I give thanks to God for you all who so faithfully continue to support the work in the Philippines. Greetings to you all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
My last Philippine Update was written while I was in Cagayan De Oro as I was ready to return to Cebu for the last few days of my time there.
PASTOR JONATHAN NAVACILLA.
A couple of days after I arrived back in Cebu, Pastor Jonathan and I took an overnight boat to the island of Leyte and then a bus trip to Southern Leyte to the settlement of Marayag. The purpose of this trip was to make a visit to the proposed site for the area’s Youth Camp. This camp was held at the end of April. Approximately one hundred and fifty were present at the camp. Pastor Jonathan reports that thirteen young people were baptised during the camp. We give thanks for these young people and pray that they will know God’s leading in the years ahead. Pastor Jonathan and I returned to Cebu on the Sunday prior to my departure, travelling by bus, jeepney and boat. Since my return home Pastor Jonathan has reported that he has passed his Greek course which he undertook during the first few weeks of the summer break. Just this week Pastor Jonathan has reported being quite unwell. Please pray that he will recover quickly as he will begin intensive study to complete his M Th. in Pastoral Ministries. He will graduate next April.
[nggallery id=11]PASTOR RENIEL COMAJEG.
Pastor Reniel has also completed a Summer School class at CGST. This was TESOL and counts as study for his M Div. in Pastoral Leadership which he will complete in March 2011. He had originally expected to have to be away from CDO and his wife, Felany, for the whole school year but with the help of the CGST staff he will complete one subject by correspondence this coming semester and then will return to CGST for the second semester. Pastor Reniel will be able to teach one subject and be responsible for Co-curricular Activities at OBC this semester.
Pastor Roy
wrote to all those who supported/donated money during the flood:
sir/ma’am, thank you for the support you shared to us. every cents/dollar you shared to us was spent according to the needs in rebuilding houses and replace some basic kitchen needs but what is significant is the lives that has been transformed. 12 people committed to water baptism after 3 months undergoing baptism class. i think this is what every servant of god aims to achieve through the power of God and by the partnership of other believers. i greatly rejoice in the Lord through the help you sent and the lives that was changed. Thank you very much! Just today (May 18th) Pastor Roy told me that four of the homes that were rebuilt now have to be demolished and rebuilt at least six metres further away from the river. This is an order of the city council. Pastor Roy also reports that they had several baptisms on 18 April, since I returned home to NZ.
Pastor Roy has just returned from from Cagayan De Oro having conducted seminars at Tagoloan, Sta Ana and Malitbog. While Pastor Roy was away from Manila two OBC students, Richard Pelin Jnr. and Vic Geron Velasco, undertook the pastoral needs of the church. These young men were much appreciated by the congregation.
ORO BIBLE COLLEGE AND CDO. OBC is still on Summer Break Recess at this time. Enrolment will take place at the beginning of the first week of June and classes will start later the same week. Pastor Jeff Walsh announced at the faculty meeting held at the beginning of the Summer Break that he and his family would be concluding their Philippine assignment next May, 2011. This will mean that there will most likely no more ex-pats serving at OBC except for short term intensive courses. It is great that the college will be able to be fully staffed with our own fully qualified nationals in future. In my last letter I announced that Mm Nely Gamayon had graduated with PhD. She has written and thanked the New Zealand brethren for their wonderful support over the years, which has enabled her to gain her degree. The youth of the Macajalar Bay (Cagayan) area will be holding a camp at El Salvador, west of the city, from May 24 -26th. Both Richard and Vic Geron will assist as leaders during the camp. Pastor Roy has reported that the wife of the Pastor at Togoloan church, where he was recently, has stage four cancer. Her name is Celsa Baguio. She is both Roy and Richard’s auntie. Pray for Pastor Baguio as he continues to lead the church and nurse his very sick wife. Pastor Benjie Ragas reports that the six Muslim children are still attending church at Macanhan. Their mother returned to Saudi a few weeks ago. Let us pray that the older ones will be allowed to go to the camp at El Salvador. Pastor Pablito Molina from Anuling, Candijay, Bohol has been appointed as the new pastor for Maranatha Bible Church, CDO. Pastora Vanessa Mae Dilag, a new graduate of OBC, will take his place at Anuling.
[nggallery id=13]Thank you all again for your continued support of the Advent Christian work in the Philippines. Without the support you give in various ways we would not be able to accomplish what we do for the Lord. May His name be praised and may we give Him all honour and glory as is His due.
In His service and for His sake,
Grant Aldridge
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