A Most Embarassing Moment!

In February last year I posted a blog in which is quite amazing. If you haven't done it before .. try it now. If you have done it before ... scroll down to find out my terribly embarrassing moment in the UK.

Here is the puzzle -

THINK OF ANY NUMBER BETWEEN 2-9

MULTIPLY THAT NUMBER BY 9

NOW, ADD THE TWO DIGITS OF YOU NUMBER TOGETHER (FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOUR NUMBER IS 34, 3+4=7)

OK, GOT A SINGLE NUMBER NOW?

SUBTRACT 5 FROM YOUR NUMBER

NOW WE CONVERT YOUR NUMBER INTO A LETTER.
A=1, B=2, Z=26 ETC.

THINK OF A COUNTRY BEGINNING WITH THAT LETTER

TAKE THE SECOND LETTER OF THAT COUNTRY AND THINK OF AN ANIMAL BEGINNING WITH THAT LETTER

THINK OF THE COLOUR OF THAT ANIMAL

DO YOU GET ...

A...

A...

A...

A...

Em ....a.....

...A GREY ELEPHANT FROM DENMARK??

Anyway, On my first weekend home I was preaching at Zion Church in Peterhead. There were tons of young people there and so I thought I would amaze them by the gray elephant thing. I even put into my PowerPoint presentation.

So I was in mid flow ... think of a number blah blah blah. At the end of the puzzle I asked "Who has a Gray Elephant from Denmark?" Very few! So I said, "I know you Peterhead folk .. a bit shy. I know that you all got a gray elephant from Denmark." Only a couple of my friends sheepishly put up their hands.

Later, In David Strachan's house, my brother Paul said, "You really blew the Denmark thing eh?" I was stunned. He said that I had forgot to include an important part - subtract 4! So all these poor people had the number 9 instead of 4, so their letter was I instead of D. So they all had green newts from India or black stallions from Israel! I was so embarrassed.

At least I can laugh about it now! So if you were there, my apologies. Hope no permanent psychological damage has occurred!

The only person that ever brings it up is a good friend Colin McLean from Cairnbulg, Scotland. He was there. But a few weeks later, I got revenge. We were watching Aberdeen play at Pittodrie and Aberdeen were awful. Colin stood up and shouted with his loudest voice, "Aberdeen ... you are a clower of showns!" Everybody heard it an laughed. So embarrassing. So next time you see Colin ask how the Clower of Showns are doing now! He said later that next time he would think about what he would shout ... but I reminded him that the worrying thing was that he did think before he shouted! Ha ha

But today, Colin sent me a new conundrum. Try it below. It is quite amazing.

YOUR AGE BY EATING OUT

Don't tell me your age; you probably would tell a falsehood anyway-but your waiter may know!

YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATH


Don't cheat by scrolling down first ... and you may need a calculator!

It takes less than a minute. Work this out as you read .

Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!


1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to Go out to eat.
(more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1758...

If you haven't, add 1757.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number. (I.e. How many times You want to go out to restaurants in a week.)

The next two numbers are **YOUR AGE ! ------ (Oh YES, it is !)**

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2008) IT WILL WORK!


Mmmm... amazing eh? Send this blog to your friends and let them work it out.
And if you ever do it publicly ... make sure you don't miss out a line!

Have a great day!

UK Adventure Part 2 - England

After a quick tour of Edinburgh we headed South down the M6 ... into the great old country of England. By the way ... Sat Nav us great IF you don't know the way to somewhere! It was going to direct me all the way down to Manchester and cut across a few Motorways to get to Rotherham. On paper, it is quicker ... but have you heard about the traffic jams down that way? No way Mr sat nav - I'm going accross the good old A66 to Scotch Corner. Good job I did - huge tailbacks on M6 that night. Shut the thing down, get out your old AA map and live the adventure!

Got to Rotherham on Tuesday afternoon and my sat nav (now switched back on 'coz they are great for finding addresses!) got me to the front doorstep of George Jack ... my cousin who is now Senior Pastor at Rotherham Pentecostal Church. My three Filipio friends were glad to finally reach their destination! Well, if you haven't spent a few days with the Jack family, you haven't really lived! Jayne's cooking is amazing; the kids are wonderful; George's jokes ... well, to be honest, they are terrible! Only kidding. I stayed there for two nights but the Filipinos stayed there all week ... and loved it. Know what? These pastors were hooked on two things in UK - Tescos and the Wii at George Jack's house! They were acting like crazy men as they played Wii sports into the early hours! Great fun. Excellent family. True friends. On the Wednesday we visited my old haunt - Mattersey Hall (above), where I spent three years at Bible School. What a fantastic place. A bit more spruced up now, I can tell you! Some things were surprisingly the same but some things were refreshingly different. We had a cup of tea in the staff room and I thought to myself, "Last time I sat on this settee, it was to get into big trouble!" How the mighty have fallen.

