The Philippines are a cluster of 7104 beautiful, tropical islands covered in Palm trees, mountians and warm friendly people! Doreen and I’s time there will be unforgettable. We shared Gods love with many of those that live there. Some up in the mountains, some in Manilla’s urban sprawl and many places in between. The JOY we exsperenced there will stay with us for a life time. I pray the stories you read below will allow you to taste at least some of the Joys and feel Gods heart for this dear country that captured us. The Gospel Preached in Philippine Village
When the door opened for us to take the Cross and the Gospel message over to the island of Guimares, here in the Philippines, Doreen and I’s hearts jumped with excitement. We made our way to the docks along with our interpreter, Tommy, (who had been helping us there on the island of Iloilo)… The only way over to Guimares, this rainy morning was by outrigger canoe. So with the Cross in hand we walked the narrow gangway, got on board and set out through the storm. Our mariner friends, put a tarp up in front of us to block the spray and rain as we set sail… When we arrived at the little port, the local pastor met us with a 3 wheeled motorcycle taxi. Well, we smiled and tied the 12 foot Cross on the roof and the 5 of us jumped on. The driver, Doreen and I, Tommy and the Pastor. What a site!! Then we were off… Buzzing our way up the mountain, not stopping till we got to the parsonage, where the pastors wife was waiting. As the rain fell, we all got acquainted. What a wonderful time of fellowship. The pastor and his wife sang us some songs, then, Doreen sang some. We shared our testimonies, ate a little and prayed as the Glory of God just surrounded us… It was such a beautiful time!!!
After the rain stopped we headed out with the Cross. Stopping at the first house about half a kilometer away. When the family saw the Cross coming up the road they all came to the door of their house and eagerly listen as I shared the gospel story… Afterward I asked them if they would like to invite Jesus into their lives. They all said YES. So we prayed with them all as they gave their hearts to Jesus. We rejoiced together, and the pastor said he would be back to visit. Then just up the block was a pool hall. When we came upon it, I took the Cross off my shoulder and brought it in the door. Through Tommy, my interpreter, I shared again the Gospel message. All the men listened so intently and asked questions. With questions answered they all bowed their heads and prayed inviting the Lord into their hearts. That is how it went through the town. When we got to the center of the town we stopped at City Hall. Where the Vice Mayor came out to greet us and welcome us and the Cross to his island. We had prayer together for his people, as he was a believer in Jesus already. We walked through that town that day giving out our gospel tracts and stickers. The people loved them and received them so gratefully. At the end of the day the pastor, a wonderful man in his early 80s, said he would followup on all these people. Then he led us to his church, a beautiful tropical style building, half thatched, half brick. There we rejoiced together in an amazing day where we watched many people come to Christ.
Prayer with the Mayor
Doreen and I hated to see this day come to an end. But we needed to start our journey back. So we loaded back up on a 3 wheeler and down the mountain we went, boarding a waiting canoe and headed back….
One thing I need to add, Guimares is renown, as having the sweetest Mango in the world… So if you like mangoes that’s the place to go… I just happen to be alergic to mango… Bummer…
When Doreen and I arrived in Manila six weeks ago we knew no one. Jesus had just said go, carry the Cross in the Philippines. I will open doors. So we went. Our second morning there we were having our devotions in the hotel cafe, when a gentleman walked up to our table and said ” I notice you praying together, I am Bishop Eduardo Fernandez, from Iloilo. I see you are Christians.” We told him yes we were, and invited him to sit down and join us. We talked for a bit and got acquainted. He asked why we had come to his country. I told him I was carrying a 12 ft. cross around the world sharing the Great news of Jesus’ love for all mankind and that I had began with the cross in 1975. Well, he got excited!! He then told us I am the Bishop over 110 Assembly of God churches and I want to invite you to come carry your Cross on my Island and share with my people. We agreed…. Now here we are, sailing into a new harbor to carry the Cross. Our prayer, ” Lord may we see many bow at the foot of the Cross and receive you as savior.”
