It Is Well ...

Yesterday was was one of the most incredible days I have lived! I went to bed and it seemed as though the water was in my brain and between my ears .. I had seen so much of the stuff! Every time I closed my eyes I saw fast, muddy water that looked like coffee!

It was heavy rain again last night and I feared the worst. I left St James Subdivision and literally hundreds of people were sitting on their tricycles or standing in the mud waiting for the water to subside. With the heavy rain I thought that they would have to wait a long time. But praise God ... I found out this morning that the water finally subsided in Pastor Adonis' house at 1am!

Mary & I went to St James this morning to see the pastors and their families .. as well as many families who have sent their kids to our school in the past or at the present. A lovely christian lady texted us to swing by her house to take some food for the people. She gave us ten big boxes of noodles, two boxes of Coffee sachets and hundreds of buns. My car was full.




When we entered St James, it was like a war zone! Che, one of our members, showed me how high the water came in her house (above) and look at her belongings! Everyone, and I mean everyone, had all their earthly possessions out on the street or in their garden and all of them were busy cleaning their furniture and possessions. We saw mattresses that were drenched... sofas that were soaking... everywhere!

We visited Pastor Jun and he had already cleaned his house and had gone to help Pastor Adonis. Pastor Marlou was almost finished his house. We went to Pastor Adonis' house ... what an absolute mess! His whole house had been caked in mud. The mud was around a foot deep and the water was about 7 feet - touching the ceiling! When we saw him he was busy washing his furniture ... with a toothbrush. I told him he'd better not brush his teeth tonight! How can this man smile when everything he has has been under the water? Incredible.


Pastor Adonis took a step of faith three months ago and rented the house next to his to start a new Cornerstone Church. He pays for the rent himself and he and his family, along with some neighbours, really sacrifices to make this simple house into a place of worship. I went there a few weeks ago and there was around 60-70 people attending! Below are the photos before the typhoon.


But when I saw the devastation in the church .. I was so sad. All the PA equipment was covered in mud. The musical instruments - drums, keyboard, guitars - looked as if they were pretty much destroyed. The floor of the church was covered in mud. I just felt in the spirit, " We will get this place more beautiful than before!"



Some of our Cornerstone members' houses are in a bad way too. I said to one member, "Yesterday was a terrible day for you." His response? "Yes, but today is a day of challenge and opportunity for me and for us." In all of my travels in these last two days I have never heard one complaint or angry word. Filipinos are people of resilience, respect and gratitude ... and I admire and love them more and more.

I was so proud of our Cornerstone Pastors and workers. Yesterday, Henry told me they fed 2000 people with Congee! He was so tired. But he asked if I had any money to give him ingredients to make another 1000 meals today! So he rose at 4am and started making food for everyone again. I met them going around every street in St James with free food. People came with huge pots ... and we filled them. These people were so busy cleaning they had no time to cook ... but thanks to Henry and the team a great need was met. We also went round on tricycles giving out coffee, noodles and buns! Meals on wheels ... Cornerstone style!




I heard on the news that 24 people died in Isabela. When I saw the river yesterday, I knew that some people would have had no chance. Please pray for those who have lost so much. Pray for our Pastors as they try and get back to a normal life in their homes. Pray that we westerners could learn from these Filipinos about how to live by faith, how to respond to difficulty and how to smile. Pray for many Muslim families who had their homes completely destroyed. Pray for our Cornerstone churches .. that they would reach out and touch lives in this hour of need. Pray for all our Pastors and staff and all the people we know in Santiago who are going to bed in wet homes with no electricity tonight.

Thanks for all your prayers. If you have only started reading the blog in the last day or two, why don't you bookmark this page and check it out from time to time. Please sign our Guestbook on the right and leave a message or comment.

I leave you with the words of an old hymn that I have been singing away over the last few days:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul...

... and that, my friend, is the most important thing.

Selah

P.s. - there is one good thing that came out of the typhoon. Pastor Winston found two fish in his living room as he was cleaning it out! Will make a nice snack!

Emergency: Pray for us!

Over the last few days it has been raining heavily here in Northern Philippines. Yesterday we were warned of a typhoon that was sweeping towards us in Isabela. Some typhoons are very destructive with heavy winds, some are destructive with heavy rain ... but when you get the two together, that's when real trouble comes. And that's what happened last night...

The rain was pouring down last night. We had to wade through the water to get to the Bible School for a meeting. We were worried because many of our Pastors live in a place called St James, which is very prone to flooding. In 2007, our Pastors had to evacuate five times. But for two years there has been no floods and the government was confident that the problem had been solved.

