Flight to a Muslim Site

With Sister Wendy Harris

I didn't plan for this mission trip, God did! While I was yet wondering what or where could be God's plan for me sandwiching a former and latter mission trips, a text message from a friend came --- it's Wendy Harris, a missionary nurse working with Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services (PAMAS). She already invited me twice last 2015 and now came the third. God knew that when those invitations came twice, I really desired to go but I had been committed to other mission trips. I Praise Him for it had not been a lost opportunity! 

However, Wendy said that, if possible, I take care of my return flights and they would take care of everything during my stay in the field. At the back of my mind I said, No problem. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? As I have proved God many times in providing for mission trip fares, I prayed for this again. God indeed has bent once more and heard my prayer. Lo, a friend sponsored for a one-way trip. God's will, God's bill! I Praise Him for always reserving people to financially aid in His own work.

With Brother Dwayne at Puerto Princesa International Airport

Flight booked! It was scheduled on the 3rd of March but due to airline issues, it had been re-timed on the same date then later was moved on the 4th.  Glad that for the next rescheduling, I had the option to move it to some other day just within the month. So, I picked March 7 --- I love this number because it's a perfect number! It surely is! Why? Well, I arrived Puerto Princesa International Airport in the afternoon due to delayed flight and I am still supposed to travel for another 4 hours to reach PAMAS at Brooke's Point. Quite a long trip, right? But God is so good! That same day, in the afternoon, Bro. Dwayne Harris, the Director of PAMAS-Philippines, with another pilot named Jason, flew to the airport to pay for some fuel. Praise God! --- Off I flew with them! Finally, I got the experience of flying with PAMAS' plane, with PAMAS' pilots. I thank God for not only letting me enjoy the aerial view but reducing and upgrading the supposed 4-hour shuttle ride to an around 45-minute three-seater private plane ride. God is truthfully full of surprises! I Praise Him for the re-timed, rescheduled, delayed flight, and the perfect number. 

Arriving at PAMAS-Palawan Headquarters was a blessing: meeting co-PAFCOE graduates, friends from Lay Institute for Global Health Training (LIGHT), new friends from overseas who are helping in the mission works here in the Philippines, and the rest of PAMAS-Palawan team. 

Asalamu Alaikum!

This is the greeting in a Muslim acreage. It means 'Peace be upon you.' That peace is real in the site. Geographically, the province lies at the southwestern tip of the country, and consists of Tawi-tawi Island and 106 surrounding islands and islets. Out of those, only Mapun island is genuinely a peaceful place with peaceful people. It is in fact a zero-crime place, as confirmed to us by the Mayor himself. You could be marveling: A Muslim area with no crime? How is that? Nothing else that I could describe it but its eccentricity; and I'm a living witness, even just for almost a month of staying there and ministering to the Jama Mapun (people of Mapun).

Inside the plane with the Muslim family

Brother Sean Knapp, the PAMAS-Palawan Director himself took me to the island with PAMAS plane again; but that time, with a Muslim family (on their return trip) with a 16-day old baby on board. It was an awesome airlift for 1.5 hours while getting to know them and we easily became friends. Upon safe landing, they offered to take me where I was headed. Praise God for this friendly and accommodating family!

With Brother Sean upon safe arrival at Mapun 

The Vineyard

The missionary house

It was in Barangay Guppah where I spent the mission trip, staying with the Largo family. The house was built two months ago and situated across the house of an old woman who donated the land. Praise God for her generous heart for the house-building to be realized; and as she admitted, it is also for her own advantage --- to be nigh the 'doctor' in case something happens to her. 



The old woman who donated the land

This statement rings a bell to me:

"...the Gentile world should be called upon to make donations to our work in the Southern field..." {PCO 38.1}

Exactly opposite of what happened: The woman was not called upon or asked for a donation but she did it anyway. This reminded me of the scripture song in 1 John 5:14 and 15. What a need-providing God we have --- even outstretching His hands through a gentile's hand.

