Living in Peace

Looking back over the last 10 months since we came back to the Philippines I realise that there have been times when the enemy has tried his best to bring discouragement to me, Mary & our family. God has a plan for our lives; but so has the enemy. One is good, the other bad. One is the right path, the other the wrong. Jonah had two ships to choose from ... and so have we!

The enemy is always at it ... stealing, killing and destroying. He always wants to take the things that we need most in our lives. Cars, houses, computers ... all can be replaced by a decent insurance policy and within weeks or months we forget. These are generally not the things the enemy seeks to steal from us.

What he really wants is for us to lose our peace. Our joy. Our purpose. Our passion and probably most of all our hope. Living with out hope truly is hopelessness. The enemy hopes that stealing some of these precious God-given blessings will start a chain of events and thought processes that will even put our faith and salvation in jeopardy. He wants us to become discouraged, after a dose of discouragement maybe we could become full of self pity and feel like spiritual 'victims'. This could lead to compromise and loss of discipline that could in turn lead to us wearing a Sunday mask - look good at church but inside full of hurt, sadness and regret. Before we know it we have done something or said something in a moment of weakness and our whole lives are changed. So many people have fallen this way.

Bottom line: The devil knows if he steals your peace, joy and hope ... it could be a process that will lead to disaster.

We have to keep our peace. We have to cherish our hope. We have to live in joy. They are absolutely vital for a life of service to God. Without them we cannot live with purpose. Lose them and we are on a slope that could be disastrous.

How so we live in peace? Lets look at David. He almost lost it all. He is a classic example of what can happen to any of us. If a man with a 'heart after God' can fail, any of us can. He loved God ... lived with purpose and was great in every sense. But he became lazy and took the blessings of God for granted. When he should have been fighting and leading his men he stayed at home. Let someone else do it. I'm tired. I've been fighting for years. Anyway, we'll win 'coz God is with us!

When he should have been fighting he was relaxing, taking it easy and utterly unaware that this was exactly the climate that the enemy loves to attack us. The enemy loves Christians who 'take a break' or 'take time off themselves for a while'. Whilst strolling across the roof his eyes saw something that he could not resist ... a beautiful woman. All sense of Godliness left him. Spiritual purpose was evicted and passionate cravings ran through hos mind. The man after God's own heart became a man after a woman's beauty.

We know the rest. David committed indirect murder to get the object of his desire. everyone else thought that David was OK ... but God saw everything. And to every sin there is a consequence and David was like any other man - the product of the choices that he made.

When God blew the whistle at least David knew the score. He had to repent or he would lose everything. Already he was riddled with guilt, saddled by shame and lost his peace, joy and relationship with God. He had to change. Come before God.

This is where I want to bring you today - PSALM 51:10-13

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you

How can we keep, or even restore, peace in our lives?

David, after his terrible sins, came to a point of repentance in Psalm 51. Here we can find the keys to peace, contentment and purpose in our lives.

1. A Clean Heart (v10)

2. A Right Spirit (v10)

3. A Desire for God's Presence (v11)

4. A Walk in the Holy Spirit (v11)

5. A Joy because of our Salvation (v12)

6. An Obedient Life (v12)

7. An Opportunity to Serve (v13)

I didn't plan to write about this today but I feel so strong that this is for many people. Please, today, examine your hearts and lives. Do you genuinely have a joy, a peace, a passion, a dream, a purpose and hope? Or are you hiding the real you behind a smile or 'I'm fine thanks'. Don't dwell in yesterday; don't live in guilt; don't walk with regret or shame.

The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. The devil knows it. And often his first step is to steal your peace. Maybe it's time to say, "No More" and draw close to God again.

Like David, you will find that God is forgiving, generous and His love knows no bounds. Before you go too far ... come back.

Your peace is waiting for you ...

Selah.

Black Trainers and a Word of Faith

I was so mega blessed last week. I met someone that I haven't seen in ages. Let me tell you this incredible true story ...

We arrived in May 2000 and in the August I got a phone call from a Pastor who asked if I would visit a boy from his town who was in a hospital in Santiago. I never knew the family, the boy .. or even the pastor! Anyway, Abby and I went there to find this 15 year old guy called Bracey Calimlim.

