Manila Update

Final Update: One day in Bangkok...

I'm on my way home this morning after spending an encouraging and refreshing day with Gary and Paula Hays, EFC and Foursquare Missionaries to Thailand. They have just come through a tough season of physical challenge (Gary had a SERIOUS bout with Ecoli) and in spite of that they have continues to surge forward with exciting new outreach endeavors throughout SE Asia. Their primary focus is to reach these nations through children's evangelism, and doors have been opening for fruitful outreach in Burma, Cambodia, Laos and throughout Thailand. Their enthusiasm and passion is contagious. Being that I was only with them for one day, we spent the much of the day seeing a few sights that they had never before seen in this remarkable city. Thank-you everyone for your prayers! I will now begin my long journey home!

Update...February 28th...(Thursday).
I am grabbing an hour at a Starbucks near the Kabayan Hotel, where I am staying. The training location is one train stop from the hotel, which has been pretty convenient. I can get back and forth on my own efficiently. In a half hour I will be having dinner with the Forras family as well as Val and Sally Chavez.

The training has been really good. The leaders here are young and inexperienced but eager to learn. The trainings that we are doing will be quarterly and are 2 1/2 days long. I also have been able to make a great deal of progress regarding the re-organization of the UCPP. I met yesterday with Val (President of Foursquare Philippines), Roy (District Coach), Rey (District Supervisor) and Pete and we plowed through a lot of questions that need clarification. I have some "homework" to do when I get back to put these in writing. I realize I need to start working on my sermon for next weekend (after I get back). I also am speaking that week at the big Christian Educator's Conference at Overlake. I need to get cracking on those.

I have taught 5 times during the past two days and had quite a few meetings. Tomorrow I will be going to Bangkok to visit the Hays before heading home. I'm sure I'll update my blog from there.

It is late on Wednesday and I am trying to get my blog updated before my computer battery dies on me. Yesterday was my first day in Manila, and it was a long day. It started on Sunday at home and seemed to be three days rolled into one. It included a couple of teaching sessions at the UCPP training event at the Philippino Convention of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). The training has been well attended and has included enthusiastic participation. I take the trail a short distance each day from my hotel to the center. Today I taught twice more, as will be the case tomorrow (the final day of our training). Computer access is limited, as has been phone access. I have yet to successfully access my email. Oh well...Here are some photos...