2 Birthdays - Just Musing in the Month of June!

We often sing a birthday song like this;
Happy Birthday to you!
Only one will not do.
Born again in Salvation,
I hope you have two!
The month of June is the month I celebrate my 2 birthdays.  On June 3rd, I turned 49 years old according to my "Certificate of Live Birth".  Meaning, I was born alive to my mother on that day!  Thank you Lord and thank you Mama!  Last June 23, I celebrated my 30th spiritual birthday.  That's the day I was born again into the family of God.  I am so glad that God saved this mountain boy from out of the ruins of self and sin 30 years ago.  Wow!  I can't believe it but it has been quite a journey to have lived this long both in the flesh an in the Lord!

Come to think of it!  The Lord has gathered so many people form different backgrounds, working in different places, in different parts of the world, in very diverse ministries to accomplish something He has foreseen long before the foundation of the world, the salvation of one wild mountain boy who would one day, and only by God's grace alone, would become this preacher.

Consider these seemingly unrelated circumstances and events.  Rev. Bob Phillips went to the Philippines as a missionary with the BBFI.  Missionary Phillips helped Preacher Manny Vergara go to a new cluster of houses in one of the depressed areas of the city of Baguio to start a church.  Years before, Missionary Bob Hughes has started a flourishing church in Cebu city.  Missionary Hughes has a daughter named Cindy who helped organize a concert tour around the Philippine Islands for a singing group called the Light Singers from Liberty University (then called Liberty College).  These singers held their concert one rainy Wednesday evening at Pines City Baptist Church, Baguio City, then being led by Missionary Damon Woods. Among the people Preacher Manny Vergara brought to attend that Gospel concert that evening was Mike Valdez.  That evening, heaven smiled and Glory condescended to reach to this poor lost soul. There was a songleader named Jeff Safra during the invitation, and an unknown brother who led Mike through Rev. 3:20 and the Sinner's Prayer.  So many people, so many seemingly unrelated events and circumstances all set in motion by the One Sovereign Hand that created the universe to save on lost soul.  Sure! There were other souls saved that night.  But still, if there was just one soul in need of God's grace for salvation, God will still arrange the circumstances to get to that one soul.

There's no such thing as a "one-man army" and no such thing as "labor in vain" in the Lord's work.  Even when you are laboring alone in an isolated somewhere, you bear with you some of the strength of everyone who had some investment or influence in you life.  When nothing seems to be getting accomplished, don't fret as you might only see the fruit of the seed you have sown 30 years after!  Or, just wait for eternity's revelation!

My utmost thanks to the Lord for so great salvation and utmost thanks as well to everyone, whoever you are, wherever you are, who have been used one way or another to bring this salvation to fruition in my life! 
           

Incredible 15 Years!

May 26, 2012 marks the 15th year of our first arrival as a family in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  It doesn't seem to be that long ago but time just flew by so quickly.  Physically, the whole country of Cambodia has changed dramatically.  Simple life within the capital city of Phnom Penh has been complicated by the influx of modern advancement in technology and other amenities.  People's general outlook in life has also changed and has affected how they respond to the Gospel message.  We are so thankful to God for the fruits that has remained throughout these years.  So precious are the souls that by God's grace have been impacted and influenced to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and are serving the Lord faithfully up to the present.

Our family has changed much too.  We came here 15 years ago with our 3 sons who were not even teen-agers yet.  Now they are all back in the Philippines.   

As we look back, all we can say is; God's been good!  He always is and always will be!  You too have been wonderfully faithful in partnering with us in the ministry.  We sincerely appreciate your prayers and support for us these many years.      

Missions Conference 2012

Alma Mater Graduation Speaker

We were able to visit back home in the Philippines between March and April.  It was a real blessed experience for me to be the Graduation Speaker last March 24 at Baptist Bible College in San Fernando, La Union where I graduated from my Pastoral Theology in 1989.  Daisy graduated from the same school 2 years later.  I think I was more excited than the 5 graduates anticipating to receive their diplomas.  It was a refreshing time to fellowship with many of our preacher friends and especially with Pastor Bob Phillips and his wife Maám Sue.  Pastor and Mrs. Phillips have been great blessings to us during our Bible college days and in our early ministries.

GBC-Kandal Steung Christmas Program

This past Sunday, December 4, we were at Grace Baptist Church – Kandal Steung, pastored by Bro. Siem Bunthol for their Christmas program.  The small place of worship we built last year can no longer contain the number of people Bro. Bunthol has every Sunday.  They have made an extension on the side of the building to be able to accommodate more people.  It is a blessing to preach the Word there and see a lady coming to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.