I got the idea (as all my ideas) as a inspiration by God.

The PBC shirt does so much for those who wear it.

#1- It shows that we belong- anywhere we go, the PBC shirt is recognized by other members of the community

#2 – It advertises the Church – It has a insignia on the front with the PBC logo

#3 – It advertises the need – On the back of every shirt it has SAVEPAYATAS.COM which is a web site showing the need here in Payatas.

#4 – It shows solidarity – New people coming to the Church anxiously await their very own PBC Shirt

#5 – It removes class distinctions – Sometimes children in their pursuit of “being cool” seek to wear something “better” than someone else. When we wear our shirts, we are all equal.

Shirts are worn every Saturday for door knocking and anytime we make an appearance such as playing our musical instruments in another Church or arriving at camp…

When we wear our shirts we are a team. We are the local church. We belong to the congregation of Saints. To the unbelievers, we have integrity, we are there to uplift the community and to many, it creates a desire also to belong.

There are no ranks in our team. The Pastor as well as the youngest member wear the same exact shirt (except for the size of course)

What sets you apart from those in your community? Do people associate you with Jesus Christ? I used to say that I would not have a Christian bumper sticker on my car because of the way I drive. Now I want the sign that says I belong to Christ to be an example to all.

Here in Payatas you have men , women and children scavenging for recyclables whether it is in the actual dump site or up and down the garbage strewn streets of Payatas.

Of course in any promotion of the Gospel it is ultimately the Holy Spirit who will break down the heart and turn a unbelieving, hopeless individual into a new creature.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Yet our God uses His children to bring the Gospel in many different ways.

Poor people need reality. Their first reality is food.

Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

When you help them with their physical needs they know you care.

We are not speaking of a program to sustain people by feeding them daily for the rest of their lives.

We are rather giving them the energy as well as the key to self-sufficiency that will allow them to make their own way.

There are some people who have been taught from birth to be dependent. They put their hand out and take what you offer and then they move on to the next person offering something.
We realize we can not help everyone and not everyone will come to repentance so with those people, we move on.

When a person believes they are capable, their ability to produce increases and as it increases so does their hope and so on as they grow in strength and ability.

It’s sometimes a rags to riches story but they must be enabled.

Here at PBC we mainly work with the children.

When we started, we had to wash the hands, arms, feet and legs of the many children that would come. They would arrive from scouring the land for recyclables to help their families.

After a while, they started coming washed and with clean clothes.

They learned respectability. They learned to have a nice appearance. Before they were just garbage pickers. Now, they have become people, deserving of looking good and feeling good.
It became important to be presentable.

Once inside we teach them about Jesus and how the bible says that we can do all things through Him.

We also tutor them in their general studies so now when they go to school, they are above the other children. Once that happens, they see that with hard work and serving God they can excel in anything and their confidence increases even more..

While other children in the area have high hopes of perhaps driving a garbage truck one day, our kids are looking forward to becoming police officers and stewardesses, nurses and doctors and anything else they can believe.

We keep growing our orchestra

We integrated a music ministry because music builds confidence and causes a person to become disciplined.
Our children have taken up guitar, flute, recorder, Ukelele, harmonica, keyboard, clarinet and violin.

This is how it works. I f a child wants to take the violin for example, we send them to our Notes teacher. There they will first learn how to read music. Once they are capable of reading music they are sent to the instructor for violins where they will be taught how to put what they read to sound. After they are able to play two songs, we know that they are sincere and dedicated enough to persevere, than we buy them an instrument.

They are told to practice one hour per day. They get better and better as time goes on. Last Christmas, a group of them made a Christmas CD at a real recording studio!

We are a family here at PBC. It is as a large mentoring program as the old students teach the new students and all grow together.

We focused on the children because their hope was not completely vanquished. They still could believe

that they could become someone. When they started doing well in school and started to play wonderful music it was confirmation that obeying God was going to bring them literally and spiritually, to the promised land.

Some of the kids we started with have entered college this year and after four years we will see the results of the investment made in them.

Our goal, is to have God fearing young men and woman who will have good jobs and good housing with good food and will share what they have as we continue the process.

It is a multi level marketing system. We have around 70 now and in time it will turn into thousands as we teach each one to do the same to others.

Each adult in our church teaches something as well.

It is a giant mentoring program that works.

None of this works unless Jesus Christ is our main focus. We give Him all the honor and glory and praise.

Every idea, every bit of support and every accomplishment could not have happened without Him.

