Elim Church Centre - Willard & Marj

Here we are again, where does the time go. Well this is our first Missions progress report since returning back to the Philippines on May 18th. It was so good for us been home back in the UK for those seven weeks, but it great to be back here among our brothers and sisters here; especially my flock in Montalban.

I have extended out reporting to include May, June and July. So much has happened in the time since Marjorie and I returned back to our ministry here in the Philippines. We can truly give praise to God for all that he has done for us and amazingly is still doing. Since we arrived here in March of 2006, we have been experiencing his joy and it’s so great to be use by him this way in all areas of our work out here.

No sooner we arrived back, we were heading for Montalban as I was ministering on that weekend, then Marjorie and I caught up with the Gap team, they are an amazing group of young people and it was good to share time with them.

A week or so on Maldwyn and Ruth arrived, even though they were also busy ministering, we were able to share quality time with them, we had just bought a people carrier something we very much need to assist us getting about safely especially while Maldwyn and Ruth were here. He was able to meet with the Gap team, and I know he was excited to have met up with them. Maldwyn lead our Montalban first mid week service; we had a good turn out, 65 attended, and we are still maintaining good Sunday attendance, praise God.

These past few months have seen us move forward in the ministry; since June we have been involved in two Medical Missions outreach, the first one was held City Gates Academy in Cogeo where over 600 people men, women and children was treated. Dealing with conditions from general coughs and cold to some one suffering from facial cancer.

Three weeks later on 26 June the second one was held in Eastwind community in Montalban Rizal where we have planted the church. Here we treated over 450 men, women and children. Offering them Dentistry, Optical treatment and General medical check up. We also gave free medicines some of which was provided by Carlisle church, some from the Creflo Dollar church in the USA. All other expenses along with all medicines used for the dentistry were finance from my home church in Selly Oak Birmingham.

On the 27th the day following the Medical Mission Outreach in Montalban, we were heading for another province 1 days drive north of Manila to Oyao in Nuevo Viscaya, for the opening celebration of the new Tribal Church and Bible school centre. Where we stayed for six days working with the pastors in that region.

Because of the terrorist situation over in the UK in June –July, which consequentially affecting British nationals over here and the Philippines as well, we went to Makarti City to the British Embassy and we are now registered with the embassy should any thing was to go wrong, at least they know we are here.

It was good to spend time with Pastor Alan and the team from Carlisle for us it was like having a piece of the UK with Marjorie and I for six days, and we had time to catch up as pastors, before their return to the UK.

Well July saw us settling back down to our usual routines hospital visitations and Marjorie picking up where she left off before we came home in March, with the mothers ministry teaching them every Friday. And for me I have just thrown myself into my work at Montalban, for there is still much to do out here even though at time it is difficult.

Marjorie and I have now rented a House in Montalban, so we don’t have to sleep in the schoolroom anymore. It also allows us to spend more time in the community than we did last year. Our presence there and as the pastor of the church, means that the people accepts us more as part of their immediate community, and it’s good for the church as well.

We are back on the Visas merry-go-round, but this time we have got a lawyer acting for us as this will prevent us been excessively charge by the immigration office, even though we have still had to pay out £400.00. However, we are still waiting for it.

On Sunday July the 8th there was a big celebration of the Living Epistle Christian Family Church 42nd Anniversary held at the main Church in Quezon City. I was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for the Montalban Church, what it means is that the Montalban Church is now recognised as one of the LECFC official sister church, It is an honour to be acknowledge as their pastor and to be representing Elim out here. Once again and for the second year I was asked to participate on the day, It is such a humbling experience been here, and serving our God.

Between delivering seminars and preparing for our second group baptism in Montalban, our programmes for the next four months; Marjorie and I found more time to spend with the Gap team, and before they were due to go home, Marjorie prepared a typical English meal and we invited them to spend a family evening with us at our home in project 3, rather than just going to eat out.

Church Activities present & future:

Please pray for all of the above, that God will sustain us all as we continue the work and develop.

Willard & Marj Baxter

Posted: 29/08/2007

It has been two months since Marjorie and I returned back to our ministry in the Philippines. We can truly give praise to God for all that he has done for us and amazingly is still doing. Since we arrived here in March of 2006, we have been experiencing his joy and it’s so great to be use by him this way in all areas of our work out here.

It’s time like now when you realise that gods calling demands our time, our effort, and our obedience, and we give him thanks for the strength he gives us daily. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

On our return we picked up momentum and was back to our usual schedule. Hospital bedside ministry, visitation & praying for the sick, women’s ministry and Crosslink groups, which Marjorie heads up in project 3 and Cogeo area.

