Preaching activities from October 1 - November 3, 2024

October 1 (Burial Service)

We went to Alibago to have the final service in the wake of sister Lorna Tuddao. It was brother Rody who shared a message and we help in the other works. The Mayor of the town is also in attendance and listened to the sermon. 

October 2

We were invited by brother David Malupeng to distribute bible tracts in Bantay, Solana. We went from house to house. When we see interest in them, we stayed for a while and share even just a little message coming from God’s word. We went around the area for about one hour.

In the evening, I failed to attend our midweek service because I had a migraine. The cause is our work in Bantay. It was very hot at first then after a little while, it rains.

October 5

We went to the Gospel Meeting at Malapiat Church where brother Edwin Soriano is preaching. He stop preaching years ago but now we are glad that he came back and continued the work in that place. They have a small meeting place which is a good thing because there are still churches that meets under a tree.

There are four speakers in the meeting, brothers Gerald Ganela, Robert Pader, Jetmark Ramirez and Rody Gumpad. Invitation was extended and there were 2 who confess their faith.

October 6 (Sunday Worship)

In our bible study here at Tugueguarao, I was able to continue with my part on the book of Luke. I discussed to them from Luke 12:49-59. In the sermon, brother Rody preached on the book of Genesis.

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Robert preached on the “3 kinds of salvation in the bible”. Then, I preached in Dagupan the topic “Truth cannot be subjected to anything but the truth”

October 9

We went to San Luis, Tuao where brother Rogelio Esperanza is locally preaching. We first went around to distribute bible tracts. After that, we went to the house of sister Ester Agtarap where we held a bible study. Brother Joeben shared a lesson on Jer. 18:1-6. Some of the brethren also came and we also have 4 non-Christian in attendance.

October 10

We were invited by brother Celso Jacobo in Masisit, Baggao. Maybe this is the place where I walked more than 3 kilometers just to distribute bible tracts. We went to three different villages. And for the last part, we had a bible study in a house of a brother. He became unfaithful for so long and we are encouraging him to come back to church. 

When we are traveling back home, heavy rain pours. The elders here at Tuguegarao decided to cancel our midweek service. It will be hard for the brethren to come to church.

October 13 (Sunday Worships)

I got a call very early from brother Jay Gumpad asking me to go with them in Minagbag. He wants me to talk to an erring brother who is causing problems in their congregation. The members are afraid of what he might do. He wants me to help them talk to him. Unfortunately, that brother didn’t come and as of the writing of this blog, they told me that he is no longer going to church. His family said that he was brought to the Psychiatrist and may take some time for him to recover.

Brother James preached the sermon entitled “The Lion’s Den” and I led in our prayer.

In the afternoon, it was the part of the young men to preach in the congregation. In Palca, Jhian was the one scheduled. He preached about “Why do Christian Suffer?”. Brother Robert is not with us because he was sick during that time. In the end, I made a short summary and additional points in the lesson.

In Dagupan, Dave preached about “Worshipping idols”. Just like in Palca, I also share additional points in the lesson. 

October 16

We went to Santiago, Iguig for another wave of tracts distribution. By God’s help, we went to a house where a young mother is living. Her relatives are members of the Lord’s church and she even attended services. We had a bible study in their house. After the study, she decided to obey the gospel. We brought her to the near river and she was baptized.

In our midweek service in the evening here at Tuguegarao, we had brother Jetmark Ramirez as our invited speaker. He preached about “The treasure entrusted to you”. We are thankful that we have a good weather. For the whole month of October, there are only a few days wherein we had this good kind of weather. 

October 19

We went to Dagupan for the invitation of sister Leah and brother Albert Mangulad. It was there grandsons 7th birthday and also their 25th year wedding anniversary. As a way of celebrating, they invited us in their house to have a bible study, to thank God for all the blessings given to them. 

October 20 (Sunday Worships)

In our bible study, brother Lance Panopio discussed Luke 13:18-30. He is one of the young men who is able to teach in the congregation. He is now getting better and better. In the sermon, I was able to preached “There I will meet thee” that is in Exo 25:9–22.

in the afternoon, the brethren at Dagupan asked us if we can have the worship there at 1pm and so brother Robert was the one who went there and I stayed in Palca. I also preached the same lesson there. 

