Jonathan, Jack and I began this morning with
breakfast in Bacolod. We then drove a little less than an hour to the north and
reached Victorias City, Jack’s hometown. Before I arrived in the Philippines
for this trip, there was a mix-up regarding when I would return to Manila. Jack
had already set up an all-day gospel meeting in Victorias City as today is
Labor Day in the Philippines and almost all people are off work. The problem
was that I had a 12:50pm flight back to Manila from Bacolod. After we
discovered the conflict, I tried to change my flight, but that was not
possible. So, we decided that I would give the beginning lesson and then Jack
would take me when I had to go and catch the flight while Jonathan remained
there to preach the next lesson.
The venue was the second floor of a shopping area
that also had a number of function rooms for rental. The expected attendance
was no more than 50 people. The actual number turned out to be 103. We began a
little after 9am with Jack leading singing. Jack had requested that I bring a
lesson on “Before the Door Is Shut” dealing with the need for preparation in
our spiritual lives. The culminating point regarded our need to be prepared for
the Judgment Day. Following that lesson, I had to go and Jonathan was setting
up to bring the next lesson on “Understanding the Cross.”
By the time Jonathan had completed that lesson,
Jack had gotten back from taking me to the airport. The two of them then
alternated preaching. Jack brought lessons on “This World Is Not My Home” and “The
Seed Principle.” Jonathan’s second lesson was “Why Are People Lost?”
Late this afternoon, I got a text from both Jack
and Shammah Jaco saying that eleven souls had responded and were baptized for
the remission of their sins! I have now decided that we have a more effective
way to conduct these gospel meetings – I will bring the first lesson and then
leave the remainder of the lessons for Jonathan and Jack to bring! Both of them
are excellent preachers who know the Scriptures well and are very effective in
their preaching.
This will be my final report for this trip.
Tomorrow, the Lord willing, I will get my sermons and class ready for Sunday at
home. Friday, I am scheduled to fly home getting to OKC a little before
midnight. Again, thank you all for your help in every way. Efforts like this
would not be possible without those who have so generously supplied the support
needed and prayed fervently for their success. God bless!
