My dear readers,

1. Philippines Hilltop Re-visited

Inviting all readers to “An Adventure in Missions with Rev Dan Ebert III” This week, our team from Calvary Pandan (Deacon Ko Swee Chay, Preacher Lek Aik Wee and I) visit again the “Land of Seven Thousand Emeralds,” the Philippines where our largest and most ambitious missions project was planted 15 years ago, on a 5-acre hilltop in Antipolo Rizal, fifteen kilometer from Manila City. Today, Hilltop is the rallying point for fundamental pastors and evangelists from all over the country, mostly Fundamental Baptists.

How did we Bible-Presbyterians come to be associated with Baptists? Answer: Because of our links with the 20th Century Reformation Movement headed by the late Rev Antonio Ormeo, President of the Far Eastern Council of Christian Churches, together with Rev Timothy Tow, Founding Pastor of our B-P churches, Singapore. Out of this association, we got to know Rev Dan Ebert III, Missionary from the USA to the Philippines.

The story of Hilltop is retold from “Reformation Banner” issue dated Jan – March 1992, from the pen of Rev Dan Ebert III. Read on, and catch something of the Pauline spirit of endeavouring ‘to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named …” (Rom 15:20 ). Palawan, indeed, was a most remote untouched part of the Philippines, in some ways, still in the “Stone Age” whose inhabitants lived in the most primitive conditions. Please read on as Rev Ebert’s story unfolds.

Opening An Epochal Chapter of Gospel Endeavour

Rev & Mrs Dane Ebert III and children Arriving in Palawan, the children adjusted rapidly and were greatly loved by the people. They did not have bicycles or other toys like children would normally have. But they learned very rapidly to play games with their native counterparts and to enjoy the things that God provided. It was great fun for them to swim in the river looked over by some of the women of the village. Or perhaps to ride upon the back of one of the large sea turtles brought into the village by men who had made the long trip down river to go fishing in the sea. All our children learned, along with their playmates, to use the large bolo knives and to join in the cutting of weeds around the village. Having no schools, the children studied in their grass house at a homemade table. DJ and Dan, the two oldest, went through the first five grades of school in this manner. They were soon followed by little Billy who was a great imitator. God’s tender care Exciting things happened from time to time in the jungle home. One time while Daddy was away preaching, a large python crawled under the house and ate one of the ducks that faithfully laid eggs for the family. A quick call from the house brought men running with their spears to kill the snake. Another time while the children were playing in the clearing outside our house a wounded wild boar ran through their midst. In these instances and others like them we were seeing God’s special care as these little children grew up in the midst of the jungles of Palawan. Perhaps the most exciting thing that happened in the early days of the work was when mother returned from the city of Manila with a new baby. Six-week old Ethel Ann quickly became the center of attraction in the Village of Many Waterfalls. Some people actually hiked from eight to ten hours to get a glimpse of the first western baby ever seen in the mountains. Baby Ethel’s arrival in Palawan was not uneventful. There was no regular means of travel into the area, so we were happy when we learned that a small cargo ship was going to the West Coast of Palawan. This meant that the hard trip to the east coast with a sun up to sun down hike through the jungle-covered mountains could be avoided. So Dot, Helen, and the children boarded the cargo ship “Santa Theresa” for the one week journey. I stayed behind to finish printing the Palawano Romans which we had just translated. We were pleased to see that the ship had been repainted and the awning which covered the open deck where the family would live was new. After many days travel the ship stopped in an isolated cove to pick up a large quantity of fish soaking in brine. The barrels containing the fish were improperly loaded causing the ship to pitch dangerously as it made its way through the choppy waters of the South China Sea. After two days the ship dropped anchor in the bay nearest our home. At the blast of the ship’s horn Palawano Christians who had been anxiously awaiting the family’s arrival paddled their canoes out into the bay to take them up river to our home. Soon the ship pulled anchor and before long hit the rough South China Sea again. A few hours later it capsized and sank in the shark-infested waters. Later a missionary friend and I saw one of the executives of the small cargo company that owned the ship. A profane man, he was wildly cursing the foolish load-ing of the ship. Turning to me he exclaimed that the ship, so poorly loaded, should have sunk the first time it entered the rough sea. Sarcastically he said, “Reverend, your God’s angels must have been holding her up for your family.” And no doubt they were. Pondering the future It is seldom that young children begin to consider what the aims and goals of their lives will be. However, young Dan IV, often seen deep in thought, recognized at a very early age that God was calling him to service on the mission field. What a joy to know that wherever we are we can fellowship with our Lord. Our family devotions, held at night by the light of a kerosene lamp, were to leave a mark on all of us that would last throughout our journey here on earth. In the early days of the work the new believers were fascinated by the fact that God would speak to us through His Book, giving instructions and encourage-ment. What a surprise to know that not just men, but the whole family, including the little children, could join in these devotions. (To be continued) Lovingly in the Lord Dr SH Tow, Senior Pastor Church Weekly Archive