Our part in the classes began on Monday with the following schedule:
6:00 - 7:00 AM | Wakeup, preparation & breakfast |
7:00 - 8:00 AM | Prayer & Devotion period |
8:00 - 8:50 AM | New Testament Church (Rody Gumpad) |
9:00 - 9:50 AM | The Preacher's Life & Work (Jonathan Carino) |
10:00 - 10:50 AM | Old Testament Survey 2 – 1 Kgs. – Song of Sol. (Harry Osborne) |
11:00 - 11:50 AM | New Testament Survey 2 (Jonathan Carino) |
12:00 - 12:30 PM | Lunch |
12:30 - 2:00 PM | Study & Rest |
2:00 - 2:50 PM | Old Testament Survey 3 – Prophets (Harry Osborne) |
3:00 - 3:50 PM | Basic Bible Doctrines 2 (Jonathan Carino) |
4:00 - 5:50 PM | Church History (Harry Osborne) |
6:00 - 6:30 PM | Supper |
6:30 - 8:00 PM | Evening Service & Book Drills |
8:00 - 11:00 PM | Study & Homework time |
It was a full day as we did our best to get started on the subjects we agreed to teach. The first day is always the hardest in these programs as we need to quickly gauge the backgrounds and abilities of the students in order to determine how we should teach to be most effective.
Lordy Salunga was planning to teach two of the classes, but he had problems with his health and had to have a pacemaker implanted to keep his heart beating at the proper rate. We have kept in touch with him and are glad to report that Lordy is doing well in his recovery.
The Tuesday classes were much more fruitful as far as I could see. The students
seemed to be adjusting well to the new teachers and subjects. My morning class of Old Testament Survey finished the overview of the Old Testament and will start with 1 and 2 Kings tomorrow, the Lord willing. The Old Testament Prophets class covered Isaiah today and the students seemed to learn a great deal from the class as most had never studied the Prophets before. It was very encouraging to see their excitement in a study so new to them. The last class of the day was on Church History where we studied the beginnings of apostasy in the second and third centuries.
In talking with the students before and after class, I found out that several of the students are sons of gospel preachers with whom I have worked in the Philippines. I was especially glad to find out that Willie Pastor’s son was among the students. At the end of the day, he told me that his father is coming to visit tomorrow. I am greatly looking forward to that! As we were talking, another student, Sonny, came up and asked me if I remembered him from working with Willie while both were in prison. Sonny was one of those converted as a result of Willie’s work while being unjustly imprisoned.
Though I did not know it until today, there were 7 baptisms on Sunday in the congregations where the students went to work with the regular preachers. We rejoice with these new souls added to Christ!
Thank you for your interest in this work. Please keep us and this work in your prayers.
Brotherly, Harry
