A Short Travel With A Man of GOD and A Humble Teacher!

"Well, I have much more to say to you, but I don't want to say it in a letter. For I hope to visit you soon and to talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete (2 John 12)." It was a great blessing, honor, and privilege for me to be the traveling companion of Pastor Dan Finfrock, the founder and Director of Intensive Care Ministries, U.S.A. and who is known as the father of the Inductive Bible Study Method here in the Philippines and in Dumaguete City particularly. He has not visited Dumaguete City for the last five years and I, my wife, children, and for sure a lot of brethren, friends, and acquaintances miss him very much. I consider him as my spiritual older brother, mentor, teacher, and one of my closest friends. It was on March 19, 1991, that he officiated our (Andrew & Muffet) renewal of marriage vows in a Christian Marriage and dedicated our whole family (Andrew, Muffet, Joaquin, Mary Antonette Magenta, Dan Paul) to the LORD. It was pastor Dan's wife, Debbie, who was used by the LORD to minister to my wife wife during her pregnancy of our youngest son (complete bed rest from the fourth to the ninth month), using the Old Testament book of Daniel for her teachings and Bible study. Out of gratitude for pastor Dan and Debbie, we named our youngest son, Dan Paul.


Pastor Dan arrived Dumaguete City on the 07:45 morning flight from Manila on May 18, 2007 (Friday), and he was housed at the Calvary Chapel Training Center. He tendered a dinner at Sta. Monica beach resort, on the evening of Saturday for his former Filipino staff and close associates at ICMA. That fellowship dinner was indeed a blessed experience for everyone present (Jing, Joy, Ayanna, Clarita, Nene, Eva, Rere, Alice, Randy, Manju, Tianing, Calix, Bobby, Noemi, Andrew, Muffet, Joaquin, Magenta). Pastor Dan had a short film documentation on the life of his adopted Filipino son, Aaron, who passed away early this year on the day before his twenty-first birthday which was shown before the dinner. On the morning of Sunday, Pastor Dan taught and preached GOD's word at NOAH Fellowship in Bacong town (the home church that I have been pastoring) using the New Testament book of 2 Peter 1:1-11. All glory and thanksgiving be to GOD for the feasting on His Word that day.


On the early morning of May 21 (Monday), on board the Ceres Bus, Pastor Dan and myself proceeded to Bacolod City wherein he wanted to accomplish at least three things before taking the five o'clock p.m. fastcraft for Iloilo City. GOD in His graciousness, honored the desires of Pastor Dan and provided three beloved brethren ('angels' in the flesh) in the persons of Pastor Chaz Yandall and wife Terry, and Pastor Mike Ramsey, who lovingly and patiently brought us around Bacolod City and helped in a tremendous way accomplish what was in the heart of Pastor Dan. Pastor Mike Ramsey traveled with us to Iloilo City and we parted ways with him at the pier after mutual introductions and greetings with those brethren who met us and him (Pastor Remo Jaco and wife Janet, and Pastor Mark Cadagat, respectively).


In Iloilo City, we stayed in the lovely home of Pastor Remo, Janet, and two darling daughters, JL and JM. It was a time of renewing friendships, rest, delighting on Ma'am Acul's delicious home cooked dishes, and indulging on Iloilo's sweet mangoes. On the evening of Tuesday, Pastor Dan Finfrock tendered a dinner for the RAYMAR Ministries Philippines Board in the persons of Pastor Remo Jaco, Janet Jaco, Pastor Godofredo Burgos, Atty. Lorna Gellada, and Mrs. Delma Logarto. Pastor Villafuerte (had Bible School graduation) and Mr. Lequillo (presently out of the country) were not present during the dinner and the ensuing meeting.


Pastor Dan Finfrock left Iloilo about 10:50 Wednesday morning for Manila and will get a connecting flight to the U.S.A. on Wednesday evening. Today, (May 28), I was inspired when I heard this poem read by Pastor Jeff Martin, present field director of Pastoral Training of Asia, during our daily morning devotions. The lines of this poem aptly describes the lifestyle of my dear brother in the LORD, teacher, and friend, Pastor Dan Finfrock.

Lord let me live from day to day in such a self- forgetful way;
That even when I kneel to pray my prayer would be for others.
Others Lord, yes others let this my motto be;
That when I've lived for others I will have lived like Thee.