Lord's Day in Pasay & Bilibid Prison - 6 Responses

We began the day with Lord’s Day services together with the new congregation at Pasay. We had a very good number of visitors and many were first time visitors. (Rody and the other brethren will follow-up with each one.) I preached in the Bible class hour on “Confusing the Issue” from Luke 10. We noted that the lawyer asked the question regarding what one must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus responded by asking him what the law said. The lawyer correctly answered about the demands of the law showing he could clearly understand it. However, to justify himself, he tried to bring confusion as to who was considered his “neighbor.” We noted that many use a similar tactic to confuse the plain demands of the gospel regarding moral living, the one true church and a variety of doctrinal teachings, including the plan of salvation. We had some good discussion afterwards.

Rody presented a brief lesson from a printed tarp on “Know the Truth.” It covered some very basic points and was delivered in the Tagalog dialect which is the native language for the visitors. They seemed to receive it well and several expressed a desire for further study.

In the last hour, I taught an abbreviated form of a lesson entitled “Create in Me a Clean Heart” from Psalm 51. It dealt with the need for true repentance as well as what it involves. We also briefly touch on the way that “new heart” is created after we banish the old heart – by study of God’s word and letting it take the guidance in our lives.

In the afternoon, we again traveled to Muntilupa for more work in the New Bilibid Prison. We first went for a short visit in the Maximum Security unit where we met with those in charge of religious services and guaranteed a place and time for the Christians in that unit to meet every week. Security was extremely tight to enter this facility with a pat down that even surpassed the TSA searches in our country. We then proceeded to the Medium Security prison where I preached first on “Who Is Your Master – Who Do You Serve?”

Rody preached (again in Tagalog) on “Entering the Church” for the final lesson. An invitation was extended and 6 came to confess their faith and be baptized into Christ. We again rejoiced at their decisions. It was an added joy to see Willie Pastor there after he received special permission to join us at a facility other than his own.

 

I awoke during last night feeling somewhat ill. Having fought it all day, I plan to get to bed as soon as I send off this report. This kind of illness usually hits me for at least one day of each trip, so I hope to be at full strength to start tomorrow’s schedule. Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.

Gospel Meeting with New Congregation in Pasay

Today’s schedule was a one-day gospel meeting with the new congregation in Pasay. Brother Rody Gumpad and numerous brethren in the Manila area have wanted a congregation to be started in this vital area because it is easily accessible to central Manila and the business district. Literally millions of people live and work in this area. Rody has found a very accessible and functional place with room to accommodate about 70 to 80 people for services and at a very good rate for that area. Today’s attendance was 43 people.

After several songs and a prayer, I preached on “God’s Use of the Prophets to Speak His Word,” a lesson on the verbal inspiration of the Scripture and its implications. Lordy Salunga joined us in the work, teaching on the “Restoration of the New Testament Church.” Both lessons were received well by the audience with good interest and attention demonstrated by all. After lunch, I gave a final sermon on “Salvation and Saul” which focused on the place of water baptism in the gospel plan of salvation. An invitation was extended at the close of the service, but there were no visible responses.

There was a question/answer period after the lessons where one man who had previously “been baptized” again demonstrated his growing doubts due to a failure to grow in God’s word and an over-dependence on his own ideas (mostly in conflict with clearly revealed truth). We continue to pray that he will humble himself and return to a reverence of God and respect for His revealed will. His argumentative questions did make it evident how clear God’s word is in answering the doubts coming from a lack of faith and a rejection of God’s simple truth in favor of human speculation and compromise. In an odd way, his growing lack of faith spurred a greater faith in God’s truth on the part of those opening their hearts to the simplicity of truth. We trust God’s word will have its intended effect and not return unto Him void.

55 Baptized into Christ at New Bilibid Prison

Rody Gumpad, Atoy Franco, Ely Ebuanga and Larry Ebuanga again picked me up and we proceeded to Muntinlupa for the last day of the gospel meeting at the New Bilibid prison. There were 142 present for today’s lectures.