They now have beautiful clasrooms, a cafe, bookshop and chapel. They have done an amazing job. They have built a huge (and I mean HUGE) conservatory that is joined on to the Dining Room. And the food ... well, it was actually delicious. I kid you not. And it didn't even taste remotely like cardboard. In fact, I felt I was in Ikea!!!! Excuse me for waffling on. Memories.


The main reason I was in UK was to preach at the Missions Conference of Rotherham New Life. We started on Thursday night and the theme was 'To Boldly Go ..." and they asked me to preach about going from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria ... to the ends of the earth. The Rotherham New Life (RNL) church has really majored on Mission- both locally and globally.

The Senior Pastor is an Irishman called John Andrews. He has a doctorate but is young and is an inspirational preacher. He also plays a vital role at Mattersey as well as write books, be part of the AoG National Leadership Team and has a lovely family. Don't know how the guy does it.

Actually, I do. He is so disciplined with his life and doesn't waste words, opportunities or time. If you go to the RNL website, you will hear some of John's teaching ... excellent stuff, highly recommended. John has become a good friend and great encourager in my life.

Anyway, back to our trip. We started on Thursday night. The band was great and many of the songs were new. Sometimes you here new somgs and there is an immediate "Naw" rises up within you! But these new songs really spoke to me. Just before I got up to speak, I got a little bit nervous. I think that the fact I was speaking 9 times over the weekend hit me as I sat in the front row! I felt I was just standing at the bottom of a mountain. But, know what? God spoke to me at that mometnt and said so clearly, "You were born for moments like these." I felt strength. I know the Holy Spirit was there, right beside me. That was all I needed.

Friday morning was for Leaders and I shared about 'Revelations that have Changed My Life". I tried to share the revelations and change of paradigms that the Lord has shown me in the last 8 years. I was completely honest and I felt that many were challenged on that day.

The Lord showed me that on Friday night the Holy Spirit really wanted to move and touch the lives of many people. I didn't know how but the Lord clearly asked me to wait on his intruction. Well, I preached about "Jerusalem, the Place of Power" and at the end I gave an invitation for the Baptism of teh Holy Spirit. Some people came and responded. I felt the enemy laughing and saying, "Not much response eh?" But I kept seeking the Lord and the Holy Spirit began to show me areas of people's lives where He wanted me to challenge and pray for people. Well, the floodgates opened. We prayed for so many people. I felt God gave us many prophetic words. The Holy Spirit was moving and lives were being touched and changed. I think we left the building after 11pm! What a night.

Saturday was a family day and RNL had a full kids programme for the children. RNL are so organized and they really looked after us in so many ways. Their kindness and hospitality was exceptional. They had invited Dave Russon (the Directior of AoG UK World Ministries) and his wife Madeline to attend. I also shared a room with my good friend Andrew David from Torquay ... what an experience, what a guy! Brilliant. I gave the vision of Sefton Village and got Kirsty Allen from Fraserburgh to share about the Children's Home as well as the four Filipinos to share about the different ministries of Sefton. I think everyone was glad to hear some other people's voices!

In the afternoon I shared all about Short Term Mission Teams. At night I preached about the cost of serving Christ - What do you do when your world falls apart? (Acts 8) Another really good night.

Sunday was another wonderful day. Preached in the two services about Walking by Faith. Really felt the people were listening and were being challenged. Some places are hard to minister in, but RNL is great because the people are so hungry and so 'into' missions. Ended the day at George's church at Station Road. Our Filipino Pastors were ministering there and I wanted to say goodbye to the Jack family and my Aunty Helen and Uncle George (below). I was so blessed to see them come and support me over the weekend ... teh extra 400 miles!

Didn't sleep that night! Drove through the night to Manchester Airport. August and I had a nightmare time at the Airport, but that's another blog! In the end, I was so glad to get out of the country!!

But we had a great time. People were so good to us. Everywhere. I felt that our minisry was so well recieved and that people are really behind us here at Sefton Village. I know we are not alone.

