The Life of the Local Missionary
The Small Hole in a Dam Became Gushing Damaging Waters
- The members of the pioneering church noticed differences in administration between their current ordained pastor and the former missionary who started the work.
- The local ordained pastor made false accusations to the former missionary through the former's preaching. The latter was not aware of the pastor's intentions because, for all he knew, ministers were instructed to preach only Jesus Christ on the pulpit.
- There was an incidence when the former missionary accidentally dropped by the Calapan Church. (According to the ministerial ethics, they were not allowed to visit a church without the consent of the missionary's pastor and the local ordained pastor.) His purpose of dropping by was to keep his bicycle safe in the church premises because he needed to commute to a nearby town with his friend for evangelism in mind.
- After coming back, he visited provincial jail. Note that there was already converts in that jail. His purpose was to visit an unconverted friend. He was met by two faithful church members and accompanied him until evening.
- He also visited another unconverted friend at one of the church member's residence, just few blocks away from the church location. During these visits, great care was observed in order not violate the church ethics.
- Before leaving the church in the afternoon, a child of one of the church members was bitten by a dog. They prayed for that child and he sang a song of praise.
- Few days after, the local ordained pastor complained through letter to the missionary's pastor (who was also the national chairman of the church organization) with four witnesses, all of them had written false testimonies against the missionary.
- The missionary's pastor planned to put him on restriction but the missionary coudn't accept the false accusations. (Restriction means that he couldn't mingle with church member for a period of time). It brought him a lot of sorrow because nobody believed him and nobody supported him, not even his own family. He started having depression. Although he didn't attend the church anymore, he continued to plea for help from his pastor through letters in order to settle the problem. He he even wrote a letter to the local ordained pastor for reconciliation according to Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15-18. The missionary had relatives and friends who were already pastors in this church but they couldn't help him out because of ministerial ethics, stating that they couldn't meddle in local problems. He made attempt to talk to his pastor but he fled away with fear that the missionary might hurt him. There was another pastor who was staying and he promised help. Unfortunately, he passed away without having the problem solved. The missionary waited for two long years just to received a very short reply letter from the Church Board, stating that they couldn't help the missionary because he was no longer a member of the local church. Another sad thing was that they no longer called him "Brother" in the letter and wrote "Mr." instead.
- During the period when he had no church for fellowship, the missionary attended another church affiliation in the same locality. The pastor of this church affiliation was very kind to receive him and his friend. Not long enough, the pastor requested him to handle the Evangelistic Department, which he accepted with the love of Christ for the lost souls and with his intention to start all over again. Like history that repeats itself, a new false accusation came about. To stay away from trouble, the missionary talked to the pastor and sadly left their church organization.
- From 2002-2012, some members of the church where he was originally affiliated continued to accuse him of falsehood.
- A common greeting to a member became an accusation for proselyting to another church affiliation
- Abusive shout from a church deacon concerning a biblical discussion on tongues in Acts 2
- Abusive shout from a couple for no apparent reason at all
- Libel or slander from another who made false and malicious remarks through a social networking site
- It's sad to know that none of the accepted their faults. None of the church member knew the real reason for my disappearance. None dared to ask because they were forbidden. None dared to help.
- Later the missionary discovered the following sad occurrences:
- The local ordained pastor of the pioneering church had not accepted his sin of oppression. He resigned and moved to another province to continue working as a pastor in another church affiliation.
- The pioneering church was scattered and divided into three churches. All of them were heart broken.
- Three of the witnesses confided that they were threatened by their local ordained pastor to give false testimonies. Otherwise, they would receive disciplinary action. These three repentant false witnesses moved to another church affiliation in the same locality. The fourth false witness was nowhere to find.
- The church had the third split.
- Even after ten years, the missionary's pastor didn't showed up. Remember that he let the small argument break out a big fight, making it almost impossible to control. The insulted brother, the missionary, is harder to win back than a city with strong walls. Arguments separate people like the strong bars of a palace gate. The best way to settle an argument between two powerful people could be to use lots (Proverbs 18:18-19), but it became not an alternative solution either. Who has imagined such a simple settlement for complex situations?
