The Gospel, Rice, and Expanded Computer Outreach at the Bethany Philippine Mission

Is this a beautiful photo? Rice is the staple for all meals. Spiritual food is distributed here and at the homes of people, thanks to the mission car. "Faith comes from hearing the Gospel." Romans 10

From Lutheran Cowboys, Bethany Philippine Mission

The rice in Bethany Lutheran Missional Church in Wallayan was distributed and our members are so happy that help arrived. The church is growing and hoping that this pandemic will end so we can start again working for the building. It’s been a while that the work stopped because of check points and needed document before travelling. Despite everything, God is indeed omnipotent.  Nothing can stop His Word.

This chapel is being built by hand, with only little outside help where it is needed for the structure.

The rice in Bethany Lutheran Missional Church in Wallayan was distributed and our members are so happy that help arrived. The church is growing and hoping that this pandemic will end so we can start again working for the building. It’s been a while that the work stopped because of check points and needed document before travelling. Despite everything, God is indeed omnipotent.  Nothing can stop His Word.

Another wonderful news item - is the new laptop for church work. This is a necessary  tool that the Lord bestowed for the expansion of His Word. I can now work  without borrowing my wife’s laptop. Thank you very much for the donor who supported this project.

"If you give me a place to stand and a lever long enough, I will move the world."
The Internet leverages the Gospel by distributing the Means of Grace.

Mission Laptop Computer Fund - Completed

Our Philippine Missionary Jordan Plangyos reports that the $500 goal for the laptop has been met. I wanted to get that part completed before we helped with the car maintenance costs - $200.

Rice for the food shortage came first.

Church Growth experts know that donuts are the ticket for happy campers in America.

Mission Computer - Reaching Toward the Goal

Kitten pictures are expected on this blog, so enjoy them.

Pastor Jordan Palangyos has been borrowing Amabel's work computer for his work for the Bethany Lutheran Mission. He has done more with it than most Lutheran pastors in the US of A. 

We are donating toward a laptop for the mission, and we have sent $300 or 60% of the estimated cost ($500 cost).

They just completed the October Rice Mission, which included distributing $1,000 worth of rice.

Pastor Jordan Palangyos and his wife, Dr. Amabel Palangyos.

Every meal in the Philippines includes rice, so the current shortage is a major problem. 

 The chapel started from the ground up, and work remains to be done.
God has blessed the mission with good workers and help from all over.

Philippines Rice Mission Funded - Laptop Computer Next. Pastor Palangyos Could Teach American Clergy about Effectiveness

We met the goal of $1,000 for rice, and Pastor Palangyos was very happy about that.

The next need is for a $500 laptop for Bethany Lutheran Mission. 

Some Background

When Pastor Palangyos wanted to work with us, I made some suggestions:

1. Write about your work on a free blog - that goes around the world.
2. Take advantage of multiple Facebook theme pages. They build up support.
3. Trust the efficacious Word of God. His Word never returns empty. God accomplishes His will through the Word. He prospers His will through that Word.

He has been very active on his blog - Lutheran Cowboys. 

He uses Facebook constantly.

He uses photos and videos, and shares Biblical teaching all the time.

He has had to borrow his wife's computer, and she uses it for her work. That has created a logjam when both need to use it at the same time.

Lutheran Cowboys Blog

Pastor Palangyos' Facebook

Jordan and Amabel Palangyos

When the lockdown and poor harvest created a real hunger situation, Pastor Palangyos found supplies of rice - the staple of all their meals - to share with the people.

I told Pastor Palangyos, "You use the Internet for spreading the Gospel more than most pastors I know. You are ahead of most pastors and you trust the power of God's Word."

In other mission news - we are showing Lutheran world missionaries that there are hundreds of free books (PDFs) and many low cost print books for their work.

It's Going To Be a Rice Day in the Philippines

Pastor Palangyos has $700 toward the rice goal of $1000.

Two other needs are car expenses and a laptop.

The mission has been careful about costs, doing everything possible with their own labor.

Glen Kotten traveled to the Philippines to share books and teach. 

He is an attorney.

October Rice Mission - Half of the Money for Rice Already Donated

Pastor Jordan Palangyos is getting ready for the next rice mission in October. The goal for buying rice is $1,000. Already - $500 has been donated. 

Other needs are car costs and a laptop.

Pastor and Mrs. Palangyos took the Gospel to the area where they grew up. Land was donated and a small chapel was partially built by hand. The Corona virus led to a lockdown in the Philippines, many delays and hardships. The weather has been bad for the rice crop, so our mission began to deliver bags to those in need. Rice is basic to all their meals and essential.

