Men's Rules!

No, no ladies. Read it again. It does not say 'Men Rule' it says 'Men's Rules'!

This week has been a bit nervy at Sefton Village. We had our Children's Home inspection by the Department of Social Welfare, which only happens every three years. They check everything and anything in the Home and actually, it is very important. Praise God, the lady who came this year was a lovely Christian lady called Marilyn and she really 'connected' with Mary and our social worker Marilyn.

Everything was in order and there are a few adjustments to make, but generally she saw and experienced that the children ate well, were well dressed and she felt the love and care from the lives of the aunties. The ministry in the Children's Home, I believe, is close to the heart of God. And what Marilyn and her team do 24/7 is incredible. It is really a high calling.

Anyway, it has been a busy week, especially for Mary. She was up until the wee hours over the weekend getting everything organised and re-writing our 'Manual of Operation'. Today, the teachers have arrived back at school to prepare for the new year, which starts in a fortnight. So it is all go.

Well, with all these ladies frantically working so hard here at Sefton, I thought that I would include a set of 'Men's Rules' that a certain John Partington left on my computer when he was here. They are a light hearted bunch of pretend rules that will put a frown on the face of any lady reading this.. but definitely it will give the men a real laugh.

Enjoy ...

1. Saturday = sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be

2. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way

3. Crying is blackmail

4. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:

Subtle hints do not work!

Strong hints do not work!

Obvious hints do not work!

JUST SAY IT!

5. ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question

6. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

7. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your friends are for

8. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days

9. If you think you're overweight, you probably are. Don't ask us

10. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

11. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we

12. ALL men see in only 16 colours, like Windows default settings.

Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour. Pumpkin is also a fruit.

We have no idea what mauve is

13. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are not being honest, but it is just not worth the hassle

14. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear

15. I am in shape. Round is a shape.

What do you think ladies ....? Any one of you want to suggest some 'Ladies Rules'?

See you later .... boy, I'm glad I'm thousands of miles away from some of you ladies right now!!!

MALIGAYANG KAARAWAN (Happy Birthday!)

Well, it's true. I am now 38!! Seriously ... 37 sorta feels youngish, but 38 sounds truly-almost 40! If you think I feel old ... what does my poor old mum think? Every birthday she starts off by saying, "I can't believe I have a _ _ year old son!" You'd better believe it mum, I was born in Summer of '69!

As I have said on previous blogs, Birthdays are BIG events here. They really push the boat out. Here's what happened yesterday ...

At 4:30 (yes, that is a 4, not a slip of my fingers) I was awoken out of my sleep by a loud droning noise. I thought I was in a bad dream until, half awake, I recognised the dulcet tones of Pastor Alex from San Isidro! And there they were, singing " Through It All" on my porch in the dark! Around 20 lovely folk from Cornerstone San Isidro. They are so wonderful, led by their handsome leader Pastor Adonis. They sang a few songs and we brought them inside for a cup of tea. To my surprise they produced this huge basket of homemade cakes. Yum. They prayed for me and disappeared into the night sky ...


Later, the kids wanted to get a MacDonald's breakfast for daddy's special day. By the end of this, I was already feeling a bit full up. Next, I was invited to go to Pastor Marlou's house for a fellowship time with all the Cornerstone leaders. Again, we talked and ate ice cream and hotdogs. At 11am, I was shocked to find Cristina setting up the table outside as we talked. She produced two huge portions of Peking duck that she had cooked ... amazing. I only took a wee bit ....

...'coz I knew I had to be home at 1130 for a special birthday lunch at the children's home!! Sure enough, the table was full of amazing food and all the kids and staff were excited as they waited. What a meal! Beautiful. By this stage, I had met so many people and eaten so much food I felt a bit groggy!

In the evening Winston & Mary Jane took the kids out and Mary & I went for a lovely meal by ourselves ... a rare treat! After we got home I watched some of the Derby v West Brom game and had a cuppa. What a day! Good old Derby! (I wanted Derby to win because my sister in law Alison is from there and is a big supporter. Also, they have a Scottish manager ...)