Again today, we began with singing and a prayer before the lesson. I preached on “Why Baptism?” and Rody Gumpad did the interpreting. We had a thorough study of the New Testament’s teaching about the nature and purpose of baptism in the gospel of Christ. Common errors of the religious world about baptism were examined and contrasted with the word of God. The audience was attentive and receptive to the teaching, often answering questions that showed a correct understanding of the points being made.

Rody Gumpad then gave some words of exhortation in Tagalog ending with the extension of an invitation for people to obey the gospel. Though it was clear from comments over the three days of the meeting that several were considering obedience, we were still surprised at the number who responded to confess Christ and be baptized – 55 souls! As I understood it, that number included the 6 who confessed Christ on Wednesday, but were awaiting the permission of the prison to have access to a place where they could be baptized. So, those 6 plus 49 others were baptized at a trough in the laundry area immediately after the service. We rejoiced with the angels in heaven at this wonderful response!

This response was the result of the diligent work by Willie and Kenneth Pastor in preparing these hearts, doing so much teaching of the truth, and showing godly examples of the gospel being lived before these people daily. Both are doing a great work, but the increased number of Christians has presented a challenge that requires the help of others.

The newly approved permit for meeting and work being done in the prison has actually extended the number of facilities opened to faithful brethren beyond what was previously allowed. The meetings over the last three days have been at the RDC facility which is the intake part of the prison. From that facility, inmates are assigned to one of the three main parts of the prison: (1) Maximum Security, (2) Medium Security, or (3) Minimum Security. Willie Pastor can only help in the RDF facility where he is confined. This gives him access to teach the gospel to all as they are entering the prison system.

Kenneth Pastor is helping Willie in the RDC unit and meeting with the Christians each week in Medium Security where the vast majority of those baptized have been assigned after being converted during intake at the RDC facility. (About 90% of those baptized today are scheduled for transfer to the Medium Security prison.) Though the permit for meeting grants the right for work in all of the facilities, there has been no one able to help in either the Maximum or Minimum Security areas. So, there is an immediate need for some brethren in the Manila area to help in these areas as well.

When Kenneth presented this problem to those of us helping in this effort over the last three days, he noted that the permit secured allows an additional 5 men to work in these facilities. The additional men are needed for the permit to be automatically renewed by assuring that meetings will take place each week in all facilities. By the first of March, he would like to have this help secured.

Ely Ebuanga committed to help and to encourage his three sons and one son-in-law, all of whom preach, to help by meeting each week with the other areas of the prison. The problem is that these brethren will need funds for travel by bus, jeepney or other means to get to the prison. To provide for 4 of those 5 to come each week and help in the other facilities, our estimate of the cost is a total of $350 per month. If anyone is able to help with this urgent need, whether in part or the whole, please let me know and I will put you in touch with brother Ely so that we can get these meetings started as soon as possible.

As always, I am more thankful than words can express for the help provided by so many good brethren allowing me to participate in this very fruitful work! May God bless each of you for your work in His service.

Thursday at Bilibid Prison

The same brethren as yesterday (Rody Gumpad, Atoy Franco, Ely Ebuanga and Larry Ebuanga) accompanied me for the second day of the gospel meeting at the Bilibid prison. There were 167 present for today’s lectures.

After a song and opening prayer, I preached on “Repentance & the Changed Life” with Willie Pastor interpreting. We began by showing the meaning of “repentance” by letting the Bible define the term itself from several passages. After showing the meaning of repentance, we discussed the change in life that will accompany one who repents. Three areas were examined specifically: (1) ceasing all use of alcohol and other drugs, (2) abstaining from all sexual immorality and (3) stopping all involvement in gambling.

Rody Gumpad then gave a lesson on “The Destiny of Our Life” identifying the different conditions in which one may find himself during life and the eternal result of those conditions. Rody spoke in Tagalog and was very well received by the audience. Since all of the time was used for teaching, no invitation was offered as we planned to finish teaching tomorrow on “Why Baptism?”

