Philippines 09

So today was Calvin day. From 9.30 until about 2.45 a good number gathered in the GMA lecture hall to hear three lectures on Calvin. Brian Ellis gave the first on Calvin's life. It was a very helpful introduction. Brian lectures on the Reformation and knows his audience and so was able to highlight the things that needed highlighting. Not knowing my audience and having far too much material as ever I struggled a little on Calvin the theologian. I will try and put the original paper on the blog over the next few days (the first part has been posted). Noel Espinosa gave a fine paper to close on Calvin as pastor and preacher. I will be using some of his quotations for my series. There was time for questions and that was worthwhile and for fellowship over food. I noticed from my guidebook that Filipinos love their food. That certainly seems to be the case - lots of rice and good meat with everything.
I was very kindly given some lovely Filipino gifts (from kultura filipino) to take home as a token of appreciation for my efforts. Very nice. There was also a good bookstall and after Brian took me to see the literature warehouse they have - yet another ministry that I've seen pictures of in the past. Like the other ministries, it is located not far from the church.
I'm out for food with Pastor Mon and his family tonight so that will be good. I think I am going to be a tourist tomorrow - weather permitting.

Philippines Trip

On July 1 I intend to travel to The Philippines and to be there for the next 10 days or so. How come?

1. Some years ago we became aware of the work of Brian Ellis and Cubao RB Church, Manila.

2. For some years we've supported the work among the street children they do and one or two members have travelled to see the work. We also sometimes have Filipinos in the congregation.

3. We are also aware of the Grace Ministerial Academy and its current need of help.

4. Since my last overseas trip (to Nigeria) we've put regularly put aside half a per cent from the general fund for another (the amount covered my air fare). There's an idea for some of you!

5. Having thought about this for some while and tried to pass on my thought of going I finally got to see Brian a month or two back and broached the idea of lecturing on the wisdom literature. He and Principal Noel Espinosa seemed keen for me to come in July, August or September.

6. Meanwhile my dad's situation has not been good so I've been much in prayer and consultation on what to do. Reminders of the Philippines are never far away in London (see pic). At one point I was in a MacDonalds using the netbook when I heard on the radio - "Don’t matter if I step on the scene Or sneak away to the Philippines". I thought I was so obsessed with the subject I was hearing things but these are genuine words from Britney Spears' "Piece of me". Thankfully I try not to get my guidance from such Providences. What I really wanted was some assurance from God about how long my dad will live. I don't think I'll be getting that and so there could still be problems ahead for this project but I just need to step out in faith.

7. So I decided that sooner rather than later was better from the point of view of my dad's health (who's fine at present and has been told to stay healthy at least until I'm back and then for the wedding at least). It turns out Noel was planning a special day of Calvin seminars on July 10 so I can do that too - although he's given me Calvin's Theology, which will be a tall order for me.

8. Tickets no doubt go up the longer you leave it so I was glad to get a good price last Monday (Malaysia Airlines). I did it on the laptop watching the news about this Air France tragedy. Sobering thought. For some reason it was cheaper to travel July 1 than July 2, which is not a problem. The bigger decision was choosing to be away 2 Sundays, which I didn't want but it's been unavoidable (one factor was the need to be back to see Dylan perform in Westside Story!). Getting preachers didn't prove difficult - further Providences. Also no problem updating my injections at the doctor's - and nothing to pay, which was good.

9. So imagine that, God willing on July 10th, Calvin's birthday, I'll be not in Wales or London, which would be fine, not in Geneva - a great idea I toyed with but couldn't afford - but in Manila and talking about the man himself! Could he possibly have imagined that 500 years on they'd be talking about him in such a far flung place?

10. There's lots of preparation to be done then - going through my notes on Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes and working on the Calvin but what a privilege. There are always reasons to pray.