjoy a good time of fellowship. At about 8:15 our van driver for the next two days (Who is the brother of our Pilipino daughter-in-law, Madel.) arrives. We then begin to get our things from the rooms to load in the van; but before we do, it is decided that Bro. and Sis. Boloron; Bro. and Sis. Omila; Bro. Tinampay (A pastor I just met last April.);and the pastor whose name I have forgotten; will take a bus tomorrow to Carmen in order to attend the conference there. So I give them P1,000.00 for their bus fare to Carmen, and then back to Tagbilaran; after which they depart for home. We then depart for the Mumar’s, at Bilar. We are going up the mountain, when we suddenly come upon a long line of cars stopped in the road. We immediately suspect there has been an accident, which proves to be so. An 18 wheeler is going up the mountain, and a bus is coming down; and in one of the curves, they get t