'Under the Cosh'

A good friend of mine emailed me today and commented - "you sound like you are under the cosh?" Been thinking about it all day -what on earth does this phrase really mean? It's one of those phrases that you know what it implies but don't exactly know what it means.

What's a cosh? Being an Aberdeen supporter for many years - of course I know what under the cosh means!' But do you know know what a cosh is? A cosh is a 'weighted stick" and to be under the cosh means to be "under threat or coercion". The Cassell's Dictionary of Slang says it is a 1950s phrase, but relates it to a late 19th century American phrase "under the gun", with a similar meaning. A cosh is a weighted weapon to attack or hit with ... a weapon.

There you go! Are we under the cosh? Yup, we are! There is no doubt that we are under pressure right now from many angles, situations & attacks.

Right now, there are so many brilliant things happening in and through Sefton Village:

* These last two weeks have been amazing as far as the influence of our School is concerned. We have a lovely couple called Simon and Pauling Marsh here from England. Simon is a retired Headmaster and was the chairman of Christian Head Teachers UK for many years. They have been doing seminars for all Private School teachers here in Santiago and it has gone wonderfully well.

After the initial seminars last week the Chief of the Department of Education set up another seminar for today! And they have arranged for between 100-200 teachers to attend another seminar on Friday! And Simon is teaching principles straight from the Bible!

Two years ago, the Lord spoke to me and said that Sefton was going to be a source of blessing to the schools in Santiago. Id didn't know how and I spoke to Mary about it. But now ... it is happening before our eyes!

* Bible School is going great. Lorenz and Joy continue to bring excellence and challenges to SBTC.

* FEBC - Ground breaking service tomorrow! Wow.

* Street Pastors - we are beginning to realise that we have to begin to pastor people where they are...on the street. It is significant that probably 90% of the ministry of Jesus was on the street, in the marketplace. Probably 90% of any church's ministry today is in a church building. Major problem. More about this soon.

* Jail - Pastor August and team continue to see amazing things happen in BJMP. More conversions, more discipleship, more baptisms.

Top guy at BJMP says that since Sefton came, the jail has completely changed. Before' they fought like dogs ... but now they are encouraging and praying for each other'. You can feel the presence of God.

* Feeding Programme - Henry now doing feeding programme 3 days a week. Around 2000 kids a week! At the same time Pastor Jun is teaching the kids through the Powerhouse ministry.

* Hospital - wide open for us! We go every Wednesday but chief of hospital wants us there 'as much as possible Pastor' Now ministering in Cauayan hospital weekly as well.

* Churches - all growing! New churches being planted! Pastors full of vision and fire. God speaking and we are trying to listen.

Amazing things happening in Nagassican. Every morning this week they are having 'Jericoh Walks' from 3-6am! On Friday we will walk around Nagassican and anoint with oil as we go. The young people an children there are receiving visions and words from the Lord. Amazing. 'Nagassican is for the Lord,' Danny told me tonight. Another blog on another day.

Yup, the enemy is standing up and applauding what is happening here! Nope. For every advancement and victory there is a battle and a cost. Dodging the bullets and being under the cosh is difficult and we have faced these times before, and surely they will come again.

What are the main difficulties right now?

1. Finances - wish I could wave a magic spiritual wand and get the pound back up to 93 Pesos to the Pound (like it was in July!), but it ain't gonna happen. It has dropped like a stone. Yesterday we got 62 ... the same rate as we got when we came here 9 years ago! Nightmare.

Taking inflation of prices, we are probably getting only two thirds of what we were getting last year and half of what we were getting in 2000. With nearly 50-60 staff, a children's home and all the above ministries to run ... we are going under! We either have to pray for more monthly support from UK or begin to cut down our staff numbers here at Sefton.

The potential of revival is the point of recession!

Still praying and trying to find the Lord's mind on things. I am well aware that the whole of the UK is in financial crisis ... but we often preach about God's amazing economy ... now is the time to see if it is true! One thing's for sure ... He has never let us down yet!

Big pressure is also the building of the new school. If the pound had not dipped we would have had almost enough to have finished stage 1 of the building. But, because of the exchange rate, we are well behind. We need to be finished by June but as I speak we are down to our last few pesos with none at home!

We are at the end of the rope ... but 'without faith it is impossible to please God." If it's where God wants us to be it certainly is not where we would choose to be!