Well as for me back to midweek and weekend ministering. Presently I ‘am busily planning my next project. We want to set-up a general medical clinic in Montalban. We have now committed ourselves to renting a place where it will be held, but we have to go through the process of applications for the necessary permits and licence to operate. We hope to be able to open by the end of October this year.

Since starting the church in Montalban our membership and attendance coming to service has grown over the last 14 months. Now we have in excess of 120 adults and children attending. Our Gulod Saturday School is still maintaining its attendance of 40 children weekly. For this we give God all the glory.

We are endeavouring to build stronger links with the local families of the Eastwind community. I am now blessed with a vibrant group of young people in the church, they have been good for the evangelistic life of our newly planted church, their energy is unwavering. They will be called “Young Warriors for Christ”.

On Sunday the 29th we will be having our second group Baptism there are 11 candidates. We are soon to be having a school ministry where we will be holding a cell group at the local senior school, looking forward to this. So far we now have 21 youth cell group ongoing and 11 adult praise god.

Marjorie and I believe that we are in an important new phase of our ministry here in the Philippines. However, at the same time as we move forward in evangelism to reach our neighbourhood we are not without opposition, from those who will seek to destroy us and the ministry, and often time they are from within. This has meant we have had to pray to overcome this opposition. Praise be to God our father, we can rejoice her in Eastwind that God is building His church and as the bible says “and the gate of hell cannot prevail against it. Matthew 16:18

Before I came into the ministry and became a missionary, the lord gave me a vision and what stood out in my mind from then was these words “You are too comfortable and you must be a voice for those in the world without a voice” You see, everyday we have opportunities to touch people’s lives and seek to make a difference in our community but especially in our neighbourhood, and this is what we are doing these days in the Philippines. Answering our calling by been obedient and thus fulfilling our ministry.

We need your prayer and support to in order that we can continue the work we are doing out here.

Well, this is the missions progress report that concludes our first year in the Philippines (March 2006 to March 2007), reporting on our activities for January and February 2007. As usual, since being out here, we have had a busy two months, especially in planning and preparing for the various activities relating to our regular ministry.

It has been a very exciting year, and we will have so much to share when we return home. Since arriving here in late March (2006), Marjorie and I have applied ourselves in areas where our knowledge, experience and expertise were best used. As a result of that, we were invited to extend our time here and will be returning to carry on the work...as you will probably know.

We have been involved in various areas of ministry: I have been involved in overseeing a church plant, teaching, counselling & administrating. Marjorie has been involved in a hospital & medical ministry, social support to parents and a woman’s Cross-Link group.

As a reminder of our weekly activities and involvement: Mondays is our rest day; Tuesday & Wednesday is Hospital & Medical Ministry, Cross Link & Visitations; Thursday & Friday we are at City Gates Academy and Saturday & Sunday, L.E.C.F.C & Montalban. Since the end of July I have had to alternate my Fridays: two Fridays out of the month (2nd and 4th Fridays) I take the chapel service at the school in Montalban. Marjorie has developed her woman’s work at City Gates Academy, so every Friday she leads a bible class.

Since starting the church plant in Montalban last May, Marjorie and I have been evangelising and ministering to local people in three of the areas close to Eastwind. In December last year we decided that in January we would bring the three groups to worship as one, and in January, by the grace of God, it was possible.

We held our first consolidated Sunday service on 14th of January and I can only say that has been one of the best spiritual decisions taken since we've been out here (after months of praying and listening to God). The result is so clear to see - each week, our attendance is steadily growing and we are now blessed with an average Sunday attendance of 95, our Sunday school attendance is 20, and Saturday school attendance averages 35. Today, we have got 5 cell groups and some of the groups have 14 individuals at least. We also have a thriving youth group consisting of 30 young people...what a blessing.

Part of the effort to grow the church was to have a designated day, Saturday, when we deliver flyers to homes in the community. Since the beginning of the year, we have covered about 800 homes. Our young people look forward to this evangelistic work, and really enjoy partnering together in the gospel.

As part of our evangelistic outreach we have purchased a number of Bibles that we have presented to those who are studying the Bible in the various cell groups. We have also presented a Bible to Velma a cancer patient we have been visiting during the last two months when we do our bedside ministry on Tuesdays. All Bibles given are written in Tagalog. Sustaining this part of the ministry is made easier because of the financial support we receive from Selly Oak Elim, our church.

