PHILIPPINE

NEWSLETTER '
Ray & Imogen Carlson

P 0. Box 41, Cebu City, Philippines Zip

RETURN TO CEBU

V/ithin six months from the time we left

the Philippines, we were back on the

job* The terminal date of Feb 22 set by

the Bureau of Immigration on our ReEntry Permit was the deadline we had to

meet* Extension was possible, but this

would have meant more delay we were un

willing to allow* The brethren gave us

a fine reception and reported one hun
dred baptifflas during our absence*

^1

APOLOGIES

vC

Illness, pressure of time, lack of means,

and finally a stomach operation conspired
to defeat some of our best intentions to

speak in behalf of the Philippine church

during the last six months. We know that

many were disappointed* All we can say is

that we are sorry. We pray that none will
hold this against the work.

more to underwrite Christian work, but

much remains to be done. Those interested

IN APPRECIATION

in projects might consider the following*

Thanks to the skill of the iMedical

Used Bible School and DVBS material*

School Hospital, University of Oregon,

Portland, Ray is recovering from surgery

Tlie Printing Ministry working on tractr

and pamphlets in the dialect*
Cebu City Church Lot Fund*
Seminary Faculty Fund*
Church Loon Fund*
Evangelistic Travel Fund*

performed on January, 29th* He now eats

nomally and most of the pain is gone.

It is a blessing to be able to cough or
sneeze without feeling that the pipes
might give way* Many prayers and ex

Student Aid Fund (Seminary)*

pressions of concern have been an immeas

urable help*

POPE PIUS XII

VACATION EVAI^'GELISM

in Time magazine, March 28, 19^9 was

performed on Ray, January 29* The Pope in

Narciso Curacha of Balamban will have

1954, with some others before and since,

The operation for hiatal hernia, described

two weeks' vacation from the copper mine

suffered the same* Let no one draw unwar

in Cebu v/here he works as a tinner. He

ranted conclusions*

will give this time to preaching the

Gospel in the mountain districts of

MRS. SUZANNE MERRILL

Buyog (bumble bee) and Ay-Ay* Other men

have done such things, but now when
people think of vacation only to travel
and see sights, we think that brother

Narciso's faith is worth noting.

PROJECTS

The Cebu Christian Mission does not feel

Please understand that the Pay Carlsons

have no forwarding secretary. Mrs* Merrill

simply acts as banker* Gifts for their work
should be sent to her care of First Christian

Church, P. 0 Box 70, Downey, California,

90241* For security reasons, it is best not
to send unregistered cash or checks directly
to tho Philippines*

that it should, everlastingly be asking

things of the American church. We do not

MRS. VKUU JO:-C;SQN

have a continual financial crisis* Our

Gifts for Mark Robin and Susan Carlson should

current deficit we owe simply to ourselves.

Filipino Christians are doing more and

Glencoe, Oklahoma, 740^2*

be sent to Mrs* Velma Johnson, P. 0. Box 116,

TRAVEL FUNDS

In addition to salary commi-tment, the First

Christian Church of Downey, California paid

round-trip air fares for both Ray and Imogene
across the Pacific. This congregation has a
substantial spiritual investment in the
cause of Christ in the Philippines. Brother

Clovis Bolton is doing a fine job of leading

many who love the Lord in Downey.

1969 MISSION INCOME OF RAY CARLSONS

Jan 1 thru Mar 5I

CALIFORNIA, Atascadero, Ruth Luellen, $10|

Culver City, First Chr Ch, $88.02; Downey,

First Chr Ch, for travel, 920; Los

Angeles, Evening Miss Grp, 50; Napa,

First Chr Ch, 45; Yucaipa, Roy Watkins,
20; COLORADO, Denver, Pearl Parker, 7;
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Washington, Julia &
Mrs. W. W. Bondurant, 10; FLORIDA.

