August 28, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

I have seen the full moon a couple times from Timaru, South Island, New Zealand, and so I know you all are still there on the other side of the earth! Whew, I was beginning to wonder if you fell off over there! Though a little tired as the trip winds down, I am so thankful for all the Lord teaches me through my association with His saints on this side of the globe, and also thankful to everyone who helps to make this work possible by your support and prayers.

On Thursday, August 22, Ronnie Salunga and I flew from Auckland, North Island, New Zealand to Willington, N. I., where we caught a flight on to Timaru, South Island. Often flying gives me time to nap and catch up on sleep, but the scenery was too beautiful to miss as we skirted the blue-green ocean waters on one side and tremendous snow-covered mountain ranges on the other. South Island is a little over 1,500 miles from Antarctica.

We got to our rooms at the Grosvenor Hotel (built in 1875) about 4:30 P.M., met Ric Halnas for supper at 6:00, and then gathered in the house he rents with four of his Filipino companions. I baptized Ric on my last day of preaching in Manila last May while he was home visiting his family, and he is the reason I came here. Filipinos literally circle the globe to find work and end up in far-flung places like Timaru. Ric with Boy, Nino, Edwin, and Greg are working on a construction project for a company that provides internet access. Their religious backgrounds include Roman Catholic and denominations such as “Jesus Is Lord” (J.I.L.) and Iglesia ni Cristo (meaning church of Christ but they deny the deity of Christ).

These men were very attentive as we studied an overview of the Bible entitled “The Message of the Bible: Salvation in Jesus Christ.” They asked no questions which is typical ofFilipinos meeting an American for the first time. Though Ric is new to the faith, he already has been trying to teach what he knows and he assured me the men will begin asking their questions at tomorrow night’s session.

The church at Auckland is covering our expenses for this leg of my trip which is a great relief. The cost of living in N.Z. is higher than most places in the U.S. This morning I had an omelette, bacon, a muffin, an orange, with juice and hot tea for breakfast for $25.

Since the men are working, after I study my lesson and catch up on email tomorrow morning, Ronnie and I want to see some of the gorgeous scenery. Daytime temperatures are in the 40’s, but the ocean air is so refreshing a light jacket is sufficient. Timaru is a seaport with snow-covered mountains visible in the distance.

After my study was finished Friday morning, Ronnie and I drove to see the beautiful emerald water of Lake Tekapo which is fed by the Tasman Glacier. Then we drove on to Mt. Cook and climbed a trail which turned into a cascade of large rocks in order to reach a site from which we viewed the Tasman Glacier and its icebergs floating below us. Surrounded by snow-covered mountains all day, we could not fully grasp all the grandeur of the terrain proclaiming the glory of God!

After the men returned from work, the evening study focused on “God Created All Things” (Gen. 1) as we considered God’s wisdom, power, and love. He is a God of order and patterns, which prepares us to understand His work in the plan of salvation. One of the men asked a question on behalf of all which was, “Why are there so many different religions?” Including their comments and follow-up questions, we spent an hour discussing this inquiry. I gave them several simple examples of how men have changed the original teaching of Christ, which results in all sorts of doctrines and religions not found in the Bible. I emphasized that by going back to the original teaching of Christ and his Apostles in the Bible we can find the truth and escape all these false systems. Jesus said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). This was well received, but it will take time and thought for them to absorb the full impact of the truth.

Most of Saturday morning was spent preparing materials for the afternoon meeting, but Ronnie and I found time to walk for a while on the beach (Timaru is on the south side of the South Island). I found a few shells to add to my collection (and a few extras for Frani Smith).

The men worked a half day. They rushed home and ate a quick lunch, and additional Filipino friends of Ric arrived from an hour away. There were 12 of us present when everyone arrived. The meeting started a little past 2:00 P.M. and continued until 7:00 P.M. with a 30 minute break for snacks. Our first lesson was “The Purpose of Our Lives,” stressing that our lives are complete only when we find and serve God.

Next, we studied “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost,” explaining what it means to be lost and God’s plan to save us. Our final theme was “How Sinners Receive Salvation” (Rom. 10:1-17), which clarified that “calling on the name of the Lord” refers to submitting to Christ in water baptism (see Acts 22:16). The open forum included more attention to why there are so many religions and why the Catholic Bible is different.

Overall the men indicated they were satisfied with the lessons. I emphasized the importance of obeying the gospel without delay when it is understood, but I also urged them to study and meditate rather than making snap decisions. I urged them to count the costs and to know they must abandon their sins and also expect opposition. I also challenged them to realize they could help plant a true church of Christ here where none exists. I was asked who is authorized to baptize them, and I pointed out from Matthew 28:18-20 that any Christian can do it including Ric who was baptized only three months ago.

Twelve of us attended the Lord’s Day morning service. Ronnie Salunga led the songs and Ric Halnas helped him in serving the Lord’s service. All of this was new to these men who had never attended a worship service conducted by the New Testament pattern. The first lesson was “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” (Rom. 1:16-17). To be right with God we must know the right God, the right Savior, the right gospel, the right baptism, the right church, and the right life. Some had to leave to meet with immigration officials but the rest remained to complete the day’s study.

After lunch we studied “When Peter Confessed Christ” (Matt. 16:13-19), “True Repentance” (2 Cor. 7:9-11), and “Back to the Bible” (Jn. 17:17-21). During the open forum, the questions included what happens when we die, why is there so much suffering and poverty in the world, and will God save a person who constantly prays to Him?

I again urged them to obey the gospel because it was evident that the truth was sinking into their hearts, and I reminded them of the brevity and uncertainty of life. I also urged them to study the Bible for themselves and to make a decision based on pleasing God alone. There were no immediate conversions, but the iron is definitely hot! In order to strike while the iron is hot, I would very much like to find a way to send Lordy Salunga from the Philippines to do follow-up teaching in their dialect. Some of these men are near the kingdom and we must maximize the opportunity to save them and to help them begin a church of Christ in Timaru. If anyone would be interested in helping make this proposal a reality, please let me know ASAP!

August 26-27 , Monday-Tuesday, were travel days. Ronnie and I flew from Timaru to Willington and back to Auckland on Monday, arriving about 4:00 P.M. Our parting was bitter-sweet: We rejoiced for God’s blessings on the work of the past ten days yet regretted separating to labor in our respective fields. Tuesday’s flights from Auckland to Sydney, Australia and on to Manila required a long day, starting at 4:00 A.M., but the travel was safe and the time was used to study and to rest on the plane.

Today, Wednesday , was scheduled for visiting the Philippine Bible Society to ship over 200 Bibles to various parts of the Philippines and to Timaru, N.Z. Atoy Franco was my faithful driver and assistant all day, and we met Rody and Tessie Gumpad at the P.B.S. The “resting” scheduled was jettisoned because it took us from 10:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. to make the round trip downtown to the P.B.S. and to take care of all the necessary details in purchasing Bibles in various dialects and arranging for their shipments. It was a day well spent when we consider the good that will be accomplished by those Bibles when they reach the hands and hearts of the recipients. As funds may become available in the future, I will continue to do my best to send Bibles to many who are still waiting.

It is hard to realize today ends my 52nd trip, but I miss everyone at home and it is time to return home tomorrow morning. If all goes well, I should be home late Thursday night. I will be eternally grateful to everyone who has any part in making these trips possible, especially my patient wife, Donna, because these trips would be impossible without that help. Obviously, I cannot reward the sacrifices of all these saints, but God knows who you are and He receives all faithful service in His kingdom as “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing” to Him (Phil. 4:18; NIV).

In Christian love, Ron