In January I was invited to participate in the planning meeting with other leaders of LECFC, for the new church building to be built in St. Elliers in Montalban. There will to be a school and a church built there in the next five years. Apparently the new church building will be where this church plant congregation will be worshiping in the future.

On January 27th I was invited to deliver a seminar on parenting for parents of children attending LECA (Living Epistle Christian Academy). The title was 'Parenting by the Word of God'. It was well received by all and I have been invited to do another when I return.

Unfortunately, the month ended with Marjorie being ill for a week as the result of a gum infection - how it happened we are not sure - but she knew what type of antibiotic was needed, and once we got it she soon got better...praise God! Here, you can buy medication over the counter with ease, which simplified things a little...especially her being a nurse.

Well, it’s early February and I am in the process of arranging our third baby dedication since we started the church last May. It is for baby Davida Tubay. Her parents are a great support to us from time to time, and they are the ones that prepared our meals during our time in Montalban.

On Wednesday 7th of February I was feeling quite unwell. During the night my whole body was painful - it was very undesirable and quite frightening. As I couldn’t sleep on the Wednesday night, Marjorie and I prayed as we have never prayed before. Well, the miracle of healing started and by Thursday morning I was feeling somewhat better.

I took the rest of the week off (well, until Saturday morning when I did part 2 of a seminar on 'Integrity'). When I got up on Saturday morning, I felt better and able to fulfil my commitment. So Marjorie and I set off to Montalban, and because I honoured God with my commitment, he sustained me through the day - and throughout the weekend - and by the following Monday I was fully back to normal and on form again. Something I have learnt since being out here is to trust in the real power of prayer.

It's Sunday 11th February and today baby Davida is being dedicated. Bishop James Iseguerri was invited to preach as well as officiated in the dedication. It was the first time since the Church started that he took a service, so he led the services for the day - which meant doing the dedication. Bishop has known the parents for years, and because of that, I just felt it was the right thing to do.

The bishop remarked on how overwhelmed he was, saying that he had no idea that the congregation had grown to such a size. On that morning we had 104 in attendance (including children).

On the 14th I gave my end of year summary report to the Bishop. Since the start the church plant I have endeavoured to keep records on everything we do. I presented reports on our outreach, an evangelistic crusade, a youth outreach, and various administrative records.

Also in February we had our first Youth Outdoor Gathering at Gethsemane Prayer Mountain. This was part of the youth bible development program, through the day there was teaching on: Love, Purity, Friendship, Courtship and Marriage - topics that our young people requested guidance on. To round off the day, Marjorie ministered to the young ladies on things pertaining to young women and I ministered to the young men.

The follow up to this is the DVBS (Daily Vocational Bible School) scheduled for April 23 to 27, then Montal Funday in July and the youth camp planned for November this year. This is a youth evangelism outreach, to encourage other youths in the community to come to church. Even though the DVBS will take place whilst we are in the UK, all arrangement I have made will be finalised by the time we leave for the UK in March. This activity is funded by the financial support received from the UK towards the work we are doing out here.

Well that’s about it until our next report, especially as we are due to be home back in the U.K by March 20th. Please pray for the both of us as we prepare to return that God’s protection will be continuously be upon us, as we travel.

New Years Greetings from the Philippines in the mighty Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Salamat po (thank you) for all your cards and gifts which we have received over the Christmas season. we just want you all to know that we value your ongoing prayers and concern, as this makes us feel so special.

Well this will be our last Missions progress report for 2006, reporting on our activities for November and December. As usual since been out here another busy two months, especially in planning and preparing for the various church and school Christmas activities along with our regular ministry work.

In following up ticket arrangements to return to the UK, we had go to Makati City to Gulf Air office to have our ticket reschedule to returning on March 19th 07 because Gulf Air fail to facilitate our original return date which was March 20th 07. Once again resulting in additional expenses for us, we had to pay £50.00 plus the expenses of two days travel etc, on separate occasions over two weeks. that amounted to a total of £70.00.

Looking back at our activities and involvement since been out here, we feel that the last two months has been the most relaxing where the regularly ministry work in concern. It’s not to say we were not busy, but in a different way, especially in the preparations leading up to Christmas. Christmas is so different in the Philippines; therefore everything is done so differently; In fact they had started getting into the Christmas spirit from early October.

