June 17, 2016
Philippine Trip Summary Pt. 2
My host pastor was Alberto Balano and his wife Eleanor. On the next day, after spending time with Pastor Jun, Pastor Alberto came to get me at the motel. He had wanted me to attend the graduation ceremony of students at the church’s school. He said his people would be glad I was there. He arrived early as I was going to breakfast, so he joined me. As the conversation progressed, he asked me if I would say a few words at the graduation, which was going to start in about an hour. Taken back, I said “sure”. He said “that is great. My wife has put you in the printed program”. Okay…was a funny moment. I enjoyed the privilege.
The graduation was held in Pastor Alberto’s church building. Many students and more parents in a standing room only crowd. With the way the program was setup there was not a definite stop time. Every student received the same multiple awards. The rewards were given one at time with each student coming on stage many, many times. The time finally came for pictures; following the pictures would be a refreshment time for everyone. People were so caught up in the graduation I don’t think people noticed the time until closer to the end.
I was not the main speaker. I was a guest speaker to say whatever I wanted. I told the parents I was not going to talk to them but to the students. Of course, they could listen in. So I spoke to students for about 15 minutes. Low and behold, the pastor had to get up and interpret what I had just said because the majority of the children didn’t know English. This was another funny moment.
On Sunday, I spoke in the same church building, very nice facility. The crowd was not as great but the spirit was much sweeter. There were songs like “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arm”, The Doxology, and “How Great Thou Art”. And we sang in English. I was really surprised. The guest speaker spoke in English too. That would be me. I only knew two or three Tagalog words. I was told that I was the first American to ever step foot in their church or even to come to their area. Like most Filipinos, they were very gracious and hospitable. Filipinos like to take many pictures. So, many photo shoots took place in different places.
The pastor/wives conference was Monday thru Thursday morning 8:30 to 11:30 am. Like Haitian people, Filipinos don’t worry about time like you and I do. At our church in USA, we have a 5 min. countdown before we begin. There I could start a 40 min. countdown instead of the 5 and still have time to spare. Many mornings, people didn’t’ start coming to the conference until 9-9:15 am. Some pastors came around 8:40 and we sat around and got acquainted.
So, I had the conference in the morning and in the afternoon I was serving at the pleasure of Pastor Alberto as I had committed to help him with church issues, pastoral care, visitation, and or just to be a listening ear.
One afternoon, we rode on his motorcycle to see a lady who had not been in church for a while. She didn’t speak English so I wasn’t privy to the conversation. That was okay. He needed to converse with her about her life. Then we traveled to see a family whose house was destroyed in the Typhoon but not to the point they couldn’t rebuild. In the back of the house was the brother-in-law’s place which was leveled by the wicked winds. So, while he is in the process of rebuilding, as monies came in, he used scrap metal, wood, and straw to erect a makeshift place to live temporarily. When one is in need, the Filipinos are good about going together to collect money, materials, supplies, or whatever is needed—community hospitality. The Typhoon that hit last November put everyone at the same point of need. Each one was on his/her own to rebuild homes, to provide for family, and to get back to some kind of normalcy of life.
One morning, Pastor Alberto approached me about speaking the next day in the afternoon at Pastor Jayson’s church. He wanted me to share the same message I used Sunday morning at his church. So we decided to start at 2 pm. I asked Pastor Jayson, “You can get your members to come on a Tuesday afternoon for a worship service? Have you done this before?” He said, “Yes and no”.
Sure enough, they came and came early. Men, women, boys, and girls of all ages were there. They sang, clapped, laughed, and said “amen” They were a very lively bunch of Baptists. This service was announced at the conference so several came on for the afternoon service.
There was a pastor and his wife at the conference and at the service. She wore a white cloth over her head. She had cancer and had finished her fourth chemo treatment. During the service, Jayson asked me if I would have a laying on of hands and a prayer for her after the service was through. So following the service, I asked the lady if she would come and sit in the center of the room. I asked for the ladies in the room to come and lay hands on her and we prayed. It was a very moving time.
After church, in full Baptist custom, there was a potluck meal. It almost seemed like there was more for the meal than for the service but probably not. We were meeting in a small space. They loved to eat and visit.
