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.