2. Physical attacks - we are well aware that many of our families are becoming sick. Pastor Jun's motorbike was stolen during the service. Today, on the way to hospital ministry I had a flat tyre, Marlou had a flat tyre and the chain and sprocket of Danny's motorbike was destroyed. OK, maybe you say these are all coincidences ... but I have lived long enough to recognise that the enemy works discouragements in this way.

3. Future plans - all of us Missionaries at Sefton are really trying to find the mind of Christ as far as to what our own future's hold and what is the plan of the Lord for Sefton. Should we hand Sefton over? If so when? If so, how? If so, to who? Huge. Major implications.

It is good for all of us to ask these questions because we don't want to go home early .. but neither do we want to stay a day too late! Don't worry ... we are not planning in moving on or coming home this year. But we are seeking the Lord for His PERFECT will.

4. Mary's dad - David has had a real difficult time of it over the last 4-5 months with one thing after the other. Recently he has been in real pain wit his hip. On Saturday he was in such pain that they had to take him by Ambulance to Inverness. They found out that his hip is actually broken ... but he has never fallen! He is having tests this week to find out what has happened.

As a missionary, these are the toughest time. When our families are suffering at home. It is so hard for Mary right now and she is literally taking one day at a time. Please pray for David, Mary's mum Wilma, her brother Bruce and for Mary herself. Thanks.

5. Busyness - since New Year it has been non stop. Meeting after meeting after event after event! Keep waiting for a 'normal' week to arrive! We've had quite a lot of visitors at Hotel Ritchie and there has been a lot of 'extra things' recently. Sefton is getting busier (typed that word a few times and still doesn't look right!) and the harvest is getting bigger!

Well, there it is! My heart has been opened up. I wrote on my Facebook that 'I am struggling' and I really was...and in many ways I still am. But I am not down, or depressed, miserable or moaning ... I am just a bit tired and a bit unsure of some things.

I'm at the amazing place where I need to see some miracles! and grace. But, been here before and I know, like Bear Grylis, there is always a way out!

Have to have attitude of the amazing Paul ...

'We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. That is why we never give up.

Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.' (2 Cor 4:7-18)

Yes, we are 'under the cosh' right now ... but don't worry, like they said about those Hebrew young guys who were thrown in the fire - "there is another man in there with them."

Even 'under the cosh' ... Jesus is here! Selah!

Pastor Jun ... Still Smiling - but only Just!

Sorry for the long wait for a new blog. Been totally, absolutely, crazily frustrated with almost a complete lack of broadband in the last few weeks.

Many of you know Pastor Jun ... the guy who is always smiling! He has an amazing testimony and is really a trophy of grace. He is our Children's Pastor at Cornerstone and is a brilliant guy! He is married to Emmy Lou - one of our Teachers - and they do a great ministry with Powerhouse Kids Club, in Cornerstone Santiago and recently they have started a new church in Sinilli.


I did a staff appraisal with Pastor Jun and he was so excited about 2009. He is doing brilliant in the new church and uses his wee red motorbike everyday in every way. Lydia and Josiah are regular passengers on the bike (but don't tell their Grandas!!!) But, alas ... disaster struck.

Pastor Jun was leading the Sunday evening service at Cornerstone a couple of weeks ago. When the service was over he went out with Emmy Lou to go home ... no bike! Gone! All the members looked everywhere ... but it had been stolen. They were really upset for few days. They had been paying off the bike for almost two years and they were finally going to own the bike in August.


But they have really reacted in a positive way this week. Jun says that someone has 'borrowed it' for a few weeks! He is still full of smiles ... just! In the UK, it would be like getting your car nicked. Only problem here is that they have no insurance, so they cannot claim back anything.

Please pray for Jun & Emmy Lou. It's a tough break. When we started Street Pastors I felt that we would come under attack and it has happened to many of us. This last week has been super tough for me, as well as many of our pastors.

Will share more news soon ...

... in the meantime ... keep smiling!

Here's a wee cartoon to hep you! Goodnight...

Christmas @ Sefton (Part 1)

Well...what a Christmas that was! Last year, we had a huge Sefton Village Party on Christmas Day ... but it had become far too big and the kids were being neglected on the big day. So we decided to have parties by department.

