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Philippine Report for Sun&Mon (4/23-24/06)
April 24, 2006
from Harry Osborne in Tuguegarao, Luzon, Philippines
Sunday
The Lord’s day service here in Tuguegarao began
at 8:30am with class taught by Mike Lusby on the Christian’s
responsibility to government. In the second hour,
Steve Wallace led the singing, I preached and several
brethren took part in other ways. At the invitation
extended by Rody, one 13-year-old young man was baptized.
We ended about 11:30am and had 30 minutes to eat before
I had to leave for the afternoon schedule.
Dennis Yuson took me northwest of Tuguegarao to the
Virginia congregation. Dennis is a very good man and
a very hard worker in the kingdom. He is one of the
men in whom I have great confidence. I have seen him
sacrifice greatly for the cause without saying a word
about it. Last year, he was feeding the family of
a man attending these training classes though Dennis
did not have enough to feed his family. We found out
about it from the man at the class and met the need,
but Dennis was embarrassed and did not want us to
know. That is the kind of man he is. A few months
ago, Dennis’ wife, Anabel, had a serious illness.
At the time, several members of the 84th Street church
helped with the medical expenses. When I got here,
I thought he probably was in need again as his wife
continues on medication. Dennis acted as if everything
was okay and only asked me to see if I could find
help for the funds needed to build a church building
where he preaches (more on this later). However, I
have found out that Dennis had to sell his vehicle
(a very old and worn-out jeepney) to get money for
his wife’s medicine and now is without a vehicle
though he is in great need of one as he does so much
work. If you are reading this report and want to help
with that need (about $5000 would buy a good used
van with 4-wheel drive to get into difficult areas),
please let me know and I will give you more details.
It would be money well spent and well used in the
Lord’s service.
Since Dennis has no vehicle, one lady from the Virginia
church and her husband (not yet a Christian) brought
their van to take us on the journey. Every 15 or 20
minutes, the man got out of the van with his wrench
and did something under the car – I asked no
question for fear that I did not really want to know
why. It was an extremely hot day and the van had what
we called when I was a kid a “450 air conditioner”
– that is 4 windows down at 50mph. Of course,
the 450 here in 100+ degree weather with 95% humidity
does not work as well as the 450 back in Pampa, Texas
did J. When we turned off of the paved roads for the
second half of the journey, the dust was really bad.
When we got to the meeting place of the Virginia congregation,
it was filled and I found out that brother Rolando
Agpoon and his family were there to help in the worship.
(By the way, I would highly recommend brother Agpoon
to any church or individual who may be seeking a faithful
man to support.) Two of Rolando’s sons, Glandy
and Glenard, were students in last year’s classes
here in Tuguegarao. They all helped as readers in
the service. Dennis Yuson was my interpreter. At the
invitation, two young ladies responded and were baptized
into Christ.
The building of the Virginia congregation was in disrepair
beyond belief, so I took pictures to show its condition.
As is common in the Philippines, it had a dirt floor,
bamboo walls and a tin roof. There was absolutely
no breeze, so the heat was stifling. As I looked at
the main timbers holding up the roof and walls, they
were absolutely eaten up by termites. The building
is ready to collapse. Upon further inspection, the
wood for the rafters or roof joists was also destroyed
with termites or dry rot. They have repaired the building
as much as possible, and I am amazed it is still standing,
but it needs to be torn down and another built. They
have already purchased a 12 meter by 12 meter lot
on which to build a new building, but they lack the
funds for the building materials. About $1000 should
provide the needed building materials. If any individuals
would like to give for that purpose, I would be glad
to give you more information.
After leaving the Virginia church, we proceeded to
a jail where Dennis Yuson and his brother, Emer, preach.
Emer was a student in our first preacher training
class here in Tuguegarao. Since that time, he has
been a very hard worker in preaching the gospel in
various places at great personal sacrifice. He informed
us that 2 had been baptized earlier in the day at
Rizal where he preaches Sunday mornings. At the jail,
I preached from James 5:7-11 on the need for patience
and how it works to help produce and strengthen a
righteous life. Rolando Agpoon was the interpreter
for the lesson. At the invitation, there were 9 inmates
that responded and were baptized into Christ. They
were baptized in a 55 gallon drum that was filled
with water and Emer had them squat down then he pushed
their head under. As each got out, they replaced the
water that overflowed and baptized the next. In that
jail, all but 2 have obeyed the gospel! One of those
is seriously considering the need to obey and may
soon if he is granted the time.
On our way back home, we had a rather scary moment.
After leaving the jail, we had to go over a one-lane
bridge across a lake and on to the main highway. The
term “one-lane” is the major factor here.
As we went along in the van, a small car decided it
would enter the bridge from the opposite side coming
head on towards us. As we edged closer and closer
to the side of the bridge (with no guardrail), the
car did the same and there seemed no way we could
get past. At that point, our driver went over the
concrete barrier and left one tire over the water.
The other car past as I was sure I was about to go
swimming after a 10-foot dive in the van. There were
6 small children in the van, screaming as I wished
I could do. I grabbed two of them into the seat on
either side of me and they seemed happy that they
would be cushioned from the fall by my extra padding
J. In the end, the van was righted back on the bridge
and we went on our way. After getting off of the bridge,
the man got out his wrench and took a longer time
working under the car with more straining noises.
Again, I did not ask about it, but merely prayed more
fervently. Again, I have come closer to the Lord from
Filipino driving!
Mike Lusby went down to Isabela to the Roxas congregation
where Danny Dengelan preaches. By phone, we heard
9 baptized there as well, though Mike is staying there
for the night and will come back in the morning. Where
Steve preached, one other was also baptized. As a
result of the day’s labor in this area, we know
of 24 baptized today! I have not kept a close count
as we have been so busy, but I think the total of
baptisms on this trip is now about 140 – 150.
Obviously, it has been well worth the expenditure
of money, time and effort required.
Monday
With all of the travel, preaching time and late return
yesterday, I was unable to send out the report. So
I am combining it with this short report for Monday.
Classes are now in their final week here. All of us
had one class this morning. After Mike’s morning
class, we had the customary pictures that everyone
wanted and then ate a quick lunch. We then went back
to the hotel and got Mike’s bags and took off
for the airport. Mike’s flight got off about
45 minutes late, but he made it back to Manila safely.
I spoke with him on the phone a few minutes ago and
he is enjoying the comforts of the hotel in Manila.
Mike did a great job here and was of much help in
the preaching and teaching. I think he is now “hooked”
as well and would like to return in the future, the
Lord willing.
Steve took over my class on “Institutionalism”
today as I was trying to get several things done.
I taught my Church History class where we finished
the Reformation period with a study of the Catholic
response to the Reformation and the wars that were
a direct result. We also examined the spread of denominationalism
to America. The remaining 3 classes will examine the
Restoration in America and the factors needed to bring
restoration of the New Testament church in any place
or generation.
It is almost time for supper and then the evening
service, so I will close for now. Thanks again to
each one who has made it possible by your gifts and
prayers for us to share in this great work. Though
some have tried to stop or impede these efforts, I
am continually thankful for faithful brethren who
by their sacrifices and prayers show a sincere desire
to reach lost souls and help their brethren around
the world. By your help, you have given more than
mere lip-service to the aim to preach the gospel to
the whole world. I appreciate the fact that you are
rejoicing with me at the great results of God’s
word as it contacts the hearts of honest men and women.
To God be the glory!
Brotherly, Harry O.
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