Lectures in Baybay - No Responses

Today’s venue was about an hour and a half south of Ormoc at Baybay in a building owned by the provincial government. It is built as a lecture hall with the audience seated in stepped up level about the speaker. It had air conditioning that tried to overcome the heat from outside and the fact that doors were rarely closed after being opened. Over 70 were present for the studies of the day – about 20 more than anticipated. They were very attentive, but were limited in understanding of English, so we had to summarize each of the lessons into the dialect.

I again started with the study on “The Word of the Gospel, the Seed & Salvation” from 1 Peter 1:22-25. We emphasized the need for turning to the right seed (the gospel) if we want to produce the right product (salvation in Christ). Without break, I then went into the lesson “How Did God Used the Prophets to Speak His Will?” Jonathan Carino then summarized the lesson into the dialect before we broke for lunch.

The first lesson of the afternoon session was “Salvation & Saul.” This study was chosen because it deals in detail with the issues relating to the plan of salvation and it is the most familiar lesson on that subject to the Filipino brethren traveling with me. Jonathan Carino has interpreted that lesson for me numerous times. Since I crowd was largely limited in understanding English, John needed to give a detailed summary of the lesson. It is always interesting for me to notice the faces of the crowd because it is soon apparent whether they understand what I am saying. More than half of this audience seemed not to understand the majority of what I said. However, when John taught the material in the dialect, their faces lighted up with understanding and they responded when he asked questions and called on them to give a conclusion.

The next lecture was on “Identifying the Church in the New Testament” based on 1 Cor. 1:1-2. We studied the meaning and use of the term “church” in the NT. We then showed identifying characteristics by which one may recognize a local congregation with whom they may rightly work in service to Christ with fellow Christians. John again summarized the lesson in detail for the audience.

The last lesson was on “Counting the Cost” from Luke 14. John also summarized that lecture into the dialect and then extended the invitation for those who were ready to obey the gospel. There were no visible responses to the gospel from these lectures. I believe this is the second or third time I have preached in Baybay and there have been no visible responses in any of those efforts. This place and Tacloban have both been particularly hard to penetrate with the gospel, but we keep trying!

The internet connection at our hotel continues to be a problem. While here in Leyte, we are trying to go to a place that has an internet connection on our way back to the hotel so I can file my report while the other guys eat supper. That means my reports are more hurried than normal, so please excuse my typos and other mistakes. Thanks again for your help in every way and please keep us in your prayers.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Lectures in Tacloban

Our venue today was in the city of Tacloban, famous as the place for the American forces landing under the command of General Douglas MacArthur in WWII. We met in the upstairs function room of a Cindy’s café. It was somewhat air conditioned and served as a good spot with very little disruption present. The members of the small congregation at Tacloban had invited their friends and acquaintances to listen for the day. A little over 50 were assembled to listen to the gospel presented.

The morning session was taken by me introducing the studies with a lesson on “The Word of the Gospel, the Seed & Salvation” from 1 Peter 1:22-25 followed by a sermon on “How God Used the Prophets to Speak His Will.” The second lesson covered the same basic points as my lesson on “Inspiration of the Scripture,” but was arranged differently by taking the order from the points made in 2 Peter 2:12-21. We then took a break for lunch.

The afternoon session began with a lesson on “Salvation & Saul” and was followed by a lesson from Jonathan Carino on “The Church in the New Testament.” I followed with the final lesson on “Grace, Faith & Obedience” then went immediately into another on “Counting the Cost.” Jonathan closed out the day’s study with an appeal for those who understood the lessons and saw the need to obey that they come and do so. Before he even started the song (“Have You Counted the Cost”), one man started towards the front who had been listening very carefully and confessed Christ. After making his confession, he asked to address the crowd and called upon all to make the same decision and related his great joy in obeying the Lord.

After this one obeyed Christ, we had a time for a short question/answer session. One was a denominational lady who asked about denominational baptism and whether one receiving it in the past would need to be “baptized again.” We discussed the Bible teaching on what constitutes true baptism in the name of Christ and hope she will soon obey. One man from a holiness group asked a question clearly aimed at advancing the oneness position regarding God, professing there is only one person that possesses the divine nature. After we answered that question, he jumped to some of his views on what human regulations should be imposed to insure holiness. This was easily answered by noting what the Bible teaches regarding true holiness.

