From Urdaneta to Manila

We left San Fernando this morning for what was supposed to be a one-hour drive to Urdaneta. Over three hours later, we arrived at the building of the congregation in Urdaneta. The traffic was horrible throughout the trip as each town became a clogged mess with vehicles (motorized and non-motorized), parades, funeral processions, business activity, portions of the main highway used (at snail’s pace) as bus-turn-around zones and various slowing factors that were beyond belief. The people were waiting as they knew we were on our way. However, our time was shortened to be with them by these things.

I started by preaching on “Salvation & Cornelius” from Acts 10-11, showing that even morally good people were still sinners in need of hearing and obeying the full message of salvation found in the gospel of Christ. Chip followed with a short lesson on the need to “Grow in Christ.” Rody Gumpad summarized both of those lessons into the Ilocano dialect and added some words of exhortation and invitation. When the gospel was extended, no one responded to be baptized into Christ.

After a quick lunch, we left with Rody to get to the bus stop at a nearby shopping center in town. On the way there, we spotted an air conditioned bus headed to the right area (Pasay) and Rody pulled up beside it as the traffic stopped. We asked if he had three seats and he said “yes,” so we pulled in ahead of the bus at the stop. We had just gotten on when the bus took off and it was an adventure getting to our seats near the back as the bus accelerated, braked, bobbed and weaved. We took the only 3 seats remaining – all separated from each other. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of riding on a Philippine bus, you are the object of my envy as I write this report on board the bus. Imagine the smallest airline seat you have ever experienced and divide it in half. Now, subtract two-thirds of the leg room and add twice the turbulence of your worst flight. Put that together with the smell of pungent garlic and a fragrant locker room. Got it? Mix in 5 hours pressed against total strangers and you have our afternoon journey. All I can say is that I am very happy to now be in Manila!

We are scheduled to end the preaching portion of our work tomorrow with two more places to go – Kapitbahayan and the Mantinlupa. I will post a last report after we return Sunday night, the Lord willing.

Brotherly, Harry O.