First Day of Bacolod Lectures

It started as another rainy day here in Bacolod. Jonathan Carino and Lordy Salunga joined Chip and me for breakfast at about 7:30am. We always treasure our time talking about spiritual things and enjoying each other’s company. It is a time to recharge our batteries and get ready for the day.

The venue for the lectures is the same as when I came here late last summer, The Business Inn, in downtown Bacolod. We hoped to get started at 9am, but the rain delayed the arrival of most people. We final got started about 9:45am. I began with a lesson on “Salvation & the Seed, the Gospel of Christ.” We decided to go with the same approach as used in Ilo-Ilo and it seemed to work well here too. I followed that introduction with the lesson on “The Inspiration of Scripture.” Chip the gave a lesson on “Holy Living.” It was a good study that emphasized the strict moral teaching of the gospel. I followed with a lesson on “The Need for & Source of Divine Authority.”

After lunch, we began with Chip preaching on the “Conversion of Cornelius.” I followed that with a lesson on “Who Is a Christian?” stressing that the gospel (without addition or subtraction) will produce only Christians – members of the same body of Christ we read about in the New Testament. Chip followed with a study on “Identifying the NT Church.” I then preached on “Characteristics of NT Baptism” followed by a 45-minute questions/answer session. Questions ranged from the subject of our old friend (the thief on the cross) to the kingdom and rapture to baptism to the duration of miracles. In other words, it was a wide-ranging field of questions, but all seem to have come from those really seeking for truth, not just argumentative.

During the afternoon session, a band was setting up their stage directly behind a thin partition to the speaker’s right for a function tonight. When the band cranked up during the second lesson for each of us, Chip and I had to yell over the microphone to be heard. Though we had agreed that no such disturbance was to be present, the management did not put a stop to it. After the lectures were over, I informed the management that I was very unhappy with their actions and that I would expect an adjustment in the financial settlement because they failed to meet our contract. Since we have used this venue repeatedly over the past few years, I think they know we will not be coming back if they fail to offer sufficient compensation. Frankly, I feel like demanding an extra amount for having to endure the ear-assaulting, off-key-caterwauling from that group. They had two towers of speakers that would have provided all sound needed in Central Park! If there are any music teachers reading this, I know where your talents are needed!

The Lord willing, we will conclude the lectures here in Bacolod tomorrow and fly to Cebu in the evening. I will try to get my report together during the trip and post it when we arrive in Cebu. Thanks again for your support and prayers.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Lord's Day in Bacolod

Greetings from Bacolod City on a very rainy Lord’s Day! Chip and I went separate ways today as we preached in different areas. Chip went to the north with Jack Jaco and Lordy Salunga as they preached in Victorias City, Escalante and another place. Jack lives in Victorias City, so Chip will get to meet Jack’s family. They are all very dear to me!

This morning, I went with Jonathan and Shem to the YMCA nearby where two congregations were meeting together. One was the congregation where Jun Abbas preached before his death a few years ago. The other congregation is coming out of institutionalism and has asked Shem and Jack each to preach there one Sunday a month. Several of members of that congregation knew Cora Vlk who was a dear sister in Florida that was a member of the congregation before she married and immigrated to the US. Cora passed away from pancreatic cancer several years ago, but I always remember her fondly when I come to Bacolod. During the worship service, I preached on “Factors of a United Work.” Since the lesson makes some applications to the sinful and fruitless practices of the social gospel and general benevolence, it was especially appreciated by these brethren.

In the afternoon, we went on the far south side of Bacolod. There we met with Shem and the brethren with whom he works in a building attached to his place. The building is very new and was paid for by a Korean couple. They put no strings attached to the building, but only wanted to provide a place of worship that would be regularly used for that purpose. It is very nice and well lighted, but still needs some chairs to be fully completed. I was asked to preach a lesson that addressed the need for all to be involved in reaching out to the lost in evangelism. I preached on “The Love of Christ Constrains Us” from 2 Corinthians 5. None responded to the invitation, but several non-Christians attended and are getting close to that decision.

After returning home, I went to a nearby mall where I could get some items that we need. Now, it is time to get to work on the lectures for tomorrow and the next day. Please pray that they will go well.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Saturday in Silay City

When everyone arose this morning, they seemed to be much better than they had been in their seasick-condition last night. Though some dizziness remained, they felt much improved and ready to go for the day’s activity. After breakfast, we got on our way for Silay City. Our transportation was provided by the van that picked us up at the airport in Bacolod.

