Saturday & Sunday

Sun, moon and stars from the VBS activities

The children singing during VBS.

 

A UM church where many of the theology students at the college serve.

Central UMC which has three daughter churches in the rural areas.

Our team with the Methodist women's group of Central UMC.

How does your chicken travel to your table?

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Yesterday was the Vacation Bible Study extravaganza.  We began with under 100 children and ended up with over 140.  Our theme was This is the Day the Lord Has Made.  A story from Genesis 1 all about creation gave our six creative centers of animals; stars, moon and sun; plants; dark and light; birds and fish a fun experience for the children, the parents as well as the college student helpers.  Some volunteers helped us with the music by playing the piano and singing.  We felt it to be a very successful morning, although we were all very tired. The children who attended were from the surrounding neighborhoods. It was evident that many of them have tremendous creative talents! The seventh station was a free play-day in the yard. The yard around the church was filled with bubbles, sack races, parachute games and incredible laughter—by the children and the adults!

Today we attended the Southern Methodist Philippine College’s chapel where the District Superintendent Rev Joshana Aben gave a lovely sermon based on John 12. Her words about Jesus proclaiming how to find life were inspiring for these last days of Lent as we move towards the cross. She challenged the cultural understanding of protecting our life. Instead Jesus calls us to lay down our lives.  The dancing and singing were rousing and beautiful.  After lunch, we took a ride through Kidipawan around the countryside visiting five United Methodist Churches.  Each church usually has a kindergarten or preschool attached to the church. Each has a full-time pastor (most of them were women!) and a strong lay leadership team. The last church we visited was built by an Illinois congregation in a barrio surrounded by rice fields and the farmers who are tenant farmers.  Another church was located on the campus of the University of Southern Mindanao.  It was lovely as well.  A congregation filled with the deans and professors of the largest university in the southern islands. All of these churches were distinctive with hard working pastors and deaconesses.  We are now hurrying off to visit with Janet McCarty to have popcorn and a visit in her home.  Signing off for now.  With love and blessings, Marian.

Today is Bob Lassalle's birthday!! (March 26)