Tuesday and Wednesday in Tuguegarao

 Tuesday was a long day of teaching for me. The morning class on Old Testament Survey covered the Psalms. We looked at the different kinds of psalms in the collection, taking a brief look at as many as we could within the time. We also looked at using the psalms in our meditations and devotional periods to bring our thoughts to focus on spiritual matters through the day. In the Old Testament Prophets class, I made a mistake and covered Zephaniah, Habakkuk and Obadiah which I had scheduled to teach on Wednesday. Though taken out of order, the students seemed to enjoy the look at material new to them.

 

What is normally the last class of the day turned out to be the next to last class for me on Tuesday. The Church History class focused on John Calvin’s part in the Reformation and the errors it popularized. We specifically examined the Bible’s teaching on God’s sovereignty, the free will of man, predestination (or foreordination), and the extent of Christ’s atonement. After that class, another one was added to teach the students how to use Bible lands maps. We looked at the different kinds of maps in their study Bible and Bible dictionary. I also had them go through some map exercises and they were very quick to catch on.

 

My Wednesday morning began as most have throughout the past week and a half. John and Nanette Carino met me at the restaurant in our hotel for the breakfast provided each morning. It has been a true joy to be with them each day!

 

The OT Survey class for the day examined the book of Proverbs. We noted the various types of proverbs and read an example or two of each type. We then saw the overall composition of the book. The OT Prophets class went back and overviewed the books of Hosea, Micah and Nahum. The study of the prophets has turned out to be of special interest to this group of young men and several preachers in the area have also come to take advantage of the studies. The Church History class surveyed the English Reformation. We looked at the part the English translations of the Scripture had in driving that Reformation as well as the martyrs blood that paved its path.

 

Our mid-week service immediately followed the end of the classes at 6pm. We had a lesson from one of the students and I gave a short lesson from Hebrews 11:17-19. It was good to see the local brethren again and tell them “goodbye” since we will not be here on Sunday. Many of them have become good friends in the 20 years I have been coming here.

 

Please know that I appreciate more than words can express your interest in this work and your prayers on our behalf. Please continue to pray that all will continues to go well with our studies.

Last Week Begins

 

Our Sunday started much like those at home. Jonathan again took the Bible study period, teaching on the identity and characteristics of the church we read about in the New Testament. During the morning worship, I was asked to preach and took the words of David from 1 Samuel 17, “Is There Not a Cause?” as a sermon on the need for us to have courage and stand against assaults on

God’s will regarding the family, the church and our individual lives.

 

Sunday afternoon and evening was spent reading, studying and preparing for classes this week. I was even able to get to bed by 10pm which is a real luxury while involved in this work!

 

Monday started the last week of the classes for training these young men. They had already been in these studies for two weeks before Jonathan and I came, so this is their fourth and final week of the classes. The Old Testament Survey class covered the book of Job this morning. The first afternoon class was the Old Testament Prophets class and we overviewed the prophets Joel, Jonah and Amos. Whether it was the subjects covered or the fact that the students are becoming comfortable with us teaching, they really seemed to come alive more today as they responded more and seemed to be grasping things much better.

 

The last class of the day was Church History in which we began to deal with the Reformation period. We looked at the parts played in that movement by John Wycliffe, Jan Huss, Desiderius Erasmus, Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. The class was very interested in the study as they had never heard of this period and we continued with a discussion of the points covered with Rody stepping in to help further explain the points in their dialect.

 

Once more, please let me extend my thanks for your interest and prayers on our behalf and your help in making this effort possible. God bless!

First Week Over

 Friday was another very full day of classes. The Old Testament Survey class was an overview of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. At the end of the class, we made some practical applications of how all of these were prepared for God to use them for good, and He did use them in His cause for good. We noted the need we all have to prepare ourselves for the Master’s use and then have faith to allow Him to use us as He wills.

 

The afternoon class on OT Prophets studied a summary of the book of Daniel. We noted some brief points about the nature of apocalyptic literature. We also emphasized the faith and courage demonstrated by Daniel and the fact that it was sustained over a very long period of time.

 

The Church History class focused on the apostasy moving towards the development of Roman Catholicism in the west and the Orthodox Church in the east. We also examined numerous early opponents of the papacy. I am always amazed at the vast difference between the first century church in the New Testament in comparison to the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches and the vast variety of denominationalism.