All Eyes on the Offended Brother
Sundial dreams indicate that something in our waking life is not quite real. We may be trying to live up to unrealistic expectations or goals. Nevertheless, God can make impossible things happen if motives are clear. Take also into consideration that the characters in this story are Christian believers. Behavior that are not quite real can happen through the power of the Holy Ghost working in them. Let's see what will happen in due time. The aggrieved party has no witness to defend himself. So, letters can be presented as material witnesses should any possible resolution in the future comes about. Otherwise, let God speak for him and let God defend him from the following:
- The local ordained pastor of the pioneering church who was the oppressor in this story
- Because three false witnesses had become repentant, only one false witness has not given the light to this argument.
- The missionary's pastor failed find the lost sheep, the lost coin, and to give resolution to this argument in ten years.
- The slanderers remain having their untamed tongues.
- On February 3, 2002, Sunday, going to Mindoro Island was only at the back of my mind and I was not yet decided.
- On February 4, 2002, my day-off, I brought packed meals for Bro Jaime de Jesus and Bro. Elmer de Jesus who were leaving for San Teodoro. I brought my mountain bike with an intention to stroll around Batangas City on that whole day long. I mentioned it to Bro Bong Monton who drove us to Batangas Pier from the church in San Antonio.
- Because of endless conversation with Bro. Jaime, I proposed to accompany them to Calapan City via a RO-RO sea vehicle. When we had reached the Calapan City pier, I proposed again to accompany them to San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro.
- I had my mountain bike to be left in AJNC Calapan City. I informed Pastor Ronaldo Togle thru text messaging only when I have loaded with cell phone pre-paid. That time, we were on board in a jeepney going to San Teodoro.
- I reached the Calapan Church at 9:30 AM by bike, waiting for Bro. Jaime for almost an hour because of traffic.
- At 11:00 AM, we left Calapan for San Teodoro.
- My trip to San Teodoro was on personal business. The reason for sending a text message to Pastor Togle was to avoid misinterpretation about dropping by the Calapan Church.
- My reason for visiting the OMPJ on Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, 3:00 – 4:00 PM, was for a friend of mine, named Bing.
- Since I could not recall his name, I wrote “Fermin Castillo” on the visitor’s slip. Before sending the visitor’s slip, I met Bro. Ruel de Castro and Bro. Nick Marasigan. Then, Bro. Fermin Castillo came.
- While we were having a good conversation, Bro. Brando and Sis. Weng came from PNB.
- The couple introduced me to Bro. Lorenzo, an Iraya mangyan convert. They shared the gospel to Bro. Lorenzo’s girlfriend.
- Bro. Nick and Bro. Fermin guided me to “bartolina” where Bing was assigned. With Bro. Brando and Sis. Weng, I met Bro. Josenilo Peralta in “bartolina.” I advised Br. Josenilo in this manner, “If you have a problem, your pastor, Bro. Marcial, will not take it for granted. He will surely help you, and these people (pointing to Bro. Brando, Sis. Weng, Bro. Nick and Bro. Fermin) will also help you. But if you need a friend whom you can write to, I’m available. I’ll give you my present address.”
- Bing was already released from “bartolina” when we met him. I shared him the gospel of Christ, showing the only way to escape. I advised Bing in this manner, “These people (pointing to Bro. Brando, Sis. Weng, Bro. Nick and Bro. Fermin) can give you all you need to have a brand new life. I do not know when I could meet you again but I just want you to know that you have a friend who cares.”
- Bro. Fermin requested me to visit them again. This was my reply: “I’m not a pastor. You have a pastor here whom God has anointed. He will take care of you. I do not know when I could come back to the jail. But if you need a friend whom you can write to, I’ll give you my present address.”
- I left OMPJ with Bro. Brando and Sis Weng at 4:00 PM.
- It was Sis. Weng’s visitation day to brethren in Mahal na Pangalan. I was asked by Bro. Brando if we could first drop Sis. Weng to Mahal na Pangalan. Being cautious, we agreed together not to proceed to the church. We also agreed that we would talk only on the blessings of God and not on topics that our pastors feared.
- On Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at 4:00 PM, I asked Bro. to pass by Libis to visit Marlon, Sis. Aida’s son and a friend of mine.
- I greeted Sis. Aida and talked to Grave, her granddaughter.
- I even entered Marlon’s room and tapped him on the back, saying “Wake up! It’s already afternoon. How are you?”
- Sis. Aida asked Bro. Brando to buy something for a snack. I requested Sis. Aida not to treat me that special, rather to treat me as an ordinary brother. I continued to tell her, “I’m still susceptible to sin. Even pastors may sin also.”
- I mentioned to Bro. Brando about trust.
