Day 2--To the Mountain

Yesterday, Tuesday, we went to view the mountain top.  The mountain overlooks Mandau city and Cebu City.  It was quite breathtaking to see.  We got there in the afternoon and stayed till after dark.  Upon arrival, there were still clouds hanging around the mountain, but they soon gave way to more sun and a beautiful view of the city below, and a few islands beyond that.  

It was just a great relaxing day.  There were about twelve of us, and they charged us 1000 pesos for everyone to get in, which is about $25, so we spent time there, had some food and drink and just relaxed.  We traveled through several towns to get there and up a steep winding slope.  Driving in the Philippines is quite a challenge.  Albert, a young disciple who stays with Molong and his wife, was the main driver.  He is quite skilled in driving their large diesel transport vehicle.  The front has a cab where three can sit, like in a regular truck. The back is covered and has 

benches that sit long ways on either side, allowing for as many as are able to get in to ride along.  There are no seat belt laws, so vehicles all over are filled with passengers.  Streets are literally crowded with people crossing, riding bicycles, motorcycles, and transport vehicles that look like little trucks with benches in the back where people hitch rides, or pay for rides throughout the city.  I could not begin to drive in the Philippines, but Albert does a splendid job.  

       

As the day progressed into night, the city below was revealed in all of its nighttime glory.  We all joined together for a grand picture with the city lights  in the backgroound below.  It was quite breathtaking.  The wind was actually starting to feel a bit cool, especially to everyone else, because it rarely gets below 80 degrees in the valleys and cities, even at night. 

     The heat hasn't been bad, really.  I think that living without air conditioning at home in KC has prepared me for this.  It really hasn't been too bad.

Anyhow, Molong and I continue to have great discussions about the Kingdom of God and how God is indeed changing things away from a man-centered, traditional type religion, back to the life-transformational, living organism that it is supposed to be.  Molong is being "fathered" by Wolfgang Simson, himself.  Wolfgang wrote the book "Houses that changed the World," a book that both Molong and I read which encouraged us both to seek God's Kingdom outside the traditional church, and to redefine "church" in a biblical fashion, leading to a lifestyle, not religious events.

     Most Filippinos who label themselves "Christian" are part of the Catholic church.  So, most would know about Jesus, but not so many would actually KNOW him in a relational sense.  There are a few "mega-churches," also, but churches here are from the West, and really are not home grown.  There are missionaries in big houses from Britain, and elsewhere, who live apart from the people they claim to want to reach, rather than live in their midst as Jesus did.  

      Molong, and his family, are truly an exception here.  God uses them to reach people for the Kingdom through building relationships.  Molong hosts different people from other countries, like Australia, who come in with ideas on quick evangelism gimmicks, or crusades, or "projects" of outreach, most all of which fail to reach anyone.  All of this seems more to feed the egos and sense of self importance of the one doing it than to accomplish anything for the Kingdom.  It's all about "my ministry" and "my" this and that.  Jesus told us to do die to ourselves.  Most "ministers" and heads of ministries simply trade their ambition for worldly success for their ambition for ministry success, pushing their agenda, and doing things their way rather than God's.  After all, if we do it God's way, no one will know our name or what great things we have done "for God."  Brethren, these things ought  not to be!  Let us truly die to ourselves and let the Lord receive the glory.  

     Anyhow, today, Wednesday, I am supposed to visit another "hub" where Jome, one of the disciples of the Lord, lives.  Jome works in the store here that sells hand-made hammocks, plants, food, etc.  He is 26, and truly lives to serve the Lord.  I will let you know how things go.  I'm not sure what we are going to do, yet, though.  

Have a great day!  (And GO ROYALS!)