Sunday is our day of worship and celebration.
Smiles light up the room. Songs give pleasure to the soul and our worship wafts up to our Lord.

This is our formula here in Payatas but it was given to us by God. It has never been our own ideas but inspiration by the Holy Spirit.

How you will reach those in your neck of the woods will depend on your relationship to God and your ability to give Him all the praise , honor and Glory!

The recipe is obedience to God and to do as He leads.

Father’s and mother’s work together as well as their children. Little children no higher than your waistline roam the streets with sacks in their hands looking for recyclables they might find. Going home only when it gets dark, their dirt blackened bodies blending in with the twilight sky.

In this community, many will get no education, will receive no medical care, and will die well before the national average in a first world Country.
Even with all this pain and suffering, there are no complaints. They continue to work at the tons of garbage as ants going back and forth until they have sorted through the throw offs of society to find some treasure of their own. There treasure sometimes only amounts to being able to buy a small amount of rice for their families.

As I said, even with all this they have continued on without complaint, until now.
The wonderful and beneficial Government which oversees all and looks out for the oppressed (in case you can not tell, this is sarcasm) has decided to build homes for the “poor” right here in Payatas.
“Wow”, you say, what a great Mayor we have. Let’s see if that is true. To build the homes they need to tear down the meager shacks of those who have been working the Governments waste management for free and for many years.
These people are offered a pittance to move. (about 10,000 pesos). $240 U.S.

Looking for salvation

Rents in the area are about p1500 per month so that money would quickly disappear and because these people do not make enough on their own to pay that rent, they would quickly be on the street again.

The Government houses cost p2,500 per month. This is middle and upper class range and is not for anyone anywhere near being poor.

The Government should be subsidizing new homes for these people as they do the Governments work here in Payatas, The thing is, here in Payatas, there is no shortage of poor people and so you can indiscriminately rip down their houses and ship them off and it doesn’t make a dent in the labor force.
This is the Government.
If I was able to vote this election, I would vote against any sitting politician as none of them are worth anything to the people of Payatas.
Perhaps the shut down of the garbage dump would wake some people up.

People, not one TV, radio station or newspaper found this interesting enough to tell the story. Sounds like the Government owns the media also.

When I first came to Payatas I was aghast at many things. The poor, the destitute, the uneducated,suffering children,,,

One thing however, stuck in my mind. The people had no hot water. No hot water for washing dishes or taking a shower or bath. It was awful.

My thoughts for Payatas when I was first planning to come here was to help people get little hot water heaters so they could have some comfort.

It was a generous but naive desire. Do you know why? It is because people here do not use hot water. They have no desire for hot water and even if you gave them a free heater, they would not, probably could not, pay for the electric or gas to run the hot water heater. So despite my good intentions, it was and still is a ridiculous idea. I have been here six years and I still do not have one. If it is your intention, I will gladly accept it but don’t worry about the rest of the people.

We have had some very nice medical missions here of which I am thankful. They came and they diagnosed and performed minor operations and even paid to send some people for treatment at a hospital. These missions were very profitable and successful.

Then we had one group that came here and basically did little more than hand out some vitamins. Perhaps a month’s supply. These people although they had good intentions. Had water heater mentalities. They spent thousands of dollars on plane fares, food , and fancy hotels. They had offered to reimburse us for the food we bought to feed about 1000 people. We bought it, cooked it and distributed it. When it was time to reimburse us the Pastor asked for receipts. I just laughed and told him to forget it. It was $200 which was a great deal for our Church. I told him that there are no receipts in street markets. So the Church lost on that deal and these people got to feel good about how they helped the needy. There was however no real help and it turned out to be a vacation for these people.

Medical Mission vacationers

Not one of the people in our church has a car. I am the only one. It is a put together 21 year old “Owner type Jeep”. It needs repairs on a weekly basis.

Unlike churches in better off communities, Payatas is the home of the infamous garbage dump. It is here that men, women and children who are called bums by the wealthier neighbors , work 12-16 hours per day to support their families. The Government balances their waste management programs on the backs of thousands of the residents of Payatas. Entire families work just to get food to eat. From the perspective of the more well off, they are lazy bums. This is a term that boils my blood and brakes my heart as I think of how industrious these people are and what they endure in life.