We went to the ward and found a young man who was in a coma and had tubes everywhere. He had been having 'pretend' fights with his 3 friends on the way to school and things got out of hand. His friends beat him out and tried to throw him in a river. On the way to the water a tree branch went right through his body, almost severing his kidneys.

When we saw him the family and Doctors had given up hope. In fact, they were taking the tubes out and preparing for him to die naturally. I asked the Doctor if there was any hope. He shook his head and used his hand to show the number 0. No hope. A tragic end to a young end.

When the family saw Abby & I they asked for us to pray that he would die in peace. We went up to the bed and I started to pray over this lifeless young man. As I prayed, I felt a huge surge of power go down my arm and I spoke a word of faith ... "Bracey, you will not die but live." I couldn't believe I said it because Abby was interpreting for the family!!! Amazingly, when I ended the prayer, Bracey opened his eyes and said in perfect English, "Thank you Pastor." Goosebumps!

Abby & I decided to commit ourselves to prayer. Almost every day we went to the hospital to pray for him. It was hard... one step forward and two steps back. But in that time Bracey accepted the Lord and began to be discipled. However, things took a turn for the worst into the second month and he looked like a skeleton. One good thing that happened at this time - and this was a key - he made a conscious decision to forgive the friends who had done this to him.

But one night, he looked at me and said, "I am ready to go home now. I am tired of fighting. Before I go Pastor Mark, will you kiss me goodbye on my cheek?" I was so upset. I could see he was upset by my reaction and so I bent down to kiss him on the cheek. When I did, I felt the power of God again! I said, "Bracey, it is not time to give up. It is time to fight. You have your life ahead of you ... you will survive, become strong, go back to school, get a job, get married, have children and serve the Lord. God is with you." He agreed to fight with us.

Next day, I went to the market and bought a pair of lovely black trainers and went to the hospital. I said, "Bracey, these are for you. One day you will come to the Fire Center and play basketball with me." He smiled and nodded.

In January (5 months after we first met!) we managed to get Bracey to see a specialist in Manila. He found that his kidneys were in bad shape and there was a huge lump there and it didn't look good. I prayed for him because I had to go back to Santiago.

Two weeks later, there was a knock on my door ... it was Bracey - wearing his trainers! I have never ever ever been so happy to see anyone at my door in my life. We played basketball. He told me that when the Doctor actually did the operation they discovered that the huge lump had completely disappeared and that his kidneys looked absolutely normal. Wow!

I haven't seen him for two years ... until a few weeks ago. We drew in for fuel and I heard a knock on my window, "Remember me Pastor Mark?" I was in tears. He was looking great and had put on so much weight. Guess what? He was married and his wife was going to have the first baby. And ... his wife has just become a member in one of our Cornerstone Churches! Bracey came to church last Sunday and wants to serve the Lord at Cornerstone. Amazing. Unbelievable. Fantastic. God.

Feel blessed? Here is some lessons from Bracey's story:

* We need the Gift of Faith and the courage to speak what God asks us to speak.

* We should not be led by feelings and emotion ... but by faith. Our eyes can lie to our spirit. Our emotions can be unreliable and disable faith.

* Forgiveness is a key to healing and restoration. Unforgiveness is a shortcut to misery, pain, bitterness and even sickness.

* Your faith may need feet .. or trainers! Put action to your words.

* God is a great healer. He can do in a moment what man would take years to achieve.

* What happens to someone after they are healed are more important than the healing itself. Healing is physical; discipleship and following the Lord is spiritual.

* Some battles are sealed in a day .. but some battles last for months or years. The important thing is to never give up. You may be at the edge of a miracle!

* God's word and promises are so powerful.

* 'No Hope' doesn't exist in the vocabulary of God. Impossible is nothing.

Selah ....

Where Have the Days Gone?

My goodness. Here we are again. Same old same old! Things have been ultra busy in the last few weeks with the visit of my family and now we have our World Ministries Director Dave Russon here with his wife Madeleine. We are having a great time with them ... and Lydia has really taken a shine to them - continually knocking on their door to see if they want to do something! Sweet.

Anyway, here are a few pictures and then a funny story. Hopefully, we will be having a 'normal' week next week ... although I have long since given up hope of even a normal day coming our way! In fact, an incident happened last week that really rocked us and was a horrible situation to go through. The timing of us going to Manila and then the Russons coming has been perfect. His grace IS sufficient....