A special thanks to John Andrews, his lovely wife Dawn and their family. Thanks also to Steve and Hannah Prosser from RNL for looking after us so well. Big thanks to the Mattersey Team who came on Mission to Sefton in March - so many of them came to the Conference. Big thanks to a special family in Scotland who did more than anyone will know to make ourt trip possible. You know who you are and we are so grateful. Biggest thanks to my mum and dad ... mum for coming out here to help in so many ways. To my dad for meing a mum to these Filipinos when mum was not there! Good job dad! We never starved and our clothes were always clean(ish)!

Feel like I have just made an album and an writing all the credits ... so I'll stop here!

Uk trip - fantastic. If we met you, ate with you, or if you blessed us in any way .... we love you for that.

Until next time ...

Home Sweet Home

In September I had the privilege of coming home to UK for almost a month. I attended a Bible School Director's Conference in Singapore and then headed to Scotland from there. Mary & the kids had to stay at home because of schooling etc. So I took this once-in-a lifetime-opportunity to bring 4 of my Pastors with me - Winston Bao-in, Marlou Javier, James Aquino and August Manio (chickenpox and all!!)

The main reason for me coming home was to minister at Rotherham New Life's Missions Weekend - If Not Now When ... To Boldly Go. More about that later!

The majority if my time was spent in the NE Scotland. My mum flew out to Sefton whilst I was in UK and I came back to Philippines with my dad. So proud of my mum .. 7 weeks in the Phiippines in the roasting heat and no dad to keep her right!! Well done mum ... knew you could do it! Women power!

The first couple of weeks were jam packed - me and the guys speaking in so many churches, youth groups, children's clubs, Sunnybrae ... you name it! In between we did brilliant things ... fishing in a wee boatie Gamrie (unforgetttable!), going to see Aberdeen at Pittodrie (very forgettable!!) and a lot of other exciting things.

Best things was meeting up with my family and friends again. Brilliant. Met so many people - every day we were booked for lunch AND evening meals at friend's homes. Scottish people are the most lovely, kind, hospitable and generous folk. Highlight was seeing - for the first time - my new little niece Eve Flett. She is a smasher! Mary's brother Bruce and his wife Alison have been given a most precious gift. Thank you Lord.


Also had the great On Sundays we were pretty busy in the churches. So many churches. My Filipino Pastors loved it! We also had two 100% Filipino services for the Filipino fishermen in Fraserburgh. I preached at Fraserburgh AoG, New Hope Peterhead, Elim Fraserburgh, Calvary Fraserburgh and also at Kings Church in Aberdeen. Must say that we saw the Lord move in all of these services. Even met John Knox (below!)


Another highlight for me was the opportunity to preach at my best friend Ben's induction service. What a great night! So many folk from so many churches ... way it should be! Had the honour of preaching at Zion Church in Peterhead and baptising a really special guy called Peter Strachan. Memories. Especially the homebakes ... MMMMmmmm.


We travelled up to Wick with the guys to see Mary's mum & dad and all our friends up there. Beautiful journey up the coast. So wonderful to see my outlaws ... sorry inlaws ... again. They looked after us so well. They are really special and I admire them so much for the amazing way they handle the fact that we, including their grandkids, are so far away so often. This is the hardest part of being a missionary. Not only do we pay the cost ... they pay it much more. This is the greatest sacrifice. They are my heroes.

We spoke at the Over 60's in the Salvation Army and Marlou gave a presentation about 'Life in the Philippines'. I challenged them to think of some questions for Marlou and one lady, whom I know very well, shouted out (in broad Caithness) "How dye cook yir chikin?" We laughed about that all the way to Edinburgh! Folk in Wick like to get their oriental chicken recipes! We went to Edinburgh for a couple of nights. We walked the Royal Mile (with only my T-shirt because I left my jacket in Fraserburgh!) saw the castle and drove along Princes Street. It really is THE most beautiful City in the World. At night we had an went to amazing Korma with my friends Jenny & David. What a day! Getting tired now! Been round Scotland in thirty minutes. Next blog will be about our time in England.

Until then ... Be good and live the dream!

Comeback Time!

I'm back! I'm alive! How are ye? Long time since I saw you at the other side of your computer screen!

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. No excuses, except ... well, no excuses.

So many things have happened since my last blog. Unbelievable. I feel as if I have been constantly travelling from one end of the world to another since September and that I have only stopped this week! I will blog about some of the adventure very soon. Promise.

Right now, I am so tired an need to crash into bed. I will leave you with a few pics. So don't worry ... the real deal is making a comeback!

