Jude 2

Just got an invitation today for a February 09 trip to the Philippines! I have never been, and it is on my list of places I'd like to see.

The President of Compassion International, Wes Stafford, and one of my Pastoral Mentors, Dan Chun (First Prez of Honolulu) took 20 pastors from Hawaii to the Philippines last year to visit CI sites, see the needs, and do some ministry there. I was unable to go because of an on-campus at seminary, but they told me I was on the list for the next trip --- and I submitted the paperwork today! I am looking forward to my first trip to that country, and will be doing some research on Davao City in Mindanao.

Congrats...Pastor Gary!!!

You will love it. Mindanao is an awsome place to minister. The needs there are great. Davao is a nice place. It is more tourist oriented than the rest of Mindanao. But you will enjoy it.

We have over two hundred churches on this Island. Mindanao is also know for the Muslim uprising. But it is still a safe place. Joel leaves Dec. 10th we have several hundred showboxes for the orphans there.

Phillippines are beautiful, the people are even more beautiful.

You will love the Philippines. I've had the privilege to go there several times. The first was to Davao many, many years ago when we had Youth Mission Teams. I have some very fond memories! On that first trip I met a pastor named Amado Paculanan. Some 20 years later I saw him again at a national convention in Manila. The Filipino people are just awesome! Now I want to go again!