Wednesday, June 3 – Drive to Banaue

   Having ended our classes in Baguio, we started our journey to another destination today. We drove to Banaue, the area of the famous rice terraces. These 2000-year-old terraces are carved into the mountains by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people. They extend 5,000 feet above sea level and cover about 4,000 square miles of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. It is said that if the steps are put end to end it would encircle half the globe. It is reported that the terraces were built largely by hand. These terraces are commonly referred to by the Filipinos as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The roads seem to be just one curve after another. We could look below and see the road winding around the mountains two or three times. This proved to be more twisting than Casey could handle. She got motion sickness and had to stick her head out the window. She didn’t even have time to tell us to stop.

   The rice fields are amazing.  We made hundreds of photographs.  This is one of those areas that is impossible to describe. We can only hope that our pictures will allow our folks to appreciate the beauty of the area.

   We got settled into our little guest house and then went to a resort for a nice meal.  We had a big glass window next to our table, overlooking one of the rice terraces. We watched as a large cloud starting moving directly toward us.  In less than thirty minutes, we could no longer see the mountain out the window. We could only see the cloud. It soon started raining, making a relaxing sound for our good night’s sleep.

Thursday, June 4 – Burgos

   Since our guest house had no restaurant, I got up early and tried to find us something to eat. I walked into town and found a lady that prepared egg sandwiches for us. We spent a few more hours during the morning visiting some new areas of the rice terraces. We then started our drive to Burgos. I’ve worked in many regions of the Philippines on previous trips, but this was my first time to be in this area.  Reggie has been supporting one of the young preachers, Willie Pastor. We didn’t know the directions to his house, so we arrived in the city and gave Willie a call.  He told us to wait and he would come to fetch us. We then drove to his house and got settled in for the night. He recently constructed a new house, so he invited us to stay at his place. It was equipped with electricity and running water, so we enjoyed his hospitality. He also built a little bamboo shelter to the side of his house. We ate our dinner under the shelter.

   That evening we had two Bible classes. Reggie had a lesson on “Miracles Recorded in John.”  I then gave a lesson on “Which Church in the New Testament Is Your Congregation Like?”

Friday, June 5 – Morning lectures

   After a good night’s sleep, we had a nice breakfast with Willie and his family. Willie had arranged for us to have a couple of lessons with the brethren before we started our journey. Branden gave a lesson on “Rejoice” and Reggie delivered another lesson on “Just Say No!”  After three classes, we then had lunch with the brethren and started the long drive to Calumpit. We left at about 10:00 and arrived in Calumpit at about 6:00 p.m.  We drove to the home of Mel Tacbad. Mel is the son-in-law of Ben Cruz in Manila. For the past two years, Mel has been battling with a large tumor on his spine that is in a location that forbids being operated on. He is totally bedfast, suffering from many sores all over his body. He often screams out at night from the pain that he feels. His family has erected a hospital bed in the living room and cares for him there. Everyone enjoyed spending some time with him before going to bed.

Saturday, June 6 – Classes with Mel

   Cristina fixed a nice breakfast for us. We especially loved the watermelon, pineapple and mango. We started classes at Calumpit at 9:00. Reggie taught a lesson from Ephesians 5. While the adult class was in progress, Branden had a class for the teen boys on “The Thief on the Cross.”

   We then drove about thirty minutes to the congregation at Meysulao. JoJo Tacbad, Mel’s cousin, drove us to the location. Mel, along with his father and son, have tried to work with about four different congregations. Jonas Tacbad, Mel’s son, is now taking over many of the responsibilities. Branden delivered a lesson on “Love They Neighbor as Thyself.” After class and a short visit with the brethren, we then drove back to Mel’s house for lunch. It was then time to drive to the radio station in Angeles City. The station is very near the old entrance to the Clark Air Force Base. This weekly broadcast is a call-in program. Since the station is not modern enough to have a telephone wired into their system, the listeners are encouraged to text their questions on their cell phones. JoJo did an introduction and explained that he would read the questions and then ask Reggie and I to alternate in answering them. We really had great interest and lots of questions. JoJo later told us that this was the most calls they had ever received in one day. We were thrilled to be a part of it.

   The drive from Angeles City back to B-01 was almost four hours. It was good to see all of the brethren and share with them the stories of our trip. While we were away, there had been many heavy rains in Manila. The fourth floor, where Branden and I had been sleeping, had heavy water coming through the roof. We had to vacate that room and move to the third floor. With Tom and Machala no longer being with, we moved into the rooms they had used.