I would love to get a comment from you so I know who is still actually reading my blog and who have given up hope! Come on, encourage me to start again ... and you'll never believe what might happen! Goodnight, Mark

SCOTLAND

Aberdeen, Scotland Airport

Praise the Lord we are here in a beautiful place of Scotland! We just arrived last Friday and wow its really amazing, Scotland is a Beautiful place with lovely Scottish people, that's true and I'm not kidding. I'm very happy to meet our friends here in Scotland. The people here are generous, kind, lovely, caring, giver and I love their smile, they are excellent. Even though we are a Filipino they (Scottish) received/accept us as their brother in Christ. So I want to thanks all the brethren here in Scotland. I pray that God will continue to bless you.
One night God gave me a very clear vision (November 2005), in that vision God showed me to send me to Scotland, and I said to the Lord, "Lord let your will be done!" but in m heart I don't want to go not because I don't like Scotland, it's because I'm not good in speaking English and its very hard for me to preach in English. That's true! But one day God spoke to my heart and said to me, "My son, this is the beginning of fulfillment of every promises that I gave to you!" Yes, God is faithful and I'm here now in the Beautiful place of Scotland. Friends, maybe God gave you a vision and dreams but as the days goes by just like nothing to happen it seems like your dream is dead and now you are very discouraged and disappointed but I want to tell you that every promises of God is yes and amen and I pray that God will resurrect that dreams.
Also, pray for us (Marlou, Winston,James, August, and Mark) because there is a "STOMACH PROGRESS" here, I mean there is a lot of food here, oh my the people here loves to serve us and the food is very delicious, the brethren here prepared a lots of food and we ate a lots of food, hahaha..... I think I'm very big now...
Next week I will show you many pictures so that you will see the Beautiful place of Scotland.
I really missed my family (my wife and my 3 beautiful kids), please pray for my son Marc David (20 months old) for his healing. This week (Monday)my wife went to clinic to check up our son and the Doctor said that my son need for an operation 'coz there is a problem in his testicles but I believe that God is able to heal our son. I'm not asking for money, all I need is your prayers and that is enough for us. I know that this is the attack of the enemy to my family and to me and the enemy wants to discouraged me and my wife but God will never,never, never leave us nor forsake us! Amen and God bless you!

Cornerstone Blogs

Hi folks. Well, this morning I am absolutely shattered! Finished our newsletter at 2am and got up early with two exited kids jumping around shouting, "No school today...no school today!" My goodness! What a way to start a week!

Never mind, shouldn't grumble! Had a great weekend. God is doing brilliant things here. I just wanted you to take note that a few of our leaders also blog. Our youth Pastor Daben has a blog and he mainly shares about the youth. Pastor Marlou, the Pastor of Cornerstone Santiago, also has a blog and I thought I would cut 'n' paste his last blog to give you an idea of his style. Enjoy and look his blog up sometimes. If you know him...leave him a comment. I know he would appreciate it!

Here is life & ministry in the last few weeks from Marlou's perspective:

"I always share to our members here at Cornerstone Church Santiago that these Church is a without wall Church, a Church that will reach those who are ready to be harvested. Our cell group is really growing specially in Schools. In one school alone we have 34 students who are active in attending our cell groups and this morning I and Ptr. Jun are praying for this ministry and God shows us how to reach the students.

So Ptr. Jun and I will meet our key leaders tonight to plan and prepare, because I believe God has a wonderful plan for this. Last overnight prayer meeting God gave me a word about the campus ministry. Wow, I’m really excited about this, so continue to pray for us. I saw the favor of God upon us, one of our cell group at bagong silang is also growing, before our cell leader started a cell group in small room but last week the room is to small for them so they decided to move to a bigger place. And now we have a cell group in community center and many young people are attending in this cell group.

About Youth Ministry, it’s really growing. Before, about 10 to 12 are attending the youth group, but now about 80 to 100 young people are attending our Friday youth service, and thank you elders and deacons of Cornerstone Church Santiago because you really support the Youth Group not only your presence is there but you used your money to extend the Kingdom of God, someday God will reward you.

About feeding program, from June 16 to July 31 we fed around 6,000 kids. Bro. Henry (one of the Elder of the Church) doing well and God is with him. And we want to extend our thanks those who really helping this ministry to reach the poor, especially the UK Team and Cornerstone Church Singapore.

