by Carl Vonnoh

“Showers of blessing” . . .”seasons refreshing” . . .”bringing in the sheaves” — these thoughts give a good description of the spiritual opportunities at this time in the Republic of the Philippines. It is truly a land full of prepared people.

In the Philippines one will find hearts that are hungry. The acts of penance, devotion to the mass and faithfulness to the Roman Catholic church have become disillusioning to them. They are hungry for the truth, hungry for hope, and hungry for freedom from their sins. More than 70 percent of the Filipino people live in physical hunger as well as in spiritual hunger. Now is the time to fill that spiritual hunger with the Bread of Life — Jesus Christ Himself!

Many of these precious people have open minds to false notions. Religions of all kinds captivate them. But we have the truth of the Word of God. We know the One who is the Way of salvation. Now is the time to seize the opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ—their only hope. Their spiritual hunger drives them to seek something to fill that void. They will listen to a person many times out of respect because he/she is a foreigner. They read the Gospel tracts, ask questions and many come to Christ. Their minds and hearts are open, ready and willing. Spiritual hunger and open minds lead them to eyes that become enlightened. God does His work through His Word and we get to be a part of that ministry. As laborers in the harvest field of souls, we see souls saved through the grace and mercy of the Lord.

A multitude of souls is steadily added to the Lambs Book of Life. Marvelous are the Lord’s works. But it is especially thrilling to see lives transformed by the powerful blood of the Lamb of God.

The following are some examples of souls recently saved and lives transformed in the Philippines through the ministry of BIMI missionaries:

“Sing-ke became his nickname, meaning ‘he who gets mad over the little thing.’ One day while driving a truck loaded with whiskey, the truck turned over and Sing-ke lost his left arm. It was just one more scar added to all the others on his body — stab wounds from numerous fights, etc. Shortly afterwards, a singing group from Iloilo Baptist College came to his home place. The people had to hold him back because he wanted to stone the church. Sing-ke had his bottle of whiskey in his back pocket, not realizing God was going to deal with him. He received Christ as his Savior! His life was completely changed and the next year he came to Iloilo Baptist College. After graduating, he went out and started a church. Five years ago he started a second church.”

Another missionary writes:

“We have five students this semester, making our total sixteen. We will be graduating five students this coming March. We are excited about the graduates. I will be very busy with all this great work and it is exciting to see the Lord provide for souls to be saved and baptized and to be obedient to His Word.”

Still another missionary writes about a youth camp ministry:

“ . . .I was privileged to take thirty-three of our church members to youth camp. The Holy Spirit did a mighty work with eighteen of our young people surrendering for full-time Christian service. The following Sunday, April 25, I preached a message about serving the Lord. During the invitation there were twelve additional decisions (many adults) about full-time service for God. Please pray for these thirty members that are surrendered to Christ to do His will.”

The following e-mail message came to my desk in the month of August. This young man was a medical student while he attended our church in Manila. He later became a doctor and serves the Lord in the province.

“I hope this letter gets to you. It has been quite a long time since you have heard from me—five years. How are you, sir? How is Mrs. Vonnoh and the rest of the family? I am in Manila for a seminar training. I had been able to visit our church here in San Juan. Pastor Edgar is doing quite well and so is the church as a whole. Remember us in your prayers.

Pastor, I could still remember when I did not want to have anything to do with Baptists. I thought Baptists were fanatics. That was the time before I attended your Bible studies. Now [I] am affiliated with a namesake of our church—Harvest Baptist Church, Davao City. We have a Bible college—Harvest Baptist Bible College—where I am the school physician. I also teach English Grammar in the Bible school. I have become a deacon of Harvest Baptist Church, Calinan—an outreach ministry. God is really doing a lot in my life. I am very thankful to the Lord that in 1986, He directed me to your church. I have learned a lot from your faithful teachers of God’s Word. God bless you and your family.

Sincerely Yours,

Eboy (Nelson V. Hufano, M.D.)”

All of the testimonials redound to the glory and power of God. He is in the soul-saving and life-changing business today.

In contrast to the Lord’s blessings, please notice the hopelessness that religion offers. Easter festivities in the Philippines find tourists and locals alike marching to the beat of a different drummer. Devotees dedicated to personal penance fill the streets. Some young men strip off their shirts. They wear masks to hide their identity. They beat themselves on the back with a whip like the cat of nine tails. This misguided form of good works blinds people to salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. By imitating the Lord’s humility, Filipinos think they can obtain peace with God.

Others attempt to re-enact the passion of Christ. They march along struggling with a heavy wooden cross. Their brows become bruised and bloody from thorn crowns. As these volunteers reach their destination, they are greeted by a mob of people. Mock soldiers prepare the body for crucifixion. Huge spikes pounded into the palms penetrate the cruel wooden crosses. The summer-like heat steadily beats down, causing consciousness to be a chore.

Blinded by tradition, these hearts hunger but not for the righteousness of Christ. Their self-righteousness leads these precious people from the Lord, not to Him.

What will you do about the urgency of the hour? Souls need the Lord. As Isaiah of old heard the voice of the Lord, he replied, “Here am I; send me.” Will you respond to missions?

Some years ago while door knocking in San Juan, Manila, Philippines, my partner and I came across Benny del Carmen. He invited us in and greeted us with wonderful Filipino hospitality. He shared with us a brief synopsis of his life. We then had the privilege to share with Mr. del Carmen the wonderful Words of Life. He listened intently. He then repented of his sin and trusted Christ to be his Savior. With tears in his eyes, he began a desperate plea—“Why were you so long in coming? Why do not more of your people come here to tell my people how to be saved and go to heaven?”

Dear reader, can you answer this last question? Why do we not see more people going to the Philippines to reach souls for the Savior? Why do we not see more people answering the call of God to take the Gospel around the world? Will you respond today? There can be “showers of blessings . . .seasons refreshing . . .bringing in the sheaves” if we go out today with the good news of Salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Carl Vonnoh served for ten years in the Philippines and for three years in Hawaii. He is now the Assistant Far East Director.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jonathon & Mandy Crews -  BRAZIL
Joel C & Brooke Daku -  KIRIBATI
Paul W & Martha Daku -  FIJI ISLANDS