85 – Baguio Corps celebrations
The destruction wrought by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo did not dampen the spirit of our comrades in Baguio. They organised a celebration dinner to thank God for sparing their lives and invited us to join them. So we made another special visit to this city in November despite the busy schedule planned for us to visit other areas.
On the Friday evening they had a thanksgiving meeting and invited those friends who had helped and supported the Army through the years The Governor of the city of Baguio Dr Bugnosan, who was also the Chairman of The Salvation Army Advisory was the special guest of honour. In his speech he spoke of the privilege of being involved with The Army and ended with a forceful message of the gospel! Another Advisory Board member who attended the meeting was Mrs. H. Philips wife of the High Court Judge.
On the Saturday afternoon the young people of the Corps (church) put on a play called “Who cares?” It was the story of a young girl who found the Lord but faced great opposition from family members. However, through her faithful witness in word and in deed she won the whole family to Christ. Among those who took part in the drama was a young girl - Gina Porter. (now Mrs. Michael Lau)
The performance that evening was held for another reason – to raise funds for a drum set. We were really impressed by the spirit of the comrades of Baguio who contributed generously.
The next day Sunday, during the Holiness meeting three recruits were accepted and nine soldiers (Salvationists) were enrolled, among them was Gina Porter! Gina later went to Singapore to work as a nurse in our Home for the Aged at Pasir Panjang Singapore. (Now Peacehaven Nursing Home in Changi) She is married to Corps Sergeant Major Michael of William Booth Corps. Michael was originally from Hong Kong. The Lau family moved to Singapore when Major and Mrs. James Lau were appointed as General Secretary and Command Home League Secretary respectively in the then Singapore/Malaysia Command.
Our hearts were touched by the many spontaneous testimonies from the folk who spoke of God’s wonderful saving and keeping power especially during the eruption of Pinatubo and earthquake. They had sustained terrible losses during the disaster. At the conclusion of the meeting, many people, young and old made their way to the Mercy Seat. The meeting was long, but that was typical in the Philippines and folk did not mind. After the benediction, folk remained behind for the fellowship lunch prepared by the Home League. God bless the Home League. What would we do without these Home Leaguers?
That same evening we had the Salvation meeting. It was another joyful meeting with plenty of testimonies. Again the Mercy Seat was lined with seekers.
After the meeting, we were guests of one of the Salvationists who made and sold rattan furniture and ornaments. Seven of us crowded into a taxi meant to take four passengers. The taxi driver certainly was very accommodating! The taxi could not take us right up to the house and shop, but dropped us some distance away. We had to walk the rest of the journey by the light of our torches as we wound our way past a pig sty to a warm, clean cosy house of our brother and his six year old daughter. He had prepared dinner himself as his wife was away working in the Middle East as a nurse. This little girl showed us her lovely toys bought by the mother. My heart went out to the family with an absentee mother. Those expensive toys could not compensate for the absence of a mother. This was and still is typical of many families in the archipelago. Economic pressures have compelled many to work overseas to support their families at home.
We returned to Manila praising and thanking God for what our eyes had seen – the wonderful Salvation Army in Baguio.
No comments:
Post a Comment