Activities from November 3-29, 2015

November 3, to continue from my previous report for this month, we had our preachers’ bible study here at Tuguegarao. We are about 30 in attendance, all preachers, and helping each other to grow in the knowledge of Christ. We continue to study the books of the bible and at this time, we studied the “Book of Proverbs”. The wise words from King Solomon that we can learn and use in our lives.

November 4, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jay taught to us “Acts 18” the continuation of the missionary journey of Apostle Paul.

November 6, brother Chip arrived here in Tuguegarao November 5^th and we started to work with him this day. Together with brother Jerome, Jay and I, we all went to Illuru, Rizal. I personally saw the growth of this congregation since their preachers, brother Jayson Tanguilan and brother Mario Garma are close to me. There chapel is under construction but it can already be use even though there are still no windows and doors.

Brother Chip preached a lesson about “Christian life has a purpose”. But because the brethren there cannot understand straight english, brother Jerome made a summary after the lesson. We sang the invitation song but no one came to confess his faith. After the closing prayer, there were Three(3) who approached us and said that they already decided that they wanted to be baptized. They confessed their faith in front of us and we brought them to the river for baptism.

In the afternoon, we went to the Municipal Jail (BJMP) in Tuao. Brother Chip again preached here but with the help of brother Gerald who translated everything that brother Chip is saying by phrase in our language so that the audience can understand everything. He preached about “Why we preach Christ?” We also sung the invitation song and we are happy that there were two (2) who courageously came in front to confess their faith. We are very happy to see them repent of their sins and return to the Lord through baptism. But because we cannot bring them out and go to the river, we fill a barrel drum with water and I personally immersed them inside the barrel. Sorry, I do not have any picture of the actual events because they wouldn’t allow us to bring any cameras or phones inside the jail.

November 7, at around 8 in the morning, we travelled going to Aquib, Piat. The traffic here in Tuguegarao was heavy that is why we arrive a little late in our destination. Brother Chip is scheduled again to preach and so with brother Rody, but unfortunately, he is still in the hospital that’s why brother Denis, their local preacher, asked brother Chip if he can preach two lessons for the brethren. He then speak first about “Christian Life has a purpose” then followed by brother Jay who summarizes the lesson in our local dialect. The second lesson that brother Chip preached is “Which church shall I join?” and again, brother Gerald translated the lesson in our dialect.

In the afternoon, before heading back to Tuguegarao, we stopped at Lingu, Solana where brother Robert Rances is preaching. Brother Chip again preach the lesson about “Why we preach Christ?” This time, I was the one who summarized it in our dialect. It is hard for us to do this because we needed to listen word by word from the preacher to give the summary of the lesson but it should show the core of it.

November 8, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Chip preached a very good lesson about the little creatures in the book of Proverbs. He first teach us about the “Ants” in our bible study then the “Rock Badgers” in the sermon.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them the lesson “What the fools say?” regarding God, Church, Gospel, Truth, Heaven and Hell.

November 9, as we continue to preach the word of God, our bodies are getting weaker because of the continuous work and with a little effect of the sun. It is very hot that we often get headaches. This time, we travelled going to Karikitan, Apayao where brother Bucao is preaching. When we arrived in the place, I thought that from where we park the car, that is already the meeting place, but not, we needed to walk about 700m to 1km to get to the place. It is easy if the path is straight and flat but again, no, the path is a mountain and we even need to cross a small river with just a cut tree to walk on. But it is all worth it when we arrive at the place, to see the smile on the brethren’s face. Brother Chip preached the lesson “He will never leave you” and again, I summarized the lesson in our dialect. Then finally, brother Rody preached the lesson, “Value of Soul”. We sung the invitation song and one precious soul came in front to confess his faith. We baptized him in the near river.

In our way back, we again have a stopped at San Luis, Tuao where brother Rogelio Esperanza is preaching. Brother Chip also preached the lesson about “He will never leave you” while brother Rody preached “Are you in Christ or outside Christ”. I led the invitation song and we are happy that 5 precious souls obeyed the gospel. Two (2) of them were at very young age of 11 and 12, and so we needed to be sure of their desire to be baptized if they know the reason why they should be baptized. They gave a sincere answer and so we needed to baptized them.

