December 2005 Philippines Trip
December 18, 2005 Report

After finishing the lectures in Surallah where 8 were baptized, we returned to Cebu on Wednesday and met up with Ron and David Halbrook. We learned there were 3 baptized as a result of their efforts in Tagbilaran on the island of Bohol. In both cases, we expect several times that many to be baptized soon as usually happens after we leave and studies continue.

On Thursday, we again split up to go different ways. Ron Halbrook, Steve Reeves, Jonathan Carino and several Filipino brethren flew to Surigao for lectures there. (At the conclusion of those lectures on Friday evening, three were baptized into Christ.) David Halbrook and I went to the airport at the same time and flew from Cebu to Manila. When we arrived in Manila, Ben Cruz and some of the brethren were waiting for us and took us to the hospital where Cipriano Carpentero was being treated. Though the brethren said Cip was better that day than in previous days, it was apparent at first sight that things were not moving in a good direction. Cip was very jaundiced, far more than when I last saw him in Pagadian. At that time, the whites of his eyes were yellow, but now his eyes are far more yellow and his skin is also very yellow in appearance. While we were there, the doctor came in who is the kidney specialist. The doctor noted that several factors are working at the same time to complicate Cip’s situation. The liver is still virtually non-functional causing toxins to build up in the body. The kidneys are also showing signs of shutting down and this increases the level of toxins present. On top of that, infections have continued to crop up and are being fought with antibiotics. Cip says that he is not in much pain at this time, though he has tended to understate his pain in times past. The plan was stated by the doctor to send Cip home as soon as possible for out-patient treatment. However, the reason for them sending him home is not because Cip has recovered, but because they have done all they can do and all that is left is to manage his pain. That can be done with medication at home just as they can in the hospital. We were given no hope regarding the long-term prognosis for Cip. The disease appears to be in the last stages with nothing being able to reverse the problem. If he were in the U.S., a liver transplant may be a possibility, but not in this culture as they do not have such procedures available. The doctor tells me that this disease is very painful. Without medication, Cip would be suffering terribly. I told the doctor we wanted to be sure that he was kept as comfortable as possible. When I discussed with the family the financial needs, they reluctantly told me that the funds given back in Pagadian had been consumed with the medical costs to this point, even though those costs had been discounted due to the efforts of Teresa Toreja. I told Cip that brethren in the U.S. had written to say they wanted to help and gave him about $300. We were assured this would be enough to last until we can all get back to Manila and see what we can leave from funds available. In fact, that amount was able to clear the hospital costs until he was released on Saturday night. (Ron Halbrook was able to go the hospital with Ben Cruz and take Cip to his home.)

Before continuing with this report, please let me express my thanks to readers of these reports who have given to help Cip. We can make that money stretch farther if we can leave Cip with interim funds as we leave and then send money back when we get home. That will allow the full amount of funds to go to Cip’s needs rather than consuming much of it with banking costs incurred if we access those funds from here.

After visiting Cip, we traveled on to Angeles City. We checked into the hotel and then went to supper with Lordy Salunga who preaches here. Lordy is a very talented and knowledgeable. He edits a paper, Sword & Shield, for brethren here in the Philippines in addition to his very busy schedule in Angeles City and many outlying areas where he goes to teach and preach.

The lectures in Angeles started Friday morning. The lectures were intended to be mostly for preachers. We arrived to find about 60 to 70 assembled for the studies. Some had come from a number of hours away in order to have the opportunity. In some cases, that meant they had to rise at 3 or 4 in the morning to be present. In other cases, it meant they had to ride the bus all night to get to Angeles for the studies. Two of the brethren who were on the bus all night came to me to “make an apology” (as they express it) because they were 5 minutes late for the start of the studies. I told them they owed me no apology, but maybe I owed them an apology for not being as diligent as they had shown themselves. Before the lessons, we sang at least 10 or 12 songs. The singing here in the Philippines is always spirited and a great encouragement to me. After that, I preached on “The Rule & Reign of Christ” focusing on the meaning and fulfillment of Psalm 110. David followed with a lesson showing the identity of God’s people as the church, the kingdom, the family and the body. He did a great job of showing how these terms show different aspects or different descriptions that, when seen together, more fully show the nature and responsibilities of God’s people.