It’s November and, putting Christmas aside for a moment, another unusual celebration held out here is ‘All Saints Day’ a national holiday held on the 1st November each year, apparently it is one of their most celebrated holidays. Unless you really had to travel you were advised not to leave your home, because all major roads around the country were gridlocked and, listening to the news later that day, you could really appreciate that warning.

All Saints Day is dedicated to the dead - it is when family and relatives visit cemeteries all around the country praying for the dead. They spend all day eating and celebrating - a real party atmosphere - and before going home they would even leave food etc. for the dead.

Well that was that. Marjorie and I and two of our team went to Bagio for a week - our first real break since arriving in the Philippines. A time of rest and re-charging our batteries before resuming our busy schedule.

On our return we held our first fellowship Oriental Breakfast in Montalban, this was held to unite the three groups that effectively make up the congregation there. As a result, the members of the San Osaye group are now working with me alongside the Eastwind group and since then we have established five cell groups (known here as Crosslink). Praise God.

Weeks later, following our fellowship breakfast, there was another Typhoon alert (this was to be a Super Typhoon) and along with everyone, we had prepared ourselves for what was to have been the worse typhoon of 2006. But God was so good during the night when it should have passed over Quezon City...it changed direction! Although pleased and relieved, we were saddened too, as all that was left behind in its wake was death and despair. These tragedies were later compounded in some areas by massive landslides, which, again, took more lives, destroyed properties and devastated communities.

It’s now December and life must go on following our typhoon scare. With this thought in mind, I held a seminar on “Integrity” which was a success. We had 40 attending, most of whom were young adults; the second seminar on integrity is scheduled for 1st week in February, 2007. We are praying that it will be as successful as the one in December and all in attendance will be blessed once again. Bishop Iseguerri was invited to be one of the speakers for part of the programme. I was so pleased he used the material I had prepared and planned for the programme. At the end of his delivery, he commending me on the quality of the material I had researched and compiled for the teaching.

Earlier I mentioned that Christmas preparations here was something new and different for us as the overseer/pastor of a church plant congregation. But as the Bible says God gives you wisdom and strength when you really need it; and applying all the knowledge and experience I possess, I have overcome. Praise the Lord for his sustaining grace and favour.

Marjorie along with the Sunday school teachers and children from the church (and Saturday school in Montalban) put on a nativity play on 22nd December, which was a success. On that day we gave presents, snacks and drinks to 55 boys and girls after the play. In the evening we gave presents to the parents of the same children we cared for in the morning.

Here, it seems as though from the 17th of December to the 25th all that happens is Christmas celebration - from the main LECA Academy; teachers presentation day; staff and teachers party; Church party LECFC Quezon City; LECFC Montalban, San Osaye and Goloud; City Gates Academy and finally their main celebration is not Christmas day but Christmas eve night.

Everyone celebrates from late evening into the early hours of Christmas morning (there are street parties everywhere) and then on Christmas day everything is back to normal. The 25th is like a normal day - shops are open it is as if nothing special is happening. New Year is the same - the highlight is actuallty seeing Christmas in...and the same for New Year.

One good thing that I should mention - the church members in Montalban wanted a church service on Christmas morning and we had a marvelous Blessing Service (well that was what I call it as a theme). Normally they would not have had one as it is not what they do if Christmas does not fall on a Sunday.

Once again we are experiencing great things while praying for patients on the wards. On our last visit before Christmas, Marjorie and Sister Linder (another female member of the group visiting the local hospital) had an encounter with a patient who appeared to have a demon spirit in her. As they were praying for this lady - who was very sick and unable to move - they called on the name of Jesus and this lady reared up and lifted herself off the bed (it was like something out of the Exorcist) - quite a frightening experience for both sister Linda and Marjorie. However, they continued to pray until this woman calmed down and was at peace, they then left.

The year ended with Marjorie and several of the women in the main Church at Quezon City went on a prayer retreat to one of the local prayer mountain 29th to 30th December. Where they prayed and fasted during their time there.

Finally we are proud to share that the Church in Montalban has been blessed with another little Baby Child little Davida Tubay whose parent are regular members of the congregation.

This Missions progress report is for two months, and as usual we have been actively busy and been blessed by the Lord. We are still coping with having to do a lot of travelling in covering the three locations we work in. But God has been good to us, and during our journeys we get the opportunity to meet some really sincere and interesting people, but we have also come across some quite awful individuals.

But then God sends those people who really appreciate us for been here and working to help them. (They bless us with statements such as “thank you for coming to the Philippines to help our people” and that epitomises why we are here) Praise God.