Again, we are thankful to each of you who have shown your concern for this work. Please keep us in your prayers.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Lord's Day in Pagadian Area

After preaching for over 35 years and working in the Philippines for 10 years, it is not often that I have a new experience, but I had one today. This was the first time I had ever preached in five different churches on the same Lord’s Day. It was a long, but fruitful day in the Pagadian area!

The first service of the day was at 9am with the Guipos congregation where brother Leo Armada preaches. I spoke to a full house for about an hour and a half on “Being Perfectly Joined Together” from 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. James Armada extended the invitation following the lesson and 9 came to confess Christ. Before they went to baptize the group, another asked to confess Christ and be baptized for remission of sins. So, they took the 10 to the spillway where all were baptized. We passed on as they went down to the river because we had to get to the next place.

We had a lengthy drive to the next appointment at noon with the Pulacan church where Ernie Colliado preaches. We had a good number assembled for that meeting as well and I preached on “The Life of Joseph.” No invitation was extended, but the brethren were thankful for the visit and seemed to be encouraged.

We were delayed a little reaching the scheduled 2pm meeting with the Manga congregation where Leo and James Armada labor together. The building sets fairly high above the road just in front of it, so there is a rather steep climb up a number of uneven steps in order to reach the meeting place. I preached on “Avoiding an Evil Heart of Unbelief” which included some points for non-Christians, but centered on exhortation for Christians to grow in faith. At the end of the service, brother James Armada again extended the invitation with further instruction towards non-Christians and 3 came to obey the gospel. James took those to be baptized while we went on to the next place to set up.

Our next schedule was with the Danlugan congregation where James Armada preaches. He was a little delayed due to the baptisms at the previous place, so we were well behind the scheduled 4pm time in getting started. Again, a good number was present, mostly members of the church, so I preached a lesson on “Where Is Your Treasure?” from Matthew 6. No invitation was extended at the conclusion of that service.

Our last scheduled meeting was at the Hilltop church where Gadiel Candallo preaches. We arrived a little late, but found only the preacher and one other member there. It seems a large rain had come about 2 hours before the service which prevented most from coming. However, there were 10 of us traveling together plus the entire Armada family that joined us as well as several other brethren from the area. I preached on the “Foundation of the Family” from 1 Peter 3. We had a good study with excellent interest shown. I finished preaching at 9pm – twelve hours after I began at 9am. In all, it was a very tiring, but fruitful day.

The Lord willing, tomorrow is a travel day with no preaching scheduled. My voice can use the break! We are to drive from Pagadian to Ozamis, fly from Ozamis to Cebu and take the fastcraft boat from Cebu to Ormoc on the island of Leyte. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travel.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Saturday at Maraya

Saturday was to be spent in Margosatubig, Zambuanga del Sur by our original plan. We designed these lectures for a series on the Sermon on the Mount as an announcement of the new law, not a correction of misunderstandings of the old covenant. The people in this area asked that I give a day to teaching on this subject and I agreed to do so many months ago. The place had been determined because it was the place of Ernesto Canon who is the leading disciple of Jim Puterbaugh and Wallace Little in spreading their “One Covenant Doctrine” in this area. However, the brethren who hold to the truth wanted to benefit from the studies, but would be prohibited by cost if we held the studies in Margosatubig.

Just before I left home, it was decided to change the venue to the building of the Maraya church in the village of Vincenzo Sagun where Junie Gocela preaches. I did not know how that could work since the last time I had been to their building, it was very small. I had forgotten they received funds to extend it, so I was surprised to see a metal-roofed building that was very modest in style, but able to hold over 100 people. This group was the original congregation that started in this area and it was very small. They now have 80 to 90 a week, but there have been 9 or 10 other churches started in that area. Junie and Carlos Sanguan have both done excellent work in the area for a number of years. Carlos was receiving support from a brother in the US, but it was cut off without notice after he opposed the error of Ernesto Canon, Jim Puterbaugh and Wallace Little. Carlos continues to labor in the kingdom and find work to help his family survive. They are in great poverty, but they are still diligent in service of the Lord’s cause.

The morning session was taken entirely with my lesson on the

introduction to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 4 and the beginning of that sermon in Matthew 5. After lunch, I presented a lesson on the “Relation of the Covenants” based on a sermon presented by Stan Cox that I thought was very well organized in laying out the basic distinctions between the old and new covenants. Jack Jaco then spoke on “Why We Preach the Cross” which was given in the Cebuano dialect. I finished the time for the afternoon session with a lesson on Matthew 7. The lessons were very well received and it seemed to help the people more fully understand the problems with the “One Covenant Doctrine.” There were about 175 in attendance with people sitting outside the doors and windows where they could see and hear.