Looking for salvation

There are so many Filipino overseas workers all over the world living life in peace. The number that send anything to help us help these people is almost none. We have some Filipinos who give. One person emailed me and asked how could he give. I gave him the account number of our Local bank. He deposited 200 Pesos. That equals $4.90 U.S. I wanted to cry. No, not because the amount was low according to American standards but because it was so high according to a poor man with a heart to help. When I think of people who claim to be friends and how easy they could sign up to send $5 per month and don’t bother, it drives me nuts. When I think of those people who faithfully send to this Organization, it touches my heart to think how much they care.

I don’t mean to judge how much money people have but even when I was poor in the States I could give $5.

There was on Face book the story of the police officer who gave the homeless man who had blisters on his bare feet in the winter, a pair of socks and boots. He got 5 million hits. People think this is wonderful. I think it’s more than wonderful and it makes me feel that there are good people with good hearts out there. However, these millions of people will get touched by it, put it on Face Book yet never give a dime to help another human being.

Policeman gives boots to a Homeless Man.

Our ministry survives at poverty level. Not U.S. Level but Philippine level.
I think how my own children could not go to school last year because we had no funds and how many kids in Payatas do not attend at all. Yet we still teach our children and we have been teaching the children here.
We have had six years with these kids and have watched them grow. Kids with no hope now look forward to a brighter future. Kids who had no idea who Jesus was are now calling on his name. Yes, in a so called Christian Country they had no idea that there was a God.

With all the poverty, these people still say Merry Christmas not Happy Holidays. They thought it was insane when I told them how many churches cancel services on Christmas. These people know how to worship and praise the Lord. They know how to pray and seek God and without money and the frivolities that accompany money, they still know how to love and be loved.

As you go buy your Christmas presents, and decorate your houses and trees.
When you visit your friends and family and celebrate with sumptuous foods. When your children wake up in the morning and rush out to the bedazzled Christmas tree to see all the presents they will receive, please, take five minutes and think about this:

Our children don’t expect presents, there are no trees or decorations, no special foods or presents under a tree. This is not all of the Philippines. There are plenty with money here, just not in Payatas. The forgotten land.

The poor faces are beheld by their Saviour

The one born on this day, Jesus, said there were two great commandments:

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

When you are doing all your running around ask yourself, have I showed God love in any of this? Then ask, have I shown my neighbour love? Have I considered the plight of the poor? Have I though of my fellow man?

The world is changing. People have left Christ out of Christmas and people who claim to be Christians show no evidence of being one.

Please, show some love towards Payatas:

I looked down and there was a sweet little girl, dirty and wearing ragged clothes. Her big brown eyes staring me down and her little hand stretched out as her life depended on it.

Then I looked around and saw children everywhere. Hopeless little children trying to raise money for perhaps their only meal of the day.

On another day I would see children sitting on a pile of garbage in a open back garbage truck. I would also see little children walking the roads with a sack in their hands looking for whatever it was they could collect and sell for a couple of pesos. These children were as young as four years old.

That was the time in 1999, when I first discovered Payatas and God told me that it would be my mission.

It took seven years to get back there but in July of 2006 our plane touched down in Manila to start our incredible journey.

There is so much to tell. For example, my desire to go burned within me for seven years. My wife, not so. We had just married. It took one year to get her to the U.S. And she was happy to be there. It would be about three years later when the Holy Spirit put it in her heart to return to her people to help.

I could tell you how the Devil tried to stop me from going. He used supposed men of God to do it. They were all shown to be out of the will of God but it was nerve wracking to go through that.

I could tell you of how we went on deputation, a system that I despise. Going from Church to Church to get support. I was told it was also to get prayer support but we got little of each. Some man mentioned we should make a date and not a dollar amount. He said if God was in it, He would make the way.

We had one miracle donation from a non-Christian across the world in Dubai who found us through a website (actually it was God) and sent us the money for our flight.

We left with $550 per month support although we were promised $750. Some who promised weren’t truthful.

I could tell you how $250 of that money was needed for my medications and that in two weeks I ran out and told God I would not take another pill until He told me what to do. I went for a medical checkup after one month and again in the second month and all my conditions were fine.

Most Missionaries are told not to go to the Philippines without at least $4000 per month but I am here to tell you that there have been many who left and went back home with more money than us because it wasn’t enough for them. It has been six years and we are only up to $1200 per month to support home and Church. That is with a 20% drop in the exchange rate as well as high fees to turn it into cash on this side.

