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Notes
from Charles Smith - Phillipine Ministry Training Schools |
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July 2010 Many of you are preparing for school to begin in the USA, while our 4 "Philippine International Bible Institute" schools are having our 6 weeks examinations. We are so excited about this year's enrollment of 33 full-time students, who are working hard to do the work of the Lord. We thank God for these dedicated young men, who will join their Faculty of 24, and 27 full-time Fieldworkers serving present Churches, and starting new churches in the homes of new converts. This does not even count the former graduates of PIBI serving in local churches all over the Philippines. To illustrate this, last night about midnight, I received an email from brother Ken Wilkey in northern Luzon conducting Bible seminars in "Isabella Province," and he named 4 of our PIBI graduates who went "back home" to help the Churches there who are struggeling to survive. They, Like the migration in America of our young people from the smaller communities to the Cities, it reduces the number of brethren in the smaller communities, and it makes it more difficult to grow for those brethren. I am sending you an update on the Churches that have been established
or have been influenced by the work you are making possible by your "co-labor
with us" in the Lord's work. June 2010 God continues to bless the world by preaching the Gospel to all the Nations!
In the Philippines our Four PIBI Schools Graduated 11 more preachers to
work full time in Churches all over the Island of Luzon. This adds to
our workforce of nearly 100 preachers now serving in 13 Provinces With Graduations over by April 10th, the Faculties, students, and “Fieldworkers,”
i.e. graduates of PIBI, joined forces with the Churches, and have spent
April and May in “summer vacation time” in several “Family
Bible Camps,” “Teen age Bible Camps,” more than 25 “Vacation
Bible Schools” that together resulted in more than 70 baptisms,
and in the growth The Administrators and Faculties have used this time to give applications for PIBI to new converts, and young men who are growing up in the churches that have been established for years. Since our 4 schools will begin on June 14th., time is getting close, and some major decisions are being made on what students will be accepted for this School year. We have 20 applicants we are looking over, and we will make a decision in one week. Pray that we will make good decisions, and find good prospects to serve the Lord in the Philippines. We love and appreciate you all so much as “co-labors” in Christ. We are praying that others will join this increased effort of training. If you know anyone or any Church that would like to preach the Gospel in the Philippines, please send me their Postal or email address, and I will be more than happy share the work with them. May 2010 Everything went well this month in the “Philippine International Bible Institute!” There was much excitement in the preparations for the April 5th. 2010 Graduation program. This was the 1st. Graduation class for the PIBI-Batangas. We had 8 young men who completed the 3 Year program. We invited those who could attend from all three of the other PIBI-Schools to come and take part in the celebration. More than 30 Faculty and “Fieldworkers” from the other schools came, and the fellowship among all the new Christians from 4 Newly established Churches, made it a “heart warming event” to remember. I invited also Ron Downey, and his wife Shirley to come and conduct Leadership seminars, and for brother Ron to be the Guest Speaker, along with the “Administrators” from each of the PIBI Schools that were present. Ron Downey was sent by the “Sunset International Bible Institute” to teach and encourage the PIBI in the Philippines, and to help us to prepare our schools for receiving the “B.A.” program in bible, since we are “Affiliate Branch School.s” With the S.I.B.I. The PIBI leadership moved north to Olongapo City, and the brethren had
a second Graduation program for the 3 men who had completed their 3 year
program at PIBI-Olongapo. The guest speaker here spoke on the 9th. of
April at 9 PM, and the program was taking place on April 10th. at 10AM!
