Some of our missionaries have attended their classes on agriculture and also on making feral cement water tanks so that they can have an adequate water supply in their villages. Simon had a working farm where he held classes.  In addition to this, he traveled to many remote locations in this country and other Asian countries to teach and minister. 

Along with all of his good attributes, Simon was a biker and I have the privilege of riding with him.  However, for him, the bike was not just for recreation.  It was a form of transportation.  I would often see him riding down the South Highway to collect some milk or produce from a neighboring farm. 

Last Saturday, we got news that Simon contracted what appeared to be flu, and died suddenly. Please pray for his wife, Jinky, their family and coworkers as they come to terms with this huge lose.

We are grateful that we had the privilege of knowing this godly man and grateful for his vision and ministry.  While it seems a tragedy, we know God has His purpose and plan for him. 

Simon was only 44.

One of the many boys who come by daily looking for scraps they can sell.

People go through my garbage several times a day. 

The other day as I was leaving there was a grandmother and granddaughter going through my trash can.  I had a piece of metal that I fetched and gave to them.  They thanked me and I hope my meager efforts were a help to them.

Yesterday Monika and Tim Sharp took Nunsing and her friend to the bus station. She had been with us for almost a week at our Guesthouse. She had a big growth under her arm that needed to be looked at by a doctor. The doctor surgically removed it and did several tests. We suspected it may have been tuberculosis or worse, since many of her family members have TB. Thankfully the results all came back negative. Then Monica and Tim treated her and her friend to their first ever dental visits and then sent them home. The Christian doctor who operated on her charged nothing for his services. Seeing it as his ministry to help people like her.

Munsing visits the Doctor and the Dentist

We are grateful to have our work permits and grateful for the opportunity to serve here.

Please pray for the Wards as they attempt to convey the gospel to these ladies in both word and deed.

Had a very good week.  Busy.  Lots of complications.  Bad weather.  Flights canceled.  Thus people not leaving as scheduled or coming sooner because of weather complications.  We are struggling to get them all in.

I’ve been having my devotions in the book of 2 Kings.  I’m actually working my way through the historical books.  Enjoying it very much.  The other day I read about Nehushtan.  A good thing becomes bad.  I’m sure lots of lessons here.  It’s amazing that people will bow to statues.  Of course, that is a big issue here.  At Mt. Calvary (near the watershed) “they” have the statues and the 10 commandments side-by-side.  It’s obvious that they really don’t get it.  When I was there on Good Friday a year ago, there were thousands there.  They came to touch the statues thinking that by touching them they would get a blessing.

I was in the dentist office the other day.  He’s a “good” religious man and has religious publications for us to read in his waiting room.  There were many ads in these magazines paid for by different individuals.  They all said the same thing (were the same ads).  These ads stated, “If you will say this prayer (and gives a short pray) 7 times a day for 7 days and publish this prayer/ad in this magazine, your wildest dream will come true.  Desperate people doing silly things.  Yet, they need the truth. Please continue to pray for their salvation.

Pray for us as we anticipate another busy week with many coming and going.

One of my chores is to take people to the bus terminal that is about an half hour ride from here.  Early this morning (5am), I took 7 tribal ladies to catch the bus.  When we got there, there was a large number of people with lots of luggage and packages, but no bus.  The bus was broken! So we went to inquire at the bus garage.  You never saw so many broken down buses!  We were told that the bus would be soon repaired so we left the ladies there.  These ladies were from one of our tribal works.  They all had goiters and were here for their preliminary check-up.  They will return next next weekend for their surgery.  We are grateful that we could  house and help these ladies in this way.

Please pray for these ladies as they travel and have this surgery.  They are very much out of their element when they are out of their tribe.

I walked by our Baptist Church this morning and people were getting ready for church.

We’ve had a wonderful furlough and are now back in Manila and preparing to move on to our Guesthouse Ministry.  It has been interesting being here.  I’m out every morning running and visiting with people as I go.  Green Hills mall is about 2 miles from our Manila guesthouse.  I run there every morning.  The mall is a great place for people to walk and run as we don’t have to worry about the traffic.  Here we walk around the mall.  There are hundreds there.  On my way back I enjoy a 10 peso RC that I buy from a street vendor.  He has a 2′x3′ table where he sells pop, smokes and candy.  He says that he starts at 5 am and works till 10 pm 7 days a week.  It certainly makes me think  of how fortunate I am to be an American.