A Visit to the MV Logos Hope

Last February 21 was a holiday (San Pedro day) so our school decided to visit the MV Logos Hope, the largest floating book fair in the world. It has over 5,000 different titles and 400,000 books onboard. The ship has five areas: Welcome, the Book Fair, Journey of Life, the Theatre, and the International Cafe.


On the Welcome area, we were greeted by Ina (if that's how you spell it), one of the friendly crew of the Logos Hope. We were made to watch a 2-minute video presentation, which gives visitors an overview of the whole ship. After that, we get to see the crew cabin and an illustrated history of GBA Ships.

Then we proceeded to the much-awaited area: the Book Fair!!! It contains a wide range of books shelved in different genres. Also, all books are priced in what they call "units". Shelves have conversion charts so you can know the price of the books in your country's own currency. Good thing 100 units is equal to 100 pesos, so I didn't have to look at conversion charts every minute! The books are cheap compared to the price of local bookstores. The lowest price is 25 units, while the highest is 1,000 units. I bought a copy of Nancy Drew mystery: The Secret of the Old Clock for 250 units (250 pesos).

The Book Fair

More books

The Book fair has an area where you can get a good deal of textbooks, because the BAG is what you're going to buy, then you can get free textbooks, anything you want. The blue bag costs P500 pesos with free 3 textbooks, while the white one costs P250, and you get one free textbook.


Next to the book fair is the Journey of Life, where you will listen to the story of the prodigal son in his journey through life, while looking at the pictures on walls as you walk through the area. The story teaches an important moral lesson about life.

If you're hungry after an hour of browsing books, there is the Interenational Cafe selling different delicious snacks! The Cafe sells popcorn, ice cream cone, coffee, tea, chips, and many more. The only thing is, they are a bit expensive.

Photo courtesy of Synz Memoir

Before leaving, we get to take home free books (YAY!). The visit was really memorable, and I had fun!  I'm hoping to visit the ship again. Maybe next year.

For those who want to go to the book fair, the MV Logos Hope is still in Manila until March 13. Children ages 12 and below doesn't require any entry pass, but for adults 13 and up the entrance fee costs P20.

Empower Me

I. Nobody knows how weak I am, better than you;


Nobody sees all of my needs, better than you. 


And nobody has the power to change me 


From what I was born to be 


Jesus be strong in my weakness, empower me.




Chorus:


Empower me like a rushing river flowing through the sea 


Lord send your Holy Spirit flowing now through me 


Till I'm living as your child victorious and free 


Send the power of your love empower me.




II. Nobody's eyes see through my soul better than yours; 


Nobody sees all of my needs better than yours.


And nobody has the power to lift me 


To reach through eternity


Jesus break through all my defences empower me.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Diary of a Young Girl contains the diary entries of Anne Frank while hiding during the World war II.

Anne Frank's family lives in Germany and were forced to move to Amsterdam for safety. They hid with the Van Daans and Mr. Dussel in the "Secret Annexe", a top of an office building where Otto Frank's (Anne's father) workers work.

To pass time, Anne reads different books and writes in her diary (named Kitty). She records various happenings in the Secret Annexe, from quarrels with the Van Daans to her times with Peter in the attic.

They hid for more than two years (1942-1944) until their hiding place was discovered and they were arrested. They were transported to different concentration camps until each had to face death. Otto Frank, the only survivor, went back to Amsterdam after the war, found Anne's diary and decided to publish it.

I enjoyed reading the book because I can relate to Anne Frank as a young person who is often misunderstood by everyone. I also admire Anne's courage and firmness of character, and learned many things from her. Anne Frank is a truly remarkable person from whom even older people can learn.



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Insomnia by Kristine Ong Muslim


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Insomnia is a collection of poems written in blank verse form. I like the way how the author, Kristine Ong Muslim, uses a unique writing style that slowly paints a picture in the reader's mind. I personally liked the poems "G is for Gillian", "Twenty years of searching for little teddy", "No Possibility of Waking Up", and "The Missing Girl". After reading this book, I became more interested in poetry. I can say that this is a book of poems worth reading.

My special thanks to the author for giving me a copy of her book.




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Stop Bullying

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Keep on the Firing Line

1. 
   
2. If you’re in the battle for the Lord and right,
   Keep on the firing line;
   If you win, my brother, surely you must fight,
   Keep on the firing line;
   There are many dangers that we all must face,
   If we die still fighting it is no disgrace;
   Cowards in the service will not find a place,
   So keep on the firing line.
   • Refrain:
     Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,
     Never run, nor even lag behind;
     If you would win for God and the right,
     Just keep on the firing line.
3. God will only use the soldier He can trust,
   Keep on the firing line;
   If you’ll wear a crown then bear the cross you must,
   Keep on the firing line.
   Life is but to labor for the Master dear,
   Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer;
   Great you’ll be rewarded for your service here,
   So keep on the firing line.
4. (Not included in the video):
5. When we get to heaven, brother, we’ll be glad,
   Keep on the firing line;
   How we’ll praise the Savior for the call we had,
   Keep on the firing line;
   When we see the souls that we have helped to win,
   Leading them to Jesus, from the paths of sin,
   With a shout of welcome, we will all march in,
   So keep on the firing line.

32nd Missions Conference--December 1, 2011 (Last day)

I'm going to write what happened on the last day of the missions conference.


Morning Service
I could say this is the best day of the missions conference. 
We went to church at 7:30 am, and started playing the prelude. We played several Christmas songs. Then at 8:30, the program started. We had divided sessions again--the ladies' session, men's, and pastors'. In our session, we were led by Ma'am Beata Agustin. She had the topic, "Godly Living for Godly Leading". After the divided session, we had the members session, and Bro. Jonah Raña taught us the importance of  "follow up"--that is to have fruits (people you bring for Christ). This preaching became a blessing to me.
 After the members session followed the challenge concerning missions given by Pastor Ed Laurena, entitled "Who will go? Will you go? I Want to Go". This also has been a blessing to me.


Evening Service

The BHBC College Choir

 This was the best service ever in the whole missions conference. At 6:00, we started playing the prelude. Then the service started at 6:30 with congreagational singing. After that, a Missionary Cantata was given by the students of Baptist Heritage Bible College (BHBC), which became a blessing to many. After that, we had the main challenge given by Pastor Gil Laurena about knowing God, and many lives were surrendered to the Lord.

People who surrendered their lives to the Lord

I'm looking forward to the next missions conference next year.