Getting to and back from the venue was the most difficult part of the day. After traveling a little over an hour on the highway, we then got on the road into the mountains toward the building. The “highway” is about the size of a neighborhood street in the US with no shoulder at all. The road up into the mountains was so rough and torn up, it is impossible to adequately describe it. The pictures on the blog do not show the fact that some rocks are big enough and rise to a height that they can destroy an oil pan or other car parts. That is exactly what happened to Brother Armada’s truck in front of us. The ride was absolutely bone-jarring! I dreaded this day’s journey because I knew what the road was like by going before, but I think it got worse! Needless to say, my back is giving me a bit of difficulty at this point, so I hope it will be better after a good night’s rest.

We finished the day by eating at Ramon and Leah Carino’s house. It was the first time I had seen the home they moved into after leaving the previous one. It was good to be with them again.

Thanks again for following our efforts. The Lord willing, I will be preaching at 5 different churches tomorrow with the first service starting at 9am and the last one beginning at 7pm. It should be a very full day.

Brotherly, Harry O.

3 Baptized in Aloran

Our Friday was a very long day! It began at midnight as we set sail on the ship from Dumaguete to Cebu. After waiting on the ticket checker to come by, I finally fell asleep about 1am. We were scheduled to arrive in Cebu at 6am, but I started to hear an announcement at 4:20am. By a little before 5am, we were already docked. Jonathan’s wife and son picked us up and took us to their house where we had some coffee and dropped off several bags. We then went to the airport and flew to Ozamis where we also arrived early. After eating lunch, we started on our way to the meeting place of the church in Aloran.

I will discuss the trip in a moment, but the meeting with the church in Aloran was very uplifting! When we arrived, Diosdado Tual (the preacher) greeted us outside and brought us into the very basic building with a tin roof and half-walled sides made of concrete block. It was hot and the humidity was high, but all were happy to be there to hear the gospel. To my great surprise, among those present was Cyrus Gesulga, formerly the leading preacher among premillennial churches of Christ in the Philippines who recently renounced that doctrine and began working with faithful brethren as a result of studies with Ron Halbrook and Jonathan Carino. I did not think I would be able to meet him on this trip, but it was a joy to be with him and talk for a long period after the meeting.

Since it was after 2:30pm when we arrived at Aloran, we only had time for one sermon. I preached on “Who Is a Christian?” The lesson covered basic points on the plan of salvation, the identity of the church and several points on common errors of denominationalism. Brother James Armada with whom I have worked on previous trips gave a summary of the sermon in the native dialect of Cebuano and did his usual, excellent job. When the invitation was extended, three people (one married couple and an older woman) came to confess their faith in Christ and be baptized for the remission of sins.

Though I thought Aloran was to be on the outskirts of Ozamis, I found out it was the dreaded “30 minutes” away. In the Philippines, when you are told it is “30 minutes” away, it actually means at least one hour and possibly two. In this case, it was over an hour away and in the opposite direction of the place we needed to go for our hotel tonight. The roads were rough and congested with the full assortment of wheeled vehicles found in the Philippines from animal to pedal to motor driven. It never ceases to amaze me how all these vehicles travel on the same road at the same time – most of them without lights after dark! As we traveled towards Pagadian at night, the road was among the roughest that I have ever been on and it was raining the whole time. It was a jarring trip. I am looking forward to the sleep tonight!

Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement in our efforts.

Brotherly, Harry O.

One Baptized in Dumaguete

We began the lectures this morning after about an hour delay – a common occurrence we sometimes call “Filipino time.” There were 71 registered guests not counting children or those of us doing the teaching. Mario Rubio had made the arrangements for the lectures. He is a good man trying to serve the Lord with his wife and 7 children. Mario was baptized in 2007 after hearing the truth presented by Ramon Carino and other faithful brethren. Mario, as a denominational preacher, had been discouraged from hearing the truth earlier by the ungodly life and error of Zennon Nodado and others who called themselves “gospel preachers,” but were only out for the money they could receive from American brethren. Having already seen such hypocrisy from Zennon and other firsthand, it was easy for me to see how Mario would not want to be a part of such. I am thankful to God that Mario’s truly searching heart came in contact with faithful men who could help him truly obey the Lord.

