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PHILIPPINE NEWS LETTER Feb. 15, 1966

Cebu Christiaii Mission
RAY

8b IMOGENE CARLSON
P. O. Box 41

Cebu

City, Philippines

' '

The "Kapunongan sa mga Magsasangyaw" is a group of our brethren interested in

Christian Evangelism that meets on the first Monday of every month on the carnpus of
Cebu Bible Seminary. After a short devotional period led by the president Arsenio Gilig
on Feb. 7, the secretary, Victoriana Joyohoy read the minutes of the last meeting and the
treasurer, Mr. Pedro Panoy, explained how last month's budget of about 40 dollars was
spent.

A number of letters were read. The church in Plaridel in Misamis Occidental wrote, "our
souls have been resurrected by the visit of Jose Palicte." He spent 5 and a half days there
and baptized a 17 year old girl.

From Tayasan, Negros Oriental, Filomino Bolongaita says that the non-instrumental church
there is ready to accept N. T. freedom and take fellowship with our brethren in the Visayas.

From Rizal, Sapao, Surigao del Norte, Isaias Taglucop reports that although the roads have
been bad, he has been able to baptize two and witness the confession of faith of two others.
The barrio counselor, Alberto Recla of Kamayong, Kabangkalan, Negros Occidental gives

a good testimony concerning the work of Pacita Divinagracia. She presented a Christmas
drama which was well received by the whole community. Pacita requests that an evange

listic campaign be held during summer vacation.

Brother Francisco Libo-on of Iloilo City was introduced to us by Diego Romulo of Manila.
His work near the university was visited recently by Rogelio Celis. The Church has

gathered 180 pesos and is asking for matching funds to purchase a small house of
meeting. On February 9, the worst peacetime conflageration in this century inthe Philip
pines destroyed fifty million pesos worth of property in Iloilo.
Two small congregations in the city of Bacolod have united for the glory of God and the
testimony of the Truth. Efipanio Bolero told of the joy of the brethren in this victory
over the personal pride of two leaders.

Dulcesimo Inong of Cambalong, Merida Leyie del Norte led a fine meeting at Christmas with
300 attendance. He mentioned Antonio Boholst, of Macario, Merida, as a new leader there.
The church in San Isidro, Talisay, has taken on the work at Camp VI, Talisay, as an

evangelistic project. Ernesto Sanao, Romeo Temporosa, and Pabhto Arsenio reported three

baptisms there recently.

At Balamban, Cebu, Narciso Curacha asks that a permanent worker help revive that work

which has been visited recently by Ernesto Sanao and Jose Palicte.

David Oberio reported sadly that most of the brethren at Pangdan have moved away and
that Brother Ragasa is the only remaining elder.

Boy and Cresencia Bantiles have been active in Leyte centering their ministry at Ormoc City.

They distributed literature at the market of Merida, spoke at Lao Deposito, San Antonio,
and one barrio "Revolver!" One sick man said, "If I am healed, I will leave Catholicism.
They endeavored to correct this error in his mind and it is hoped that he will also cor
rect the direction of his way. The Bantileses live on the property of the Philippine Con

stabulary at Camp Downs. They are : often called by the barrio officials to help pacify
disputes. One man was stabbed to death over a pair of slippers. His family was im
poverished, so some of the people took up a collection to buy a simple coffin. They
had P/ 50 left and asked the local priest to bless the dead with the sprinkling of holy

water. The priest argued for P5.00. They pointed out that they had used
"-P/"
the collection for the coffin. The priest still refused. The barrio people theri shouldered the
bare box and went to dig the grave. As a result, the barrio captain and three families
are now listening to the Gospel. A sister of captain Yap, the commanding officer of
Camp Downs is trying to win her brother.

Severo Sayaboc began his report by saying, "sometime we rejoice and sometime we are
sad." In his visitation in barrios Tangke, San Roque, Cansojong, he has
contacts.
One man said, "In this place, there are none who worship anywhere! Mr. A. Bacus bought
a Bible from him giving only a partial payment saying, "I will not pay the full price
once so that workers will return to teach me!" Wise man!

At the close of the meeting, all joined in the chorus to sing making the recording for
the weekly radio program. Macario Otadoy did the preaching.

FRAY FOR THE WORD IN SOUTH EAST ASIA.

\%1 WfTH THE CARLSONS IN THE PHILIRPINES

Merry Christinas and a Happy New Year! We thought you might be interested
in some of the things that went on here in Cebu City this year.
In January, Imogene fell on our stairs and broke her right wrist. Now, it is
almost as good as new.

Larry and his wife Yola made us happy in February when they, with their two
children, visited here during his Navy leave. He is now on duty in Madison, Wis
consin living in Sun Prairie. Joyce is two and one half years old and her brother,
Mark Ray, will see his first birthday this December 31st.
The twenty first commencement of Cebu Bible Seminary was held in March.
Macario Otadoy brought the address. Last year he was awarded an honorary degree
by the school trustees for his work in New Testament translation.

Mr. and Mrs. John Chase, ministers of our living-link church at Downey, Cal
ifornia, visited us in April. They also spent some time in Japan and Korea where
they had been missionaries before WWII. Their interest and help to the cause of
Christ in these places has continued through the years. They endured the summer
heat to attend the annual convention of the Churches of Christ in this area.

Three evangelistic teams were sent out in May. They reported several baptisms.
At the same time they also conducted vacation Bible schools. Six hundred children

were taught in the three provinces of Cebu, Negros, and Xeyte.

Our oldest son, Mark Robin, and his wife, Susan in May visited Larry and
Yola in Wisconsin in the course of their campaign to the islands to come to help in this
work. They hope to be in Cebu before the end of the year. While in that state,
Robin spoke in one church where his great grandfather, R. D. Cotton, had ministered
ninety-six years before.

The Cebu City church had a series of meetings in a park area before school
reopened in June. On Philippine Independence Day, June 12, Seminary students and
faculty decorated the mission truck for the parade using the theme, "Ye shall know
the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The choir sitting inside was picked
up on radio and TV receiving several "honorable mentions."

We celebrated our thirty-first wedding anniversary without fanfare in August. Like

the ninety year old who was asked how it felt. He said "Not so bad but I hiate

to see my children getting old." On August 22nd, our youngest son, Ted, was in-

ducted into the US Army. He received his basic in Fort Ord, California. He says
he is happy to serve his country.

On Ray's birthday in September, he was serenaded by the Seminary students

at 4:30 AM. All came in for coffee and another mile-stone was passed. We should
say another kilometer post.

Imogene had her piano overhauled in October to replace some straps that had
been consumed with gustatory satisfaction by mice. Perhaps they thought it our simple
duty to import exotic foods for them. We can't have rodents interfering with the
recital coming up in November.
At Christmas, we will, as usual be away from home with the churches. Instead

of a tree, we will do as we did last year. Imogene will drag her artificial fire
place out of the attic and set it in the living room as a center of decoration. Her
sister, Evelyn, has sent some crepe paper printed as red bricks. There will NO fire.
As the new year approaches, we are grateful to all our friends whose interest
has brought joy to us and planted hope in many hearts here.
P. O. Box 41, Cebu City

RAY &^M0GEM CARLSON

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