Saturday at New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa (8/9/13)

The trip from Oklahoma City to Manila went well. We were late leaving OKC on Wednesday, so I had only 30 minutes from the time of our landing in Detroit to make the connections for the flight to Tokyo. After arrival in Tokyo (Thursday afternoon local time), I had less than one hour to clear the security check and catch the flight to Manila. Despite the close timing, everything went smoothly with the travel as well as being my shortest wait ever to clear immigrations and customs in Manila. I made it to the hotel Thursday night about an hour earlier than I normally arrive.

After a day of much needed rest on Friday, we began the work in Muntinlupa this morning at the New Bilibid prison. Rody Gumpad and Ely Ebunga picked me up at the hotel about 7:45. Though I thought we had clearance to have a full day of lectures today, it ended up that we had only a half day of lectures. I taught on “The Strong Life” from Ephesians 6:10-17. The lesson emphasized the facts that true and abiding strength is found only in the Lord, that it demands equipping ourselves with the whole armor of God, and that we must then implement that preparation by taking a stand for and with the truth. We dealt with how one must destroy the old man of sin in the weakness of fleshly lusts to become a new creature in Christ finding strength through the power of God’s will abiding in our thoughts and every activity. Kenneth Pastor did the interpreting of the lesson into Tagalog.

Rody Gumpad followed with two abbreviated lessons on “The True Church” and “God’s One Way for All.” After the lessons, an invitation was extended and one young man came forward to confess his faith in Christ and be baptized into Him. When everyone else had left the venue, those working in this effort discussed the challenges facing the work. There have been several problems that have arisen causing much difficulty. We hope those difficulties have now been overcome and the work of the Lord can continue to grow.

Thanks again to all of you for the support in prayers and provisions. May the Lord richly bless you as you labor in His service.