The morning session began with introductory remarks by Mario and Jack Jaco leading the assembly in several songs. I followed with a lesson on “The Inspiration of Scripture” followed by another on “Salvation & Saul.” Jonathan Carino then began his lesson on “Grace, Faith & Obedience” which he finished after lunch. I had the next lesson on “Identifying the New Testament Church.” Since time was running short at that point, we decided to have a final lesson on “Counting the Cost” to show those that may want to obey the gospel that there will be costs associated with that decision (loss of family, persecution, material costs, etc.). Jonathan then extended to invitation and led the invitation song, “Have You Counted the Cost,” which was sung in the native dialect. One older woman responded to obey the gospel and was baptized into Christ. She had been a very active member of a Pentecostal Church in this city.

The remainder of the time was spent in a question/answer session. Two men tried to dominate the time by raising objections. The first sought to confuse the issue of inspiration. Though he would never come out to show where he was headed, his objections were easily answered by reviewing what the Bible teaches on the subject – that God chose the very words used in the Scripture. The second man was a Primitive Baptist preacher who believed and affirmed full-blown Calvinism – that God chose certain individuals to be saved and chose others to be lost before they were ever created and that there was nothing either group could do to change that arbitrary decision of God. He began by attacking the essentiality of water baptism in the remission of sins, but soon went into other subjects when his error was exposed by simple, Bible verses. His anger and ridicule of the truth and those who taught it became apparent to all of the audience that saw he was only presenting his own thoughts while we were answering by showing what the Bible says. His rejection of the Bible teaching simply made that truth more obvious to the audience. In the end, I think several more will obey the gospel in time as they are seeing the truth more and more clearly.

Thanks again to those who have encouraged and supported this effort in so many ways. We ask your continued prays as we travel towards Ozamis tomorrow. The Lord willing, we will sail by ship tonight from Dumaguete to Cebu City. In the morning, we are scheduled to arrive at 6am in Cebu then go immediately to the airport where we will catch a flight to Ozamis on the island of Mindanao. A half day of lectures has been arranged there for tomorrow. We would appreciate your prayers for our safe travel.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Safe Arrival in Dumaguette

This trip began for me on Sunday afternoon with the flight from Oklahoma City to Atlanta. After spending the night in Atlanta, I caught a flight on Monday to Tokyo Narita and then connected with another flight to Manila where I arrived at 10pm Tuesday, local time. After a very long wait on baggage, I got to the hotel a little after midnight. Today’s flight to Dumaguette got me to the place where we will begin the lectures tomorrow.

Mario Rubio does local work in this area. He met me at the airport together with Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco. We discussed the topics to cover tomorrow and other arrangements for the lectures. Mario went out to get copies made of the lessons to be covered since this help in the understanding initially and to facilitate further study. Jonathan, Jack and I ate supper at the hotel and I am posting this report from there. After several very turbulent flights and a restless night, I look forward to turning in early tonight and getting some rest before the real work starts.

Thanks for your support in every way. I will try to keep all updated with the work as it progresses each day. Please keep us and the work in your prayers.

Brotherly, Harry O.

Help Needed in Philippine Work

For the last ten years, I have been going to the Philippines in an effort to spread the gospel and help Filipino brethren in their efforts of evangelism and edification. As new doors of opportunity continue to open and work done earlier needs to be built up, I believe there is a continuing need for those who are very familiar with the work to continue in this very fruitful field. The Lord willing, I plan to make my second trip of the year in August and September of this year. Please consider the work planned for this trip.

During my last trip in February and March with Chip Foster, several brethren from other areas traveled some distance to hear the lessons and ask us to help in the work they are doing. Most of this trip is planned in response to those requests. In several past trips, I have visited Dumaguete City on the southern part of Negros, but the efforts there have never flourished as they have on other parts of that island. Brother Mario Rubio requested that I come with several Filipino brethren to help preach in the area where he labors. I am impressed with Mario’s sincerity and ability, and I believe this opportunity may be very fruitful.

