Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; Luke  3 v 5  

The motor bike slued in the thick mud. Pastor Lerion struggled and tried to control the lurching handlebars.  They slipped out of his hands momentarily as the bike dropped into another gully. Revving the machine he kicked the muddy ground with both feet and the engine raced as once more it freed itself from the cloying mess.   Bro T and Vianney watched as Pastor crawled up the steep slippery slope. They were carrying their luggage on a side path having alighted earlier when it was impossible to continue.

The afternoon heat was intense as they climbed up the winding path. Constant vigil was required as the path deteriorated and dropped nearer the mud bath that was the road to Aboyog.
On reaching the top of the slope Bro T clambered back on the bike driven by a local Christian youth He was exceptionally skilled riding this rough track for many years. 

Bro T’s confidence had been shattered when arriving at the bus stop in Aboyog.  They had stopped for a meal in a dirty cafe and the evangelist  had watched in horror as the family ate from appallingly dirty dishes. The food looked terrible something that looked like a dogs vomit mixed   with dirty rice. The Lerion’s seemed  unaware of the filthy surroundings 

Bro T waited outside walking up and down seeking  shady spots.  .  When the Lerion’s emerged , apparently refreshed William went off to negotiate with the bikers.  These were youths and young men who ferried passengers through the mountain tracks to Lapu panag  village in the jungle region.

The first shock to bro T  was the seating arrangements. Five people sitting  on one bike.  The motorbike had been specially adapted with a frame welded on to the back foot rest extending the foot grips to three . One person sat on the petrol tank then the driver and three others behind him.  Bro Thad informed Pastor Lerion that he was nervous on motorbike and have refused to ride only there was no alternative, that he would try on condition that the bikes went slowly. Pastor Lerion then talked with the drivers,  instructing  one to take things steadily.

As they set off bro T clung on desperately but found that it was better to relax as the bump and holes in the road  shook every bone and threatened to hurl him off at any moment.  The trick it seemed was to ride like you were on a wild bucking bronco.

  Relaxing somewhat but ever vigilant and ahead  looking for any rough spots they proceeded down a cement road. The countryside was beautiful with fields full of lush green rice with the  caribou working at the wheels turning the rice over in the hot sun.  Rice was also spread out on the cement road in various places on sheets of plastic  laid out to dry.

The cement road soon became a rough track and ascending the curve of the mountain and rising steadily. Bro T shuddered as he remembered the first bridge.   As they had approached he could see the river maybe 30 feet below. The bridge was constructed with railway sleepers laid across the main   wooden beams  which had deteriorated over the years and were now derelict.  On crossing the bike reared and jumped as it hit the first wooden sleeper.  Bro T’s  heart nearly missed a beat as he saw  a gap in the sleepers. Only two thin beams were left without any hesitation the biker drove onto the beam which was only 4 inches wide. The moment passed so quickly Bro Thad no time to be afraid only with great relief he could  praise the Lord for safe  keeping and breathe out a silent “Hallelujah.         

Dilapidated Bridge 

Bob Pastor Lerion’s son Bob was sitting behind bro T and must have sensed  the tension and the relief as they cleared the bridge.   Later as we approached another ramshackle bridge he cried another bridge. bro Thalf joking and half for real called out “Mercy Lord”
This time bro T had time for fear. “Why doesn’t he stop or slow down. Hardly daring to look down he kept his eyes forward.    Again  an Angel must have assisted as they crossed over..   Of course what was an immediate disaster to bro T was grit for the mill to the biker.  He never turned a hair only laughingly dismissive, he was certain and confident in his ability.  The journey had continued with Bro T clinging on desperately and at other times relaxing and almost laughing for the thrill of it all. Bro T started to count the bridges, there were  around ten in all. Some were in better condition but all needed attention.  As they climbed nearer the summit 

Bro T caught occasional glimpses of the prison buildings through the foliage. It reminded him of a Japanese prison of war camp that he had seen on a film. It looked ominously forbidding..
After alighting they all stretch themselves and drank thirstily from the water bottles which contained warm tepid water. Nevertheless they were glad of it.  William went off to make some enquiries up the hill at the guard house. When he returned we were all sitting on a bench under the shade of a nearby hut. he told us we would have to wait until one o’clock. as the commander  of the prison was at lunch. It was now twelve noon. We sat in a road side hut  as bottles of water were brought out and our thirst quenched.. It was good to rest, the heat was debilitating the time dragged Bro T took the opportunity to take some photos. 

