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.

Activities from the month of October to November 1

October 2, we went to Minagbag, Quezon to a conduct a bible study at the church. I was asked by brother Jay to preach to them. My lesson is entitled “The Value of righteous living”. Many of the brethren where not around because they are working in the field and some went to a wedding. The way of living in this area is very hard as they needed to work hard in order for them live.

October 4, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught about “Apollos: Mighty in scriptures”, teaching us that we needed to study the words of God and use it in our daily lives. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Lot’s wife: why remember her?” We must not look back from where we came from (life of sin), but to continue forward to the goal which is in heaven.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The best is yet to come”. We may experience suffering, troubles, temptations and etc. in this life but we should not be worrying about it, because the best is yet to come when our Lord Jesus Christ returns and He will bring the righteous to the place where He promise in John 14:1-3.

October 6, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody discussed to us the book of “Ezra”. We went to different divisions of the bible, the author of the book, the purpose of the book and the key verses and part of the book.

October 7, in our midweek bible study here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody preached to us “Acts 13” about the Missionary Journey of Paul in Cyprus and Antioch.

October 9, we went to Maguirig, Solana to have a bible study at brother Jerry Corpuz’ house for the second time. I was asked to help in leading a song together with the other preachers who joined us (Jerome, Jay, Edgar and Jun) and brother Rody preached to us about “The Holy bible and how to enter the glorious church”. There is again a good number of crowd from the neighbors of brother Jerry who joined us. We stayed in front on their house, under a tree to study.

After the bible study at Maguirig, brother Rody and I went to the hospital to visit sister Hazel, a faithful member a Palca where I am preaching. According to her brother(Juriel), she was found unconscious last Monday at midnight by her husband and was brought to the hospital the same hour. Juriel said that she was revived twice because the first hospital where they brought her had all ICU’s full so they bring her to another hospital and there she was again revived. Sister Hazel is having a dialysis for two months already because of kidney problems, and according to the doctor, there is much water in her kidney that’s why it shut down. Our prayers are much needed for her. Right now (Nov. 5), she is already out of the ICU and is recovering in the hospital ward.

October 11, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Battle of Lions”, a battle between good and evil, battle between God and Satan, and battle between Christians and the world. In the sermon, brother Rody preached “Christian, church and government”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “The Great Physician”. I choose to preach this because of what happened to our sister. I thought that this will give them the hope and faith that if we approach God, nothing is impossible like when Hezekiah prayed to God and he was given 15 more years to live.

October 13, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody discussed to us the book of “Nehemiah and Esther”. It was a good book to read about the courage of both Nehemiah and Esther. We again went to the outline of the book, the purpose and other things we can learn from it.

October 14, in our midweek bible study, brother Rody preached to us “Acts 14” about the continuation of Paul’s journey from Lystra, Derbe, Antioch and Iconium.

October 18, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, we started late because of the strong typhoon we are experiencing. Instead of 8:30, we started 9:30 and that is also the time our brethren arrived. We went directly to the sermon and brother Rody preached on “Acts 15”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, because the typhoon got weaker and just small drops of rain, we went through our original time. I preached to them about “What we need to do first in order to be successful?” The answer I gave them is to remember to pray as we wake up in the morning, read the bible, put God first in every decision we make and to obey Him at all times.

October 20, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody discussed to us the book of “Job” about the problem of suffering and how we can handle it like Job did.

October 21, in our midweek service, brother Rody preached to us “Acts 16” about the works of Paul, Silas and Timothy and also the conversion of Lydia.

October 23, I went to Palca to visit the Santiago family because the last Sunday, sister Dina was not in attendance in the church and so I asked her mother who is with us at that time and she said that she is sick. I visited her and found out that she has a pneumonia that’s why she always feel dizzy and cannot sleep well at night. I shared to them passages in the bible to encourage them and we all prayed together for her and her family.

