Greetings to everyone! Hope you’re all doing fine as you read this United News Asia (UNA). It’s a great opportunity for all of us to read about each congregation’s status and condition. Knowing our brethren around the world, especially here in Asia, inspires us and makes us realize that we are not alone struggling in this deceived world.

Baguio City is located 260 kilometers north of the Philippine capital of Manila, in the northern mountains of Luzon. We meet at the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Ating Tahanan compound on South Drive. Sabbath services are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Sabbaths of the month. Mr. Eriz Dizon, our pastor comes up with his family for Sabbath services from Dagupan. Mr. Dizon usually gives the sermon; sometimes we listen to a video sermon. At other times, we have a Bible study during the Sabbath.

The Baguio congregation has an average attendance of 15 members. The pioneering members were the Binos family. In the beginning, services were held at the Binos Business rented hall located at Buyagan, La Trinidad. Our present location at GSP is more comfortable, spacious, and more centrally located. (We remember Mr. Dan and Nancy Binos-Jorgensen, who are now in the U.S. We hope to see them again with their children at this year’s Feast of Tabernacles.)

By 2003, the Agayo family came also to attend services. At present the Baguio congregation is composed of four senior citizens (Mr. and Mrs. Binos and Mr. and Mrs. Agayo). Mr. Agayo stays at home because he became weak after an accident. However, he is doing better now; he can still walk at age 85. We also have young people from the Agayo family, Chekhov, Asa, Mark Gideon, and their cousin Onah. For these past few months we have had two new attendees, Good News subscribers who decided to seek God’s Church.

After services we normally have fellowshipping and snacks brought by the members. During some of the Feast days the congregations of Baguio and Dagupan hold combined meetings here. We bring packed lunches during these services. We also have enjoyable teen activities and outings or picnics when Baguio and Dagupan brethren come together. In 2004, we went to a certain river in Baguio and had an unforgettable picnic. In 2005 we had a teen and singles activity at a beach resort in San Fabian.

Life can be fun when people fellowship. But as we go through our individual lives, we all have unavoidable challenges to face. The Baguio youths, I’m sure, have their share of personal challenges. To name a few, we have problems dealing with bad companions, facing school requirements on the Sabbath, looking for jobs that have no conflict with the Sabbath, and building good relationships with others. How about the parents? They have their own challenges too, such as building closer and stronger ties with their own families and making wiser decisions to use less money for maximum results. Some other challenges are within oneself, like correcting a bad attitude towards others.

Yet, even with our individual weaknesses and challenges, we continue to look to God for the power to overcome until the end, as the book of Revelation encourages us to do. We remain steadfast and positive that as we trust Him for His help, guidance, direction, and strength, He will help us prevail to the end.

© 2007 United Church of God, AIA - Pilipinas