Later as One o’clock passed William went up again to the guard house and the group were called .  Lazily   they walked to the hut. The guards were inquisitive. Why had we come   What church did we represent. What was our doctrine?  Bro T noticed that they were nervous.. Almost an hour  had passed.  William had a letter of authority from the governor but despite this   the guards were not happy about us and were prevaricating   Suddenly inexplicably they allowed the group in . Pastor William followed the guards as they wound up the hill throughout the gate ands down a winding pathway into a large compound. Bro T noticed that the four guards accompanying them were armed with AK 47 automatic rifles…
The scene that met them was shocking   Bro T was thrilled to see a large group of men squatting on the ground which he estimated around 600 .

He was standing high abov on some rough wooden steps maybe 15 feet above the compound floor looking down on the prisoners grouped together in their various tribes . Around the outside of the compound were the rows of dilapidated huts where the men slept. Fires were burning and lines of washing hung listlessly in the hot sun.  

Lapu panag  Provincial Jail 

The two guards fingered their AK47’s standing  either side of Bro T. as he lifted his voice like a trumpet.  The Word was received with rapt attention as the Holy Spirit opened the men’s understanding their faces upturned, hungry for truth, needy men, some seeking hope,  most longing for some  “Good News”. 
After the message the response was overwhelming. God had been at work. The Word was like a fire. Hearts were strangely warmed….Eyes were moist with tears, hungry hearts had been touched by God  and filled.

Bro T made an appeal. For those who had prayed that sinners prayer to raise their hands.. Bro T’s heart melted with gratitude and astonishment as a sea of hands were  raised by men not ashamed to confess their sins,  repenting,  crying out to God  and seeking  a relationship with “Jesus”    The compound was full of God’s glory. You could almost hear the angels in heaven praising God and rejoicing at that scene.

Pastor William was now talking with the men.  Did they want the group to return? Another sea of hands shot up.  The guards were now  relaxed and smiling 
Reluctantly the group turned around and wended their way up the sloping ground and through the high wired fence back to the guard house,   re claiming their luggage and cameras they returned slowly out of the prison to the motorbikes…

Having strapped on the luggage once more and stretching out before climbing aboard the motorbikes for the next leg of the journey   Once more back on the track Bro T adjusted to the jolting sliding slipping and hanging on, it had become very  humid and the sweat ran down his back,   his arms ached and his back groaned, constantly adjusting his seating position as he repeatedly slipped forward each time the bike braked.  He could feel the bodily heat of the young man driving and worse still smell his sweating body odour. There were no under arm deodorants in Aboyog.

Suddenly there was a scream. Pastor Lerion’s bike had slipped and he had skidded about four yards down a slope heading for the edge of the track.   Amazingly he was safe yet only inches away from a drop of 60 feet down below where another river invited certain death or injury.   Fortunately a rock had stopped the bikes progress over the edge.  The Lord’s protective angel was at work

Vianney, Bob  and Bro T ran  to where  Pastor Lerion lay on his side with the bike with its engine still running  still resting  on him. The motor was running and he was struggling to get free, yet still holding on to the handlebars before it too slipped over the abyss

Every one was in a state of shock yet William shrugged it off as if he always slipped over on this journey.  After ensuring that Pastor William was all right,  he waded out again into the heavy mud that was the road and proceeded once more onwards towards Lapu panag  village..,

Later as the road improved and the surface hardened in the hot sun the convoy started to descend towards the river swaying and braking as rocks appeared suddenly in the surface…   Inviting glimpses of refreshing fast moving water flashed occasionally in the afternoon sunlight and the party made better progress as they descended to its banks.. 
Bro T was puzzled.  “Lord he asked .  Where is the bridge”?  Perhaps it was further along the bank?  As the group reached the river bank and Bro T watched idly as a bamboo raft was pulled by a rope towards the shore.  Amazingly  a plank was laid across it and the motorbike revved its engine as it tried to drop down the  river bank and up onto the plank. It failed three times before heaving itself in one more effort of high revs onto the plank.

