For the month of March we had 5 wedding anniversary celebrants, two of which is Silver wedding anniversary celebration that includes Fe and I, last March 24th please see the wedding anniversary picture, then we had our luncheon fellowship and everyone enjoy the lunch and we also had our group picture taking.
April 2-6, is the National Youth camp conducted every 4 years and the venue for this year’s camp is Baguio City which is the summer capital of the Philippines and there were 473 registered campers representing congregations nationwide. I was assigned to teach the “Seekers Class” for three days, it was a group of 57 young men and women, at the end of the three day session the Holy Spirit opened the hearts of 14 souls to accept Christ through baptism, 7 young men and 7 young ladies. Baptisms were from the following congregations: Antipolo 3, Pasay 3, Muntinlupa 3, Dagupan 1, Lagro, 1, San Jose 1, Urdaneta 1, Tarlac 1. It was exciting to have this opportunity to be a channel of blessing for these young men and women to know Christ and obey His will.
You will also find in the pictures the Muntinlupa campers, we have 28 delegates which I learned to be the largest number of campers from metro manila. But I have to shoulder the transportation and registration of five of these campers because they really want to attend but they don’t have money for it. I just borrowed it and will be able to pay it back when I have a little extra for it.
Overall the camp was enjoyable and encouraging for those young men and women to be strong for the Lord, honoring Him through prayers, Bible studies and singings.
Thank you so much for always being there for us, words are not enough to express our gratitude for all of you, God bless you all.
Please keep in touch.
In His service,
Greg
Batangas church of Christ Update:
Greetings from the Philippines.
With the Lord's blessings and the visit of your group to us last month had a great impact on Lipa and Sampaguita church. There is a slight increase in our attendance in Lipa amd more than doubled in Sampaguita. We have a regular saturday young people's acticity with more than twenty in attendance. We also now have a regular home bible study every friday night at the Camaganacan's residence.
We have started a door to door campaign for three days a week using the World bible School materials. Bro Jules of Rosario church is helping me here in Lipa and I in Rosario.
At this time, my primary concern is our young people's activity. I need to maintain their interest and motivate them to be more active. I need to incorporate some activities like ball games, outings or anything that would interest them aside from our regular bible studies. I need some materials and equipment to do these so if you could provide some of the things we need like basketball, volleyball, etc, we would be very grateful. Given the opportunity to grow, these young people can be a great potential in the church. I'm encouraging them to finish their high school especially the young men so that they can be admitted to Bible school. Their main problem is their daily allowance of forty pesos only (90 cents US). Most of them dropped out of school because thier parents do not have a regular job to support their education. I am devising a plan called "Adopt a Youth"program. By just forty pesos a day, you can help one youth finish their high school. I have consulted some brethren about this ministry and they like it. I am hoping that this will materialize.
Our small chapel is almost finished. We are already using it although it cannot accomodate us all. Some members need to stay outside during worship. How I wish I could show you pictures. We imagine ourselves like the first century Christians worshiping without the luxury of any sort of things.
Please continue praying for these people.
Moises
Marikina and Cubao churches Update:
"We have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."
Its summer time once again…the heat is on! As Paul said "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." The brethren in Cubao and Marikina continue to plant more seeds among the heart of the people. They believe that God will bless every good seeds they planted.
EVANGELISM…
Second Saturday of the month is another opportunity among brethren around Metro Manila to gather and help one another in convincing and encouraging people to study and accept the Word of God. They all went to Pasig-Centennial Church of Christ to conduct a house-to-house campaign for Christ. The brethren under the scorching heat of the mighty sun brace the road and talk to all people they met and invited them to attend every Sunday and study the Bible on their free time. There are several souls wanted to study through correspondence lesson.
In the afternoon after the campaign and lunch fellowship provided by the host congregation, the leaders have their monthly meeting. They discuss the things for the growth of the church in Metro Manila and the upcoming activities in every congregation. The youth also have their monthly workshop on how to improve their skills in door knocking.
WEDDING…
Brother Jun Alferez decided to tie a knot with her long time girlfriend Joy Garvilles. It was simple but happy wedding for both of them. The brethren in Cubao witness their exchanging of vows. Brother Felipe Cariaga officiated the wedding while brother Danni de Vera gave inspiring message not only for the couple but for all present on that special day for Jun and Joy.
BAPTISM…
After witnessing the wedding of brother Jun and Joy, the brethren went directly to swimming pool where Clarence Camacho decided to be baptized for the forgiveness of his sins. Clarence is the son of brother Maurice and sister Connie Camacho and he studied the Bible with brother Joel every Sunday afternoon. The brethren are rejoicing upon witnessing the exchanging of vows and the confessing of Clarence Camacho. Indeed God is awesome by adding new soul to His kingdom. Praise GOD!
HOUSE CHURCH…
Praise GOD! House church was started last March 18, 2007 at Pasig-De Castro where Remy Kingsley's parents and relatives live. It’s a thirty minutes drive from Cubao church and brother Danni together with some brethren from Marikina led the worship service in the house of brother Clemente Lobusta. There are sixteen souls attended the first worship service and nine of them are Christians. This will be another work of the Lord in this area and we are all praying that more souls will be able to attend our next Sunday service.
BOOK REVIEW…
The preachers around Metro Manila gathered together to enhance their knowledge about the Word of God. They studied together about the name of the Church. This month the Makati Church of Christ hosted the event. The preachers around Metro Manila agreed to continue this kind of study in order to be more united in the doctrine of Christ.
At the Manila School of Evangelism Graduation…
There were 8 students from different part of the Philippines graduated on a 2 year courses offered by the Manila School of Evangelism (MSE). MSE helps train the aspiring youth who wants to serve the Lord in preaching the Word.
At the wake…
The mother of brother Juan Barbo and sister Nancy Barbo passed away at the age of 94. Nanay Maria has been bed ridden since last year and the brethren from Payatas, Cubao and Marikina comforted them. Brother Conrado Mapalo conducted funeral service on the first night while brother Danni on the second night and before the interment last Sunday afternoon. Brother Danni also preaches about Jesus since majority of their relatives are not Christians yet.
Wichita, Kansas Update:
The Kingsley family together with the Crosbys, Oakleys, Yankeys, and Andrea started showing the Philippine Mission trip presentation at the Kingsley's house last March 30th for the 4th consecutive weeks to those who supported the effort and those who were interested in seeing how the Lord worked in the Philippines. We had great fellowship and showing of the pictures.
Garage Sale Items Needed!!! We are having our 5th Annual Philippine Missions Garage Sale on September 6-8, 2007 at Maude Carpenters Children's Home. If you are from the Wichita or nearby areas and would like to donate your good, clean items, please e-mail us at daremyph@aol.com or just contact us. Thank you very much and God bless you!
