Dear Friends,

How can we describe our Grand Opening of our 900 sq meter CBM (McRae) Center on July 31, the culmination of our building plan since the fire in 1997? Amazing! Wonderful! It was God’s miracle how it all came together so well..,even the weather. This is rainy season, which means it pours heavily nearly everyday. If it rained during the program, you wouldn’t hear anything, and if it was a blazing sunny morning our overseas visitors might feel they were “roasting!” But God gave us a cloud and it was just right! About 600 attended and about 400 were children (Hebron Christian College, our SPED school and Hebron Children’s Home). Only after lunch, when all the visitors had gone..did it start to rain! Thank you to all who prayed.

We decided to make this a colored issue, though more costly, so that for those who didn’t come, when you look inside, you will get some idea of the occasion. Maurice Castaneda, our new Board Chairman, explained that in the Bible “dedications” were both solemn, (setting something or someone apart for a special purpose), and also very happy events with much food, singing and dancing. When the city wall was dedicated..“the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.” Nehemiah 12:43. Jollibee restaurant chain provided all the children’s meals FREE! Another person gave 480 juice drinks in bottles. There was a “catered” lunch for 200 adults, balloons for 100 pre-school children, and many other expenses. Thank you to all who gave.

It was a highlight to have the 4 daughters of Uncle Charlie & Aunty Beryl McRae, the founders of CBM, together with us, as we dedicated this building in their name. It was also the first time they had been together for many years. Sometimes we can be unaware of the sacrifices children make, when their parents are often out. God blessed and encouraged them and their husbands.

There was one man who was supposed to come.

He had his plane ticket. He was Mr Athol Laing from Pukekohe, New Zealand. He died in June aged 95. How privileged we have been in CBM to be benefactors of his support for our buildings. What a heritage he has left that will bless many children in the Philippines. A memorial plaque to him is in the entrance.

Now we have the new building ,it is so much easier to run our Children’s Camp. We can start the Training Programs for Ministering to Children, the school can improve its music program, put down lines for 2 badminton courts and get into gymnastics. The top area is occupied already by high schoolers and deaf schoolers. Churches have been asking about hiring it during vacation times, and we will also offer catering. Former Bible College graduation photos are displayed!

All our buildings since the fire have been paid off except this one. We still owe P2 million ($60,000NZD) Please pray with us that we can pay back these kind people very soon. Greetings from Dianne and CBM family. PS. A belated welcome to baby Eureka born December 28 2007 to Teacher Ding & Yolly Caballero. This was missed in the last newsletter.

Photos

1. We WELCOME you in our gates!	2. The entrance doors locked and ribbons ready for the cutting.	3. Grades 4-6 leading the singing of “Amazing Grace.” and truly it is God’s amazing grace through all support and prayers that we could erect a 900 sq meter building! Videoer – Mr Denis Delany , CBMNZ Board Chairman.
4. The ribbon cutting – showing here from left - the New Zealand Consul Mr Rama Duri, Mrs Beryl Hatton, and our very happy CBM Phils. Board Chairman Mr Manuel Wong who has carried a major burden for this project. Dr. Joy McRae on the right.	5. CBM International Director Mr Bill Morley reading the official plaque which recalls all that God has done since our fire in 1997.	6. Now it’s a matter of finding your seat! Ushers to help you. 600 people came.
7. Some of the crowd. Almost 400 children on the ground floor plus official guests and some parents. Still space upstairs for more.	8. Everyone stood and applauded, as the banner entered with the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to the music of “How great is our God.”	9. Plaques were awarded by Bill & Jean Morley to the 4 McRae daughters – from left: Dr Joy McRae, Mrs Beryl Hatton, Mrs Merrilyn Culley & Mrs Judith Blackmore
10 and 11 show the Ethnic Dance by the Deaf students – depicting the northern tribal men with arrows, and the southern Muslim Princess on bamboo poles.		12. Surprise! At the end, the Jollibee (restaurant chain) that supplied 400 free meals for the children, also sent the beloved mascot!!… seen here with a small pre-school boy

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