To the south of Negros is the large island of Mindanao where we plan efforts in Cagayan de Oro and Pagadian City. Much work has been done previously in both of these places, but there is a continuing need to edify the brethren. My dear friend, the late Cipriano (“Cip”) Carpentero, labored effectively in Cagayan de Oro for years. His son, Jhun, is now preaching in his father’s place and has requested me and several Filipino brethren to help in his efforts. Contact has been made with a preacher in a premillennial “Church of Christ” who is open to further study. This man has seen much digression in those churches due to various institutional and social gospel influences. I plan studies with that preacher privately as well as efforts to edify and strengthen the brethren. Brother Ramon Carino has done a great work in the Pagadian area and has asked me to return there several times. I am planning for my time there to include one Lord’s Day so that I can meet with as many area churches as possible and encourage their continued work of faith.

In recent years, I have given special emphasis to the work in the Visayas and especially on Cebu. By several measures, Cebu City is the most modern and rapidly advancing city in the Philippines. Many foreign companies are flocking to establish businesses there and the population is rapidly increasing. Several churches have been established in and around Cebu City and on other parts of the island. My plan is to preach at two or three of those congregations as well as having a class with the men on more effective reading of the Scripture.

The island of Leyte has also been a part of our efforts in several past trips, but I have not visited there lately. Toward the end of my last trip, I received word of very destructive landslides that affected many brethren there. Fortunately, I had some extra funds from individuals to use as I thought best, so it was put toward those needs. The brethren were very thankful for the help extended and again requested that I return to help edify the congregations on that island.

The last area of work being planned is on the main northern island of Luzon. Lordy Salunga and I plan to fly from Cebu to Angeles City where we will have a day-and-a-half given to lectures for preachers in the area to cover material on early Church History and the beginning departure towards Catholicism. After that, I plan to give a day in Manila working with Willey Otey Pastor and the very large work being done in the prisons there. The Lord willing, brethren Atoy Franco and Kenneth Pastor will accompany us and we will be allowed into both the Medium and Maximum Security sections as well as the Evaluation Section to preach. Good relations with the prison guards have developed giving us the opportunity to preach the gospel to them as well.

During my recent trips, ten to twelve Filipino brethren have accompanied me at various times to help in the work and become familiar with those who would need follow-up teaching. Though I understand it is expensive to take this number of men along (paying expenses for lodging, food and transportation), that is the most effective and economical way for the work to be done in the long run. These efforts must foster teamwork if they are to bear lasting results. Our Filipino brethren do not have the means to open the new doors of opportunity that we can help to open. American brethren do not have the ability to provide sufficient follow-up teaching to bring lasting results in this work. But as we labor together, doing what each can do in planting and watering, God is giving the increase. Brethren, please understand that I know you are also an essential partner in this work as you provide the financial support, prayers and encouragement that make this work possible.

Since I will be the only American on this trip, I estimate that it will cost about $9000. Since my last trip had no excess to help towards this effort, I will need to raise that entire sum. As usual, the 84^th Street church here in Oklahoma City will again provide $2500 towards the amount needed. That leaves a balance of $6500 needed for this effort. If you or the church where you are is able to help meet the needs for this trip, I would be very grateful.

While in the Philippines, I try to keep those who have an interest in the work informed about how the funds are being used and the work that is being done. Daily reports on the work are sent out to my e-mail list whenever possible and a daily posting with pictures is available on this blog. If you do not want to receive the updates, please let me know and I will leave your name off. Every effort is made to keep people involved and informed about the progress and challenges faced in our efforts. If you receive this notice from someone else, but would like to receive the updates, please send me a post (harryrosborne@live.com) requesting the "Philippine Updates" and I will gladly add your name for all future trips. If possible, please pass this request along to others you think may be interested in this work. Thank you again for your kind consideration of this request. Your prayers for this effort would be greatly appreciated. May the Lord bless you as you strive to serve Him.

Brotherly,

Harry Osborne

More on the Prison Visit

On March 11, I was able to visit Willey Otey Pastor in the prison facility where he is being held. The charges against him would not even be possible in the US as it was a clear case of self-defense against an armed person entering into his home with the clear intent to harm the family. Willey did the only he could do and was initially cleared. However, when political considerations and the power of political interests entered into the matter, Willey was unjustly imprisoned. Despite the injustice of the situation, Willey has not focused on the wrong done to him, but on his obligation to spread the gospel where he is. I wanted to write an additional report about his work now that I have received pictures of the visit that were cleared by the prison officials. Willey’s brother, Kenneth who is serving as the main coordinator of the prison work, was allowed a camera to take limited pictures during our visit.

