* Delegation Visit (7)

As mentioned on the last blog post, we still have one more event in the delegation visit to tell you about.  We were in the Berean PRC for their second service Sunday afternoon.  The delegates enjoyed their fellowship there very much and said their farewells.

Rev. Overway talking with some of the children

(two of whom have names similar to his daughter).

Elder Ike having a chat.

With the Berean PRC Consistory.

With some of the young people.

Elder Ike saying some parting words.

Presenting a thank you gift.

 

 

The gift for Rev. Overway.

Cakes as a farewell.

We are thankful for the fellowship and oversight of these men as they take interest in the work and get to know God's people here.  One day, farewells between God's people will no longer be necessary.  We look forward especially to that day!
 
 

* Delegation Visit (6)

The delegates are home again.  They left here early Monday morning, and arrived back in Iowa just after 9:00 pm Monday night (11:00 am Tuesday morning, our time).  Long travel time, and I'm sure they were weary, but we're thankful the Lord brought them safely back to their wives and families and congregations there.

Although they're no longer here, we still have a few pictures from their last day here - Sunday, November 4.  We were up early that Sunday, and on the road by 6:30 a.m. on our way to the First Reformed Church of Bulacan.  This is where Pastor John Flores is pastor.  We (the Kleyns) visit this church two Sundays each month.  It is also the congregation that is working with the Berean PRC toward the formation of a federation.

The Congregation of the First Reformed Church of Bulacan.

Ike Uittenbogaard chatting with Pastor Flores before worship began.

The Delegates with Bro. Ronald Mercado.

It was the FRCB's anniversary Sunday, on which they annually acknowledge and give praise to God for taking them out of an Arminian Pentecostal denomination.  Rev. Overway preached for the first service (at 8:30 a.m.) on Matthew 16:15-18, "Jesus Building His Church."  Rev. Kleyn preached for the second service (at 10:30 a.m.) on Ephesians 4:2-3.

The congregation during the first worship service.

Another view of the congregation.

Elder Ike Uittenbogaard, Pastor John Flores, Deacon Lito Trias, Sis. Sharon Kleyn, Rev. Daniel Kleyn, Rev. David Overway, Elder Reden Zuniega, Bro. Ronald Mercado.

A scrumptious lunch was served after the two worship services.  The delegates were able to taste a wide selection of Filipino foods, and enjoyed them all.  This included kare-kare, dim sum, fried lumpia, fresh lumpia, stuffed milk fish, pancit, fried chicken, and plenty of rice.  And for dessert, the deliciously sweet leche flan.

The large pan of kare-kare.

 

The Feast that was set before us.

Digging in!

After lunch, the delegates had opportunity to meet with the Consistory of the FRCB, in order to discuss the work our churches and missionaries are doing in this church.

Meeting with the Consistory.

While the men were meeting, Sharon joined some of the ladies at Flores' home.

Heading out the church door to leave.

After the enjoyable morning in the FRCB, we headed to the Berean PRC for their second worship service. But we'll save that until next time.

Traffic along the EDSA on our way to the Berean PRC.

[We still made it on time!]

 

  

* Delegation Visit (5)

As you know, Rev. Vernon Ibe was ordained into office as a Minister of the Word and Sacraments in the Berean PRC on Friday, November 2, 2012.  Here are two additional pictures that were taken in connection with his examination and ordination. 

 

 

Group Picture of the consistories, delegates, and observers present at Rev. Ibe's examination.

 

  

The ceremony of "Laying on of Hands"

[Rev. D. Overway, Rev. R. Smit, Rev. D. Kleyn, Rev. R. Van Overloop] 

 

 

Saturday was spent mostly in preparation for Sunday (visits to and preaching in the First Reformed Church of Bulacan and the Berean Protestant Reformed Church).  However, the delegates did family visitation in the morning.  And we also had time for a few other things. 

 

 

Visiting with Rev. Ibe and Bro. Alex Oriate (Rev. Ibe's brother in law).

 

  

Ike Uittenbogaard chatting (ever so sweetly) with his wife via Skype.

 

 

Ike found a few items to add to his sign collection back home. 

 

 

In the evening we took a drive to and walk in dowtown Antipolo City.

 

 

The children intently watched Ike's bartering.

On Sunday we were in the FRCB in the morning, and the BPRC in the afternoon.  More on these soon, Lord willing.
 
 

* Delegation Visit (4)

The main item on the agenda for Friday was the ordination service of Rev. Vernon Ibe.  Prior to that, however, we did fit in a few daytime activities.

A few took a walk to "second floor" in our neighborhood.