November 10, we travelled going to Remus, Baggao where our way in going there is not just long but also a bumpy road. We arrived late and so while waiting for us, they asked brother Jimmy Duque to preach to them. When we arrived, brother Chip immediately stand and preached the lesson “A pilgrims journey” that was summarized by brother Jun. The last lesson was preached by brother Rody and it was about “True Church of Christ”. We sung the invitation song and there was one who came to confess her faith. While having lunch, brother Paet came to us saying that 3 more wanted to be baptized. The reason why they decided late is because they did not understand the Ilocano dialect that was use during the preaching, but after the lesson, brother Paet and the others talk and preach to them and finally they decided to obey.

In the afternoon, we went to Masisit, Baggao where brother Celso Jacobo is preaching. The place is just beside the bridge and many vehicles are passing that makes the place a little bit noisy. Brother Chip then again preached the lesson “A pilgrim’s journey” that was also summarized by brother Jun in our dialect. Brother Rody preached “In darkness of in Christ”. We sung the invitation song and there were three who confess their faith. We baptized them in the near river, just 300m behind the church building.

November 11, it is again another long ride, and our destination is Tanyok, Tabuk. The weather is good not like the previous days because we are already experiencing the cold breeze of December. When we arrived, brother Geronimo Ganela was preaching and after sharing his lesson, brother Chip followed by preaching “Three Doctrines” that was again summarize by brother Jun. Brother Rody lastly preached “Christian duties and responsibilities”.  We sung the invitation song and there were four (5) who came to confess their faith. 

In the afternoon, we went to Laya, Tabuk where brother Sagrado Agdamag is preaching. Brother Chip preached two lessons here, first is “Three doctrines” and the second is “Baptism” while brother Rody preached “Go…preach the gospel”. We extended the invitation and 8 young people came in front to confess their faith. Again we needed to be sure of their intent that we needed to ask them questions on why they wanted to be baptized. We have no reason to stop them from being baptized because they know the truth and the reason and so they were all baptized into Christ.

On our way back, brother Ken Etab asked us if we can still go to his congregation at Centro (Dagupan), Tabuk. And so we went there, studied again from the bible and this time only brother Chip preached because we are also in a hurry to catch up with our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. Brother Chip then preached about “Songs of Ascent”.

We arrived at about 5p.m. and we immediately prepare for our midweek service. 

Brother Chip taught to us, as we continue in the book of Acts, the 19^th chapter.

It was a long and tiring day, but it is all worth it with the success again of the gospel by seeing new souls coming back to Christ.

November 12, brother Jay asked me if for the meantime we skip the trip going to Lanna to go to Minagbag and bring the benevolence that was given to him by brother Ron Halbrook. And so we did go and deliver the goods, but after doing that, we still went to the next preaching location and it was in Bauan, Solana where brother Robert Pader is preaching. Brother Chip again preached about “Three doctrines” and brother Rody preached “God’s one way for all”. We sung the invitation song, and we are happy to see 10 precious souls obeying the gospel and most of them are from 60 to 83 years old, the youngest is just about 18. We brought them here in Tuguegarao to baptized in our baptistery but unluckily it was out of water. To make things work, we brought them to the river instead and baptized them all there.

November 13, our destination is in Catarauan, Amulung where brother Jun Antonio is preaching. Brother Chip preached the lesson about “A Christian life has a purpose” while brother Gerald translates him phrase by phrase. Brother Rody lastly preached about “Learn of me” that Jesus said. We sung the invitation song and four (4) young people confessed their faith. After the activity, another pregnant woman came to us and also decided that she wanted to be baptized. The total baptism is five (5) in this preaching.

