January 20, 2009 is a day that Americans will be proud to etch in their rich history. Who would ever think that only about 40 years ago, black Americans were denied voting rights, known as disenfranchisement? And because they could not vote, they were virtually powerless to stop discrimination in public accommodations, education, economic opportunities, or housing.

Another amazing fact, previously not well-known and officially acknowledged only in 2005,  is that the Capitol Building where the inaugurations take place, the White House and other buildings in Washington, D. C., were built mostly on the backs of black slaves in the 1790s and 1850s!

President Barack Obama appeals to Americans – and to the world – not only because he made history, but because he is literally an “international man”: born of a white American mother and a black immigrant from Kenya, and raised in Hawaii and Indonesia.

I just wish that someday, hopefully sooner than later, Filipinos would use their precious voting rights as intelligently as Americans, and vote based on issues much more than on personalities and on getting money for their votes. Filipinos must pay attention to how Americans conduct their elections, transfer of power, and government affairs, instead of watching and imitating all the garbage that comes from Hollywood and elsewhere.

One historical trivia question about American presidential inaugurations: Which American president served the shortest term?

William Henry Harrison

Answer: President William Henry Harrison, who served only for 31 days. Wanting to prove that he was still the heroic general, he delivered a two-hour speech without an overcoat on a bitterly cold inauguration day on March 4, 1841. He then rode through the streets in the inaugural parade. Three weeks after his inauguration, he developed a cold which led to pneumonia, and died on April 4, 1841. Note: there is no medical proof that cold weather exposure causes colds, flu, or pneumonia.

Extremely difficult days face the Obama administration. But no matter what happens during his administration, this day will be gratefully and  joyfully remembered by all Americans.

Again, congratulations, America!

It had been a good visit with family and friends, especially at the wedding, and here are some of the highlights:

Pampered: We had a taste of luxurious living for a week, staying in a lakeside condo in Santa Cruz and driving a Mercedes. Both were courtesy of a couple of friends from our church, Trinity United Reformed Church.

Family times: Since the condo was about 15 minutes from Tim and Chesney’s house in Scotts Valley and 45 minutes from Lem’s apartment in San Jose, we got together for some evenings together. We even babysat Caleb and Tyler one afternoon.

Disneyland: Lem drove with Rachel to LA to join Oli and Nem for a day trip to Disneyland. Although tired from the trip, Rachel thoroughly enjoyed her first visit back as a teen.

Wined and Dined: We’ve had several lunch and dinner invitations, and not being used to big meals have made us feel stuffed after the meals.

Unexpected gifts: I visited Harris & Associates, the company I worked for temporarily in 2005 and 2006, and the IT Manager, Ramon Guiao, promptly donated a couple of their spare laptops after I talked to him about Mars Hill Study Center’s needs. How God’s providence works. Thank you, Ramon and Harris & Associates!

New mission organization: We’re finally coming close to finalizing our affiliation as a tax-deductible foundation under Congressional District Programs. Details are forthcoming soon, hopefully before the end of November.

Preaching: I’ll be preaching this Lord’s Day, November 9, 9 am and 5 pm services, at Trinity URC. My texts will be Psalm 46 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

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I’m posting here a picture of the ordination invitation that we sent out. Everyone who’s in the area is cordially invited to attend.

As for family matters, Evelyn and Rachel are in the Philippines, even though they would very much like to be with the rest of the family during this time. We’ll be moving to another house in Antipolo, Rizal on the first week of June, right after I come back from California and after Rachel’s school is done.

As a missionary pastor in the Philippines, the areas of my involvement are church planting, pastoral training, and teaching at seminaries. Lord willing, we will be able to open a Christian Study Center in the area where we live to serve as a resource and study center for pastors, as well as a seminar or workshop center and a place for worship and Bible study.

I plan to be in Concord, California until May 26. Here’s my schedule for the rest of my stay:

May 9: Ordination service
May 11: Lead worship services and preach at Trinity URC
May 17-18: Presentations at Escondido URC and Christ URC (Santee)
May 25: Preaching and presentation at Zion URC in Ripon, CA

All of these changes pale in comparison to the joyous occasion of my ordination service scheduled on Friday, May 9, 7:30 pm (D.V.) at Trinity United Reformed Church in Walnut Creek, California (click here for location). If you’re in the SF Bay Area on that day, you’re most welcome to attend. Tim and Chesney, Lem, and Oli are planning to be there, as well as some of our other family and friends.

I’ll be here until May 26, and most weekends I’ll be visiting other UR churches in California, particularly Los Angeles and San Diego. You can reach me at dvopilgrimatgmaildotcom and I’ll send you my contact phone numbers.

The IRS advised taxpayers that in most cases they will not have to do anything extra this year to get the economic stimulus payments beginning in May… If you are eligible for a payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return and the IRS will do the rest.

The tax rebate is based on your 2007 earnings ($3,000 minimum) and Federal Income Tax liability. Taxpayers would be eligible to receive a rebate of up to $600, if you paid the Fed that much. For example, if you only paid $400 in taxes, you only get back $400. The minimum rebate is $300 ($600 for joint filers), and the maximum is $600 ($1,200 for joint filers). Qualified dependents get $300 each.

The law also allows for payments for select taxpayers who have no tax liability, such as low-income workers or those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007. These taxpayers will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.

To get an idea on how much you will get, use the Kiplinger rebate tax calculator.