We returned to the hotel as quickly as possible so I could meet Jack Jaco there to deliver help sent to him by some brethren in the U.S. who asked me to serve as the messenger. It was good to see him and Adel.

Wednesday at Bilibid Prison

The trip to the Philippines had several challenges this time. The flight from Oklahoma City to Detroit was progressing well for an early arrival up until we were about 20 feet from the ground. At that point, the pilot took us back up because the plane landing before us got stuck on the runway due to the heavy snow and ice.

By the time we landed and got to the gate, it was only 10 minutes until the boarding time for the flight to Tokyo – leaving from another terminal. Since the board listed that flight as “on time,” I ran to the other terminal and made it to the gate just before boarding began. However, due to delays in several connecting flights, we sat on the plane for almost 2 hours before we took off for Tokyo. That led to another fast run through security checks and to the gate for the Manila flight – already boarding when I arrived.

Maybe it was all of the excitement in close connections, but I got very little sleep on the flights. My hope for a good night’s sleep at the hotel was not realized due to my air conditioner going out soon after I arrived. Needless to say, I am hoping for better luck tonight.

[An added note from Thursday morning: This hotel stay has turned into a comedy of errors if not an exercise in total exasperation. The air conditioning problem was still not fixed at my return yesterday. Despite visits from 3 maintenance men, two engineers and a duty manager assuring me that everything was fine, the temperature remained over 80. After two additional room changes, both having the exact same problem, I got into a room late last night and quickly passed out! Needless to say, this place will not be in my future plans.]

Rody Gumpad, Atoy Franco, Ely Ebuanga and Larry Ebuanga met me a little before 11am to make the trip down to the New Bilibid prison in Muntinlupa. We had an excellent attendance of somewhere between 120 and 130 – more than had been anticipated. I preached on Salvation & the Seed of the Gospel from 1 Peter 1:22-25. Rody summarized that lesson in Tagalog, then preached one on “The Bible & the Church of Christ” (in Tagalog).

After Rody was finished, I spoke for a few minutes from 1 Corinthians 4:16-17 showing that all of the churches taught the same thing in New Testament times. We noted the fact that the same statement cannot be made of the various churches today. The churches of the denominational world are not merely local churches in different areas that all teach the same thing. They are different organizations teaching very different doctrines. For the existing religious division to be replaced with unity, men must leave the doctrines and practices of human origin and return to the simple doctrine of Christ. Willie Pastor summarized this plea as we asked the audience to consider the need for all to obey the gospel of Christ without any addition or subtraction.

 

The meeting for today ended with Kenneth Pastor extending an invitation and six responding to confess faith in Christ. As the prison must give permission for water to be put in the trough where people can be baptized, we have asked for approval as soon as possible. Several more came after the service and said they were giving serious consideration to obeying the gospel as well. We hope that more responses will come over the next two days.

One final piece of good news – final approval for the churches in the various prisons to meet with approval of the officials was given final approval! We are thankful for this good outcome and for the prayers of so many of you seeking God’s help in this matter!

Death Toll Passes 1000 in Philippine Typhoon

The grim toll from a typhoon that devastated southern Philippines earlier this month continues to climb, with 1,020 reported dead as of Sunday morning, authorities said. Officials fear the toll from the December 4 storm will rise further. Because while rescue crews continue searching, the chances of finding people alive dim with each passing day.

With 844 still missing and 1.2 million families displaced, Bopha (called "Pablo" in the Philippines) is the strongest and deadliest storm to hit the Philippines this year, according to the country's emergency management agency. Among the missing are hundreds of fishermen who went to sea before the storm hit. Officials hope that they could yet be found sheltering on small islands out at sea.

If the death toll continues to rise, Bopha could eventually prove deadlier than Tropical Storm Washi, which killed 1,268 people a year ago.