Here is why our internet is a bit impossible ...

...makes BT and Scottish Power look good!

Last Sunday, we went to Victory Christian Centre in Manila and on the way out of the service I could not believe my eyes. This Filipino guy was walking out of Church with a Glasgow Celtic top on! I couldn't believe it ...

I stopped him in his tracks and asked him if he was a Celtic supporter. "Of course", was his answer. He had spent some time in Japan and was a big fan of a player called Nakamura - who plays for Celtic. Crazy world eh?

Mind you, best one ever was when I met a guy in Ghana with a Partick Thistle top (now that's something because I cannot recollect me even seeing anyone in Scotland wearing a Partick Thistle top!) Beat that!

Last up, a true story. Last week, when we were in a restaurant in Manila, wee Josiah started acting like a helicopter. His feet and hands were flapping around. After a few minutes he shouted, "I really need the toilet!". He was in his pram so I started off on our journey through the packed mall. When Josiah says that he needs the toilet, lets just say that he is at the point of no return.

So I walked fastly (or ran slowly!) all the way to the toilets. I rushed in, praying for a free cubicle. Wow, the last one was free! "Scuse me, scuse me, emergency!" I shouted as I traversed the packed toilets. I grabbed Josiah, threw him on the toilet and ... well, we JUST made it!

I was so hot as it had been a manic few minutes in the heat. Well, as I stood there like a proud father who had saved the day, Josiah singing songs as nature worked away, I heard a knock on the cubical door. And then again. Strange. Never had this before. I heard a little voice speaking, "Sir, you are in the ladies toilets!"

Aaaaggghh! I'm in the wrong toilets! I was so busy trying to get my boy to the bowl in time that I never took time to check out of I was in the right place! I got Josiah organised (took around 15 minutes!) and then I plucked up courage. "Coming out now", I shouted. Josiah was singing away as Daddy crept through the gathered throng of ladies at the mirror. I half closed my eyes and kept walking!

But I laughed all the way back to the restaurant.

What have I learned from this embarrassing experience? Well, at the end of the day, its better to be in the wrong place at the right time doing the right thing rather than being at the right place at the wrong time cleaning up an smelly mess!

Selah ...
Goodnight. Good to be back after another internet wilderness experience. Pray for our wire to be strong!

IRISH GIRL WANTS A DAY OFF SCHOOL

Was shown this hilarious youtube video by an un-named female lady in my family! What a scream. What an accent. What a great laugh.

Listen ... and enjoy!

Living at the Edge of Uncertainty

Long time no blog! Need to keep you up to date with events here at Sefton Village. Last Tuesday night Pastor Jun and I went down to Manila on the overnight bus. Nightmare journey ... smelly bus with bad brakes and broken air con! But that's another story ...

We went down a day early so that we could get all the Christmas gifts for the children in the orphanage and all our staff! A whole day of non-stop shopping. To some, this would be like heaven but to me it's like a nightmare! Thousands of shop assistants shouting "How about this ... or this ... or this .. or that!" Aaagggghhhh.... get me outa here! Anyway, we completed the task at 8:30pm ... over 120 gifts bought! I know what you're thinking ... Christmas? Yup, here in Philippines they start celebrating in September 1 ... and this was the only opportunity I had to get the gifts before Christmas!

Anyway ... the main reason for going to Manila was to pick up my family and bring them North. It was AMAZINGLY GOOD to see them again ... dad, mum, brother Paul, Ashley, Nathan, Aaron and cousin-in-law Monica. Words can't describe how it feels when you meet people you love but who you haven't seen for a long time. They arrived safe and well and we had a night in Manila to give them time to adjust.

They have been here for a week now and I will ask one of them to do a 'Guest Blog' to let you know what they have been up to! Things have been very busy here at Sefton this October and it seems as if there are so many doors opening to us to walk through. More about that next week ...

For now, I want to really challenge us. On Monday I took the family to a beautiful place called Banaue. There are rice terraces there that have literally been hand made in the middle of a very mountainous area. Amazing thing is that this was done over 2000 years ago by people with primitive tools. Pretty unbelievable. Anyway, on the way there we encountered around 20 landslides on the road ... some really big ones.