About Hospital Ministry, still doing fine, this morning all the Pastors went to the patients and pray for healing. But I and August went to two rooms and preached the good news, I really enjoy sharing the Word to this people and Praise the Lord they received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Last week the Singaporean team are here, they are a blessings for us. Maureen is our speaker at Cornerstone Santiago especially in youth and Sunday morning service, she really encourage us, especially when she shared about WAITING. It’s true that most of us are impatient, right? That is the reason why, we want fast food, instant noodles, instant healing, and instant partners. But you know there is a blessing in waiting.
Sunday night service is amazing service, we have our own program but Praise the Lord God is in control. The presence of the Lord is very strong, and God gave a Word to Ptr. Mark about “Faith of Children,” and we ask all the kids to come at the front to pray for them and after ward the kids prayed for the adults. When that things happen I remember the book that I read about the French prophet in the year of 1685, ‘ children as young as 3 years old both prophesied and delivered discourses in perfect, fluent French even though this was not their native tongue. On one occasion, a fourteen (14) month old child, who previously had never spoken, suddenly began exhorting “to the works of Repentance” in a childish voice’ PRAISE THE LORD!

About Bible School, I and Pastor Mark teach about Acts of the Holy Spirit and Church History and we really enjoy it. On one occasion, as we teach about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to the Bible school students, suddenly those who are not baptize in the Holy Spirit were filled with the Holy Spirit and we saw the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. It’s really amazing and all I can say is GLORY TO GOD!"

www.cornerstonechurchsantiago.blogspot.com

www.ccsgenerations.blogspot.com

This Is Our God - Hillsong Music Australia

This video is incredibly challenging,

I don't know Mike or even heard him preach. But in the last few years I have heard snippets of his story and have prayed for him.

Yesterday I came across this video and I was so challenged and inspired.

No matter what you are going through ... He is your portion, your deliverer, your strength and your healer.

PLEASE take time to watch this ... and allow God to touch your life.

Mark

Hillsong Live - Healer (This Is Our God)

This is the whole song recorded live at Hillsongs. Amazing.

Words Women USe the Most

Well, Mary isn't feeling too well and is safely tucked up in bed. Coast is clear. Time to do a blog that will bring a laugh to all men out there ... and roll the eyes of a few women. Enjoy and learn guys ....


1. Fine- this is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to Keep Quiet.

2. Five Minutes - if she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have been given five minutes to watch a game before helping around the house. lol

3. Nothing - this is the calm before the storm. This means something and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4. Go Ahead- this is a dare, not permission. Don't do IT.

5. Loud Sigh- this is actually a word but a non- verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are not getting it and wonders why she is wasting her time arguing with you about 'nothing' (refer back to No. 3 for the meaning of nothing).

6. That's Okay - this is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you would pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks- a woman is thanking you, do not question or faint. Just say "you are welcome"

8. Whatever - is a woman's way of saying "I dont need your help!"

9. Don't worry about it, I got it- another dangerous statement meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What is wrong?". For the woman's response refer to #3.

New Life Weekend!

Well, the team from Fraserburgh, Scotland are well and truly home now. We had a wonderful time with them. I have returned from a Cornerstone Pastors Summit in Malaysia/Singapore and yesterday we celebrated the 4th Birthday of my lovely son Josiah. All news, views and photos of the above events will be blogged about soon!

Just want to let you know of an amazing weekend we had when the team were here. On the Saturday and Sunday we had the privilege to baptise over 60 new believers! Around 23 were baptised in the jail and around 38 were baptised here at Sefton after the Cornerstone United service. We had to baptise in three rows because there were so many to be baptised (plus it was scorching hot!) I was so blessed because I was able to baptise folk alongside one of my best friends Kenny. What a moment! I will never forget.

God us doing some great things among us. We are seeing a great number of people committing their lives to Christ - particularly in Cauayan and also in Nagssican. The church in San Isidro is also growing, even though they have 'no fixed abode'! Keep praying that these new believers will follow the Lord through the rest of their lives and become great disciples of Christ in their lives.

In the jail, Pastor August is doing such a great ministry. He and his sister Mildred have been so faithful and they are now seeing fruit for their labour. I am so blessed every time I go there. They are leading their own meetings, leading the w praise & worship, writing their own songs, testifying ... and they have 7 preachers who are on a rota every week! They even take up the offering ... in a jail! August is trying to teach them about the blessings of giving.


The people in jail are not convicted criminals ... they are waiting for their trial. For example, I met a guy last week who was in jail for 7 years. His name is Dennis and inside jail he found the Lord through the ministry of Cornerstone. He was only 15 years old when he went to jail and was released when he was 23. His two friends murdered someone and because he was in the vicinity of the crime, the police also arrested him. He had nothing to do with the murder but he had no money to prove it.