I can tell you how we have no medical coverage but I received a Gall bladder operation for $200!
We have no retirement, medical, furlough…

I drive a 21 year old put together vehicle that breaks down weekly. My wife washed clothes on a scrub board for the first two years here until one of our supporters bought us a washing machine. It was also five years before we got a regular oven. Prior to that we cooked only on a two burner stove top.

We started preaching the Gospel in Payatas working out of two of the locals homes. These were squatter homes with little room but we saw hundreds pass through those doors and mouth their repentance to our Saviour. By the way, I never say anyone has gotten saved. There have been some I believed that were saved and later proved me wrong and others who I thought could not be possibly saved yet they were. We did not come to save anyone. Jesus did that. We are allowed, yea commanded, to tell that wonderful story to all we encounter.

We did that to tens of thousands. In three months we rented a two story house and turned it into our Church.

We had so many children come from the dump site families. I remember my wife and I having to wash their arms and legs as

( they were filthy from garbage picking) they arrived at Church.

Although we have adults that came and became good , loyal, lovers of Christ and servants along with us, we have had so many more children. This was the ministry God showed to me.

We fed them, clothed them, sent them to camp, had V.B.S., Christian movies, Christmas celebrations,
and most importantly taught them the word of God. They love it. Most of these little ones can present the Gospel of Christ as well as the adults and it is a sight to see when on Saturday 50-70 of us go door knocking throughout the community.

Recently, two college students, working on their thesis, asked to interview the kids. When they finished they were amazed. I asked why and they said these children stated they wanted to be doctors, nurses, police officers… when they grew up. I asked what was wrong with that? They said , no where in Payatas do children have this kind of hope. Their future is comprised only with the garbage. Our children also told them it was very important to obey their parents, to study and to serve God with all their heart. I am so proud of these kids and so thankful to God for allowing me this blessing.

Showing the world Jesus is not just a mouth thing and so we have many programs to show the love of God and ending with their decision making concerning following Christ.

One such program we have is music. We started off with one donated guitar and through a couple of knowledgeable guitar players and a part time teacher, we now have 26 musicians and will be making a DVD for Christmas. It is comprised of guitars, Ukeleles, Violins, Harmonicas, keyboard and a flutist along with recorders.

When they learn an instrument it instills confidence that they are able to accomplish their goals. They do better in school and at home and in Church. We have some great kids.

Additionally, we have a scholar program where we work with the kids in the subjects in which they are behind. We also help the kids who will be graduating High School to obtain their goal of a college and subsequently a career.

We also have three different types of visitation programs to bring the Gospel to the community which is our major concern.

We have only been here six years but the results so far have been very promising. We just saw two young men who started with us when they were ten, move up into the adult classes as they have turned sixteen so our plan for growing the Church from the youngest up is working.

Finally, the pitch.

As you probably have surmised, the Church does not run without funding. We have some Churches as well as individuals who support the work but for some reason, this year has been the worst as far as donations are concerned.

As mentioned, the exchange rate has dropped 20% since we came here so donations of $100 have gone down to $80. Then there is another $5 off for the International bank charge and another $2.60 for the local bank charge bringing the $100 donation down to $72.40.

To make matters more interesting, after six years of being in this building the landlord wants us to leave and use the building for himself.

We have searched high and low and have found one perfect place for us. From the beginning I have had a vision for this ministry (http://www.payatasmissionoutreach.org/vision.asp?page=proposedplan )

It is to have at least a 2000 seat sanctuary, a medical clinic, missionary quarters and perhaps a covered court in which to have huge evangelistic outreach meeting to the community each week.

Here is what it looks like: http://escobia225.multiply.com/photos/album/183 (Our vision)

The cost is $1.6 million U.S. dollars and it will also require $2.4 million to outfit the existing buildings and land to conform to the plan.

It is a great amount which we are sure, God can meet.

This message does not begin to tell you of the work done here in Payatas.

If you go here:http://escobia225.multiply.com/photos you will see over 14,000 photos documenting the work God has done here. BTW, this site has dropped the business and will be closing in December. We are presently working on a plan to host our photos.

Go here to see a complete diary from the time we stepped off the Airplane in Manila until the present. http://www.payatasbaptistchurch.org/update.asp

Of course you can go here to make a donation: http://www.payatasmissionoutreach.org/donation.asp

You can make a donation as low as $1 and all donations are sorely needed and appreciated.

While you are visiting those links feel free to backtrack around those sites to see our statement of faith, some of our history and other interesting things you might enjoy.

I want to appeal to your heart as to the urgency of the need here. For the first time we will not celebrate our Anniversary on the first Saturday of November due to lack of funds.