At one place, tragedy was evident. At 10pm one night last week, a huge chunk of mud slid down the mountain and completely swept away and destroyed two small homes on the roadside. It was so dark and so silent. Tragically, nine people were inside the houses and never stood a chance ... 5 of them little children. So as we drove past the site we saw the newly erected tombs of these none poor people. They were built where their houses stood just a few days before. A few feet away at either side were two other houses that missed tragedy by a few inches. Incredible.

Really got me thinking. Things like that make you stop and take a deep look at yourself. Coming face to face with death and tragedy forces you to self-examine your whole life.

Imagine, one minute sleeping ... next fighting for breath in a sea of mud. No light. No sound. No help. No hope. That's it. It's over. Life is finished in less than a moment.

We always think we have plenty time. Definite opportunities. Limitless years. Undoubtable days. We plan and work out our finances, working options, family plans and goals that will enhance our standing in life. Truth is -and I hate to remind us - that we cannot even guarantee today. We don't know what is around the corner, through the door or on the road.

The MOST important thing right now, as you read this blog, is that at this moment in time:

* You are in right standing with God. You are His. He is yours. No matter what happens ... you know who you are and where you are going and who is Lord of your life. Church attendance, friends, good deeds and a hope that you will make it is not enough. You won't make it. Only your faith in Christ and your relationship with Him will bring you to heaven.

* You are in right standing with your family. No regrets. No tears. Don't leave this world with unresolved issues with those God has put you closest to. Make a phone call today. Arrange a time to talk things through. Swallow your pride, take a deep breath and do what you know in your heart is right.

* You are in right standing with the world around you. Don't leave this world with a bad reputation or with broken friendships. Don't leave with undisclosed debt. Leave with a good name and a good reputation. Don't allow 'things' come between great friendships ... especially church problems. I know so many broken and bitter people who have lost true friends through church mis-understandings. Tragic. How the Lord's heart must break. But now, while you have time, deal with the past to ensure a great future.

I know this blog is a bit strong and a bit challenging. But that is where I am this week. I don't know what will happen tomorrow ... but I know there are times God brings you to a place where we have to take a close look inside out hearts.

You never know ... you may be at the edge of a 'landslide' and don't know it.

I leave you with a poem that was sent to me by a missionary from Cambodia. It is written by a young girl who is terminally ill in a New York hospital. Let it challenge you today ...

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.


Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done!
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.


Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.


When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Selah ...

Enjoy Your Weekend ...

Well well well ... seems like us Scots can actually play football after all! After years of being 'Glorious Failures' it seems as though the tide has turned. First, our national team 'hammered' France (one of the best teams in the world) 1-0 ... home AND away, then Rangers trounced the French Champions Lyon 3-0 away and then Celtic beat the Italian/European champions AC Milan 2-1. Hey, even good old Aberdeen put out a hot Ukrainian (I think) team to go through in the UEFA cup. Well done boys .... let's hope our rugby team do as well as our footballers!

Since it is the start of the weekend, I thought I would include a few funnies that people have sent me over the last few weeks. I couldn't remember if I have blogged these before ... but if I can't remember blogging it you certainly won't remember reading it!

Enjoy ...

It comes from a Catholic elementary school test. Kids were asked questions about the old and new testaments. The following statements about the bible were written by children. They have not been retouched or corrected. Incorrect spelling has been left in.

1. In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world so he took the sabbath off.

2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was Joan of Ark. Noah built and ark and the animals came on in pears.

3. Lots wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night.

4. Sampson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah.

5. Samson slayed the philistines with the axe of the apostles.

6. Moses led the Jews to the Red sea where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.

7. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up to Mount Cyanide to get the ten commandments.

8. The first commandments was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.

9. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

10. Moses died before he ever reached Canada . Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.

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

12. David was a Hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar. He fought the finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in biblical times.

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

14. When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

15. St. John the blacksmith dumped water on his head.

16. Jesus enunciated the golden rule, which says to do unto others before they do one to you. He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.

17. It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.

18. The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.

19. The Epistles were the wives of the apostles.

20. One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

21. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity, he preached holy acrimony which is another name for marriage.

22. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.



P.s. - PLEASE sign our visitors book if you have not already done so. We would love to hear from you and know who the people reading our blog are! It only takes a minute ... thanks!