My Grandson, Conner Lee Smith (15 years old) read the scriptures, and
I preached. Everyone could hear and see us in “live action,”
and we were present to hear and see all of them…Actually we were
9,000 miles away at the time. We were using “Skype” on our
computers! God has provided wonderful instruments to help us communicate
effectively. We stayed for the entire program, and Mary Ann also visited
with so many of our brothers and sisters! Praise God for HIS grace. March 29, 2010 These last few weeks have been pretty Stressful for us, and maybe for you. The Political scene is scary, with some politicians revealing themselves to be immoral, offering bribes to each other to get what they want for themselves, not caring about our Nation’s welfare. The only thing good about that is that it has made us realize again, we must pray and rely upon our God to help us teach the lost in this country, and in the world. Many of the American people, like you and us still sacrifice to do I have mentioned those things to tell you how wonderful you are, who “Co-labor” with the Filipino Christians, and with Mary Ann and me. Your prayers open doors for teaching the lost, your generous contributions have continued for many years. A few of you have had hardships so severe, you have discontinued your contributions, but you have not stopped praying, nor have we stopped praying for you. Some of you who have been sharing this Philippine mission for many years have periodically increased your contributions so we could grow from “One school” to “Four Schools” graduating over 100 preachers who are serving the Lord by teaching the lost since 1999. Although we are proud of you, the Lord is even more proud of you. Our “2010 Graduation” classes (enclosed) will graduate April 5th, and April 10th. This will give us 12 more preachers. If anyone can increase their support, the Lord will “recruit” between 12 and 15 new students. February 24, 2010 You are “Family and Co-Labors” in the Lord’s work of teaching the Gospel in the Philippines, and we are grateful to the Lord for this opportunity to serve with you. On Valentines Day one of our “Sweethearts,” who has supported the Philippine Mission work for several years, passed from this life to be with our Lord. Rebecca Kidd, of Lubbock, Texas, like all of you, loved to teach the lost. She is missed, but those she helped to know God’s Word continue to teach others, and glorify God’s name. God says, “He who is wise wins souls.” Thank you for being wise! This semester of “Philippine International Bible Institute” will end in about 4 weeks, and we will have our Graduations first week of April. This has been a very good semester, and we are getting excited about the “SEP” (Summer Evangelism Program) for April and May. Each school makes plans with the local Churches to help them to Plant new Churches, and to strengthen the existing congregations. More on this next month. April and May is a good time for Recruiting new students for our four
“PIBI” schools. We will determine the number of New students
by the amount of contributions that are given; therefore, if you know
of a congregation who might be interested in joining our mission, please
let me know, and I will contact them. December 30, 2009 The Lord has given us all a wonderful 2009. It has been a very productive
year with the Lord bringing the Filipino brethren into a closer fellowship
with HIS people in the US military in Japan, Okinawa, and Christians in
the USA! God has provided our love for the lost, and your sacrifices to
make it possible for them to hear the Word of God, producing faith that
leads to obedience by being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-7). Many Filipino brethren have suffered, and do suffer still from “Typhoons,” Mount Mayon Volcano eruptions, and physical health problems, and even death. Your family, and our family have suffered tragedies also. We have all bowed our heads in prayer on behalf of one another, and we Continue to see that our God knows our problems, and he provides for us the things we need, and HE blesses us. Praise God! All of the things above have been preparing us for a NEW and GREATER YEAR to Glorify God. We have great plans for increasing the growth of the work in the 13 Provinces where our 4 PIBI schools are serving. However, we depend upon the Lord to gives us what HE wants us to do; therefore, pray with us about this matter, and together we will do what the Lord provides. As we make a change from the old to the NEW YEAR, I ask you to “date”
your contribution check for what year you want it credited for tax purposes.