Preaching the Great News of Jesus' Love
The hunger for the Gospel was evident from the very start. Eduardo provided me with an interpreter. A wonderful young man named Tommy, who has a beautiful heart for the Lord and is an evangelist himself and a pretty good singer.
In Front of Hotel The Gospel goes forth
As soon as I brought the Cross out of the hotel, a crowd began to gather while I got it ready to go.. Then, as soon as I finished I stood and preached, sharing its message to the men that had gathered. They all listened intently When I asked who would like to give their life to Jesus Christ many of those men raised their hands and said they would. Tommy and I lead them in prayer, then he invited them to his church, the Lift Jesus Higher Ministries. Next we distributed our gospel material that would instruct them further, then, shouldered the Cross and headed on up the road to the city market place. Where people everywhere were buying, selling, trading. There are all kinds of vehicles and carts coming and going. An amazing scene…. Where again a crowd gathered around the Cross, I preached again, prayed with the nearly dozen that wanted to receive Jesus. Moved on about a half a block and did it again… So it went throughout the day. Later we found our way to the Town Park. Again as we gave out our Gospel tracts a crowd gathered. So nothing to do but preach. So I preached, gave an invitation, prayed with and counseled with those that responded.
Preaching in the Park Iloilo Philippines
Then just a little bit later I was able to share with the police in front of the police station as they gathered around the Cross. They had many questions and were excited to have the cross on their island….
Sharing Jesus with the PoliceTommy Sings in Street Service
A few minutes after that some young men went by with a guitar, stopped to hear the message of the Cross. We shared with them. Then Tommy borrowed their guitar and did some songs and we did a street service. It was great!! Doreen and I knew as that day ended that the Glory of the Lord had come to Iloilo. We were tired, hot, and rejoicing in all the Lord had done.
Please, let me ask you as you read this from all over the world, PRAY for us as we go, also pray for those we have reached. Then If you can help us even a little financially with a gift of $5 or $10. to be able to stay in the trenches on the front-lines for Jesus, we would be so GRATEFUL.. God will bless you for it! You can donate through Paypal by going to the Donate page on this website. Write me let me know you are really with us in this ministry. It would mean so much. GOD BLESS YOU !! Share this site with other friends… Check back, the story continues.
Farewell to Cebu Island!!! As we boarded the ship, we hated to see this day come!! Doreen and I knew we were leaving much of our hearts, some wonderful friends, some new believers and 25000 gospel tracts and Jesus stickers, on that island.!! As the ship left the harbor, we could do nothing but watch the islands fade out of sight and rejoice for what Jesus had done and also, for the privilege, that He had allowed us to experience it all. Our hearts were bursting with Love, Joy, Sorrow all at the same time as we thought back over each encounter there…. While we watched the sun set, we thought of the friends, the faces, the tears we shed. Doreen and I stood there on the deck and held each other and just smiled in silence, as the island faded into the darkness… Then, just as I reminded her of the Rainbow we saw as we sailed into Cebu 30 days ago and the promise of Gods blessings we had felt, a fireworks display on shore started. We felt it was as though God was celebrating with us for our time there…. We will never be the same… Now we must look to the next island and what the Lord wants to do there…. And we can’t wait!!
God is SO amazing! We originally didn’t plan to stay in Dalaguete until Saturday but our first day there, Alma and Lisa invited us to stay the extra day to distribute the Christmas Child Shoe Boxes from the “Samaritans Purse” to the children. We were so excited since neither of us had ever been on this end of the distribution! We have only been on the other end, where you pack the shoe boxes and send them off to a child somewhere in the world of whom you will probably never meet this Side of Heaven! Since it was the girls first time doing this as well, there was an eager anticipation of how it was all gonna go and to see how the children were going to respond! We knew this was going to be the “icing on the cake,” persay to an already amazing time!
