Baguio, Philippines

September 17-27, 2007

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Thanks to all for your help, both in prayer and finance. The following entries are from the latest to the earliest.

Thursday
Sep272007

We've Landed!

DateThu, September 27, 2007 at 08:59PM

After an uneventful twelve hour flight from Manila to San Francisco, we landed in Seattle at 12:30 AM this morning. We are tired but excited about all the things God did in the Philippines.

On Monday, all the teams were done and made their way back to the Dusit Hotel in Manila by late afternoon. I had a pleasant seven hour bus ride from Baguio to Manila; others flew and some returned by car. Some went to the pool and sauna and others just slept in their rooms.

Tuesday we went shopping. The word "shopping" doesn't seem adequate in Manila. Try to imagine Southcenter, and then add three more Southcenters that all flow from one to another. That would be a small "mall" in Manila.

Wednesday was a shopping day or a rest day, or both if you could manage it. I rested, and then went with Dr. Greg and Jeff to preview the Makita Shangri-La Hotel in preparation for some visitors arriving in a few weeks. (This is a must-see if you are in Manila.) At 2:00 PM we had a team de-briefing to "add up the numbers", so to speak. Dr. Cyndi ordered Pizza Hut and bottled water and I shared my leftover trail mix. What a feast. The rough estimate was over 2000 saved, with healings and deliverance abounding. There were too many stories to recount here but I will share some on Sunday morning. We all laid a foundation for our next trips next year.

Then it was off to the airport at 6:00 PM to catch our 10:30 PM flight to San Francisco. We went through four security checks before we were allowed on the plane. Security was tighter than in Israel. Really.

I am so glad to have gone and so glad to be home. My stay in Baguio was exhausting but delightful. Ten pastors invited me to their churches when I return. I now have real brothers and sisters and friends in the Philippines. They are an incredible, lovely and friendly people.

God's people.

I've posted all the pictures here. Enjoy!

AuthorPastor Chris | CommentPost a Comment |
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Tuesday
Sep252007

Update from Manila

DateTue, September 25, 2007 at 09:00PM

I'm sitting in the business center of the Dusit Hotel (www.dusit.com) finally able to type something. It's 9:00 PM on Tuesday night and we leave for the airport at 6:00 PM tomorrow night. I arrive in Seattle at 12:45 AM on Thursday morning.

Today was resting, shopping and eating. We had lunch at Chow King (Chinese) and dinner at Kenny Rogers (yes, that Kenny Rogers. I had ribs.) We've just returned from dinner and had a few minutes to write.

We will do a complete debriefing tomorrow but have already heard from many of the team members what God did around the country. Amazing things, as always. In Baguio, I had it the best as far as creature comforts went. (It's a resort town with a very mild climate.) For other teams it was 100 F. with poor (or no) air conditioning. For most their crusades were outside in the rain. Mine was in a comfortable building. I was doing TV in primetime while some were doing radio at 5:00 AM on Sunday morning. I thank God for the physical blessings but all the teams were pretty much exhausted no matter what was going on. God was in all of it and we'll have many wonderful testimonies to share with one another tomorrow.

Sorry I haven't been able to post the pics. I have over 200 taken by my brother in Christ, Harry Ching, in Baguio. I'll post them when I get home on Thursday.

I look forward to seeing everyone, especially my wife and family, soon. Please continue to pray as we being to journey home.

Love,

Pastor Chris 

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Sunday
Sep232007

Sunday night in Baguio

DateSun, September 23, 2007 at 04:38AM

(This is an email update--more to follow when I find a broadband connection.)

Today I had two services and I've just returned from the second one. Honestly, I'm exhausted but blessed.

After the first service I was invited to lunch which was fantastic. Then I was asked to teach the women's Bible study for about an hour. After that they took me to the next service in downtown Baguio. What a fantastic day it has been. And what wonderful, loving and warm people.

