It was a beautiful SUNNY afternoon as we drove into the village. We were greeted with the SHRILLING SCREAMS of a large mama pig being beaten, and tied down....They poured boiling water over her, more SCREAMS! It was an ERIE sound to hear this animal writhing and LITERALLY SCREAMING for her life. We were told that walking distance, just across the the basketball court (the town center), was the gambling house/hut. Later, the kids, and others on the team were saying they saw people with guns on them and under the tables. Again, RAIN threatened this evening's crusade! We prayed fervently, as the drizzle slowly turned into a down pour! God, what next?! Unlike other crusades, this rain didn't seem to let up. Just before we were about to call it quits, an option opened up. One of the neighbors graciously opened up their porch (with electricity) to let the band set up there. We quickly made a shift and the band's overhead tarps became the audience's shelter while the seven member band with instruments SQUEEZED into their mini stage--it was the answer to our prayer! With the rain still pouring, the pigs still continuing to SCREAM for their lives, and the activity of the gamling it seemed like we were light in the middle of it ALL! THANK YOU JESUS we did not give up! Our team continued as scheduled...the concert, Callis girls dancing and singing, testimonies given, Brian preaching, the Gospel of Jesus was shared. In the meanwhile, Pastor Cedric and Philip go into the gamling house passing out our Ang Sagot (The Answer) booklets explaining the way of the cross to our Savior. In this place several money holders carried guns on their body and under the tables. Before Pastor and Philip got out, already many were reading through the booklets!
In FOLLOW-UP the next day is where we see the serious folks who want receive their Bible and sign up to be in a Bible study or church. That day several Bible Studies were started and one church. The gambling house men (with the guns) even showed up with their booklets filled out! They even said if there was a meeting in their Barangay (village) then they would attend. May the gambling house one day be a house of prayer giving honor to God! Praise the Lord!
In FOLLOW-UP the next day is where we see the serious folks who want receive their Bible and sign up to be in a Bible study or church. That day several Bible Studies were started and one church. The gambling house men (with the guns) even showed up with their booklets filled out! They even said if there was a meeting in their Barangay (village) then they would attend. May the gambling house one day be a house of prayer giving honor to God! Praise the Lord!