After a six-week furlough in the United States missionary-pastor Daniel Kleyn and his wife Sharon returned home to their place of labor in the Philippines this past Thursday (July 17, 2014).

On their latest blog post they reported on the last parts of their furlough, including a trip to the West where they gave presentations in First PRC, Edmonton, AB, Lynden PRC, WA, and Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA (see picture here).

And they included this note at the end after they had arrived back in the Philippines:

"We arrived home again late Thursday night, July 17.  All thanks to God for prospering our journey and for blessing the work.  We were greatly encouraged and refreshed through the furlough, and are now glad to be home again to take up our work here in the Philippines."

They report that the effects of the latest strong typhoon, which went through the Philippines just south of Manila this past Wednesday, brought down trees and caused flooding. The missionaries homes did not experience the flooding, but the lower level of Rev. and Mrs. Ibe’s home did.

We pray that they and the Smits may experience God’s continued care and blessings in their labors in that part of God's kingdom and church.

Let us also remember to pray for Rev.S.Key (Loveland, CO) as he considers the call to serve as missionary in the Philippines to replace Rev.R.Smit.

Our missionaries in the Philippines, along with the Foreign Mission Committee and the calling church, Doon PRC Council, have recently published the second newsletter of this year.

The June 2014 issue, penned by Rev.Richard Smit, focuses on several of the most significant developments on this varied field of labors. These include the recent formation of a federation (Classis) of PRCs in the Philippines, the recent move of Rev.V.Ibe and the Berean PRC to a new location, and the decision of Doon PRC's Council to release Missionary-pastor R.Smit from his labors on this field.

You will find the full newsletter below, complete with some special pictures of the federation event and of the Smit family. The June newsletter is also attached here in pdf form.

The following bulletins carried the latest news on the upcoming furlough of Missionary-pastor Daniel Kleyn and his wife Sharon. To follow their activities while on furlough, visit the Kleyn's blog!

From the Provident Christian Church Bulletin (Marikina, the Philippines):

Rev. D. Kleyn, a missionary in the Philippines of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America, will be teaching and preaching for us today, the Lord willing.

The Kleyns will be leaving tomorrow (June 2) for a 6 week furlough in north America, God willing. During the furlough, the Kleyns will have opportunity for vacation time with their families. Also, Rev. Kleyn will meet with the consistory of Doon PRC (his calling and sending church), and the Foreign Mission Committee. He also plans to attend the PRCA synod, preach in some of the churches, and give presentations regarding the mission work that Rev. Smit and he are doing in the Philippines. The Kleyns plan to return to the Philippines on July 17.

While Rev. Kleyn is gone, Rev. R. Smit has agreed to preach and teach for us here in PCC for two Sundays – on June 29 and July 6. He has also agreed to lead most of our Thursday evening Bible study and doctrine classes, starting on June 5, God willing.

And from the June 1, 2014 Doon PRC bulletin (the calling church):

Rev. and Sharon Kleyn plan to begin their furlough this week. There are many purposes to the furlough, one of which is to give the missionary and his wife a time of refreshment and encouragement in the work. In thanksgiving for the opportunity we have as the calling church, let’s especially use the Kleyns’ time in our midst to fellowship with and encourage them. The Kleyns will initially fly to Michigan, and then travel to Iowa arriving in Doon on Thursday. They will be lodging in the parsonage.  Rev. and Sharon plan to attend the church picnic with us on Saturday, and Rev. Kleyn will be preaching for us on Sunday. The following Wednesday they will be back in Michigan so that Rev. Kleyn can be present when the Philippine mission field is the object of Synod’s attention.

Rev.D.Kleyn will be giving at least three main presentations on the mission work in the Philippines while he is on furlough in the U.S. These are noted below. Take an interest in the work and be sure to attend one of these interesting presentations.

From Calvary PRC bulletin (Hull, IA): Rev. D. Kleyn plans to give a presentation on the mission work in the Philippines on Sunday evening, June 8, at 8:00 p.m. in Calvary PRC in Hull.  All are welcome to attend.  Hope to see you there.

Picture of the audience at the Calvary PRC presentation (June 8, 2014).

Bethel PRC (Roselle, IL): Save The Date! Tuesday, June 10, 7.30PM: Rev. Daniel Kleyn, one of our denomination's missionaries in the Philippines will be giving a presentation on the ongoing work there at our church.

From First PRC, Holland, MI bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn plans to give a presentation on the mission work in the Philippines on Sunday, June 22 at 8:15 p.m. in the First PRC of Holland.  All are welcome and invited to attend.

 The Foreign Mission Committee and the Council of Doon PRC as the calling church have agreed to honorably release Rev. Richard Smit from his missionary labors in the Philippines on or around July 1, 2015 due to the changing needs of his family, the completion of significant goals on this mission field, and the belief that his particular work there is drawing to a close. 

They also wish to convey their thanks to God for Rev. Smit's faithful years of missionary service and his family's devotion to this work.  Rev. Smit will be recommended soon for a call to the pastoral ministry in our churches as his work in the Philippines officially ends next year.

The full letter from the FMC and Doon PRC which was sent to the PRC congregations is attached here in pdf.