Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The 25 men enrolled in the preacher training program at Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province in the Philippines is an interesting group representing the Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, and Quirino Provinces. Let me briefly introduce you to them:

Ricky Attaban, 20 years old, is a recent convert with a criminal background. He served time in prison. Elpedio Longboy is 71 years old. Because of poor eyesight, he had to walk up near to my PowerPoint charts to read passages in large print. We sent him to an optometrist to get the glasses he so badly needs. His schooling was limited to elementary level. I have known Mark Ramirez from his birth. His father is a longtime preacher who abandoned his family in recent years for another woman, but his wife and sons continue serving the Lord. Mark is 14, attentive and sharp.  Abraham (14) and Melchisedec (16) Yuson are son’s of longtime faithful preacher Dennis Yuson. They reflect their father’s faith.  Emmanuel Tablac, also 14, grew up in Tessie Gumpad’s Bible classes here at the Metro Tuguegarao church.  Teddy Boy Gumpad (21), Rody’s son, hesitated to join the class but is now one of the most active students and attained the highest score on tests among the students.

 Marshall Guilles (47) came from the one‑container faction, but understands the truth now and is better equipping himself to preach it.  Ranjet Layos (29) is a high school graduate but suffers from health problems.  He proved to be an outstanding student.  Dexter Amoyen is a new convert only 21 years old from the Kalinga Province where Ben Vistro preaches.  Ronuel Apalla is a 17 year old high school graduate wanting to use his talents to preach.  Norvin Camilo is a 17 year old from a remote place in the Cagayan Province.  Albert Modie (56) formerly was a Pentecostal preacher. For a time he worked in fellowship with such false teachers as Wallace Little but has separated himself from those influences.

Five men came from Rizal, Saguday, Quirino Province where Samuel Graneta preaches: Harvin Dulatre (23), Marvin Torres (18), and the three cousins Crisanto, Mark, and Angelito Fabros (19, 16, & 19 respectively).  Jun Espiritu (14) is from the church at Burgos, Cabarruguis, Quirino Province where Willie Pastor preached in past years before he was incarcerated a couple of years ago for killing someone in self‑defense many years ago.

Villamor Presa (60) is a former Pentecostal preacher from the remote mountains of the Kalinga Province.  Alex Ginelba (40) was converted from the Roman Catholic religion, and now he is preparing hmself to convert his family.  Eugene Malaggan (28) came from one of the minority native tribes of Kalinga to learn to preach.  Fernando Duque (27) was formerly working with the Philippine police and military in a paramilitary role tracking down N.P.A. rebels (active communists). Now he is a soldier of Christ. Romeo Basil (35) is from a tribal group in the Kalinga Province once noted and avoided for their head hunting activities. He now hunts souls to save.  Randy Tiene (25) is a Negrito from Cagayan, the aboriginal people of the Philippines.

It is thrilling to consider how God can use all these men in His good providence if they continue to serve Him faithfully!

Tuesday, April 10, was a good productive day. Our lessons covered “New Testament Worship” and “How to Study the Bible.” I taught on giving, interpreting figurative language, and establishing Bible authority. The evening session on “Bible Study Tools” went especially well whereas last night the men were struggling. They are picking up the skills needed for research using a concordance and a Bible dictionary in tandem. We used our resources to confirm that the name “Christian” was given by God to His people and not by Gentile enemies of the truth as claimed by some references books.

Wednesday went well also as we finished our studies on the New Testament church and began on the Holy Spirit. Lordy Salunga had to leave to participate in a gospel meeting planned some months ago and Jerome Forelo covered his remaining lessons.  The young men did a good job conducting the Wednesday night service at the Metro church here in Tuguegarao. Philippines churches do not typically have midweek services, but this one does.

All the students continued showing signs of progress Thursday. In spite of the long days and demanding schedule, the teachers did not find anyone falling asleep during the lessons. I taught on Holy Spirit baptism, the indwelling of the Spirit, predestination, and another session on how to use Bible study tools. During the studies on the Holy Spirit, Albert Modie, a former Pentecostal preacher, asked a few questions and expressed his complete satisfaction with the truth he was learning. Jerome did well on his first day of teaching, as I knew he would. Rody spent part of the day reviewing in preparation for a test he will give tomorrow. The students constantly express gratitude for the lessons and for the books they were given.

 Our last day, Friday, went well as we finished our scheduled topics. I presented four lessons on various aspects of premillennialism and one on the deity of Christ (defended against denials by the Jehovah’s Witnesses sect). My last class was on how to outline passages for textual sermons, based on Genesis 1. Rody gave a test over material he taught and everyone made passing grades or higher with a couple of exceptions. Even the exceptions did well when their backgrounds are considered. The men requested that we extend the classes because they feel they are learning so much, but other appointments will not allow for that. Again today they expressed gratitude for their Bible study books and the lessons presented.

Today, Saturday, the students gathered at 8:00 A.M. with family members, friends, and other brethren to receive certificates of completion for their two weeks of study and training. Representative students publicly expressed their appreciation for the study program. Jerome Forelo, Rody, and myself gave short lessons of admonition and encouragement. I spoke on “The Preacher’s Duty” from 1 Timothy 4. This was a good group of students and we have high hopes for their future service in the kingdom of God.

On a sad note, about 2:00 A.M. Tessie Gumpad was taken to the hospital because her blood pressure was extremely high. She is progressing today and hopes to go home tomorrow. Rody’s blood pressure has also been running high recently. Please keep both of them in your prayers.

Tuguegarao can be blistering hot this time of year, but it has been mildly hot by comparison this week.

At 1:00 P.M. I flew to Manila to teach the same series of lessons.  I look forward to working with the dear brethren of the Kaptibahayan church in Navotas, Metro Manila.

I have been talking with Donna each day for a few minutes on the phone.  She made it safely to Gladstone, Queensland, Australia to visit Jamie, Deborah, Timothy, and Seth.

It is hard to believe the first week of the trip has already been completed.  Please pray that my health and strength will continue.  I miss everyone at home and pray for everyone each day.

In Christian love,

Ron