If we do not get donations, the children, (again for the first time) will not have a Christmas celebration.

My own two little girls did not attend school this year because we were $350 short of what was needed for the materials.

If you are led by God, please become a regular supporter or send a generous one time gift. It’s for the kids.

God Bless,

Rev John J Wilson aka “Pastor Jack”

If you are reading this and you don’t believe in God or the Bible as His word it will be pointless for you unless it turns you into a believer.
However with that said, I have been studying the Bible for 43 years and do you know, God always gives me something new.

David said:

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

I never prepare my bible studies. I study the word but we do a through the Bible type study and I have always asked God to teach it. It works best when He does and every time, He gives us a refreshing new word.

Tonight it was Psalm 139. He showed us just how much He loves and cares for us.

Psa 139:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Psa 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psa 139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

It said that God knows our every move. When we get up, when we sit down and he knows all our ways.

Imagine, the God of all the universe is interesed in all our ways and what we do.

Psa 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Psa 139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Psa 139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

The verses really blew me away. It said that God knows every word that drops off my tongue. It said he protects us all around and His hand is upon us. This is the hard part. David said such knowledge is too wonderful , too high that he could not understand it.

We thought about it tonight and realized that we can not fully grasp what we are reading. Can you imagine if you really understood that God was next to you all the time? You can’t. Oh, you can know it. You can believe it because it is true. You just can not understand it. Our minds are not built for that type of understanding.

David goes on to say that there is no where to go from His presence.

Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Here is the part that shows us that abortion is terribly wrong.

Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

Literally, reins means kidneys but figuratively it means the mind as the center of ourselves. It says that He has covered us in our mother’s womb. He has caused us to be.
But it gets so much deeper.

Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

It speaks about how wonderfully made we were. Not accidentally pushed together but made. We must realize that life began with Adam and we were made at that time (DNA) God uses the normal process with a man and a woman to cause it all to come together.

139:15 says: My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret
He said my substance. Not a fetus, or sperm or an egg but my substance all that it would take for me to form. I was made in secret, within the framework of my mother.

Again He refers to the “substance” that was un perfect. Just a wondrous mass of ingredients that some say is not yet life but God said even though they were not yet complete, In His book, all my members were written. He has already ordered my arm, legs, toes….

Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

It said as the process continued, I was fashioned.

Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

God has made us in Adam and has continued us in substance and in due process form. He loved us even back in Adam as He promised a Saviour to redeem all of mankind. That promise to redeem mankind when Adam and Eve were the only two visible parts of Mankind, knowing the rest of us was within.

Praise be to our God and creator who recognizes us as His own, made by His hand and to be protected not murdered.

Over and over this verse comes back to me as a constant reminder to stay the course, to do when no one else will, to be the person God called me to be.

Once again we were struck here with a violent Typhoon called Ketsana. People started dying. People started watching their homes, their possessions just wash away as water down the drain.

What to do? What do you do as you see the helplessness of the situation? You look to the Government but they are impotent. You call the Red Cross but they say they are out of funds. As a last ditch attempt you put all the information on FaceBook. Surely those who live in Air Conditioned homes and drive cars and eat three meals a day and their kids can afford to attend school, surely they would want to help.

Alas, no not one! Perhaps in other places they are helping. Perhaps it is too much to send $5, $10.

I can only be a voice for those who can not be heard.

There is a man in San Mateo, He is the Pastor of the San Mateo Bible Baptist church. I have looked high. I have looked low. I have never met a man with such integrity as he.

Last year there was another Typhoon. I believe it was Ondoy, There are many. The residents around his place were forced out of their water filled homes so he opened the doors of the Church for them.

They were not the cleanest people in the world and perhaps because of the huge crowds they started using the entire Church as a bathroom. He and his members had much to do to restore his church when it was over.

Pastor Reuel believes the Church is Christ’s Church. So once again and without hesitation he threw the doors open and he has 500 indigent people sleeping on the floors of his building. This Pastor is not rich. His car is loaned to him and he lives very modestly as he gives all he has to the poor.

This brings me back to the opening verse. It says that the oppressed cry out to God and He will hear. The faithful ones he is looking for are the Christians and the question proposed is will he find any?

This is just a frustrating rant for me. I, like like my Biblical counterpart ask the Lord why do the wicked prosper.