October 25, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jerome taught in our bible study about “Does the Lord know you?” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “David: the man after God’s own heart”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Some ways to disobey God”. The title shows negativity in it but at the end of the lesson, I showed them that if we do this, hell is waiting for us because God wants us to obey him in all times.

October 27, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody discussed to us the book of “Psalms”. We again looked on the purpose of the book, the key verses, and etc. A great book to study when you are in sorrow, in joy, when you are strong on the faith and when you become weak.

October 28, in our midweek bible study, brother Rody preached to us “Acts 17”, Paul in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens.

November 1, in our Sunday worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun taught in our bible study about “Prayer of the righteous accomplishes much” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “What is Man?”

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached to them about “Like a little Child”. We must be like a little child who is blameless, humble, eager to learn, honest and loving. Not being a little child, we cannot enter the gates of Heaven.

Activities in the month of September

September 1, I started the month with our study with the preachers through the help of brother Rody in our preachers’ bible study. He discussed to us the book of “1 Chronicles”. In our study, we had the outline of the whole book and some questions we needed to answer. Brother Rody gave us a Xerox copy of the book he is using in teaching to us.  After our study, we talked about the upcoming Gospel Preachings here in Cagayan with the arrival of brother Chip Foster and brother Harry Osborne on November. I will join in the preaching travels and also help in the work.

In the evening, we visited brother Randy Viernes and his family. When we arrived at their house, only his son and daughter were there. We were told that their parents run to the hospital to bring the brother of Randy because of his illness. After about 15 minutes, brother Randy and his wife arrive. So we started with the bible study (Proverbs 1) and held a prayer for their whole family including his brother who is in the hospital.

September 2, we continued to study the book of acts in our midweek service. I am happy and proud that with our effort to visit the brethren, our attendance this Wednesday increases. This is our problem, every Sunday, our attendance here in Tuguegarao averages 120 but on Wednesday’s, we only have 20 to 30, but in this Wednesday, we are almost 50. I preached to them “Acts 8” about the Conversion of the Samarians including Simon who sinned because of his intention to buy what power the apostles have and the conversion of the Eunuch.

September 3, we again have our home visitation and this time, we were at brother Flor Constantino’s house. The house in under renovation and so we stayed in the largest area of the room. The workers are with us during our bible study. They are from Apparri. Brother Rody preached “If you are IN Christ and OUTSIDE Christ”. Brother Jun and brother Jay led the singing while I led the opening prayer. Brother Jerome started with words of wisdom using the bible before going to our bible study.

September 4, we went to Minagbag, Quezon for the home bible study. In the activity, brother Jay and July led the opening songs while I led the opening prayer. Brother Rody preached to us about “You Cannot Hide Sin”. We take this chance to let him preach because he is not always with us because of the work in Manila. After the study, brother Jun led the closing song and brother Jerome with the closing prayer. After the study, we talked to the brethren and encourages them to continue with the faith even though there are have many struggles with their daily lives.

September 6, in our first Sunday of the month and the joy of every Christian to worship the Lord we are again gathered to study his words. In our bible study here in Tuguegarao, brother Jerome preach to us “Church in Philadelphia and Laodecia” and in the sermon, brother Rody preached “What is the remaining rest?” My family had a problem in this day because when I arrived home after our bible study at Minagbag, my wife and two kids are having a fever and that same night, I also experience this sickness. We are all not feeling well, but we make sure that we will attend our worship. But in the afternoon, because I am not well and feeling dizzy, brother Rody is the one who went to preach at Palca. I heard that some of the brethren there also are experiencing sickness like Flu, fever and Sore Eyes.

September 7, in our preachers’ bible study, brother Rody discussed to us the book of “2 Chronicles”. We again have the outline of the book and some discussions to extend more our knowledge regarding the book.

September 9, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother Rody preached to us “Acts 9” the encounter of Saul with Jesus and his obedience to him.