Bro T watched amazed as it was pulled across the river with its driver steadying it . The force of the water was pushing the raft sideways but the men were pulling on the ropes controlling it from each  bank and guiding it to the shore.. The next obstacle was the steep ban on the far side. Bro T could hear again the constant revving of the engine and the engine stalling as it failed to rise up the bank.    Some men were pulling, some pushing and with a final leap it lurched onto the dry land and almost disappeared in a cloud of exhaust fumes.
  Soon the raft was making its way lazily across the river.   “You’re next” Vianney announced. Bro T was shocked, he shivered with fear .  “Lord what is this?

Having survived the mountain track and the broken bridges he now faced the turmoil of the fast moving water…  Stepping down to the river bank he noticed that the bamboo was only loosely held together and the beams were bobbing up and down individually Vainney had stepped on first   Bro T hesitated and heard sister  Vianney say  “brother  for loves sake” “Hold my hand sister” Bro T pleaded.” half joking.   Unsteadily and nearly slipping off Bro T stepped onto the centre plank.  The raft slipped away from the shore and the unusual sight of a tall man holding the hand of a short woman  in the middle of the fast flowing river raised a  faint cheer from those watching on the shoreline.. Balancing precariously on the plank and trying not to look frightened Bro T was glad to see the shore looming up fast and welcoming hands reaching out to steady him as he jumped to firm land.   Amazing he breathed. “Thank you Lord”….. 

Bro T climbed the hill and stood watching as the rest of the group were brought over. The river boys were splashing about swimming and   the sound of laughing voices could be heard as they hauled on their ropes. Soon the group were following  Pastor down the village trail avoiding as best they could the streams,  jumping from rock to rock to avoid the mud.  The jungle was humid and the sweat ran freely down Bro T’s back. Soon they entered the village to be greeted by curious children and groups of folk standing at the entrance of their huts. 

Bro T was led to Pastor Lerrion’s father’s home, standing at the top of the village it was a substantial wooden hut.  After greeting the wife and children Bro T was invited inside . After a short time waiting for his eyes to adjust Bro T began to take in the details.  The ground floor was primitive with half the floor concreted and the other half just rough ground.. Chickens were running freely in and out small piglets squealed and scrapped over bits of roughage.  The little babies ran around  entirely naked and the room was full of smoke drifting in  from the wood fire burning outside. 
Later Bob led bro T along a track  to the river to bathe in its icy cool waters .  This was refreshing but the rocks caused grazing  and the strong current almost forced them off their feet so they retreated to a deeper part where the water was calm.

Darkness comes quickly in the jungle and as there is no electricity it is the custom for everyone to go to bed early.   Bro T climbed the wooden stairs ducking his head, and found the space upstairs was divided into several small wooden cubicles approximately six feet by six feet and where the occupants sleep on the floor.     He struggled to prepare his notes for the preaching session by the aid of a torch   but soon he settled down to sleep after the stressful day.

Bang!!!  Bro T awoke with a start he had been in a deep sleep.  What was that?  At first he thought it had been a church bell it had been so loud. Bro T shone his torch around the room and looked at his watch it was 1 AM.  No it was not, it could not be  Bro T remembered  he was in the jungle.  There was no repeat sound.   Puzzled Bro T lay back and tried to sleep.   

Bang!!  Oh no,  Bro T groaned it had happened again   A church clock chiming in the jungle?  It was impossible. He fumbled for his torch which  showed the time to be 2PM.     Bro T puzzled over the situation he was desperately tired, he needed to sleep.  This was terrible,  he lay in the dark fully awake now and his mind racing. Logically there was no way a church bell would ring. The sound very loud seemed to be coming from just outside the hut.    He  must have dozed off again only to be woken at 3 AM and then again at  4 AM by the same sound and lastly at 5 AM  as the dawn was breaking! What a night!