When we arrived at the venue in Silay City (a Women & Youth Center), the people assembled were already singing as they awaited our arrival. I began by preaching a lesson on “Salvation & God’s Word, the Incorruptible Seed.” I added a section of brief explanation about the need for and source of authority from God. Chip Foster followed that with a lesson on “The Conversion of Cornelius.” Jack Jaco translated for all lessons through the day into the Ilongo dialect. The audience seemed very attentive and seeking.

After lunch, I began with a lesson on “The Salvation of Saul (Paul).” As I asked questions during the lesson, the group responded by giving the correct answers, showing they understood the things being preached. Chip followed with a lesson on “Identifying the New Testament Church.” I then preached on “Counting the Cost” before Jack Jaco extended the invitation. None responded to that invitation seeking to be baptized, though we were asked to come back and teach more at another time.

There were 96 present for the lectures today. The venue was in the upper floor of the center with windows on three sides of the room. It did not have air conditioning, but the temperature was very moderate. I am very happy to report that it has not been very hot to this point on the trip. We hope this pattern continues.

Thank you again for your continued support and prayers. I have appreciated the kind responses received and they have been very encouraging.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Six Baptized in Ilo-Ilo

Lordy Salunga and Jonathan Carino joined Chip and me for breakfast this morning so we could discuss some more about today’s work. We then went to the Fastcraft and boarded it for the trip to Ilo-Ilo. The seas were much rougher this morning. Both Lordy and John were a little queasy from the motion during the ride, but quickly recovered once we stepped ashore.

The lectures today started a little later than yesterday. We had an attendance of 76 today. Chip began this morning with a lesson on the “Conversion of Cornelius.” I followed with a study on “Who Is a Christian?” which examined each NT passage using the word “Christian” and also dealt at length with the conversion of Saul. Since we had a little time left for the morning session, I covered a shortened version of “Counting the Cost” that discussed the fact that obeying the gospel would come with costs that each one must be willing to bear. We then broke for lunch.

Since several asked that we extend an invitation because they were already convinced of the need to obey the Lord in baptism, Lordy extended the invitation of Christ and three responded. After John took their confessions, some of the brethren went to arrange for a place to baptize the three. I continued teaching while that was being arranged by teaching a lesson on “How Do We Start a Local Congregation Following the NT Pattern?” When that lesson was completed, we had a question/answer period to close out our time at the venue. Numerous questions centering on the necessity of water baptism were discussed. One denominational preacher started out being very antagonistic to its essential nature. However, after trying numerous routes to escape its necessity, we ended the session with him and two others wanting to be baptized. So, a total of six were being baptized while we had to leave for the Fastcraft and get back to Bacolod.

The six of us involved in carrying on this effort were together on the Fastcraft for the ride which was a real experience. This was definitely one of the top 2 or 3 roughest rides I have ever seen. Shortly after leaving harbor in Ilo-Ilo, the rocking and rolling began and it did not end until about 2 minutes before docking in Bacolod. Most of the people on board were getting sick and the crew was busy passing out the “comfort bags.” Everyone in our group except me had some level of discomfort from varying degrees of seasickness. Poor Chip was turning as green as the shirt he wore and I am not sure he will ever forgive me for dragging him into that experience. Upon arrival in Bacolod, he went to his room.

After sending this report, I must go out to pick up a few items needed at the store. If Chip feels like eating a little later, we can eat here at the hotel and then I must get busy with work preparing for tomorrow’s effort in Silay City.

We are thankful to the Lord for His harvest as we saw the power of the gospel in changing hearts and minds to humble themselves before His truth. To God be all of the glory!

Brotherly, Harry O.

Lectures Start in Ilo-Ilo

Our day started early as we began our first day of teaching on this trip. After talking with Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco yesterday about the crowd expected for the lectures, we decided to start the lectures with another approach emphasizing that God’s word is the “seed” through which we come to salvation. By the time we had discussed things and took care of some logistics for preparation, it was about 10pm when I got back to my hotel room. Though I tried to do some work on the beginning lesson, I was so tired that I gave up and went to sleep. I awoke at 4am this morning and worked until time to shower and get to breakfast. After eating, we left the hotel about 6:45am.

