July 31
(Midweek service)
This is
our third month to have the singing class during the last Wednesday of the
month. Brother Jay led us in our singing, and we tried to learn the song “Never
grow old”. We tried singing it as a congregation for four times until we learned
the right tune. We will keep trying to learn new spiritual songs every singing
class.
August 4
(Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)
I am again
very happy and thankful to God that I have the opportunity to share the words of
God to the brethren. I taught in our bible study “Genesis 30” about the wives
and children of Jacob. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Exhortation of
Paul”.
I am
supposed to go to Palca but because the brethren at Alibago invited me to preach
to them, I asked brother Jun Antonio to go to Palca for the meantime. Every
time brother Rody is in Manila or out of town for preaching, they are inviting
other preachers to go to them and thankfully, they trusted me to give them the
truth of the gospel. I shared to the brethren the lessons “Learning from the downfall
of Israel”.
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| Our attendance at Alibago Church |
August 7
(Midweek service at Tuguegarao)
I am
again scheduled to share the words of God to the brethren at Tuguegarao. We
continued with our study on the book of Genesis. I shared to the the 31st
chapter and we talk about the Jacob fleeing from Laban and going back to the
land of promise.
August 9
(Bible study at Palca)
I went to
visit the Uton family in Palca because I wanted to continue to study with the
family of the late brother Leonardo Uton. His wife and daughter, Lorna is
already a member of the Lord’s church while Mrs. Loida, the eldest of his children
and living in Palca is not yet a Christian. I shared to them the lesson about “The
true Church”. She is a Catholic and a businesswoman. I am praying that someday
she will also follow the footsteps of her parents and obey the gospel. She is
convinced from the lesson I preached but undecided yet for baptism.
August 11
(Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)
I taught
again in our bible study and I shared to them the lesson “Happiness”. It is all about how to be happy. We can find
happiness by living righteously, by worshipping God and by being content with
what we have. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Remember Lot’s wife”.
In the
afternoon, I preached also the same lesson about “Happiness”. We have many
visitors coming from Tallang, Baggao. They came to attend our worship because
of the invitation of sister Carry for the thanksgiving of her baby daughter.
From the guest, I met a pastor of the New Life Church (Mr. Ligsay). I have a
conversation with him after the worship and talk about the difference of the
church of Christ and denominations. He wanted to study more but because he is
from Baggao, I gave the number of brother Sammy Paet and Randy Respicio who are
from the area so that they will follow-up on him. Tuguegarao to Baggao is about
an hour and a half drive.
After the
worship, I taught in a thanksgiving. I preached about “Giving thanks to God”.
Sister Carry and her husband who is not a Christian wanted to have the time to
give thanks to God for blessing them with a baby girl named “Casey”, a month
old baby.
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| Together with sister Carry Ligsay, her husband and baby. |
August 14
(First day of preaching with brother Keith Greer and brother Steve Lee)
We
pick-up brother Keith, brother Steve, brother Rody and sister Tessie in the
airport August 13. They came from the preaching in Cebu and Palawan. And before
our American brethren go back home, they are here in our region for the last
stop of their preaching trip.
I joined
them in the preaching to help with the work. Our first destination is in Villa
Salud Church where brother Rolando Agpoon is preaching. It is not in the
original schedule but the brethren at Muleg decided to cancel the meeting there
because of a burial of one of the brother. Brother Steve was the first one to
preach, and he shared “The Church in the world”. In our region, many of our
brethren cannot understand straight English and that’s why it is our work to
translate it for them. I summarized the lesson of brother Steve after his preaching
in our native language. The same is when brother Keith preach, brother Jerome summarized
the lesson. He preached about “Ship wrecks”. We extended the invitation and 2
precious souls confessed their faith and were baptized.
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| Brother Rolando Agpoon |
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| brother Steve Lee |
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| I am summarizing the lesson of brother Steve |
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| brother Keith Greer |
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| brother Jerome summarizing the lesson of brother Keith |
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| Confession of the new converts |
In the afternoon,
we went to Bauan Church where brother Robert Pader is preaching. This is the
hottest place in our preaching trip. We started the meeting in very pleasant
weather but after about 15 minutes, there was a brownout. It was very hot that
some of the brethren are going in and out of the meeting place. Even our American
brethren cannot take the heat and so they tried to shorten the preaching. We
are afraid that anyone might have a heat stroke. Most of the brethren in Palca
are very old and are weak. I was asked to lead one song together with some
other preachers in attendance. Brother Keith preached “Don’t Yield” and brother
Jerome summarized the lesson. Brother Steve preached also about “The universal
need of the gospel” and because it is very hot, to shorten the time, instead of
summarizing the lesson, brother Rody translated what brother Keith is saying sentence
by sentence into our own language. We again extended the invitation and there
are also 2 precious souls who confess their faith and was baptized into Christ.