The sound of a gong ringing out every hour was a warning to the village to keep awake as two years ago the sound of gunfire had woke  them and they realised that the village was under attack. The NPA an illegal terrorist organisation had entered the village at night firing their AK47’s  and killing many. Men women and children had ran into the jungle fleeing the bullets from the automatic weapons.  Many had died and it was with great reluctance and a deep fear that after several days in hiding that they had returned to the village to bury their dead and try to start again.

Later Bro T found out that the men were the elders of the village and had gone out into the jungle to speak to the rebel leaders.
The rebel leaders had asked them.  “Who is this man” ?    The elders quickly explained that Bro Tony had come as a Christian to preach the Gospel.  There was silence and a long interval.  The village leaders waited they were afraid as they remembered.  
Now they waited.  The leader said   “We will not touch him”.   With a great sense of relief the elders returned to the village to tell the good news. 

After an early morning wash which was rather primitive and in view of the whole village  but was a great blessing as I had a bucket of hot water. 

Later that morning Bro T preached in the village church and after some initial difficulties caused by an over enthusiastic pastor strumming  out of tune,  loudly on a distorted amplifying system ( which Bro Tony soon stopped) the Spirit of the Lord moved deeply upon all and the Word of God  touched many hearts.   Some  were weeping and quietly sobbing after the Word was given Bro Tony asked the congregation to leave the church ,find a lonely place to pray undisturbed and to seek the Lord in prayer. 

After lunch they started on the return journey and Bro Tony was surprised to see a farm wagon pulled by a caribou jolting into the village. He was asked to take a seat and clinking on as the cart swayed on the rutted rough track heading into the forest Bro T was shocked as the cart seemed to be heading towards the river bank. 

It could not be?  It was not possible?  Surely the cart was not going to attempt to cross the river?   Bro Tony looked at the swirling fast flowing water, would they would be swept away. Yes  the caribou stumbled and tumbled into the water suddenly stopping with a lurch, they had hit a rock  the wheels refused to move,  Bro Tony had lifted his legs out of the way of the water while the driver whipped the caribou violently with a stick, Tony felt the animal exert all its strength and slowly the wheel lifted and the cart dropped into the water and rocked threatening to throw the occupants into the water .
Then the other bank appeared and the caribou heaved and strained up the steep incline onto the rough grass and then stopped to let the passengers off.
William Vianney and the team clambered once more onto the “Five up” motorbike and set off up the mountain track, re crossing the dilapidated bridges.  
The return journey to Aboyou was painful as it took over two and half hours with Bro T  clinging to the bike and hurting in a multitude of various places. On arrival they boarded a  bus back to Tacloban City which was accomplished at a dangerous and breakneck speed.

And they heard a great voice from Heaven, saying unto them,
“Come up hither!” And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11 v 12

The Lord has told me to give you this money.   It was Tony’s last £150.  Tony remembered the van back in England how its rusty wings needed a respray badly.  But the Lord had woken him in the night and he knew he must help the Lerion’s to get out of the derelict home. It had been swamped in water for over six weeks this year and had been subject to constant flooding over many years.  Now the water had taken its toll and the floor was rotten. It had collapsed and the family now had to walk the gangplank through the lounge into the rocky kitchen, This too was in a derelict state with the floor actually rocking as the weight on one end made it behave as a see saw.   The thing that had worried and shocked Tony was the stagnant water below the floor. 

 The Lerion’s had eight children and the young ones Don- Don and Douglas were literally paddling in this water where if they  tripped on an unseen rock and cut themselves  could lead to brain damage or other serious damage should the infected water got into the blood stream. 
Tony looked at the Lerion’s as they sat outside the hotel in Mac Arthur Park Beach Hotel. N  I can offer you this money on three conditions Tony had stated.  One you never use this money for any other purpose this money is for Higher Ground..  Two, that you never look to England or U.S.A for help. The Lord himself will provide.   God is going to do this. And three Tony had told them. That you never borrow any money however desperate you are.  God will test you but never borrow.    And then finally Tony told them when I return to England I will not make any appeals for money

Vianney’s  eyes filled up with tears as we discussed the arrangements. They were to take the money to the bank open a new account and call it,  “The Higher Ground fund”. Soon after prayer it was time to say goodbye and they hugged each other and Tony watched as they disappeared down the road on the motorbike. 