So my first was the SBTC party on Dec 12th. We had a great night. I bought a Lechon (suckling roasted pig - above) for the students as a 'Thank You' for all their hard work during the Tri-District Conference. But first we played some great games in the Fire Centre and had a great laugh. The last game was one that Gowan and I used to do back in Scotland - Egg Roulette. Take 12 eggs, hard boil 6, let them cool, put them in an egg box and give them a number. Take 12 gullible people and let them choose what egg to hit on the other person's head ... result - a great huge laugh ... and a lot of mess!


On the week before Christmas I went down to Manila, bought a heap of last minute shopping and stuff for Sefton Village and then picked up the Strachan family at Manila Airport. We travelled straight up overnight (they were brave) and we were rally rushing because wee Josiah was singing and dancing in his School Christmas Performance. Well, we were doing pretty well and then, one hour from Sefton, we had a flat tyre! Middle of nowhere ... pouring rain! Disaster!

David 'Mr Fixit' Strachan made a grand effort to get the spare wheel off, but to no avail. Away Pastor Danny went to find someone. 'Fat chance', I thought! Middle of nowhere. Not even Danny, with his millions of uncles, brothers, friends and mother-in-laws could find someone on this mountain!


But, would you believe it ... back he came with a wee guy in tow, "He is a vulcaniser' beamed Danny. And a vulcaniser he was! This wee guy was like Asterix the Gaul or Popeye! He changed the tyre in seconds and soon we were on our way ... with a few laughs on the way home! Bad news ... missed Josiah by 10 minutes. Good news ... we didn't miss much - it was a 'no show' day for the wee man!

After a bit of a rest it was all go for parties. So on Friday 19th we went to the Cornerstone Party - a few games of bowling and then back to the church to eat. All the pastors with their families were there ... great night. It was also Peter Strachan's 16th that week .. so we got the big guy a cake and celebrated Cornerstone style!


On Saturday morning Lydia was performing at her School Christmas Performance ... now she was a star! Her class recited a Christmas poem and did a fantastic ' ' dance! I had hoped to have downloaded already, but our Internet has been terrible these last few weeks) Someone in the UK had given David & Grace money to take the children's Home to McDonalds ... and that was a great time.

I had a great week because poor David was the popular choice for all the Christmas events and parties - jail ministry (twice), Sunday services, Men's Ministry, watchnight services etc. He worked like a Trojan! I was his official driver! One of the highlights came on Christmas Eve in Nagassican. What a night!

The place was packed with people. All excited. Most had very little of this world's possessions but I guarantee you could not find a happier place on earth that night. We sang, the youth danced and David preached. David went out and put on his Santa's outfit ... you should have heard the gasps from the Filipinos! No-one here has even seen anyone dressed as Santa. So David brought the house down.


The kids were all given a gift (chosen and wrapped by Pastor Danny and his wife Jane) and the kids just hugged and held their present for ages, before opening. Some kids never even opened their gift .. and I asked the parents "Appai? Why?" Because it is the only gift they will receive on Christmas day and they want to open it tomorrow.

Selah.

I will take up the story again ... tomorrow! Goodnight ....

Catch Up After Christmas ...

Merry Christmas ... Happy New Year ... Happy Valentines ... life moves on so quickly!

So much to blog about. So many things have happened. So many things going on. So many things to do. So many things planned. So many ...

What a great Christmas we had! The Strachan family (David, Grace, Peter & Grace Louise) from Peterhead came and visited us over Christmas. We had a wonderful time ... especially me, because David ended up preaching at all the Cornerstone special Christmas parties and events!! Weyhey! I felt like I had a week off!

Over the next week I will write blogs about:

* Our kids @ Christmas
* Christmas @ Sefton
* Street Pastors
* Singapore
* Manny Paquiao

* 2009 Plans

I have challenged all our Pastors and Leaders of Ministries here at Sefton to start up their own blogs so that the amazing things they are doing can be spread around the world. So, hopefully, you will be able to keep track of most of our Cornerstone Churches, an SBTC blog, Feeding Programme Blog, Powerhouse Blog etc. I will let you know all their website addresses after they report back to me this week. Should be great!


