Kleyns In The Philippines: July 2011

* A Few Things

Just a brief post to cover a few items of interest.

It's great to have the Smit family back here again. We've heard about their furlough travels and presentations. We've also seen many of their pictures (no telling as to whom we saw, where you were, what you were doing, etc. :-)) They mentioned they had an enjoyable time, and appreciated the opportunity to visit many of our churches. We, with them, appreciate very much the interest and support shown for the work - as evidenced by the attendance at the presentations, the questions asked, the encouraging comments, the greetings sent, etc. Thanks to all for this. It's a blessing and great encouragement to us in our work.

Safely Back on Philippine Soil

[Travel weary, but happy to be home again]

The Smits were able to bring back with them quite a few books for our "bookstore" here. We have started preparing an updated list of what's available, but are waiting yet for a shipment of a few more boxes.

Unpacking the Latest Arrivals

We take this opportunity to thank our Protestant Reformed Churches for the collections taken that subsidize the cost and shipping of the books. Your assistance is greatly appreciated by your fellow believers here in the Philippines, enabling them to purchase these books at a significantly reduced price. We are grateful that in this way we may together strive to advance the cause of God's kingdom through good Reformed literature.

And finally, a few pictures relating to food.

Another Way to Cook Fish

[Delicious]

Fruits Readily Available Along the Road

A Taste of America

* Events During Smits' Furlough

Smits left on their furlough on Tuesday, June 6. (They return home soon - July 20, Lord willing.) We have missed them. But in the meantime we have kept busy with visitors and various other activities.

Smits all lined up and ready to go.

The Baldwins (Mary is from First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI) came for the weekend of June 19. We had a great time getting to know them all. They really enjoyed the experience of meeting fellow saints in another part of the world.

Mary, David, Lai Yin, and cute little Elliot and Josiah.

Fellowship in Berean PRC.

The same weekend the Baldwins were here, Brother (Kuya) Max Lising of the Berean PRC passed away. (Three of Brother Max's children are in the Berean church.) In Rev. Smit's absence, Rev. Kleyn did the funeral, and had a few words at the graveside.

Funeral speech on Romans 14:7-9.

By the graveside in the columbary.

On our June 12 trip to the All of Grace PR Fellowship in Gabaldon we were invited for lunch to Sister Marie's house. We enjoyed the food and fellowship there.

Sisters Primitiva, Catherine (Marie's mother), Marie, Brother Lando

We also visited Sister Macaria in her home. She was not feeling well

that day and couldn't come to church.

Brother Lando, Danstan, Sisters Macaria, Adeling, and Primitiva.

On the weekend of July 10 we had visitors again, this time from the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore. Colin and Kim Lim were with us for a few days. We enjoyed their company and hope their visit is an incentive for more people to visit and get to meet and know fellow believers here.

At the Taal Volcano. Unfortunately the weather was quite rainy,

so we only caught a few misty glimpses of the mountain.

The Sunday they were here, the Lims were able to come with us to

the fellowship in Gabaldon since Rev. Kleyn had to preach there.

Waiting for church to start.

We weren't able to stay for lunch this time, though. We had to return quickly to Manila so Rev. Kleyn could also preach for the Berean PRC at 3:30. (Rev. Kleyn covered as much of the preaching as possible in the Berean PRC during Rev. Smit's absence - about half. The other services were led by the elders.) We ate our packed lunch in the car on the way instead. It was interesting, to say the least, trying to make sandwiches in the car on the bumpy roads!

Visiting with Brother Ben Felix and Sister Nil Bansale in Berean PRC.

We've had a lot of rain while the Smits have been gone. One weekend we had 13" in 48 hours! We learned that we are best off staying home when that happens since many of the roads become flooded.

We are looking forward to the Smit's return next week. We have missed their fellowship and their help in the work. But we are also thankful they could visit various PR congregations in North America, give presentations on the work here, do some preaching, and also have some time with family.