We
originally had a schedule to study with a denominational group on Saturday.
However, I found out on Friday that they were canceling. Evidently, someone put
pressure on those interested and we had to change plans. After teaching all day
for five days straight, I was very tired and starting to lose my voice. So, we
decided that I would rest on Saturday because I would have a full schedule on
Sunday. (It turned out to be even busier than we thought.) The day of rest was
great and I felt much better this morning.
Jhun
Apatan and one of his co-workers picked me up at 8am and we traveled about 45
minutes to Mambaling. I had worked with this group of brethren before in Sunday
preaching as well as one or two gospel meetings in previous years. Jhun asked
me to preach in the first hour (normally classes) as well as the assembly in
the second hour.
I preached on “Repentance” first and then on “Defeating the
Devil.” It was a full house with every seat was taken and more chairs had to be
brought out to seat everyone. All were attentive and a summary in their dialect
of Cebuano was given after each lesson.
The
brethren brought me back to the hotel because I only had a short time before
Jonathan Carino was to meet me and give me the final total of expenses for the
Hebrews class. We could settle up within as quickly as possible because I was due
at another appointment a little later in the afternoon. The expenses were
slightly higher than I projected, but not a great deal more. I had enough to
pay all costs and I believe I have the funds needed for payment of debts that
were charged. I grateful for all who helped and appreciate the offer of more
funds if needed, but I think the amount received is sufficient.
We met
with a few brethren from the congregation where Jonathan preaches that are
trying to help those seeking to start a new work in another part of the Cebu
City area. Mario Rubio, not the politician in the U.S., but a preacher who
formerly worked in Dumaguete, is trying to start the new work. Jonathan and
Mario met with several people yesterday who wanted just a private study. They
asked me to come to the study today and I spoke on “Salvation and Saul,”
showing Saul was saved at the point of water baptism rather than the common
ideas of denominationalism (faith only, repentance and prayer, a personal
appearance of Jesus or receiving a miracle). One of those attending the study
was Mario’s landlady who is from a Baptist-type group. She was very attentive,
taking notes throughout, and asked several follow-up questions. By all
appearances, she is getting near to the kingdom!
After
that study concluded, we had a gathering to talk with Jonathan and his family
as well as a few other brethren. It was enjoyable. During that time, we talked
about the fact that Jonathan and I both are getting many texts asking for
another class to study another book in detail. Not only are those who attended
the study very excited about this possibility, but several other preachers from
various parts of the Philippines have heard or read about the studies and want
to come. So, we discussed the possibility of another class of the same type and
duration covering the book of Romans. We will discuss this further and pray
about it, then decide what to do in a few months. I told the brethren that at
this point I must give my full attention to our Preacher Training Program that
in Oklahoma City scheduled for July 19-26, 2015. If you know any men who would
like to come, we have openings left, so please have them get in touch with me
or sign up on our website (http://84thchurch.com/preacher-training-signup).
John Isaac Edwards, Brett Hogland, Donnie V. Rader and I will be teaching in
the effort.
It is
now early Monday morning as I finish this report. It has been a very long day,
but I am packed and ready to fly to Manila in a few hours, the Lord willing. I
will rest there one day and fly home on Wednesday arriving OKC about 9:15pm.
Since Wednesday (May 20) is our 38th anniversary, I will arrive
barely in time to celebrate a little of it with the love of my life, Leslie!
Thank you again for your help, prayers and concern for this work. Though there
were no known responses as a result of this trip, I believe it has been one of
my more profitable trips due to our opportunity to help the 20 preachers learn
how to study the Scriptures more thoroughly and instill a zeal for the wealth
of knowledge it contains that can build us up and urge us to greater
faithfulness. God bless!
