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2008 HIGHLIGHTS April: After persevering through six months of physical conditioning, Oliver was finally admitted by the L. A. Police Academy for six months of training as a police officer. May: My two-year wait for a call and ordination (9) ended as Trinity United Reformed Church in Walnut Creek, California ordained me as Associate Pastor to serve as a missionary to the Philippines. June: The Lord blessed Tim and Chesney (Lolo & Lola too) with precious little Tyler Evan (24). Nollie begins another schoolyear of seminary teaching, & also starts a Bible study for 6 young adults. |
July: Mars Hill Study Center opens in Pasig City, Metro Manila (31). MHSC is a Christian study and teaching center which offers free pastoral education and training.
August: Reformed worship services start at MHSC with a group of 8-12 adults. Rachel anxiously and excited- ly starts the year as a high school freshman! Tim was spared |
from serious injury in a freeway car accident just outside the SF Bay Area. We thank God for his mercy.
September: Evelyn flies to the States to attend Oliver’s graduation (12) and wedding. October-November: Oliver and Nem Ngaihte’s wedding in Anaheim, California (Oct 25). What a joyous family reunion for us!
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Far East United Reformed Foundation |
Our new mission organization, named Far East United Reformed Foundation, has been accepted as a charitable project under Congressional District Programs, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. All tax-deductible financial gifts should be made payable to the above Foundation and sent to: Far East United Reformed Foundation, P. O. Box 3014, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. |
| The Star and Scepter of God’s People (Numbers 24:17-19) In a portion of his last oracle in Numbers 24:15-25, Balaam blessed Israel and prophesied, “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” The Star: Israel under God’s punishment is described as a people walking in darkness. But judgment against God’s people is always followed by a promise of restoration. This is why Balaam foretold of a “star” that would come to give light to a people in darkness: “The people who walked |
in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined (Isa 9:2).
The Scepter: A king holds a scepter in his hand as a symbol of his power and authority over his people. Thus, Balaam’s prophecy of a “scepter” from Israel is clearly a revelation from God that a king shall arise out of Israel. On that first Christmas night, Jesus, a descendant of Jacob, was born in Bethlehem. Wise men from the east followed The Star of Jacob, seeking to worship “The Bright Morning Star” (Rev 22:16; 2 |
Pet 1:19) who was born to give light to his people who walked in darkness (John 8:12).
As the Scepter of Righteousness, Jesus rules in justice and righteousness (Heb 1:8). When he returns as King of Kings, he will “judge the world with righteous- ness” (Psa 98:9). Christians, remember as you cele- brate Christmas that The Star of Jacob has delivered you from the darkness of sin into his light, and the Scepter of Israel has given you his own righteousness that you might inherit his everlasting kingdom. |
| Plans for 2009 | We will be spending all of 2009 in the Philippines. Nollie will continue teaching at a local seminary and at Mars Hill Study Center, preaching at the new mission church, and helping a group of pastors form a new federation of churches. Evelyn will apply as a full-time staff member of the mission high school’s library. |
 Email: dvopilgrim@gmail.com Our Website: blog.twoagespilgrims.com Doctrinal Website: www.twoagespilgrims.com/doctrine/ Mars Hill Study Center: www.twoagespilgrims.com/marshill/ |
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