October 23

We went to Nabialan, Amulung where brother Jun Antonio is preaching. We should have tracts distribution first but it was raining the whole time. It was also the arrival of the typhoon in our region. We still pushed through with the work and had a bible study. Thankfully, there is only rains and no strong winds. We successfully completed the work. When we are traveling back home, the typhoon is already starting. The winds are already strong that it is hard to see the road.

In the evening, the elders decided to cancel again our midweek service.

October 24-25 We experience the wrath of the typhoon. Thankfully, it is not that destructive. Even the rain is not that hard. There are areas here in Tuguegarao that are flooded but the water didn’t came from the rain here but in Isabela region. The water that flows in the river in Isabela goes through our region. The water level reaches up to the critical level. Thankfully, it stops before it even goes beyond that. 

October 27 (Sunday Worships)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Anthony Panopio discussed “Luke 13:31-35” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached on the book of Leviticus. After the sermon, invitation was extended and one precious soul obeyed the gospel.

In the afternoon, the schedule of Palca and Dagupan are the same again for the reason that it was the last Sunday of the month and they always have meetings in their village. This time, I was in Dagupan and I also preached the lesson “There I will meet thee”.

October 29 (Gospel Meeting)

We were invited in the Gospel Meeting at Tanyok Church where brother Ben Vistro is preaching. Their chapel is only small but they are planning to extend it because they are growing. Their speakers where brothers Jerry Moral, Archie Alarcon and Rody Gumpad. Invitation was extended and 7 precious souls obeyed the gospel. We baptized them in an abondened resort. The water was dirty and it didn’t bother them. The water will not wash their sins but their obedience to the gospel.

October 30 

We went to Tupang, Alcala where brother Fernando Duque is preaching. There is also a typhoon during that time. It was the second typhoon we experienced in the month of October. When we started with the tracts distribution, there are only a few rainshowers but as time goes by, the rain is getting heavier and the winds blew harder. We needed to find shed to protect us from the rain. We then decided to go in the place for the bible study. We had a succesful bible study. The rain and wind didn’t bother us. We also met an 92 year old man and have a good conversation with him regarding the faith. He already have poor eyesight but still with good memory and strength to do what he wants to do. I hope and pray that he will use that to worship God for the rest of his life.

In our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, we still have brother Archie Alarcon with us. They are staying here in Tuguegarao until Friday. He preached to “Do not add nor subtract to the word”. Brother Jerry Moral is a good song leader and he also taught us new songs that we haven’t sung yet in the church.

November 1 (Gospel Meeting)

We weather is now getting better and we went again to another Gospel Meeting. This time, it was in San Mateo Church where brother Jetmark Ramirez and Reymund Welba are preaching. It was again very hot during that time. It was again brothers Jerry Moral, Archie Alarcon and Rody Gumpad who were the speakers. Invitation was extended and 4 came in front to confess their faith. But when they went to the river, two more were added to those who were baptized.

November 3 (Sunday Worship)

For the final week of October and first week of November is the usual break for the students that's why they all go back to their towns. Many students who are coming here in Tuguegarao are not present. It our bible study, brother Lance discussed Luke 14:1-35 and in the sermon brother Rody preached on the book of Numbers. Invitation was extended and one young man obeyed the gospel.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached about "Excuses for not obeying God" and in Dagupan, brother Robert preached on "Where are the dead?". We have a good number of attendance because the students are back with us. But by Monday, they will already go back to their apartments for their schooling.

Preaching activities from September 4-29,2024

September 4 (Midweek Service)

For our first midweek service of the month, we had brother James Attaban preach to us on the "Principles of Church Growth". 

September 5 (Tracts distribution and bible study)

We were invited to Pussian, Alcala where brother Joeben Jacobo and brother Fernando Duque are preaching. We had tracts distribution all over the village. We had also short studies with those whom we have given the tracts. Many from that area are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Catholics. 

We also had a bible study in the house of brother Fernando. It was also his daughter's birthday during that time. They also invited other brethren to join. Brother Efren Respicio preached about "Trusting in the Lord".

