SURALLAH HERE I COME!

Missions Report
Part II – Day 1

As I write this mission report, I want for the reader to clearly understand that the Christian life is to be lived in obedience to the Great Command of the LORD. This obedience then translate to a lifestyle of pursuing the mandate to fulfill the Great Commission as given to the disciples by the LORD Jesus Christ before He ascended back into heaven (Matthew 22:37-40; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). There are three words that must become very obvious to the reader of this blog, the words Deliberate, Intentional and Inconvenient, if such a lifestyle is to be achieved for God’s Glory and Honor alone! Ministry in a nutshell is “Inconvenient” to say the least.

Woke up early of July 17th. Was brought to the airport by my daughter Delight to take the Philippine Airlines Flight PR 453 to General Santos City leaving at 7:00 AM. Every time I fly, I request for a wheelchair because of my heart condition. I have an Implanted Cardio Defribilator (ICD Pacemaker). This help me a lot to be able to move with the help of someone. At the NAIA, I was helped by Leo, a family man. Talked to him about his need to be born again and make Jesus Christ LORD of his life. Gave him a good tip that morning.

The flight lasted for less than 2 hours. It was a smooth flight altogether arriving in GenSanCity airport before 9:00 AM. The man seated on my right in the plane was not in the mood to talk. He preferred to sleep throughout the flight. At the airport, a young man named Christian pushed my wheelchair. I let him know also his need to make Christ LORD of his life. Gave him a good tip.

I was met by Tyrone Felarca, one of the young people from Pastor Ben Pabellon’s church studying in the city. We took a taxi (P300.00) to the city. The trip from the airport to the city is about 30 minutes. Got to challenge Tyrone to make the Bible final ultimate authority in his life; to become a man full of God’s Words, thus making him a man full of faith.

Shifted then my attention to the driver of the taxi named Dodong. Confronted him with his need to be born again based on John 3:1-8 and encouraged him to go check out The Wesleyan Church in 28 Sineguelas Street, GenSanCity. He said that he already goes to a church. Asked him which, replied the Roman Catholic Church. I then told him the truth from God’s Words in the Bible that he was in a religion that was involved in the sin of idolatry and therefore is in truth and in fact, on his way to hell. I urged him to try for his own sake the church I suggested to him to go to. Encouraged him to get for himself a Bible and make sure that everything he believes in is in agreement, lines up and is not contrary to the written Word of God the Bible.

At the Yellow Bus Line terminal about 10:15 AM, I took a bus for Marbel, 50 kms going south, where I was to be met by Pastor Ben Pabellon in the terminal. The LORD was very gracious in preparing a young man of 26 years, named Jethro, married with two kids, who sat beside me in the bus. The trip was about an hour ride. As soon as this man sat beside me, I deliberately started a conversation. Asked him where he got his name. He did not know other than the fact that he was named such by his parents. I then told him that the name Jethro is in the Bible. Told him, it was the name of Mose’s father-in-law in the Book of Exodus. As we conversed, learned that he travels all over the Philippines, going from town to town making sure that it was during the town’s fiesta for he then tried to sell his product. He was away months at a time from his family who lives in Manila. What a way to try and provide for one’s family.

As we talked, learned that he was a member of the Iglesia Ni Kristo, a cult that teaches that Jesus Christ is just a man. I then got my cellphone which has an English & Tagalog Bible. For the next 30 minutes or so, I showed him God’s Words especially zeroing in on John 1:1-14. I let him read for himself God’s Words trusting that God the Holy Spirit will quicken & anoint His Words to open the eyes of his understanding. Challenge him to make sure that everything he accepts is in fact written in the pages of Holy Scriptures; that he is not to just accept anything even coming from his own pastor, without confirming for himself and making sure 100% that it is God’s very Words written in the pages of Holy Scriptures. Showed him what the Berean Christians did in Acts 17:11. This man just soaked himself in God’s Words. Before we reach Marbel, he gave me his cell number. Sent him outright 3 messages which he received the same minute. He was profusely thankful for the opportunity he was given to see for himself the truth of the Gospel of Christ, that Jesus Christ first and foremost is truly God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth.

At the bus terminal in Marbel, we shook hands and parted ways. My heart was filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for the privilege of opening God’s Words to help one who has been deceived by the Deceiver Satan but has now been set free. Truly, the LORD’s Spoken Word in John 8:31-32 is true. When the truth of God’s Words is heard, received and believed, it results in freedom. Praise the LORD!

Texted Pastor Ben informing him of my arrival. Met this brother for the first time for we have basically communicated only through email and text. Shook his hand as we greeted each other warmly. He was with two of the young people in his church Brother Richard and Sister Twinkle. These two rode with me in another YBL to Surallah, 22 kms from Marbel while Pastor Ben rode in his motorcycle back. Got to introduce ourselves to one another as I begun to speak to these two young people as to what they were to expect from me concerning ministry. The trip was about 30 minutes. Alighting from the bus in Surallah, we took a tricycle that brought us to the church and the parsonage. Praise God, I reached Surallah safely at about 2:00 PM. I then had a late lunch, prepared by the niece of Pastor Ben. Praise the LORD for appetite.

My bags were brought by Brother Richard to a room in the church parsonage. This became my “hotel” for the remainder of my stay in Surallah.

I was informed by Pastor Ben that we were to go and minister to the hospital staff of the Rhodeline Landero Hospital whose director is Dr. Eileen L. Afable, the daughter of the late Dr. Landero, a member of the church at about 3:30 PM.

After about 30 minutes of rest, Richard, Twinkle and I took a tricycle to the hospital. Pastor Ben went ahead of us in his motorcycle. At the hospital, we were warmly received by Dr. Afable with her staff.

In one of the bigger rooms in the hospital, a group of about 10 women staff led by Dr. Afable, we had a wonderful time with them for about an hour. Pastor Ben turned over to me the whole time to be able to communicate with these women about the importance of God’s Words the Holy Scriptures in the lives of people. Spoke to them of their need to really know that they have truly experienced the New Birth, if one is to be assured not only of eternal life, but God’s divine protection and provision in this lifetime. Spoke to these women for almost an hour from my heart, laying the foundation of God’s truths based on the Bible. As I looked at the faces of these women, I knew in my heart that what they heard from my lips, were words that they will not forget. That God will be faithful even to His promise in Isaiah 55:11 … that His words will not return unto Him void, that is uselessly. Rather, that those
Words will bring a change and transformation in their hearts and lives that will last for all eternity.

Pastor Ben encouraged them to ask questions. I took a number of those and gave them a biblical answer. Impressed upon their minds the following: “Every question that man has, God has an answer in His Word, the Bible; Every problem that man will face in this lifetime, there is a solution in the Bible”. I closed by challenging them to listen, read, study, memorize & meditate on God’s Words daily if they want God’s best for their lives and families. I then prayed for them and the hospital.

It was about 6:00 PM, as we headed back to church. I had been up for about 14 hours since 4:00 AM. My day had truly been very long. Yet, as I look back, a day worthwhile to have been lived with the view of eternity that is soon to be experienced when our LORD returns. MEANTIME, ONE IS CALLED TO BE FAITHFUL, WILLING TO BE INCONVENIENCED FOR THE SAKE OF SOULS THAT OUR LORD DIED FOR!

The night in the province, unlike in the big cities, promises to bring rest and renewal to one’s physical body. Praise the LORD!