YET IT WAS KIND OF YOU TO SHARE MY TROUBLE

                            "Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble." 

                                                      Philippians 4: 14 

Our first evening lecture in Cagayan de Oro took place Monday evening. It was an introduction to the first head of doctrine, Divine Election and Reprobation.

I won't make this the topic of my post, rather it was a conversation I had following the evening which has me writing.  "Thank you for loving us. Thank you for loving us here in the Philippines." This is how the conversation began. The pastor whom I was speaking with knows of trouble. He knows  of being part of a large congregation that is now quite small after turning to the Reformed  faith.  He knows of struggles to come along side others. He knows of the struggle to find unity with other Reformed  Churches  and fellowships in the area as they iron out their differences. He is not the only pastor or church leader to experience such troubles, I've had many a conversation.

"Thank you for loving us..." I want to relay these words to those back home in Canada. I don't think I really understood this impact or aspect of our ministry here in the Philippines when we as TAP began but TAP is more than an intellectual exercise. There is a real appreciation for us being here in the Philippines. Yes, we are here to offer instruction. Yes we've offered advice at times apart from our topic and yes sometimes the advice was confusing in the cultural context that we didn't understand all that well.  But then to hear this, "Thank you for loving us..." What encouragement! Like so many times before, we have come to encourage and yet we are the ones being encouraged. 

(Just a note that the photo is of Pastor Rey, he is not who I was speaking with. But I know his sentiments are the same, as are his troubles. He just happens to be really photogenic.)

This has me thinking of our evangelistic outreach efforts back home. There are times when we are scared to reach out, afraid of making mistakes. Times when we hesitate because  we think we're not ready.  But sometimes we can over think these things. "Thank you for loving us." Don't we all want to be loved? Thanks be to God our Father for loving us, for not leaving us, for rescuing a helpless people from sin and death.  Amazing grace! Amazing love!

            "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us            and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." ~ Ephesians 5: 1-2.