Well we can report good news on the “Visa situation”. We were granted our Missionary Visa on the 30th of August. After 12 visits to Immigration and a total cost of just over £530.00 and we still have another £65.00 to pay before the end of next month for our ID’s. Which will bring our visa cost to a staggering grand total of £600.00. Well what an experience. Thanks be to God for his answer to prayer.

During July we were involved with LECA 21st & LECFC 41st anniversary celebration, when I was the guest speaker on the first Sunday at the main service, ministering on the theme “Moving in God’s Glory” and it was a great experience. On the second Sunday Marjorie and I song a song in Tagalog; everyone appreciated our effort.

We also visited Palawan another Philippines Island for 4 days, when I had the pleasure of ministering on the Wednesday evening at the mid week service. On the topic of Faith; it also allowed us some time out to relax for the first time since been here. On returning to Quezon City we had a day to ourselves before heading to Montalban for our first organised youth outreach event “Montal- Funday”.

Towards the end of July I caught a cold and was in bed with the flue for a whole week, it was good for me to have my own nurse (Marjorie). Marjorie with help was able to fulfil her role and at City Gates Academy. Unfortunately two weeks later Marjorie herself was also sick with the flue, for ten days she was at home unable to work. Apparently in the rainy season (and it has not stopped raining since late June when the rainy season started and this will continue until December, when it rain here it really does rain, within one hour all streets look like mini rivers and sometimes every thing stop’s no school etc.) is also the time when a lot of people get sick either with the flue or whatever. Several of the staff at LECFC has had the flue during the last six weeks.

During July Marjorie was able to share the work she does with the parents of the children attending City Gates Academy with Teacher Gwen from Pastor Steve Derbyshire Church, City Gates in London.

Teacher Gwen who was a nurse and now teaches, she and Marjorie devised teaching programs for the mothers on topics concerning health issues for women and child care also English. Marjorie will continue to maintain and develop the program now in place.

There was no family free medical check up in July and August; however, we have planned to host a one-day, free Dental and Opticians check-up on September 30th. This is now possible as we now have the support of two dentists and one optician.

This month we have started doing home visit to those cross-link members of the church who are either sick are unable to attend church regularly. Marjorie have also instigated visitation to those patients we have visited at their bedside while they were in the hospital and have now returned home. However, the team only visit those living close to the main church in Quezon City project living area.

We are still actively doing the hospital visitation on the wards each Tuesday. This work has become quite a ministry; the amazing thing is that God is been proclaimed each week to these individuals who have lost their hope.

We are now recognised as a prayer ministry, the team is able to minister freely on any ward in the hospital now, before we were restricted to only one or two wards that was selected for us. We have now got the administrations trust and respect, praise God.

We are now finding it much easier to understand and it makes things easier to cope with what we see each week in the hospital; it is not to say we are becoming harden. But the reality of life out here means there are no ideal solution to the poverty and its eradication. It is a case of living life the best way you can and copes with what comes along the best way you can, with what ever little resources you have.

For some there is no hope and that is what every one needs; this is where we can minister to them about God by sharing the good news to them. Instead all you see is despair. The really sad fact is, those who have and can help do not help those who have nothing.

But with Gods grace and mercy we continue to do what we can to help and pray even more for God to bless them in their situation. We have done, and are continuing to see miracle happening in the lives of those we have prayed for.

As you are already aware this has become the main area of our ministry out here, and God is really blessing each and every one along with us here in Montalban. We are here Friday to Sunday every week as we have said before.

I am planning to start a midweek program as soon as the cell leaders are ready, as I am not in Montalban during the mid weekdays.

On August 20th I did my first Baby dedication and one week later on the 27th I had the pleasure of Baptising our first candidates, there were 14 young men and women. This was a river Baptism at the famous Wawa Dam River in Montalban Rizal. What a blessing.

Part of my planning outreach to attract more people, especially the youth in the area of East wind and East wood, is a fun day which we call “ Montal-Fun Day”; this was held on Saturday the July 29th; (The same day as our 34th wedding anniversary). It was a total success; we had 90 young people attended, and on Sunday several of those young people that participate in the funday came to church. Praise God.

The two young woman Lisa and Helen from Neil’s Church in Cannock, who were staying at city gates came and spent the day with us in Montalban on the 29th also.

We are planning another outreach visit to the poor in the mountainous area next month, when we shall be giving out clothes and food to the Aitas People, more on this in my next report.

