Philippines

Time flies again so quickly. Another month has come and gone. What have we been and done that has made any impact for Jesus and eternity?

I had an awesome two weeks meeting and building relationship with part of God’s family in the Philippines. I landed at Clark Airbase in Manila at 11 am. The team from the States would only arrived at Ninoy Airport at 11 pm, so I have 12 hours to spend.
I managed to meet with an old friend from Singapore now residing in Manila – to catch up. It was diving timing as we begin to open hearts and share the things of our life. I was able to connect him to a pastoral couple who was so quick and passionately gracious to offer their friendship to him. He was actively serving God, yet is hurting and aching to connect with others for spiritual and relational authenticity.

The 15 days in Philippines were “deep”. There was so much to experience. Together with the US team of 5, I joined the local team going into schools – elementary, high and college – to share the love of Jesus Christ. Thank God for the freedom to share so openly about Jesus [ not about a church, denomination or program ]. It was awesome to see such genuine hunger to know the Love of God. Almost everybody respond to the call to know and follow Jesus. We probably would have reach about 3,000 souls in the few days of government-endorsed symposium on “Yes to God, NO to drugs”.

We were staying with a couple who runs a short-term bible school in his compound, and a fantastic community/family of adopted triplets, trainee evangelists and prodigals who have returned, together with dogs, pigs, and chickens. I expressed to them that this is a little heaven on earth, such a beautiful expression of God’s church – people living in simplicity of hearts and food. We shared in the cleaning, cooking, in worship, in prayer and the Joy of being a part of God’s family. It was hard to leave such a place. My bed was next to the window in the first floor, overseeing the beach not to far away. Even when I lay down, I could see swaying coconut trees.

I visited a few churches – all with the barest minimum structures. At one squatter church service – the platform shakes every time someone steps on it – the people were happily singing – “it’s a joy to be a Christian – chorus” with real big smiles on their faces. They have so little materially, yet they are so rich and overflowing with love for God and His kingdom. I just bowed and weep. The parents of the baby dedicated that morning invited me for lunch. The hut-house was also shaky, but the people were happy. It was also so amazing to see a “church” being built in one day and in the night a crusade conducted. I felt so “tickled” by the Lord. “ Nothing is impossible had new meaning for me.” I also met a pastor who has to collect garbage from the “smokey mountain- dumpsite” to supplement his income. The “house’ he stay has no electricity, so the children uses oil-lamps to study. My final night, I slept at the smokey mountain area: karaoke singing could be heard until 1 am. Yes, the Filipino loves to sing – even when they have so little.
Only in eternity will I truly know the significance of such a trip to His kingdom, but as far as my heart is concerned – I see many lives touched by the simplicity of loving and serving and I am so blessed to be part of it.
The next trip may be in May. Get ready.