This morning, I gathered with
the congregation meeting in the central, business district of Cebu City. Jonathan
Carino and his good family work with these brethren. Two families that I had
known for a long time are no longer meeting with this congregation as they
started a new congregation in another part of Cebu. In the U.S., we would call
it “a friendly swarm” as the congregation meeting in the central city was
helpful and happy that some were able to reach souls in another area and start
a sound work there. Their was no problem that began the new work, but both are
fully supportive of one another as they continue to reach the lost and work in
the same cause of Christ. As it turns out, I will be privileged to join the new
work in a Gospel Meeting next Saturday, the Lord willing.
The time for the preaching
and classes was combined today so I gave an extended lesson on “Letting the
Peace of God Rule in Our Hearts” from the text in Philippians 4:6-9. They were
very supportive and showed a desire to search the Scriptures as we gave them in
order to prove the teaching from God’s word.
I have grown in by love for
and admiration of the Central Cebu City congregation as I have met with them
over the past 15 years. They worship in spirit and in truth, having an obvious
love for the Lord and one another. Their growth in spirituality and number is
also clear since our first time together in 2002. Every time I come here, there
are new faces as more have obeyed the gospel since my last visit. After our
intended venue for the classes fell through, they again agreed to let us use
their meeting place for the classes on Ephesians and Colossians starting
tomorrow. May God bless them for their great efforts!
One of my dearest friends on
earth is Jonathan Carino. Just a few weeks ago, he was sick “nigh unto death,”
but is doing so much better now. It is evident to me that the illness has taken
strength from him, but he continues he great work in the Lord. There is no way
I could do my work here in the Philippines without his ceaseless help. It was
such a pleasure to work with him again today! Jonathan is an humble and effective
worker in the kingdom of our Lord and Savior. My only wish is that I could
clone him and have another Jonathan with whom I could work daily in Oklahoma
City!
Another dear friend and
co-worker in the kingdom, Lordy Salunga, is due to fly in late tonight and help
Jonathan and myself in the classes starting tomorrow. He was formerly a
professor in a top university here in the Philippines, but is now a diligent worker
in preaching the gospel throughout the country. I am grateful for his help in
this effort.
Thanks again to all of you
who have helped make this effort possible and who prayer for the success of the
Lord’s work here. God bless!