The Pringle Place!

Don't know why it is, but Sefton Village seems to be just as popular as Disneyland HK! Even though we are 'in the sticks' and literally hours (8) from Manila, the road to Sefton Village is always busy! We seem to have visitors, friends and family almost on a monthly basis! Our supply of Angel Delight, Salad Cream, Bisto and Tetley T-Bags never seems to diminish!

We were eating Pringles on the way up to Santiago and they have the catch phrase 'Once you pop ... you just can't stop!" And it's true! They are hard to put down after you peel back the wrapper. Claire was telling me that scientists did an actual experiment to find out why Pringles were so addictive. Well, sometimes I wonder if we should do an experiment about Sefton Village! People come ... and want to come back. And back again (with friends!) Why is Sefton so 'addictive'? Why do people always want to come here? We are in the middle of rice fields in the hottest valley in the Philippines. There are no tourist spots or nice beaches here!

Maybe you are reading this and you have been here already ... can you answer the 'Pringles' question for us???? Go on ... leave a comment for our survey!

Well, the Kerrs have arrived safe and sound and are settling into their new home, new surroundings and new lives. They have done so well. They arrived last Thursday near midnight but all of them slept well that night. And they have adjusted to the time difference with little problems. Amazing really ... but I guess that's what you call grace.

I showed them where to buy all the stuff they will need for their house and we shopped for two days solid! We managed to get 95% of what they needed so we were very tired ... but happy! We drove back up to Sefton on Sunday morning and the kids were great. It is a 7 hour drive and this time it took much longer as the people in Munoz decided to have the town fair right in the middle of the town and right in the middle of the main road! So there were tailbacks for miles. We were stuck for two and a half hours! Ah well, at least Matthew and Claire got to see the Philippines at its best! Can you imagine having a funfair right in the middle of the A92 in Scotland????? MMmmmm ... don't think so!

We arrived safe and sound on Sunday might and over the last few days they have been busy unpacking and getting organised. They have seen the great metropolis of Santiago. Keith and Anne have been great at helping out. The ex-pat community is growing ...

Next week more Brits will swell Sefton Village. My mum, dad, brother Paul and his wife Ashley, my two nephews Nathan and Aaron and my cousin's wife Monica will be arriving for a family trip to the Philippines. Mum & dad are regulars but it is the 1st time for the rest. Lydia and Josiah are totally excited about seeing their cousins here at Sefton. Every day Josiah wakes up and says, "Is Nathan and Aaron coming?"

The day they fly home we will be driving Dave and Madeliene Russon back up to Sefton. Dave is the new World Ministries Director for AoG and they have never been to Sefton. So we are looking forward to seeing them again. Two weeks after that we have Gillian Saunders from Bolton coming for a week. She is no stranger to Sefton and is a good friend. She help set up Powerhouse Kids Club here in Santiago so she will be checking out how things are going.

In December we have a short visit from Maureen and Brenda who are great friends form Cornerstone Singapore. They know Sefton Village well as they helped cover for us during our last itinerary. They are both very special and it will be good to see them again.

And then, before we know it, it will be 2008! And probably people from all over the world will (slowly) make their way to the 'Pringles Place'.

The Long Journey ...

Right now, I am writing this blog in an Internet cafe in Manila. At the very same time, a lovely family are in the air making their way to the Philippines ... and a brand new life. Matthew,Claire, Madeleine and Ariella Kerr will be arriving tonight with a few suitcases and a lot of mixed emotions!

For the last year they have been preparing their lives for coming to minister with us at Sefton Village. The Bible says that 'man may make his plans... but the Lord directs his steps.' How did this couple end up coming all the way to the Philippines?

Well, Matthew is from Shetland and I knew him when he came down to study in the mid 90's. He came to Capital Christian Centre ... although I was on my way to Africa when he arrived. He studies civil engineering and then felt the call of God to serve on the Operation Mobilisation ship 'Doulos'. When there, he met this lovely Irish teacher called Claire and they fell in love.

They came home to the UK after their two years of service and they married. Matthew wanted to finish the practical part of his civil engineering training and so they set up home in Shetland. Claire taught their at a local school ... but their heart was still on the mission field.

