Two weeks ago: No city in the world is quite as crazy as Manila. The congestion in the Philippine capital makes traffic on our freeways feel like a drive in the country. Just arriving from Bangkok, I paid a little extra for a local shuttle service to drive me to my hotal, not wanting to wait for a metered taxi. Good call.
My driver was a pleasant young Filipino named John who knew the side streets and short cuts. I introduced myself and we began to chat. He worked 15 hours a day, 7 days a week, making 10% of the fare. This meant on a good day he might make 1000 pesos or $20. He slept in his car on off hours. Married with a wife and little boy, who lived two hours away, he would see them for a day or two twice a month. Such is life in many third world countries.
Knowing I was nearing the hotel, I felt an urge to share Christ with him. Trying to find the right words, we suddenly pulled up behind a large tour bus and there emblazoned on the back panel were there words, “God demonstrated His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Thus began a hopefully thought-provoking and seed-planting conversation.
Pray for John. I don’t think he was my driver just by coincidence.
My trip: Had a great two weeks in Asia with one week spent in Thailand and one in the Philippines. There’s always lots of ministry but it’s the friendships that matter the most to me. It’s wonderful to reconnect with old friends. I think this was my 30th trip to Asia. My how the time flies.
Some of the 200 Thai believers at the camp where I ministered. Note Alison Hecht far left.
Thai style baptism. Altogether 8 new believers baptized
Prayer Needs This Week…
- Teaching Sunday mornings in the Book of Psalms
- Final month of ministry for our awesome interns
- New young adult study at the Tacklind’s
- Elaine Pike’s dad – recovery from massive heart attack
- Pam – on life support; need a miracle
- Families of Islamic terrorist bomb victims in England
- Our nation, racked by political dissension and division
From Psalm 16: “I have set the Lord continually before me.” May we do as David did.
Pastor Jay