On the left is the missionary house and across is the donor's

The surroundings?  It's quiet, less noise and air pollution; there are lots of coconut trees around, as you can see above, and we just ask from the neighbors who harvest them --- free of charge. But caution should be taken in walking under those trees --- there's danger in getting neurological damage! Moreover, there are snakes, scorpions, monkeys, iguanas, and porcupines around (at least the ones that I saw). The weather is hot 'cause it's summer; the vegetables and other plants have withered due to dry land and rain that seems to forget to pour enough. In addition, I admire the simple life and friendliness of the people: when I do my walking exercise, my smile begets a smile; I am also amazed for the Filipinos' bayanihan (helping one another) tradition has not been wiped out yet in their culture; and lastly, the Jama Mapun's non-allergic reaction to the name JESUS is remarkably encouraging!

Killed a snake and a scorpion in front of the house one day

Pet porcupine: stolen one night :(

Children holding up their some kind of machetes: ready to help in breaking the coconuts

At a normal walking speed, it takes 20 minutes from our humble shelter to Tawi-Tawi Academy (TTA) --- our own Seventh-Day Adventist institution, where more than 90% of the students are Muslim. The school principal is Mr. Mulidal Mubas who was a Muslim and is now a Seventh-Day Adventist. He had served as a principal there for 33 years and was married to a Seventh-Day Adventist. It is interesting because in Muslim culture, a Christian woman should be converted to Muslim and not the other way around; but I Praise God that the wife was steadfast in her faith, thus he was converted instead. Then they became one flesh and united in working for God through education. I could say that Mrs. Mubas is a woman of strong faith! She said it was not easy 'cause she faced several and varied persecutions but God saw her through. I was also happy to know that the other four teachers there all come from Mountain View College, dedicated their time in teaching from almost 2 years to almost 5 yrs, and so proud that they are all Cebuanos --- the spirit of ministry especially reaching the unreached really runs in the blood of Cebuanos! I Praise God that they have done a very good work in helping students not just to excel academically but also spiritually.

The basic utilities? Well, there was no electricity in the place but few houses have solar power system so we just have our mobile phones and powerbanks charged to them. We have a better signal for smart networks in the house since the spot was cleverly chosen --- making communications easier. The water is bought for Php 100 per drum (6 drums per tank), which is expensive considering the place. Hence, we learned the virtue of conserving water. And ohhh...I must share my water experience. Two days has passed since I arrived, and I was so confident and feeling safe as I get drinking water from the jug. All I thought was it was separately bought from the water in the tank. Came the third day, I found out that our drinking water actually comes from the tank --- the same water that we used for cooking, taking a bath, washing dishes and clothes, and for other water needs. I further noticed that when it rained (the rain passed only once during my entire stay), they filter the rainwater and it goes straight to the tank. Whooaa!! Lesson learned? Don't assume: asking is a virtue! Despite what happened, I'm so grateful to God that when I discovered such, He restrained my supposed retort. Instead, I was able to say: the water was delicious (it truly was!) and so happy that my stomach did not complain. What an incredible first-time experience to taste a diluted rainwater! I should taste pure rainwater sometime, don't you think?

What I ate? I have already heard many stories from missionaries who worked in the islands and they said that it is hard to be a full vegetarian in such areas primarily because the usual livelihood is fishing and the most easy and common complement of rice is fish. I should say that if God will provide a table in the wilderness, He will also provide food in the island. God has given me the privilege to work in an island before and there were still a lot to eat. Have you realized that sin blinds our eyes to what does not lead us to it? Therefore, I still firmly say, I have conscientious scruples over eating fish!

