Volume 44   Number 2                                                                                    October 2001

First of all, I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Who has given me strength in His ministry. I thank also my brethren for considering me worthy to serve Him in many way. In times of distress you always there to encourage me and your prayer, love and support help me so much to stand on the higher ground. Many of you supported me in my preaching, I commend you to God in putting into action your faith, which resulted of my growing towards Him (James 2:14-26). You have done well to share with me in my affliction.

God opens the door in a Roman Catholic country and through our collective effort the congregation is now ten months old in Spain. It is encouragement to know that many brethren participate with this endeavor and I am glad that my God included me to speak forth the mystery of His love, mercy and grace. The works in Spain is growing; we encouraged the brethren to excel in their faith and increased their love for one another. I rejoiced when I learned that they sent help to our needy saints in the Philippines. The amount that they sent is insignificant but it is full of love. They are growing fastly of their faith.

All the members of Spain congregation are “maids or servants”. Their present situation helps them so much to realize the relationship between a “master and servant”. They do their best to serve their earthly master and they do it with a sincere heart as though they serving our Lord Jesus Christ. They knew that the Lord of mercy will reward everyone, whether “master or servant” for the good works he does.

During our stay in Spain, we observed that most of the people are busy fixing their mind on the things on earth (they love so much football). I was disappointed to note that even Filipinos have been doing the same. I am glad to inform you that since the work in Spain started, many of them were reminded when they hear the word of God. Some of them visit us in the house. We stayed after their work and we study together. They have a lots of question but the bible give them the answer and sometimes we concluded our study up to 2:00 o’clock in the morning. I think this is the success of the work in Spain. They need salt and Light to guide them.

Preaching in Spain is somewhat difference in the Philippines. Most of the Filipinos were already influence by the culture of the Spaniard. First, we established friendship with them and we call them by Phone and visit them in their homes, when the opportunity comes we sow the seed. I humbly prayed to the Lord to make the increase.

We arrived in Spain at about 11:00 in the morning of August 17, we are supposed to stay within 15 days. Since the number of interested people to hear more God’s word was increasing, the brethren requested us to prolong our stay. In the first week of our teaching two (2) souls added in the Lord church, their names are brother Richard and Jason. Every Lord’s day number of visitors is increasing and many of them requested “Tagalog” bibles because they want to search the scriptures on their own if our teaching was base on God’s word.

Satan tried to sabotage our schedule, but God the Lord of Host provides me strength to go on. Five (5) days after our arrival in Spain one of my uncles (brother of my mother) passed away, then for the following week my father-in-law (father of my wife) died. I know my family need me so much on that time of mourning but God provide comfort to my family and everything was done accordingly. My brother Arsenio was the one used by God to perform burial ceremony and Bible study during those days. According to my family he did a good job. After those events, my daughter Samantha Quennie was admitted in the hospital for “dengue” virus and she was under observation for seven days. My wife was also suffering from stomach pain for unknown reason and she was under medication for few days. I was truly disturbed at that time and I am about to go home. I called my wife to know their situation and she said God is watching over them and many brethren are assisting them. She even told me to continue my mission that God given to me. My tears over flowed and thank God for giving me a strong partner in life. God is so good, He never forsake my family.

Finally, God brings us home last September 17 and reunited with our love ones. The security in Madrid and Paris airport was very tight due to the event happen in New York. My heart goes out to all innocent people died on that tragedy. My only fear is that, they might die without knowing the Lord. God does not accept excuses and explanation, He will judge us by His word if we obey Him or not. Any kind of death is doesn’t matter, the most important, we are always ready to be home in our eternal mansion. The Bible is very true that our lives are like a vapor.

Lastly, I always mention you all every time I pray. For I know your love for all God’s people and your active faith in Christ Jesus. May the Lord bring us more deeply understanding of every blessing, which we have in our life in union with Christ. We must accept that everything in this world is temporary. Your love dear brethren have brought me great joy and much encouragement. Thank you to all cards, letter (e-mail & snail), clothing, medicine and money you sent. God knows your desire in serving Him and His people. You have cheered the heart of our God and all of God’s people. I enjoyed so much working with my father, he is a good mentor and teacher of the word. He is old but keep on kicking. He is a good partner in sowing the seed. I praised God for giving me such a good human father. My family wants to say,

“I Love you all”!