July 4 (Sunday worships)
Our city is still on a lockdown that's why our attendance is limited again. I was asked by our elders to preach here in Tuguegarao. Many of our brethren are quarantined because of suspected infection of virus to them. It was not until the end of the worship that we were informed that they got positive tests. They were brother Rody and sister Tessie Gumpad, Rody Gumpad Jr. and his son Thirdy, Jay and Michelle Gumpad, Ella and Joy Duque. We are living with them in the same compound but I am very thankful to God that my family is safe. Thankfully, because of the good work of our government, they didn't pay any single peso in the hospital.It was all free because of the health care service of the nation. Unlike last year that all those who were hospitalized needed to pay not less than $2500.
And so, in our worship, I, alone did all the work. From leading the songs, prayers, sermons and even distributing the Lord's supper, because only one man is with us in the church during that time and he is not even a member of the congregation, but in Babalag Church. Our attendance is below 30. I screenshot our live-streaming to show you the preaching. You can check our page in facebook for all the live streamings here in Tuguegarao.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212295806642969
In the afternoon, at Palca, it is also the first time we meet since the lockdown last 3rd week of May. It is still lockdown but we got the permission from the village chieftain to have the worship. Not everyone came due to the fact that the town still have strict protocols. Just like in Tuguegarao, I also did most of the work. Brother Lino, our song leader is sick. I forgot his illness, but it is on his kidneys. Please pray for him, he is a faithful brother who work really hard in the church.
In Dagupan, thankfully, all the man came and they helped me with the work. I only preached to them. Many are also not in attendance. As my previous reports show that most of them are teenagers and the town is very strict with teenagers going out.
I'm sorry I only have the picture of Palca worship. Most of the time I forgot to take pictures because I concentrate on doing my work.
July 11 (Sunday Worships)
Visiting other places or people is prohibited that's why I continue to do preachings by our group chat in facebook.
The chapel here in Tuguegarao is totally closed by the order of the elders. It is a precautionary method because of the brethren infected by the virus. That's why the elders told me to do the live streaming in our house. The picture is different from our previous live streams because I am using a green screen. I bought a very cheap green clothe to use.
In the afternoon, at Palca, I am happy that most of our brethren are back. They are not that strict anymore because the town have zero cases of Covid. I am happy also to see two mothers joining us. Sister Angelina Santiago invited them in the church. They are her neighbors. I gave them bibles after the worship.
In Dagupan, most of our brethren also came. After the worship, I am very happy that two precious souls decided to obey the gospel. Before the lockdown last May, they are already attending the services, and this day, they finally decided to be baptized. We brought them to Palca where we have the baptistery. They are brother Ronald and sister Jeraldine.
August 18 (Sunday Worships)
The chapel is still close here in Tuguegarao that's why the elders still told me to do the preaching. This is hard for me physically because I need to preach in three congregations for a day. But it is also a joy in my heart because this is all for the Lord. I may come home in the afternoon very tired, but it is very fulfilling. I did the live streaming again here at home and I am interacting with the brethren through their live chats.
In the afternoon, at Palca, the visitors are again with us. Hope and pray that they will obey the gospel soon. I continue to work on giving them the knowledge of the truth. It is hard to convince those who grew up us devoted Catholics. They are those who are joining in idol processions. I will try my best to save their souls from destruction.
In Dagupan, we also have visitors. They are a couple who arrived coming from Singapore and they told me that they also worship in a church of Christ congregation there. I doubt it is the same as the church we are in because there are no sound church in Singapore. We do not have enough time to talk because they are also in a hurry after the worship.
July 25 (Sunday Worship)
This time, my schedule is different. Brother Rody Jr. is already out of the hospital but he is still in quarantine. He is still not allowed to go anywhere. We talked through phone and we both agreed that he will do the live streaming. Because of that, I will not have anything to do the morning and so I contacted the brethren at Dagupan that we will move our worship in the morning. They all agreed and so we push through with the plan. We had our worship 10 in the morning.
At 12:30, we had our worship at Palca. I am happy that after the worship, two teenagers who is attending the worship for almost 5 months already, decided to obey the gospel. They look like 8 years olds but they are already 14 years of age. I am happy to be helping them grow up as christians.
I was invited by brother Robert Pader to preach in a group of teenagers in Bangag Church. This was supposed to happen last January but because of many lockdowns, it was cancelled many times. We thank God that it was finally push through. I am happy to be teaching this teens the way of the Lord. Some of them came from Bauan Church and Maguirig church also.
August 1 (Sunday Worship)
The last Sunday, when brother Rody Jr. preached in the live streaming, I saw him having like a shortness of breath. I knew it, because he is still recovering from covid. But he insist on doing it the last time. This time, I told him that I will do the work. I am happy that the elders already decided to open the chapel. I preached the sermon. We are exactly 50 in attendance. My wife didn't join us physically because she is having a cough.
In the afternoon at Palca, we have again a good attendance. The two visitors are still with us. This time, they also invite one of their friend.
In Dagupan, we also have a good attendance. After the sermon, one precious soul decided to obey the gospel. She is Exan Puselero. She's been with us since the first week of July. We should be baptizing here in the baptistery at Palca but there is no water coming out of the faucet. We then decided to bring here to the river which is about 5 kilometers away. I am thankful for the guidance of God that I am able to preach His word and positive responses are the results.
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