A once-in-a-while colorful breakfast
(sticky purple rice, cucumber salad, beans, papaya, bonsai sweet pomelo)

God is faithful! Even though the summer season affected the gardens (including ours) so much and vegetables and fruits were rarely seen in the market; we Praise God that when we go to buy, there were always fruits and vegetables that we least expect to see. So, does faith have something to do with convictions or principles? What I mean is, if we really wanted to eat according to God's ideal and for His glory, do we need faith even as a grain of a mustard seed for us to see the hand of God preparing for something healthy? I sturdy believe so! Therefore, I can testify that wherever we go -- in the jungle, or forest, or wherever remote area that you can think of --- to work for Him and for souls, He will always have something healthy for us to eat and survive; lest we get sick and His purposes would not prosper. After all, do we still believe that God has a thousand ways to provide? I can say that I crossed the bridge that others did; they might have fallen over their justification to indulge in appetite, but God's grace is sufficient for me to overcome. And you can, with God's help and by His grace, too! Remember, that applies wherever you are. 

By the way, God gave us one of the healthiest (probably) substitute for meat and milk. Guess what? Coconut meat and coconut milk! We have an abundance of it in the place: we loved it and it had become part of our meals everyday! And grateful to PAMAS for sending us unpolished rice and some healthy stuffs that we missed eating.

The Sabbath Day? We have a small church in the town area (a 30-minute drive by motorbike from the house) with few members. This was most likely the least number of members that I have attended but I am humbled and Praising God that there are few whom the Lord is building the foundation --- of a bigger number and bigger building. The three Sabbaths that I spent there were a delight. They had me speak the first Sabbath for the whole day: promotion, Sabbath school, hour of worship, and AY testimony --- this is how they warmly welcome visitors. Praise God for the honor of sharing! Having lunch together was a glee, too. It's a joy to be with a small group of people --- praying, studying God's Word, and working together for the God who is not a respecter of persons. 



Left to right, back to front: Mr. Mulidal Mubas (TTA Principal), Bro. Elmar Largo (PAMAS Missionary)
Bro. Dindo Pantoñal (TTA Math Teacher), Bro. Japhet Ramos (TTA English Teacher),
Bro. Mark Oliver Tan (MSU-Tawi-Tawi, Biology Teacher), Mrs. Lumicita Tanzo (Church Member),
Mrs. Chita Mubas (TTA Registrar and Teacher), Sis. Juveline Loar (TTA Math and Music Teacher),
Sis. Jean Largo (PAMAS Missionary) and eldest child, Angel Largo, and Sis. Amornia Aclo (TTA History Teacher)

Help us pray that God would help the missionaries there and send more missionaries to regain the sheep that have gone from the fold, minister to sheeps that are not yet in the fold, and for an appropriate transportation so that our Muslim friends who have been willing and longing to attend can worship with our brethren in the church.

In-House and On-Call Doctors

I had a wonderful time living and working with the Largo family. I didn't only delight in helping the couple, especially the mother, in household responsibilities; but I also learned something about the painstaking effort that parents need to exert to discipline and teach their children in the way that they should go. The family had been serving the Jama Mapun for more than 2 years (starting November 2013) and the husband had already been known as the doctor in the place. When I arrived and they knew that I am also doing the same work like him, being a medical missionary, they also called me a doctor --- the profession that's way far from what I've studied and never imagined myself to be. I just laugh inside me since I never expected that I would become or at least be called a doctor in my whole life! But then, I Praise God! I might not have undergone a complex and long years of study and don't bear the credentials of those professionals (with due respect) but the training that God has allowed me to undergo and the principles that He taught me from His Words and Counsels are enough for me --- trusting in His simple, natural ways while doing the work that bears the signature of heaven.

I call ourselves in-house doctors because at times, we are just inside the house and people with health problems come to us. One interesting character of the Muslims (at least in this field) is that they are close to each other, so they always feel welcome to enter a house without knocking. Consequently, sometimes, we were caught by surprise that the patients were already inside the house --- quite funny for us! Anyhow, when they come we minister to their physical needs: checking blood pressure, blood sugar testing, answering questions about their health conditions, recommending natural remedies, giving them medicines (the remains from a previous medical mission), and the like.

