January 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
Manigong Bagong Taon! Happy New Year! The year 2007 ends with splashes of light and crashes of noise, creating beautiful displays of fireworks. While these displays last only a moment and are gone, God’s working begins and continues for a lifetime. “God thundereth marvelously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend,” Job 37:5. I am thankful to God for all that He has done through me this past year, and I look forward to the new opportunities He will bring across my path.
Gospel Light Baptist Church held their Christmas cantata on Dec. 16. This was the first time to combine orchestra, organ, and piano with the choir. Many people came out, and the service was a blessing. Pastor Castillo preached a salvation message, and two ladies responded to the invitation.
A friend invited me to attend a Christmas concert at the University of the Philippines on Dec. 7. By the time we returned to school, the time was already late. I was ready to go home, but I noticed a lady sitting in the hallway and stopped to talk with her. I soon learned that she was the mother of one of my BJMBC piano students. She shared with me how she attended one of Mr. Bachorik’s music conferences a few years ago. She said that conference showed her the difference between Christian Contemporary Music and music that truly honors the Lord. She referred to a message based on Exodus 32:17-18 as being the turning point for her and her family. Because of that conference, her husband (a pastor) has changed the music standards in their local church ministry. Mrs. David expressed her gratitude toward the teachers at BJMBC for training her son and daughter to appreciate good music. She now takes the 3 hr. trip herself to attend a Bible class on Friday nights.
Christmas Eve is the big celebration for Filipinos. They enjoy spending time together with family and friends, partying, and shooting off fireworks and noise-makers. My roommates and I went up to the roof deck of our apartment building to catch some of the action. Our neighbors shot their fireworks off in the road right in front of our building. They were so close, we had to move to escape sparks as they came down. I was also wondering how the sparks managed to evade the two lines of electric wires that cross our street right at that point. Sarah, the Korean lady, came up to join us. Please continue to pray for her salvation.
Prayers and Praises:
1. I will have my meeting with the Candidate Committee at GFA April 16-18. Please pray for wisdom for the men and for me as we continue to pursue God’s will concerning my full-time ministry here in Manila, Philippines.
2. Tess Brosoto: She is one of our two secretaries for BJMBC. She is in need of hip and knee replacement surgery. Please continue to pray for the Lord to provide the funds that are needed to make this miracle possible.
3. Opportunities to witness, spiritual growth, wisdom in teaching, good health
4. Salvation: Leah, Sarah, Marilou, Christina, Mrs. Loyola, Catherina Bona and her husband
5. Spiritual growth/Church attendance: Angelita Hipolito, Marilyn Dayao
6. Wisdom as I continue writing hymn arrangements for piano students. The staff at New Song Ministries (the Bachorik’s publishing company) are already working on the first publication of these books.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support. May God bless you as you serve Him.