Fruit of the Ministry

Things are going forward. Gloria and I are in the process of some medical things that needed to be accomplished. Gloria is getting attention for the affects of the TIA and the light stroke that she sufferEd last year. we were able to finally see a doctor after our return to the States, and she will have PT and some other attention that she needs.

However, during this period, she tripped on the curb when we were going into church services and broke a bone in her ankle. So, she is has extreme difficulty to walk and is hobbling around. I have become a care taker.

During the same time, I had made an appointment with the eye doctors to have my eye lids trimmed. It was getting difficult to read. Well, the fall of Gloria happened at the same time. So, we are a pair. It is sort of like the blind leading the broken.

So, for now, we are house bound. BORING, BORING

We are exited everyday to know that God allows us to serve Him. In the process, we try to evolve. I am learning new stuff about the internet. I realize the the # has been used for sometime already, I didn’t realize its use. I have been taught, so #ebertph well be included in most of our communications on the media in the future.

We have recently returned to the States. At the current time, we are located in Springfield, Mo. If you would like us to report in a conference or service, please call 417-590-2699. Or you can email me at debertph@gmail.com. We are planning to return to the Philippines next March. So, include us as you desire.

We would love to update your church with information and new plans for the future. There is much progress going on, both in our personal work and the planting of churches. It is exciting to see what God is doing in the Philippines. Surely it is currently one of the most fruitful countries in the world. In the past two months, we have planted three new missions with one more in the plans. There will be more information forthcoming.

Gloria and I were so blessed to be in the service of the 50th Anniversary of our home and sending church, First Baptist Church of Meadowview, Mesquite TX. That church began as the Pleasant Grove Baptist Temple, pastored by R.D.Wade for 40 of those years. I was on the staff back in the 70s before going as missionary to the Philippines. Bro. Wade was my pastor for more than 40 years. However, he went to be with the Lord a few years back. Currently, Bro. Roy Blair is the pastor of the Church. It was so wonderful to see old friends and past members who made trips to be included in the service.

Gloria and I will be going through medical processes. I have registered with VA as I served in the US Marines back in the 60s. So, I have been encouraged to go through that process. I have registered and have an appointment for the first examinations. I think it will be extensive. At least I hope it will be

Gloria is still experiencing restrictions in her mobility. Although she can walk, there is an issue of balance, and her left leg is not exactly strong. We have a schedule with the doctor for exams and what can be done for therapy perhaps. Anyway, we will see what the doctor has to say.

Check back for updates in the near future.

Bible Baptist Seminary of the Philippines

We are very near the end of our school year in the Philippines. our Seminary has been having face to face classes for several months. There is a lot of work to get done. Our 7 campuses will be finishing the year with our finals being given the week of March 14. We will know more about the number of actual grades after those tests are given and grad
Wed.

BBS LEGACY Bible Camp

This year is going to be a challenge for our annual family camp and Bible College graduation. For the past 25 years, we had our camps in a facilty that would serve more than 1000 campers. Yes, we did use the camp at capacity. The last year we used Highlands Camp, we had about 1200 campers from out of our ministry.

However, since we re only partially complete in the building our second camp, the facilities are only able to currently handle about 600 campers. We will discussing the situation with our pastors this coming week.

I would appreciate any prayers for the financial needs to finish the construction. The total is now at about $200,000 to finish the basic construction. That includes 2 more dorms and the main pavilion. Our dining hall is serving as a duel purpose currently.

We are in the time of preparation for the Bible Baptist Seminary of the Philippines. We have our schedules ready, curriculum is set and the campuses are excited to get back to face-to-face classes. It is really difficult to do online classes because our internet is historically horrible. Not only slow, but erratic. So, it causes us to do videos. That is the worst, because we have no contact. But, this school year, we are hoping we can do the face-to-face all year.

Our opening of class is set for July 5. Each campuse has their individual schedule that is set so that Gloria and I can travel and teach in the campuses weekly. That week, July 8-9 we will have Opening Of Classes fellowship. We will bring all 6 campuses together in Legacy Camp for challenge, encouragement and motivation for the ministry that the students have given their lives to accomplish. Our plan is to post pictures of the event, here next month.

We also plan to put new pics and perhaps a small video of the progress of the construction of the camp. God has supplied some additional funds to keep the construction going. After some calculations, we have determined that we need a minimum of $200,000 to finish the dorms, the Pavilion, the road and the drainage. Currently we can handle about 400-500 campers over night, at one time. However, our goal is to get facilities that will enable us to have the 1,000+ that we were having before 2019.

I am sure that gives you some idea of what prayer needs we have. Thank you for joining us in that prayer.

