August 9 (Midweek service)
For our bible study, we have one of our elders to teach. Brother Lino
Darauay shared a lesson about Sin. Before he started, he told me to add a few points after the lesson because he cannot stand for a long time. He have problems in his eyes that makes him feel dizzy when reading and standing for a long period of time. And so, as he requested, I managed to add some points to the lesson he shared.
August 10
We were invited to the house of brother Efren Respicio. He invited several preachers for a gathering and talk about future plans where we will help each other to work on our congregations. Hoping and praying that by this coming months, we can push through with what we have talk about. We also have joy playing basketball together as a way to strengthen our bond.
August 11 (Funeral service)
We went to Dagupan, at the house of sister Ema Castro where the wake of brother Recto Castro lies. Brother Recto died in Manila wherein he was hospitalized because of high blood pressure that went to a coma and then, died the next day. His birthday is July 31 and he died August 1. He is just 42 years old and have 7 children.
I am with Jun Antonio and Jay Gumpad. Jay led our singing and Jun shared the lesson. I led our prayer and talk more on things about death.
August 12 (Burial Service)
It was the burial of our brother Recto. Together with Jerome Forelo, Edgar Corpuz and Jerry Soliva, we went early to the place. At around 7am, we already started the service. It was very hot during that time and the custom of Filipinos is that, after the burial service, the family will walk until they reach the cemetery. I first stand to speak and talk about life with God and also about brother Recto. Edgar led our singing, Jerry for the prayer and Jerome for the preaching.
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| If you can see at my back, there is a cross, I told them to put that away because we do not worship such. |
After the service in Dagupan, we immediately drive to Alibago Church to attend the Gospel Meeting. When we arrived, it was already the last speaker which is brother Rody. The other two speakers are Edgard Licodini and Robinson Pulveras. I was then ask to lead the closing prayer after the preaching.
August 13 (Sunday Worship)
For our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Flor speak on Mark 6:15-56. And in the sermon, brother Rody continued with his lesson on the book of Matthew wherein we are already in 22:34-46.
In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Robert preached about Eternity.
And in Dagupan, I shared the lesson in Psalm 51:12 where David prayed to God to restore the joy of his salvation.
August 15-18 (Bible Lectureship)
Brother Andy Alexander and brother Keith Greer arrived here in Tuguegarao on August 14. The next four days, they preached to us on the series about the Holy Spirit. The lessons greatly help us preachers to understand more about the topic and also to answer religious errors of denominations. They both did a good job discussing the lessons and answered a lot of questions every afternoon during our Q&A. Every evening, we also had bible study wherein our visiting preachers share a lesson, Brother Archie Alarcon (August 15), Jun Layusa (16) and Elias Cruz (17).
Two new converts were added to the church during the lectureship. First is Joshua Ong who is a baptist. He join us in starting the lectures and finally decided to be baptized after he join in the Q&A where his question about "Faith only" is answered by the use of the bible. The second one if Antonio who is from Gonzaga. He is a member of a one cup group in that area but decided to be baptized because according to him, he is not sure of his first baptism.
August 19 (Bible Studies)
Together with brother Jay Gumpad, we brought brother Andy Alexander to two congregations in the town of Rizal. Our first destination was in Gobgob Church where brother Ben Vistro is preaching. Brother Andy shared on 2 Peter 3. Then they asked me to present the summary of the lesson in our language after so that those who cannot understand English will manage to know what he talked about. Invitation was extended and two precious souls obeyed the gospel. We went to baptized them in the near resort.
The next destination was in Hilltop Church where brother Warren Cadater is preaching. Brother Andy shared the same lesson but this time, brother Jay was the one who summarized. Invitation was extended and 4 went in front. I was the one who they ask to lead their confession. From the five of them, 2 are short and so I decided to ask their ages first. To my surprised, they are already 15-17 years old. I needed to ask because we already experienced young children who went in front after the invitation but do not know what they are doing. When I learned their ages, I push through with the confession.
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| That dog was there the whole time |
August 20 (Sunday Worship)
In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Andy shared the lesson about "Almost Persuaded". The followed by brother Keith in the sermon about "Marriage and the Cross".
In the afternoon at Palca, I also shared to them the lesson on Psalm 51, "Restore to me the joy of my salvation".
In Dagupan, brother Robert also preached about "Eternity".
The elders didn't schedule anyone to teach in our midweek service. They didn't told me about it also. So when I arrived in the church, they asked me if I can do it instead. I remembered the lesson brother Andy preached during our time in Rizal and so I decided to share that lesson also. I taught 2 Peter 3 to them.
August 24 (Dagupan)
I went to visit sister Leona Mangulad in Dagupan because I heard that she is very weak already. Last February, she was hosptalized but they sent her back home after two days. They said that she will only last for a week if she will not have a dialysis. They didn't want the dialysis because she is already 69 years old and have a lot of complications in her health. From February to August, they still manage to bring her in the hospital 3 times. For this visit, we prayed to God for He knows what is the best for her. Her family already accepted that a few days from now, she will be gone.
August 25 (Palca)
I went to visit our sister Diday Quines in Palca because she became sickly lately. Thankfully, she is now recovering from having high blood pressures. Prayer was offered and words of God are read during my visit.
August 27 (Sunday Worship)
In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Flor shared on Mark 6:30-56. And in the sermon, I also preached the lesson on "Psalm 51". We only have 65 attendance during our worship because we are currently having the typhoon. It wasn't raining heavily in the morning, and no winds yet.
In the afternoon, I contacted the brethren at Palca and Dagupan about the situation in there area. They sent me videos of the rain and the wind is blowing heavily already. And so, we decided that we will not have our worship for the safety of everyone.
August 29 (Palca)
Together with my family, we went to Palca to visit our brethren. As expected, the typhoon brought damages to their crops again. Their house are well secured but some areas were flooded.
August 30 (Midweek service)
In our bible study, I am happy to see brother Lance stand again. I put my trust on this young man and I want to help him. I am praying that one day he will also become one of the preachers who will help with the growth of the church here. He shared the lesson about the "One talent man".
September 1 (Dagupan)
I went to Dagupan because they told me that our sister Leona already passed away. The wake was already in their small house, to be specific, it is only 8sqm house where she and her husband lives. I prayed with the family and talk about the plans for the services.
September 3 (Sunday Worship)
In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, it was supposed to be me in the bible study but I asked Lance to do it instead. I want him to continue doing this during this time that they are still in school vacation. He talked about Mark 7:1-37. After our worship, brother Rody asked him and other young man to join him in Nangalisan. In the sermon, brother Rody preached on Matthew 23.
In the afternoon, at Palca, another young man that I am training is with me, Jhian who is just 15 years old. Right now, I can say that he improves a lot. He preached the lesson about "Why are there still people who will not be save?"
In Dagupan, I preached to them "Noah and the Judgment Day". After the worship, we went to the wake of sister Leona and also held a service. It was just a short one because it is again raining.
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