And I call ourselves on-call doctors because people come to the house to inform us that somebody is sick and we visit them. At these times, I Praise God for helping me apply what I studied and learned such as physical diagnosis, patient evaluation, doing deep palpation, and counseling especially on correcting unhealthy lifestyles, using natural remedies, and others.

Part of the work that PAMAS has been doing that was very helpful for the inhabitants with emergency cases was giving them an airlift from the island to Puerto Princesa Hospital and back to the island for their their return trips. The Aviation and Medical Ministries working hand-in-hand has truly built a bridge, i.e.,  effectively establishing a close relationship with the Muslim people --- as the Savior mingled with men as One who desired their good.

Unexpected Divine Appointment

The Muslim people are not exempt from having the diseases that originated from the Egyptians and influenced by the Western world. Though they were not eating Haram (forbidden) foods, still cure is dominating than prevention. Why? Primarily because the two sides of true temperance is not practiced: dispensing entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is healthful. Just like any other Christian, sin has been embedded in their nature, resulting to a faulty lifestyle. This is why educating them is a must!

"The only hope of better things is in the education of the people in right principles...In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system."  {CH 90.1} 

Let me back up a bit. I came to the site only to assist one of my trainors in Adventist-Muslim Relations, Sir Ranny de Vera; but unexpectedly, he didn't manage to come due to his piled schedules. Accordingly, there was a need to do something so my coming would not be worthless. God's impression was to continue the plan of having the Gospel and Health Lectures. I've heard this happened to my friend before due to Sir Ranny's absence, and he did the meetings himself. Obviously, you know what happened to me --- but I wasn't alone: the Spirit of God was present to the rescue.

With Kuya Elmar in the office of Mapun Mayor, Kennedy Muksin

Our first step was going to the Mayor's office for the approval of the letter to conduct the said community program. So, we went. It was astonishing how PAMAS has built a rapport to this high official by flying him for his appointments. We went to talk to him but it turned out him talking to us. Well, this humble man told us the story of his recent flight with Brother Sean and how he was amazed with him cause he always pray; and faithfully dealt with him: whenever he has flights, he doesn't want many people to welcome him at the airport but just land as an ordinary man; so he tells brother Sean not to let anybody know, and he does so. But still news of his coming comes from other sources and the crowd becomes uncontrollable. He said that brother Sean can be trusted. Praise God for the testimony from a Muslim Mayor about a Praying and Faithful/Trustworthy Pilot. After the story, he then approved the letter. Praise God for smoothing out the way!

'Amazing Health' Seminar

It was announced in public, after Mapun Elementary School's graduation Day. However, others were not around there and have only heard of it, so they confirmed it to us. Besides that, our visitations helped in inviting personally those whom we have ministered to. The program was spread abroad and the people were excited, and we are even more!

We had but couple of days left to secure/prepare the materials, equipment, and other things that we needed. We Praise God that everything were made ready and set because of PAMAS, TTA, and Muslim friends' help and support.

The venue and set-up

We hold the seminar just infront of the house from the 13th to 19th of March for the first part and 23rd to 26th of the same month for the second part. We always start with the greetings, Mahap Sangum Ingkaa Sikamimun (Good evening to all of you). Then we sing our theme song found in Proverbs 17:22. Praise God that by a scripture song, we have planted the Words of God in their minds. For 7 nights, the Jama Mapun were educated about Nutrition, Hypertension, Diabetes, Arthritis, Natural Remedies (only those available in the place like coconut, garlic, banana, aloe vera, potato, raddish, cabbage), and Hydrotheraphy. We Praise God for more than 50 attendees for the first night, both children and adults --- inclusive of the TTA faculty and some students. For the succeeding nights, it was inspiring 'cause people kept coming and there were always new comers each night; so additional chairs were made. People were motivated to come early for we gave out gifts (simple kitchenwares) for early birds. 

