I know that it has been too many months since my last update. During those months, so much has been happening and it seems that I cannot find time to update this blog. Most would say, that is just an excuse. I am going to give you the information to know that it is not just excuse.
First of all, here in MetroManila, several years ago, my close friend and the second pastor that we began working with back in 1981, had asked me to be the interim pastor of the church that he had planted, if something were to happen to him. My answer was yes, not even thinking that anything would happen.
However in November 31, 2018, Pastor Primo Tabanda, pastor of the Bible Baptist Temple, Pasig City, went to be with the Lord. I kept my promise and became the pastor of that church. Our intention is to find a Filipino Pastor as soon as possible. Of course, we are all praying for Gods will. However, until now, there seems to be no one.
Since I have pastored 8 churches here in the Philippines, it was not a very difficult to be the pastor for a short time, I thought. After all, there are many qualified men that would surely assume the leadership here and I could move on with other responsibilities. Not so. After some consideration, the men of the church asked me to continue for a time to deal with other issues that were needing attention. I again agreed. This past several months, we have been working to accomplish that promise. It has actually now been two years.
There is one other activity that is on-going in addition to the church responsibilities. After several months of looking for property that God would give us for a new camp site, He opened the windows of heaven and made a 25 acre property available. That happened two months before the death of Pastor Tabanda. I hope you might begin to see what I am facing since I am acting as contractor for the construction.
Yes, we have begun construction on the camp property. We also have been able to purchase a house in the same area and the renovation is complete. We have been in the house since last March of 2019, and feel that God is good. He gave us a 22,000 sq ft lot with a house that is very comfortable.
We are making one half of the lot, with seperate entrance and parking, dedicated to the usage by churches for small group sessions and outings or retreats. It may be for staff planning, retreats or other overnight sessions or purpose they might need it for. It includes a swimming pool, recreation area, kitchen facilities for cooking. There is also paved areas for chapel or eating. Perhaps games of some kind.
Well, that is a quick update on the past events. The current activates continue on the camp site, with the purpose of completing construction for the family and youth camps in 2020. We are currently in the rainy season and that certainly slows our efforts. But we continue to work through the rain. At the present, we are finishing the Administration Office . The first maintenance and storage building is complete. In addition, a power house, deep well, transformer and wiring is on going. There is also road construction.
Of course, covid-19 has put a stop to the progress this year. No camps were able to be conducted this year and construction was stopped.
Gloria and I are currently in the USA for some family occassions like wedding and great grand cild to be born. Also, while here, we always take advantage of medical exams and health issues that may need to be taken care of. Thank the Lord, nothing of major issues this time.
By the way, if you could, please pray with us for the expenses of the construction of the camp. We have almost exhausted the money from the Phllippines soureces. Currently, we are not sure that we have enough to actually finish, but we have certain goals that have been set, to accomplish. We are hoping that we can see some help from our American bretheren.
Well, I am going to do my best to get back on track with the updates to this blog. So, if you would like to keep up with us, this is the place.