The programme Marjorie has started on parenting, health good practices, and social developing is still ongoing, and progressing. The input from teacher Gwen has helped tremendously (she was here for the four weeks and was able to assist every day) not forgetting the women’s group that Marjorie ministers to them on alternative Fridays when we are not in Montalban.

The children are doing marvellously there the only difficulty for this part of the ministry is the finances. (Shortage of money) but they are doing what they can. We are also that the funds to help our activity support will arrive soon.

It is the end of June already and time for another report update of this month activity. Pastor Maldwyn has just left us returning to the UK, both Marjorie and I was glad to have him here with us.

Both Marjorie and I have settled in to our weekly / monthly routines and with the grace of God we are really enjoying our ministry, even though we have to do a lot of travelling in covering the three locations we work in. However, we are aware that this cannot be avoided, and these areas are where the real needs are.

The only area of difficulty for us this month and in truth has been the same since been out here, is the immigration process in applying for our Missionary Visas. Each month we have to pay so much to have our passports stamped to extend our stay here.

Even though we have applied for our Missionary Visa, which cost us over £60.00, and have still not got it yet and we may not get it for another four Month, so we were told. So far we have made eight visits to the Immigration Offices and two visits to a Solicitors and have so far paid out over £350.00 including travelling cost etc; and as I said earlier we are still waiting the Visas.

We are also due to have our passports stamp by the 22nd of July and we are expected to pay out as much as we did last month, which was the equivalent of £96.00. Marjorie and I are trusting God for his intervention and we will get our paperwork sorted before long.

On a lighter note, Marjorie and I was invited to the wedding of the Doctor that worked with us on our last Medical Mission (free Family Medical Check Up) it was our first high society wedding, a garden wedding at that. This was a good form of relaxing therapy, just the job for us hard working missionaries. We had to dress in traditional Philippinoes wedding dress wear. All Men in Barong and Women according to theme as directed.

There was no family free medical check up this month as we are now planning another for August, it is our intention and only if finances are available to have them every two month. However we are looking to host a free Dental Service Day in August, as well as a free Family Medical Check Up.

As part of the planning we are trying to get local Dentists to support the work in order to make it all possible. As for the free family check up, we have already got the support of a local Doctor.

The only resources we are in need of just now is toothpaste and toothbrushes in time for Augusts dental service day.

We have started two Cross Link this month, (their cross link is like our cell groups or home group in the U.K.) they are in two different locations in the Quezon City area, and this now takes up most of our Wednesday. This came about as a result of the Medical Mission that was held in May.

Marjorie and I are still visiting the local hospital on Tuesdays where we are involved in Bedside ministry talking to and praying for patients. Before we use to help in folding bandages, but the Hospital Administrative Director has asked us to concentrate on bedside visiting and praying for the patients.

This is a much-needed source of support to them. Apparently there is no one else doing this beside us and that is why the director wants us to concentrate on this area of our ministry.

We feel so used by God since been here, during the early weeks of May, while praying for the sick, we were asked to pray for this young girl that was said to be quite severely sick.

I started to pray for her and during my praying I just felt that she was been healed, and to my surprised a few weeks ago I met the lady who had asked me to pray for this young Girl, told me that the child recovered and was able to return home days after I had prayed for her. We must give all the glory to God, because He uses us to do his work.

As usual each week when we visit we are faced with different experiences and we see so many painful things that these people have to cope with. This month Marjorie visited the Maternity ward and the Burns Unit.

In the Maternity ward she had to minister to first time mothers who had lost their babies (they did not share what these babies died from). They we willing to be prayed for and this made it easier for Marjorie to pray for them.

This experience was so sad, she was able to feel their hurt and pain as a mother herself and as a result she cried with them and prayed for them. This experience affected sister Linder who was also with her.

Whiles Marjorie was visiting the Burns Unit, that was also a sad visit seeing children who had been burnt quite severely, due to accidents in the home. These young children will be in hospital for some time. One teenager had lost his right arm after been severely burnt by live wire, his arm would not healed and infection set in, as a result the arm had to be amputated.

Because of the work we have been doing and the connection made within the hospital we have even been able to make follow up visit to patients in their homes. After they are discharged from the Hospital. We use this as a form of evangelism.

This has become our main area of Ministry we are here Friday to Sunday every week now. This month work in Montalban has been quite exciting; the Church is coming along marvellously, thanks to the blessing of God.

During this month, in one of our Friday evening prayer meeting 5 young people gave their heart to the lord. As a result a number of individuals are been prepared for Baptism in August; Each Sunday afternoon for One hour, I lead a class Titled why I should be baptised in water.