- Before leaving at 4:00 PM, Sis Aida requested, “Brother, come back again.” I replied, “It will not probably happen.”
- On Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, at 4:30 PM, Bro. Brando, Sis. Weng left me after reaching the church.
- I met a mother and a daughter who were Calapan converts. Sis. Tess Ordanze, Bro. Cris and Sis. Modesta informed me that the girl was bitten by a dog. O offered a prayer for her. I asked the mother, Sis. Tess Ordanza and Bro. Cris to lay hand on her since they also had Holy Ghost. While praying I felt the Spirit of God and I could not stop shedding tears. After the prayer, I thank God audibly for His presence in that place, “I praise You, Lord, because I felt your presence in this place. For months, I have not felt you in Batangas. Thank you that I have tears right now.”
- I played the guitar as I sang, “Panahon ay Naghihintay.” After a pause, I told them the meaning of the song.
- From 4:30 to 5:30 PM, we (Bro. Brando, Sis. Weng, Bro. Cris, Sis. Tess and I) talked about the following:
- Myself
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- “There are things that I have resisted from God.” (Sis. Cynthia was insisting that I should submit to authority, submit to the Word, and have humility and patience.)
- “I have many problems this year, 2002.”
- “Batangas Church was blessed through the preaching of Bro. Jun Mendoza last Tuesday and Wednesday.” I knew that he would preach. He told me last Family Day. Unfortunately, I didn’t attend.”
- Prayer
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- (For Bro. Brando and Sis. Weng) “During those days, you were weak and you requested me to pray for you. I was strong and I interceded for you. I even sent you text messages to love and respect your pastor and to support him in his ministries. Now you are strong and I am weak, I request that you pray for me.”
- “I have a burden to pray for Bro. Ricardo since he is sick.”
- “I also have a burden to pray for Bro. Rei Reveral.” Bro. Brando asked if he was also sick and I replied, “none.”
- “I wish there would be a church in San Teodoro as headquarter for the Irayas.
- “I have deep burden for the mangyans. They are natural people, not plastic. There’s no plastic in the mountains.” All laughed. “Isn’t it” There’s no Tupperware in the mountains.”
- “I wish God would send me in the future, even somewhere in Bicol.”
- The blessings of God in Calapan Church:
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- I told the story how God provided us “patola” every morning.
- I mentioned that the church and the Sunday School doors were taken from my unfinished house in Bauan. We had only P5,000 on hand before we started the building and God provided means to finish it.
- “I thank God that I once became a part of the Calapan Church. It may be the same as what Paul has said in 1 Corinthians 3:6, I planted; Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. I planted, Bro. Marcial watered, but God gave the increase. What a beautiful work of God!”
- The blessings of God in Batangas
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- “The Batangas Church was blessed on the skit the you performed during the Family Day.” Sis. Weng commented that it was all true.
- “Batangas Church is singing the song that you sang during the Family Day.” Sis. Weng added, “The Batangas Church inquired of who composed that song. I told them that it was you.” I replied, “Not me. I only copied it from Bro. Nick Marasigan in jail and I made it a songbook.”
- While holding the guitar, Bro. Brando requested me not to retrieve the guitar because they were still using it. I warned, “Brother, let us not talk about it. It’s pastors’ concern. Even if this guitar is mine, if the pastor is not capable of returning it because of the church’s need, I have nothing to do.”
- Bro. Cris bade me to come back again. I replied that it would not happen unless their pastor invited me.
- Sis. Angie handed me her letter for Sis. Cynthia, Kim and Karla at 5:30 PM.
- I bade goodbye to all. Sis. Modesta thought that I would stay overnight. I replied that even if it needed me to stay overnight, I wouldn’t stay in the church. I couldn’t even sleep in brethren’s residence. If it happens, I could sleep in the park. Besides, there were many RO-RO trips to Batangas.
- 6:30 – 9:30 PM, Calapan to Batangas City
- 9:30 – 10:00 PM, Batangas City to Bauan
- Background: My wife and I had a serious quarrel about my midlife crisis. I left alone in the morning without any direction to go and without any intention to go back.
- My message to Sis. Weng was correct, that they should keep it a secret because nobody knew my whereabouts.
- My intentions of meeting Bro. Brando and Sis. Weng were as follows:
- Charging my cellphone
- Help find a bedspace for me
- Help find a job for me
- The couple was only the ones I trusted during that day. The secret was a personal matter and nobody should know it.