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| I am leading a song |
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| brother Robert Pader |
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| brother Keith |
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| Jerome summarizing the lesson of brother Keith |
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| Brother Steve preaching and brother Rody translating |
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| two new converts |
In the evening,
we had our midweek service here at Tuguegarao. We are very thankful that we
already have electricity. Brother Keith shared to us the lesson “A brief glimpse
of the end”.
August 15
(Second day)
I didn’t
join the second day of preaching because I brought my son to the dentist. They
removed two of his teeth.
August 16
(Third day of preaching trip)
We started
with our trip at around 7:30 in the morning to travel going to Illuru Church.
It is an hour travel from Tuguegarao. The weather is again hot but good thing there
is no brownout. The preacher of this congregation is Jayson Tanguilan. Brother
Keith was the first speaker and he also shared to them “A brief glimpse of the
end”. Brother Jerome translated the preaching, meaning, they both stand in
front. Brother Keith is speaking in English and brother Jerome is translating
him in Tagalog. Brother Steve preached “Universal need of the gospel” and was
translated by brother Rody. Invitation was extended and 3 precious souls came
in front to confess their faith and was baptized in the near river.
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| Jayson Tanguilan |
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| Keith preaching and Jerome translating |
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| Steve preaching and Rody translating |
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| three new converts |
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| the baptism |
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| after the baptism |
In the
afternoon, we went to San Luis Church where brother Rogelio Esperanza is
preaching. The meeting place was full and some of them are even sitting outside.
There are brethren who came from Sto. Tomas and also from Palca where I am
preaching. Brother Keith preached “Shipwreck” and was translated by brother Jerome.
Brother Steve preached “Universal Need of the gospel” and was translated by brother
Rody. We extended the invitation and 2 precious souls obeyed the gospel. I was
asked to lead the closing prayer.
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| Rogelio Esperanza |
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| Keith preaching and Jerome translating |
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| Steve preaching and Rody translating |
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| two new converts |
August 17
(Fourth day of preaching)
Our first
destination is in Centro Rizal Church where brother Geronimo Ganela is
preaching. This is the first area outside of Tuguegarao that we experience the
coldness of an aircon. The congregation is big and so is the meeting place.
There are about 90-100 in attendance. Brother Keith preached “A brief glimpse
of the end” and was translated by brother Gerald Ganela. Brother Steve preached
“Walking circumspectly” and brother Jerome translated it. Invitation was extended
and two precious souls obeyed the gospel. We baptized them in the near river.
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| Keith preaching and Gerald translating |
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| Steve preaching and Rody translating |
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| two new converts |
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| the baptism |
In the
afternoon, we went to Bagbag church where brother Luis Nalog is preaching. He
is my classmate in the Preachers training here in Tuguegarao in 2006. I am
happy to see him again together with brother Sagrado Addamag who is also our
classmate. The audience is composed of two groups, the brethren at Muleg Church
and Bagbag Church. Brother Luis is also the preacher at Muleg and because their
schedule is cancelled from the start of the trip, they just attended the
meeting in Bagbag. And again, the atmosphere in very hot. Good things (Aircon) always
have an ending. Brother Luis asked me to lead our opening song. Brother Keith
preached “Don’t yield” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve preached
“A changeless gospel in a changing world” and was translated by brother Rody.
Invitation was extended and 12 very precious young souls obeyed the gospel.
Most of them are 11 years old and so brother Rody needed to ask them important
questions to know whether they understand what they are doing. We baptized them
in the same river we baptized the new converts at Centro Rizal.
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| Keith preaching and Jerome translating |
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| Steve preaching and Rody translating |
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| Luis Nalog |
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| I am leading a song |
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| 14 new converts |
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| the baptism |
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| after baptism picture |
August 18
(Sunday worship at Tuguegarao and Palca)
In our
service here in Tuguegarao, our American brethren shared to us again wonderful
lessons. Brother Steve taught in our bible study about “Caring for our soul”. And
brother Keith preached “Importance of fellowship”. We again have a good
attendance of about 110.
In the afternoon,
at Palca, I preached to them “Getting our soul ready for the judgment”. Mrs.
Loida is not in attendance because she was out of town. Hope and pray that the
next time she attends the worship, she will already obey the gospel. We also
have a good attendance of 42 including the children.
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| Young and adult attendance (children not included in the picture) |
August 19
(Fifth day of preaching)
Our first
destination is in Aquib Church where brother Dennis Yuson is preaching. According
to him, most of the brethren are students and they are all in school. There are
also those teachers and office workers who are out, but still, we have a good
attendance. Brother Keith preached “How to study the context of the bible” and
was summarized by brother Willey Pastor. Brother Steve preached “Caring for our
soul and was translated by brother Rody. Invitation was extended but got no
response from the audience. There is a visitor who asked questions. I always
see him every Gospel Meeting in this congregation and always asking many
questions. But he is never satisfied with the answers. It seems like he only wants
to test the knowledge of the speakers. But just like what brother Steve told me
personally that the seed that is planted in him will eventually grow at one
time is he will try to water it with obedience. We are praying for him and
wanted him also to be save.