Sunday, June 7 – Working with Three Congregations

   Breakfast had to be at 6:00, since worship starts at 7:00. While Reggie and I were teaching & preaching downstairs, Iva had classes for the children upstairs. She taught several stories about David. Reggie had a lesson on “Moses Struck the Rock” and I had a lesson on “Teens, You Have the Power to Change.” After the Lord’s Supper, we divided everyone again. Branden taught the men on the first floor, a lesson on “Faith in Hebrews 11.” Iva taught the ladies on the second floor, a lesson on “Hidden Treasures.” Casey taught the children the story of “Feeding the 5,000.”

   We had a quick lunch at B-01 and then loaded about 15 people into the Kia to make our journey to Sta. Mesa. This is one of the congregations where Abram Cruz works. It is one of the poorest congregations around Metro Manila. It proved to be a very difficult and emotional visit for Casey. One of the young mothers allowed Casey to hold her three-week-old girl during worship. Before worship started, Dr. Tess explained that many of the children in this region never reach their first birthday. The area has the highest toll of infant death, most of it due to poor hygiene and improper diet. Branden delivered a lesson on “How Can I Be Sure I’m Saved.” Reggie gave a lesson on “Why Should I Pray?” I couldn’t help but look over at Casey and the little baby a few times. She seemed to enjoy holding the baby. The infant only weighed about four pounds and appeared to be so very weak. When I looked over during Reggie’s lesson, I could see that Casey was crying. I mean tears were streaming down her face and dripping onto the blanket of the baby. She had allowed her mind to think about the environment and the strong possibility that this child would reach her first birthday. It was more than she could take and the tears started flowing. It made her feel some better when we gave the mother three bottles of multiple vitamins after the worship period.

   We then drove to Marilao Bulacan, another very poor congregation. The brethren had erected a large tarpaulin to be used for the children’s Bible classes. The adults would assemble in a small make-shift room. There were probably fifty children from the neighborhood in the classes. Many of them come every week, without any encouragement from their parents. Abram and his good wife do a great  job working with these children week after week. Casey’s emotions kicked in once again and she started crying at the sight of one of the little girls. This beautiful little child was covered with horrible sores all over his face, with a few of them on her eyes. When we inquired of Dr. Tess, she explained that it was a bacterial infection caused again from improper hygiene. This little girl didn’t have such simple things as a bar of soap or a bottle of shampoo. She bathes in the street water, which is often filled with urine. Having been given some extra funds from some American Christians and told to use it at my discretion, I had Dr. Tess to write a prescription for some antibiotics for the little girl. We also gave her a month’s supply of soap and shampoo. She was so thrilled to receive such simple items. In order to answer some questions that had been raised previously by some of the men, I taught a lesson on “The Church’s Standard of Authority.” We then had a good question-answer session. Three folks expressed their desire to be baptized after the services. The water nearby was too filthy to be used, so they had to be taken to a swimming pool at a Catholic school.

      I had explained to Dolores and Tess that it was to be too busy of a day to come home and prepare dinner, so I would use some of the funds provided by the American donations and take everyone out to eat. We went to the food court in a mall. They all sat a long, long table and I went to the different stalls to order. I didn’t know half of the things that I was buying. I would just point and say, “Give me one of those, two or those, or six of those.” I would take these to the table, ask them to start eating, and I’d move on to another stall. It was something certainly different for me, but the brethren seemed to love the wide variety of foods. After we ate, I bought tickets for 8 of the little children to enjoy one of the little rides in the carnival area. It wouldn’t seem like much to an American child, but they jumped and shouted and seemed thrilled. I know they must have said “Thank you” at least a dozen times after they rode. Everyone was tired by the time we got back to B-01, but I think everyone had a wonderful Lord’s day.

Monday, June 8 – Visiting with two churches

   We had an early breakfast, in order to start our journey by 7:00.  We arrived in Bikas Camarin, where Ely Ebuenga preaches, at about 8:30. While Reggie taught a lesson on “Ephesians 1,” Casey taught a children’s class on “Creation.” While Branden taught a class on “Salvation,” Iva taught a women’s class on “Sowing the Seed.” I then taught a class on “What Every Church Needs.” Reggie taught another lesson on “Ephesians 2.” We finished at about 11:45.  The brethren wanted us to eat lunch with them, but I explained that we must travel on to Jimmy’s place, because his wife had prepared lunch for us there.

   We arrived at Bayugo, one of the five churches where Jimmy Bobis preaches. Jimmy is another one of the sons-in-law of Ben Cruz. We enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by Maria and her daughters. Jimmy had suffered a stroke earlier in the week and had to stop preaching for several weeks. It was great to see him back at the work that he loves, although he still doesn’t have full use on one arm. After lunch, I gave a lesson that had been requested, on “Duties and Qualifications of Elders.” There was a lively discussion and question-answer period afterwards. Branden gave a lesson on “Noah’s Faith.” Reggie gave a lesson on “Ephesians 3.” Iva taught classes for the children on “Noah and the Flood.”