I want to start the year off with a bit of a laugh. Mary & I have some friends that always say the wrong word at the wrong time. And, although the word is completely out of context, it sounds so funny. Know what I mean? We all know folk like that. Anyway, I have just read a BBC article about some of the clangers that George Bush has dropped. I know he is a Christian man and that he is the President of the USA, but he is not so good at articulating what he thinks. They actually have a new word that describes the problem of poor articulation - 'Bushism'

Just read these quotes and have a giggle (no offence intended!):

"They misunderestimated me."
Bentonville, Arkansas, 6 November, 2000

"I want to thank my friend, Senator Bill Frist, for joining us today. He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."
Nashville, Tennessee, 27 May, 2004

"For a century and a half now, America and Japan have formed one of the great and enduring alliances of modern times."
Tokyo, 18 February, 2002

"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

"I think war is a dangerous place." Washington DC, 7 May, 2003

"The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the - the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."
Washington DC, 27 October, 2003

"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."
Washington DC, 17 September, 2004

"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror." CBS News, Washington DC, 6 September, 2006

"Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"
Florence, South Carolina, 11 January, 2000

"It's clearly a budget. It's got a lot of numbers in it."
Reuters, 5 May, 2000

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."
Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 6 September, 2004

"Will the highways on the internet become more few?"
Concord, New Hampshire, 29 January, 2000

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Saginaw, Michigan, 29 September, 2000

"Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream."
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 18 October, 2000

"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."
Tucson, Arizona, 28 November, 2005

"And truth of the matter is, a lot of reports in Washington are never read by anybody. To show you how important this one is, I read it, and [Tony Blair] read it."
On the publication of the Baker-Hamilton Report, Washington DC, 7 December, 2006

"See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction." Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 3, 2003

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

"We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease." —Gothenburg, Sweden, June 14, 2001

"We both use Colgate toothpaste." —after a reporter asked what he had in common with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Camp David, Md., Feb. 23, 2001

"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And, folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it." —Philadelphia, Penn., May 14, 2001

"It is white." —after being asked by a child in Britain what the White House was like, July 19, 2001

"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. It is our number one priority and we will not rest until we find him." —Washington, D.C., Sept. 13, 2001

"I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority." —Washington, D.C., March 13, 2002

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."
Washington DC, 12 May, 2008

Enjoy 2009 .... and May the Lord bless you and your family.

P.s. - Little Eunice Hope has made a prefect recovery. Pastor Winston wants me to thank all who prayed for her. Thanks!

Jesus-Too Small A Price

I stumbled across this amazing song about the thief on the cross by Don Francisco. I heard Don sing this song live three times - and every time the congregation were captivated. And at the end we all just stood up and worshipped ... incredible.

Listen to the words mor than the graphics. And remember ...

When you know Christ - your last breath on earth is your first breath in heaven!

A Quick Prayer Request ...

I will finish my sporting blog tomorrow - I have a new prayer request for you.

The little girl in the photo above is Eunice Hope Bao-in and she is the beautiful daughter of two of our staff - Winston (Cornerstone Pastor) and Mary Jane (Teacher). She has just turned one and she is lovely. This picture was taken yesterday morning.

Yesterday afternoon, Eunice Hope managed to climb to the top of her crib .. and fell down on to the cement floor. She bruised her face, split her two lips and she has a bad scrape on her face (below)


Please pray for her - that her face would completely heal and that there would be no permanent scars or marks. Pray also for Winston & Mary Jane ...I think they got a bit of a scare!

It is wonderful when we can 'bear each others burdens' and pray for each other. And it is wonderful to know that we don't only have a God that we serve ... but a God that really cares.

If you have any message to Wisnton, Mary Jane or Eunice, please post it here or go to Winston's Facebook page.

Blessings ...

david narey of scotland against brazil world cup spain 82

A Brazilian goal against the Brazilians... Pity it only made them angry!

Aberdeen FC v Real Madrid

Super Dons! Our greatest Night!

Aberdeen 2 Hamburg 0

Enjoy this my NE pals!

A Question of Sport?

The Philippines is bereft of sporting heroes or teams. In a generation when speed, height and physique is of paramount importance in sport ... Filipinos genetically have very few of these essential attributes. Major sports like Football (soccer), baseball, American Football, Tennis, Swimming are not common, or even unseen.

Basketball to a Filipino is like football is to a European or Baseball is to an American. It is the national sport played in every square meter of the country. You can see hoops everywhere ... even in the most remote of areas! They love basketball. Even though Filipinos are small ... they are nimble and very accurate in passing and shooting. But they are never going to win the Basketball Olympics!

