Update from Bohol

January 22, 2012 (Update from Denny and Ellen Freed)

This is our third day here in Bohol and we must says that it’s very good to be back.  We have missed our dear friends here so it was good to see everyone this morning at church.  We arrived here on Thursday evening about 7pm after about 30 hours of travel.  It was great to be home!  Friday morning we met the new pastor for the Fellowship, Pastor Neil and his beautiful wife Mimi.  Denny, Pastor Neil, Mimi, Along and I all went to the Garden Cafe in Tagbilaran to meet with Along’s brother, Pastor Felix, to discuss where future teams may be able to lend a helping hand to folks in need.  It was determined that this coming Tuesday we will visit two churches that aren’t far from here and meet with the pastors.  Also we all concluded that perhaps the neighboring two barrios to Calunasan Sur, Odpong and Canlisid, would be great places to start new projects.

This morning we met everyone in the new church site which is now the CPC (Calunasan Sur Production Center).  The congregation greeted us so warmly and of course the fellowship was sweet.  All the children are really growing up and it was fun to see them – the little ones are particularly beautiful children.  Pastor Neil did a wonderful job of presenting the gospel and urging the people to reach out with Christ’s love to their neighbors and lend a helping hand where they could.  He emphasized that this is a great witness to unbelieving neighbors and it is exactly what Jesus has commissioned us to do. Mimi leads the group in singing.  She has a lovely voice, is enthusiastic, and really gets everyone to sing out with gusto.  Of course, the Filipinos love to sing so her task is a easy one.

Denny is in Cebu over night to buy some supplies for the house and will return Monday evening.  Tomorrow (Monday) I will take Vicki Acain to town with 3 of the sewing machine that need repair.  She alone is sewing now but hopefully when the other machines are repaired more women will join her.  Also tomorrow (Monday) Along will obtain a building permit for Pastor Neil’s and Mimi’s house and the builders will begin construction.  This dear couple is living above the CPC in a small loft and it’s very difficult.  They really need this house to be done – and hopefully for them it will be within a month.

Our time here in Bohol is short and we have lots to do, but we’re glad to be here and hopefully our time will prove very productive.  Please pray with us for that.

Blessings to those in Montana… and enjoy the snow (save some for us – we love it).   Denny and Ellen