 

My Saturday has been a full day of preparing materials for next week’s classes and the sermon tomorrow. It always amazes me that I am constantly busy during these classes, though I have taught them all before. Bible study is always a fresh effort and full of new treasures to find every time regardless of how many times one has studied the same material before.

 

Thank you for your continued interest in this work. Please keep us all in your prayers.

Tuguegarao Classes - Days 3 & 4

Wednesday was a busy day for our classes. We covered 1^st and 2^nd Kings in the morning OT Survey class. We took more time focusing on the reigns of Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam of Israel, Ahab of Israel, Hezekiah, Josiah and the work of Elijah. We had to move quickly to get through the overview, but the students seemed very attentive. My first afternoon class covered Jeremiah and Lamentations. We had a brief overview of the books and then looked at some of the highlights of each. This is the students first exposure to the Prophets, so they seem to be especially receptive to this study. In the Church History class, we looked at the growth in apostasy from the third century onward. We focused on the effects of the councils from the fourth to the eighth centuries, starting with the Nicaean council in 325.

On Wednesday evening, the Metro congregation in Tuguegarao has a regular midweek service. After the usual singing and prayer, one of the students, Sonny, brought the lesson, “What Is Sin?” After some discussion of the lesson, I was asked to give a short lesson of encouragement which I took from Hebrews 10:23-25. After an invitation by Rody, a couple of other songs and a prayer, we were dismissed. After eating at the Gumpad’s home, we did not get back to the hotel until after 9pm. Since I needed to study and prepared for the next day’s classes, it was quite late when I finally got to bed.

Thursday turned out to be an easier day for me. When I arrived to teach my first class, I found out that the students were very sleepy. They had an exam to gauge their progress in the training after the Wednesday night service. After the exam, they had told Rody that they were having a hard time sleeping and asked for some over-the-counter sleeping aid which they took about 10:30pm. As it turned out, the effects lasted longer than their wake-up time, so they were dragging. I decided to shorten the morning Old Testament Survey class on 1^stand 2^nd Chronicles, so we covered the material a bit more briefly than I had planned. I also shortened my late afternoon Church History class that dealt with the rise of Catholicism and papal power so the students could get a little more rest. My early afternoon class on OT Prophets covered the book of Ezekiel.

Willie Otey Pastor and his wife, Kathy, were unable to come for a visit yesterday as they had planned, but were able to come today. It was great to see them and we were able to take several breaks in the schedule to talk and catch up on their work and family. I love both of them dearly and greatly respect them for all they have endured while handling it with faith and steadfast service to the Lord and their brethren.

 

Thanks again for your interest in this work and your prayers on our behalf. Please continue to pray for this effort.

 

Brotherly, Harry

 

Classes Begin

 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

Work Starts Again in the Philippines (4/17/22)

 Greetings to all from the Philippines! This report will not have much in the way of pictures accompanying since we will not start the classes until tomorrow.

The flights over to the Philippines this time was worse than ever before. Turbulence was rough between Oklahoma City and Atlanta, but nothing like it was from there to Seoul, South Korea. From the time we were off of the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula until we landed in Korea, it was a rough ride. It was also my first time to fly on Korean Airlines. The plane was hot for the entire trip – probably somewhere in the mid 80’s and I was sweating the whole way. Add to that the fact that wearing a mask was required for the full 15+ hours of the flight and it all produce a truly miserable experience. I could never get comfortable enough to sleep, so it made the trip seem to last forever. By the time we arrived in Manila, I was ready to get to the hotel, take a shower and crash in bed.

When I woke up on Friday morning, I went to eat breakfast and returned to my room to sleep again. Since it was my only free day, I got as much sleep in as possible. The next morning started with a 3am wake up so I could be at the airport by 4am for a 6am flight to Tuguegarao. John and Nanette Carino met me at the airport for the same flight. Though our flight was delayed, we made it safely to Tuguegarao at about 8am. Rody and Tessie met us and took us to the hotel. After a nap, I got started reviewing my charts for the Sunday sermon and getting things organized for the classes to start on Monday. John and Nanette met me at the hotel café where we ate supper together and had a good time catching up after two and a half years of being separated due to Covid.

Today, John taught in the Bible class period on “Necessary Inference in Establishing Authority.” It was an excellent lesson and especially good for the preacher training students to hear. In the assembly, I preached a lesson on “Claim-Power-Proof” dealing with the purpose and duration of miraculous action. There was good interest shown by all, but no visible responses to the invitation. The rest of my day has been spent in concentration on preparations for 4 hours of classes each day plus some teaching in the evening assembly to include time for a lesson given by one of the students each night. 