Our commute from Bacolod to Ilo-Ilo took about 90 minutes on the Fastcraft. I worked on the new lesson for the entire trip while Jonathan Carino and Lordy Salunga became more acquainted with Chip Foster. The sea was not overly rough this time, so the trip was rather pleasant.

Upon arrival in Ilo-Ilo, we were taken by a taxi to the venue for the lectures. The function room was very good with a clear sound system and well laid out space for teaching purposes. Jack Jaco and Roy Matta had come over on an earlier Fastcraft to set up the venue and they did an excellent job. Shortly after our arrival at about 9am, we started with some singing led by Jack Jaco. I then gave a starting lesson on “Salvation & God’s Word, the Seed” followed by a lesson on “The Inspiration of Scripture.” Chip Forster followed with an excellent lesson on “Who Will Be Saved.” Jonathan Carino took the remaining time before lunch to do a fundamental lesson on “What Is the Church?”

After the lunch break, I began with a condensed and compiled lesson on “How to Establish Divine Authority.” Chip Foster then followed with a lesson on “Worldliness Versus Godly Living.” I followed with an abbreviated version of “Grace, Faith and Obedience” before we had a question and answer session to close the day’s lectures. We had questions on the church, the thief on the cross, suicide, the relationship of baptism and circumcision, and one dealing with whether people are created by God as righteous or sinners. The interest of the audience was excellent throughout the lectures and the question/answer period.

There were 79 people who attended today’s lectures. Not only were they were very attentive to the lessons, but they were reading the passages cited and taking notes. We were very pleased with the reaction. Several seem to be seriously considering the need to obey the gospel. We look forward to continuing our studies with them in the morning, the Lord willing.

We again boarded the Fastcraft at 5pm for the hour and a half trip back to Bacolod. This commute was also fairly smooth and uneventful. Once back in Bacolod, we went to Max’s - a chicken restaurant chain in the Philippines. (The background music was from a Filipino group singing “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Hotel California,” and other familiar songs with a little different accent.) Our suppers are spent discussing what we think needs to be addressed in the next day’s work and planning on the order of those lessons that would allow for maximum effect in reaching the audience with the truth. We got back to the hotel where Chip and I discussed with Jack some details about work to be done on Saturday and Sunday. At about 9pm, I was able to start working on the lessons to be given tomorrow.

As a closing note, I had something happen yesterday that has never happened to me in our travels over here. I took Chip’s big bag along with my big bag to ship as air freight in order to avoid the high cost of excess baggage weight on our flight to Bacolod. As typical, everything took longer than seemed possible as the system is not known for great efficiency. However, when I took the bags to the X-ray check, that is when I met with the new experience. The girl that took my forms to sign for clearance of the bags came out with a serious look on her face. She cleared the belt of other items to be scanned and brought Chip’s bag back out. It was then put back into the X-ray machine and several security officers and management personnel went into the booth to see the X-ray pictures. The girl came back out with one of the officers and asked me to unlock the bag so they could look inside. It seems the bag had a padlock on it and Chip did not give me the key. I asked if there was a problem and they informed me that the X-ray showed an image of what appeared to be a gun! The eyes of everyone were now on this American with a suspicious bag as they proceeded to do 4 or 5 more X-rays from different angles before finally clearing it! Upon seeing Chip, I told him that he was taking his own bag for shipping next time. My new name for Chip is now “Pistol Pete.”

Thank you so much for showing your interest in the work being done and praying for our efforts here. Please continue to pray that God’s word might have free course into the hearts of those who seek it.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Unexpected Start

My trip was not scheduled to start until today, but weather caused a change of plans. As I was packed on Sunday afternoon, Delta called to say our flight to Minneapolis had been canceled and we would be delayed until Tuesday. Of course, this would have thrown the whole schedule off, so I got on the phone to see if I could get out Sunday afternoon instead. The agent was very kind and got me seats on a flight from OKC to Salt Lake City, Utah and then on to Seattle, Washington. (I had about 1 hour and 20 minutes to finish packing and get to the airport!) I have stayed overnight here in Seattle and will fly out this afternoon to Tokyo Narita where I will meet up with Chip Foster, the Lord willing. Please keep us in your prayers.