This month fourteen new people have started to attend Church regularly each Sunday, bringing our attendance to 45 including children, “Praise God”. It is now eight weeks since we started. However, there is still much for me to do in encouraging people to attend, this is a catholic area but there are still people who have just moved into the area and are seeking some where to worship.

Part of my planning to attract more people, especially the youth in the area of East wind and East wood, is a fun day which we call “ Montal-Fun Day” which will be on July 29th. The same day of Marjorie and I 34th wedding anniversary, therefore we will be celebrating our anniversary the following week.

The Extension School to Living Epistle Christian Academy started in Montalban on June 13th, and as a result I was quite actively involved in the preparations, because I am the School Chaplin, I was also involved in the parent induction as the main speaker on that day of induction. As Chaplin I have started taking the service every other Friday.

Following the DVBS held in April, Marjorie and I decided to do something for the people in the mountain area close to Eastwind. As planned, on the 24th of this month Marjorie and I took a team of 8 including my translator plus driver escort (provided by the Barangay office), to visit the “Bisaya’s People” in a place called “Sitio Anginan” which is in the Barangay of San Isidro.

There we gave out Clothes, Toys and Food Provision (noodle, this is what they preferred, they can feed the children with it in a soup form) to 22 families consisting of a total of 103 people.

Before we gave out what we had brought for them, I ministered the word of God and then offered an opportunity for those wanting to make a commitment to God. (the people here expect this once they are told that you are a Missionary) There were 21 adults and 15 youth, whose names were collected, even though I suspect that there were more than those recorded made commitment.

Some time later I found out that, out of the group of people there, about two third of them had made commitment to God at one times or other over the years. But there is no one looking after their spiritual development.

Our second visit that day was to the area where the Heitas People are living; the Barangay Captain took us there. These people are the indigenous Philippians; we are now planning a distribution programme for two Saturday’s in August. This will be part of our next evangelistic outreach project.

Marjorie has started her programme on parenting, health good practices, and social developing which will be ongoing during the school term. In addition she has also started a women’s group when she ministers to them on alternative Fridays.

Some times I assists Marjorie, however I am involved with the academy in a support role, this is normally administrative or planning. But we are normally involved with the parents. Visitation will start up again next month when I will be working with another pastor.

Our prayer requests:

Well another month has past and another report is due. This month has been as busy as previous ones, and with the arrival of pastor Maldwyn we took time out to be with him and that was good, especially seeing him again even though it was only a couple of months since we arrived.

I was good that Maldwyn could see some of the activity we are involved in and the areas we are working in and to meet some of the people we work alongside.

This month a bit more detail however it may not always be so detail in future, although this give a good overview of a regular months activity as we continue God’s work.

Sponsored by Marjorie and Willard Baxter and supported by Selly Oak Elim Church Members as part of their mission’s ministry. This service was designed and made available for local Men, Women & Children living in Quezon City. This took place over four Wednesdays, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st of May 2006. It would be fare to say that this was a tremendous success, however, without the support of Dr. Louanna Sarmiento a member of the church and other church members who gave their time and support, it would not have been possible.

During this time we not only offered medical check up and referrals to local Hospital but every opportunity was taken to evangelise to all who came, and as a result several people was led to the Lord over the four weeks. Some of them are now attending the Living Epistle Christian Family Church.

As a result of the interests shown it has been decided to start up two Cross Link group and Marjorie will be heading up the ladies group. Myself and one other pastor from the main church will be doing further follow up visitations to the homes of those who attended the medical check up.

Marjorie applied her nursing skills and was supported by one other local nurse over the four Wednesdays. Assisted by four other none nursing staff who was responsible for carrying out the following functions; registering and taking down patients details, recording weight and height, etc.

I, Willard led a team of counsellors who’s function was to offer spiritual counselling and sharing the gospel, this afford opportunity to get to know the people better and to pray for those wanting prayer.

We had approximately130 men women and children attending. Suffering from the following conditions in general:

Not all attending was from the Quezon City project 3 location, some mothers came from as far as Antipolo which is about 45 minutes drive by public transport. These mothers have children attending the City Gates Academy, one of the area that we are involve with on a weekly basis.

We bought several thousand Paso’s worth of medicine comprising of Antibiotics, Vitamins, medication for hypertension, pain-killing tablets, cough medicine, etc. additional purchases such as thermometers, sterilising alcohol, height chart, cotton wool, pens etc.; As part of the support provision, meals were provided for all volunteers in attendance.