Pro 21:13  Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

As you go to work today and turn down your A/c control to save money or complain about the expensive gas your new car takes or how the price of steak has gone up, remember these people.      http://www.reuters.com/article/slideshow/idUSBRE87613J20120807#a=1

If you are sitting there saying, “Who the heck is this guy to voice an opinion?” Has anyone heard of him? Does he belong to our group? You are in dire need to hear of my take on all of this.

I discovered some time ago, as did others, that Jack Schaap was off the mark on his teaching but that was a result of a deeper cause. What I saw in his face and heard in his voice was that he was a man who believed his own hype.

Just like a child star who rises too fast and succumbs to the sinful ways around them, Jack Schaap and many other Pastors are not immune to such sin. What do the Scriptures say:

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Jack Schaap’s downfall came long before the issue with the girl. It came when he thought he was higher than the world. When his judgments were better than others around him.

The Bible says:Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

This was the problem in a nutshell. The man started being a law unto himself. It was his way, not God’s that brought him down.

Let’s look at the good news. He is going to heaven as long as he is truly saved.

I remember being on deputation when I called a Hyles – Anderson Church. (the title is symbolic of a higher problem) A lady answered the phone and told me that they will only see missionaries who have saved 1000 people in the past year and baptized them also.

If Mr Schapp believed that man saves anyone, he has a much larger problem.

However if he is a believer, he might have lost some crowns but he will still be in the congregation of the saved. More good news is Jesus loves him so much and he should fall on his face and repent. Jesus loves true repentance. That doesn’t mean he will go back to being the world’s Pastor but it does mean he, and his family can have peace even through this.

I am most troubled because I believe that his problem of pride is represented by many, many Pastors today.

Those who would jump up and point at him should realize as they do so, the four remaining fingers point back at your self.

Do we feel bad? Do we wish it did not happen? Do we pray for him and his family? This is all goes without the need to say.

What we need to say is how  many others are in the midst of a huge pride problem which could result in many different sinful courses.

We know that this is not unique. One California Pastor stole $3 million from his congregation. One pastor is so big that if he sends out a missionary he just makes phone calls to other Pastors and they take them on and yet when he gets a request he ignores it. Many Pastors promised this missionary support and when the time came the checks did not and phone calls went unanswered. Many spread lies without substance about this missionary. I was at a meeting which I cheerfully donated to a Pastor to help him restore a Church. Another Pastor said “we have to help each other” not one of them would would let me in their Church to preach or present my work.

This is my personal testimony and most of it will soon be published in my book.

My final word is Preacher, look at yourself. Are you haughty? Do you go to your preachers meetings bragging about YOUR work?

Are you more interested in suits and ties then the hearts of man? Is your music program geared to praise the Lord or convince others of your greatness?

These and so many other questions should you ask yourself daily. There is nothing you did good that the Lord did not do. Nothing. My ministry is just to say, “Father, what should I do now?”

Brother Shaap, my prayers are with you and your family at these very difficult, but not impossible times.

Little children, “knee high to a caterpillar” as they say , roam the streets with burlap bags over their shoulders seeking valuable recyclables to help pay for their families food.

Payatas is a place of limited joy , peace or happiness. Each day brings with it another set of problems.

Here at Payatas Baptist Church, we spend much time telling the people of the love of Christ if only they would surrender their failed life and accept that which He has in store for them.

One of the ways we help the poor here is to instruct them in music. Those who wish to participate learn to read music and play a musical instrument.

It all started in my own house. I bought Laura a violin and for $3 per week, got her lessons from a local Pastor and violinist. In the meantime, Linda expressed an interest in the flute so I was able to find a very nice used one on eBay.

Laura started learning immediately while Linda found the flute too long for her little arms. We switched Linda to a electric keyboard which she like much better and started learning immediately. My wife, not to be left out, took over the flute and is doing incredibly well.

It was at this point God gave me the thought that we could do this in the church so we purchased another violin for Laura and gave one of the children her violin. Laura started to teach the child what she was taught and the child became very proficient.

We had one old guitar in the church that another Pastor had donated to us. I made an announcement that anyone who could learn to read music and play two songs will get a free guitar.

We keep growing our orchestra

So far we have 11 guitarists!

We took it another step and added violins to that offer.

We now have 6 violinists!

A close friend and I were at a music store as I had to buy guitar and violin strings. (Yes, these kids are so poor that if they break a string they will no longer be able to play.)
He noticed the recorders they had and bought 6 for the littlest children.
We had received one from some friends so now we have
7 Flutists!