But this morning we met one of our Teachers who lives in St James - Teacher Jennifer. She told us that she had a horrific night. She lives alone and she woke up at 2am to find the water coming up past her bed...and rising fast. She grabbed some things in her bag and ran. She left her mobile phone in her house along with everything else. She walked to Sefton Village through the storm .. and that's a long way in those conditions. On the way she was so exhausted that she just dropped her bag and let it float away. She has no way of knowing what has been destroyed in her house because it is completely submerged in water.

I texted all our pastors and staff who lived in St James. Pastor Jun told me that they were ok but stranded in their house. His pregnant wife Emmy Lou was sitting on a chair that was on top of their table. Jun said that even in the typhoon she looked like a queen! Most of our staff did not respond, so I decided to go and see for myself.

I went past the bakery and ordered 500 cakes. I went to the town while they prepared the cakes and I could not believe what I saw. On the bridges of Santiago hundred of people were looking over the river. But now, it was more like a raging ocean. Water was everywhere. The elecrticity lines were literally inches from the flowing water. People's houses were submerged. Many were on the roofs with all their worldly possessions. There was a boat going around saving people. I couldn't believe my eyes.

The police officer in charge said that in all his years as a policeman in Santiago, this was the worst floods he had ever seen. I went to St James and didn't get very far. Even the main road down to the homes was flooded ... and I know that this road was far higher than the homes below. I went around and gave out my cakes. The people were so grateful ... even though many had lost so much. I felt, "What's a cake when their world was falling apart?" But anyway, it brought a lot of happiness to many people (especially kids!) and sometimes all you need to know is that someone cares.

The police told us a few hours ago that the water was going to go higher. But as I went back to St James, I was happy to see it was receding. Please pray that he water will continue to recede. They say they are going to open up some dams nearby and that would raise the levels again. Please pray.

As I speak, I don't know the full extent of the floods. I know that all of our staff are OK but that many will have lost most of their possessions. The Pastors of Cornerstone who were not effected by the flood have been working hard helping people. Pastor Henry has just finished making meals for 1000 people and he , along with Pastor Danny, is going to find those who have no home and no hope. We are planning to use the church or fir centre as a place of refuge, if needed.

Please please pray that there are no casualties. Please pray that at this difficult time we will be able to touch the lives of thousands with practical love. Pray that out of this typhoon many will turn to Christ. Pray for our staff that have suffered and that are worried. Pray for Jennifer and Pastor Adonis ... they are the worst affected and Jun said that he was so upset watching Adonis as he stood and watched his house go under the water. Adonis' roof is almost covered with water ... everything will be destroyed.

I will do another blog tomorrow with an update. Sefton Village is ok because it is high up. My family are doing well, although Lydia is a bit upset about Pastors Jun's house and the house of her friends (Adonis' kids)

I am continually amazed at the attitude and resilience of Filipinos. Time and time again they suffer so mush with typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes ... and yet they seem to rise up and get on with life so quickly. I am just thanking the Lord today that in all my life in UK I have never had to go through what these lovely people go through again and again. Count your blessings ... and don't hold on too much to things that perish.

Many thanks for your concern. You mean the world to us ... especially in times like these.

Sheltered in His Arms

Today, I am incredibly amazed at the grace and mercy of the Lord. Yesterday I preached at the SIL (Wycliffe) base in Bagabad, one hour south of here. I preached about the peace of God. When we left SIL, the winds were becoming stronger and there was an incredible amount of rain. Some parts of the road were flooded and very dangerous. I knew that a major typhoon was on its way ... and I was more than a bit anxious!

Every news and weather station - both locally, nationally and internationally - had plotted the typhoon 'MITAG' to pass through Isabela at around 2-3am. It looked like a monster! Winds were going to be from 160-210 km per hour and heavy rainfall was expected. In the Philippines, when you get wind AND rain during a typhoon... it's a killer.

They said that it was slow moving - only 2-13 km per hour, so we would have terrible storms all Sunday night and right through until Monday night. We were told it was best to only travel if in emergency.

So, like a good dad, I sat the kids down and said that it could get rough during the night. We let them sleep in our bed just for one night, so they wouldn't be scared. I slept on the couch because our old house is falling apart at the seems and there are so many leaks everywhere when it rains. I was prepared with my torch and a few basins! Man of faith!


I was going on what the professionals told us. I was going on what everyone else said was going to happen. What I didn't know was that many many people in Santiago were interceding before the Lord that He would change the course of this typhoon and postpone disaster. Pastor Marlou and all at Cornerstone Santiago had a time on the service when they got into groups and cried out to the Lord for His help. Marlou said that he felt a deep sense of assurance. They prayed again in the evening service and asked God to cover Santiago with His hand... and again they felt the peace of God.