Another afternoon, we went to visit Pastor Jaime and Corrie Aquino’s home. They have a little food stand by the road that Corrie runs. Their son helps out when needed. We walked down a lane to their home. The house is attached to the church which is built with cinder blocks. The typhoon damaged the back of their house and the roof. He is a carpenter so that was something he could take rebuild. When the typhoon hit they were in a corner of the church. They were actually in the right corner. In from of them, an uprooted tree fell through the roof and landed on the church’s concrete floor. The doorway of the church was crushed by a tree. They were cornered in a corner. There was much damage to the church.
While there, we sat at a table in the middle of the church. Corrie brought us some cold coconut juice. It was really good. Then she brought several different kinds of Filipino food. We had just eaten lunch a couple hours earlier but the food was so irresistible and really tasty. I was stuffed. They were/are a sweet couple and really love their work and church.
I had many opportunities for financial ministry.
- I got in a van one morning. Only passenger on board. The driver and his little girl were in the front seat. We began to converse. The driver shared that his wife was about to give birth to another little girl. Here was a young man working to provide for his family instead of sitting at the side of his wife. His phone was lying beside him so that he would receive the call of the birth and immediately go to his wife. When he dropped me off, instead of giving the normal fee of which some would to the van owner, God impressed open me to give abundantly more than was expected. I gave monies to the driver and I told him the extra money was for his baby girl.
- In the duffle bag there was 50 lbs. of adult/children meds, vitamins, school supplies, and candy. These items were to be distributed to between the children in Squatter’s Village and the remote pastors who were unable to purchase meds. Pastor Jun sent me a pic of a group of pastors holding up bottles of pain relievers. They had smiles on their faces.
- In conversation I was talking to the lady behind the motel counter. I was telling her about what I was doing and bringing to distribute. She said she was keeping two nieces and wondered if I might have brought some cough syrup as they were both sick. By chance I did. So I gave her a couple bottles and left for the day.
- I guess word got around about the Amerikano with the bag of medicine. When I returned to my room in the last afternoon, two young men who worked in motel services approached me. I had seen them before. Both had daughters with coughs that were persisting. They ask if I might be able to help them. They did not know that I had already passed on the duffle bag to Pastor Jun. I said yes I will help you. I proceeded to go across the street to a pharmacy in the mall and purchased bottles of cough syrup. The young men were very appreciative.
- There was a man who needed help with groceries for his family of five. I took him to the market in the mall and go him some food for several days.
- I had not planned on providing the daily meal at the workshop since it was a half day. Pastor Alberto wanted to give them a meal before the travel home which was a great idea. On the last day I whispered to Eleanor, Alberto’s wife, how much each day’s meal cost. She told me. When the conference was over and I was shaking hands with folks, I had the total monies for the food in my hand when I shook hands with her. Again, I did not want them taking money from their own pocket. The total cost for the meals was 4000 pesos or $86.73.
- I met an older married gentlemen who had gone several months trying to collect funds for his roof taken off by the Typhoon. He already had expenses rebuilding the insides. Instead of waiting for funds, he had gone to a family member and borrowed the money for the roof. The total amount borrowed to replace the roof was 31,000 pesos or $672. (Good price for a roof huh.) The loan payments were 230 pesos or $5.00 per month. As it was setup, the loan would be paid off in about 11 years. This man would be up in years and struggling to pay off this loan. I felt lead to donate 28,000 pesos or $604 towards the roof which relieved him of 121 payments. He would still have to make about 10 more payments. Tears came to his eyes. I told him that God provided that money. I was only there to make sure he got it.
- There were other opportunities but these were the most significant. I am just thankful that when God said “give”, he had provided through my financial partners.
Just a few trivia items
- I purchased a soda at the motel for 48 pesos or $1.04. Later I purchased another soda at a side stand along the road for 13 pesos or .28 cents. One was in a can and one in a bottle…same amount.
- I purchased a meal at the Fast Food store across the road. I could get a combo meal for 200 pesos or $4.34. I could get just a hamburger/soda for 86 pesos
- I could buy some little bags of flavored tea powder (just put powder in glass and add water) for $.06. I filled up my little carry on with flavored tea powder bags and coffee with creamer already mixed in. Hmmmmmm good!!!!!!