Well, I think we woke the rooster up this morning!! So much to do…the children would be arriving around 8:30 to come enjoy this special day of surprises of which they had no clue!! Alma filled us in on the instructions sent with the Samaritans purse on how they want it done…first singing songs with the children and then some fun games where all can participate, a salvation message from the pastor and then the boxes!! Doreen couldn’t hold the tears back, it was a very special time for both of us especially since we had found out that this would be the first time most of the children had ever received a gift!! Also, we recognized the boy that we prayed for the day before with the swollen eye was there and there was NO MORE swelling!! (see April 16 post, “serving in the philippines) Joel was so excited as well, realizing that it was Gerald, he asked if his mother or somebody had put something on his eye to help it but Gerald said, “No! It was just the prayer!” (thank you Jesus!) Seeing the joy on these children’s faces as they opened gifts revealing toys, school supplies, shoes, etc…was a precious gift for us as well!!
After a quick lunch, it was time to take the tricycles, (three wheel motorcycles with covered side car) full of people and boxes up to the next distribution point, on the mountain top!! This was the same mountain road we had walked our first day in Dalaguete only this time we hitched a ride! It was a breathtaking view from the clearing where the distribution would take place and of course, it was HOT!! So we set up the blankets in the shade of a few palm trees and watched as the children arrived. It was such a joy watching as Pastor Greg played the guitar and Alma and Lisa led the children in song while Joel sat with a younger group of children, reading a children’s bible story.
They were captivated, some hearing these stories for the first time!! Our hearts rejoiced as we witnessed seeds being planted in these little hearts and laughed as they took the Jesus stickers and stuck them all over their bodies!
Some of the parents would slowly walk over and watch as the children laughed and sang and listened to Pastor Greg tell them about a loving God! It was so beautiful as we watched their eyes fill with hope as they pondered this man named Jesus! Though most of the parents did not have a relationship with the Lord, some had come to know Him through their children, the fruit of VBS and other children’s programs through the Shekinah ministry!
We sure hated to see this day end, as we hugged the children goodbye, knowing we would probably never see them again this side of Heaven,and headed down the mountain to board the bus back to Cebu City! The Joys and blessings of Dalaguette will linger in our minds for a long long time. Thank you Jesus!!!!
Today we headed north. We turned left out of the driveway, went maybe 200 yards and came upon a family sitting on a bench. We stopped to talk and share when I noticed the boy at the end, maybe 12yrs old, who’s eye was swollen shut. It looked quite painful. I asked what happened and he said a bee stung him. I felt nudged by the Lord to pray for him so I asked his father if it was ok if I prayed for him. He seemed a bit surprised at the request but said it was ok. So I laid hands on the boy and just asked Jesus to heal him and take the pain away. We then picked up the cross and headed on. We gave out tracts and preached to those we met as we moved on down the road. We came to another bus shed where a bunch of men were gathered (seems to be a common hangout), greeted them, shared what I was doing and the meaning and finished work of the cross. They received it very graciously and asked questions. We prayed with them and then took a picture.
Doreen, Joel and I held up pretty good considering the heat! We moved on, stopping to take a break in the shade part way up the next long hill. Later, as we were entering the next village, we met this young man alongside the road named Russell. We stopped to share the gospel with him and, as the bible says, “he received it with all readiness of mind.” It was a beautiful time of sharing, as he looked into our eyes with a continued longing to hear more. He prayed, willingly putting his faith and trust in Jesus’ death for him on the cross. We gave him a copy of each of the different tracts that we had and asked him if he had a bible which he said that he did have. We told him to start reading it at the gospel of John and then head toward the back of the bible through to Revelation. Joel invited him to the Shekinah fellowship church in Dalaguete. Pray for Russell that he will be protected from the evil one, pursue reading his bible and find fellowship in a local church.
Next, we finally made it to the next town where there was a big school and children everywhere at recess. So naturally, we had to give out stickers and in no time we had given out hundreds of stickers, even the teachers wanted some. Kids kept rushing over to see what was happening, it was like a feeding frenzy! They kept asking for more as they read about Jesus’ love for them.