 

 

A few "skyped" with family and friends.

 

More than a few had lunch together at Max's Chicken.

The ordination of Rev. Ibe took place at the PCC Building in Cubao (where the Berean PRC meets every Sunday for worship services).  The service began at 7:00 pm and was led by Rev. David Overway (pastor of Doon PRC, Iowa, USA).  He preached on Jeremiah 9:23-24 using the theme, "Glorying In Knowing Jehovah" - a fitting and encouraging sermon for this special occasion.  He then read the "Form of Ordination of the Ministers of God's Word."  Present for the ceremony of laying on of hands were Rev. Overway, Rev. R. Smit, Rev. R. Van Overloop, and Rev. D. Kleyn.  Rev. Ibe concluded the worship service by pronouncing the benediction.  It was a moving and blessed worship service and ceremony.  After the service, everyone stayed for an enjoyable time of fellowship.

Rev. Vernon Ibe with his immediate family (wife, children, parents, brother, and niece) and Rev. Van Overloop.

The Ibe family with the PRCA representatives who were present.

Photographers (at one point I counted 10 of them!)

Sis. Melody Ibe with some of the other sisters of the Berean PRC.

Rev. Smit and Ike Uittenbogaard.

Our Doon and FMC delegates chatting with Rev. Ibe.

The Plaque given to the Ibes from Doon PRC.

More visiting/fellowship.

(In "Taglish," and thus some "nosebleed" for some of us :-))

Three men from the All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon were able to attend.  Here they are chatting with Bro. Santiago (on the left).

The Ibe family with members of the Villegas family.

Rev. Vernon Ibe with his wife Melody and their sons MJ and LJ!

 

Once again we give God praise for His wonderful care of and provision for His church here.  We rejoice with the Ibes and with the congregation of the Berean PRC.  May our heavenly Father uphold and strengthen Rev. Ibe for his work, and give him a blessed ministry among the people of God here in the Philippines.

 

 

* Delegation Visit (3)

Wednesday was a quieter day (at least in the morning) - a good day for the delegates to catch their breath, and for some of us to get some work done in preparation especially for Thursday's Combined Consistory Meeting and Examination of Pastor-elect Vernon Ibe.  In the morning, we took a walk in the neighborhood and looked over the city of Manila.  In the afternoon, the delegates each attended one of the catechism classes that Rev. Smit and I teach, and then conducted family visitation.  In the evening, we all had supper together at our home.

 

At "second floor" in our neighborhood, overlooking Manila

Avid Flower Photographer

 

Supper at Kleyns

 

"What's that creature on my shoulder?"

(Cockroach)

On Thursday, as mentioned, we conducted Pastor-elect Ibe's examination.  Pastor-elect Ibe has accepted the call to serve as pastor of the Berean Protestant Reformed Church.  The combined consistories of the Berean PRC and the First Reformed Church of Bulacan, who are working together toward federation, conducted his exam.  They requested that Rev. Smit and I ask the questions.  After preaching a sermon in the morning on Romans 7:24-25, Pastor-elect Ibe was then examined according to the requirements of Article 4 of the Church Order, with 15 minutes allotted for each section of questions.

A Surprise Visitor from Singapore!

Rev. Van Overloop chats with Sharon

.... and with Tricia

Rev. Overway meets the men from the First Reformed Church of Bulacan

(Elder Reden Zuniega, Deacon Lito Trias, Pastor John Flores, Bro. Ronald Mercado)

Rev. Van Overloop, Elder Ike Uittenbogaard, Rev. D. Kleyn

Meeting the Ibes (MJ and Sis. Melody) who were the most surprised to see him

.... and Pastor-elect Ibe

Delegates chatting with Pastor-elect Ibe before his exam

Rev. Van Overloop and Pastor John Flores

Pastor-elect Ibe preaching his specimen sermon

Being examined in Theology by Rev. Kleyn

Rev. Overway brings greetings from Doon PRC and the FMC 

 

Lunch break in an Adjoining Room

Beef and Rice

Ike Eating Again

Coffee and a Chat before Supper

Supper at the Smit's House

 

Thursday was a busy and enjoyable day for us all, especially to have Pastor-elect Vernon Ibe successfully pass the examination so that the Berean PRC can now proceed to ordain and install him into office.  This will take place, the Lord willing, this evening (Friday).  We thank the Lord for this blessed gift of a man to serve as a minister of the Word and sacraments in the BPRC.  It was indeed good to have the presence of the delegates for this exam, and they considered it a privilege to witness this significant event in the history of the Berean PRC and of our denomination's mission work here in the Philippines.