Before the nightly lectures, we have them view a film about the God of Wonders and the lives of some known Bible characters like David, Joseph, and Jesus. When I had the lectures, I have seen our Muslim friends' receptiveness to the health message --- more than that of the ones who have been given the light first! Because of the language barrier, maintaining an eye contact was very helpful for me: to see if they are still following or losing track, to fix their eyes in front and not to distractions, to catch their attention and enable interaction, and for me to perceive the workings of the Holy Spirit.

During the opening night

People compressing in the middle

Standing attendees: a position that calls for more chairs

With the added chairs at the back, still there are people outside the fence 

Demonstration on hot foot bath
People were flabbergasted about the many uses of water 

This mother came before the meeting and gave us an
extraordinary bottle gourd---first time to see such a long one!

Evey after lectures, I shake the hands of our friends and say Magsuko (thank you), Good night, and God bless. I could tell by the way they shook my hand followed by the hand gesture of placing their right hand on their forehead then towards their heart, that they were grateful and really blessed by the lectures. One night, an old woman did something unusual. It was a different gesture --- forehead to forehead! This was the same woman who gives us rootcrops and vegetables and the earliest bird. I didn't know what the gesture exactly means but I know for sure that she had done it because she had been greatly blessed. There were also a nights when Satan tried to get a hold of the listeners by the Muslim-type disco and town events, but was I moved for our friends who opted to attend the meetings --- a manifestation that they were undoubtedly interested to learn. For the seven nights, before or after the meetings, we always had people come to the house and give us their land produce  --- a way of expressing their gratefulness. 



These were given by the old woman who comes first in the venue
(winged beans, eggplant, bitter gourd, string beans, turmeric, ginger, and lemongrass) 

Actual Disease Encounters

During the seminar, we were called to visit some patients and here I had the first-time actual encounters of certain diseases. First, we had visited a patient who had hemmorhoids and in the same house were three old people who had leprosy: the two were already treated but the other one is still continuing on her treatment. When we got there, I was just supposed to check on the lady with the hemorrhoids problem. So, we advised her what to do then I ended up getting the BP of the rest of the seven old people in the house. It was a blessing to minister to them, even forgetting that I am ministering to leprosy patients. If you were in my shoes, would you be afraid? Didn't Jesus healed people with leprosy before? Jesus' example gave me the courage to do what I am called to do.

My second encounter was actually seeing a patient with pitting edema problem, onycholysis, and ribbing of nails --- I have only seen such in pictures while I was studying but that time, with my own eyes. I symphatize with that man but we can't do anything best for him but pray.

There were still more people around that we visited who suffered from different lifestyle-related diseases. We have prayed for and with them and counseled them what God wants them to do. With the burden in our hearts, we desire to have a place where sick people can be taken care of and monitored --- a Wellness Center in the island. We would appreciate if you would help us pray about it, too.

A Day's Break

After the 7 nights of lectures, we had a day off to take part in the Academy's Recognition Day of Grades 7-10. It reminded me of the secondary years when I had soaked myself to hard study to attain good grades. There were challenges of course but the fruits of the labor was sweet. But is there anything more sweet than that?

MR No. 764 - Restoration of the Image of God {9MR 370.1-5}

     God designed all these trials, not to discourage, but to develop a class of Christian virtues which seldom are seen in the sunshine of prosperity.    

   Every unselfish action makes the character more Christlike. . . . A true, noble life is characterized by thoughtful attention to the needs of others. . . .   

   There is no graduation from the school of Christ. Throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity Christians will be learners in this school. 

   The most precious work that my brethren can engage in is that of forming a Christlike character, that they may enter into the mansions which Christ has gone to prepare for them.
      Godliness is the only solid foundation for true dignity and completeness of character.