In the afternoon, we went to Bangag, Solana where brother Robert Pader is preaching. Brother Chip preached about “A Christian Characteristics” and then summarized by brother Jun in the dialect. Finally, brother Rody preached “Some things that are temporary”. We extended the invitation and 5 precious souls confessed their faith. We brought them again here in Tuguegarao to be baptized. This time we use the baptistery.  I personally immersed them in water with the joy of having new brothers and sisters in Christ.

November 14, brother Jun asked me to come with him in Maguirig and invite for the gospel meeting that will be held in the afternoon. We went from house to house inviting everyone whom we can see in our way. We also talk with our brethren who by time, no longer attending the services, and with our conversations with them, they promised to join us in the afternoon gospel meeting.

At about 12 noon, I went to the airport to pick up brother Harry Osborne and to bring him also in Maguirig. But because he have a fever, he decided that he will stay in the hotel for the meantime and rest so that by tomorrow, he will have the strength to preach in our Lord’s day service.

I immediately drive back to Maguirig for the gospel Meeting. I arrived late that I only catch up the lesson brother Rody is preaching. But I am happy that those whom we talk to in the morning during our house to house invitations came. The chapel was full that I cannot even locate a seat for me. I was standing at the back until the activity was done. In our invitation song, there were 4 who came to confess their faith. We again brought them here in Tuguegarao to be baptized. 

November 15, in our Lord’s day service here at Tuguegarao, brother Chip continued with the lesson he taught us the last Sunday about the little creatures. This time he talk about the “Locust and Spiders” and in the sermon, brother Harry preached “Along the road to Emmaus”.

In the afternoon, I brought brother Chip to the congregation I am preaching at Palca. He preached the lesson “A Christian life has a purpose” and I summarized the lesson in our local dialect for the brethren to understand everything. After the worship, we distributed the benevolence that was given by brother Chip that came from different brethren from the US.

November 16, we had our bible lectureship here in Tuguegarao. Brother Harry was the only one who preached because the night before this activity, brother Chip was rushed to the hospital because of high blood pressure and needed time to rest. For the whole day, we studied the whole book of Revelation. The chapel was full because of brethren coming from different congregations. We also baptized four precious souls during the activity. I again baptized them in water. Sorry I do not have the picture of the actual baptism.

November 17, brother Chip and Harry went back to Manila by land (bus) because all of the local flights were cancelled due to the APEC summit.

November 18, in our midweek service, we continued with our study on the book of Acts. I shared to them the “20^th chapter” during the third missionary journey of apostle Paul and all his companions.

November 20, I went to Calantac, Alcala with my wife and mother. My mother went to the field because she was in charge of the farm land of her sister who is in London while I stayed in the house of my uncle who is a Jehovah’s witnesses and shared to them the true church that we can read in the bible. I heard from brother Rody that by these December, they will start a congregation there and so I want my relatives to be part of those who will hear the gospel and hopefully obey the truth and be one with us in Christ.

November 22, in our Lord’s Day worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Giving: prospered and purposed” while brother Jerome preached “The choice of Lot”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Animal Attacks”. I got this lesson from the article that was sent to me by the brethren at Vegas Valley. I am happy to share this to the brethren at Palca because not only that we can see how God punish those who disobey Him but also we can learn a valuable lesson on how we should deal with the commands of God.

November 23, brother Juriel Quines sent me a text message saying that her sister who was hospitalized for a month because of kidney problems finally got out of the hospital but still needed to have dialysis twice a week. I went in their house at Riverside and prayed with them. Please include sister Hazel in your prayers.

November 25, in our midweek service, brother Jay taught to us “Acts 21” about how Paul handle the last days of his preaching.

November 26, I got a news from the brethren at Palca that brother Oscar “Jun” Caliuan was again hospitalized because of his diabetes. And so I visited him in the hospital to pray also with them.

November 29, in our last Lord’s Day worship for the month, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Trained to discern good and evil” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached “What does Jesus require of you?”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The words spoken to Adam”. About the things God commanded him to do with all the creation He made, how he and Eve became one flesh, the sin they have committed and the punishment they received from it.