In the Philippines they don't have a lot to share, but they have huge hearts. They always want to give their utmost. Their attitude is to make special days special. To all you Filipinos reading this - you're the best!

I just want to give a quick 'Happy Birthday' to my younger brother Paul who is 36 today. He is a special guy with a great family and I am so excited because they are all coming out to the Philippines in October.

Please promise me that none of you folk from the NE Scotland will show this blog to my nurse Nicola in Fraserburgh. If she finds out what I ate yesterday ... I may not see 39!

p.s. - here is a funny story from Keith ...

"Last Sunday morning we were at a service in Nagassican, one of the outer villages within Santiago. During the service a group of young people was performing a dance. I noticed that one girl had a coin in each ear. Thinking it might be some kind of folk medicine for sore ears, or some other traditional custom, I asked the pastor why she did that. "Because she doesn't have a pocket," was his reply. Ah, well, ask a silly question ...."

More Than Words ...

Been thinking a lot about worship these last few weeks. A few interesting things happened at our Week of Refreshing that really challenged me and has really got me thinking.

We were all together in the Chapel at the beginning of the week and we were singing that beautiful Hillsongs song - "To the Ends of The Earth"

And I would give the world to tell Your story
Cause I know that You've called me
I know that You've called me
I've lost myself for good within Your promise
I won't hide it
I won't hide it

Jesus, I believe in You
And I would go to the ends of the earth
To the ends of the earth
For You alone are the Son of God
And all the world will see
That You are God
You are God

As we were singing this song, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "They are singing the song but not living the words." I was shocked! But I felt as if the Holy Spirit was saying that they were singing about going to the ends of the earth for the Lord but had absolutely no idea of the cost or consequences of what they were singing about.

So next day I challenged them. You see, when a Filipino thinks of the 'ends of the earth' they almost always think of a place better than the Philippines. I would think that around 99.99% of Filipinos who leave these Islands go to a far better and nicer place - Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Canada, UK, USA etc. But I challenged our students and Alumni - who among you would take a step down to serve the Lord?

Keith did some teaching on 'What is Happening to the Church in Asia" that morning and I know it really rocked them as they heard about the suffering that followers of Jesus go through just for being a follower of Jesus.

Vietnam

Officially religious freedom.

Two minority group (Montagnard, Hmong) Christians have been detained and tortured in Vietnam's Central Highlands after security forces discovered they had been collecting names of the most impoverished people apparently to better target aid.

Security police "tortured" one of them "by hanging him upside down" and used "martial arts [such as] boxing, karate chopping and kicking...until he was unconscious," in prison.

They then poured water over him "until he awoke" only to "repeated the torture again and again." His family "is extremely concerned for his welfare as he is still in prison," following his arrest April 25.

Indonesia

Mainly Buddhist, but many Muslims.

On the night of 1st September, a Muslim mob burned down the Indonesia Evangelical Mission Church building in Siompi, Aceh. News reached local Muslims that the church was planning revival meetings. This angered those who are intent on making their province strictly Islamic. The church is now meeting for worship in a local home.

Cambodia

Cambodians who have turned to Jesus Christ from Buddhism or animism have been accused of betraying their country.

Church in Cambodia is growing, but lacks many of the resources that Christians in the West take for granted, such as trained pastors, Bibles, Christian literature and well equipped church buildings. Many church workers need a paid job outside the church in order to support their families.

Myanmar (Burma)

Posted on March 5th, 2007
PASTOR BARNABUS: ‘If you are a Christian then you have the “C-virus”… which means you are automatically considered a second-class citizen’
PAUL, EVANGELIST: ‘They handcuffed me and hoisted me above the ground by my handcuffs until my feet no longer touched the ground and there they told me to preach’
PASTOR JOSHUA: ‘If nothing happens to us we are surprised. We are waiting for persecution; we are waiting for problems from the authorities. And God has been so good to us and we are not afraid of persecution and difficulties.’
PASTOR ABRAHAM: ‘Because of persecution we get more unity, moreover the house churches are increasing more and more.’

Government would like to eliminate Christianity.