On his release papers (above) it says that, "He has served his sentence of 10 days imprisonment." It took 7 years to complete a ten day sentence... i.e. he was innocent all that time. Imagine. It doesn't bear thinking about. Your best years of your life ... gone. Your reputation ... gone. Your integrity ... gone. Your hope ... gone. But ... Dennis found the Lord in jail! He has faithfully attended the services at the jail and he really wants to serve the Lord. His family have rejected him and he has nowhere to turn to. But Pastor August and his family are trying to help him find work so he can find his place again in the society that let him down so badly.

Please pray for those 61 people who were baptised last week. Pray for August and his team who minister faithfully to people like Dennis. Pray for Dennis (above), that he finds work, continues to walk with the Lord and that he will put the past behind him. Pray for our Pastors who are serving the Lord in our local Cornerstone Churches. Pray for a greater harvest.

Be blessed and encouraged ...

Mission Almost Accomplished!

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of blogging recently. Been so so busy with the team from Scotland being here. There are 16 of them and the programme is full. Morning until night stuff! I am presently trying to find time to phone my mum and dad in between the busyness!

We are having a great time. So many things are happening on so many levels. Schools, Feeding programmes, medical missions, Electrical work, Bible School teaching, hospital ministry, leadership seminars, etc.etc. We also had a short visit from our ex-director Mike Dixon and his friend Dr. Graham Rideal. We packed so much into 24 hrs! Graham is excellent at saxophone and we were able to go around every prison cell to minister to the inmates. They loved it! Graham was playing some pretty cool stuff ... but almost played 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Please Release me!" MMMmm ....


When they first arrived, in true Steve Ritchie fashion, a typhoon arrived - Typhoon Helen. Problem was that for two days the schools were all off, which affected our feeding programmes and school ministry. Never mind, as Mary's mum told me once, necessity is the mother of invention!

After those first few days, the weather became even hotter than usual. I mean ... super hot! Yesterday, my air con and fans were on all day and my house was still 32 degrees! Outside in the shade, it read 42 degrees. Melting. Even the Filipinos are complaining. These poor Scots ... Anyway, if you want to catch up on what the team are doing, then go to their blog. They are trying to do one every day by different members of the team. So check it out. The web address is: www.qrfseftonmission.blogspot.com

The team leave on Sunday and will fly on Tuesday. Matthew and I are going to a Cornerstone Leaders Summit in Malaysia on Monday. Please pray for us as we go there. Pray that we will be blessed, but also be a blessing. Pray too for Mary as she tries to minister and also look after the kids whilst dad is away.

Pray too for the Visa applications of four of our Pastors whom I am planning to bring to the UK with me in September - Winston, Marlou, James Aquino & August. If they are accepted, all I have to do is find finances for two of their flights! But I cannot move on until we have the Visas. They have been to the interviews and are awaiting news of their application. They should know this week. Please pray they are successful as I really want to bring them to UK for exposure, relationship building and just to help me!

Will blog soon ...

Here's Lookin' at You kid

Yesterday we celebrated the 6th Birthday of my beautiful daughter Lydia. She has been talking about her birthday for months ... so it was wonderful when the great day arrived! We thank the Lord for our children every day. They are our most precious greatest gift and our greatest treasures.

She was so happy. She got up bright and early with a huge smile on her face. She opened her presents from her family and friends. She was so blessed ... she got a PINK little digital camera which she loves from one granny and granda. her other granny and granda had given her lots of things for her new room. Mummy and daddy gave her a small CD player because she is in the Cornerstone dance group now and Kirsty our spy found out that they don't have a CD player to practice with! So now they have and Lydia is over the moon!

Off she went to school to meet her classmates. At 9:30, mum and dad went down to give out the cake and juice at break time. The cake went everywhere ...the kids' faces were covered with blue icing! So funny. After school, it was change of clothes and off to the Children's Home to celebrate with them! Another lovely 'Disney Princess' Cake for all the children and staff. Mmmmm..... thus birthday deal is great!

At 5:30pm we were off again ... for Lydia to take all her best friends to McDonalds for her party. All the dance Group was there, kids from Sefton Village and other wee people. Of course, lots of big people were there too. The kids had a great party ... and every one of them were given balloons, tons of toys...and of course McDonalds grub! So good. And of course ... cake ... her third one (given by the big chicken!)