When Tony returned to England he paid a visit to Bels Yew Green chapel to share Mission Philippines with the folks who had been praying.  They had been interested and supporting the Lerion’s for many years as the family grew up. The church had provided the money for the wooden building they now lived in which was rotting.  One woman when she heard of the family in stagnant water came to give some money for a brick for the new house. 

The higher ground fund was launched. Over the next few weeks the money came to Gordon Road from every direction.  One woman came to say she had emptied her building society account and had withdrawn her last saving to help the Lerion family.  Its for the higher ground she said as she passed over a bulky brown envelope. Later on opening the envelope it revealed a bundle of cash. Tony and Sheila counted out the twenty pound notes and were amazed when they totaled £600.
Another woman in the church at Eastbourne wanted to give and arranged to meet Tony at the local Post Office. She withdrew from her account £600.  Other gave their widows mite and all  the money was duly remitted to the Philippine Bank in London and transferred electronically to the Lerion’s Bank in Tacloban city  where the total grew and grew.  One couple on hearing of the need sent a cheque from Scotland for £5000.  It took a year before the land was purchased another 9 months  before the house building began on the 4th of   January 03.  

The total amount sent came to £9260.

All Glory belongs to God 

“Those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word. Acts 8 v 4 

   At 1 15 PM Pastor Augustow arrived and took us in his car to the Supercat ferry. The traffic was heavy and I wondered if we would make it on time.   He told me that he had already appointed teams of elders for evangelism. He thanked me profusely for the gift and told me that he had tested the amplifying equipment we had purchased the day before and had found it satisfactory.  We said goodbye and entered the terminal  
On entering the terminal we had our luggage weighed and security checked . I had to pay an extra 80 Pesos  for my heavy case and we sat in the lounge waiting. I bought some potato chips and found them heavily spiced they left my mouth burning hot also some Dunky Doughnuts. Oh dear…Mmmmm!

I wondered where  will we  sleep tonight . Pastor Fat  was a short man stocky with a powerful testimony. He told me that he had killed a man and spent 18 years in prison. He heard a visiting evangelist preach the gospel and was wonderfully converted. There was such a change in his life the authorities let him go free,  since then he had been returning to various prison to tell out the good news that “Jesus Saves” . Pastor Fat had told us he had telephoned  Pastor Jewel who will meet us at the at Damugeute Ferry terminal that he will have a have a placard with our name on.  Pastor Jewel  planned to take us to his home for our stay and arrange the prison visit  tomorrow.

Damuguete City, Nablas Island    

Soon a message came over the distorted   amplifier which  announced the departure of the Supercat to Damugeute.  It  was time to board and we joined the rush as the passengers surged forward to join the rapidly forming a queue at the doors,  every one inching forwards surreptitiously, but  when the gates were opened some were  pushing and shoving trying to store their bags and cases in the best place ready to jump off quickly when we arrived.    Once everyone was settled in their seats the Supercat  slipped ropes and moved away from the jetty and  with a shudder and soon picked up speed as the engines went to full power,  The sun reflected on the  light blue sea which was  smooth as glass as we passed a continual vista of beautiful Islands,  palm trees waving and bright sandy beaches glinting in the evening sunlight  which  made the journey most  enjoyable. 

After two hours I was concerned as the engines suddenly quietened and we headed for one of the islands and gradually slowed to a crawl and as we drew near to a dock   an agile deckhand threw a light rope across to the quay where men hauled the heavier rope and slung this around a nearby bollard. We had  stopped after at a place called Tagbileran City on  Bosol Island where some people disembarked others taking their place before resuming  and  then we  proceeded to Nablus Island seeing a glittering array of lights on the horizon and arriving in the dark. 