Some people mail checks to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1104 Letha Drive, Springdale, AR, 72762. The money is forwarded to the mission the same day it arrives - 100% of the amount given or designated.

Others give directly to the mission through this PayPal address -

amabelpalangyos@yahoo.com

Mailing checks directly to the Philippines does not work out well, so we use PayPal for the currency conversion and speed.

Pastor Jordan Palangyos and his wife Dr. Amabel Palangyos. She earned a PhD in linguistics.

                 This is how they began building the chapel - from scratch.

Next Bethany Lutheran Rice Mission - Philippines

Lutheran Cowboys Philippines

on September 18, 2020

 Next Mission

Pastor Jordan Palangyos - Home, Sweet, Home

This is Pastor Jordan Palangyos' uncle's home, where he spent his high school years.

Philippines - Bethany Lutheran Rice Mission. It's Going To Be a Rice Day

 Is anyone else hungry for some rice dishes? Rice Krispies?

Lutheran Cowboys - Philippines

Despite the difficulties of travelling due to strict checkpoints and endless permits,  the rice donated by Bishop Gregory L. Jackson and his friends  finally arrived and was distributed in the mountain. 

Thanks to our friends for caring and sending rice to our members who are in need of food during these trying times.

Last week, unfortunate things happened because one jeep travelling from the city fell in a very high cliff. One died, however; a miracle still happened because most of the passengers survived and are now recovering. Five Lutheran members [from another congregation] were included in that accident. We ask everyone to pray for our brothers and sisters for their fast recovery. Hoping to visit them soon if weather and my health condition is okay.

I am planning to go home to distribute rice also to my relatives and to preach the Gospel too.  I should have traveled today but I felt sick and the weather is not favorable this time. 

God bless to all the donors and more power to Bishop Jackson.

***

September Is Rice Month

"NATIONAL RICE MONTH

We celebrate National Rice Month throughout the entire month September. With over 40,000 kinds that grow on every continent, except on Antarctica, we have 30 days to discover as many varieties as possible!

Rice is the oldest known food still consumed today. Rice was first grown about 130 million years ago in the south-eastern part of Asia.  The Chinese word for rice is the same word used for food. However, rice is more than food; it’s part of the national culture. Many cultural customs date back to the days of wet rice cultivation. The historic commitment to group harmony is a predominate custom of the original culture for communal rice cultivation. In China, young girls are told that they must eat all the rice on their plate because each grain of rice represents a pockmark on the face of their future husband!  Interestingly, Chinese and Japanese heritage both cultivate rice as a part of their culture.

Rice-n-Roll

Rice is the second highest grain produced worldwide after maize (corn). Nearly 85% of rice consumed in the U.S. is grown domestically is six states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. Rice is a complex carb, low in fat, making it very healthy to eat!

There are four types of rice and each is different from one another:

• White rice is the most common and the inferior rice of the four. So, unlike other rice varieties, white rice has little nutrients, making it the least healthy.
• Brown rice is a whole grain rice rich in thiamine, iron, and zinc. Because of this, brown rice has a chewy texture and gives a fuller feeling after eating.
• Black rice full of rich nutty, earthy flavors. Interestingly, scientists classify black rice as a different species from white and brown rice. On a nutritional level, black rice is an excellent choice for diabetics, as it has a very low glycemic index.
• Red rice is similar to black rice on the nutrient scale, except it provides more antioxidants to the body. The antioxidants found in red rice attribute to the rich red color of the rice.

HOW TO OBSERVE

There are several ways to celebrate National Rice Month. Preparing some jambalaya, fried rice or rice pudding for the family is a great way to celebrate at the kitchen table! While shopping for rice, look at what varieties available. Mix and match to create your own delight!

Use #NationalRiceMonth in social media correspondence.

HISTORY

U.S.A. Rice designated September National Rice Month to encourage the use of the small but mighty grain in our daily dining."

The Rice Mission Now Has $500 $600 toward the $700 Goal

More gifts have arrived for the Bethany Mission Rice Trip. Pastor Jordan Palangyos buys the rice and drives them to the mission, where the food has been scarce. Last night the goal of $700 was halfway reached - at $350 total sent.

The total sent is now $500 $600.

The airplane was out of reach, but Pastor Palangyos was able to do a deal with car payments. He will use the car to get rice to the mission and to visit more freely.

Half Toward the Next Rice Trip Already Given

Pastor Palangyos needs $700 for transportation costs and rice for the next rice trip to the mission.