In the
afternoon, we went to Sampaguita Church where brother Mario Garma and Jerry
Soliva is preaching. The meeting place is again full. It is a small church
building because that is the only the available lot they bought. They are
praying that they can get a bigger lot because they are growing in number. Brother
Keith preached “Shipwreck” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve
preached “Universal need of the gospel” and was translated by brother Willey. No
conversion in this place but I am sure everyone is edified by all the lessons we
have heard.
***Sorry I forgot to get the pictures for this day..To be followed...
August 20
(Sixth day of preaching)
Our first
destination is in Cadaanan Church where brother Flor and Efren Respicio is
preaching. Brother Flor just got out of the hospital last week and still very weak
but did his best to come and join in the meeting. Even his wife is also weak.
Brother Keith preached about “Salvation by the blood” and was translated by brother
Jerome. Brother Steve preached “Accept Responsibility under the gospel of
Christ” and I was the one who translated. This is my first time doing it. I’ve
been summarizing lessons by the American brothers before but never translated.
I am nervous but happy that the brethren choose me to do it. For a first timer,
I know I have many flows. I even asked brother Jerome some of the translations
of what brother Steve is saying. I understand what he means but do not know the
right Tagalog word for it. We extended the invitation but no response.
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| Flor Respicio |
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| Efren Respicio |
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| Keith preaching and Jerome translating |
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| Steve preaching and I am translating |
In the
afternoon, we went to Lanna Church where brother Jimmy Domingo is preaching. I
was asked to lead in our opening prayer. Brother Keith preached “God’s plan for
unity” and was translated by brother Jerome. Brother Steve preached “Caring for
our soul” and was translated by brother Rody. Invitation was extended and 8
precious souls obeyed the gospel. We baptized them in the baptistery here in
Tuguegarao. After the meeting, when we are going to the car, I noticed many
scratches in my car. The kids made my car a blackboard and written many drawings.
Instead of getting mad, I took a deep breath and just smiled. I heard that brother
Jimmy scolded (in a good way) the kids when we went home. I am used to this
kind of problems and will never hurt me anymore.
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| Keith preaching and Jerome translating |
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| Steve preaching and Rody translating |
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| Eight new converts |
August 21
(Seventh day of preaching)
This is
the farthest place that we went in this preaching trip so far. It is about 2
and a half hours of travel. But the long trip is easily forgotten when we
arrived because the big church building is full of people. If I am not
mistaken, it composed of three congregations, brethren from Remus, Nangalinan
and Mabini. This congregation is the Mabini Church where brother Randy Respicio
is preaching. Brother Keith preached “A brief glimpse of the end” and was
translated by brother Rody. Brother Steve preached “Universal need of the
gospel” and I again have the chance to translate if for the brethren.
Invitation was extended and 3 precious souls obeyed the gospel.
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| Steve preaching and I am translating |
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| three new converts |
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| Keith preaching and Rody translating |
In the
afternoon, we went to Masisit Church where brother Celso Jacobo is preaching. I
was asked to lead one song before we started with the lessons. Brother Keith
preached “Shipwreck” and was translated by brother Rody. Brother Steve preached
“The changeless gospel in a changing world” and I translated it. Invitation was
again extended and there were 2 precious souls who obeyed the gospel.
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| Keith preaching and Rody translating |
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| I am leading a song |
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| Steve preaching and I am translating |
In the evening,
we had our midweek service here in Tuguegarao. Brother Steve shared to us the
lesson “Ambassadors for Christ”.
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| Keith Greer, Steve Lee and my family |
August 22
(Eight and final day of preaching)
Our first
destination is in Casabang Church where brother Kernel Vistro is preaching. And
again, brownout. Our speakers cannot use the projector and so they preached a
lesson on a chart. They just started to erect their church building and so we
all gathered in an open area with a tent. Brother Steve and brother Keith
preached the lesson “You cannot hide sin” and brother Rody translated it for
them. Invitation was again extended and 4 precious souls came in front to confess
their faith but after the preaching, another one approached us and also decided
to obey the gospel. And so, there are 5 new converts in this area.
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| Four new converts confessing their faith |
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| One added to the new converts for a total of five |
In the
afternoon, our last destination of the trip together with our American brothers,
is in Gobgob Church where brother Ben Vistro is preaching. The meeting place is
again full and some of the brethren are sitting outside. Brother Keith preached
“Don’t Yield” and brother Rody translated it. Brother Steve preached “Caring
for our soul” and I again translated it for him. Invitation was extended and 8
precious souls obeyed the gospel.
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| Ben Vistro |
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| Keith preaching and Rody translating |
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| Steve preaching and I am translating |
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| Eight new converts |
In this
trip of brother Steve and brother Keith here in the Philippines, there were a
total of 133 converts in all the places they visited. In our region, there are
already 46 and I am happy to be part of it.
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