A NEW HOUSE

Jacksonvilia, N Shore Chr Ch, regular 60;

Mark Robin and Susan are having a lot of fun

and challange in furnishing a new, rented

home in Lawa-an in a housing deveio|Ment of

private homes. Ihey enjoy hillside breezes and
and a beautiful viev; of the sea toward the

island of Bohol. He is travelling most of the

time to visit the churches. Soon they must
pay a visit to Hong Kong. Hie P. I. Bureau

of Immigration requires that Susah go out

of the country to apply for permanent
residence visa.

Eeginnei's, 15; Miami Springs, Virginia

Gardens Chr Ch, 25.50; GEORGIA, Savannah,

Pinehurst Chr Ch, 55-87; Smyrna, Chr Ch,

40; IDAHO1 Sandpoint, Geo Hem, 20;
ILLINOIS > Western Springs, Marguerite
McClelland, 20; INDIANA. Columbus,
Bumsville Chr Ch, 69.51; IOWA. Alta,
Anna Quinn, 25; Aurelia, Karl Peterson,
15; Cherokee, First Ch of C, 170;
Cleghom, Walter Shlers, 25; KANSAS,
Cummings, Chr Ch SS, 21.57; KSICTUCKY,
S Ft Mitchell, Jackson, 10; MARYLAi^iD.

THE PARROT AND THE RAT

Glen Bumie, Donald 'Waltman, 45;

A rat somehow got in tlie cage with our red,

Indonesian parrot. Squawks and flying

featilers. Gilbert to the rescue. One rodent

skewered. Mr. Parrot limping on a badly

chewed leg but making loud, victorious
noises.

Keedysville, Chas V. Summer, 10;

MICHIGAt^ Alma, F'orest Kill Ch of C, 10;

MISSOURI. Morrison, Okla Ch of C, 60;

CK^, Canton, Woman's Miss Soc, 25;

OyGON, Portland, Cent Chr Ch, 272.50;
TEXAS, hort Worth, Virginia Templeton, 6.
TOTAL RECEIVED: 2,088.57
EXPENDED: 2,886.75
DEB^ICIT:
798.16

CARDINAL ROSALSS

Gebu now has a cardinal with Manila. He is

soon to go to Rome for his investiture.

-Perhetps-h -wLllnow be abl^-^o solve the

following:
a. The diminishing enrollment in
Seminaries.

b. The rising voice of dissent over

Roman authority.
c. Hie growing number of priestly
defections.

d. The increasing financial needs of

the Papacy.

GOQILMEDICINi:

Perhaps it is our imagination, but getting

back to the Islands is the best medicine we

have had for a long time. Though this is a

hot, dry season, the crowing roosters, the
kites with rubber vibrators singing in the
east wind, and the sound of students prac
tising piano all seem to conspire to enable
us to forget the snow of 'Wisconsin and the

long drives on the freeways.

MISSION EXPENDITUREf

January 19^9
February 19^9
March 19^9

$696.69
$662.74
607.50

Ocean Fare

920.00

Total

2,686.75

^FYOUR plan is for one year, plant rice;

For ten years, plant trees;

For a hundred years,educate men. -Kuan tzc

PHILIPPINE NEWSLETTER
Ray Sc Imogenc Carlson
CEBU

CHRISTIAN

MISSION P. O. BOX 41, CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES

Recently at a street meeting on MacArthur Blvd.

near the waterfront a little girl (perhaps eight

years old) spoke to Mrs. Fely Banzon: "How
come the Lord has spoken to you people?
How come He has given you all those nice

OCTOBER 1969

sa mahimo, ug pakapin ug diutay." (Do what

you can, and just a little bit more). Moving
mountains? I guess not! Maybe if the LeTourneau

Foundation

would send

us

some

of their

monster graders. But, probably, (according to

songs?" Then she confided behind her hand. "We

children like the songs, but we are really not
much interested in all the talking that follows."

our experience) not even then.

