Rick Newton Cross Carrier

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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….

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!!