But there I was in my house ... ready for whatever. I watched the football and tried to stay awake through the night. Every hour I went outside and checked the weather. Every time I found a light breeze with light rain. I saw every hour ... 1am, 2am, 3am ... but still no typhoon. At 4am I went out again. Same situation. I felt God speak into my heart ... "Go to sleep, it's OK." So I did. I left it with the Lord and abandoned my post!

I woke up this morning and rushed through to see the news on TV. I was amazed the TV was still on! Even more amazing .. the internet was still on! Usually, the slightest breeze would knock it off for days. I checked for news about Isabela ... we were on signal 3 (very severe storm) and we were warned of danger. I saw pictures of towns all around us who had been through a nightmare time with the typhoon. Roxas, Cauayan, Aurora, Dinapige ... all towns in Isabela who were 'hit'. Still no news about Santiago.

I had a Leaders meeting at Cornerstone Church followed by a Government Hearing about our land in Nagassican. When I drove to the church I was amazed! It was a beautiful day! In fact, it turned out to be the hottest and best day we have had for weeks! Check out this picture below... see the blue skies? And at that time we were under signal 3 ... severe stormy weather. All around us I could see the storm clouds in the mountains that surround us. But in Santiago we had fantastic weather.


Jonathan Batayan, our wonderful Maintenance Man, went out at 6am this morning to see 'the effects of the typhoon on Sefton Village." What he saw amazed him. He didn't see gray skies full of rain and great gusts of wind. He said the sky was a beautiful shade of yellows and orange and he felt the peace of God. The Bible says, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." (Psalm 23) Today, the Lord put His hand over Santiago during a storm that was due to hit us hard; that's mercy. He actually changed the course of the typhoon so that it went north and ended up in the ocean ... that's grace.

No matter what we go through in our lives - whether physical storms, spiritual storms, emotional storms, financial storms, relationship storms .. there is always a place of rest and a dwelling of peace - even right in the centre of the storm. That is the place to be. I once read ... better the storm WITH Christ than calm waters WITHOUT him.

I leave you with the beautiful Psalm 91. I was going to cut and paste some parts of it out but I felt I needed to let you read the whole passage. This is our testimony of what the Lord has done for us in the last few days. Enjoy ...

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

They will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Thank You for your Prayers and Concern. We Love You.

Good News from a Distant Land!

You guessed it ... internet trouble. This time for around a week. After calling them every day last week and being told that the engineers would come 'tomorrow', on Friday they came up with the best one yet. They said that our phone line had been 'chosen' to do a week long test to see how effective it is! What an honour! Pity they never told me until the last day of the test! Sometimes living in the Philippines has its challenges....

Never mind, we are online for the moment and that's good. So much has happened in the last few weeks and I must write them down here so I can remember to blog about them:

* Visit of my family! What a brilliant time.
* Visit of Dave & Madeline Russon from AoG World Ministries
* Visit of Gillian Saunders
* Fantastic ministry opportunity at the hospital
* Nagassican feeding program for malnourished kids
* The Pointon & Kerr families
* FEBC Update
* August Manio
* Great opportunities to minister to thousands in Santiago
* New kids in Children's Home


Well, I'm going to give you some great news ... Winston and Mary Jane have had a wee girl! Last Tuesday little Eunice Hope Bao-in made her way into the world ... and she was a whopping 3.9 kilos! She is absolutely beautiful and both parents were so relived that all went well after a hard pregnancy.

On the same day, one of our staff Hermie gave birth to a little boy - Othniel. Does anyone know what Othniel means or where he is found in teh Bible? Answers on a postcard! Imagine them being born on the same day! Winston was saying that maybe they could get together on the Nov 13th and save costs by having one party for two kids! We are so happy for both couples and pray that the Lord will bless their children in every way.

If you would like to pass on a message to either of the couples just write it in 'comments' below and I will print it off for them.

Got to go now. Please pray for us this weekend. There is a huge typhoon now entering the Philippines and they are even saying it will become a Super Typhoon .... now they are scary. It is possible that it could come north and pass through Isabela but no-one is sure yet.

Please pray for us all here at Sefton - and indeed all Filipinos wherever they are. As you look at some of their homes I wonder how on earth anyone survives these horrific typhoons.

Blog soon .... Phone company permitting!

P.s. - just to remind you to have a look at Mathew & Claire's blog as it will give you a lot more info of what is going on here through their eyes. Yesterday Matthew wrote a funny blog about life in the Philippines. Just go to www.leekerr.co.uk