In the evening, we went to Palca where I am preaching. One of our brethren died. She is sister Loida Uton. One of the member many look up to because even though she have many illnesses, she still goes to church. One of her leg is cut because of diabetes. about a month ago, she had a high blood pressure that made her eyesight disappear. She cannot see anymore during that time but still manage to go to church. A week before her death, they brought her to the doctor and found out that she also had kidney problems. It was during her dialysis that she died. 

We held a sister in her wake. In the first night, we asked brother Dennis Yuson to preach while me and brother Robert Rances led the program. Brother James Attaban is also with us during the days we had services. Brother Manny Pader is also with us for this night.

September 6 (Funeral Service)

For the second day of bible study at the wake, and also the last night before we bring sister Loida to the cemetery. We had brother Jerome Forelo preached. There are many non-Christians in attendance and they are very interested in listening. We again invited them to join us in the church. 

September 7 (Burial Service)

We held the final service at the house of sister Loida also. But they already brought it outside because there are a big number of people who attended. We again sung spiritual songs and prayers. Brother Efren Respicio led the preaching.

September 8 (Sunday Worships)

For our bible study here in Tuguegarao, it was my turn already to teach. We are now in the 12th chapter of the book of Luke. I was able to discuss to them from verses 1-7. While in the sermon, brother Rody preached "Why would Satan want to stop the church of Christ?".

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Robert preached about the "Judgment of God".

And in Dagupan, I preached the lesson "Unafraid and Unashamed". The start of the classes for senior high school already started and many of the young men and women of the congregation went to the town of Piat and Tuguegarao that's why our attendance went down once again. Sometimes they come home and attend our worship but most of the time, no, because they need to save money. They just attend worship wherever they may be. I guided them to the congregation they can attend. Some of them are here in Tuguegarao, joining us in our worships. It is also good because I am one of the preachers here in Tuguegarao, I can still see them.

September 11 (Midweek Service)

For our bible study, we had brother Rody teach to us this time. He shared the lesson on "What are the qualities of the glorious church?". We included sister Cora Aquino in our prayers because she is comatose in the hospital. Unfortunately, early morning, the next day, she already passed away. 

September 13-19 (Services)

From this span of days, we had nightly services at the wake of sister Cora. I am only absent in the first night because I was sick and also on Sunday (September 15) because I arrived back in Tuguegarao at 6pm already. There are several preachers who are coming and joining us to comfort the family of sister Cora. She is known as being very generous to a lot of preachers. Their family is also sharing benevolent help to our brethren. 

We scheduled several preachers to preach during the services.

Every night there are different guests coming and it is an opportunity for us to share the words of God to them. Not only during the service but also when we are talking to them. We also handed our bible tracts to everyone who comes in and also give bibles to those who are interested. There are also politicians who came and those who have big names in our community. 

The burial was on the 19th and we also had a service in the morning. When we reach the  cemetery, we again shared God's word to them.  

September 15(Sunday Worship)

In our bible study here at Tuguegarao, I continued with the given topic to me on the book of  Luke, we studied chapter 12:8-12. I tried to discussed by parts this chapter for us to learn more about it. I make points each verse and ask them if they also have inputs. We have three young men who were just baptized the last month and I am using them to read the verses in the sits before I explain to them. I want them to be part of our study. We will slowly train them and hoping someday they will be teaching in our bible study. One of them is my son who is very shy. Even in their school, his teacher is telling me that he is not talking. 

In the sermon, brother Rody preached "What must a Christian do when he/she sins?". We have a good number of attendance because those young men/women who are members in Palca and Dagupan also joined us. There are also students from other congregations that are studying here in Tuguegarao attended our worship.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the lesson "Draw Near to God". 

In Dagupan, brother Robert preached "It is not in riches that you gain life".

September 20 (Home bible study)

We were invited by sister Gretchen Asistores in their new house. They want us to be with them, have a bible study and prayer for her and her husband who is a seaman. Carlo just arrived a couple of days ago coming from a year in the sea, working. He told us of their experiences with the pirates and typhoons. That seems a very difficult job. He needs our prayers. 

September 21 (Bible study)

Brother Lino Darauay and his family came in the chapel here in Tuguegarao and wanting to hear God's word on thanksgiving because they have been blessed with a new car and also his 71st birthday.  

In the afternoon, we also had a bible study at the house of brother Andy Aquino and his family. They also had guests who came and also listened to our study.

