Visit to Tacloban, Leyte

The Leyte Park Resort in Tacloban City became a mini-F.O.T. site when about 80 members in Leyte, including 25 to 30 new ones, combined for a whole-day Sabbath service with the presence of two visiting ministers from the U.S. last January 31.

Many gave positive comments, particularly those who had attended for the first time. They have observed how UCG conducts services, and witnessed the warmth and closeness that prevailed among God’s people.

The new ones took a variety of our publications which were displayed on a table near the entrance of the service hall. Some asked if we still have copies available or if there was an obligation to pay. A relative of a member commented: “We should have joined their church earlier.”

For the members of UCG in Leyte, one word can best describe their feeling—satisfaction. Satisfaction because it was a plan that was most fulfilled. The background of this was an assurance that not long after the Feast, the Church leadership through its representatives will visit them. They were doubly satisfied and highly appreciative of the fact that their guest was not only Mr. David Baker, the senior pastor of UCG in the Philippines, but also Mr. Joel Meeker, a representative of the Council of Elders.

Mr. Baker and Mr. Meeker gave split sermons in the morning service. Mr. Baker spoke on the subject of the promise made by Jesus Christ that He will come for the second time to liberate mankind from Satan and to establish the Kingdom of God. Mr. Baker used the analogy of a promise made by General Douglas McArthur to return and liberate the Philippines from the Japanese forces during the early stage of the Second World War. Mr. Meeker gave a sermon entitled the “Paradoxical Commandments” with ten points on how to do the right thing even if others will not.

We then had a buffet lunch shared by all who were present. For the second half of the afternoon service, Mr. Meeker presented pictures of the Home Office building, its staff, and its various facilities. Mr. Baker on his part presented his latest travel in India where Mr. Meeker met him before proceeding to the Philippines. He also showed some photos taken from last year’s F.O.T.

The following day, Sunday—with our two deacons in Leyte, Candido Merino and Raul Villacote, their wives, and a number of brethren—we visited the site where Gen. McArthur (with then Philippine President Sergio Osmeña and his party) landed to fulfill his promise to return. We then toured the Sto. Niño shrine in Tacloban built by former first lady Imelda Marcos.

Mr. Baker and Mr. Meeker also took the opportunity to visit some of the brethren for more fellowshipping. Mr. Meeker recorded the events throughout their two-day visit with his video and digital cameras.

We sent off our two U.S. guests in the morning of February 2 to board a Cebu Pacific flight bound for their next destination, Davao City. All in all, the Tacloban visit was a big success by God’s blessings for His work in this part of the world.

—Reported by Florante Siopan

Visit to Davao City

Philippine Senior Pastor David Baker and Council Member Joel Meeker arrived at the new and beautiful Davao City International Airport in the afternoon of Monday, February 2, for a quick visit here. They arrived aboard a connecting flight earlier that day, fresh from their Sabbath visit to Tacloban and tour of the City that Sunday.

On the evening of their arrival, they were hosted for dinner at the Office rooftop garden by the Macaraeg family. Early the following morning (Tuesday), they were accompanied by Davao Church Pastor Edmond Macaraeg in a visit to two nearby members’ home to take some pictures of the actual living conditions of the members. Then, they proceeded to the Church Office to take some pictures, and footages. After an early quick lunch, they proceeded to the airport to catch their flight for Manila.

Visit to Manila and Corregidor

After arriving Manila on Tuesday afternoon, they had dinner with Manila Church Pastor Rey Evasco with his wife Cynthia and Northern Luzon Church Pastor Eriz Dizon with his wife Teresa.

Early the following morning, they headed for a visit to Corregidor Island, which was historically the last stronghold for the combined Filipino and American forces shortly after the start of World War II in the Pacific.

Thursday, they left for Hongkong to meet with UCG members there as well, after which they headed back home for the U.S.

—Reported by Edmond Macaraeg