After we got back, we jumped into a three wheeler with Alma, Lisa and Joel to do some much needed shopping. Along with the 100 lb bag of rice, we told Alma to get chicken for dinner. She only was going to get a few little pieces, as it is too expensive for them to usually buy chicken, but I made her get the whole chicken! She smiled and laughed in her shy Filipino way and graciously received. (As we had shared on one of the earlier blogs, we were able to bless the girls with food and other necessities, also because of your giving!)
On our way back from the market, we drove past Tiofila’s house and saw her outside walking with a walker! We rejoiced to see that she was able to put weight on her knee since she could not, just the day before!! Thank you Jesus!!
Doreen and I ended our day with a cold water bucket bath and then it was off to bed. As we laid there, we gave thanks to the Lord for a wonderful day and for the privilege of serving Him in the Philippines!!
Over the next few days, we saw God do some amazing things. We first carried the cross south towards town passing out tracts and stickers along the way, sharing with many and answering questions about the Cross and why we were there. It was “very hot!” (init gaayu) Though Dalaguete is a very remote part of Cebu, the simplicity of life and the beauty of the island is an attraction all on its own. The Filipino lifestyle here is one that’s focused mostly on people, not things. It’s a daily struggle for the basic necessities of life, water, food and some clothing. They tend the chickens, tether the goat, walk the cow and gather wood to cook with. The children are happy, smiling and playing when they are not helping with chores. In remote areas such as Delaguette, there are few who speak English as opposed to the cities where it is the second language. Having Joel and Laarney interpret for us was priceless.
As we walked Southward along the main coastal road, we took in the beauty, though never escaping the constant 100+ heat and humidity. After a couple of miles, we decided to take a break in the shade where the fresh water springs meet the ocean. Joel informed us that this is where the local Christian churches have there baptisms. After we cooled down a little bit we headed on and soon came across a bus shed where 3 men were sitting also trying to escape the heat of the day. We had a wonderful time of sharing the Lord with them, prayed with them and moved on. On our way back, we saw an elderly lady (80+) sitting in the doorway of her little house. Joel gave her a tract and she asked what we were doing. We shared how the Lord loved her and that we were carrying the cross as a reminder of God’s love. Joel asked if she knew Jesus in her heart and told her how she could. She said that she would like that so we all prayed with her as she invited Jesus into her heart. Doreen wept as she thought about Tiofila’s 11th hour conversion!! She also asked for prayer for her knee as she struggled with walking. After praying for her knee, she reached up and kissed each one of us as she cradled each of our faces in here hands, looked us in the eye and said thank you for coming to her village! (remember, you all who give, because of Jesus and your gift, we were able to meet and pray with Tiofila!) Thank you!
Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does!! Rick and I have just returned from our trip to a very remote place called “Dalaguete”, on the southern part of the island of Cebu, Philippines. The two hour bus ride was great. It was air conditioned, and as we watched the view of city buildings turn to palm trees and water buffalo, we started to get excited! The city has been wonderful and the friendships that we have developed are priceless. Carrying the Cross in the crowds has been great, but we had been longing to walk the dirt roads of Cebu to meet the mountain folk and experience their simple ways of life. We knew this was our chance!
To the next village!
We were excited to have Joel, a brother in the Lord along with us. He came to the Lord through the Christian camp of Shakinah ministries. Joel, now in his early thirty’s, was reservedly excited in anticipation of sharing his faith in a new way! He has been such a blessing to us from the first week of our arrival here on Cebu island! Since he is unemployed right now, he has taken us under his wing and helped us through many cultural adjustments, transportation and such, making sure that we are not taken advantage of, as is the custom of most taxi/bus/tricycle/jeepney drivers with American visitors.
Joel
We arrived Tuesday, March 13th around 6:30p.m. and got off the bus right in front of the home where we would be staying. Alma and Lisa where outside waiting to greet us with welcoming arms! Charissa was a bit concerned about how I would handle staying in her grandmothers old style, Filipino home with no windows, shower or hot water. I knew it was going to be very different for me too, but I was ready!
