We started out by stopping at the mall. Many Filippinos spend time at the mall to get away from the heat. Only the tourists go to the beaches mostly. A lot of Filippinos don't even know how to swim, ironically. Lisa, Molong's wife had to go somewhere with their little son in the morning, so the rest of us spent time at the mall. It's already Christmas here. They begin to celebrate Christmas in September until January or February. Molong says that Christmas for the Filippino is a time of cheer and joy and it makes them happy, so they celebrate it as long as they can.
Molong and I sat in a coffee shop and drank some Tzochocolate, a rather pure, rich chocolate drink. Quite tasty, and not very sweet. We chatted a lot about making disciples and the way they learned to do it. He shared about another American church family that is doing things similarly in Indiana. We talked through the pathway that seems to work real well, to build trusting relationships with folks, live Kingdom values, then when the curiosity arises, extend the invitation to join the family of God, which is the Kingdom of God. Ask them if they want to be a disciple of Jesus. Tell them that you can make them a disciple. If they say yes, explain that Jesus already saved them 2000 years ago on the Cross. Their sins were already taken care of then. If they believe that, then explain that the sin is like death, making our spirit dead. What do we do with dead people? We bury them. Baptism is then relevant. Molong asserts that you can't answer people's numerous questions about God until they become a disciple, because as it says in 1 Corinthians that spiritual things are not understood by unspiritual people because they are spiritually discerned. After baptism, pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
We also spoke about praying for healing. He shared some testimonies of some things that happened, where sometimes healing took place over time and not instantaneously. We leave that in God's hands.
After the mall, we took everyone to the indoor park where kids could climb on the trampolines, slides, etc. It was fun. I enjoyed a delicious mango shake!
On the way home, we stopped at a roadside stand and got some Lazones to eat. Once we got back home, they cooked shrimp, squid, and fish and vegetables and rice for dinner. The young men almost always cook, though Molong helped a little as well. The meal was quite good.
Afterward, we sat around the table and enjoyed one another's company. I met another of Molong's wife's sister who stopped by to pick up her kids, but ended up staying the night.
Before we went to bed, Molong played some songs on his new keyboard that his family got him for his 40th birthday. When in the traditional church, he was a worship leader, so he knew many songs, some of which he wrote. We sang together, about four of us, and then retired.
What a day. Everyone was together and it was exciting to see how everyone gets along so well! Tomorrow, Tuesday, Jomie and I are going back to Olango Island to pour some cement for the floor of the older gentlemen's room we began on Sunday. It needs time to dry before finishing the walls and roof, either on Wednesday or Thursday. I'm really tired tonight, but it is a good tired. Molong and I were reflecting how the days are soon that I will be going home. I have mixed feelings. Don't get me wrong, there is no place like home, and I will be glad to get there, but it's been so exciting to get to know this extended family and I will miss their fellowship, their vision, their servant hearts that have a passion for God, His Kingdom, and for one another. I know severaly in Kansas City expressed concern that I would be moving here. It's really not all that easy, but I do know that my eyes have been opened to so much more than ever before. I don't know what it all means, or where he will lead me or our own Kansas City family, but I do know that He wants to give us the Kingdom. Are we ready to follow Him, or do we want our "old time religion" and its ways, or do we want to truly be and make disciples of Jesus? Time will tell.
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