Many of us were deeply saddened and troubled upon hearing the sudden news of Pastor Reggor Galarpe’s ill health. Concerned, I reached out to him by phone. Though he was enduring physical pain and facing the uncertainty of biopsy results, his voice remained calm and unwavering—bold in the Lord, as always. Despite the looming prospect of medical treatment, his heart was steadfast, eager to continue serving the Lord, whatever the outcome.
During our conversation, he mentioned an article he had written to inform and comfort the Cebu congregation while he and his family waited for the test results. We are privileged to share that article within the pages of this bulletin. This reflection was penned in the “shadow” of affliction, yet lit by faith.
As I reflected on Pastor Reggor’s ministry in Cebu and how the Lord has used him to strengthen mission stations across the Philippines for more than 20 years (since 2003), I was reminded that those called to serve Christ are often called to serve Him in seasons of unusual hardship. The apostle Paul testified to this very reality, declaring, “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me…” (Acts 20:19).
To serve the Lord in times of comfort is commendable, but to serve Him in seasons of affliction is extraordinary. The apostle Paul, in his farewell discourse to the Ephesian elders, pulled back the curtain on his ministry to show that it was accomplished not in ease, but with tears. He described it as a path that had been walked in suffering, hardship, and perseverance.
In “serving the Lord with all humility of mind”, Paul knew that divine strength is made perfect in weakness. Paul’s humility was not false modesty, but the fruit of a heart surrendered to divine grace. His Christ-centred service was marked by submission even amidst intense trials.
His service was also “with many tears”. They were not tears of defeat, but of intercession, of burden-bearing for the souls entrusted to him. These tears speak of the depth of his pastoral heart: a man not indifferent to pain of others, but willing to be poured out for others.
The phrase, “and temptations, which befell me”, reveals the severity of his afflictions. His calling placed him directly in the path of danger. Yet he remained unmoved, being focused on his calling as a preacher of the Word.
The servant of Christ is not spared from – but strengthened amidst – affliction!
Going Through Series of Tests
Rev. Reggor Galarpe
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).
For some time, I have been bearing with occasional backache – a kind of painful sensation that many would consider as “panuhot” (bloatedness), which can be easily relieved by applying some liniment. It was no big deal until I started to feel pain on my right upper quadrant (right side of chest and abdomen); that was when I went for a medical check-up in September last year. I thought that it might have something to do with my internal organs (kidney, liver, gall bladder, etc.). I was ordered to go for the usual blood tests, plus ultrasound scan of the whole abdomen. All these revealed no “alarming” result, meaning everything’s fine inside – praise God!
However, the “on and off” pain continued, so the doctor advised that I go for the CT scan (whole abdomen). For some reasons (one of which was the cost), I thought of delaying it for some time later, hoping that the pain would be gone, but it persisted, though still manageable with the “ever-dependable” liniment. Then, in April this year, I noticed a swelling on my back. With all that was going on at that time, especially the preparations for our Combined Church Camp, I thought of seeing the doctor only after the event was over.
Indeed, a week after the camp, we went to see the doctor and I showed her the swelling. The initial impression was somewhat comforting, as she thought that it could be an accumulation of fat tissues. I was advised, in addition to the usual lab tests, to undergo another ultrasound (this time for my back), and also chest x-ray to see if it has affected my lungs. While the x-ray result was normal, the ultrasound suggested further imaging. Thus, the following week, I was scheduled for the CT scan of the whole abdomen (with contrast).
Again, I take comfort that all the internal organs are generally in normal condition, except for the swelling (caused by a mass), in which the result suggested tissue correlation. The doctor explained that the mass would have to be removed and be subjected to examination. I was referred to a surgeon and had been to his clinic last Wednesday. As per doctor’s advice, he will be taking some tissues from the affected part (a procedure that will be performed “out-patient”; no need for hospital admission), and have it examined to determine its nature. And from there, he will consider the treatment procedure, and work on reducing the size of the mass and then its removal.
In the midst of this, many things come to mind, but we (me and my family) look up to the Lord for His mercy and grace, yielding to His sovereign will and purpose. Humanly speaking, times like these can be very troubling and disturbing. But for us God’s children, they are occasions to seek and find (even rejoice) in God’s comfort.
Come to think of it, it is in such times that we experience the goodness of the Lord in a very special way, and that we are drawn closer to the Lord and His Word, ever realising how helpless we are and how desperately we need the Lord!