Olympics ... what a terrible word to the Filipino! It has been many decades since a Filipino has graced the podium in any sport. In fact, the 'dream', as in past Olympics, is to win at least ONE MEDAL ... even a bronze! But alas, there was no-one who even came close! "It's the taking part that counts", the headlines stated as the 'heroes' came home. Is it?

I come from a country that loves sport ... em, loves football really! But there is something special when YOUR team or YOUR player wins a tournament or achieves greatness. Here are a few of mine:

* Who can forget Archie Gemmil's amazing goal v Holland?

* My first ever football game in 1983 -13 years old, Pittodrie, Aberdeen 4 Rangers 0. Amazing experience.

* My first European Game, a few months later - Aberdeen 2 Hamburg 0. Listen to this ... Aberdeen were OFFICIALLY the best team in Europe. We had beaten Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Hamburg.

* Jim Watt ... I was only young but I remember those amazing fights

* Home Internationals - I remember 1976(?) Scotland beating England at Wembley ... and the fans sitting on the crossbar!

* David Narey's goal v Brazil

* Gothenberg! Aberden beating Real Madrid in Eoropean Cup Winners Cup Final. Classic!

* The yearly excitement of 'Jockey on the Hockey' v Bristow and co.

* Scotland Rugby team winning Grand slam ... Calder, Hastings brothers etc.

* Andy Murray's win v Federer last month - wow!

Sport, at it's best, CAN bring a feel good factor to an individual or even a nation. It's not bad thing. I remember being in Ghana ... they are football crazy! The whole nation stops to watch their national under 17 team on TV! I went to a few games in Kumasi ... unbelievable passion!

But, to be honest, being Scottish usually means that we have to live with a phrase that rings true - 'Glorious Failures' Yes, we often fail, but we fail with style. We are magnificent against the best of teams, but when opposition comes that we should blow away ... we blow it! I cannot begin to tell you the amount of 'If Only's' we Scotls have had! Mmmmmmm.... don't go there! So sport can bring joy ... and tears!

Here in the Philippines, as most of our visitors will tell you, we can still get good old British football! I am very friendly with the owner of our cable company, and every week I just text what channel the game I want to watch is on ... and there it is! Any game, anywhere in the world - even Old Firm Derbys! I just give a wee bag of donuts for all the staff every month as a 'thank you' ... wow. I must admit, I love watching the Premiership - listening to Andy Gray and John Motson commentate on some great games. It is so good for me to watch a sport I love and listen to familiar British voices. Yup, sport can bring joy!

Here in the Philippines there is not much hope or joy amongst the people. There is so much poverty and so much corruption. Most Filipinos have a hand to foot lifestyle. Even amongst our staff, very few even have back accounts. Their attitude is - if we have a roof over our head, food on our table and can provide enough money to give our kids an education ... that's enough.

But my observation is this: One man, more than any other, brings more joy, pride and hope to Filipinos - Manny Pacquiao.

Don't know about him? Tell you all about him tomorrow!

Until then, enjoy your own sporting memories ...

I've put a few of my memories for you to see above! Enjoy!

Gutted

There are some nights that I go to my bed absolutely satisfied. Maybe I have seen lives changed, made a good decision, achieved or accomplished something, won a battle, happy with an event or ministry or just downright thankful for the amazing life I live.

But there are some days where I feel 'Where did I go wrong?", or "What happened" or "Why Lord?" Today was one of those days, unfortunately. Gotta deal with them, coz they come thick and fast sometimes!

The day started well enough. Thirteen people arrived from Cornerstone Singapore at 2am - they are here for a Missions Trip. We met at the hospital and told them, "Guys, be prepared to be challenged and maybe even shocked by what you are going to experience and see." I know it's not easy for any of us to go into a hospital where desperation lurks in every ward. Little did I know that it was me that was going to have the biggest challenge.

I helped the Prayer Team in the first room - Infants and toddlers (although sometimes you get kids, men, women .. all mixed together!) As we started to pray, a mother from teh other side of the room cried, "Doctor, Doctor" and began to cry. I went over as she picked up her wee boy and began to stroke him. "Don't go, Don't go ... mummy has a lollipop here for you!" I heard the 'death rattle' from this little boy and I knew this was serious. Within seconds, around 20 students nurses gathered round the wee boy and began to give oxygen and heart massage. The mother was hysterical. They kept on trying until the Doctor came. This big doctor came in, checked the boys heart and pulse, and said, "Patay (dead)" and then walked out!

