Sept 2008 update

Greetings from the Ellises in Manila! Here's an update on how we're doing. We arrived home August 12 about 11:30 PM and were delighted to see the elevator working. Our business manager had informed us it had not been working for a while before we left. We piled our checked baggage along the wall and brought our carry-ons into the elevator. Up we went. We were anticipating our arrival to the front door when the lights went out and we jolted to a stop. Ever been on a elevator with electrical problems at 11:30 at night? I hear broken elevators are dark to begin with, but I can tell you that at 11:30 PM there is NO light at all! We were very comforted to know that the guard had helped us with the bags and knew we were in that elevator. Sure enough, after about 3 minutes the lights came on and we jerked our way to the ground floor. Up the stairs we trudged, leaving our check-ins with the guard. Ah, our own bed! How sweet it was.

The bags rode up the elevator before 8 AM the next morning and by afternoon the elevator really broke down and has not run again. The repair men hauled a 440 pound part up the stairs (six flights) and it still does not work. Our Christian landlord told Paul he was giving the company Wednesday and Thursday to get it fixed before he "lowers the boom"! Please pray. He has spent much money. This is an office building and he is in danger of loosing tenants.

Praise the Lord, we have wheels, we have parking! Tuesday night was the wagon's first night in it's new stall. Ironically, the parking is next door on the street behind us, but we have to walk around the block to get to it. So close, but so far. It is closer than the old parking, though. And less expensive. Glory!

We also praise the Lord for the sale of our car before we left. That was a huge relief for us. The boxes with the 50 manuals have now arrived safely. Please continue to pray about the rental situation for our home in Indio. The family living in the home have been out-bid on prospective houses, but continue to look for their own home. They are renting on a month-to-month basis.

Paul and I have been busy meeting with leaders of various organizations here, seeking their counsel for our new students and future location of ministry. Interestingly, even after hearing that 31 pastors started the training and 28 finished they tell us "it won't work on a weekly basis." However, our students from last year are adamant that it does work and encouraging us not to change. Based on their advice, we are asking the Lord for up to 36 pastors to begin by September 30 or October 7 at the latest. Please continue to pray for the selection process. We have much to do to be ready.

Two weeks ago Thursday found us visiting a group of graduating Bible school seniors. Their professor was one of the pastors in one of our three groups last year. Pastor Fidel, a former street kid, was also a student when Paul taught welding and metals fabrication skills back in the mid-eighties for young men from depressed areas of metro Manila and nearby provinces. So the visit was encouraging for several reasons. These students are actively learning the same life- application principles of Scripture that Fidel learned. Among the 20 students in Fidel's class is a former orphaned street girl whose Bible school education is now sponsored by Action International Ministries Philippines. Inter-action in discussing biblical principles for overcoming issues of anger and bitterness with these students was so special.

And then there was last Thursday. Paul was able to visit the Philippine national prison where he taught the discipleship & biblical counseling course in 2006 for prisoners preparing for full-time Christian service upon their release. He went with a visiting pastor and his traveling companion from Port Angeles, Washington. They were invited speakers who gave an excellent one-day seminar about the committed Christian way of life. Paul also visited the new pastor's resource center that he was instrumental in setting up. This center is dedicated to the six evangelical churches that are inside this prison compound. A box of donated books from a pastor's library in Caochella Valley, California recently arrived. Another box of donated books from a church in Edmonds, Washington is expected to arrive soon. Some of the books from these donations will be added to this resource center. The Lord is doing great things for these prisoners. We deeply appreciate those who are praying for this ministry.