North Korea

Kim Jong Il worshipped as a god. So worshipping God makes you his enemy.

Worst country in the world to live in. Christians tortured & killed. Many flee to China. If caught returned & face even worse conditions than before. Entire families sent away to concentration camps where they work twenty hours a day, seven days a week for months and even years upon end. They are sentenced to sickening and dangerous jobs in cesspools and iron foundries and beaten, tortured, and killed in the most horrifying ways;

Many public executions of Christians. They called them "insane believers in God." They would call them out to the field and hang them.

One former prisoner had seen a guard pour molten iron over living Christians in an effort to force the other Christians to renounce their faith.

Christians in political prisoner camps are also subject to a decree that their faces must permanently face the ground, so their heads are continually held at a ninety degree angle to the rest of their body. Because they believe in a God in Heaven they must not look up. As they work, sleep, and eat, they must always face down. A former prisoner reports that after years of keeping this position many of the Christians' necks were permanently deformed. Even in death, their necks were broken by the guards and they were buried face down to prevent them from "seeing Heaven".

In Wachon Prison, a prisoner witnessed the treatment of the children of Christians. Upon arrival families were separated according to age and sex. The children were put into cages where they spent the rest of their childhood. Each morning their mothers would be forced to walk past these cages where they could see their children, starving and cold. The former prisoner recounted her experience: The noise was awful as the children screamed and cried out for their mothers. Sometimes the women, at great risk to themselves, would knit socks or gloves with scraps and would throw them to their children to keep them warm. Sometimes they would even hide some food inside, even though they themselves were starving. If the mother was caught doing this she would be dragged outside, alone, and beaten until she could not hear or see anymore. Then the other prisoners would drag her back in. Even then I would hear her call out to her children, to make sure they were all right. Only a mother could understand this feeling.

To the ends of the earth? Still want to go? I remember listening to Pastor Yang preaching at Cornerstone and he said that when they were singing those words he would stay silent because he knew he was not at that place where he could tell the Lord ... "I will go." How refreshingly honest.

For the truth is that we sing far too much about what we will do, who we are, how we feel and how totally and absolutely surrendered we are. We sing so easily "You are all I want" or "I live for you alone" or "Take it All" - but do we actually believe it and is our walk consistent with our talk. Many of us cannot go to the end of the street to tell people about the Lord, let alone going to the ends of the earth! Maybe you feel like an old lady I once heard shouting out at a black church in the USA, "Ouch that hurt ... but preach it anyhow!"

Later on in the week I was leading the worship and the keyboard player was an ex-student who I knew loved 'the old stuff' in terms of music. Anyway, he started playing 'He is Lord' and as he played my heart began to cry out to God. We began to sing and soon we were weeping with joy before the Lord. The meeting lasted for ages .. just in His presence. The Holy Spirit began to minister and prophetic words were spoken and people's lives were broken.

But what I am talking about is nothing to do with old songs v new songs. There are beautiful old songs and beautiful new songs. I am talking about our heart. Our desire to touch Him. Our passion to meet with him. Not just singing songs, but meeting with the King.

I began to ask the Lord, "How do you feel Lord when 200 people sing 'I will go to the ends of the earth' ... but only 2 people are singing these words from their heart?" What do you really think Lord? How do you feel? How do you react? ... Do you think, "Nice song? Nice tune? But it doesn't really matter... they don't really mean it."

The Lord pressed upon my heart the story of the lady with the issue of blood who just wanted to touch the hem of his garment. Even though there were probably hundreds of people there, she was desperate to touch Him. And Jesus knew it. The disciples did not realise that one person was reaching out with sheer faith; but Jesus did. He always knows when someone cries from the heart. Always. No matter how many people are there.

Same with our worship. There may be hundreds in our church singing songs and enjoying the music. But we can easily hide behind words. And the Lord knows who is singing with sincere and broken hearts; He knows those who are desperate for Him; He draws near to them who draw near to Him. Always.

I don't want to be negative today. But I want to be real. This Sunday, don't just sing for the sake of singing. Look at what you are singing. Listen to the promises you are making. It's not about music, bands, lyrics and catchy tunes. It's about Jesus. Reach out and touch Him. More than words ...