I was stunned! The nurses began immediately to take out the drip from his lifeless hand. Everybody left, except me and the mother. I went over to her and felt such compassion. I wanted to fight for this boy. His body was still warm but his lips were blue. I began to cry out to the Lord, "Please Lord, let breath come back. Let his spirit return. Healing. Hope. Miracle." It is so hard to pray when you know the whole ward is watching you and a mother is next to you grieving for her son. But I felt I had to. I kept praying, believing.

But there was no change. No breath. I prayed for the mum and left to go and cry. I felt I should go back, so I did. The little boy was wrapped in a blanket by his mum. 'Don't be cold my son", she cried. I sat down beside her again and prayed for the life of this young boy. Nothing.

I went out again and the Ministry Team began to pray for the mum. James Aquino told me that the boy had started coughing a couple of days before and they thought it was a common cold. He was brought yesterday and they diagnosed it as Bronchitis. Within a day .. he was gone. In the morning he was given an orange lollipop ... but he never had the chance to eat it.

I felt I should at least pay her bill, as she seemed to be really poor. I found out she was so poor that it was considered a Charity Case. I wanted to give some money towards a coffin but I could not find the mum. "She's in the morgue," the chief nurse said, "Follow me!" My goodness, the last place I wanted to go was a morgue!

The 'Morgue' was just a few pieces of galvanised iron nailed together with only two walls and a roof! I found the mum sitting there alone, crying. "What would Jesus do?" I thought to myself? I picked up the baby, now almost cold, and prayed to the Lord. Nothing. I cried and handed him back to his mum. I gave my gift to help her, prayed for her and walked away. Feeling empty.

I drove to the school where we were doing a feeding programme ... but my heart wasn't in it! I was surrounded by beautiful, healthy children ... but my thoughts were with a wee boy that died of a simple illness. I was gutted.

Today, I have been really sad. Why? Why did this beautiful wee boy have to die? Why did my prayers, given so earnestly, seem to have no effect. Why do the poor suffer so much? Why?

I came home and found Josiah playing. "Thank you Lord", I prayed to myself. For his health, his personality, for his sense of humour, for his (daddy's!) good looks, for the joy he brings, for the future he has ... for the life he lives. The little boy I prayed for will never have the opportunities my son has. And yet, I remember a day when my little boy was sick with Pneumonia and the Doctor said to me, "If this medicine doesn't work, we have no more hope or options." Through prayers and a good Doctor ... he made it.

I keep wondering what that family are doing now. At the end of the day, I did what I could. I know that at those difficult moments ... we have to leave it with God. Our times ARE in his hands. It's just hard when the conclusion doesn't make sense.


I would like you to pray for another handsome wee boy I met today. His name is Angelo (above) and he has just turned 1 year old. Exactly 21 days ago he took a seizure ... and he has been in a coma ever since. He is still in hospital but is not responding pr opening his eyes. The family has no money for a CT scan or EEG scan. I was in a hurry to catch up with the Singaporeans so I had just time to pray for him and speak to his mum. PLEASE pray for this boy ... he is such a wee cutie. Pray for a miracle - that he would come out of his coma and be completely healed. That his life will IN NO WAY be affected by this seizure.

Our God always answers prayers. He doesn't always answer in the way that we want ... but he always answers.

I'm going to bed now. I am praying that tomorrow will be different.

Selah ...

There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long and find
There is none like You

Your mercy flows like a river wide
And healing comes in Your name
Suffering children are safe in Your arms
There is none like You

There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long and find
There is none like You

Cold Weather ... Cool Blog?

Ittt''ssss freeeeezzzziiinnn here! Yup, the temperature has dipped down to 23.5 degrees! No air-con, no fans and blankets in bed! Bbbbrrrrrrrr .... we missionaries have to really suffer in these cold conditions!

Seriously, the weather has changed. It's so funny in the Philippines. In April, it is cool one day and you wake up the next and it is roasting! The Filipinos say, "Summers here!" And it is! The Lord just seems to say to the weather angel, "Flick the switch" ... and the weather changes. Same in November. It's hot and then - boom - it's cold. Amazing! In Scotland, I think the Lord has an apprentice angel flicking the switch ... and he doesn't seem to know what he is doing!!!!

Hope you like the new style blog. I am determined to keep consistent in my blogging. But I really would love more people to find out what's going on! I think in 2007 we had over 100 people per day checking out the blog, but now, because of my inconsistency, it has dropped way down. I am believing that by Christmas we can get it up to 100 a day ... and build from there.

