Thirty minutes after landing in the Philippines today (Tuesday) I learned I had a new best friend in local Adelaide MP Pat Conlon. I learned that Mr Conlon’s pre-election advertising included a picture of Sandy George and myself standing next to the EBC community bus. Sandy had written a caption for the picture thanking Pat for his assistance in helping us get the bus. It appears a local radio station picked up on the picture and caption and went to work endeavouring to make some negative story out of an MP providing ‘Baptists’ with a bus. I’ve since read the radio transcript, which appears to be a lame attempt at best, by 5AA commentators, to introduce an American style religious debate into State politics.

In response I’d like to clarify a few things to our church family in case anyone has got the wrong idea. Firstly, we as a leadership do not endorse any political party or individual. Secondly, I believe it is entirely appropriate for me to publicly thank any MP, on behalf of EBC, for their assistance to us as a church serving the local community. Thirdly, I trust God with the outcome, of what appears to be an attempt by the media to criticise an MP during an election, for supporting a local church, this may in turn have cast EBC and myself in a negative light. God is big enough to use even this to allow us to become better known in our community. (I’m beginning to feel like Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s pastor!)

Fourthly, it never ceases to amaze me how desperate the media can be to create a story out of nothing! Finally please be aware we are in a spiritual battle and Satan will always directly oppose God’s work that is having an impact. Pray!

Now to what I really want to write to you about - the Philippines (politics always gets in the way)! Having arrived in Cebu it appears to have a reasonable sized middle class, as demonstrated by the number and type of vehicles on the roads. However there is also an obvious majority of poor people, evidenced by the myriad of meagre road side stalls and basic, small, tin roofed homes.

As we drove around I was surprised to see a number of buildings belonging to churches and Christian organisations with their advertising boldly proclaiming their beliefs. In contrast, one thing I noticed by its absence, were no idols, temples or offerings on street corners, which is very unusual for an Asian country. This is a ‘Christian’ country with great opportunities to serve the poor and share the gospel. Please pray as I continue exploring…

Time to catch another Jeepney,

Brian.