We also was gifted a couple of Ukeleles and I bought one and so we now have 3 Ukeleleists (Is that a word?)

Andrei is a little boy with a birth defect so he only has one arm but was very determined to be part of this group so we bought him a harmonica and one for his instructor and he is doing very well.

Now I am searching out a used coronet as we have another interested party.

Music has caused these children to learn discipline. They also know what it is to be part of the family of God. Each one of these children know the Gospel and love the Lord. They are also quick to share it with whoever they come in contact.

Their love and progression in their music has made them believe the scripture: Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

These children when asked have expressed their desire to be Doctors, nurses, police officers… as opposed to their un churched counterparts in the same district which only see the garbage business in their future.

Every Sunday before evening service all these musicians practice Christmas songs. We are hoping to make our very own Christmas dvd this year.

I see a orchestra in our near future. Little by little I squeeze money from here or from there and buy another instrument. Little by little we train another child for this purpose. So I will buy a coronet and a trombone and a Viola and a Celo as the Lord allows and soon, before you know it, Payatas will have an orchestra.

With God, even the sky does not limit us.

The frailty of the human life being what it is, I wanted to write about myself a bit. I am writing partly I guess just to justify the thoughts which go through my head although I seldom know if they are right or wrong. Never the less, they are thoughts and are there so I will express.

I came here in 2006 ready to dig my heels in and do a good job for me, for those who have supported us prayerfully and financially and mostly for God I am so deeply appreciative. God had given us a love for the people of Payatas, it did not come naturally but felt as it did.

I believe with all my heart that anything accomplished has only been through Him and that as it so aptly is stated: 1Co_1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

With that said I believe we have accomplished so much as the Lord has used us and as we have attributed it all , only to Him.

We started off pawning jewelry that I owned just so we could eat. As we continued on we learned how to work within the tiniest of budgets so that we would not run out of food while waiting for a support check.

I would like to thank those who stuck by us for these six years now and tell you how much you are appreciated. No, I take that back. I could never tell you because it is beyond telling. You are always in our prayers and held before the face of God.

There are also those that forgot us as soon as we left. That is between you and God.

During these years we have lost supporters and gained supporters. The thing I hated the most about losing supporter was I felt I lost friends. I didn’t care about the money because God will always take care of us yet it was like our friends had left us. That hurt.

Sometimes we lost supporters/friends because they did not like our politics. Jesus said that they needed to eat His flesh and drink His blood and so they all left Him because they could not understand or believe what He was telling them.

If we were anti-abortion, they fought us and if we were anti-homosexuality they still fought us. We have people who left because they liked Obama and we did not.

Irregardless, we had to stand on the Lord’s side no matter what.

I do admire those who still love us because it’s us and even we have different thoughts on a subject that is not an attack on each others person.

You might ask, “Well, why don’t you just stay out of those conversations and don’t get involved.” I ask myself that also. I remember as a boy my father told me to stay put on the subway platform while he went to chase two big white boys from attacking this young black boy. My father also threw a drunk who smacked a woman in her face, off the bus. The drunk was huge. My father, not so, but in my eyes a giant.

I guess what I am saying is how can you see injustice and let it go unchallenged?

How can you let it go when they want to teach your children that homosexual behavior is normal and good?

The reason for the corruption in America is apathetic Christians who think only of themselves.

I believe, and if you are a Christian reading this I may be speaking to you, God is watching you. If the Holy Spirit is not speaking to you from within, if you do not hate injustice, fall on your knees and ask God to teach you.

Anyway, that’s my speech on that.

We have been serving God in wonderful ways and seeing great and exciting changes in so many lives and I am so excited about that.

The Bible says the payment of the Pastor is joy and considering that I am over paid.

All one has to do is to go through our six years of photos or our six years of monthly diaries and they will see that of which I am speaking.

On the subject of jealousy. Do missionaries get jealous? I don’t know about anyone else but I do. I fight it and I hate it but sometimes it is so right in your face that you just have to scream in your head and say “what the heck is going on in this world?”

I see missionaries on face book with beautiful cars and vans, each week some are showing photos of their new buildings they are building and food, long tables of delicacies. Most of these are ministering near some beautiful body of water or a quaint little town that I would love to go just for a vacation. Which by the way we have not had in six years unless you count two days where most of it was driving.

Some of these missionaries are on a plane more than I am in the pulpit. They are always going here or there.