Can you help me? Why don't you email everyone who knows about Sefton, or who you would like to introduce to Sefton - or even people from your family, friend or folk from church - and ask them to check out our new blog. On the new blog there are a few things that might interest you:

* Blogs that I read

* You can check out the latest Christian music and listen before you buy

* You can search God Tube - a great site for Christian videos

* Check out some devotional stuff from Chuck Swindoll

* Search Christianity.com - a great site for anything about Church, Christianity & Leadership

* You can look up YouTube videos

* You can see the latest news/travel advice from the Philippines

* Read the latest stuff from Time Magazine

* Get a Hagar cartoon every day - one of my favourites (not Mary's!!!!!)

* Check the date and time (in case you are half asleep!)

So please enjoy and I will try and keep things rolling along. Today, a team of 13 arrive from Singapore for a missions trip ... so there is plenty to blog about! PLEASE leave a comment or sign our guestbook (right) and if there is anything you think would be a great idea or addition for me to include in the blog ... let me know. Or if you have been to Sefton and would like to write something that I can put into the blog .. I would be delighted.

Well, I am going back to my hot cup of tea under my warm blanket ...

Chill....

Week of Power ...

Assemblies of God (AG) in the Philippines have geographical areas which they call Districts. Within these Districts they have smaller areas which are called Sections. This is the American AG pattern. Here in Northern Luzon we have 3 Districts - NELDC, NLDC and NIDC. In each District there are between 200-400 churches.

Every two years, they come together for a Tri-District Conference and they rotate the location. This year, it was the turn of our District (North Eastern Luzon District Council) to host the Conference. NELDC have their District Office here at Sefton and I am one of the District Executive. So .. last week was kinda busy ...

The Conference was from Tuesday-Thursday, but everyone in the District and at SBTC have been planning and preparing for months! Here in the Philippines they set up heaps of Committees to run everything ... although most of the time it is only the one in charge of the committee who actually does anything ... sound familiar? The students have been decorating Sefton in Christmas decorations for weeks! Wherever you go there are decorations, lights and streamers! This has been the project of the students and they have made Sefton look like Blackpool! Check out this amazing star at the top of the Fire Centre (Keith's picture)

We expected around 800 people ... but over 1000 came! At nights they said there were 1200-1500 people at the service ... amazing! Usually we have to drag people to come to the service (Filipino time!) but this week they were actually coming early because we did not have enough seats! A miracle ...

The services were great - it's amazing to worship with over 1000 people in the Fire Centre! What an atmosphere. God gave me a vision that one day we would have that number in our Cornerstone United meetings ... do you believe it? The choir from Roxas (above) sang every night and there was praise and worship from different churches.

But the best part was the performances of our students (I am biased!) They were magnificent. On the first night they did a hands performance, on the second they did The Champion' and on the third night they did a dance/drama called 'Hero' (above) - I am so proud of them. The work that Pastor Lorenz and Joy are doing with them is fantastic. They have brought a whole new dimension to our Bible School.

The preacher was an Afro-American called Dr. Guy Peh. He is originally from Cameroon but has lived in America for many years. He is married to a lady from Belgium and they are both so tall - he is 6ft 7 and she is 6 ft 3! The Filipinos were like dwarfs around him! So funny. But his ministry was great ... a real evangelist. On the last night he spoke about the Fire of the Lord and it made a real impact. Hundreds came forward at the end to receive the Fire! Amazing.

During the day there were seminars (pic below) from Dr Guy, his wife Ilke, our General Superintendent Ray Calusay and our General Secretary Dr. Joseph Suico (who spent 3 years in England studying theology! We sent him off with a bag full of Lyle's syrup, Heinz Salad Cream & Tomato sauce and Tetley T-bags!) These two guys are great men and their seminars were a challenge to Filipinos to 'Rise up' in the area of finances and Missions.

How do you accommodate and feed 1200 people? Don't ask me, but they did! They put people everywhere at Sefton to sleep (and I mean everywhere!), they sent people out to local churches (Cornerstone Santiago had 71!) and they rented a few big halls in town. The Kitchen staff (from Cornerstone Nagassican) did an amazing amount of work - starting 3am every morning! So proud of them. Faceless heroes. We needed them.