With the teachers and other invited guests

With the students and their proud and happy parents

Given the privilege to award a medal to a Muslim student
(Looking forward to the crown that Christ Himself will award!)

The one with cast is the guest speaker and also one of PAMAS' pilots, Brother Daniel Lui

More sweet is the attainment of Christian virtues through trials; of a true, noble life by attending to the needs of others; and above all, heaven by the formation of Christlike character ---- all these are only learned in the School of Christ.

Dwelling on these, my mind tells me more: that we won't be graduating from experiencing trials and that we will not graduate from ministering to the needs of others. All for a sole purpose --- formation of Christlike character to enter the heavenly mansions. What would be more sweet than that?


Thanksgiving Day

With Ate Jean, Kuya Elmar's wife (in red)
and two Muslim mothers

Thanking God for the blessings after the 7 nightly meetings, we initiated a potluck for our Muslim friends.  We thank PAMAS for buying some of the ingredients that are not available in the place. We cooked for them and Muslim mothers came to help us in the kitchen. They observe how we cook the food and were astonished that we don't use oil, just water; no milk, just coconut milk; no MSG, just salt and the healthy seasonings (but not found in the place); no soy sauce, just molasses; no brown or white sugar, just the right amount of muscovado sugar; and no food coloring, just turmeric. They were excited to taste the food! 

Kuya Elmar cooking bread in a modified island steamer

The food! Not so colorful, huh? We chose to prepare more desserts to have some 'not-just-any-ordinary-day' foods
(steamed wheat bread; palitaw coated with freshly grated coconut, brown sesame seeds, and a little muscovado sugar;
squash maja with fresh coconut strips and corn kernels; biko, made from purple sticky rice;
pancit with carrots, cabbage, and coconut milk; jackfruit in coconut milk; and rice)

Kuya Elmar praying for the food: saying the Muslim prayer

Eating with the Muslim children

This Muslim man in blue really liked the food.
He said that if there is someone who can prepare foods like those,
he would not eat in their house anymore.

Joining the Muslim mothers and some young ladies

Our Muslim friends from near and far, who attended the meetings and were thankful as we were even more thankful

The people enjoyed; they were satisfied; they were filled; they loved the foods! Someone said that the most delicious is the maja blanca; Praise God! We thought at first that the food won't be enough for everybody; and much more when we saw that more people were coming. Who among those came? We were told that the 'known thief' in the place joined our thanksgiving: he ate with us --- Praise God for our unanticipated guest! And we Praise God that He had multiplied the food. In fact, it was more than enough: everybody were served and they even had their refill and take out. God undeniably blessed the food!

What were we thankful for 7 nights? We thank God that there was no emergency flight for PAMAS to bring us a tent, so we had a magnificient ceiling --- the starry heavens! We thank God for holding the rains for us. We thank God for watching over our equipment and PA system. We thank God for adding supplies to our food through the people who gave us fruits from their own gardens. We thank God for sustaining our budget for the generator fuel and quiz and early bird incentives. We thank God for keeping us healthy as we taught how to be healthy. We thank God for encamping our venue with His angels that protected us from Satan's distractions. We thank God for His Spirit who guided the people into the truth about health. And we thank God for the health education that the people heard which would greatly influence their decisions: to follow or not to follow; to listen to God or to the enemy of their souls.

I believe that the 7 nights has placed us in an advantage ground --- preparation of the soil, that is, the hearts of the people, to what's coming next.

What Does the Qur'an say about the Bible?'