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus

Selah ...

People Who Need Your Prayers ...

I have come across and visited a number of people in the last few weeks who really need a touch from the Lord. Of course, every day we meet people here with deep needs, and every week when we go to pray for the sick at the Government Hospital we are faced with horrendous situations.

Get this ... the Social Worker told us this week that they are only given enough funding and equipment for 25 patients. On Tuesday there were over 130 people crammed into the hospital. They were everywhere - in the corridors, outside along the pavement. Unbelievable. The unofficial motto of the hospital is, "We will never turn you away - but you have to bring your own bed!" And food. And blankets. And medicines. And faith.

But here are a few folk who could do with your prayers right now:

1. Winston Co (19 yrs old)
Winston is the son of Albert & Josie Co who live around 30 mins from Santiago. Josie is an amazing woman who used to be the Governor of the whole of Quirino province. She met the Lord and her life was changed. After a few years God called her to the ministry and she is pastoring a church and planted around 4 more!

Her son Winston was driving his motorbike in January and he was overtaking a truck. Out of the blue another truck tried to overtake him and he was sandwiched between them. He fell off his motorbike and was dragged along by the truck. His left foot was badly damaged. He lay in agony on the road, screaming. The truck driver stopped and looked back. He saw that Winston was still alive and, what is a terrible normality here, he was going to reverse over him at speed to make sure he would die. It is far less expensive to pay out for a dead person than to pay for someone to spend months of expensive recovery. So sad but true. Anyway, the first truck driver stopped him from killing Winston and said, "Stop, this is the son of our Governor!" Instead, they brought him to hospital.

He has been there for four months now and has found it so hard. I have visited him an several occasions and gave him my PS2 to help with the boredom. He has had several operations to his leg and foot and at last he is making progress. Above all, please pray that he finds the Lord through this terrible situation. He once walked with the Lord but he got involved with the wrong people at the wrong time in the wrong place. I feel he was really heading for trouble ... maybe God has stopped him in his tracks. Pray also for Josie & Albert as they went through a terrible few months where different members of their family passed away or were very sick.

2. Sheryl Cagatao (33 years old)
Last week Winston asked me to visit and pray for a lady who has been to Cornerstone a few times. Her brother in law is very active in the church and wanted me to meet her. She is only 33 years old and has found out that she has stage 2 lymphatic cancer in several parts of her body. She has had an operation and undergone 2 sessions of Chemotherapy.

But last week her body really reacted against the chemo. She ended up being in bed, unable to move and being sick all the time. Amazingly, after our prayer meeting for her at church, next morning she was up walking and eating again.

I have to laugh. I was telling her about how we are spirit, soul and body and was emphasising the need to get right with God spiritually. Winston pops into our conversation and starts talking away on Tagalog for 5 minutes. Next I know, we all have our eyes closed and Sheryl is praying a prayer of repentance to the Lord.

Please pray for a miracle. I talked to all her family outside the house and I KNOW that all it takes is a touch from God to show them that He is alive!

3. Selina (6 years old)
We have finally found out the latest about Selina. Winston & James Bastian went to visit last Friday, but Selina and her mum were out. But they had a great opportunity to speak to Selina's dad, who was a bit 'under the influence'. He has really turned to drink since his wee boy was killed. He has also become very aggressive and violent towards his wife - even in public. But our two pastors had a real heart to heart with him and he really opened up.

Next day they saw Selina. She is so beautiful with her new haircut. The scabs and infection on her arm has healed up but it has left a huge scar. We took her to the Doctor and he said that this is quite normal with a bad burn. He said it should turn darker as time goes on. We are still waiting to find out if she needs an operation, but now she can move and bend her arm freely.

Pray for Selina and her arm. Pray for the father with his alcohol problems. Pray for the mum as she tried to hold it all together. A few week ago she went to one of our members' house. "Can I wash any clothes for you?", Selina's mum said. Our member said that she did not need any clothes washed and asked 'Why do you ask me?" Selina's mum just said, "because if I don't get any money today I have no food for my children." Our member was touched and gave them a big bag of rice.

