Earl Roemer and I got up early and left our hotel at 5 am. I've been up since 3 am. I'm fighting a bit of a cold, but feel all right otherwise. Earl arranged for bus transport to the aiport. A cab would have been expensive, a city bus too cumbersome with the luggage we had. So, the hotel arranged for a "shuttle." It was a full size large touring coach just for Earl and me. The ride to Hong Kong airport takes about 40 minutes...not exactly close.  

We got in checked our luggage . Earl was overweight because of all the things that he's bringging into the Philippines but the kind clerk at the check-in counter let some of the weight spill over on my check in. I don't have particularly a lot that I'm traveling with this time. 

The flight was less than two hours on Cathay Pacific. Rey Evasco, pastor of Manila, was there to pick us up. Larry Darden called me as we are at baggage claim. He had arrived about the same time we did from Los Angeles via Taipei in Taiwan. He was picked up by Abraham Lorenzo. It's warm in Manila -- more than 80 degrees F. That's 80 degrees more than back home in Cincinnati where my lovely wife is tending to the home fires.

Rey Evasco first drove us to where the church apartment is located in Quezon City. Earl is lending me a few barongs for my stay. They are so comfortable to wear! Toti Carlotti was at the church hall/apartment and we had time to talk to him. 

On the main thoroughfare in the city are signs galore welcoming the Pope who will be visiting the Philippines next week . On Saturday, January 17 Manila will be a "no fly" zone. No aircraft will be allowed to fly when the Pope's plane comes in.  

We then got checked in at the Great Eastern Hotel where the rest of the National Council will be staying. Our meeting will all day Sunday.

With Larry Darden and Earl Roemer we had a get-together. Abraham Lorenzo went to get us some fruit and juice. 

In the evening we had dinner right here at the hotel Actually a very pleasant restaurant, We were Earl, Larry, myself along with Abraham and Gracielle Lorenzo who were wonderful to be with. Nice young couple. Both of them just went to Singapore on a personal visit and visited with the Singapore brethren on December 27th. The Singapore church is about the same size as our Hong Kong church. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia brethren here are cared for by resident pastor and his wife, Mr & Mrs Don Goodger from the Australian home office who visit every six weeks or so . Our room does not have Internet access, however through a Earl and Abraham we were able to get a wireless local hotspot set up that gives us Internet while anywhere in the Philippines. 

We feel very blessed as God has been right with us as we have walked with Him through some challenging steps on this trip. Also, He has protected us from grievous trouble. For example, Earl had to collect his passport from the Chinese consulate before leaving. His receipt for the passport could not be found and he could not get his passport out. He went and searched and searched his belongings. Finally found it as the woman giving him the receipt had inserted it with other papers and it was hidden.  

Then on the bus that took us to the airport, Earl left his fanny pack on the bus....fortunately, in the dark, the driver spotted it and came running getting it to Earl...that would have really problematic if that was left behind. 

Also, we're discovering how we can help manage the areas here on the Pacific rim more efficiently with manpower. The Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong are with 3 hours of one another. If we're to every have any real growth, we're going to have more hands-on contact with these areas.  

We're excited about the venue for the Feast of Tabernacles in Hong Kong this coming year. Big boost for the entire area.

 Great trip so far. Really enjoy being here!