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CEBU CHRIST IAN
MISS ION
/-/Z-
S t S^
P.
Box
41
Cebu Cit y, 6401
Philippines
August 19, 1985
Dear Chris t ian Fr i end :
I would like to discuss the subject of American Christians retiring in the
Philippines. There is much to be done. There are 800 New Testament Churches in
this country. This leaves room for eight hundred American couples to lend
their
encouragement to these brethren. You may have no Bible College training. Never
mind. If you have some experience in an American church you can lend comfort by
your fellowship and
love.
You will have read of the insurgent movements in the country. The local
authorit ies for
the
most part
are
handling these very well. The U. S. Navy
at
Subic and the U. S. Air Force at Clark
are
commitments by our government to
defend
the
Islands from external aggressors. There has been no such threat
for
forty
years. Many U. S. military people are comfortably retired in the Philippines.
This program is not for those
who will
yearn for the ease and comforts of
U. S. living. The Lord told Ananias regarding Saul: I will shew him how great
things he must suffer for my name s sake. You are not to become martyrs, but
the greatness of the Cause weall love brings a great price. Like the fellow said,
You pays you money and you makes yon bets. Christianity is better than this
because we have
the
great hope.
But
there is a price to be paid. Are you ready to
join
God s
servants
in
this?
Speaking of helpers, many of the mechanical, labor-saving devices of America
are not easily available in
the
Philippines, but we do have helpers. Do not call them
servants . Call
them helpers . It
will make them feel so much
better.
You
say
you cannot afford
them.
Well if you can get a fulltime helper for
10
a
iveek would
you
not.
use
one? They
are somuch better than mechanical
aids because
they
have
brains, hearts,and often will do the unprogrammed
needs.
Whoever heard of a me
chanical device that was companionable?
To anticipate circumstances use your local library. Read up as
much
as you
can on current publications. Do not get involved in the
complex
politics. We have
lived here a long time and no one interferes with the preaching of the Gospel. The
economy
has been affected, sure, but there is a great love of the Scriptures here of
which
advan tage must be
taken.
Go at this proposal carefully. Talk to as many knowledgeable people as you
can and then make your own decision. If you
are
interested and in good health,
come as a visitor
and
make your own survey. Do not cut off all your connections with
out
being sure of
what
you
do.
My suggestion is
that
you make up your mind to live quietly in the barrio
(or
community) of one
of
the
churches. You will not take over any of
the
leadership
of the
little
congregation,
but
simply by your unfai ling presence
act as
a counse lor
of good will if you are called on. If you can use some of your acquired skills
to
teach
others, so much
t he b et te r.
Many things will be different, but there can be no doubt
that
it is God s
will that the Filipino people be taught and reached. Many here will be willing to help
you. Many folk speak English. This will help. ,
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Expect to lower your standard of living a bit. If you
are
rural people, th e
prob lem will be
easier. Many
places now have electric ity,
but running water
may
be
scarce.
Gasoline costs
now
about
1.80 a
gallon.
A small pickup
truck might
be
more useful to you. Domestic ai r travel is
very
reliable
and recent
computation
has found that local air fares are from 70 to 90% lower than charged on do
mestic ai r services in other countries. If you
are
65 or older you can qualify
for
Golden
Years'
Fare of 30% deduction
with proper affidavit of
age.
On
July
5, 1985, President Marcos announced
the launching of
the
Philippine
Retirement Park System making
this
country a
retirement haven fo r retired
Amer
icans and
Overseas
Fil ipinos . Several special incentives
were
announced:
1. Tax exemptions provided under Decree 1217.
2. Guaranteed repatriation of any foreign exchange remitted, or reinvested
in the system
or
its development project.
3. Extension
of
all
Balikbayan
(home coming) privi leges and exemptions
to present and former overseas Filipinos coming home to take up permanent resi
dence
in the
projects
of the
system.
4. ITie grant of permanent reside.ice
status
to
foreigners
taking
part or
re
siding here through a minimum investment of 50,000 in the trust fund of the,system.
Iliis
status would be given the spouse and
unmarried
children below 21
years of
age.
5.
Exempti on from customs duties
and
other
present
and
future
taxes
on a
one-time basis up to 7,000
for the importation
of furniture.
6. Importation of one car for personal or family use, free from all import,
customs,
and
other taxes.
Further information
many
be secured from
Mr.
Florencio Orendain, Chief
Executive
Officer
and
General
Manager
of
the
Philippines
Retirement Park
System,
Manila,
Philippines.
The
Philippines is a tropical coun
try.
Light cotton clothing is the most suit
able.
'Natives take full advantage of siesta hour in th e afernoon. This is
most
refreshing.
Medical expert ise is reliable
and
skilled. A
private
room in a hospital is
available for
perhaps
a tenth of what would be
paid
fo r the
same
service in the States.
Some health and medical ca re insurance issued in America
may be
pa id b ene fits in
t
Is lands.
There is plenty
of sunshine. Beware of sunburn and skin cancer.
There are
thousands
of miles of
sandy
beaches
and
wavy palm trees. Don't
le t
a coconut fall
on
your
head.
The road sys tems have been much improved. Telephones
are
available
in th e
towns
with
international
connections.
Radio
and
television
programs
leave
much
to be desired,
but
perhaps
you will
not
miss them. Books
are at
a premium.
Make
arrangement
with your local U. S.
book store.
Propane
gas
fo r cooking is available everywhere. If you have have a helper,
she can
easily
cook
out-of-doors over an
open
f ir e and an
improvised
grate.
Cooking
over
an electric grill
is
expensive.
All
electricity except fo r lighting
is a
luxury.
Sometime ago,
we thought we might use
some
of the
ideas
of th e
Peace Corps ,
calling
this
th e
Christian Corps. Thisis still
something
of the
same
idea. No
doubt
th e
home church from which you come will
help
implement some of your programs.
RAY
CARLSON