We flew from Bacolod to Cebu aboard a small prop-driven plane 
that seated about 50. The flight was very full, so I was stuck sitting by a man who did not know the meaning of the word “bath” much less how to practice that strange custom. It was a short flight – but not short enough.
We arrived at our hotel in Cebu a little after 9pm and finally got to start supper at about 9:30pm. By the time we ate, unpacked and got to bed, it was well after midnight. Ron and I were both dead tired, but a good kind of “tired” given the good reports from the lectures in Bacolod. By the time we landed in Cebu City, Jonathan was getting text messages from denominational preachers in Bacolod thanking us profusely for the teaching and even some asking for our prayers because they knew what they should do, even though it would be very hard. We repeatedly said publicly and privately that we have no support to offer them and that we knew being baptized would end their support from their denomination. I asked them to think what Saul of Tarsus had done – the very same thing! Past experience teaches me that the denominations will increase their funding when they hear some are thinking of obedience to the truth. If they decided to go for the money, they are not worthy of Christ. Obedience demands self-denial and full faith in the Lord.
The lectures in Cebu City are being held at the meeting place of the church that assembles in the center of the city’s business district. Their space is on the 3rd floor of a high rise building. The church rents a small area which they have fixed up nicely to be a very functional place for meeting. However, they only rent the space for Sundays and additional rental is required for each day of extra use. It is in a great location at the heart of the city. The only problem with the space, at least from an American’s point of view, is the lack of air conditioning. During the morning hours, it is comfortable. However, the sun starts hitting the windows in the afternoon and it gets hot very
quickly and keeps getting hotter. By the peak at mid-afternoon, it is enough to totally drain one unaccustomed to the Philippine heat.
Ron started out the lectures today with his lesson on “The Message of the Bible.” I followed with a lesson on “Who Is a Christian?” The lesson examines the characteristics of the people called “Christians” in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. By the time we finished those lessons, it was time to break for lunch. Ron returned to the hotel for a little lunch and rest since he was unable to sleep much last night. I began the afternoon session with a lesson on “Identifying the New Testament Church.” Since we had a large number of Catholics, Evangelicals and even some institutional brethren present, I made numerous applications that took much longer than I normally go with that lesson. Ron arrived back at the lectures a little after 3pm to finish the afternoon session with his sermon on “The Two Covenants” and then do a Q&A session. I returned to the hotel to write this report and rest in the air conditioning so that I could revive a little.
It was good to see a number of brethren I have known for several 
years present at these lectures. Since I first worshipped with this congregation in 2002, I have gotten to know many of the brethren as well as watching them grow in their service to God. They have increased in maturity, in spirituality and in number. Sam Robinson, a brother who has recently retired from the US military, has moved to the Cebu area and is now a member of this congregation. I know 
he will add much strength to the church as he 
works with them. Jun Apatan preaches at another congregation here in the Cebu City area and I was glad to see him. Other men preaching in this area like Pablo Espanoza, Fred Ogario and Roy Matta are attending these lectures as well as having been with me for other parts of this trip.
As you awake on this Veteran’s Day back home, we are coming to the end of it. If my calculation is correct, I am writing this at the
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, European time – the official time for the armistice ending World War I, the origin of our Veteran’s Day. Having just come from Leyte where American soldiers shed their blood in pursuit of freedom for the Filipino people, I have been caused to remember with honor, respect and thanks those who gave their lives that others might live in freedom. To those of you who served our country in the military with honor and sacrifice, please accept my deepest thanks for your service to our country and others who aspire to live in peace.
The Lord willing, tomorrow will be the conclusion of the lectures here in Cebu and we hope they bear fruit to the glory of God. Please keep us in your prayers as you remain in ours each day. May God bless and keep you always.
that seated about 50. The flight was very full, so I was stuck sitting by a man who did not know the meaning of the word “bath” much less how to practice that strange custom. It was a short flight – but not short enough.We arrived at our hotel in Cebu a little after 9pm and finally got to start supper at about 9:30pm. By the time we ate, unpacked and got to bed, it was well after midnight. Ron and I were both dead tired, but a good kind of “tired” given the good reports from the lectures in Bacolod. By the time we landed in Cebu City, Jonathan was getting text messages from denominational preachers in Bacolod thanking us profusely for the teaching and even some asking for our prayers because they knew what they should do, even though it would be very hard. We repeatedly said publicly and privately that we have no support to offer them and that we knew being baptized would end their support from their denomination. I asked them to think what Saul of Tarsus had done – the very same thing! Past experience teaches me that the denominations will increase their funding when they hear some are thinking of obedience to the truth. If they decided to go for the money, they are not worthy of Christ. Obedience demands self-denial and full faith in the Lord.
The lectures in Cebu City are being held at the meeting place of the church that assembles in the center of the city’s business district. Their space is on the 3rd floor of a high rise building. The church rents a small area which they have fixed up nicely to be a very functional place for meeting. However, they only rent the space for Sundays and additional rental is required for each day of extra use. It is in a great location at the heart of the city. The only problem with the space, at least from an American’s point of view, is the lack of air conditioning. During the morning hours, it is comfortable. However, the sun starts hitting the windows in the afternoon and it gets hot very
quickly and keeps getting hotter. By the peak at mid-afternoon, it is enough to totally drain one unaccustomed to the Philippine heat.Ron started out the lectures today with his lesson on “The Message of the Bible.” I followed with a lesson on “Who Is a Christian?” The lesson examines the characteristics of the people called “Christians” in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. By the time we finished those lessons, it was time to break for lunch. Ron returned to the hotel for a little lunch and rest since he was unable to sleep much last night. I began the afternoon session with a lesson on “Identifying the New Testament Church.” Since we had a large number of Catholics, Evangelicals and even some institutional brethren present, I made numerous applications that took much longer than I normally go with that lesson. Ron arrived back at the lectures a little after 3pm to finish the afternoon session with his sermon on “The Two Covenants” and then do a Q&A session. I returned to the hotel to write this report and rest in the air conditioning so that I could revive a little.
It was good to see a number of brethren I have known for several 
years present at these lectures. Since I first worshipped with this congregation in 2002, I have gotten to know many of the brethren as well as watching them grow in their service to God. They have increased in maturity, in spirituality and in number. Sam Robinson, a brother who has recently retired from the US military, has moved to the Cebu area and is now a member of this congregation. I know 
he will add much strength to the church as he 
works with them. Jun Apatan preaches at another congregation here in the Cebu City area and I was glad to see him. Other men preaching in this area like Pablo Espanoza, Fred Ogario and Roy Matta are attending these lectures as well as having been with me for other parts of this trip.As you awake on this Veteran’s Day back home, we are coming to the end of it. If my calculation is correct, I am writing this at the
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, European time – the official time for the armistice ending World War I, the origin of our Veteran’s Day. Having just come from Leyte where American soldiers shed their blood in pursuit of freedom for the Filipino people, I have been caused to remember with honor, respect and thanks those who gave their lives that others might live in freedom. To those of you who served our country in the military with honor and sacrifice, please accept my deepest thanks for your service to our country and others who aspire to live in peace.The Lord willing, tomorrow will be the conclusion of the lectures here in Cebu and we hope they bear fruit to the glory of God. Please keep us in your prayers as you remain in ours each day. May God bless and keep you always.
Brotherly, Harry O.
