Greetings Everyone:
It has been a while since I last wrote a weekly update. I had a very wonderful visit with the Philippine ministry and brethren. My trip over was marred by the cancellation of my flight from Osaka, Japan, to Manila, which caused a twenty—seven hour delay in reaching Manila. That is just one of the hazards of travel!
Overall, the Philippine brethren are in very good spiritual condition. The ministry is doing a very fine job, and growth is quite strong.
We currently have five Pastors working full-time, covering over seven thousand islands. Thankfully, our brethren are living in clusters on the larger islands. The current political situation in Mindanao is of concern to our brethren, but they are not likely targets of the militant factions. Our concern is that they could get in the crossfire between the militants and the government forces. The ministry and brethren appreciate your prayers for peace and safety in their country. A militant rebel group kidnapped 29 people (mostly children) from a school last March. They beheaded two of the adults on the Philippine President's birthday, and they tortured (indescribably) and murdered a priest and woman teacher the last week of April. The rebels are conscienceless criminals who used women and children as shields between themselves and the government forces seeking to liberate the hostages. You have probably not heard the gory details of the rebel's conduct because the western governments and media have been seeking to pressure the Philippine government to cease military action against the rebels. I should tell you that the greater Muslim community in the Philippines has publicly condemned the Muslim militants recent and current activities. Our hearts and prayers go out to the hostages and their families, and to the law-abiding citizens who become caught in the crossfire between rebels and the government forces.
We had three full days of meetings with all of the ministers in Davao City, Mindanao. We played the videotapes of Mr. Meredith's presentations to the ministers in San Diego last March and covered subjects that were specific to the Philippine area. One item of discussion was future oversight of the Philippines. We discussed the feasibility of Rod McNair overseeing the Philippines from the states after his visa expires next November, visiting quarterly. The Philippine ministers wholeheartedly supported the proposal. We discussed the methods and means of communicating and managing via fax, telephone and e-mail service. All of the Pastors now have computers and will soon have e-mail service.
I spoke the last day of Unleavened Bread in Manila and the weekly Sabbath of April 29 in Davao City. Thursday, May 4th I conducted a Bible study in the home of Mrs. Roger Salibad, a widow in Baguio. The Sabbath of May 6th I spoke again to the Manila Church and announced the ordination of Mr. Gideon Benitez as a Church Elder. Gideon, the son of Pastor Tex Benitez, has assisted his father as a Deacon for some time already. Mr. Eleno Cabahit will move to Tacloban and pastor the Visayas. Mr. Gorgonio De Guia will pastor Manila and oversee the other groups on Luzon.
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith will be leaving next Tuesday for the United Kingdom. He will visit London, England and Belfast, North Ireland. From there he will travel to Berlin, Germany, and Rome, Italy. Remember to pray for a safe and profitable journey for Mr. and Mrs. Meredith.
Media ANNOUNCEMENT:
The semi-annual letter to Tomorrow's World subscribers was mailed this week. Dr. Meredith's new booklet, "Who Controls the Weather?" is offered. The booklet will be mailed automatically to member households. Therefore, members do NOT need to return the literature request card enclosed in the semi-annual letter to receive the booklet.
Have a GREAT Sabbath!
CEMcNair