In 2003 they came to our Sefton Village Missions Weekend and it was great to see them again. I believe God put a seed of vision in their lives for Sefton at that wonderful weekend. They had a beautiful daughter Madeleine in 2004 and they began to seek God's face for the future. Matthew thought it might be back on the Doulos and even went to Estonia to see the new ship and pray. But things never worked out and they were back to square one.

In 2006, when we came back to the UK, we really knew that we needed help at Sefton. Things had grown so much and one couple was not enough. I was going to call Matthew but God clearly said 'No ... I will tell you when." One Friday, I felt the Lord prompting me to call. I called and got Matthews mum who told me she was waving Matthew and family off as they went on the boat to Aberdeen.

Next day Matthew called and said they were on holiday. I asked how things were going with OM and what their plans were. Matthew said that things had fallen through. Out of the blue I said to him, "What about coming and helping us at Sefton?" I think it shocked him because it went all silent! He told me he had two days free at the end of their holiday in England. So we decided to meet up in Edinburgh.

They came with us to two churches on the Sunday and it was there that the Lord said to them, "This is it!" On Sunday night they said, "We feel that God is leading us to Sefton Village." On Monday we got together and talked about their call, their plans and practical things to do if they felt this was the way ahead. The amazing thing in this story is that the Lord asked Matthew to task his boss for two extra days holiday-even though he should not have got them. His boss said 'OK' ... and those were the two days that we spent together. The unforced rhythms of grace ...

And now... one year on they have quit their jobs, been interviewed, travelled around sharing the vision, finished the School of Missions at Mattersey ... and had another beautiful baby... Ariella. Wow, it's nit easy I can tell you.

At Sefton Claire will help Mary in the starting up of the new Primary School as well as help in the Children's Home. Matthew is a practical guy and there will be plenty work for him in our building projects, computers etc. And I know they will find other ministries within Cornerstone Church.

So pray for them today. Long haul flights with two small kids is not easy. Bought the T-Shirt. Pray for the peace of God for them, that all would go smooth and that God will take away all anxiety and worry. Pray for them (and me!) as we go around Manila in these next few days to buy furniture and things for their house .. which they have never seen! Is there a spiritual gift of shopping?

the Kerr family have their own web/blog site and it is well worth a look - www.leekerr.co.uk

Pray for Mary and the kids back at Sefton as I am here in Manila. Over the last week the enemy has really been trying his best to discourage and pull us down. He is really bringing on heavy blows against Mary ... as he knows that she is feeling weak with her arm etc. (By the way, the plaster is off PTL!) On Monday TWO teachers phoned in with German measles and yesterday one of our kids in the home-Ryan-was admitted to hospital with Dengue fever and Pneumonia. Most of the kids in the home are sick right now. We really feel under attack. Keith and Anne have been great and really supporting us through this week. They are doing great at Sefton and are really ministering to many in so many ways.

So please ... pray for Mary. It was her birthday on Tuesday and she had a great day. So many showed their love in so many ways. Pray for protection for Lydia and Josiah ... especially when I am away. Thanks for all your prayers .. it makes so much difference.

...and Matthew & family ... wherever you are right now ... know that we are all praying for you!

Emily

At the weekend I was talking to Pastor Winston and he had been really challenged by the story of a little girl who turned up at his house last week. I asked him to write his thoughts down ... so here they are:

"A little girl came to our house one morning and asked, “uncle do you have some plastic?” When I looked I saw this brown headed, dirty looking girl with a big sack on her back with some plastic things and plastic bottles she had pick up on the street. I said I don’t have, then she said “can I help you clean your sewer drain for 20 pesos (20p)” and I said “yes”, and she join me cleaning. My wife prepared some food for us since it was merienda (snack) time and I thought I’d ask some information about her. And I listened to this little girl tell the story of her life.

Her name is Emily Gutierrez (pic above). She started by saying her foot was so sore with athletes foot that she had because every time the rain come, their floor is all wet. Their roof is an old tent. Water is all over. Then she described about their little house and that there are 8 of them living there. Her mother got married and they gave birth to 2 girls, and Emily is the eldest. Her father was killed when she’s only 4 years old, someone hit her father with a hammer that causes the immediate death. After a few months, her mother married another guy. During the 6 years of marriage, they were able to produce 3 kids, then the husband was drowned in the river a kilometer away from their house, and so she became widow for the second time.

