Ministry Websites:
www.fbmi.org/missionary/92
www.rickmartinministries.com/blog
www.iloilobaptist.ecrater.com
December 11, 2009
Dear Praying Friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Mom, Brandie, and TJ are in the States for a month, so Dad and I are eating McDonald’s just about every day. Fun! Fun! The house doesn’t clean itself.
This past December 6th, Iloilo Baptist Church hosted its 5th Annual Government Appreciation Night. Last year we honored government social workers for their help in the city’s recovery from the devastating typhoon and flood that killed over 700 people last year. This year dozens of public school teachers attended this event, and we honored those who have been teaching for 25 years or longer. Dad gave a plaque to Mrs. Jane Harder for teaching for 45 years, including 25 years at Iloilo Baptist Academy (I wonder if the award was for all my spankings and hours of detention as one of her students). The year 2010 is a pivotal election year in the Philippines, so aside from the teachers that came, our city mayor, vice mayor, six city councilors, and several candidates for public office attended as well. The church is having three Christmas musicals this month, and as a promotion for all my professional acquaintances in the city to visit our church for once, I’m arranging for them to have dinner with the congressional/mayoral candidates of their choice following the services.
Pictured at right is Dad with some of our local government officials last Sunday night. On Dad’s right in black is Mayor Jerry Treñas, who is running for congress. In red is Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog, who is running for mayor. The gentleman in blue on Dad’s left is City Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon, an ordained Baptist preacher. The lady standing second from the left is City Councilor Jullienne Baronda. She was reached through our church’s girls’ volleyball league as a teenager, and she is now running for vice mayor.
Please pray for our upcoming alumni meeting where church planting is planned and children of pastors are recruited for Bible college. Also, at this meeting I’ll meet with pastors supported by Global Church Planters. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support.
In Christ,
Ricky Martin