September 10, in our next home visitation, we went to Enrile at the house of the Mabatan’s. It was a little bit dark in their place and made my eyes sore when reading the bible. I preached to them “Romans 5”. Just beside their house was the chapel of the Mormons and we are told that they are coming to their house to invite them in their church, but instead of saying yes, they are questioning the wrong doctrines they are preaching. After that, they already stop coming. It is good to hear about the brethren fighting for their faith, even though they needed to travel for 20 minutes to worship in Tuguegarao, they do not mind because they know they are in the truth and not the church that is beside them.

September 11, we went to Dagupan, Tuao to have a home bible study at brother Enzo Simangan’s house. They are members are Palca where I am preaching. I led the opening song together with brother Jay and Jerome led the prayer. Brother Jun preached to us about “You cannot hide sin”. After our study, brother Enzo opened to us his problem with his children. He is really trying to convert them to be faithful. All of his children were already baptized and already have families but they already neglect their obligation to God. He wanted us to pray for them and maybe in the other time when we visit them again, they will be joining us.

September 13, in our worship service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun preached in our bible study about “The right and wrong way to cover sin” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached “The church I am a member of”.

In the afternoon, I needed again to travel 50 minutes to be with the brethren at Palca. I preached to them about “The persecution of the church”. I gave to them the examples that we can read in the book of Acts and also the kind of persecution we are now experiencing from our surroundings.

Serptember 15, we visit brother Marlon Guiyab and his family. Before we even started, they asked us to include their mother in our prayers because she was hospitalized. After our study, they will go the hospital and take care of her. I started the work by leading a prayer that we included her mother and brother Jun preached to us “You cannot hide sin”. Brother Jerome also included the lesson we can learn from King Hezekiah to trust the Lord the He will do the best thing in our lives.

September 16, in our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao brother Jay preached to us “Acts 10” the conversion of the good man, Cornelius.

September 18, we went to Alibago, Enrile for a bible study. We were at sister Aning’s house together with the brethren who came to join us. Brother Jerome preached to us “2 John” while brother Jun led the singing, jay led the opening prayer and me in the closing prayer. After the study, brother Jerome and the brethren talked about the possibility of moving of the worship place because the owner of the lot where the building stands wanted to get the land already. I heard that, the Sunday after this conversation, they already had the worship underneath a tree near sister Henya’s house.

September 20, in our worship here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun preached in our bible study about “No one cares for my soul” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Our response to materialism”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them about “Immanuel”. I saw this outline material from brother Joe Price’s website and it is also the word I am hearing all week in the TV and radio because of the celebration of the Catholics on Christmas so I decided to study his outline and presented to the brethren at Palca.

September 22, we do not have any scheduled home visitation so I decided to go to sister Dina and visit her because last Sunday, her mother, sister Angelina, told me that she is sick that’s why she didn’t attend our service. We prayed all together with her mother and siblings.

September 23, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, I preached “Acts 11” about the explanation of Peter on what had happened in Acts 10 and the growth of the church.

September 25, we went to Maguirig, Solana for a home bible study. Brother Jerome preached to us about “Being Steadfast”. One sister who is with us have illness and after the study, she just started crying and so we asked her parents why. They told us that she needed again to buy her medicines to make her thinking normal. Brother Jun is the one giving the medicines to her and promises he will again give her for a month long medication.

September 27, in our worship service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jun preached in our bible study about “Noah” and in the sermon, brother Jerome preached to us about “HUMBLE”. After the service, brother Randy came to us and telling us the request of his son John Mark to be baptized. So John Mark came and confess his faith and was baptized into Christ. Another happy day for us as we welcome John Mark as our brother in Christ.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached to them the “Value of being righteous”. It is such a good feeling when you a kind, humble, generous and etc. and that being said, the God in heaven is more happier than us when we do this righteous things. But sometimes, even when we are good to the people around us, they think of us as their enemy maybe because of jealousy or threat but still, we must not think of what people will say or do to us but to always think what God wants of us.

September 30, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jay preached to us “Acts 12” about Peter’s escape from Prison, the death of Herod and the journey of Paul and Barnabas.