So many needs. So many desperate people. The more I live on this earth, the more I realise just how unbelievably and undeservedly blessed I am. And yet, why do I moan so much? Why is it that those who have the most complain the most, and those who have nothing suffer in silence?

To those who have been given much ... much will be expected.

Selah ......

Signs of the Times (Don't worry, this is not a theological blog today!)

Well, just for a change, let's have a bit of a laugh! It's Monday morning and I thought that maybe you might need a bit of a funny start to the week, so here are my top ten real-life billboards that can be found in the good old U.S. of A.

Enjoy ...

Face the World Face Down ...

Last week was ultra busy yet ultra excellent. So many things were squeezed into a few days and it seemed like we were on a roller coaster that wasn’t stopping anytime soon!

We started off with our FEBC Radio Programmers Seminar from Monday to Wednesday. We are praying that by Oct/Nov we will start to build the radio station at Sefton Village, but before that FEBC have to train people to run the programmes. Around 20 progammers came – comprising from housewives to businessmen to pastors – and they had a great time. Their final assessment was that they all had to plan and execute a 15 minute ‘live’ progamme … they did so well.

A bonus for us was to meet a Scottish FEBC Trainer – Peter McIntyre – who is from Edinburgh but who has been ministering in Manila for 20 years. When I first met him he said that his wife was from a place I had probably never heard of (Tain), but he got the shock of his life when I told him that we often drive through Tain because my wife was from much further north in Wick!

From Tuesday – Friday we had our ‘Week of Refreshing’ which is designed to give our students and former students a few days to feel special – to relax, un-burden, be ministered to, to have fellowship and plenty fun. We had seminars, ate out, went swimming, played sports .. but the most important thing was that the Holy Spirit really broke into some of our meetings and touched the lives of these precious young people.

Many of them come from very difficult pioneering works and they receive next to nothing for their support. They really know what it is to ‘live by faith’. In one meeting the Lord really impressed on my spirit that he wanted to ‘break the chains of disappointment’ over some of their lives … and it was tremendous to see many respond and to see God breaking many things in their lives.

On Friday afternoon we had a very special occasion – our SBTC Graduation Service. We had a great time and the students did so well. We had the marching of the students, their parents and SBTCF staff, praise & worship, testimonies, Graduation song and then Keith gave a great message. We gave out their certificates and then all the Pastors prayed for the students – this is always a special time. At the end, the students are given 2 flowers to give to the people who have helped them through Bible School. It is so touching to see them thank and pray with their mums, dads, pastors and relatives. There are very few dry eyes!

I watched over the week at these young students and Alumni (former students). One thing that struck me was the amount of time they spent just bowing before the Lord. Just kneeling at His feet. Waiting for His voice. Sitting in His presence. Not flustered about time. This is not a place of weakness … but a place of strength.

If we are to face the world with the Gospel of Christ, then we must go from our knees. We must learn to rise up before we speak out. We must learn to listen in quietness before we speak with power. We must learn to bow in surrender before we walk in victory. These young people don’t have much in the eyes of the world … but in the eyes of God they have surrendered lives and open hearts; and that is all He needs.

Selah…

Dedicated to All Mothers ...

One of the greatest joys I have here at Sefton is to be involved in the lives of our staff. I really love them and we call ourselves the 'Sefton Family'. We have almost 40 full time staff as well as a group of guys who come in to help when we need building work done etc. We are a team and each ministry group - Children's Home aunties, KMGLC School teachers, Bible School staff, Cornerstone pastors - all work together so well and we love meeting, greeting & eating!

One of the things I really love is to be part of our staff's special occasions - weddings, birthdays, dedications, baptisms etc. Yesterday was such a day. I had the honour to dedicate Abigail Shekinah - the first born daughter of James and Rose Bastian. James is Sefton's administrator and also one of Pastors at Cornerstone and Rose is one of our former students at SBTC. Shekinah is an absolute beauty and a lovely wee girl. I have a wee soft spot for her and she is getting used to my strange white face! No comments please!

