Final Days in Auckland

Tuesday night’s class had two visitors, members of two different institutional churches. Both of them, like a number of others we have met, were formerly members of the International Churches of Christ (the “Boston Church” group of the “Discipling Movement”). They were from the Philippines as well. I presented a lesson on “How Do We Know Whether a Religious Practice Is Right or Wrong?” It was a basic lesson covering the fundamentals of establishing Bible authority. The two ladies were attentive, but did not seem to be moving towards the truth. We will continue to pray that their hearts may become receptive to truth rather than the social circles that have their present preoccupation.

Tonight, only the members of the local church were present, so we had another open forum of questions that were of concern to them. Again, the questions were very good and showed that they have been engaged in study with friends, family and other associates as they try to bring others to Christ. I hope that we were able to help them in their efforts as well as encourage them to continue planting the gospel seed and trusting that God will give the increase in due season. They show every evidence of being committed to this effort of planting a sound work in New Zealand. Please keep Lordy in your prayers as he will stay on with daily classes for the next week.

It has been a joy to work with these brethren. Ronnie and Nina Salunga have been more than gracious hosts seeing to our every need and making my stay here so very pleasant. Randy and Myla Cabrillas have also been with us for every service and actively participating in every aspect of the work. All have expressed their deep thanks to brethren in the U.S. who have made this effort possible for both Lordy and me. They have asked that I return in the future to help them whenever possible and I have said we will leave it in the Lord’s hands to see what doors He might open by His providence.

When we arrived early last week, the group took us to eat at a local restaurant and immediately made us feel welcome. Father’s Day in New Zealand had been the previous week and they told us that they had delayed their celebration of it until we arrived. They gave us Father’s Day cards with personal greetings from each one. It was especially touching to me! Tonight, they gave me another card with notes of thanks from each member along with several mementos of my time in New Zealand. I will cherish them and think of these good brethren often. Please keep them and this work in your prayers.

What is being done here is the same thing I believe can be done throughout the world as an outgrowth of the work ongoing in the Philippines. The brethren forming the nucleus of this church are Filipino brethren who have left the Philippines to work in another country. The same thing is happening as Filipinos are going as overseas workers across the globe. If we can help strengthen these brethren in the Philippines and encourage a zeal for truth, there is no limit to the spread of the gospel that is possible as these brethren are scattered through the world by economic necessity and carry the gospel with them. I believe Filipino workers can go to many parts of the world that we cannot reach and they can plant faithful congregations wherever they go. Again, I want to thank each of you for providing the financial means and support in prayers that made this work possible. Thank you for having fellowship with me in this work that I believe to be so vital and urgent as we labor in fields truly white unto harvest!