This was our topic for the second part. It was beyond our expectation again; God doesn't want us to end just like that. Why? He had reminded me on this inspired statement:

"...If they see that we are intelligent with regard to health, they will be more ready to believe that we are sound in Bible doctrines." {CTBH 121.3} 

The seminar was extended for 4 more nights; by then, combining health and the gospel. I thought, four days was too short to share about the common grounds that we have with the Muslims; so I seek God in prayer --- asking Him specifically to direct me on what to teach that would focus on one theme. I looked at my files and there were too many to chose from; too many to open and select the ones to be compressed in one presentation; too many topics to share but the days were too short; time was so short to gather parts that can easily be understood and make new slides; and I don't want to feed the people with meat when they have not taken the milk yet. Thus, I pressed my petition to God. Then He reminded me of building the foundation first. Next, He directed me to the files that a friend shared before I arrived in the site.* Behold, God's plan appeared so clear to me. It was a question and answer type of material entitled, What Does the Qur'an Say About the Bible? As I reviewed it and divided the 21 questions plus the conclusion part into four nights, I come up with 5 for three nights and 7 (counting conclusion as a question) for the last night --- a perfect number to end with! God was speaking, so I obeyed --- He wanted me to enlighten the people about His Holy Book right from their own, the Qur'an. I had peace in my heart when I was making new slides for the presentations; and was greatly inspired and blessed! It was exactly what I prayed for --- something that focused on just one theme --- the Bible! Praise God for His omniscience: knowing what I will need before sending me to the field!

I believe that our Muslim friends have already perceived that we were intelligent with regard to health; thus they were more ready to believe in what we were going to present not straight to Bible doctrines, but the authenticity of the Bible itself which contains the doctrines. In fact, it was not a Bible Study but a Qur'an Study: proving that the Qur'an has plenty to say about the Bible.

Before the nightly studies, we had a film viewing about the story if Isa (Jesus). For the first 7 nights, we had already played it but it was in English. But for the second seminar, a young Muslim said that they have the story of Isa in Mapun (their native dialect). We were so glad and the more they were! What an amazing way of God to let them understand His great love towards them by sending Jesus! And not to forget, they were even the ones who requested us to play the story of Isa. It was an incredibly amazing request from the lips of our Muslim friends! 

Our Muslim friends loved watching the Story of Isa

The gospel presentations was brief and clearly presented for at most 40 minutes, which gave me 20 minutes to teach NEWSTART before it. I had enough time to explain the answers to the questions each night, the people's minds were not strained, and did not allow the law of diminishing returns to sit in. While lecturing, I saw the how the Spirit has fixed the attention of the people. They were listening assiduously, nodding their heads in agreement, interacted by answering yes and no, bore smiles of understanding, seen in them was a countenance that believed in everything that they've heard and read, and some of the young people at the back even looked up the verses on their phone's Qur'an application. Praise God for eager students!

Let me share the Conclusion part of what I've shared to them:

1) The Qur'an states that the previous revelations (Bible, which is Tawrat, Zabur, and Injeel) were given by Allah.

2) The Qur'an does not deny the previous revelations, but rather confirms them and is given the responsibility to actually guard them.

3) The Qur'an does not say that the previous revelations had been corrupted or changed.

4) The People of the Book reading the previous Scriptures are actually reminded to follow the Bible or else "they will have no ground to stand upon", and they must judge by that which has been revealed to them.

5) The believers (Muslims) must not only believe the Qur'an but believe in the revelation that came before their time as well (previous Scriptures).

6) The Qur'an has not come to replace the Bible (the previous revelations) because it was corrupt, but rather has come to confirm the validity of the previous Scriptures and their continual authenticity.

7) Finally, the Prophet is instructed that if he is in doubt, he should go and ask the People of the Book who already have the previous Scriptures.

8) The believers are also instructed to turn to the previous Scriptures (the Bible) not only when in doubt but for instruction, since it is the revelation of Allah.

Exalting Jesus by exalting the Bible

For the last night, I emphasized our relationship with our Muslim friends; that they are our closest brothers and sisters. Why? Because of what you can read in the picture just above. I stressed that we are not just any ordinary Christians but we are Seventh-Day Adventists Christians, the People of the Book. I lovingly said that whenever they know or meet a Seventh-Day Adventist, to bear in mind that they (the Muslims) are dear to us and to treat us as Allah commands; may we also treat them as God commands. I also thanked them (the Muslims in general) for what happened in history --- for safeguarding the Bible that is why, one of the reasons, we still have it in our hands today! 