September 22 (Sunday Worships)

Brother Rody called me the evening before Sunday and asked me if I can preached in our sermon and he will be teaching in our bible study. I already prepared my lesson for the bible study and so I needed to make another lesson for the sermon. He continued with our topic in  Luke 12:13-34.

In the sermon, I choose a song that we sung several times during the funeral service which is "Precious Lord, Take my Hand". I made a sermon out of it using the example in the life of Moses and the Israelites.

As we usually does after the sermon, we sing invitation song. This time, two old ladies came to confess their faith and wanted to be baptized. Osmena who is 65 and Dionisia, 83. I immersed them in the watery grave of baptism after our worship.

In the afternoon, at Palca, brother Robert preached the lesson about "Giving". 

In Dagupan, I also preached the same lesson "Precious Lord, take my hand".

September 24-26

Sadly, another faithful sister passed away. This time in Alibago Church where brother James Attaban and Jay Gumpad are preaching. Sister Lorna Tuddao who is 62, died the 23rd of September. Half of her body is paralyzed because of stroke but she never failed to attend their worship. She is walking for about a kilometer just to reach the chapel. Sometimes, when there are those who knows her, give her a ride. I was also told that she even comes earlier than those who are near. 

So for three days, I was with them, helping the in preaching of God's word. Only sister Lorna is the christian in their family and all the others are catholic. Inside of their house, they have idols and rosaries. We are persuading them to follow sister Lorna's footsteps when it comes to her faith. I hope that our efforts will be fruitful.  We had the services outside of their house because it is very hot inside. 

September 26

In the morning of the 26th, we traveled to Tabuk, Kalinga to visit the wake of another faithful brethren. This time, it was the son of brother Ben Vistro who is named King. King have heart problems since he was 8 years old. He was given 28 beautiful years to serve the Lord. He had a cardiac arrest that took his life. He was here in our house Saturday morning and he was the one who drive them back home. We didn't see anything wrong on his movements but cardiac arrest just came in by surprise. They even told us a lot of things he did during the day he died. We had service in his wake. 

September 27 (Gospel Meeting)

We traveled early going to Magacan Church where brother Danny Bautista. It was about 4 hours because there are a lot of road works in our way. We've been here the last month also and their place of worship is very small. If I go inside, I need to duck to enter, but now, with the help of brother Keith Greer, it is now better and higher. It is still unfinished but with our prayers and the Lord's help, they can have a better place to worship the Lord. 

Brother Rody led the preaching and there are 3 who were baptized. 4 came in front, but the other one, who is a young men, still doesn't understand the reason why he needs to be baptized and so he was told to study more and attend the church activities to learn. We brought them to be baptized under a bridge. It was muddy and dirty, but that is not the one that will clean them, so it was not a hindrance.

September 28  (Gospel Meeting)

We traveled to the mountains of Sierra Madre to reach Dy-Abra Church. It is the congregation where brother Victor Sinon and Reymund Welba are preaching. They have a chapel before. The lot where the chapel is situated is donated by a faithful brother. But when he died, his children want to take it back, They don't want to honor the agreement that was signed. For them not to be troubled by this family, they just move to another location. Even if they will win in court, those family will surely give them more troubles. They did the better and peaceful way. When this was told in the Gospel Meeting, the brethren were in tears. Thankfully, they are again starting a new one. I am sure God has a better plan for them.

The speakers for this Gospel Meeting was brother Dennis Yuson who preached "City of refuge" and brother Rody with the lesson "Great needs of the church". Invitation was extended and 7 precious souls obeyed the gospel. They were baptized in the near river. I wasn't able to join them down the river in baptism because I stayed in the car having migraine. 

September 29 (Sunday Worships)

It was my turn again to continue with my part of the book of Luke. This time it was on 12:35-48. In the sermon, brother Rody preached about "Obedience".

Right after the end of the worship, I drive immediately to Palca. Every last Sunday of the month, we have decided to meet at 12p.m. because their town Mayor gave them a memo that every constituent of their villages should attend their meetings in their village halls. 

What we did is, I brought brother Robert to Dagupan first then I went to Palca. We have a divided work for this time. He took care of the worship at Dagupan while I worked in Palca. I preached the lesson Ready and waiting.