Batch II Graduation

Last Friday, we had the grand closing ceremony for the 2nd batch of pastors and ladies who serve in their churches. We also invited alumni from the first batch who were trained in 2007, and other special invited guests. All in all, almost seventy people attended including family members of those trained. Of the 36 members of Life-Discipleship trainees, 24 of them completed all course requirements and received the LD Certificate of Completion!

The main speakers were Rev. Doug Nichols, ACTION’s International Director of Pastor Leadership Development and Children At Risk, Rev. Jeff Anderson, ACTION’s Philippine Field Director, Pastor Norman Dagdag (Life-Discipleship’s Alumni leadership) and the two of us (Paul & Patty). The over-all theme was to challenge these trained pastors and ladies to train yet others who will spread their training both locally and abroad wherever the Lord may send them. Another feature of the ceremony was the showing of the “Fire Proof” DVD, http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/ that served as a great review about marriage relationships as were taught in the course. Some came into the kitchen area asking for paper tissue to dry their eyes. We have yet to fully discover what all this will be doing in a living way. We do know that this will be added to the great rejoicing in Heaven some day.

Pastor Manalang’s wife and daughter attended the ceremony (See previous blog for this story). Mrs. Gina Manalang represented her faithful husband in receiving his certificate. All who were there were touched because of her husband’s testimony.

Times Past Interwoven with Current Events

Pastor Marcos “Bong” Manalang used a bolo (machete) to murder his grandfather and two young relatives as a teenager. He was tried and incarcerated in the adult maximum prison just south of Manila. There he came to know Jesus Christ as his Redeemer and Savior. He went on to complete high school, earn a BA in Business Administration, and complete seminary. He also met a Christian woman who became his wife and the mother of his children.

As Pastor Bong was nearing release, he learned that a prison church in a large prison on another island needed a pastor and applied to be transferred there. There he was given a simple house to live in and his children were able to live with their daddy for the first time within the prison gates. He had a small plot of land to farm. He had to report for roll call daily at 4 PM or he would loose the “freedom”.

Several years ago Patty and I went to the long slender island on the west side of the Philippines to hold Life Discipleship training for pastors there. Pastors came from both ends of this island, some traveling over many rivers with less-than-desirable bridges (or none at all) as this island still has many very remote tribal areas.

After the three days of teaching was completed, one of the pastors brought us to see various ministry and tourist sites in his military-style jeep. Our first stop was the large national prison where one of the attending pastors was working with the evangelical church. It was with sheer joy that we stopped at the little church. The prisoners themselves were paying for its construction with their tithes from the meager, meager earnings making handicraft items.

We met the prisoner-pastor and were blessed by his love for his fellow-prisoners. However, he was limping on a very discolored and swollen foot. Infection was inching its way up his leg. He had been working fish traps in the river and a “mud-fish” had bitten his foot. Pastor had gone to the prison doctor and been given antibiotics for five days. Now the infection was raging again. The prison would not give him any more medicine. Patty and I were able to purchase appropriate antibiotics for this dear man.

It is interesting how the Lord works. Pastor Bong was released from prison and returned to the prison compound where he spent so many years to pastor a church. He learned about Life Discipleship classes in our home. He was one of two former prisoners to be accepted into the classes that began last October.

When the Friday group convened its weekly session on April 3, 2009, Pastor Joel announced that Pastor Marcos Manalang became seriously ill Thursday evening and was in critical condition in the hospital. Saturday evening I received a text message from Pastor Joel that Pastor Bong had passed away.

Pastor Bong had completed all course requirements by Friday, March 27, his last day of attendance. He was among the most faithful in attending the sessions, was active in dynamic group discussions, and submitted his homework requirements. Upon visiting his family on Sunday afternoon, April the 12th, his wife told me that her husband showed her often, from the Scriptures, what dying to self really means. Who knows what we’ll discover about this dear brother in Christ and how his life impacted others when we all meet together in heaven.

Good Friday

I did not want to go to San Fernando Good Friday, but then, neither did Paul. OK, we’ll both go. We took Ad and Ann, two mid-twenty singles along. We arrived about 9:30 or 9:45 and were the first ones to park in a cleared vacant lot with trees to give shade enough for two cars.

Paul, Adam and Ann took off to photograph the crucifixions while I pulled out the beach chair and made myself at home under the tree with the tailgate up. I had some Jelly-bird eggs from after-Easter sales last year and I passed them out to about 6 kids. I was busily writing recipes onto index cards for a new card file, adjusting the recipes for two people. I was excited with the progress I was making with one of my favorite recipe books.

The people there were very nice and called me up when the large group of flagellates and the guy with the cross came by. They were in time with the large group, including nuns, leaving the big church that was behind and across a fairly large field. I was able to stand on the edge of the road and get a picture of the people leaving the church. Then I tried to get pics of the penitents as they walked by. All I got was a big mug smiling at me as some guy walked by, a tricycle driver's back, etc. Oh, well.

After they had gone by I thanked them and mentioned to one of the ladies that I did not want to go see the crucifixion because it broke my heart. Jesus paid it ALL and nothing we can do can add to it or pay for any sin we do.

I returned to my chair and continued to write. I had just finished “salads” when one of the ladies came over to talk. No problem. I set my book, pen, and cards aside. She was so excited that I could speak to her in Tagalog as she was embarrassed to even try English with me. Well, from that moment on I experienced Philippine hospitality at it's best! Companionship. One of two ladies stayed with me continuously until Paul returned about 2:30! The younger woman had two children, Carla, an 8 year-old daughter and Rico, 5. We had fun. Little Rico was quite bold in asking for more jelly-bird eggs. When the sun was shining on my legs they moved my chair to new shade. It was an amazing day of companionship.


When the guy came around selling dried mangoes from a major exporter (the one for sale at Costco) I used the opportunity to share a little about Jesus and finally bought one bag. I tossed it in the car. I explained that I would use it to bake cookies with and broke out a cookie for them to taste.

Then came the peanut lady. Now we love garlic peanuts. P10 for a bag - about 2/3 cup. P5 for a little bag. I bought one P10 bag. Then I looked at Carla and pulled out P5, handing her the peanuts I received. Then I pulled out another P5 and gave little Rico the other bag. They were full of Jelly-bird eggs, so they ate their peanuts about 45 minutes later – one by one through a little hole in the corner of the bag. All the while they were playing around me. I played spider on Ian’s knee. He sang for me. I was Lola Patty (Grandma).

The crucifixions were late getting started. Then the crowds began to walk by. Paul called and I was concerned. He sounded out of breath to me and he was walking back alone. When he arrived all hot, red in the face, soaking wet and exhausted, little C and Ian took turns fanning Lolo Pa-ul with their mother’s paypay (a fan made of woven blades of wide grass) as he sat in my beach chair.

When Ad and Ann arrived, I started the diesel engine and the air conditioner. They grabbed the Blue Ice and started cooling their faces. Paul and I piled in and sat right there while we ate our big fat sandwiches on subway rolls. Yummy! Honey and Dijon mustard for the dressing, then avocado mushed onto the bread with orange slices on top of the avocado. Then I added rings of sliced onions, tomato slices, cucumber slices and lettuce. It has to be one of my favorite sandwiches. Of course we had kids looking in the windows to see what we were eating. Add multigrain chips and apples around topped off by Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies and mango cookies and we had quite a lovely meal sitting in the air conditioned car in the shade of the trees!

Many hands were waving as we pulled out of the parking lot - men, women, and kids. I left friends behind. I will always remember today. If I didn't know the language it would never have happened.