Biggest surprise was still to come! I went to pay the bill and the staff told me that the party was free! They said that they saw that I was always the one blessing others ... so today it was my family's time to be blessed! What a day!

Last thing ... all the kids came back to our house. I put up the big screen and projector and we all watched the Bee movie. Popcorn provided. All the kids loved it - none of them have ever been to a cinema -so this was the best thing ever!

They all went home so happy, full and thankful. Lydia was tucked up in bed - next to all her new stuff - a contented and happy wee girl. And mummy & daddy were so happy that the day had gone so well. We went to bed ... shattered!

At 5:15am this morning, a little boy ran through to our bedroom and shouted "Wake up, wake up ... It's my birthday today!" I thought I was having a nightmare! "Another two weeks son, another two weeks ..."

Give us strength Lord!

Build the Ship while at Sea

These last few weeks have been hard for many people here in the Philippines. Typhoon 'Frank' hit the southern part of the nation hard and many hundreds lost their lives. The storm came on so quickly and many were caught unaware. Around 22 sea vessels sank on that terrible night. The worst disaster was the capsizing of one of the Philippines' largest passenger liner, the Princess of the Stars'.

What a tragic story. Around 800 people boarded the ship fully expecting to arrive in Cebu the next day. There was a storm signal number 1 given at the place they were departing from ... very normal in the Philippines. Signal 1 is rain and slight wind. They got clearance from the coastguard and away they sailed. Typhoon Frank was far away in the South East and was heading north. They should not be troubled by the storm.

As they headed south, Typhoon Frank completely changed direction and went East. It was headed straight for the ferry. The Captain tried to sail for a safe haven but the typhoon hit them first. Within 15 minutes the ship capsized. At this time, only 30-40 people are known to have survived ... over 700 are still missing, presumed dead. So many bodies have been washed up on shore but there are 20 other vessels that sank that night. Tragedy.

I am beginning to realise that 'without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God." I can try many ways to please God but if there is no element of faith invollved, they are nothing. I am learning how to fully trust God even though everything else around me shouts out the opposite. Faith ... Failing All I Trust Him. It is so easy to have safety nets around my life .. but do I really trust God ... completely?

Mary was reading me a quote the other day. It was about the beginnings of the Salvation Army and William Booth's son Bramwell uses an interesting quote - "We had to build the ship while we were at sea!" He was stating that the Salvation Army developed as they worked and ministered. They followed a progressive vision whilst they were setting up a movement that would touch millions.

I think that Sefton Village is a bit like that! looking back, to 8 years ago and even to more recent times, we have had to build the boat while we are at sea. We did not sit down and plan everything when we came in 2000 ... we have had to listen constantly. We have had to think and pray on our feet. As we are sailing, we have had to listen to the Lord for direction and guidance. Very often, in the midst of the storm, we have heard a 'still small voice' that has changed everything.

It's not east to build whist at sea. There are many storms! In the last month we have had so,me very serious issues to address and it seems as if the enemy is trying to undermine and destroy the plans of God. Sometimes it is easy to make a hasty decision when we see the icebergs ahead. Sometimes human logic prevails over simple faith. And sometimes we have got it wrong.

first few years here I led consistently in various settings. I was made praise and worship director for was happening at that point - we were developing For example, when I came to the Philippines one of my giftings and things I loved to do was lead worship. In Scotland I regularly led worship and in thethethe AoG in this area. But in 2003 I felt God say, step back and train up these young guys to lead the worship. So muchthe Bible School, building the Fire Centre etc. So I did. I trained up some people at Sefton to take on the worship.

That was 5 years ago. At the beginning of last year I felt the Lord say to me that He never wanted me to step back, He wanted me to step to the side and minister WITH these young guys. Looking back, in the midst of the storms, I laid down my guitar and mis-heard God's voice. We now have some great worship leaders at Cornerstone ... but I was left with a feeling of 'I've missed it ... no way back now."

But there is! I really decided to invest in a new guitar and start to strum away again. I said, "Lord, I am not going to force my way back into leading worship (like some old out of date blues singer!) ... Someone needs to ask me." Well, last week in our leaders meeting the Cornerstone guys said that the Pastors should be the back up singers and that Pastor Mark should lead the worship! Gulp!


So we had a so called practice on Friday and last Sunday morning I led the worship and all the 13 Pastors were my back uppers (as they call them in the Philippines!) You know, I loved it. I felt as though I had come home. I felt as if this was part of my life puzzle that was a missing piece! I felt that same anointing again and most importantly I felt the presence of God. I don't know where it goes from here, coz I'm building my boat whilst I am at sea.