 

Please keep the classes, students and instructors in your prayers that the cause of our Lord might be built up. 

 

 

Stranded in Manila

Friday, Nov. 22, 2019

When our travels started on Wednesday from Masbate, we made it to Manila and expected to get to Tuguegarao by that afternoon. We were supposed to start lectures there on Thursday going through Friday. On Saturday, we were scheduled to fly back to Manila where we would stay the night before Jonathan and I would preach at the Pasay congregation on Sunday. However, all of that got changed on us while awaiting the flight to Tuguegarao.

While waiting for boarding our plane to Tuguegarao on Wednesday, a typhoon was moving through Tuguegarao and the flight was canceled. All preparations had already been made, so Rody held a gospel meeting yesterday in my place. Rody reported on Wednesday that many visitors from all around Luzon had already arrived in Tuguegarao despite worsening weather from the typhoon.  (He may be continuing the meeting today, but I have not heard anything about results yet.)

When the flight was canceled, Jonathan, Nanette and I sat down and called Rody to get the news to him as quickly as possible. We then went over our options for travel and work. I had under-estimated the costs we would have as prices have risen far more than I thought, so I had no funds available for arranging additional lectures, nor could we have arranged any on such short notice. Jonathan had work he needed to do in the Bicol region in scouting a venue for a meeting there next month, so he left to do that. I looked up prices for hotels near the meeting place in Pasay and found a very good deal for three nights to extend the reservation I already had prepaid for Saturday. Then I will move to another hotel near the airport that I had prepaid until my departure Tuesday, the Lord willing.

In the meantime, I am stuck in Manila waiting to preach at Pasay on Sunday. Leslie tried to work from home to get me a flight home on Saturday, but it would have taken a very large extra cost that I could not justify. So, I will be here until Tuesday for my scheduled flight home, the Lord willing. I have gotten some rest, done a great deal of reading, and have worked on future lessons. Tomorrow, I hope to get charts ready for my Sunday preaching, the Lord willing. Sitting here with nothing to do for three days is a new experience for me in the Philippines, but it also is nice to get more rest than normal. However, I am really looking forward to being home to Leslie and the brethren in OKC. Thanks again for all of your support and prayers. God bless!

Lectures in Masbate City

Today’s venue was at the second flood of a small retail store in the provincial capital of Masbate City. We had 63 in attendance and they showed great interest in the studies. A large number of young people who had already been baptized brought some of their friends to hear the gospel. As I understood it, about 12 older people who were not Christians were also present to hear. One of the men present was a Baptist preacher.

We began about 9am with a lesson of “Foundations of Faith.” The study started with giving evidence for the existence of God, then giving evidence of the Bible as His word, and then showed that the gospel of Christ reveals the will of God for all people today. Jonathan followed that with a lesson showing that we are not under the law of Moses today, but under the gospel of Christ. I then gave a very short summary lesson from 1 Peter 1:22-25 to show that the gospel taught in the first century is the gospel which “lives and abides forever” and is able to “purify our souls through obedience to the truth.”

After lunch, we considered the topic of “Salvation & Saul” to see at what point Saul was saved from his sins. The Scripture clearly shows that it was not at the point of faith only on the road to Damascus, at the point of repentance and prayer, at the point of a personal appearance of Jesus, or at the point of a miracle being worked. Instead, a complete look at the chapters in Acts relating Paul’s conversion (Acts 9, 22 and 26) as well as the epistles show it was at the point of baptism that Paul was saved from his sins by the blood of Christ. Jonathan then finished the day’s study with a lesson on “Obedience: The Place of Faith, Grace and Works.” The lesson showed very clearly that all have a part in our salvation.

 After that lesson, an invitation was extended for any who wanted to obey the gospel, but there was no visible response. We finished the day with a question and answer session. The Baptist preacher made two attempts at a response, but both turned out as great opportunities to further clarify the truth regarding the gospel plan of salvation. One lady asked about the Ten Commandment law and the Sabbath and Jonathan’s response fully satisfied her. The audience was very expressive of their thanks for the study and several wanted continued studies. The Baptist preacher spoke with me afterwards and stated a desire to further study at a future opportunity for such a gathering. In all, it was a very good day and we thank God for the opportunity.