Does it bother me? I am sad to say sometimes if I let it. There are times that I wallow in self pity but It is severely limited and I pray for strength and God helps me.

Should I speak of the injustices? Maybe not. Maybe I should let it go and let people think they are so holy and self righteous and continue on the way they have been going.

There is a system that is used by many religious leaders not at all unlike the politicians and others may use.

I wrote a book concerning this subject which is not quite finished but will be published soon. When I was going on deputation there were many (usually the richer Churches) which would not even allow me to come and to present the work. Then there were others who allowed me, told me (sometimes with tears) that they were going to support the work, but never did. Some of whom came from this place and made a good life for themselves in America.

This society has it’s “Big Shots” who are well known Pastors who , when they have a missionary they are sending out they just call other Pastors and they immediately agree to send them and to take them on for support. When these people visit the foreign Countries they make it a point to visit the missionaries of these richer Churches which I suppose gives them more credibility for some reason.

I imagine no one in the political/religious category would want to visit us here. The hotels are not fancy, the food is plain and the people are poor. I am sure they would rather make long speeches at ocean view Churches with warm sea breezes coming through the windows. Who on earth would rather come here where the stink of the garbage dump permeates your clothes and the dogs bark so loud it’s hard to hear yourself pray?

Is this what a Missionary does? Does he go to the heart of pain and prays God to repair it? Some have told me how wonderful I am to go to such a place to serve. My answer to them is how foolish of me if I did not. Although I would love to go down by a beach and preach the Gospel to seashells and the occasional passerby
I could never justify it before God.

Many have come and returned home the first year because of “lack of money” yet they had more than us. One fellow was told by other Pastors in the States that he

should not go without at least $3,500 per month support. Wow! That is just about three months support for us.

“Is that a little sarcasm I see Pastor Jack?” Eyes turned down he answers, “yes, a little.”

What can I say? I see it, I hear it, it bothers me.

I know God’s will is perfect but I am sure when John the Baptist was about to have his head cut off did not exclaim, “Gee, this is fun!” Also, Paul complained about those who did not support and also spoke of those who serve for their own purposes and Jeremiah lashed out at evil Pastors.

I look at other websites and compare them to others to see what they are doing. (Don’t tell me you don’t) I am convinced we are certainly doing the job God has called us to do. As for those who have been “called to luxury”, maybe they have been and who am I to judge but much of it just feels wrong.

I sometimes wonder about those who consider me a friend. Those Christians that tell me what a great work I am doing and never sending a dime in support. I do know things are tight right now but I don’t believe (I can be wrong) that there is one person who could not right now, sign up for a $5 or $10 or even more donation automatically withdrawn from the bank each month. All it takes is to press the clicker here: http://www.payatasmissionoutreach.org/donation.asp

and to decide what you know you can afford. I am not asking my enemies to do it, (of course they can) I am asking my friends. Perhaps I will write the next blog on what is a true friend.

Even if you are on welfare and food stamps you probably have $1.25 per week. If you don’t, please drop me a line and let me know. We will all certainly pray for you here. There are Christians paying over $100 per carton of cigarettes but can’t give a few bucks a month.

We are trying to raise $4 million U.S. Dollars to buy a piece of property and outfit it with a church that will accommodate at least 2000 people at a time. It will have an open air covered area to fit thousands for evangelistic outreach. It will have missionary quarters for those brave enough to be real missionaries.

I can not find the story but it is like this, the missionary was in the deep part of the jungle, he got a message that some wanted to come and help if they could only find a road. He had to explain that if they were looking for roads they were in the wrong place.

With boils on my face making me look grotesque and now I have about 21 under my armpit. My children have gotten them in their eyes, I don’t know, Malou might be immune. However gruesome and painful and certainly inconvenient we continue on.

The life of a missionary, is there is not some real tribulations, is probably not a real missionary.

This is the part where many will stop reading—

After six years of being here we have gone from $550 per month support to perhaps $1,300 per moth. When we came the exchange rate was 51 pesos for every dollar now it is 41 peso for every dollar. So, we should now be getting p66,300 per month but with the drop in rate we are only getting 53,300 which is 10,000 pesos less. It comes to 238.00 less per month. Add that to the bank fees. $500 to withdraw each $238.00 plus almost $2 from the local bank.

On top of all that, this is the first year we have not yet received the books to send my Children to school. We raised $150 toward our goal of $500.

Is this the sign of the times? Jesus said: Luk 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Please donate:http://www.payatasmissionoutreach.org/donation.asp