Many Christians never leave the harbour. Many talk about the journey, dream about the destination, are fearful of impending storms and are not prepared to leave comfort behind. They never reach the open seas. They never fulfil potential. They never have the joy of arriving or the thrill of overcoming. They never really trust the 'pilot'.

A few months ago, I received a very unexpected email from a Pastor who used to teach me at Bible School. His name is George Ridley and I hadn't heard of him for years. He informed me of the amazing work he is involved in and said that he had just stumbled across my blog. At the end of his message he wrote something that really challenged me. And I pray it will challenge you also:

"Be encouraged and keep the dreams alive!
Some talk about GOING, others think about GOING but you WENT.
Good on you ... cos it's the start that stops most people."

Don't dither in the shallows, pretending to be building a nice vessel for another day. Ask the Lord for direction. Ask Him for a dream. Launch out! He is with you. He loves faith. He loves trust. He loves adventure. Even if you have to build your life and ministry on the sea ... don't worry ... He who began a good work in you WILL be faithful to complete it! Don't let the starting stop you!

Be encouraged. Be challenged. Be changed. Be ready for adventure!

Selah ...

SBTC ... Alive and Kicking!

I am so excited about what God is doing - right now - in and through our Bible School. This September, SBTC is 10 years old! It was started before we arrived but I thank the Lord that what is happening now at SBTC has been accomplished by a step by step progressive vision. We have been in a process - from an 8 month basic Church Planting course into a two year School of Ministry.

The last two years have been tough, I must admit. The sudden death of Pastor Abe really knocked us all .. particularly me! And when I came back in 2007 things were just not the same without my friend and co-worker around. I found it hard to put my heart back into the Bible School. We set up a temporary dean - Pastor James Bastian. We all took extra responsibilities to get us through but James is the guy I need to thank the Lord for. How he help everything together -along with his ministry at Cornerstone AND being the Administrator AND starting a family - is beyond me. But he did!

Last year, my co-director Pastor Angel and I identified a Pastor to be our new Dean of students. He was from Pastor Angel's church originally but had left to go to Bible School years ago. He married a lovely lady called Joy and they were ministering in the AoG's biggest Bible School in the Philippines - Bethel Bible School in Manila. Pastor Lorenz was the Dean of students and joy ran their Nursery School as well as being the Dean of Women! When we approached them, they said they would pray about it. But they could not come last year due to responsibilities and commitments.

To cut a long story short, I went down to visit them in Manila and preached in their Bible School. Unbeknown to me, the things that I said in my message were exactly the words that Lorenz had challenged God about that week. Gos is amazing. If He wants to tell you something ... you had better be ready! So they handed in their resignation and followed the call. They arrived here in the first week of May.

They are our new neighbours and they have two great kids - Rohama (4) and Aaron (2). They have made a huge difference to SBTC and are using all their skills and giftings to bring new ideas to our Bible School. best thing is ... they are so passionate about what God has called them to do. It is infectious! I have rekindled the love for these students and for the amazing vision of our Bible School. I am so excited! Joy is also working part-time in teh afternoons at the Nursery School and is really helping Mary.

We started enrollment at the end of May and I am delighted to tell you that we have 24 first year full time students and 13 full time second year students! So we have 37 full time students at SBTC and around 5 or 6 that are day students. There is a new buzz around the place! Can you spot me in the top picture?

I am especially delighted to tell you that we have eight full-time students from our Cornerstone Churches (see pic below)! Wow! They are the next generation of church planters and leaders that have come through our church. We are beginning to see some fruit of our labour at Cornerstone!

There are many Leaders in the AoG District here that really want us to reach out and do extension seminars in various places. Please pray for this new possibility. It opens up doors for us to train even more people fro the ministry from around Northern Luzon.

Pray also for our transport situation. We have a large Jeepney van, but it is very unsafe and I am really worried about it. We have so many students now that we need either another multi cab plus get our one fixed or we need to trade in the old banger and use any money towards buying two multi cabs. I am praying we can do this by September when the students start to go out on evangelism and church networking. We have been challenged to plant a church directly from our Bible School, so pray we can do it! In the AoG here now, you cannot apply for credentials unless you have planted a church!

Please pray for us at SBTC. The first few weeks can be difficult for the new students and we have found that many of them feel under so much pressure to go home. Pray for the Salazar family as they adjust to life at Sefton Village. Pray for that God would continue to give us a progressive vision that we will be able to understand and follow.

Catch you later ...

Mark