The worst of the death and destruction from Bopha took place on the southern island of Mindanao, where the storm hit first and hardest with gusts as strong as 220 kph (138 mph). The storm, known locally as Pablo, was the most powerful typhoon to hit Mindanao in decades. It set off flash floods and landslides that engulfed people sheltering in their rickety houses in remote, unprepared regions of the island.

20 Member of New Bataan Church Killed in Typhoon

The following message is from Connie Balbin who lives in Davao:

Initial Report: We just arrived home after the lectureship of brother Ron in Gensan. We have contacted the preacher of the small local church of the New Bataan, Compostela Valley; where the most greatly affected and majority of deaths are there. The preacher, brother Jerry Lindaan, went to Gensan to inform us personally. About 20 members of the church were killed not by the Strong winds of the typhoon but with the unexpected flash floods that washed out the entire New Bataan place. The preacher's house survived although barely because their roof was gone and flown away. Father wanted to go tomorrow, with my brother Sonni, to Moncayo, Compostela Valley to check the brethren there also. It is extremely difficult to go the New Bataan for now because of the foul smell that surrounds the place possible caused by the rotten corpses.

Update on Typhoon Aftermath (12/13/12)

I got the following message today from Connie (C.B.) Balbin who lives in Davao:

This past days very hard for us to know the situation of the brethren affected because the communications there were down. Must go there personally to survey the situation but based on the News, one of the municipality was wiped out literally. Just last night we have somewhat established little communication with the affected brethren and the news was very bad. With my father we desire to go there as soonn as possible God willing if we could immediately repair our old van and have some financial budget.

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The following is a news report from the area:

The death toll from the destructive typhoon that savaged the southern Philippines last week has climbed above 700, authorities said Tuesday, warning that the final number may be much higher.

Nearly 900 people are still unaccounted for in the aftermath of Typhoon Bopha, the strongest and deadliest storm to hit the Philippines this year, according to the country's emergency management agency.

The numbers of dead and missing have risen drastically during the past several days as government officials have gathered information from isolated areas where the scale of the devastation was previously unknown.

Both of the grim totals are likely to increase further this week, said Benito Ramos, head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the emergency agency. Search and rescue efforts are continuing, he said, despite the declining chances of finding people alive.

"We are still hoping against hope that there are still survivors," he said by telephone, adding that some of the hundreds of fishermen reported missing after the storm could yet be found sheltering on small islands out at sea.

If only a few of those missing are found alive, Bopha could eventually prove more deadly than Tropical Storm Washi, which killed 1,268 people a year ago. But its toll would still remain far below that of Tropical Storm Thelma, the country's most lethal storm on record that left more than 5,000 people dead in 1991.

The worst of the death and destruction from Bopha took place on the southern island of Mindanao, where the storm hit first and hardest with gusts as strong as 220 kph (138 mph). In the provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, the heavy rain set off flash floods and landslides that engulfed whole neighborhoods, and the winds ripped apart fragile houses.

Many residents were unprepared or unaware of the typhoon's threat to the region, which rarely experiences tropical cyclones of such magnitude. Bopha, known locally as Pablo, was the most powerful typhoon to hit Mindanao in decades.

Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental account for the vast majority of the 714 people killed and for most of the 890 still missing nationwide. A week after the typhoon struck, survivors there are facing many obstacles to rebuilding their lives.

Hundreds of thousands of people are living in evacuation centers or relying on the government for other kinds of assistance, according to the national emergency agency.

"During the daytime, they stand along the side of the road, they ask for food," said Arlo Ramos, a relief worker in the region for World Vision, a humanitarian group.

At night, they sleep in small, makeshift shelters cobbled together out of bits of wood and canvas scavenged from the debris, he added.

In New Bataan, the town at the heart of the devastation, dead bodies are still being found and lined up in an open space in front of an evacuation center, according to Arlo Ramos.

When aid workers or government officials arrive in the town, he said, residents crowd around them, hoping to get the food or water they desperately need, he said.

The region's prospects for longer term recovery are also bleak, since the storm laid waste to a great deal of the agricultural land on which many residents rely for their livelihood.