Last night we had the healing part of the crusade. I prayed for every single person there personally. I'll tell of the details when I have a broadband connection, but it was so moving and so blessed by God. I've been invited back by at least ten pastors. I think that's a good sign.

The TV program I taped yesterday is about to air. They've been promoting it non-stop all day today. Can't wait to see what I look like on TV. :)

God is in Baguio. Tomorrow I catch the bus at 8:20 AM for the seven hour ride to the Dusit hotel in Manila. I can't wait to hit the sack for about 20 hours. Please continue to pray for me.

Thanks!

Pastor Chris

AuthorChurch on The Rock | Comment1 Comment |
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Friday
Sep212007

Baguio: Saturday Update

DateFri, September 21, 2007 at 04:52PM

On Thursday I arrived at about 2:30 PM in Bagio after an interesting seven hour busride from Manila. Baguio is situated in the mountains at about 5000' above sea level. It is quite cool compared to Manila.

I borrowed a woman's cell phone and sent a text msg to my host to tell him I was in town. He picked me up and took me to my hotel. After checking in and washing my face it was off to a church meeting where I spoke and prayed for the people. God did what He always does and blessed them in many ways. These people love to laugh, sing and have fun.

On Friday my host picked me up and we began our all-day seminar at 9:00 AM. We had four, 1 1/2 hour sessions on hearing God and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit. At the end I prayed for a number of people and used the time to teach them how to pray and "release" the power of God as they prayed. At the end I was dog-tired and then my host asked if I could stay and teach a youth meeting they had just thown together with about six or seven local churches. I really prayed about it because I was so tired but I thought, "Hey, I'm here so let's make good use of the time". I had a blast talking with the kids (about 75 of them). They were a kick. And they really listened. I prayed for a number of them and it really touched them. Many were crying as God began to encourage them to go for their dreams and not be discouraged by their circustances.

I checked out of the hotel and am now staying at my host's home. His name is Brother Harry and he lives in a beautiful home on a hillside where on a clear day you can see all the way to the sea. In a few minutes I will be going to a local TV station to tape a two-hour program. Then I will rest and get ready for the healing crusade tonight. Already I've had reports from the others who's crusades were last night and blind eyes were opened and hundreds healed. I can't wait to see what God will do tonight.

Please continue to pray for me and for the people of Baguio. I have two services tomorrow and then I'm off to Manila. God is doing mighty things here in the very short time we have. Pray for open heavens.

Love,

Pastor Chris

UPDATE: I'm sitting in Starbucks, having just eaten a wonderful meal at the local mall with Brother Harry and two pastors that are part of a fellowship here. We finished taping the TV program and they will be running it tomorrow night on local television to about 35,000 subscribers. They were very encouraged by how it all came together.

I am so moved by the love and sincerity of the people here. Everyone is very warm and encouraging. They all want me to come back as soon as possible! I'll have to ask my wife.  :)

AuthorChurch on The Rock | Comment1 Comment |
Wednesday
Sep192007

We've landed in Manila!

DateWed, September 19, 2007 at 09:00PM

We've landed safely in Manila. We were supposed to have a stop-over in Guam but the flight was light and so we flew straight to Manila. Many of our team had three to four seats in a row and could lie down and get some real sleep. I used my 1stClassSleeper and slept like a baby. The flight was thirteen hours of smooth sailing.

We landed at 4:15 AM to rain, 75 F and 100% humidity. James greeted us at the airport and then the inevitable wild ride to the hotel. Dr. Cyndi wrapped her arms around us all and up to her room we went. (We won't get our rooms until around 1:00 PM.) After a quick briefing and receiving our assignments it was back downstairs to a five-star breakfast. The fresh mango was out of this world.

We're going shopping in a minute to buy the necessities for the days ahead. I have a seven hour bus ride tomorrow (air conditioned and it has a bathroom, praise God!). I'd love to say it's goats and chickens but it will be very civilized.  :)

I'll write as often as possible. Please watch over my family, especially my incredible wife, Sandy.

Blessings!

- Pastor Chris 

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