Batch 18 is really a great challenge for the school of missions’ administration. It was during this batch that we experience how to expand our patience, ability, talents and skills. Before this batch started it was God’s message to us that we are going to have a lot of surprises and challenges. Lo and behold they came at the first week of the training. It was also during this batch that we did a lot of prayer and fasting. I even heard one student commented “the staffs are doing prayer and fasting many times but nothing happens there are still tensions” it was true we experience tensions until the end of the training. But I also received a message that the next batch (Batch 18) will benefit our prayers. God is really true to His words. He let us rest this batch; we didn’t experience tensions or any problems, though there are some but even our student affair staff can manage it.
This batch is really relaxing for us, everything is running smoothly that they didn’t even experience measuring their food for there is enough food or I would say they didn’t complain about food. The students and the school administration are really united.
With these reason, blessings overflows this year.
To summarize it:
- Teaching ESL to the Koreans was open. And MM Korea is going to send ESL students 3 times a year.
- More than 40 Korean Pastors lead by Engr. Ha came to have Pastors’ Conference here in Samal. They donated very cute LCD projector and Organ (brand new Yamaha brand)
- They bought also an additional lot 800sqm worth Php400, 000.00 and early this year we are going to build 3 stories building in this lot.
- Indonesia mission was opened we visited last Sept 2010
- Opportunity to send tent making missionary to Japan was also opened.
- This batch also bought brand new sound system and musical instrument.
- I was also able to connect and partnered with Indonesian Pastors who are living here in the Philippines.
The Lord has impress to me that ESL will not be pursued by January. With that I was thinking Indonesia trip of the staff might not possible. Therefore, recruitment of Indonesian students will also be affected. I was praying that God will still make a possible way to have and Indonesian Students. God set me an appointment with the Indonesian Pastors living in General Santos city and Glan, Sarangani Province. God is really amazing I found out during this trip that there are many Indonesians living in this places and have their own congregation some church are mixed. Another amazing thing that I found out many of them is still Indonesian Citizens but holding Alien Residence Visa which they are paying for only more than 100pesos a year. This means they can go easily to both countries, I challenge them to send students and they agreed to send and be partner with us.
Rev. Afiat Bastian is an Indonesian pastor working in RD group of company he is responsible to assign pastor to all fishing vessel and to other offices. RD group of company has also branches in Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia and in Papua New Genea. He is also holding Indonesian congregation. His base is in GenSan City.
Ptr Mamuka and his wife is purely Indonesian. They are church planter in part of Glan, Sarangani province. Even when they are still living in Bitung, North Sulawesi they are already planting churches. They wanted to go back to Indonesia but financially wise they cannot make it they came back here in the Philippines 10 years ago. I challenge him to enrol in the school he said he is willing but need to pray. He also promises to recruit Indonesian young people to study.
Director June
SOM, Philippines