Lord willing, I will have your tax info to you by end of January. December 7, 2009 “Happy Thanksgiving, and a Merry Christmas to All” A good time for us all to be thankful to our God, and to remember HIS great Love for all of us. It is also the time of the year when we are thinking about our loved Ones, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, who mean so much to us. We give gifts of Prayer, special gifts, cards and letters, and we even visit one another as much as it is possible. This is the time each month when we send our “Philippine Letter” to you, every one of you is remembered…we visualize you, and thank God for each of you as you sacrifice and give your gift to the Lord to expand HIS Kingdom. You and I feel the love we have for assisting in the training of men to preach the Gospel, and to train women, teenage boys and girls, to plant the Word of God in the hearts of children. We share with each other each month, but the gift is utilized 365 days a year, and hundreds are brought to Christ each year…Praise God for HIS great love! October and November have been months of training through Bible Seminars,
Gospel Meetings, door to door setting up Bible Studies. The second semesters
of the 4 PIBI Schools will be in session until December In late January we will be sending your list of “contributions”
to you for your gifts to the Philippine Mission. We will be listing up
to December 31st. for your 2009 gifts. “Happy Thanksgiving, and a Merry Christmas to All” A good time for us all to be thankful to our God, and to remember HIS great Love for all of us. It is also the time of the year when we are thinking about our loved Ones, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, who mean so much to us. We give gifts of Prayer, special gifts, cards and letters, and we even visit one another as much as it is possible. This is the time each month when we send our “Philippine Letter” to you, every one of you is remembered…we visualize you, and thank God for each of you as you sacrifice and give your gift to the Lord to expand HIS Kingdom. You and I feel the love we have for assisting in the training of men to preach the Gospel, and to train women, teenage boys and girls, to plant the Word of God in the hearts of children. We share with each other each month, but the gift is utilized 365 days a year, and hundreds are brought to Christ each year…Praise God for HIS great love! October and November have been months of training through Bible Seminars,
Gospel Meetings, door to door setting up Bible Studies. The second semesters
of the 4 PIBI Schools will be in session until December In late January we will be sending your list of “contributions”
to you for your gifts to the Philippine Mission. We will be listing up
to December 31st. for your 2009 gifts. November 12, 2009 “World News Today,” 4 Major Typhoons have hit the Dear Ones, Greetings dear friends, who are so faithful to share in the preaching of the Gospel in the Philippines. October has been a difficult month for the Nation with the “tagulan” (rainy) season has not allowed the flooded areas to dry up. We want to thank you all who were able to “give extra” to assist the flood Victims. We have sent $1,000 to assist in benevolence, and we praise God for his love. The waters receded enough that our seminars and planned activities for
the month were held. We invited Ken Wilkey, and Bob Buchanan, fellow Missionaries
in the Philippines to teach “Church Planting,” and other Leadership
subjects to the PIBI-Angeles City, and the PIBI-Olongapo, and for Church
Leaders in two Provinces. The seminar was conducted at the Although there were many distractions in the semester, the 4 schools
In November we will have great news about that Annual event, and report on the two weeks of training by brother Ron Downey. In Christian love, Charles T. Smith & Mary Ann September 30, 2009 Mary Ann was well enough to fly to Maryland to help our youngest daughter, Brooke prepare for her wedding on September 19th. I went up a week later to “Give Away” my daughter in a beautiful wedding by the sea near where English immigrants first settled in America. Another beautiful lady at the wedding was my bride of 49 years, Mary Ann. We are happy to have Marc Shubrooks as our new son. This month in the Philippines was filled with Faculty and Students of
the 4 Schools, teaching and learning the Word of God, and in sharing with Some of you have been in Hurricanes, and most of us have seen the destruction
on T.V. from Hurricanes. In the Pacific Ocean there is also a “Typhoon
season,” and the Philippines have been hit very hard this past month,
especially last week in the Manila area. It is too early to get substantial
reports from areas where our schools are located, but it has been very
hard on our brethren. So far in Manila more than 200 people have been
killed by the floods, heavy rains, and strong winds. We do not know of
any deaths among the Christians there at this time. If you would like
to help some of these Christians, and want to send money (SEE THE LETER-over) If you are able and would like to send help to the Christians in the Philippines who are suffering from the destructive “Typhoons,” (perhaps your congregation wants to help)? “Money” is the only way to assist…they can buy clothing
