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…