My Lord’s Day was spent with the EDSA-Pasay congregation. There were
about 60 in attendance. This is the congregation that Rody Gumpad started just
a few years ago and it is now doing very well. Sammy Paet is helping Rody as is
Rody’s son, Jun, who is staying more frequently in Pasay when Rody goes home to
Tuguegarao. Rody was very sick today and hardly able to speak at more than a
whisper. Since my voice was better, I took both lessons for the morning.
Jonathan Carino was also there this morning, but had committed to preach in an
afternoon service. Jack Jaco and Jun Gumpad were not with us this morning since
they had been asked to preach elsewhere in the city.
In the Bible Study hour, I preached a lesson called “Today, If You Hear
His Voice” from Hebrews 3:7-15. It takes from the text the three imperatives
for properly hearing God: (1) harden not your heart, (2) beware of unbelief and
(3) exhort one another daily.” In the assembly hour, I preached on “Things the
Love Loves.” It is taken from Proverbs 6:16-19, noting the things God hates and
taking the opposite to notice what the Lord loves. At the end of the service,
one lady who had been a visitor for several weeks decided to obey the gospel
and was baptized into Christ.
Sammy and his brother James took me back to the hotel when services
were over. With one last trip up and down the stairs to and from the fourth
floor, my hip completed its work for this trip and was very appreciative of the
elevator at the hotel! J
It was truly a joy to be with my Filipino brethren on this trip. I am built up and strengthened each time I am with them. My thanks to all of you who helped make this trip possible by your generosity! Without you, this work could not be done. Both churches and individuals have helped with funds – a good number doing so in previous trips as well. It is because of your help that so many have heard the gospel and the work of the Lord is thriving in many places across this nation! May God bless all of you! The Lord willing, I plan to return to the Philippines in April of 2017 with a new hip and increased strength!