It had been 4 years since Joel and the girls had seen each other so conversation stirred immediately about the days of growing together in the Lord at the camp and filling in the blanks! Alma and Lisa showed us to our room, the only one with an air conditioner (or air-con, as they call it). Charissa had asked them to give us that room but we could tell that sacrifice was no stranger to these girls! We felt honored and blessed to share their home!
Morning came quickly, as breakfast was served at 6:30. Alma and Lisa dismissed themselves promptly at 8:00 to begin their day teaching the children. Both have earned degrees in teaching, and though they could go abroad and earn a good living, they decided to stay in the Philippines to serve the Lord among their own people.
With our new Filipino language tracts in hand, Joel, Laarney, Rick and I had prayer and then headed out with the cross! The hot humid air clung to us like a wet blanket as we started up the mountain and we watched palm trees all around us swaying in the breeze. As we came upon this large group of men sitting around under a bus shed on the side of the road, we passed out our new tracks written in their language, preached, answered questions, and continued on. As we climbed the mountain, we enjoyed the tropical beauty, deep ravines and coconut trees, it was just beautiful! Our hearts beat with excitement about what God about to do! It was uphill all day but such a blessing to be so remote!
We had carried the cross up the mountain only about a kilometer when we hit the first grouping of huts. Laarney went to the right and Joel jumped the ditch on the left, past the goat and went under a home built on stilts where an elderly woman was sitting. He sat right down next to her and started sharing the gospel with her as he went through the track. He took his time to make sure that she understood clearly. Rick and I found a little hand made bridge of split logs (with flip flops nailed to them to hold it together) and crossed over with the cross to join Joel.
Rick leaned the cross up against the stilts of the neighboring hut and gave stickers to all the children looking at amazement at this white man carrying this huge cross! After Joel finished sharing with the women, he joined us and shared with all the children in their native Cebuano language. We crossed back over the little bridge to the other side of the road where we found families gathering to see what we were doing.
Laarney had already begun sharing the gospel, distributing tracks and telling them why we were there. After Rick shared with them while Laarney translated, we continued on up the mountain looking back to see many of the people intently reading the tracts! And so it went all day, one hut after another, never missing one. We found people going about their various chores as we climbed the mountain. One man was shaving a banana tree trunk with a very sharp machete, making fodder to feed his cow, another man was chopping up coconuts and laying pieces in the sun to dry, to then make cooking oil out of them. (That is very common here as it is a way to make an income). One man that stands out distinctly in our memories, after taking the tract, seemed to devour every word even as he walked back to his home never lifting his eyes from it. As we walked away we saw that he had sat down still looking intently at this tract that explained his need for a savior! His expression will forever be etched in our minds for we knew that something was happening in his heart. I just had to take a picture!
As our day ended we made our way back down the mountain along this narrow trail. Our feet ached from the heat and the steady climb all day, but our hearts soared when we thought of each time we looked back over our shoulder to see those people eagerly reading their gospel tracts. As we got to the bottom of the mountain, Laarney’s sister had coconuts and coconut pie waiting for us as refreshment. What a treat!
Please join us in prayer as we pray for this region and those beautiful people of the mountain and we also would like to ask you to please prayerfully consider helping them financially. You cant even imagine how just $10 can help! We could, upon request, share an address where you can write to them to introduce yourself and your desire to help or whatever you’d like to share! They truly are wonderful, dedicated, God loving, Self sacrificing servants of the Lord! These saints are barely existing for the sake of the gospel! Each of us giving so very little will enable them to do so much more!
Though the girls never asked for any thing, when Rick and I found out that they literally were scavenging the beach for shells and seaweed to eat, we decided to take them on a shopping spree, not just for rice and food but also for products like shampoo, soap and toilet paper which is really a luxury to them!! Just the look of humble appreciation on their faces blessed us immensely and knowing the hearts of our supporters, we knew that you all would have wanted us to help them!
Thank you all so much and remember, you give so that others may live eternally!