Again after a few months, the mother got married to a widower and they had a boy who is only 7 months old at the moment. Now the husband is accused of theft and is presently in prison here in Santiago City Jail. So Emily had 5 brothers and sisters plus two orphan girls who stays with them in this tiny house - plus her mom.

I ask her “how do you survive?” She smiled and said, "sometimes we eat 3 times a day, sometimes just once. Me and my other two sister, will walk daily in the streets of this compound to look for plastic and any rubbish from people here that we can sell in the junk shop. We have an average of P30 daily and we use to buy rice for our food the next day. We don’t go to school for we have no money, I only finished Grade 1. I can’t read nor write. Our mother stays at home to look after our smaller brothers and sisters.

My tears are falling as I listen to her story, and I said can I visit your house now? And she said yes. On our way to their house I bought some potatoes, eggs, fish, and rice to bring to her family who are waiting for Emily to bring food for them. I told her, “tell your mother to mix the potato and the egg for your lunch.”

She smiled at me and said “can we fry the eggs?” and I said yes. She look at me and said “I don’t think so - we never fry eggs we only boil them.” Then I realized that they don’t buy cooking oil so they have never had a fried egg before. It’s a bit funny, but it really mattered to Emily. And when she ate a fried egg for the 1^st time, it brought a big smile in her face.

That afternoon, I asked some of our Cornerstone Pastors to join me to visit this family. So we went there and prayed for the people there, for many are sick. At the moment, we are trying to figure out how can we help this family and all the people who live in this squatter area. Please join us to pray for this community and the family of Emily. Thank you, Winston."

...seems a million miles and a different world from Disneyland ... Mark.

Back to the Real World...

Well, this is officially the longest time without writing a blog! We came home a week ago from a family vacation in Hong Kong. Since then, the internet connection has almost always been off. I am beginning to get really annoyed with this whole situation. we seem to have internet for a day or so ... and then it is off for around five! Aaaaggghhhh.

But, in my times of utter frustration I have to remember that the missionaries who were here before us had it so much tougher. They didn't even have a phone! They had to drive for 3 miles, order a call and wait for hours for a line to become available. Now that is difficult ...

However, as my dad would say, "you have to work with what you have." Really got me thinking about the power of choice. Every one of us are the products of our own choices. Maybe I will reserve writing anything else right now and do a blog about this important subject!


We had a great time in Hong Kong. We met up with Brian & Jennie Milne from Fraserburgh and started our week in a Hotel in Kowloon. We were beside the famous Nathan Road shopping area ... the night markets were amazing! We went to the Flower, Bird and fish Markets ... pretty spectacular.

We all went to Ocean Park ... a beautiful place that was ideal for families. It had animals, aquariums, dolphin shows, bird shows, kids play areas, theme park rides, etc. The cable cars were totally breathtaking. A must for anyone coming to Hong Kong.

On Sunday we went to a park that was built where the Walled City used to be. We walked around the beautiful parks and ponds and stood where the most horrific and wicked part of Hong Kong used to stand. It was ruled by the Triad gang and even the police would not enter this drug infested area. But as we stood at the Jackie Pullinger Rock inside the Park, we read again about a young lady, who in 1966 gave up everything to serve the Lord in the Walled City. Again .. I will be blogging about this remarkable story soon.

We shifted after 3 days to another Hotel beside the beach in Lantau Island. It was like a different world. We ate seafood by the sea .. although Josiah was pretty chuffed that there was also a MacDonalds there too! It was so quiet and the fresh sea air was a welcomed bonus to this North-East Loon!

We took the kids (or did they take us?) to Disneyland Hong Kong. We have never been to either of the other two Disneylands, so we did not know what to expect. But it was a great experience. According to many, this park is much smaller than the others but it was great for a day out. The kids were amazed as they met character after character and ride after ride. I have never been anywhere so clean. We had a blast and I recommend it to anyone ... and any age! Young Brian seemed to enjoy it more than anyone else!

Anyway, now we are back to reality! This morning we baptised 29 people who want to be followers of Jesus. Next Thursday a lovely new family arrive to start their new lives serving the Lord in the Philippines. Two weeks after that my mum, dad, brother and all his family arrive for 3 weeks at Sefton. The day they leave we pick up Dave and Madeline Russon, (Dave is our AoG World Ministries Director) and drive north. It is all happening!

