God is so good! Praise Him! We came back from the Philippines last Tuesda
y (April 6). We're just now getting over jet lag. But the Lord was there for us. JR found so many friends in such
a short time. He also found many intriguing things about the Philippines. I will be writing about them in my Sharing Time column.
The Revival in Batiano Church was a great success. The church was packed every night. I used around 140 PowerPoint pictures each night and used personal testimonies. On the last night of the revival, we showed the movie: The Passion of the Christ. It was standing room only. Even the lobby was full of people. I gave an altar call after the movie, and everyone came to the front (many sobbing) and gave their lives to Jesus.
We met with many Adventist church leaders: President Albert Gulfan of Southern Asia-Pacific Division, Pastor Neph Manez of North Philippine Union Mission, Pastor Ephraim Parulan of Central Luzon Conference, Pastor Nelson de Chavez of South Central Luzon Conference, Pastor Ezekiel Galve of Romblon Adventist Mission, President Robin Saban and Dr. Santiago of Adventist University of the Philippines. Pastor Rudy Evangelista, AaM coordinator for NPUM.
Pastor Charlie Jondonero of Negros Occidental Conference sent his treasurer to Romblon to meet us. Resin Mendoza, coordinator of AaM in Northern Luzon Mission, met us in Manila. Resin received a digital camera gift for NLM from the AaM sponsors: Dr. and Mrs. Ben Sanidad of Ohio. Resin was very happy to get the camera; he traveled by bus 7 hours (one way) to get the gift.
We received a surprise visit from Ambassador Bien V. Tejano while in Manila. The ambassador and his wife are working on having a new 3ABN station built in Papua, New Guinea.
We attended the graduation of Pastor Rueben Villanueva. We sponsored Pastor Reuben for two years at AUP. He graduated with a masters in Public Health.
President Robin Saban of the Adventist University of the Philippines gave me time to talk about Adopt-a-Minister during the Alumni Homecoming Banquet. God has been so good to us all.
We met 10 Theology students from Central Philippine Adventist College who were having their externship in Romblon. They have heard about Adopt-a-Minister International and are very happy to know that they will find employment after graduation through this program.
We also met freshmen "working" ministerial students selling books. They asked for help with their college tuition so they could graduate in 4 to 5 years instead of 8 years as working students.
We visited with some of the adopted ministers, particularly those of Romblon Adventist Mission. We listened to their stories. They were very excited to meet us. They love working for our Lord. They’re very happy to have sponsors who pay their salaries.
We visited Pastor Jessie Antonio's little hut. This young minister sustains his family (3 children) with $125 every month. JR and I sponsor Pastor Jessie. Pastor Jessie is in dire need of a motorcycle for his travel in mountainous areas .
Romulo Tuballes, AaM coordinator from Southern Mindanao Mission came to meet us in Romblon. He brought plaques from his mission to give to the SMM sponsors. We have 13 adopted ministers there.
Pastor Romee Lozada from Palawan Mission also went to Romblon to meet us. Pastor Lozada’s sponsors are Dr. and Mrs. Filemon Cabansag of Keene, Texas. Romee recently graduated from Mountain View College, sponsored by Dr. Hortensia Baudin of Harvey, Louisiana.
We met Pastor Bernard Bautista assigned in Cavite and sponsored by Glenn and Linda Gately of Washington.
In Romblon, we met: Pastor Bebot Fetilo sponsored by Leslie and Esther de Guzman of California, and Pastor Anthony Fortu, sponsored by Gener and Amy Romero of Canada.
We also met a few of the former AaM ministers (Pastors Rudny Subigca and John Panganiban) now employed by Romblon Adventist Mission. We were introduced to our new granddaughter. The babies in my dream now have babies of their own.
The adopted ministers also received watches--gifts from Orlie Sanidad.
We brought with us an FM RADIO Transmitter (donated by a sponsor) to Pastor Allan Castor of Batiano SDA Church. Pastor Allan’s sponsors are Sam and Ella David of California. Allan had the radio working while we were there.
I've been corresponding with Mary Grace through email while we were gone. She surely surprised me, for she did a great job corresponding with you. Grace is a very great help for AaM and gives concerts to raise funds for this project.
Thank you all so much for your thoughtful help for God's workers. Because of you, God’s commission: "to preach the gospel into all the world" is being fulfilled so Jesus could come. All the Heavenly Hosts must be singing praises because of your kindness and generosity.
PLEASE continue to pray for the Adopt-a-Minister program. We have many more unemployed ministers waiting for placement.
God bless you all! JR and Reva Moore