As of tonight, $350 has been sent.

Pastor Palanyos reported on his blog that the lockdown has been hard on everyone but has also opened up more opportunities in their home neighborhood.

How to Send Money to the Bethany Philippine Mission

Bethany in the Philippines - From Pastor Jordan Palangyos

This pandemic changed the world and introduced many changes. It may be very difficult for some to adjust to the new normal specially that the number of new COVID 19 positive cases are rising day by day specially in our city. Most places here in the Philippines have been under lockdowns for five months already; thus, the difficulty for mobility and company bankruptcies. Most companies like bus companies, malls, restaurants, schools and others have suffered much and the fear of economic recession is escalating every day.

Churches are closed and church activities are cancelled. Mission works are halted as well. I cannot go to the mountains due to lock downs. However, God is still good. He indeed works in mysterious ways.

Churches may be closed and my mission in the mountains may be temporarily halted but some families in my neighborhood here in the city have opened their houses for us to study God’s Word.

This pandemic closed some doors but it also opened some windows of opportunities. The bonding in our neighborhood began because God’s Word is operating.

Bethany Lutheran in the city began during the pandemic.

The world may be scary right now and we don't know what the future brings but we are still joyful and at peace because we are assured of our salvation and we know God is always with us in all seasons of life.

ear of economic recession is escalating every day.

d. He indeed works in mysterious ways.

ir houses for us to study God’s word.

This pandemic closed some doors but it also opened some windows of opportunities. The bonding in our neighborhood began because God’s Word is operating.

Bethany Lutheran in the city began during the pandemic.

Thank God there are trained lay leaders in the mountains to take over in my absence. Three laymen are now serving in the mountains while I can't go there due to lockdown. They embraced their roles so the works will remain strong and fruitful. The pandemic set the fire burning and leaders rediscovered their roles.

nd strength in this time of global crisis .

ation and we know God is always with us in all seasons of life.

Shalom Bethany World Mission!

New Rice Trip in the Philippines - Pastor Palangyos Helps His People

 Pastor Palangyos is preparing for the next rice trip. They have $150 toward the $700 needed.

As many people know, the Philippines are one of many countries where rice is the basic food, the staple of life. We might have rice once or twice a year, but they build their meals around it.

Weather has been terrible this year and the crops thin. Pastor Palangyhos was able to start payments on a car to deliver the rice, which he takes to the mission.

They also have far more restrictions than we do about the Wuhan Flu (Corona) virus.

Some people give directly through PayPal. Others would rather send a check here, to the Bethany Lutheran Church account. When checks come earmarked for the Philippines, they are sent the same day on PayPal. Sending checks directly is expensive and cumbersome because of the exchange rate and bank complications.

 Jordan and Amabel Palangyos. They have two children.
They are bringing the Gospel and food relief to their own people, where they grew up.

The email for using PayPal is

amabelpalangyos@yahoo.com

Our address is:
Pastor Gregory Jackson
1104 Letha Drive
Springdale AR 72762-2727

Happy Birthday, Jeshra!

Jeshra is celebrating her 12th birthday today. She is the daughter of Pastor Jordan and Amabel Palangyos.

God's blessings and joy to Jeshra.

 Jordan and Amabel Palangyos serve as our world missionaries in the Philippines.

Pastor Jordan Palangyos Baptizes a Family

 The roof project was stalled by the Wuhan Flu virus and lockdown. However, now Pastor Palangyos can reach his members.

Pastor Palangyos:
"A mother always prayed for her children to go to church and believe in Christ. For years, the prayer seemed not answered. Still, this mother faithfully prayed and hoped  that someday one of her sons will go to church and follow Christ. This July 2020,  God answered her prayers.

Eric and his whole family was baptized in Bethany Lutheran Mission church last July 5, 2020. He was sick and cannot stand but his faith carried him together with his four beautiful children.

His eldest daughter, Jerica, always attended Sunday school. She wanted her whole family to come to church as well. Most young people her age already started to abandon the church but she remained faithful and clung to our confession. During my visitation, her father accepted the Word and decided to be baptized. I was surprised but was joyful by his decision. We pray that this pandemic ends soon so we can conduct home visitation and continuously study the Word. Also, we pray that others will follow his footstep.

I and other lay leaders are happy with this development and this proves that even during pandemic, God is still active and is working in mysterious ways . Bethany Lutheran World Mission is an instrument of God to announce God's forgiveness."

 Handcrafted sign by G. Jackson via Photofunia.