On April 6, 2015, Fred and Linda Baker, Sandra and I, boarded an airplane at RDU for a trip to the Philippines. Fred and Linda had not visited there since 1996, and the people were eager to see them again. I asked Fred about the trip at the Convention in 2014 and he said his health was so poor and he could not walk very far. I told him that we would have transportation available and encouraged him to consider this trip. He and Linda prayed about this and decided to go. The Filipino Church wanted to have a special recognition service for them, in honor of their many years of service in the Philippines. It was a wonderful and memorable trip. We first visited the work in Southern Philippines, even though this work was started after the Bakers returned to the United States. Some of the alumni of Palawan Bible College work there. We attended the Annual Convention and several churches. Then we traveled to Palawan, where the Bakers served as missionaries. We were met at the airport with great joy and excitement. Two days were devoted to seminars and an alumni reunion. It was a wonderful time for the Bakers and those they taught over the years at Palawan Bible College. Those who attended are still in some type of ministry in the church. Everyone spoke about the contribution the Bakers made to their lives and ministry. Fred and Linda were presented a framed Certificate of Appreciation for their years of service in the Philippines.

Sandra and I traveled North and South on Palawan to visit churches, conduct a Church Dedication at San Vicente, and a Child Dedication on Sombrero Island. It is always a joy for us to visit the local congregations and see their growth and maturity. We are thankful that we had the opportunity to travel with Fred and Linda and we know they will always cherish their memories of this trip. Thank you Fred and Linda for your commitment to the work of the Lord in the Philippines. Please pray for our churches in the Philippines as they continue to make Christ known in that part of the world.