I spoke about the significance of her name
Abigail - Father's Joy
Shekinah - the glory & presence of God, to pitch your tent...


My points were:
1. That she would bring joy to her mum & dad
2. That she would cherish the presence of God
3. That she would experience the glory of God
4. That she would always pitch her tent in the right places

What a great service we had ... finished off with some lovely Filipino food of course! Fried Talapia (fish), Fried chicken, Pork Menudo, rice and home made ice cream. Mmmm...

In preparing my message, I came across some really funny things about kids. I want to dedicate these stories to any mum reading this. Stop what you're doing right now, stick the kettle on, enjoy ... and have a laugh!

These are actual things that kids have said in Sunday School Class. Classics ...

* In the first book of the bible, Guiness, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.

* Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.

* Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.

* The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert.

* The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

* Moses died before he ever reached Canada.

* The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.

* David always fought with the Flintstones,

* Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

* When the three wise guys from the east arrived, they found Jesus with a manager.

* One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

* The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels. The epistles were the apostles wives.

Parenting

Being a parent changes everything. But being a parent also changes with each baby. Here are some of the ways having a second and third child is different from having your first.

Your Clothes

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.

2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.

3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

The Layette

1st: You pre-wash your newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries

1st: At the first sign of distress - a whimper, a frown-you pick up the baby.

2nd: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.

3rd: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Pacifier

1st: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.

2nd: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.

3rd: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Activities

1st: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, BabySwing, and Baby Story Hour.

2nd: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.

3rd: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

Going Out

1st: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home 5 times.

2nd: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.

3rd: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

At Home

1st: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.

2nd: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.

3rd: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Swallowing Coins

1st: when first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.

2nd: when 2nd child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for coin to pass.

3rd: when 3rd child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!!

Diapering

1st: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.

2nd: You change their diaper every 2 to 3 hours, if needed.

3rd: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

Any comments ladies?

Can I Have a 'Normal' Week Please?

This morning I was having a laugh with Keith & Anne because I keep telling them that 'next week we will have more of a normal week'. They have taken a few weeks to realise that there is no such a thing as a normal week at Sefton Village. You just never actually know what is going to happen and sometimes 'the best laid plans of men gang aft aglay'.

This last week has been a stotter. We had Cornerstone United on Sunday, a FEBC Programmers Training Seminar from Monday-Wednesday, we had to go and pray for the sick in hospital at 7am on Tuesday, we had our annual 'week of refreshing' for all SBTC students and alumni from Tuesday-Friday lunchtime and on Friday afternoon we had our Bible School Graduation and meal. Managed to squeeze in a Cornerstone Leaders Meeting on Saturday morning and today we celebrated Mothers Day in all our church services. Phew. Now compared to that ... this week will be a 'normal' week!


So I have so much stuff to inform you about, but not so much time to write it. Tomorrow is Election Day here in the Philippines ... a crazy, crazy time. There are more murders and shoot outs at this time than any other time. You can feel the tension in the air. In Santiago there are three candidates for Mayor and they have been holding crusades over the last few weeks. Here, nearly all political candidates are involved in 'vote buying', where they will give the people a weeks salary in exchange for an assurance of their vote. Crazy ... because most families get the money from all the candidates!! MMmmm....

Everything and nearly everyone is so steeped in corruption ... the good seems bad, the right seems wrong and the lines of integrity can no longer be seen. We need you to pray for the Philippines. Only a true genuine move of God can change the situation we are in. Praise God, there are many prayer movements in the Philippines and there is a general feeling of discontent and desperation amongst God's people. Pray for unity, integrity and for Godly men and women to be voted into many positions

Tomorrow ... I will begin to look back over the last few weeks and bring you all the exciting events, news and updates. I leave you with a beautiful picture. At the end of our Graduation, I had to wrap the service up and close in prayer. Just when I was beginning my short challenge, I see my wee boy Josiah running towards the stage. Before anyone could catch him he was almost up the steps. I heard him say, "I want to hold my daddy's hand'. So he climbed up and grabbed my hand. As I spoke I was aware that this little boy just wanted to be with his dad ... no matter who was watching on. He just kept looking up at me as I spoke. For me, a lovely moment.