One follow-up summary to go. Thanks for reading.
Pastor Jun and Annie
Pastor Alberto and Eleanor
Pastor Jayson and Emz
Pastor Jaime and Corrie
I am continuing to move forward in what/where God would lead. If you would commit to being a prayer or financial partner, would you let me know by sending me a PM on my Facebook account or an email gtbunn@windstream.net.
Below is my contact information as well as giving information. There are two ways to donate to this mission endeavor. Send to myself or send through the church. If you want year-end contribution credit, your check needs to be marked and at Crossroads by December 31, 2016.
Contact Information Giving Information
Gregory T. Bunn Make checks out to:
1911 Northwood Crossroads Baptist Church
Bolivar, Mo 656513 "Bunn-Intl. Pastors" in the memo
417-236-3092 (Cell) 1935 S. Ash
gtbunn@windstream.net Buffalo, Mo. 65622
Contribution sheets will be sent out
after the first of the year.
June 13, 2016
Philippine Mission Trip Summary Part One
This is a trip I wanted to take three years ago. I was told in 2013 that what I had to offer wasn’t needed there which essentially wasn’t true. So, I looked elsewhere and found an endless door was opened in Haiti. Then May 2015 the opportunity came to venture on to the Philippines. So this trip has been a year in the making. All these trips take time to prepare and much detailed planning, even though the plans are always subject to change.
I left on a Monday morning flight. Flight time was 17 1/2 hrs. in a 24 hour period. I landed in Manila Tuesday night @ 9:30 pm which would have been Tuesday, 8:30 am here. Traveled through 13 time zones.
The biggest challenge I had, believe it or not, was my luggage. I had a large suitcase of clothing, misc. that weighed 50 lb., a duffle bag of meds, school supplies, and candy that weighed 50 lbs., a carry-on bag, which I actually checked-in, that weighed 30 lbs. and my backpack. So I guess I was wrestling with about 150 lbs. of luggage. Very awkward to handle as well as tiring. 80 lbs. on my right side, 50 lbs. on my left, and about 20 lbs. on my back.
The second big challenge was the airport. Trying to maneuver the luggage through crowds. The hotel said they would send a driver. I called and he said to wait in section 4. So going out the airport doors there were masses of cabbies, van drivers, and luggage carriers vying for your attention and money.
You quickly learn to say “NO” in a very firm tone.
By the time I reached the airport hotel, checked in, and got to my room it was about 11:30 pm….totally wiped out.
The third challenge and not so much was the language. For the most part, English was the second language. The ones who didn’t speak English were the older and younger folks. Usually, if they didn’t understand/speak English someone was around who did.
The next day I traveled south to Batangas pier, got on a boat to cross the sea to Calapan Pier. I stayed in a motel in Calapan City. When I go to Haiti, I stay with the Routons paying them for room and board for each day. Of course, less cost than a motel room. The pastors I was working with both had students in high school or college (some living at home), they supplemented church ministries, even though both were 10-20 year old church plants but were still not self-sufficient, and they were also helping to subsidize the school that the churches had started.
It is customary and kind of expected for a guest pastor to stay with the host pastor. I told the pastor up front that I did not want to be disrespectful but with his outgoing expenses, students living at home, and the fact somebody would have to give up their bed, in good conscience I was not going to take any more from his family. So, I stayed at the motel and found transportation each day.
So let me talk about transportation for a few minutes.
Bus…Boat….Van….Jeepney…..Motor Cart
First, you have a bus for long trips. I took a bus from Manila to the Batangas Pier for 188 pesos, $4.05. Second is the speed coach boat. Cost 275 pesos, $5.93 to go about an hour ride to the province of Oriental Mindoro where the pastors were. Then I would get Transportation each day to the church.
Vans are used for shorter trips and are much faster. The cost is 40 pesos, 86 cents for 26 kl. or 16 mi.
A Jeepney goes the same distance as the vans but much slower and cheaper. The van is very crowded, sometimes 16 people. The Jeepney makes many stops for people which are how the owner makes his money. Very crowded. For the same 26 kl., the Jeepney would charge 30 pesos or 65 cents.