"Farming communities have been the worst hit and it could take many years for them to fully recover," said Paul del Rosario, the humanitarian program coordinator for the charity Oxfam.

The United Nations has announced a global appeal to try to raise $65 million to help those affected by the storm. And Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, who visited New Bataan and other severely affected areas last week, has declared a state of national calamity, which releases emergency funds and puts price controls on basic goods.

Reuters Article on Typhoon Aftermath

(Reuters) - Isolated communities in the Philippines including hill tribes are facing hunger a week after a typhoon struck, and with roads blocked, supplies will have to be dropped by air, authorities said on Tuesday.

Typhoon Bopha has killed a presently confirmed total of 714 people and caused crop damage worth 10.3 billion pesos ($250 million) when it hit on Tuesday last week. Over 900 people are unaccounted for and about 2,000 were injured, the national disaster agency said.

The most intense storm to hit the disaster-prone Philippines this year wiped out communities near the coast in the southern provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. But villages inland were also hard hit by floods and landslides and many are cut off. The Philippines has asked for help from allies and the private sector to get help in by air.

"Their food is fast dwindling, their roads are blocked by fallen trees and boulders and it will not be long before everyone in these upland villages will go hungry," Manggob Masinaring, a member of a mountain tribe and a volunteer relief worker, told reporters. [Those areas are home to numerous brethren who have obeyed the gospel as a result of work done by brethren in Digos and Davao – HRO]

Compounding the problem was that the source of water for many villages had been blocked or polluted by mud and debris. "The streams, which are their only source of water, are too murky for drinking," Masinaring said.

International agencies including the Red Cross and World Food Programme have appealed for nearly $100 million for food and shelter for 5.4 million people affected by the typhoon. Nearly 400,000 people lost their homes and farms.

Major-General Ariel Bernardo, the army division commander in the south, said food and other supplies would have to be dropped by helicopter to the most isolated communities, including hill tribes, who had yet to be reached.

Stephen Anderson, country director for the World Food Programme in the Philippines, said help had to be delivered fast to communities that had lost everything -- homes, crops and all "productive assets".

"These people are extremely vulnerable ... it's a race against time," Anderson told Reuters.

The Philippines had asked the United States if it could de help with its ships, planes and helicopters, said Benito Ramos, executive director of the national disaster agency. Britain had offered to send two heavy-lift helicopters, he said. Private companies and individuals were also being asked to help with their helicopters.

About 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, often causing death and destruction. Almost exactly a year ago, typhoon Washi killed nearly 1,500 people in Mindanao, but most storms make landfall further north.

Typhoon Bopha (Pablo) Hits Philippines

On Tuesday (12/4/12), the very powerful typhoon Bopha (called “Pablo” in the Philippines) came into southern Mindanao. Though the Philippines is hit by over twenty typhoons each year on average, it is very rare for strong typhoons to hit southern Mindanao. This one is reported to be the strongest in over 20 years with sustained winds of over 100mph.

Current reports are that over 500 people are confirmed dead with several hundred more being missing and feared dead. One report I read from area media said that unofficial estimate suggest the fatalities may actually be between 1500 to 2000 or more. Serious injuries from the storm are likewise growing as officials are able to access these remote areas. Many brethren live in the mountainous region north of Davao where the storm brought devastating winds and floods. At this time, no communication has been possible to know if any of our brethren lost their lives in the storm. Please keep them in your prayers.

Besides fatalities and bodily injury, the storm has left over 310,000 without homes as of the last report. Reports from two days ago put the number of people in public shelters at about 250,000. Food, water and medical supplies are in very short supply. Often, the number of deaths from disease after one of these storms equals or exceeds the number killed by the storm itself.

The Lord willing, I will update this blog with news about the needs of our brethren in the Philippines when it becomes available. Thank you for your love and concern shown to our brothers and sisters in Christ during this time of calamity. As of this writing, there was fear that the storm would impact the Philippines again in Ilocos Norte on the northwestern end of Luzon.