very cheaply there. Make checks payable to: “Odessa Church of Christ” Philippine Missions September 2, 2009 Dear Ones, The Lord is good in all of HIS ways, and HE continues to bless the Philippine Nation with the preaching of the Gospel. Mary Ann and I want to thank you for your prayers, and contributions that make it possible for us to train men to preach to the lost, and teach women “to train up a child in the way he should go…” God is blessing us in this “Partnership” we have in sharing the “Good News.” In this time of economic troubles in America, we are praying that God will increase our ability to share the Gospel. We want to thank our two new families who have each accepted the responsibility to train one of our new students. Thank you. Most of the things I report are about the great evangelism strides we
are making, and the growth of the Lord’s Churches, because that
excites me, and I know it excites you also. There is much suffering among
our brethren that they share with me, but I do not pass on to you. They
suffer with some of the same problems that your family and my family have,
and our God is good and He helps us to cope, and even grow through these
experiences. If you would like to receive my “Philippine Letter” via
email, drop me a brief email so I can send you pictures and special extra
materials. July 28, 2009 Dear Ones, This has been a very fruitful month for our 4 PIBI Schools, and we rejoice
together with our Lord. For HIS Great Love. This has also been a week
of sorrow for the Philippine Churches of Christ in Central Luzon, where
3 of our schools are located. Last July 24th during some hard rain in
the Zambales Province, brother Gilotino Dumasig, a long time brother and
friend, who teaches in the PIBI-Olongapo City, was electrocuted by contact
with an electric wire, and he died! The Churches have been ministering
to his faithful wife, and 9 children. The oldest is 26, and the youngest
is 11 months. We need your prayers, and if anyone wants to assist financially,
you can send a check, inside the enclosed envelop, made payable to the
Odessa Church of Christ, to our Mission address on the envelop. As I write
this “Philippine Letter” to you I received a phone call that
my brother Bill E. Smith in Oklahoma City has been taken to the a Hospital
there today! It is difficult to focus on other things tonight, since “Gilotino
Dumasig” was “laid to rest” today. I was asked to give
the message, and this is what I said: On behalf of the PIBI, I want to say He will be remembered by all of
us for his example of living the Christian life,” and his “work
does follow him.” God bless the Dumasig family, we are praying for
you. Charles T. Smith, Director of the PIBI Philippines June 29, 2009 A busy Evangelistic Summer (“SEP”) has “fired up” the Churches and the PIBI participants! Several new “House Churches” were planted, and there were 34 Vacation Bible Schools in progress, plus over 500 “World Bible School” pamphlets were given out, and Bible studies set up! Praise God for opening the people’s hearts to study. A few months ago, one of our PIBI-Olangapo graduates, Agusto Reyne, who was not reaching anyone with the Gospel, got married to a Christian girl from a town far from Olongapo. As the custom is, they wanted to move to the place of her family. Since he had not been very productive, I told him I would not continue his “food and travel” allowance, if he moved there away from PIBI supervision. Agusto and his wife moved to Cabuyao, Laguna, a province east of Manila, and there was no Church there.. I did not hear from Augsto until last night, and he has established a House church, and there are 10 in attendance already! (Oh me of little faith) Agusto is a strong spiritual man, and very talented, and now it seems he is using that talent to plant a Church in another Province, making 14 Provinces where our Fieldworkers are serving now! June is the time for all schools in the Philippines begins their semesters,
and PIBI goes by that schedule. Remember, we graduated 11 students last
April, who are now serving as “Fieldworkers” or apprentices
for “One the Job Training.” We have replaced them with 13
new students to train, and they seem to be good men. God is good to bless
the good people of the Philippines to hear the Gospel, and he is good
to allow you and me to share in this wonderful work of love. Amen April 28, 2009 Dear Ones, April is always an exciting month in the Philippines for the PIBI schools. The School year begins in June 2008, and ends the last days of March…then Graduation for those who have completed the 3 year Bible study program. This year we graduated ELEVEN fine young men, who are now “Fieldworkers,” who will be assigned to work with Faculty, and other Fieldworkers in various “Church Planting” efforts. This April and May we have planned 35 “VBS programs to reach out
to teach the children of non-members, and members. Our PIBI unite with
Church members, and “knock doors” in areas where we are planting
new Churches, and building up the ones already planted. This is also a time for recruiting new students to begin their training
at our 4 PIBI schools. It is necessary for me to raise more money for
the “Scholarship fund” in order to take care of their food,
travel to work every weekend with Churches, and for their teaching supplies.
Therefore, we are asking those who would like to become a Supporter, to
give “one time” or MONTHLY, in the envelop provided in this
letter. The response we get, will give us the authority to invite new
Students for the June semester. Let us all pray about this need, and if
God wants us to grow we will receive help, In Christian love, Charles and Mary Ann |