Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Preparing for Next Trip

Scheduled Trip: October 26 - November 17, 2009

For several years, it has been my pleasure to help preach the gospel in the Philippines. Each trip has been undertaken with one or a combination of purposes. First, several weeks each year have been given to preacher training in various parts of the country. Second, I have tried to make occasional trips with the main purpose of edifying the saints with a full day or a half-day of preaching with brethren in established congregations. Of course, brethren usually bring their denominational friends to these meetings resulting in numerous baptisms as well. Third, I have developed a special fondness for trips focused on reaching groups of denominational preachers who have committed to study for two or three days in various places. In past years, such efforts have resulted in many denominational preachers being converted to Christ. In turn, they have taken the truth back to those in the denominations and many more have heard the simple gospel and been baptized into Christ.

The Lord willing, my next trip will begin on October 26 and end on November 17. The first two weeks will be filled with lectures aimed at reaching denominational preachers who are willing to study with us in a series of Bible lectures. These meetings will be held on several islands in the Visayas, the middle section of the Philippines. Brethren Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco will be working with me in these efforts. The last week of the trip will be spent working in the Angeles City area on the island of Luzon. That week will be spent in preaching at several established churches and holding lectures to further train preachers in that area. I will join brother Lordy Salunga for this final part of the journey.

This trip will involve renting venues for the lectures as well as the travel and living expenses for myself and three Filipino brethren who are planning to accompany me. Since I must raise the entire cost for this effort myself, my estimate is that the trip will cost approximately $13,500. The 84th Street church here in Oklahoma City will again provide $2500 towards the amount needed. That leaves a balance of $11,000 needed for this effort. Since a large part of this amount will go to renting venues for the lectures which must be done in advance of the trip, I am sending this request at this time. If you or the church where you are able to help meet the needs for this effort, I would be very grateful. If any individual would like to help by donating through a tax-exempt fund that you can direct to the purpose you select, please contact me and I will be glad to provide information.

My last trip in April ended with a $780 deficit after all bills were paid upon my return. The cost of the preacher training classes in Cebu far exceeded expectations due to the original venue canceling us as a result of pressure on the owner from the Roman Catholic Church. This deficit has made it impossible for me to send the advance money needed because the funds Leslie and I put in to start the account used for that purpose have been depleted. My hope is that we can replace that cushion in the account if sufficient funds are raised.

While in the Philippines, I try to keep those who have an interest in the work informed about how the funds are being used and the work that is being done. Daily reports on the work are sent out to my e-mail list whenever possible and a daily posting with pictures is available on my blog (http://harryosborne.blogspot.com). Every effort is made to keep people involved and informed about the progress and challenges of the endeavors. If you would like to be put on my e-mail list, please send me a post requesting to receive the "Philippine Updates" and I will gladly add your name for all future trips. Also, please pass this request along to others you think may be interested in this work. Thank you again for your kind consideration of this request. Your prayers for this effort would be greatly appreciated. May the Lord bless you as you strive to serve Him.

Brotherly,
Harry Osborne