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Grant AldridgeGrant's Newsletter

November 2008

Printable Version [A4 .PDF]

September 2008 [A4 .PDF]
August 2008 [A4 .PDF]

 

Dear Friends and Supporters.

 

Greetings to you all in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Once again it is an honour to report to you concerning the work in the Philippines. Thank you for your faithful support and interest.

 

In my last letter I mentioned that the semester exams were upon us. I am pleased that all of my students passed. The requirement for my Music Fundamentals students was to compose original words and music for a song suitable to be used in a service of worship. I was extremely touched by the words, many of which were actually personal testimonies, and the melodies presented. As the exams were right at the end of the semester the students presented their compositions to the rest of the college at a Chapel service in the second week of this semester.

 

This semester I am again taking the Choir and sharing the Creative Ministries Class with Pastor Reniel Comajeg. I will be taking practical aspects while Pastor Comajeg will take the worship leading part of the course after the next set of mid-term exams.

 

During September I had to find another house for the Walsh family to live in. We were able to get one a little way out of town. The boys will now be able to get outside and play which was not really possible before. The Mission undertook to bring the house up to living standard in return for having it taken off the market. It was being sold “as is” or as we would say as a “do up”. It had been on the market for about two years and unoccupied for about ten months. After the builders had finished it took about 150 hours with student help to get it ready, including shifting all the household goods, from the old residence and setting the new place up ready for the Walsh’s arrival on October 10th.

Revs Jefferson and Penny Vann left Cagayan De Oro on October 13th for six months furlough in the USA. We were able to share afternoon tea on Sunday 12 as a welcome back / farewell at one of our favourite cafes.

 

The return trip to Mati, Davao to collect Chilou and then on the way back, Ephraim from Calinan, went well with no vehicle troubles at all. Both students had had good internships and received good reports. One thousand kms is a long way to drive in a thirty-six hour period especially with the torrential rain making visibility very difficult.

 

Since my last letter I have made two trips to Cebu. The first, to renew my Visa and also speak at the morning service at the Banilad Church, where Jonathan Navacilla is Pastor.

The second was this past weekend (Nov. 1 & 2) to visit Jonathan and encourage him as I am his mentor. On this occasion I spoke at both the morning and evening services. I have been travelling by air on these trips as it only cost a few more pesos than going by boat and takes thirty minutes rather than anything from eight to seventeen hours, depending on the boat’s reliability.

 

November 17, I will go to Iligan to try for my next Visa. It becomes rather expensive and time consuming travelling to distant places just to get a stamp in my passport. Counting this time I have three more Visas to obtain.

 

This last weekend (Nov 2) a combined service was held at Maranatha Church. I was not at the service as I was in Cebu. The following is a quote from Rhonda Walsh “Meanwhile here in Cagayan de Oro, Maranatha Bible Church hosted a joint worship service for all of the churches and outreaches in the Macajalar Bay District. About 10 churches were represented with several hundred in attendance. (I didn't count, but the main floor of the sanctuary was full!) It was really great to worship and share communion with and then visit people whom we hadn't seen in a while. Whenever we get together as a larger group of Christians it makes me think of how it will be when Christ returns and the great body of believers worship him together. What a blessing." (Rhonda Walsh) used with permission.

 

This morning (Nov 6) I spoke at the college chapel service. The theme for the semester is “Building the Kingdom of God”. I spoke on the need for encouragement of each other. No matter who we are we need to be encouraged by others and to encourage each other but more so by the knowledge that God encourages us through His Word and by His promise never to leave us nor forsake us – “Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world”.

 

The last weekend of October was the occasion of another wedding. I think I have lost count of the weddings that I have attended, even this semester, let alone since coming to the Philippines. There are still others to attend. It is a joy to witness these young people (and some not so young) committing themselves to each other and to God as they are joined in marriage.

 

Pastor Jonathan Navacilla, one of my “boys”, commences further study today (Nov 6) at CGST, where Pastors Billy and Reniel completed their Masters degrees. Jonathan is also undertaking a Masters in Theology programme with the eventual aim to be available to serve at OBC as a lecturer. This semester his studies will be part time but hopefully next school year he will undertake more units.

 

On Thursday – Friday Nov 20-21 we are scheduled to hold a “Spirit Life Retreat” for students, staff and faculty. As at the time of writing we are still trying to find a suitable venue. There are venues available but either they are not suitable or they are very expensive.

 

Prayer Requests

  1. Pray for the students as they study. We had one new student commence this semester.
  2. Pray for new OBC faculty members Reniel and Billy as they have started lecturing at OBC, a new experience for them.
  3. Pray for the Vanns as they are on furlough.
  4. Pray for the Spirit Life Retreat - Nov. 20-21 that each of us will be challenged.
  5. Pray for safe travel for me as I have considerable travelling to do before the end of the year, (Iligan, Cebu and Manila).
  6. Thank God that Jonathan was accepted at CGST for part-time study.   

Again, thank you for your continued interest and support.

May our Heavenly Father bless you with all spiritual blessings and abundant grace.

 

In the Saviours service

 

Grant

 

Grant Aldridge | PO Box 223 | Cagayan de Oro | Mindanao 9000 | Philippines

ACMissioNZ | PO Box 20438 | Glen Eden | Waitakere 0641 | New Zealand

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The above newsletters are for the purpose of informing subscribers, and may be reprinted for distribution accordingly. They may not be published in any other context, in part or in whole, without permission from Grant Aldridge or from ACMissioNZ editor.