Concerning what we reported last post, the borders of the Philiuppines were actually opened the end of February. We were able to fly to Manila in March and landed in the Philippines on the 11th. We were required to rent a government approved hotel room for a minimum of 7 days quarentine. Then, we had a government nurse come to our rented room after 6 days, and did a covid test. When we tested negative, we were allowed to leave the hotel and finish 14days quarantine in our home.

That was not the end of the story. Four days after we landed, the government, once again closed the borders and they remain closed till now. But we made it. God allowed us to return. We are here, back to work and He continues to bless.

Work has continued on the dorms at the camp and two of them are ready for use. Although they are not totally complete but useable for a camp this very week, Wednesday thru Friday. Gloria and I will be part of the speakers. Myself, 3 preaching and 3 teaching sessions with the pastors. Gloria will be teaching the pastors wives.

A joy to report an event this past Sunday. I am glad to report, we were able to participate in the dedication of new facilities of one of our older churches. It was a little embarrassing when they included us in the memorial pictures in the dedication of that building. But at the same time, it is nice to see that they have appreciation and know how to express that.

Ok, we are excited to be back in the work and looking forward to future reports. We will making a report of the results of the camp this week. Perhaps we can include some short videos with it.

God Continues to Supply

In our last blog report, we made the appeal for help with the Filipino project that was started in 2019. I am talking about the Camp that the Bible Baptist Seminary began. The pastors who fellowship in this group and support the Seminary, have worked and invested to see our camp become a reality. To date, the Filipino source of finances has passed $600,000.

However, it seems that we have done what we can. Other than volunteer labor, there is a need for financial help. It is our hope and our prayer that help would be forthcoming. I am glad to report that God doesn’t disappoint.

I would love to tell the details, but that would consume too much time and space. Let me just inform you that we have received several replies with help, over the last few weeks. Although most were in the rather small sizes in comparison to what the need is, we praise God for everyone who is concerned enough to be involved.

But I am excited to tell of one gift that was very large. Although it didn’t meet the total need, it surely has been enough to keep us in construction. We felt that about $100,00 was going to accomplish most of the need. However, our architect has informed me that we are in need of double that.

We are so grateful for all that have responded with financial help, whether small or large. Praise God for people who understand the need and want to see it fulfilled.

In our next update, we will include pictures of the progress

Another part of this report is the latest situation of our return to the country. Perhaps you have heard of the second wave of Covid infections that is supposed to be happening in the world. The beginning was the new strain called the UK strain. Almost immediately of the report of that strain, the president of the Philippines announced a new restriction for people traveling in multiple countries, whether from or transiting that country. Within a few days, the USA was included. So, the flight that was scheduled for Jan 8, was canceled. Currently, the restriction is until January 31. That will be the day that we will hear if the restrictions will be extended or canceled. If canceled, we can reschedule our return.

I would ask everyone who reads about this, please remember both of those projects, in prayer.

It is good to know that nothing stays the same. The really good news is that Gloria has cleared the stone. The Doctor saw the xrays today and gave her the good news. Now, we are going to work on how to not get more of those things.

Well, then I went to the Dermatologist and the took biopsy of some places on me. I will be given the results next week and any action that might need to be done, will be done ASAP. Then we can escape from this country and return to our ministry.

In the meantime, we watched the election process with concern. God is still in control, but it is hard to imagine how Biden could win. Just comforting to know that God is in control. He has a purpose. Someone made the observation that when God wanted to punish a nation, He gave them bad leaders. It sure appears that it is happening in the USA.

I am asking God to let us get back to the Philippines this month. There is much to accomplish there at the end of the year.

We will be giving some update about the construction of BBS Legacy Camp, very soon. We are in a squeeze. More to come.

Dennis Ebert

It has been a very different Stateside trip this year. We are currently in the USA. We came to the States for 9 weeks for the marriage of two of our grandchildren and the birth of our third great-grandchild. Yes, everything happened. Marriage and the birth. Beautiful events, all. But that 9 weeks has become 13 weeks already and counting.

When we came, we knew that there was a small hurdle to be removed before we could return to the Philippines. The boarders were closed to Visa holders. Even though we are Permanent Residence Visa holders, it is still a Visa. BUT praise the Lord the govt opened the door for Permanent Residence Visa holders as of Aug. 1.

But then came another problem. The airline canceled our return trip for Aug. 17. So, we are still here, waiting till the airline will make a trip available. I am hoping for the middle of Sept. If you are reading this, please pray with us for our return.

In the meantime, Gloria is having some medical exams done that are necessary. One was done, with negative problems to report. One more Sept 3. That is the one that we are concerned about because she is feeling some problems.

We will update this blog when we are finally able to book a return trip.

Dennis

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.