Day 2 - Boat Trip and Pastors' Conference
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
We are off today to Guimaras Island to do a little bit of sightseeing. Our host, Ulysses (or Uly for short), was at the hotel before 8 A.M. to accompany us. Uly has been a member of Iloilo Baptist Church for over 25 years. You will never see him without a smile on his face, and we always have a great time whenever he is our host.
The boat ride to Guimaras Island took about 20 minutes. God gave us perfect weather today for this outing. The sun was out, and the seas were calm, which was great. It can be a challenge walking the narrow plank to board the boat in choppy waters, as some of our previous delegations have discovered. Just ask Robert Nichting what the waters of the Philippines feel like! Everyone made it on the boat fine this year.
At the island, our first stop was to visit the orphanage where Bro. Martin stayed when he first arrived here in Iloilo about 30 years ago. He stayed there for one year learning the language before moving to Jaro where he currently ministers. We went up what is called Olivet Hill. From the top of this hill, one can overlook the entire city of Iloilo. Bro. Martin frequented this spot to pray for his city.
We then headed to different sights on the island, enjoying the scenery along the way. Some of the men took turns riding on the roof of the jeepney as well as hanging on to the back during our sightseeing tour.
We ended our day on the island by having a delicious lunch at another seaside restaurant.
After another boat and jeepney ride, we were back at the hotel to get ready for the first evening service of the Pastors' Conference here at Iloilo Baptist Church.
We arrived at Iloilo Baptist Church just before 6 P.M. This year, as every year, the stirring and uplifting music prelude by the orchestra was a wonderful highlight. As he did last year, Bro. Martin once again asked Bro. Tim Trieber to conduct the singing during the welcome song. Judging from the look on his very red face, one would say that Bro. Tim was a little embarrassed; nonetheless, he did a great job.
Bro. Martin had two little girls sing "Jesus Loves Me." These girls recently lost their father, grandpa, grandma, and other close relatives to a devastating flood in Iloilo caused by typhoon Frank. We were touched by the grace of God that enabled them to sing about the love of Jesus after such a great tragedy.
Dr. Russell Anderson was the main speaker tonight. He preached on loving Jesus with all our heart. Bro. Martin introduced Dr. Anderson as one who has evidenced his Christian love by giving tens of millions of dollars to the cause of Christ.
We were then escorted to Bro. Martin’s house after the evening service for a delicious pizza meal. We were also treated to a display of Bro. Martin’s quick wit at the expense of Evan Sprague and Rob Rowe. Bro. Martin may have well been a successful stand-up comic had God not called him into the ministry!
As the night was getting late (and we were getting tired), we took our leave and headed back to the hotel for a much needed rest for tomorrow’s activities.
We’ll keep you posted…
The boat ride to Guimaras Island took about 20 minutes. God gave us perfect weather today for this outing. The sun was out, and the seas were calm, which was great. It can be a challenge walking the narrow plank to board the boat in choppy waters, as some of our previous delegations have discovered. Just ask Robert Nichting what the waters of the Philippines feel like! Everyone made it on the boat fine this year.
At the island, our first stop was to visit the orphanage where Bro. Martin stayed when he first arrived here in Iloilo about 30 years ago. He stayed there for one year learning the language before moving to Jaro where he currently ministers. We went up what is called Olivet Hill. From the top of this hill, one can overlook the entire city of Iloilo. Bro. Martin frequented this spot to pray for his city.
We then headed to different sights on the island, enjoying the scenery along the way. Some of the men took turns riding on the roof of the jeepney as well as hanging on to the back during our sightseeing tour.
We ended our day on the island by having a delicious lunch at another seaside restaurant.
After another boat and jeepney ride, we were back at the hotel to get ready for the first evening service of the Pastors' Conference here at Iloilo Baptist Church.
We arrived at Iloilo Baptist Church just before 6 P.M. This year, as every year, the stirring and uplifting music prelude by the orchestra was a wonderful highlight. As he did last year, Bro. Martin once again asked Bro. Tim Trieber to conduct the singing during the welcome song. Judging from the look on his very red face, one would say that Bro. Tim was a little embarrassed; nonetheless, he did a great job.
Bro. Martin had two little girls sing "Jesus Loves Me." These girls recently lost their father, grandpa, grandma, and other close relatives to a devastating flood in Iloilo caused by typhoon Frank. We were touched by the grace of God that enabled them to sing about the love of Jesus after such a great tragedy.
Dr. Russell Anderson was the main speaker tonight. He preached on loving Jesus with all our heart. Bro. Martin introduced Dr. Anderson as one who has evidenced his Christian love by giving tens of millions of dollars to the cause of Christ.
We were then escorted to Bro. Martin’s house after the evening service for a delicious pizza meal. We were also treated to a display of Bro. Martin’s quick wit at the expense of Evan Sprague and Rob Rowe. Bro. Martin may have well been a successful stand-up comic had God not called him into the ministry!
As the night was getting late (and we were getting tired), we took our leave and headed back to the hotel for a much needed rest for tomorrow’s activities.
We’ll keep you posted…
