Rev. Ormeo leads the Dedication and Ground Breaking ceremonies at the newly purchased SMO property.
October 21, 2011 is a historic day for SMO as Rev. Edwin Ormeo, son of one of the SMO founders, hit the fertile ground with a shovel of the 3-hectare Promised Land of the ministry. In simple yet meaningful Ground Breaking Ceremony of the newly acquired SMO property in Barangay Pandanon-Silos, Murcia, Negros Occidental, Nenita del Mundo, SMO National Director, narrated how God through His people provided the money to purchase a land property where the ministry could use to house the SMO Bible Training Institute, the National Office, a campsite and recreation center, and where it could have a place for organic farming and raising of livestock as means to generate self-sufficient funds for the ministry. The search of the property began under the leadership of the late SMO National Director, Pastor Renato “Aboi” del Mundo and was carried on by his wife Nenita. It was an emotional day witnessed by other staff members.
The ministry is praying for God’s provision for the realization of the SMO National Training and Recreation Center in this property through generous donors from Christian brethren in the Philippines and abroad.
Reflections on the Historic Ground Breaking Ceremony
Rev. Ormeo and SMO National Director del Mundo (center) together with the Staff and guests
“Following the Lord, My God wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14:6:13
It was a great honor and privilege for me as a young man to witness the momentous event last Oct. 21, 2011 Ground Breaking service. Pastor Edwin Ormeo was the one who officiate the service. His Message was taken from Joshua 14:6-13 about Caleb’s request and Inheritance. In his message I can remember at least two powerful truths that strengthen my faith as I continue in the ministry.
First, God’s faithfulness, in chapters 14 and 19, while the Levites were not given a special inheritance, both Joshua and Caleb were each given a special inheritance, an allotment of land. God singles out these two men, these were two men who had gone into the land earlier, 40 years before, and had come back to Moses and said, “Let’s go and enter it by faith because He’s told us to enter the land” and do you remember that the people were so enraged that the people would have stoned them to death. And now we have this illustration of how God keeps and rewards the faith of Caleb and Joshua. He keeps His promises in detail and in a way that He vindicates the obedience and trust of his servants. Based on His faithful promise, God granted Caleb’s desire for Hebron because of His faithfulness (He followed the Lord wholeheartedly) to believe that God would give the land to the Israelites as he promised.
Second, God’s sovereignty, in chapter 14: 6-10, this passage reviews what is also recounted in Numbers 13-14. As consequence of their unbelief the people of Israel including Joshua and Caleb wandered in the wilderness 38 years, then conquering the Land took 7 years, Caleb was now 85 years old. Through all of these years Joshua and Caleb did not question the fairness and faithfulness of God. They did not resent and murmur against God because they believed that God is sovereign. He is in control and He knows what he is doing.
When we find ourselves in difficult situations and God is not rewarding us in any way, we may think that God has forgotten His promise. And here is the story of Joshua and Caleb, and God remembers them. They have a special piece of land that they would call their own because God is faithful and sovereign. As one puritan writes, “Promises, though they be for a time seemingly delayed, cannot be finally frustrated…. the heart of God is not turned though His face be hid; and prayers are not flung back, though they be not instantly answered.”
May these two powerful truths be our foundation as we continue in doing the Lord’s work. (Pastor Aeron Caldeo)
