* RWH in Tagalog

We recently reached a milestone with the ongoing project of translating "Reformed Witness Hour" messages into Tagalog: All the 2010 RWH messages have been translated!

The RWH messages are produced by a committee that is sponsored and supported by the Protestant Reformed denomination.  These messages are broadcast on more than 20 radio stations in North America.  Rev. Carl Haak is the current radio pastor, though other ministers of the PRCA also produce the messages from time to time.  In 2010, messages were produced by Rev. C. Haak, Rev. W. Bruinsma, and Rev. R. Kleyn.

The translation of the written form of these messages has been done by Pastor John Flores, pastor of the First Reformed Church of Bulacan.  This is the congregation we visit and in which Rev. Kleyn preaches and teaches on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.

Pastor John L. Flores

The 52 messages of 2010 are available in Tagalog at the audio and literature page that has been set up by our missionaries.  To access this site (where the messages can either be read or printed), simply click on the title below.

Protestant Reformed Missions in the Philippines Audio and Literature Page

We know of a number of contacts who already make regular use of these messages.  We also provide them to the All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon for the Sundays that we are not there.  We hope others too may find and profit from this treasure of biblical and Reformed preaching and teaching.

Translation work continues for now with the 2009 and 2011 RWH messages.

* Judgment Day?

Harold Camping's prophecy that the world will end on May 21 has reached the Philippines also.  We have been seeing, for some time now, signs advertising the prophecy on the backs of buses, on jeepneys, on billboards, etc.  We have not personally met anyone who believes this will actually happen.  But we have heard of some who are not planting their fields in anticipation of the supposed return.

The yellow circle on the sign says, "The Bible Guarantees It"!

Tuesday night at Bible study we had a good discussion about this false prophecy.  Among other things, it was mentioned that many of the signs that will precede the coming of Christ have not yet been fulfilled.  The point was also made that our calling is to watch, and pray, and work.  The Lord will take care of the rest.

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. ... For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch"  (Mark 13:32, 34).
  

* Church Membership Conference

The Berean PRC hosted their annual conference on Friday, May 6, 2011.  This year the subject of the conference was, Church Membership for Reformed Believers.  Rev. Smit and Rev. Kleyn each gave two speeches on the following topics:
     The Obligation of Membership in a True Church (Rev. Kleyn)
     The Importance of the Confessions for Reformed Believers (Rev. Smit)
     The Reformed Believer's Duties Within His Congregation (Rev. Smit)
     The Reformed Believer's Duties Outside His Congregation (Rev. Kleyn)

There were over 70 registrants.  Each registrant was given a free copy of Rev. Key's pamphlet, Church Membership in an Evil Age.

Busy at it at the registration table

Some of the young men from First Reformed Church in Bulacan

The men both used power point for the first time with some of their speeches.  It went well, and helped to keep people's attention - especially after lunch!

Rev. Smit's speech on the importance of the confessions

Promoting the book "Bound To Join" by Prof. Engelsma

(We featured this book and did end up selling about 15 copies)

Lunch Break

We  set up a book table to sell RFPA books at the discounted price and also pamphlets at a minimal cost.  We sold 30 books, about 100 pamphlets, and a couple of cd sets.  Also, there were more than 100 pamphlets and old issues of the Standard Bearer and Beacon Lights free for the taking, which all went.

Books for sale!

The Berean PRC plans to make DVD video sets available of the conference speeches.  The audio of the speeches and the outlines are already online at:
http://prcaphilippinesaudio.wordpress.com/speeches/

Recording Crew

We trust that the conference, through God's blessing, served to instruct and guide His people in the truths of the Scripture and the Reformed faith.
   

* "Holy Week"

We recently had "Holy Week" here and witnessed again some of the Catholic practices and superstitions connected with the week.  During this time of year the Catholics have a practice of visiting churches.  The Catholic Church in Antipolo City is a main attraction.

The road to the church. 

We turned around and took a different way home.

There are also Stations of the Cross (also called Via Dolorosa, or Way of the Cross) set up everywhere.  The number and order varies somewhat, but there are usually 14 stations.  This year some were set up along the road toward the Antipolo church (which also goes past our subdivsion).  Pilgrims will stop at each station to pray.  In a way we hesitate to publish these pictures, but we do want to give you some idea of what the Catholic religion is like here.

This is number 7

Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry the cross.

During the week, we often see vehicles carrying images probably in preparation for the processions they have on Good Friday. 

"They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place he shall not remove; yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer nor save him out of his trouble."  Isaiah 46:7

On Thursday evening we went to the entrance of our subdivision to watch for a while the procession of pilgims to the church.  There seemed a lot more people than last year.

Watch the video

We were on the road on Friday afternoon and witnessed a funeral procession for "Jesus."  Some were carrying candles, some dressed in white robes, some were pushing carts with images, but at the center of it all was a cart with an image of Jesus in a coffin.

The coffin

It is sad to see so many deluded and on a wrong way.  We are thankful for the truth of God's Word that Jesus came down from the cross never to return to it again.  He conquered death and the grave and hell, never to be subject to them again.  And He is alive forevermore!

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen" (Revelation 1:18).

 

* First Annual Combined Outing

One of the goals of the mission work here is to establish, Lord willing, a denomination.  The various groups also desire this and to that end the First Reformed Church of Bulacan planned the First Annual Combined Outing so that the various groups could get to know each other and start, not just formal relations, but also personal fellowship and communion of the saints.  The outing was at a beautiful resort park with pools and an area we could reserve for ourselves.  This way our group could be together for all the activities.  And there were a lot of them!

Opening announcements, followed by devotions

The first mixer game. 

You had to find people who had their spouse there,

who had the same shoe size as you (a hard one for the Americans!), etc.

Sack races

The onlookers cheering on the contestants

Building straw towers

And more games......

The swimming was a big hit!  Besides the two pools in our area, there was a public wave pool which many took advantage of as well.

And in between everything else there was still time for food and fellowship.

Some of the ladies

Lunch time

Masarap

(Can you guess what that word means?)

Some of the young men.....

and young ladies

We pray that God will bless the efforts that went into planning the day and the fellowship and fun that took place.  Our hearts' desire and prayer to God is that His church may be established and built up.  Pray that the truth works powerfully to unite God's people in love and in the cause of God's kingdom here in the Philippines.  All for His glory.