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God’s way is not man’s way. He works in His perfect time according to His
own perfect plan. For a long time, the church has been praying for more
missions to be added to its ministries. But it was not until February 3,
2000 that God has answered this prayer. He has opened the mission field in
Brgy. Pita, Dinalupihan, Bataan ready for harvest. He used Tatay and Nanay
Salang’s residence and the couples’s desire to continue serving Him in
that remote place which is about 15 minutes drive from the town center to
pave way for the church’s new mission. With farmlands on the both side of
its unfinished concrete road, the gospel has come to the growing
community.
For more than a year, the pastor and some volunteer workers have gone to
the barrio every Saturday to minister, first, to the children who were so
eager to listen to the stories of the Bible. And as words and blessings
spread and poured out, young and old came to know Jesus as their personal
Savior. The first believer who had followed in waters of baptism was, in
man’s perspective, an unlikely candidate because she was a stroke victim,
Nanay Clarita Marcelo. She would walk limping and would cry every time she
remembers the condition of one of her sons, Brian, whose knee was broken.
But God rewards faith. Brian now is a continuing challenge to everyone who
has two good feet working for them.
It was on October 26, 2002 when the mission was formally opened coinciding
with the ground breaking ceremony of the land purchased by the church to
be the site of the work there. It was a medical and gift giving program
that drew the people of the barangay and was used as venue to evangelize
the place. Some people who have heard the Gospel on that occasion stayed
and are now growing members of the mission. God have used people who have
sown the seeds of faith there. It was Bro. Aldrin Simsuangco who was first
sent there for discipleship and follow-ups for the new converts. He was
joined by pastor Ernie Bolanos. As of now, Preacher Benjie Garcia is
continuing the work there. The Sunday School teachers are Sis. Leony
Venzon and Sis. Neth Muyco. The follow-up workers are Nanay Celing
Simsuangco and Auntie Au Domingo, And it is Bro. Roy Muyco, with Sis.
Carmen, who faithfully brings them there every Sunday afternoon.
The schedule of services there are: Sunday worship every 2:00 pm and
Thursday Prayer meeting at 4:00 pm.
The Lord is truly blessing the place. And it is a personal testimony of
those who have joined the work there that if you are spiritually
thirsting, the Brgy. Pita Mission is an Oasis that will quench your thirst
because of the way the new members there are holding on to the faith
despite the persecution. To everything God has wrought in that place,.
To God be the glory!
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“God is too wise to be
mistaken, God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan;
when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.
These are lyrics of a song that demonstrate God’s words in Isaiah 55: 8,9:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways,
saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my
ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God has
clearly proven this on how He paved the way for the establishment of our
mission works in Iba, Zambales.
This is how it all began…
It has been a long fervent prayer of Sis. Aurora Seña to reach her parents
and other relatives with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in Iba,
Zambales. But she never thought, not even in her wildest imagination that
God would allow and use a tragedy in her family to answer that deep
longing in her heart.
Some of us remembered that year of 1994 month of December when the house
of Seña family went into flames during one Sunday Morning worship service.
It was a usual day when their whole family was in church. Her husband,
Bro. Danny justreturned from abroad. So it was a happy reunion for all of
them to worship the Lord together. But that happiness was short lived.
That experience was not easy for them to accept at once but they found
hope and encouragement in Job 1:21: “…naked came I out of my mother’s
womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Knowing that nothing happens
to God’s children by accident and that God is sovereign in His plan for
us, the family found the courage to move on and find out that “all things
work together for good…” (Romans8:28). After much thoughts and prayers,
the Seña Family decided to relocate their residence in Iba, Zambales .
This became the door of opportunity for the establishment of Sunbeam Bible
Baptist Mission. It was August of 1995 when Bro. Aries Cerico started
conducting Bible studies in the house of Bro. Danny and Sis. Au. People
were getting saved and later on got baptized. Eventually, they started
their Sunday Worship Service also in their house until the next three
years.
God continued to wonderfully work His plan. He touched the heart of the
couple to give a portion of their property for the construction of the
church building. This was an answered prayer to many of our brethren.
After Bro. Aries, Bro. Ernie Bolaños continued the ministry of the
mission. With the help of many men from our mother church, the
construction of the church building began in 1998.
Just like any other ministry, the mission in Iba experienced some problems
and trials. However, God has proven Himself faithful. The ministry
continued to grow and the brethren there remained steadfast in the faith.
Construction was diligently done and sacrifices were made by many.
Finally, the building was erected and dedicated for the honor and glory of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
In 2001 Bro. Oliver Mesiano took over the leadership of the mission work-
an opportunity he took from God to share his training and experience in
Bible School. Again, God was consistent and true to His promise. He has
not left His people with someone who will lead them towards growth and
maturity in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many of our men from our mother church, as well as ladies and young people
have contributed a big part for the encouragement and strengthening of the
brethren in Iba. With that, let us continue to uphold in prayer and lend
our support to Sunbeam Bible Baptist Mission in Iba, Zambales.
For God’s honor and Glory!
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