August 31, 2019th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

On Wednesday, August 28, I went to the airport in Manila to catch the plane going to General Santos City in southern Mindanao, almost 600 miles to the south.  My friend Hugh Walton advised me from his years as a pilot to “hydrate, hydrate, hydrate” when flying – when he is right, he is really right!  Let me explain.

The terminal was hot, the flight was delayed, and I had to stand a long time sweating on a bus which brought us to the plane on the tarmac before it was ready for boarding.  I was so tired after finally boarding I soon fell asleep after hearing the pilot say we would fly at 35,000 feet altitude and did not awaken until the plane made its approach to land.  I had gone to the airport at 10:30 A.M. and we arrived in General Santos City about 3:00 P.M.  It never occurred to me that I had missed lunch and had failed to drink anything while running this gauntlet.
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August 27, 2019th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

All day Monday was reserved for travel.  I arose at 6:00 A.M. and Daryl Johnson took me to the Rockhampton airport to start the journey.  The first flight took me to Brisbane.  With only a few minutes to catch the connecting flight, I moved on to Sydney where the real fun began.

I had to get in line to wait for a bus to transfer from the domestic terminal to the international terminal.  When I got in line, my plane to Manila started boarding at the other terminal!  My heart sank because it did not seem possible to make the 10-12 minute bus ride, then pass through immigration and the security check, without missing the flight.

After I jumped through all the hoops, I gave it my best 100 yard dash through the terminal and someone from Qantas Airlines near the goal post saw me zipping along and called out to ask my name – he said turn right at the next corner and board the plane!  By then most of the overhead storage bins were filled, but an attendant found space for my briefcase and my laptop case about ten seats away.  I plopped down in my seat sweating from stress and olympic exertion.  There was no applause in the stands, but I certainly was a prize winner – or at least a very thankful traveler.  There was only one bumpy segment during our flight.  Though I did not get any work done, I was rewarded with some delightful dozing.
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August 25, 2019th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Randy Cabrillas took me to the Auckland airport at 4:00 A.M. on Thursday to fly to Australia. Most of the way we drove on an eight-lane highway with virtually no traffic, but we entered a strong rain.  Shortly before arriving at the airport, a vehicle moving at a high rate of speed coming from the opposite direction suddenly turned right in front us, apparently trying to beat a red light, and barely, barely missed crashing crosswise into the front of our car.  Someone must have been praying for us at that moment!  The driver surely saw us, and how could he have imagined such a sudden turn would not cause him to crash into us?  Randy is a careful driver, but this is a reminder that even the best drivers cannot predict the rash moves of other drivers – our lives hang by a thread every moment we travel on the roads and highways.  We must be prepared to leave this world every moment of every day!

My flights to Brisbane and then on to Rockhampton, Queensland went well, affording the opportunity for a couple of good naps.  Daryl Johnson greeted me at the airport about 12:30 P.M.  During our good visit over lunch, he said he is planning a trip with his wife to visit her relatives in Illinois during July of next year, hopefully, and they would like to visit the Hebron Lane church in Shepherdsville, KY.  It would be a special joy to return the hospitality which has been shown to me on numerous occasions by these two saints.
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August 21, 2019th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The last day in Whakatane was a beautiful, cool sun-shiny day.  As I prepared for the Monday afternoon flight back to Auckland, I worked on a report, answered email, walked on the Ohope beach with Patrick discussing Bible questions, joined Abner and Lani at a Thai restaurant, and squeezed in a nap.  I hate to leave the saints here because I am inspired by their diligent efforts, but I will keep them in my heart and prayers.

The 4:45 P.M. flight was smooth sailing.  I took a picture of Auckland as we approached in the distance, showing the heavy cloud cover which continues to bring intermittent rain showers.  Randy, Crisel, and Asylle Cabrillas picked me up at the airport and we joined Ronnie and Nina Salunga for a good supper and visit at a restaurant on the seashore.  After we reached the Cabrillas’ home I worked until 2:00 A.M. and then fell soundly asleep.

Tuesday was a pretty day with the sun often breaking through the clouds.  I was so busy preparing tonight’s lesson and answering email that there was no time to walk until 4:30 P.M.  After a quick walk, I dressed for our service and we shared a supper of delicious Filipino foods at the Salunga’s house.
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August 15, 2019th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

I have been getting 8 hours of sleep the last couple of nights, plus on Tuesday I walked three times: an hour before lunch, 20 minutes in the late afternoon, and 30-40 minutes after the evening service.  Therefore, my strength and stamina are good at this time by God’s grace.  This helps to overcome the wear and tear of traveling and jet lag.  The brethren are kind and hospitable in providing plenty of healthy food.  The Cabrillas were at work today, so I spent the day preparing tonight’s lesson and working on a ton of email messages, important work which it seems is never caught up (apologies to those of you wondering why I have not responded to your message).

By the way, speaking of apologies, I need to correct this sentence from the previous report: “This is winter in New Zealand and temperatures are running mid-40’s to mid-50’s (7-13 centigrade).”  Celsius, not centigrade – what was I thinking???
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August 12, 2019th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

On Thursday, August 8, I awoke at my hotel in Manila before 4:00 A.M. to go to the Philippine Air Lines international airport for a 9 hours flight to Auckland, New Zealand.   I left the hot summer monsoon rains of the Philippines and arrived in the cold winter rains of New Zealand because it is well south of the equator.  Thank God I was able to study and nap off and on with smooth flying.

Randy Cabillas was waiting for me at the arrival area to take me to his house.  I appreciate their hospitality for my 8th visit with the Meadowood church.  The Ronnie Salunga family kept me in past years, but they have just returned from the Philippines because Ronnie’s brother, Ramil, died suddenly.  He was a faithful member of the Southside church of Christ in Angeles City where his brother, Lordy, preaches.  We offer our sympathy and prayers on behalf of all the Salunga family, and yet also we rejoice with you because Ramil was faithful to the end and died in the hope of heaven.
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