I will blog about all the above soon. Until then ... i have to say goodnight! Have a great weekend and pray that no-one nicks (steals, takes, robs, chores, 'borrows'!) our internet wire.

If all is well I will blog in next couple of days ... the days of miracles are not over!

Mmmmhhhh...

Happy Birthday To Us!

Sorry for the lack of blogs this week. Been a touch manic. I was meant to go to a Leadership Conference in Palawan on Sunday but because of Mary's 'break' I decided it was far better to stay put and help out my family. Good decision! We are in Hong Kong right now enjoying a week's family holiday.

The extra couple of days were a blessing because it gave us time to tackle our newsletter. Sometimes it is so hard to do the 'extras' when you are busy with Sefton life. The constant heat just sucks the life and strength out of you and by night time very often we feel exhausted.

But .. let me tell you about our wonderful Cornerstone 3rd Anniversary last Sunday. First, I must say that the team of Pastors and leaders God has given us at Cornerstone did a magnificent job on Sunday. There was so much to prepare ... but they did it.

The fist part of the day was our Church Service. All of our six churches were there ... a great 'family time'. There were over 1000 people there - including over 500 kids! I think Pastor Jun and his team will need a week to recover!

The Praise & Worship team looked great in their new outfits - light brown for the musicians and white for the backing singers. And Cristina and her team brought us right into the presence of God. We are so blessed. The congregation were blessed (ahem) as all the Pastors sang a song during the offering. Well, we are meant to make a joyful noise .... we were happy, but it was a noise!

The guest speaker was a lovely man of God called Rick Zachary. He was over for a month in Singapore speaking at their Bible School. Pastor Yang invited him to come and speak at our Anniversary and he willingly came. He was a true gentleman. A great man to have in our home ... our kids loved him! He is married with two grown up sons and four grand kids - he is the youngest and most handsome granda I have ever met!

He is involved in a tremendous ministry. In the early days of hos ministry he was a missionary in Haiti and also in Nigeria. After 7 years he went back to Baton Rouge to help his pastor build up the church there - Bethany Prayer Center pastored by Larry Stockhill. Rick was missions director for 14 years and travelled all over the world. Bethany is now one of the best churches in the USA - in terms of prayer, cell church and missions.

Five years ago God gave rick a vision of reaching the nations of South Asia. So every year for the next 20 years his goal is to plant a church in a major city in Asia. So far they have planted four - including Sri Lanka, Pakistan & Nepal. He wants to raise up central/model churches that will plant churches in the villages around where they are. Great vision.

Anyway, we were so blessed to have Rick minister - both to the leaders on Saturday night and at our Anniversary on Sunday morning. He spoke about Vision on Sunday and gave us 7 steps to Living in Vision. At the end, he gave an altar call for 1st time commitments to Christ... and 50 people gave their hearts to the Lord (see picture at start)! Hallelujah! Fifty new believers around Santiago!

Jimmar, our new Christian & computer specialist made a 'Cornerstone So Far' video presentation (it took him 35 hours to make!). It was amazing! Three years ago we started with eight people in Pastor Marlou's garage ... and look how the Lord has blessed us! I gave a presentation about our future Vision ... but it wasn't near as flashy as Jimmar's effort!

We ate lunch and then enjoyed part 2 - songs & dramas! What a great time. Many of the church departments had songs and every church also had to sing a 'special number'. We had a Raffle ... but don't worry it was not for lottery money but for books and bibles! What joy as they received their gifts. After this we had part 3 - games and sports.


What a day! What a celebration! What a God we serve. As a Pastor, there are some nights you go to bed absolutely contended, happy and delighted at what God has done. Sunday was such a day for me.

Thank you for your prayers for Cornerstone. Please pray that at our 4th Anniversary there will still be 50 disciples who have been serving the Lord for a whole year ....

Selah.

P.s. - I just discovered that our youth leader at Santiago - Daben - has started a blog also. I looked at it ... pretty good! I need to speak to him about his English grammar - the use of full stops, sentences and actual paragraphs! - but you can feel his heart as he writes. Check it out for his view on our Anniversary and more news ..... www.ccsgenerations.blogspot.com