Day 17, Sunday 18th June

Well its our 3rd Sunday here in the Philippines and it truely feels like we've been here only a few days. The day was pretty much like our first Sunday with the usual get down for breakfast at 7 am to leave at 7.30 when in fact we ended up leaving nearer 8 am for a 9 am start (it only takes 15 mins to get to the church). We thought we had Filapino time sussed as being always half an hour late but it really seems that the only rule we can see is that the time that they say to be somewhere or to start something, that is the time it is definately not going to be. A mystery indeed! The services were again in Tagalog but we were given notes in the morning which were in english. Pastor Mon took the subject of church unity and peace for the bible class and then in the main sermon he preached on Colossians 2 v 1-10 and the call to christians to not be decieved by hollow and deceptive philosophy, which seeks to undermine the sufficiency of Christ (namely that he is totally sufficient for everything we need as he is God and Sovereign ruler of all). The evening service was taken from 1 Peter 1 v 16 and the call from God to "be holy as I am holy". Unfortunately that is all I understood because there were no notes and it was completely in Tagalog. But I pray that the words spoken would bless the congregation that heard it. Becci and I spent the afternoon reading in the library again and also chatting with members of the congregation. After the evening service we went back to the CCM office to have after church fellowship. Becci and I were asked to give our testimonies as Richard did last week but it was a smaller group this time and comprised of the older girls from the two CCM Homes, Faith and Hope House (as well as Pastor Ellis). And it was interesting that afterwards some of the girls had questions to ask of us - such as the reason why we became Christians and also why did people mock our faiths and scorn at them. It was a good opportunity for Pastor Ellis to carry on from there to explain things further to them. After that we came back to the CCM homes for dinner. Another day has sped buy! It's going too fast! Luv Sarah