After an hour break for lunch, we came back for the afternoon session focusing on the work of the preacher. David began by preaching on the preaching of Paul in Thessalonica from Acts 17:1-10 and 1 Thess. 2:1-12. I followed with a lesson from 2 Tim. 2:22-26 on “The Life & Work of the Lord’s Servant.” That lesson was followed by a question and answer session that went well beyond the scheduled time. When we finished, we were taken back to the hotel. Normally, it is about a 5 minute drive from the church building to the hotel, but due to the traffic it took us well 30 to 45 minutes to get back. The traffic here in Angeles is unbelievable – even more than at other places in the Philippines

On Saturday morning, we completed the lectures in Angeles City. David began with a sermon on “Excuses for Sin.” I am very impressed with his lessons as they are filled with Scripture, depth and application. He is doing a great job. I followed with a lesson on “Be Not Weary in Well-Doing.” We had a short question and answer session after that lesson and ended the lectures a little after 12:30pm so the preachers could get back to their home places to preach on Sunday.

After lunch, I went with Mel and JoJo Tacbad to preach on the radio. The format called for me to preach 30 minutes and then have 30 minutes of question and answer with questions sent in by text message to the Tacbad brothers. I was told that the Baptists had time surrounding their program, so I preached on the conversion of Saul. The question and answer period after that was lively with many good questions. The Baptist preach who followed the program was in full attack mode calling me a “stupid foreigner” and one “ignorant of the Bible and context” claiming that I really “hate the Holy Spirit” and was “binding the old law.” He claimed that the baptism commanded in Acts 22:16 was a washing of the OT, saying that Paul said he was “taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law” (Acts 22:3). What he failed to note was that Paul had lived by the law, but that changed when he believed the gospel and obeyed the Lord in baptism as commanded by Christ, not by the old law (Mk. 16:15-16). David Halbrook and Lordy Salunga were on the same radio station the hour after that Baptist preacher and did a very good job answering his error.

On Sunday, I stayed in Angeles to teach the men’s class from Mark 8 and then preach on “Great Faith vs. Little Faith” from the book of Matthew. We left immediately after the service to go get David who was preaching in San Fernando since that was on our way to Manila. Shortly after we arrived at the meeting place, their services were over and we proceeded towards Manila.

Since Cip was released from the hospital, we went straight to his home when we got into Manila on Sunday afternoon. When we arrived, they were just beginning their worship service. There was very spirited singing and one of Ben Cruz’s sons, Elias, did the preaching. Cip was laying on a cot and participating throughout the service. His spirits were good as always, but his condition is clearly deteriorating. The doctors have informed him that his time is very short on this earth, so we were able to speak freely about the hope that can bring comfort to his soul and to his family as well. I was able to say my farewells to my dear brother and thank him for his labors in Christ. We were able to express our love for one another and our great hope that we will be reunited in one unending day before our Father’s throne. I was able to get through the trip with $300 left in American money, so I gave that amount to Cip and his wife to help with expenses until we are able to send some back from the U.S. There is no amount we could give that would accurately reflect the degree of esteem we have for Cip. He has been more than just a friend to me – he is my brother in the Lord, a valued co-worker in the kingdom and I love him like one of my own family. Though the tears flow over his loss, I am happy for my dear brother that his hope is near to being reality. Saying goodbye to my brother was harder for me than anything I have had to do here in the Philippines. He will be forever in my heart until I see him again where there will be no parting.

We are now at the hotel in Manila preparing to leave for home in the morning. Let me end with a final word of thanks to those who helped make it possible for me to take part in this effort. If it were not for your generosity, I could not take part in this work that I love so much. My life has been made richer and my faith fuller by being blessed to have such opportunities. Each day, I am thankful for your help and pray God’s richest blessings upon you for your fellowship with me in the work of the gospel. Thank you for your sacrifices.

Brotherly, Harry O.

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