It is our planned intention to have another Medical Mission (Family Medical Check Up) at the end of July / August 2006, for which funding support will have to be made ready before hand. We will continue to Pray as the plans come together.

As part of our work here, Marjorie and I are part of the team visiting the local hospital on Tuesdays where we are involved in Bedside ministry talking to and praying for patients. However, before we visit the wards we sometimes the team would spend time folding swabs bandages (known as tickloping) a much needed source of support to the hospital.

Each week when we visit we are faced with different experiences and we see so many painful things that these people have to cope with as a result of their financial status, (no money) some cant even pay their hospital bill when they are discharge. Last week when we visited the men’s ward I was ask to pray for them. There was two men, one had lost two toes previously and he was here once again suffering from raynards disease, it is quite possible he will loose these toes on the other foot as they were black from lack of circulation.

The other patient in his early 50’s had terminal cancer. What was so distressing, his total hip and groin area was riddled with the cancer, his wife by his bed side was so anxious to show us his x-ray photos and as I looked down and into her face, all I saw was total despair and a lack of hope. The only thing I could offer was to ask him if he knew about Jesus. The next thing I knew I was sharing the Good News of Jesus with him and as my translator translates for me I was able to pray the sinners prayers with him and then and there he accepted Jesus as his saviour and lord.

As I looked at him and with his limited English he expressed that he knew he was dying and did not have long to go. As for the wife one can only imagine what quality of life lies ahead for her.

During the time we have spent here, we have become more and more convinced that God brought us here for a real purpose, and I know that the vision the lord gave me in 1987 and 88 reinforces my understanding of the purpose for us been here. God is really using us in this mission field, we thank him for this privilege even though this is a part of our overall ministry, but where ever we go we are used by and for him. Praise God.

This is our main area of Ministry we are here Friday to Sunday every week now. I have been appointed as the Missions Pastor to the Church plant we have started in West Wind Montalban, this is now the local branch of The Living Epistle Christian Family Church. Montalban is one and a half hour travelling time from Quezon City Manila, a journey we have to make either by Jippneys or F.X. Taxi. Another part of my role in Montalban is as the School Chaplin this will commences after June 13th.

During this month we held a Three Day Healing Outreach Crusade while Maldwyn was here and he was our guest speaker for each of the three evenings. During the crusade we had between 235 to 250 attended, and on the first and last night quite a number of people came forward for prayer you knew that the anointing was flowing through the building.

About the Church, our first Sunday service was on the 7th of May 2006, it is held in a house that has been rented for the purpose, and for the past five weeks our attendance have been increasing and we are now 45. Sunday school is about 10 God is blessing us praise the Lord.

Youth meeting and youth activity is on Saturday Mornings, Prayer Meeting and worship practice is on Saturday Evening. We have about 20 youths so far from the west wind area where we are. Prayer meeting are always well attended bearing in mind we are a newly formed church plant, our youths also attend prayer meeting.

Evangelism: each Saturday during the month of May following the DVBS in April and leading up to the Healing Outreach Crusade this month, has been spent organising the crusade and going around the local area handing out leaflets and talking to the locals.

In the East Wind & East Wood area, the majority of the people living here are Catholics. However, despite this we have found that there are some evangelical Christians who have moved in the area, and are looking for a place to worship, and they are made welcome by us.

As a result of our effort to get to know the local community and leaders we are now known and recognised by all the Barangay Representatives and the East Wind and East Wood Home Associations officers, and also other church leaders in the area. It is important culturally that we have a close link with those officials and Church leaders in this are where we are working.

In order to keep up our approach and activity in East Wind and East Wood area, we are now planning the following:

Evangelism outreach on Saturday afternoons in the mountains as part of our effort for the church development, this will start on 17th June 2006.

A fun Saturday for the youth of the area, this is a evangelistic activity 01st July 2006.

Baptism counselling for candidates wanting to be baptised, been held on the week end’s leading up to the Baptism date which will be in late July 06.

This month our activity at City Gates Academy involved visiting parents and children in their own homes, reason been, assessing their living environment. In addition we have been involved in concluding all assessments of the parents and children that have applied for a place for the Academy.

In addition to earlier assessments of the children, follow up assessed needed to be done in order to established their academic suitability and grading. Many of these children have never been to school before therefore it is important to grade them correctly.

Marjorie is busy planning he courses on parenting and social developing which will be ongoing when school in a couple of weeks time.