We met in the Catholic chapel at the prison facility because they have opened their chapel to the brethren for services without precondition. They were denied use of the “Protestant chapel” by the Protestant chaplain because of Willey and Kenneth’s teaching of truth regarding the church and the plan of salvation. Before being allowed the indoor facility, Willey was teaching under some trees in the compound, regardless of weather.

To this point, there are 30 baptized believers gathering in the Maximum Security section of the prison and another 30 that have just begun meeting in the Medium Security section. Willey is meeting with brethren in a small section of the prison that serves to evaluate incoming inmates before they are permanently housed in one of the main sections of varying security levels. About 15 or so baptized brethren were meeting with Willey at the time of our visit in that evaluation section. Please understand that these men in all three sections have been converted to Christ as a result of Willey’s working with them as they have come through the intake section where incoming inmates stay for about 15 days. (Willey has been assigned to this section permanently with a job of helping in the medical section.)

When I asked Willey what he intends to do after his release, his answer was immediate: “I feel a responsibility to stay and help in this new work!” It is very possible that Willey may be released within the next few months and then there will be a need for some help in support to make his continued work possible in that area. At least for some time, Willey will need to maintain his place in the province where his family can live and where he will spend time working with the church there as well. However, Willey will need some additional help for traveling funds between Manila and his home province as well as funds to live while in Manila. As I can well attest, Manila is much more expensive to live in than are the provinces well removed from Manila. If you would like to have fellowship with Willey in this work, please let me know and I will put you in contact through Willey’s wife or Kenneth Pastor.

Please remember Willey and his family in your prayers daily! There are no words to express what pictures would clearly show if I was allowed to show them regarding his conditions. Yet, Willey’s attitude is very good and his concentration is on the work of the Lord that needs to be done as he is openly thankful for his living circumstances which could have been far worse in one of the permanent sections of the prison. He and his family have my greatest admiration and respect as they go through their trials. Please join me in praying daily that God will deliver them all very soon from this difficult and dangerous time!

Brotherly, Harry O.

Last Day (Hopefully) in Manila

My Sunday was not nearly as busy as I anticipated. Instead of preaching at two congregations, I only preached at one. My voice is still not back to full strength, so it is probably best that arrangements could not be made at multiple places. Most congregations in the area meet at 7am or 8am. It is hard to get to those very distant ones at an early hour. The congregations closest to here are the congregation at the prison where Willey Pastor is and the congregation very near that where Elijah Sikat and Atoy Franco labor. Since permission could not be obtained on short notice to preach at the prison, I worship with the other congregation.

The Southville 3 church meets in the home of Lucio Centeno and his family in Muntinlupe City. The home is in the middle of a densely populated section that seems very migratory. Just feet from their meeting place are open air markets for meats, fish, fruits and other things. The streets are very narrow with each dwelling sharing a wall with those on either side as well as being very close to the ones behind. While preaching, a number of people outside stopped to hear because of it being a foreigner. I preached in the same place several years ago and noticed the same thing. The home is a simple concrete block structure measuring no more than 10 feet by 12 feet. We had 14 meeting there today. Three were visitors who have not obeyed the gospel, but had been invited by Lucio to come for the service. I preached on “Who Can Call God ‘Father’?” from 1 Peter 1:17-25. It was an extended first principles lesson because Elijah had to translate sentence-for-sentence into Tagalog since the audience did not speak English. The brethren said they believe the visitors understood the lesson and a door was opened to further teach. They asked if I could come back for a meeting of two or three days to help evangelize that community by preaching at the public government area.

For lunch, I took Elijah and Atoy out to a KFC at a mall on the way back. We talked some about the work that had been done in the area since I had last been there and of their plans for future work. Atoy reminded me of the funds provided for song books when I last came there. I had forgotten about it, but the song books they had printed were very good. Both Elijah and Atoy are very diligent and zealous in the Lord’s work. It is a joy to work with them. After returning to the hotel, I worked on future sermons to put in PowerPoint that I have used over here when I only had a blackboard with which to illustrate.

I was able to go online to Delta and check-in for the flight tomorrow. That was encouraging as it shows their plans are still for the flight to go as scheduled. Please pray that the flight will be allowed to go as planned. The unexpected extension has been both expensive and exasperating. I am very ready to be home! Thanks again for all who have helped make this effort possible.

Brotherly, Harry O.