February 13, 2007

Dearly beloved brethren;

The understanding that we are in the ministry only because God has been merciful to us, and that we are not working for God but with God, helped us to have always a proper estimate of ourselves in our conduct of ministry. That ultimately it will be God who is accomplishing His purposes in the lives of His people/church.

Last Sunday, February 4, immediately after the Church service and taking lunch, we travelled almost 600 kilometers to catch up the ferry bound for the island of Leyte. We were very excited because at last the Lord opened the door for us to extend our Mobile School in the island and i will be teaching Bibliology for the next 5 days. But by the moment we are leaving Cagayan de Oro City, the rain started pouring in. It was raining all the way until we reached Surigao City where the ferry was. The waves were rough the boats were not allowed to duck in their regular terminal. We decided not to take the boat that night as that same week, we were told, 14 motorboats capsized because of the rough seas. Early the following day, the rain stopped and their was calm in the seas. We arrived in Liloan, Leyte by 9:30 in the morning and was in Baybay, the place where the class would be, at 2:30 in the afternoon.

We were already all worn out because of the long travel but was excited to make it there and looking forward to start immediately the class. We haven't taken any breakfast and lunch yet. By the time we were in the host church, we noticed that there was nobody there to our surpise. Then we heard it. An elder in the church objected to our coming and using their facilities to teach. The Pastor, who was the one who invited us, was so frustrated and embarassed. He volunteered to have us housed in the parsonage and informed us that another church in another side of the town was willing to have the class held in their building. My team, Dave Pablo, Nick Dahilan, Merlito Luga and Rolito Forcadilla were discouraged how the events turned out. But we encouraged ourselves in the Lord. He knows better than us what is the best, the excellent things that glorifies Him. After settling our things, we proceeded to the venue of the class.

The host Pastor welcomed us in their Church together with 6 others who wants to enroll in our class. It was very apparent that the Pastor himself was disinterested of our presence but was just polite to have us in their church. We prayed for God's vindication. Not even water was offered to us. By 3:20(?) we started the class and have the liberty of sharing what ministry is about from 2 Corinthians 3. God was merciful to us. The people who heard God's word were gripped by it. By the time we are done for the day, the atmosphere of indifference was replaced by the sense of awe of God's presence. Everybody was excited to come back the following day- now bringing other Pastors with them. It was not only water offered to us, but lots of food afterwards. They confessed how wrong they were in their initial attitude seeing us. True fellowship and the sweetness of God's loving presence was our experience the next few days. And O what learnings we all have from His present powerful personal voice through His Word in the Bible. Every end of the day I was exhausted yet inwardly am renewed by the Lord, very excited to teach His word to His very hungry people. Again and again am stunned by the truth that what the Scriptures says, God says and that without error. By the time we finish the class, we have 17 students , majority Pastors/Christian workers. Everyone of them were by then asking us to hold the next classes in their Church. But the host pastor and his wife and church members were persistent that the fact that we have the Theo 1 in their church, we have to hold it there to the finish. (Some of the elders/leaders of the original church who objected to our holding of classes in their facilities sat in the class. They commented later that they lost much blessings from God's word by closing their door for us.) God truly have vindicated His Word and His word is now spreading in the islands!

At the mother church in Cagayan de Oro, church attendance is now packing the building we felt the urgency to have a much bigger place for service. We did found a property measuring 2,233 square meters for a thousand pesos per sq.m. The site is very ideal for Church building and even for establishing schools. Please include it in your prayers - that God will provide for the need.

Pastor Amiel was asked by a Korean brother whom he met while in new Zealand if he can teach the Word to Koreans studying English in Cubao, Quezon City. Please pray for this opportunity to minister to Koreans, and also their Theology Proper Class in Guiginto, Bulacan next week (February 19-23). On this same date, I will also be teaching eschatology to more than 40 students in Tagum City, Davao. Pastor Mariano Detorio would also be having a class in Christology in South Cotabato. Please include this clasess in your prayers.

Let God fill our hearts with the longing to spread His glory by the spreading of His word in the regions beyond the bounds of our church building and programs. Praise God for allowing us to enter into His glorious work of saving His people from their sins.

In Christ alone,

Nonilo Sanchez