The motor cart (Tricycle) is for around town travel like our taxi. They do have taxis but they have their own reputations to overcome with their running meters. The motor cart, at capacity, could handle three in the sidecar and two-three sitting behind the driver. Whether there was one or five on the motor cart, the cost was always the same 20 pesos or 43 cents. The best deal in town. Gas was around 120 pesos per gallon or $2.60.
And there is the infamous way of transportation and that is walking. Usually, where you are going depends on your form of transportation.
Price for New Motorcycles
Motor cart 60,000 p $1300
Nice Scooter.....65,000 p…$1400
Motorcycle……70,000p $1500
Very few people own cars…very expensive in relation to their income.
Many cars on the road are owned either rich nationals or rented by tourists.
As far as average income, I was told of two actual wage examples in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. First, Qualified Pharmacist makes 14,000 pesos per month or $302 or $75.50 week. Second, a waitress makes about 1,000 pesos per week or $21 for 6 days a week, 11 hours per day.
The average Manila worker makes 2500 per week or $54. The middle class person in the province makes 1250 pesos or $27.10 weekly. The lower class person makes 750 pesos or $16.26 weekly. Many men go to other countries, work for a week and come home on weekends just so he could have a job.
The first pastor I was with was Jun Falla and his wife Annie. Pastor Jun is very well known on the province south of Manila. Annie had a stroke some time ago and needs someone with her all the time whether traveling or at home. Jun takes her whenever he can on his trips.
Pastor Jun and Annie met with me in the motel lobby for an early get-acquainted meeting to talk about the day. He had meetings that morning so we met at 1:00 pm to travel to his area. I had wanted to meet with the remote pastors that he sees frequently and to see the orphans in the squatter’s village. Time only allowed for a trip to swatter’s village.
Some of these children in squatter’s village are orphans taken care of by different families. Most are considered orphans because parental incapability to make provisions. Regardless, these are needy children….affection, security, food, clothing, and school. They loved to sing. They had never heard of a group hug so I had to have a teaching moment. A young boy had been making homemade ice-cream which was the highlight of the afternoon. By the way, it was really good.
We flagged down a motor cart and rode down to the road that took us deeper into the Squatter’s village. One of the afterschool teachers lived there. There was a little side shop there. Side/road shops are everywhere. People use them to subsidize their income. Pastor Jun took me back to see a river that flooded in December with Typhoon and the homes that were rebuilt or in the process.
May 21, 2016
I am so grateful for all of you who have been a part of this mission endeavor to pastors, wives, and orphans. I am still pumped from the trip to the Philippines. I will be posting my report in the next week or so. I had to hit the ground running when I returned. Really hoping to return.
I am continuing to move forward in what/where God would lead. If you would commit to being a prayer partner, would let me know by sending me a PM on my Facebook account or an email gtbunn@windstream.net.
My funds are very low right now so I am in a rebuilding mode. If you would like to become a monthly financial partner, quarterly partner, or a once a year partner in giving, I would appreciate you PM me and let me know that as well. That way I can make plans on what I can do. Would like to go back to Haiti this September but right now my mission fund is at -0-. Would you pray about what God might lead you to give towards this trip. This was never meant to be a self-centered mission endeavor but one in which God's people could share in and rejoice together. I want you to say I am a part of that ministry.
God bless you in your current service and your own mission focus. Acts 1:8 is my guide to my mission direction. I have been blessed to be able to go to the uttermost parts. Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial contribution.
Below is my contact information as well as giving information. There are two ways to donate to this mission endeavor. Send to myself or send through the church. If you want year-end contribution credit, your check needs to be marked and at Crossroads by December 31, 2016.
Contact Information Giving Information
Gregory T. Bunn Make checks out to:
1911 Northwood Crossroads Baptist Church
Bolivar, Mo 656513 "Bunn-Intl. Pastors" in the memo
417-236-3092 (Cell) 1935 S. Ash
gtbunn@windstream.net Buffalo, Mo. 65622
Contribution sheets will be sent out
after the first of the year.
The trip is over. One waits for many months for a mission trip and then it comes and goes too fast. Made wonderful relationships with people who are already wanting to friend me on Facebook. Awesome. Thank you to prayer warriors and those who made financial contributions. I will be writing a post-trip report for this blog. More later.
