Herbert W Armstrong

On Tuesday evening, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong greeted the Queen upon her arrival at the airport. Queen Sirikit arrived with an entourage of 46 staff and attendants for a one-week stay as a personal guest of Mr. Armstrong and Ambassador Foundation.

Planning and preparation for her arrival have been underway for several weeks. Many social events and activities will surround the exhibitions of Thai treasures.

Following are some excerpts from the press coverage of Queen Sirikit's visit, written by the LOS ANGELES TIMES:

"Red Carpet Unrolled for Queen Sirikit" (March 21)

In the courtyard of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the red carpet was in place and the red-white-and-blue Thai flags were flying. Waiting to greet Her Majesty were 93-year-old Herbert W. Armstrong, founder and chairman of the Ambassador Foundation; George White, hotel president and general manager; Sumet Wasantapruek, Thailand's consul general in Los Angeles (his daughter presented the queen with a bouquet of flowers); 50 Thai children and nine monks from the Thai Temple Sunday School in North Hollywood.

The queen is in Los Angeles on an unofficial visit and as the guest of the Ambassador Foundation. Armstrong, a long time friend of the Thai royal couple, extended the invitation to her when he dined with them last year in the Northern Palace....

The focal point of Queen Sirikit's visit is the opening of two Thai exhibitions — "Treasures of the Kings of Siam" which includes some of the crown jewels, and the queen's "Royal SUPPORT" collection — in the Hall of Administration Lobby on Ambassador College's campus. The SUPPORT Foundation was established in 1976 by Thailand's King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit to preserve ancient crafts and encourage and assist Thai cottage industries. While the queen is here there will be a series of private viewings following or preceding dinners and luncheons.

"A Royal Welcome for Thailand Queen" (March 22)

There was a royal welcome awaiting Thailand's Queen Sirikit when she arrived, quite a bit late due to the heavy peak-hour traffic, at Pasadena's Ambassador College on Wednesday night.

There was Herbert W. Armstrong, the white-haired patriarch of the Ambassador Foundation and the college, to escort her into Ambassador Auditorium and later the mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley, and Pasadena Mayor William J. Bogaard greeted her with gifts. Mayor Bogaard gave her the key to his city and Mayor Bradley handed her a ribbon-tied silver box which one of the queen's ladies in waiting promptly carried off unopened.

The party for the queen was small (about 130) and select. Early Wednesday evening while awaiting Her Majesty's arrival, they toured the exhibition, tastefully arranged by her staff. On view were treasures of ancient gold, silver and gemstone and modern samples (woven silks, reed weaving, etc.) of the work the queen is sponsoring in Thai villages through her SUPPORT Foundation.

Other events on campus include a luncheon for some of California's leading ladies and an address by Her Majesty in Ambassador Auditorium on Sunday, March 24th.

More details, as well as photos, will appear in an upcoming WORLDWIDE NEWS.

We have received very positive reports from Philippine Regional Director Mr. Guy Ames about the elder training program in the Philippines. Mr. Ames reports that Mr. Dean Blackwell is conducting the classes for all employed elders and ministerial trainees at the Teachers Camp at Baguio City, north of Manila.

In the program, which is being called the Ministerial Education Program, Mr. Blackwell begins classes at 8:00 a.m. with Epistles of Paul, and continues with Fundamentals of Theology at 10:00 a.m. There is a break for lunch at noon, followed by Homiletics at 1:00 p.m., and finally Biblical Prophecy from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The ministers attend for three days each week — Monday through Wednesday — returning home as soon as possible afterwards. This program allows them to experience the concentrated instruction of the classes, yet still have time to spend at home with their families, attend to urgent Church business and to preach on the Sabbath. Obviously, some sacrifice is being made to achieve the goals of this education program, but the long-term benefits will clearly be well worth the short period of sacrifice.

The sessions are scheduled each week until mid-June, when a break will allow those who have not yet attended the Refreshing Program to come to Pasadena. Wives are also scheduled to attend several sessions of the Ministerial Education Program during the first six months.

I'd like to share with you a letter to Mr. Armstrong from Mr. Gil Adolfo Llaneza, a new ministerial trainee in the Philippines. His letter gives a fine description of how much the program is appreciated.

Dear Mr. Armstrong:

We have just finished the 6th session of the Ministerial Education Program for the Philippine ministry. It's great! It's history in the making! I was hired as a ministerial trainee starting January, 1985, so I am privileged to be part of the program.

Sir, I'd like to express my sincerest appreciation for your concern in sending Mr. Dean Blackwell here to give us this formal training. All the senior ministers remarked they are learning many new things from him. Being a ministerial trainee, I feel like a parched land drinking in all this new knowledge. And Sir, I can only return your kindness and concern by doing my best, with God's power and Spirit, to be a profitable servant.

Gil Adolfo G. Llaneza

An article by Mr. Rod Matthews in the March 18 WORLDWIDE NEWS contains more details on the Ministerial Education Program in the Philippines.

Mr. Ames has also informed me of rapidly increasing growth in the Philippines in the number of new contacts responding to our publications and broadcast media. Please continue to pray for the Ministerial Training Program and for the overall growth of God's Church in the Philippines.

Mr. Blackwell will be returning to the United States during the mid-June break to spend some time with his mother, who is suffering from breast cancer. Your prayers on her behalf would be much appreciated as well.

Mr. Armstrong is feeling very well. His photograph appeared on page one of the Pasadena STAR NEWS on Thursday, March 21, with Queen Sirikit and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, with whom he had dinner Wednesday evening. We all appreciate the fine example Mr. Armstrong sets with his drive and enthusiasm in fulfilling God's commission to His end time Church. He certainly continues to set the pace for all of us with his hard work!