So ... the Conference was a great success. Everyone played their part and it went so well. All the visitors were so well looked after. Pastor Marlou was telling me today that at Cornerstone Santiago they provided these 71 visitors with toothpaste, soap, pillows, blankets, tea & coffee and a light meal before they went to bed! Whenever the visitors came in - sometimes after midnight - Pastor Marlou had ushers there to welcome them and to help them in any way they could. That's 'The Cornerstone Way' that we learned from Cornerstoen Singapore and I am so proud of Marlou and our churches.

One last good thing ... it will be 2014 when the next one comes around to Sefton. By then, I will probably be like you ... finding out about it someone else's blog!

Selah ...

Disclaimer: After reading what I have written, I have realised that I have used the word 'proud' a number of times. Mary's mum always says that we shouldn't be proud in a bad way but that it isn't bad to be proud in a good way. So be assured, I mean 'proud' in a good way!

Lydia ... My Wee Superstar!

Here's my wee dancing princess with all her friends dancing last Sunday!

C'Mon United....

What a week at Sefton Village! We had Cornerstone United on Sunday and then Tuesday-Thursday we had an AoG Tri-District Conference. I will blog about the conference tomorrow, but first ... Cornerstone United.

The United service is usually on the first Sunday of the month and all our Cornerstone Churches gather together to lift up Jesus. Usually there are around 400-500, sometimes more, sometimes less. But it is a wonderful atmosphere.

I was so blessed and challenged last Sunday. I felt that we should do things a little differently than 'normal'. Instead of a main speaker, I felt that we should invite four of our leaders share what was on their hearts. In between, we would praise, worship and pray. First up were the Powerhouse Dancers ... wee Lydia included! They are a real blessing and they practice so hard. Their song was brilliant -"I have nothing ... If I don't have Jesus."

Then a man called Fanto gave his amazing testimony. He was high up in the army but led a terrible life - he was a murderer, womaniser and drunkard. He was put in BJMP. But there, he found Jesus, through the ministry of Pastor August and the Cornerstone Team. Well, what a transformation! He was released a few weeks ago is presently staying in the room of Pastor August! He wasn't to go to Bible School, enter the ministry and devote his life to the Lord. This hard guy has been given a new heart! He has a long way to go and many things to sort out ... but he is well on the way. It's really strange ... young August is his advisor and mentor!

Then Maribel gave a word - she is the wife of Pastor Adonis (above) - and she is one of the most sincere and lovely people you could ever meet. Her message was 'Don't Worry!" and she was excellent.

After some Praise and worship, led by Cristina and the Santiago Team, Pastora Theresa (above) shared. Well, she is one of my heroes ... without even speaking a word! She spoke about 'Overcoming Weakness with Strength' and shared her story. Inspirational and so humble ... her 'pulpit' was a simple chair.

More worship ... and then Pastor Henry spoke. He spoke on "The Power of Having Dream" and showed a PowerPoint on the blessings of the Feeding Programme. He is doing an incredible work. Do you know that in the last two weeks he has had feeding programmes around 8 times! Every time he gets up at 3am to cook all the food! What a heart. We ahve a burden to have the 'Food for Thought' programme running 5 days a week. Henry needs strength!

Last, but not least, was Pastor Danny. He spoke about 'Intimacy with God" and shared some things form his own life and the church at Nagassican. God is doing great things in Nagassican - they have 'Dawn Watch Prayer' every Friday morning at 4am and in the evening they have a night of prayer. No wonder God is doing great things there. Every night the church is being used. They have around 30-40 young people who have given their lives to Christ and are now in the Drama Group led by Danny's wife Jane. Here they are dancing last Sunday!

Pastor Danny sang a song "I was born to love you" and his dream that was that one day his sons would play the music for him to sing a song to the Lord ... and on Sunday it happened. Dreams come true!

I wrapped things up and we had lots of Henry's food to finish up with. I love United. We now have 7 churches - and another two will be planted next month. There is something wonderful when groups of churches join together to worship Jesus, listen to His Word and just to hang out together. Some of our churches are young and only have 30 or 40 people ... but they love coming together to be part of the big picture! Fantastic!

Be blessed ... and keep praying for us.

SBTC - 'The Champion'

Here is the SBTC Student's performance on the 2nd night of our conference! They did so well.

Jesus IS the champion!

SBTC - 'You Were the Reason'

Here is a world exclusive of the SBTC students' performance last night!

They worked so hard ...