* Visit to PRFA in Leyte

Church Building of the PRFA

Recently I had the opportunity to accompany Rev. John Flores on a visit to the PRFA in Leyte. The PRFA is the Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Albuera, and is the mission work of the First Reformed Church of Bulacan. This was the second time I was able to join Rev. Flores on such a visit - the first was in September, 2010.

Here follow some pictures and brief descriptions of our visit.

A large American squeezing into the back seat of a van.

 

After a 1 hour plane flight from Manila to Tacloban, we rode a van for 2 1/2 hours from Tacloban to Ormoc.  (By the way, I shared the back row of the van with 3 adults and 2 children.  Cozy, hey?!)  We then took a 20 minute jeepney ride to Albuera.

 

 

We've arrived in Albuera, outside the home of Bro. Felix and Sis. Norma Montalban.

 

 

Rev. Flores visits with Bro. Felix in the living room.

 

Sis. Norma's kitchen, where she cooked us an endless supply of delicious food.

Montalban's house is just a short stroll from the ocean.

(We even saw three dolphins at one point!)

Two pigs heading off to market.

In case you farmers out there wondered: it's a Ford!

Three of the young girls from the fellowship visited us at Montalban's home one evening.

The lane to the church building - about a 15 minute walk.

So why not take a ride part of the way?!

 

 

The church building nestled among coconut and banana trees.

During our 4 day visit, Rev. Flores spoke twice (concerning the cessation of the special gifts of the Spirit) and preached once.  He also translated my speeches and sermon as I spoke - a challenge for both of us, but it went well.  I also spoke twice (concerning prayer) and preached once.  In addition to that, we met a few times with Bro. Buboy.  Bro. Buboy leads the fellowship on Sundays using reading sermons supplied by the First Reformed Church of Bulacan.  We took time to provide instruction to him regarding his work in the fellowship, especially that of leading the worship services.

Bro. Buboy with the "giant."

The PRFA gathered on Thursday evening.

Five of the children sharing a songbook.

(It contains numbers from The Psalter translated into Tagalog).

Group Picture on Sunday morning.

We enjoyed breakfast on Monday morning with a couple from the fellowship.

Before catching our plane again in Tacloban, we had time to stop at the memorial there that marks the spot where General McArthur landed upon his return to the Philippines during WWII.  Perhaps you remember his famous words, "I shall return!"  He did.

 

It was a pleasure to visit the saints in Albuera again, and to have the opportunity to preach and teach in their midst. I once again enjoyed their warm hospitality.  But I was also reminded of the blessings one receives and privileges one has as a missionary.  What a blessing to see the excitement and zeal of these dear fellow believers, their eagerness to learn the precious truths of the gospel and the Reformed faith, and their earnest request for our assistance and prayers so that they might not stray from the truth.  Let us remember them in our prayers.