LITTLE HEARTS, TOUCHED BY A BIG GOD
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every
opportunity. -Colossians 4:5
While visiting my brother Phil, a pastor in
Western Pennsylvania, he invited us to speak at his little girl’s second
grade public school class.
This was
one of many such opportunities to share about Philippine culture in
schools and civic clubs. At each place Elvie asked if any children had
questions. Of course dozens of little chubby hands always reached for the
ceiling every time she came to this part of the presentation.
“Do you
really eat chicken feet, bones and intestines there?” Yes, but we eat the
parts you eat as well.
“Do all the
kids always run around barefoot?” The very poor kids, yes. But there are
some who are not poor.”
Then a
little girl’s hand, which had been patiently waiting up in the air for
awhile, was called upon. Her cute little voice wasn’t heard by all, but
Elvie heard it and smiled:
“What does it feel like to be a
PHILISTINE?”
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As a river must find its way to the sea, a dream must find
its time to be. |
DO YOU HAVE A SPRING PROJECT? HERE ARE A
FEW NEEDS THAT WE HAVE AT BLC:
SCHOOL STORE: $500
ROOF & DORM: $3,500
SCHOOLBUS: $1,500
5th GRADE: $3,500 |
FILE CABINETS (3): $20 each
GYM ROOF: $3,500
SIDEWALK SECTIONS (33): $20 each
SOUTHDORM: $25,000 |
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WANTED:
VOLUNTEER SPOKESMEN FOR BLC
Exhibiting at Missions
Conferences is fun. Churches that are serious about missions normally
welcome more exhibits. If God's calling you to fill this need, please ask
for a promotion packet at
PJLILTIM@yahoo.com
J
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Miracles in the Making
{ WATCHING GOD’S PLAN UNFOLD }
“It’s unanimous. BLC
will receive our church’s Vacation Bible School’s Offerings this year!”
In our last prayer
letter we mentioned the exciting news: funds had just been pledged for the
purchase of land adjacent to our Philippine BLC elementary school on which
to build a much-needed dorm.
The miracle continues:
God is touching hearts! As our little red car keeps bringing us further
east in the USA, the Holy Spirit accompanies us. We watched Him work in
lives again in W. Virginia.
Saturday was balmy and
sunny, but Sunday morning I woke Elvie up with the news: “It’s all white
outside!” Half a foot of snow, winter’s last vestiges, blanketed
everything. Nearby churches were closed. The pastor started getting phone
calls, asking if there was going to be a service.
“Paul, we’ll have
church, but I won’t promise that anyone will show up!” One by one, the
faithful came through the church door. Only two were not able to make it!
After challenging this dear congregation, there was a dinner and the
excitement began to build as question after question was asked:
LAWYER-
“Can I come out and help you build the dorm?”
NURSE-
“I could give poor mothers a seminar on hygiene!”
DENTIST-
“Did you say you have a dental clinic in Nov.?”
A week later, in a
different state, I was sent an email from W. Virginia: “Paul, the
congregation is excited about our 2 upcoming missions trips to Davao in
Nov. & Feb! Our VBS committee also made the unanimous decision to give
their offerings this year for your dorm project! Praise God, He still is
touching hearts!
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“A
leader is a person who has the ability to get others to do what they don’t
want to do, and like it.”- President Harry S. Truman |
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Paul
shares with a nurse in West Virginia how she can help in the Philippines.
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CHASED BY THE DEVIL
“for he will command his angels concerning you to
guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that
you will not strike your foot against a stone.” -PS 91:11,12
“It just missed you!” We
hear it over & over. As we look back on our past 22,000 miles of travel,
we see God’s hand of protection in answer to your prayers. It’s not until
we leave a place that Satan exerts his horrible influence:
- DAVAO-EXPLOSION IN AIRPORT
- DAVAO-EXPLOSION AT WHARF
- HONG KONG-SARS VIRUS
- COLORADO-SEVEN FEET OF SNOW AT ONCE
- SOTHEASTERN PA-SHOOTING AT SCHOOL
- NORTHEASTERN PA-CHEMICAL CLOUD OF GLUE ESCAPES
FROM AVERY FACTORY
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PLANNING YOUR '03-04 CALENDAR?
It's been three years since our last furlough, and we're
now planning on being in the USA from Feb. to Oct., 2003. Would you
like for us to visit your church? Please contact Bud Barner for available
times, at budbarner(at)juno. com. |
YOU KNOW YOU ARE A FILIPINO IF...
You love to take pictures of large groups of people, or
people eating at full tables of food. |
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To receive the BLC
newsletter in the mail, send your name and address via email to budbarner
(at) yahoo.com
Click here to download a
PDF version of the printed newsletter. (700 KB) |
Archived Newsletters --
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Last edited
May 03, 2003
Please write
SteveB@boltonvt.com with comments or
questions
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