I pray that this will be the challenge of my life. That I can take the hands of Filipinos and bring them challenge and vision. The inheritance I want to leave is not vehicles or houses, perishable things or material possessions that will pass away. I want to leave people who will change the world; for if we do not invest in people, what we have in God will die with us. Like Paul, what I have received from the Lord ... I want to to pass on.

More about 'inheritance' next week ... in one of my 'normal' days!

Selah...

Bringing Hope to our Hospital

Three years ago, my little girl Lydia became sick with pneumonia and was admitted to hospital here in Santiago. The sad thing was … it was on Christmas Eve! Poor wee soul. She was admitted at around 4pm, and for 12 hours Mary & Lydia did not get a single visit from anyone – except for a few nurses’ visits to take Lydia’s temperature. When I arrived at 4pm on Christmas Day, they were so delighted to see me!

In 2005 I challenged the members of Cornerstone Church to give up a few hours of their Christmas Day and spend time visiting the sick in hospital. I was amazed at their enthusiasm! So we found out how many people were in the 4 main hospitals in Santiago. We bought gifts for them all – fruit and biscuits for the adults and toys for the kids. After we had our Christmas Morning service we divided the church into 4 groups and sent them to the hospitals.

Well, they came back rejoicing with many stories to tell. In the hospital where I went, the patients could not believe that we would care enough to visit them on Christmas Day. They were amazed as we sang Carols gave gifts and prayed for them. The whole experience really touched the lives of our members as they saw the effect of their love on the patients. We repeated this ministry last December.

When I was home on Scotland, the Lord challenged me to set up a consistent Hospital Ministry programme – not once a year, but once a week. I spoke it over with Pastor Marlou who is our Cornerstone Spiritual Life Director. Finally, two weeks ago we began our new ministry. It all happened quite miraculously. A month ago we went to school to do a feeding programme – only to find that most of the kids were not there as it was their last day before summer. What would we do with all the food? Henry shouted, “Let’s go to the Hospital next door.”

The Hospital is called the General Emergency Hospital … but it is not like any hospital you know. It is for the poorest of the city and is run by the government. There are just as many people out in the corridors as there are in wards. Hygienic conditions are terrible and it has been many years since the walls have seen a lick of paint. Inside this hospital are desperate, needy and sick people of all ages. It is hard to even walk around and see the desperation on people’s faces.


But we went and fed everyone in the hospital – even the staff! The chief of the Hospital wanted to see me and we spent 30 minutes with him. I shared our vision and he was so touched. We agreed that every week we would go and pray for the sick and once a month we would feed everyone as well. Listen to this – he asked us to build and decorate a House of Prayer in the hospital!!! Amazing.

So a fortnight ago we started. First, we had a small service in the Out Patient waiting room! I preached to doctors, nurses, staff, cleaners, patients, carers and family members. Chaos! But I really enjoyed it. We then fed everyone and began t o pray for the people. Our team of Pastors and Leaders prayed for everyone in the hospital. We felt the presence and peace of God in that desperate place.

We went again on Tuesday – very humbling experience. I prayed with a little girl whose finger had been cut off by her brother. She is only 4 years old. I prayed with a man who had been beaten up by his brother in law with steel bar – his face was horrendously cut and bruised. I prayed for many with diabetes, high blood pressure and one man who had been shot by his friend. And so much more …

In the heart of this hospital … people are finding hope. Jesus is there. Keith had a great point at our leader’s cell group the other day. Many people say, “Jesus the answer!” And of course, He is. BUT, the Bible says “Christ IN YOU, the hope of Glory.” In you. You.

You are also the answer. Your life. Your hands. As the song says, “So many lives depend on what I do…”

In your village, town or city there are many who are lonely, or desperate, or sick, or needy. Don’t pray, “Draw near to them” – you draw near. Don’t cry, “Lord, touch them” – you touch them. Don’t say, “Lord lift them up” – you encourage them. May Christ IN YOU minister to them.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Selah...