Singing Give me the Bible with the Largo family and Sis. Juvy

Finally, God impressed me to make an appeal. God has placed in my heart and the words came out of my lips as: Who among you here would like to read the Bible? I appealed specifically to the priests of the house: there was one who raised. I appealed next to those mothers who came without their husbands: many raised but only one knows how to read in Tagalog. How I pray that a Mapun Bible would be available, too. I didn't appeal to the young people anymore so the teachers in our Academy would be left with some souls to labor. Praise God for the three (which includes the mother who didn't raise her hand but I knew she would love to have it but was just so shy) families whom Bibles will be given when I go back there this May again, Insha Allah. After the appeal, we rendered the song, Give Me the Bible. Our Muslim friends were following the lyrics on the screen and I was specially hearing like whispering voices that sang with us, coming from where our Muslim friends were seated. Amazing!

It was a night that I believe, the Godhead and all the hosts of heaven were rejoicing because the truth has been proclaimed in the land where people alleged as hard to reach. But the soils of their hearts have been softened and prejudices have been crushed not just broken. I believe with all my heart that soon and very soon, the land would be ready for the harvest. Help us pray to claim the whole barangay and even the whole island for Jesus!

Miracles

*The miracle of downloaded files

A friend sent it when I flew to Palawan but wasn't sure if there's a signal there to download them. Arriving PAMAS, I didn't have time to ask for an internet connection 'cause shortly after we landed, we head on to an evangelistic meeting. Then I was told that we were leaving for Mapun in the morning. So, I woke up early and went to eat breakfast with brother Sean. As we were almost done and about to end our conversation, I recalled that I had files to download. Praise God that there was an internet connection though not so good. I was able to connect and only had around 5 minutes to wait for the download to be completed before we left. Time was so short and wasn't really expecting that all of it will be saved. Finally, off we flew! When I arrived in the house, I checked my phone after hours of chatting with the Largo family. Behold, it was there! Not sure yet if they were complete, I asked my friend; he said I've got it all! Praise the Lord! Beforehand, a thought had already come to me that I can use it in the site but not really certain about it. As I looked back on what had happened about the files, I was moved and so overwhelmed on how God worked a miracle in downloading the files in just but a short time, and directed me to it so that I can use it for the presentations. Praise God for it had been a great key for the Muslims to build trust in the Bible!

The miracle of generator fuel

Kuya Elmar relayed this story which happened during the second seminar. Every night, we consume one gallon of generator fuel. One afternoon, Kuya Elmar bought a fuel as reserve for the next night's meeting. So we had the night's meeting and used the generator after to charge our gadgets. Before we slept, he checked the generator, with the reserve ready to be refilled: to his surprise, it was at a certain level and did not go empty. Then we had another night and he checked again, supposing that by then it needs to be refilled; but still it remained at the same level. For two consecutive nights, Kuya Elmar wasn't able to refill because God worked a miracle. Not just that: he told his Muslim friend, Kuya Wahab, who faithfully helped him in men's jobs in the house, of what happened. He was in awe and said, God was indeed with you people. Praise God for working a miracle to let this Muslim man know that the God we serve is a living God!

Praise God for these outward miracles! It is my prayer that Kuya Wahab, the rest of the Jama Mapun, and you, would experience most importantly, an inward miracle --- the greatest miracle. What is it?

"...Brethren, the greatest miracle that can be wrought is the conversion of the human heart. We need to be reconverted, losing sight of self and human ideas, and beholding Christ, that we may be transformed into His likeness. When this, the greatest of all miracles, is wrought within our hearts, we shall see the working of other miracles." {19MR 49.3}  

God bless you as you behold Christ and be transformed into His likeness and experience the greatest of all miracles!