You should hear them sing! Music is the secret

to the heart of the Filipino people. The stodgy,
ritualistic chant of Catholicism will inspire no
one. The children understand. They shout at
the top of their voices and with straining
throats: "Luyo sa panganod may puloy-anan
ko" (Somewhere beyond the blue, there's a
mansion for me.) and "Si Jesus di mapakyas,
di mapakyas, di mapakyas" (Jesus will never
fail, will never fail, will never fail).'

coming to me - - "He knoweth our frame. He

A hew spirit of optimism is being manifest by

the brethren in Cebu. There is no other way
to explain it than because of the meetings
that are going on every night in the city
aided by Seminary students. We have initiated
a new program for the scholarship students
who are receiving help from the school. Instead

of putting them to garden work or sweeping,

we

allow

them

three

hours

credit

for

each

night of active participation in the street meet

ings. Rains have interrupted a few times, but
j^t many.
'Without any criticism of you who have given
withfully and generously, we must remind others
that we are running a Bible Seminary on the
equivalent of 250 dollars a month. If you can
imagine the problems of school administration,
you know it could not be done in America.
Some rather high hurdles are before us. Two
dormitories need to be rcroofed. I estimate that
this will take a thousand, dollars _US^W&.=axe

sure that you will pray with us"TKar''tKe Lor

swill supply.

After almost
taking perhaps
what needs to
something like
with

what

thirty years overseas, we are

too relaxed an attitude about
be done. The philosophy goes
this. We will do what we can

we

have

and with

whomsoever

is willing, available, and ready. Beyond this

we

will

not stew or fuss.

We

are

not

in

debt and have never (as you know) cried help

to the brethren for being out of our financial
depth. The Filipinos have an expression: "Kutob

How big is faith? I don't know, But it keeps

remembereth

that

we

are

dust."

Another

is

of particular help: "A bruised reed shall he

not break, and smoking flax shall he not
quench." Have you ever had to endure the

inefficient, flickering light of a smoking, stinking

oil lamp made of a bit of cotton stuck in
a tin can? Every Filipino home has them.
They are called "kingke." Somehow, they are
peculiarly typical of lot of a things here.
THE EXPLOITATION OF THE

SACADAS

Migrant sugar cane workers (sacadas) of the

Philippines are starting to lend their ears to
communist agitators. Regular union organizing
efforts have been unsuccessful. The government
has been indifferent to their needs. Exploitation
by labor bosses (contratistas) with the acquiesence of landlords is pushing many workers
to the

brink of revolt. The

contratista

shows

very little conscience in his leech-like way of

sucking every centavoe he can. The haciendero's
decision to conveniently shift to the contratista
the chores of hiring and firing opens limitless
scope for abuse. Cash advances are sliced into
by the labor bosses who buy commodities and
distribute them

to the sacadas with

exhorbitant

markups. Contratistas pad payrolls and add to

the sacada's list of debts. The sacada, who

is

usually illiterate, is strapped with fictitious debts.

Prices

in

canteens

of

the

labor

bosses

are

normally double those of ordinary stores. One

worker (average income: P45 or 10 dollars a
mo.) found his account padded by P70 for
one milling season. Even the little money earned
by the sacadas is withheld until the end of the
milling season. In case a wife or child is ill
or dying back in Antique or Cebu, the sacada
is forced to borrow his own money often at
300% interest. Out of his earnings, the sacada
is given only P8 or PIO weekly to feed lumself,
his wife and children. The rest is kept as a
"deposit." With the full knowledge of the ha
cienda,

the contratista

earnings of 20 to 33%.

takes

a cut

from

the

MILITARY - FELLOWSHIP
We would like to commend

10. Because I Do Not Believe in the Baptism

to

all

the

efforts now being made to set up a clearing

house of information
Armed

about

Forces who need to

people
be

in the

introduced to

Christians worshipping near their assignments.

