Bro David's visit

Bro David arrived here in the Philippines for his last visit safely after many delays and travels. We rejoiced for the Lord’s protection during all of it. He first traveled down to Mindanao to join Sister Bless there, and to meet with Bro. Oliver and a young woman he had been talking to named Rose. Bro Oliver had been preaching at her church and she met with him afterwards to ask him a few questions. I’ll post an email that Sister Bless wrote telling more about her and her family. Bro David was there for just a few days and was able to baptize her. We are blessed that she has decided to take up her cross and walk the path of Jesus, the path of ridicule, shame, and misunderstandings. Indeed the fight has begun for her already and the Lord is giving her great strength and courage to endure all that she is experiencing.

Sister Bless had been sent there to be with Rose for about 1 month to encourage her and help teach her some of what the bible says. She traveled by ferry from the island of Luzon (the island most north and where we live now) and was almost shipwrecked on the way due to a powerful typhoon. Once she arrived, she traveled to the town where Rose lives. There she experienced sickness from the conditions there and also from traveling. I will also post another email describing the situation there.

Bro David was there for just a short time and was able to have a few meetings with them and baptize Sis. Rose. Then he and Bless returned to Luzon to have meetings with us here. We met that Sunday and Bro Jerry and Bro Bert’s families were present along with Bro Bert’s mother and nephew and also Sis. Bless’ mother and little nephew. Bro David talked about what Faith really is. He said that Faith is NOT an abstract noun (i.e. a feeling, thought, or theory) but that IT IS A VERB!!(an action i.e. walking in the light) Hebrews chapter 11 gives a real clear picture. If you were to skim down through the chapter and insert an abstract noun in any one of those situations there, it would sound quite ridiculous. For example- by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not yet seen, felt afraid, thought about making an ark to save his household… Now let me ask a question. Do you think when it began to rain that Noah would be safe in his imaginary ark? No of course not, he had to actually do something because he had faith to believe God and knew it was going to rain. We can also hear what God says, and not do anything about it. This would be like me telling my son to open the door, but if he does not respond to what I said, the door will remain closed. What good is that? His hearing is worthless unless he acts upon it. It was an excellent message and really made me examine myself to see if I hear what God asks of me, then actually do it.

After the service, we had fellowship dinner then went to the neighboring town to baptize Sis. Bless’ mother. Her name is Tessie. She had been involved in the Methodist church and was a pastor there. While Sis. Bless was visiting her family this last time, my husband and Bro Jerry went to have a few meetings there in their hometown. She was cut to the heart so to speak about many issues in her church as well as the hypocrisy that was interwoven throughout the message that they preach. During the next couple of weeks, she withdrew her membership and involvement in the church and started covering and dressing modestly. It was a true blessing to see her do this, as she had been against Sis. Bless’ commitment to the Lord and argued with her about it often. The Lord helped her to see and softened her heart to receive the Word.
After the baptism, Bro Jerry’s wife, Mayady, said to me” It appears that I am the only one that is left who has not been baptized. What if it is me next time!” She has had such a struggle to follow the Lord and still lingers between darkness and light. She could use your prayers. We headed back to Bro David’s hotel and then had some dinner. He left that Tuesday and returned home without any problems. I think that his next trip will be to Peru sometime in the next few months.