Off to Manila

We leave today (Sunday) at noon t go stay in Manila until the 15th. The seminar I taught on Biblical Counseling at GCAF went really well, I think. It ended up that I taught for about 2 hours Friday night, and then all afternoon on Saturday.

We had a chance to do some marriage counseling with a couple who are missionaries here, both Filipino. We think we will have a long term place in their lives and feel there were some real breakthroughs. Both attended the seminar yesterday.

We have had a very interestiing experience in the last couple weeks. Joyce, from Seaside, asked me if I knew of anyone who needed a working student. There was a girl who had called the Christian radio station, a new fairly believer, now in a convent, where her aunt had placed her. Turns out she is right across the street from us! She is from a very bad family situation, rejected by her mom, raised by her Lola, abused by male relatives. She is a good student and a nice person and was sent to college by her Lola. While at college, she joined the 'born again' group and became a believer. This was upsetting to her family. Then, she got a boyfriend and got pregnant. In short, everyone was very upset, blamed her new religion, cut off her college funding and generally cut her off. It turned out the the pregnancy was a hydatiform mole, not a child. She broke up with the guy. This was God's mercy. Her single great uncle and aunt who is a nun decided that the convent across the street was a good place for her in the meanwhile. We were willing to have her as a working student for at least one semester, if her relative would give their permission. They would not. In the meantime, I have had the opportunity to have some good input in ther life, and give her a lot of love and encouragement. Please pray for Zeny, she is only 17 and needs the Lord's clear direction, and a really stable and loving situation in which to grow and heal.

Please pray for Dad, too, as we see doctors and so on.