If you know of someone in the service who
should be reached, write:

Sgt. George S. Harmon

AF

15750518

Det. 2, 601 TCS, Box 23

APO

New York 09035

SQUATTING AND FOREST DEVASTATION

They are called: "kaingineros." These are the

landless poor who move from clearing to clearing

in the rain forest planting a few sweet pota
toes, bananas, and a little corn. They have no
thought

of

reforestration

nor

reverence

for

protective water sheds. They take pot shots at

government surveyors and forest rangers. They

have counterparts in urban centers. Squatters

build shanties on every unused lot. The Cebu

City mayor

has a

fleet of

trucks with

no

other assignment than the demolition of squattershacks along highways. Some, after a few years,
think they acquire proprietory rights and or
ganized to hire lawyers in their defense. They

demand that the authorities give them lots

elsewhere.

NO NEED OF MONEY
One of our old friends

11.

wanted a church

to take an offering for Cebu Christian Mission.

She was told by an elder, "I understand that

they don't need any money." Where do people

get such ideas? Ever hear of a Seminary that
was self-supporting? How will the Gospel be

of Unbelievers.
Because I Do Not Believe in the

Doctrine

of Faith Only.
12. Because I

Do Not Believe in the Doctrine

of Works Only.
CANDY FOR CHANGE

When getting change for a purchase, it is

not uncommon for the salesgirl to hand you
several pieces of candy in lieu of a few last
centavoes she may not have in her register.
Candy for a change?
MONEY CANNOT BUY

The Masbate rally was held during

of the longest recorded droughts in the
hundred years. Robin attempted to buy a
fish from a boy on the seashore. The
refused to sell saying there was nothing
to eat

at his

one
last
few
lad
else

home.

MARRIED TEENAGERS

The marriage of the very young in some

developing countries has from time immemorial
been a fact of life. Many Philippine commu
nities see all sixteen-year olds wedded. The
growth of early marriages in the US makes
one wonder how we are developing.
THE MONTH OF THE

DOG

To Filipino parents, July is considered the

month of the dog. It is then that children
go back to school. Scraping up enough for
shoes and books often means that the family
water

buffalo

must

be sold.

What would

HE

call this month? Only animals unfit for labor

may be slaughtered. Care for a steak of vul
canized rubber?

taken to thousands of communities still un

reached for NT Christianity? This is not the
exclusive responsibility of American Christians,

OIL

to be sure, but your dollar will have its local

oil-bearing forms in Indonesia. Recently, the

market has been wildly active set off by un
founded rumors of government subsidy for
research and drilling. The brokers are ready
to take your money.
--

counterpart in blood, sweat, tears, and prayers

of the faithful.

WHY I

AM NEITHER PROTESTANT

NOR CATHOLIC

STOCK

SUBSIDY RUMORS

Geologists think that the Philippines should

have oil

since rock formations

are

similar to

1. Because I Believe in the Deity of Christ.

THE MAGIKERO

2.

Every day in the plaza in front of City

Hall and under the eyes of the statue of
Philippine hero Jose Rizal, a magician holds
scores of people spell-bound with his carnival
patter and amazing sllght-of-hand. He is sell
ing patent medlclres. He lives out of his
briefcase that seems to hold unending surprises.
If such a person could be used of God to
tell His story!

Because

Believe that the

Church is

One

Fellowship.
3.

Because

Believe

that

the

Bible

is

the

Word of God.

4. Because I Believe in Everlasting Life and

Everlasting Punishment.

5. Because I Believe in the Weekly Privilege

of the Lord's supper as a Memorial of
Christ in

Sacrifice.

6. Because I Believe that the

be Apostolic in Doctrine.

Church

must

7. Because I Believe that the Name used by

Christians for themselves, their Doctrines,
and Practices should be Scriptural.
8. Because I Believe that there is Only One
Baptism.

9. Because I Believe that Baptism is for the

Remission of Sins.

ORPHANS

OF THE

STORM

Hard times and broken homes have brought

hundreds of youngsters to the city from out
lying islands. They slip aboard inter-island
vessels and sleep on the streets at night. As
wild as cats, they quickly learn the ways of
petty thievery and pilferage along the water
front. Every year sees more despite all efforts
at

rehabilitation.