A Day in Calamba

Today we, along with the Cajanding family, left Bagong Silang at 6:00 in order to arrive in Calamba by the time church started at 9:30.  

We will be taking this drive every Saturday, spending the night, then after service on Sunday morning heading back to our apartment.  

The traffic was flowing pretty well and we had plenty of time before service started, so we decided to stop at the pier to take some photos.

The air is much clearer here than Bagong Silang and there was a nice breeze.  Calamba is surrounded by the Laguna de Bay, also known as Alligator Lake; it is a fresh water lake.  

The beautiful mountain in the background is actually an inactive volcano called Laguna Volcanic Field.  It made for a beautiful background. 

Thankfully, we arrived safely at the beautiful Calamba Church and met the precious people.  I recognized several faces from our previous trips, but many I had never met.  They were so thankful that we have arrived to help pastor them these next 9 months.

Their pastor, Elder Bugay, suffered a stroke a few months ago and they have been in need of a pastor. 

Nate, Pastor Pabanil and Elder Cajanding 

 Another beautiful welcome. More flowers and cards were given to us. 

Nathan preached "A God who takes care of His People" 

It was a perfect message and very fitting for what these people have been going through since their pastor has been too ill to be there. 

Several visitors were seeking for the Holy Ghost. What a beautiful service and altar call!

After service they had a church potluck, which they enjoy the last Sunday of every month.  The people brought rice, meat and vegetables while we had Shakey's Pizza, chicken and potato wedges.

 

After the potluck, the young people presented Bro. and Sis. Pabanil with a song they had written to thank them for being their temporary pastor.

Sis. Pabanil is Pastor Bugay's daughter.  Her and her husband pastor a church in Lucena, which is quite a few hours away.  They have been taking care of her father's church while they tried to find someone who could come and help pastor.  We were asked to come and assist in pastoring while we were here for 9 months.  We couldn't be more thrilled and honored to help these precious people. 

Our trip home was quite a bit different then coming.  We left Calamba at 3:15 and because of severe rain, flooding, and traffic we didn't arrive back in Bagong Silang until around 8:00.  

Thankfully we made it back safe and sound.  We are anxious to travel to Calamba each weekend and to see what God has in store for that church family.

Pray for revival!!!