   We ended our classes at Bayugo at about 5:45 and then started the drive back to B-01. We had a good dinner, a nice cold shower, and then sat around and visited with several of the brethren before we went to bed.

Tuesday, June 9 – Working with Jhun

   Breakfast was from 6:00 to 6:30.  We then traveled from 6:30 to 9:00, in order to reach the home of Jhun Layusa. He had planned classes with the congregation at Phase 6, Camarin. This is one of the congregations that he works with each week. Reggie did a lesson on “Ephesians 4” and I did a lesson on “Counting the Cost.” Iva taught a children’s class on “Footsteps of Jesus.” Since all of the children are in their bare feet, she had them to stand on a colorful sheet of paper and she traced their foot for a visual for the lesson. The kids loved these papers and came running to me after class to show me what they had done.

   Jhun’s wife and mother prepared lunch for us. After eating, we then traveled to Salacot to visit the congregation there. Branden taught a class on “Love.” Reggie had a class on “Ephesians 5.” Iva taught a class for the ladies on “Kindness and Goodness.” Casey had a children’s class on “Creation.” I did the last class for the day on “How Could Peter Sleep?” We ended at about 5:00 and then drove back to B-01. We arrived a little after 8:00.

Wednesday, June 10 – Working with Vicente

   We had a breakfast and then started our long journey to the area where Vicente Cay lives and preaches. It took over three hours to get to the church. This congregation is just a few years ago and there are far more female members than male members. After Vicente and Mona Lisa were married, they took an old pig sty and remodeled it into their house. They worked hard to establish the congregation here. Nearly 40 were in attendance today. I taught the first lesson on “Can We Understand the Bible Alike?” Branden then had a lesson on “Faith.” We took a break for lunch and enjoyed Mona Lisa’s delicious cooking. After lunch, Reggie gave a lesson on “Speaking as the Oracles of God.”

   We drove back to Manila and had to fight the heavy afternoon traffic. We finally got back to B-01 at about 6:00. Tess prepared a delicious mango shake for us. It was so refreshing.

Thursday, June 11 – Our Last Day of Classes

   We had agreed to return to Sta. Mesa for another day of classes with the brethren here. I feared that this would be hard on Casey, since this is where the little child she fell in love with Sunday was located. She felt much better, since we had given the mother vitamins and food.

   I taught a class on “The Book of Philippians.” Branden taught a class on “David, a Man After God’s Own Heart.” Casey taught a children’s class on “Creation” and then Iva taught one on “Noah and the Flood.” We took a short break and then start classes again.” Reggie taught a class on “That Lamp That Shines Forever.” Branden then had a class on “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.” Casey had a children’s class on “Birth of Jesus.”  We ate lunch, small boxed lunches that we brought with us to share with the brethren, and then had one more lesson. Reggie did a lesson on “The Ten Virgins.”

   We ended our classes at 4:00 and drove back to B-01, arriving at about 6:00.  We had enough time for quick cold shower and then walked to the chapel for our final classes with the brethren. Reggie taught a class on “Why I Am A Member of the Church of Christ.” Iva taught a class for the children upstairs on “Kindness and Goodness.” I taught the final class on “I’ve Never Passed This Way Before.” Casey taught the last children’s class upstairs on “The Key to Pleasing God.”

   Ben Cruz gave a farewell speech and thanked all of us for coming and helping in the work in the Philippines.  He asked each of us to say a final farewell and then he invited us to return again as soon as we could.

   I continued my tradition of providing a “farewell” party for the brethren. They do so much to wait on us for the duration of the trip that I started this tradition of giving them a party on our last night. I tried to fix several foods that they are not familiar with. They devoured the cheese & bacon deviled eggs! We fixed several types of sandwiches and snacks, plus a big pot of pinto beans and mashed potatoes. After eating, we played several games and gave away used clothing, neckties, toys, school supplies, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and anything else in the suitcase that we didn’t want to take back to America.  The brethren had a great time and it was a joy to share these items with them.

Friday, June 12 – Heading Home

   We left B-01 at about 2:30 and drove to the airport. It is always very time consuming to go through the checkpoints and security in order to even get on the airport property. The brethren are not allowed to enter the airport. No one goes through the door without a passport and a plane ticket. We said our good-byes on the sidewalk and went inside. We were able to get the luggage checked in, go through two more security checks, and get to the gate in plenty of time. For those who still had a few pesos, they bought their last Filipino souvenirs. We departed Manila at 6:45 and arrived in Nagoya, Japan, at 11:40 a.m.  We left there about two hours later and made the successful flight into Detroit. It was here that we had to say our “Good-byes” and make our separations. This was a great team. Everyone worked well together and I feel that much good was accomplished.