Carrying  my case down the gangplank eagerly scanning the faces  of those who were waiting  however there was no sign of any placard and no one to meet us.  We waited and watched as all the other passengers dispersed leaving us virtually alone on the quayside.  “Lord what has happened”  I prayed?  I was feeling tired and the prospect of having to seek lodgings in some run down hotel with bed bugs and no air con loomed large in my mind. 

After  half an hour  I sent John off to find a telephone.   John Valdaviso was a small man thin with razor sharp cheek bones and a skin which seemed like highly polished leather after years of sunshine.  He had a burden for souls and had spent years  totally involved in  Prison Ministry.
The Lord had blessed his ministry and many souls had been saved. He was to be my guide and companion in Nablos    

 While John was away two women came to say, “Are you Mr Daly?”.  Grace and Maria had come to meet us. They said they had been to the evening service and had panicked when glancing out of the window they saw the Supercat arriving . …So they were out of breath through running. Maria telephoned her father on her cell phone, who I was told  was on his way. John Valdaviso returned and we waited together until an old Voxwagan came along and I met Pastor Jewel. Quickly grabbing the cases he loaded the luggage into the boot which was  at the front of the car. The boot was too small and the lid was high in the air thus we proceeded to the Bethel Hotel on the seafront. I was a little disappointed as we had been promised a room in the Pastors home. .The cost  of each room was P700  and we had to book for two nights. P2800.  I had no choice but to pay for John also. 

After taking our luggage up we sat in the lobby and talked with Pastor Jewel. He is very intellectual and I was wondering about him because as we talked he never mentioned the Lord Jesus  once.   He promised to contact the prison in the morning  and  to arrange a meeting. John had told me that  he would ask us to minister in the bible college but there was no mention of this , he seemed only interested in what denomination I represented. I told him I did not represent any denomination but that I preached Christ and Him crucified.  After a short prayer they left and he promised to telephone tomorrow at 1 PM  

  The room was wonderfully clean so I dumped my luggage and found   a nearby café where we had some supper. The choice of food for me was poor  as I abhorred the smelly dark dirty looking  fish which John seemed to relished.   I had only potatoes but was grateful for something to eat.  I walked on the seafront on the beach in the dark and prayed. I came across an Internet cafe and sent an email home. Back at the hotel  I had to insist on a receipt for my money at the desk they seemed reluctant to give me one. However I got it.  I watched the news. They have captured a top Al chaida man in Pakistan. Now Lord thy will be done.. Goodnight….

Monday 3rd March.  Bethel Hotel Damuguete. 

I received a message Pastor Jewel telephoned to say he is unable to arrange a prison meeting until tomorrow.  Oh dear. Lord what is this?  He says the Catholics have the prisons  all booked up!!! I had to decide should if we stay another day. I said Yes.

9 AM.  John Valdavieso is not happy with the situation and is going to visit the prison to see what can be done.  So Lord please open doors. Hallelujah. 

 12 20 PM I walked the beach from 8 45 AM for an hour in the morning sunshine. It was hot but the sea breeze compensated. When I returned John was waiting for me. He had been successful he had visited the prison and persuaded the Governor for us to hold a meeting in the provincial jail.  Praise the Lord.  We were to go immediately.  
 We took a pedibike weaving our way through the heavy traffic and soon were at the prison. We waited a while in the  entrance and then a guard   led us  into the prison compound. At  the side of the  courtyard  a section had been partly roofed  over  with seating for around two hundred people. 

Soon the amplifier was brought in and I was preaching to around 60/80 men with others passing by and listening afar off. The Lord greatly helped me. “ Jesus said, As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me”. Around thirty responded to the message ,they were all very warm, some were deeply moved, crowding around and shaking my hand…  One man asked me for literature in Cebuano dialect. I promised I would try to find some.

John was so pleased.  We believe our mission is accomplished and we can book our return ferry for tomorrow. When I was back in my room the telephone rang and it was Pastor Jewel.  Had I eaten my lunch? I said “Yes”.  Could he come at 2 o’clock not I o’clock?  I asked him. “ Have you arranged any meetings for us this afternoon. NO. I then explained that we had already been into the prison and preached the gospel. He was  shocked . Were there no catholic meetings? I said no that there had been  was no sign of any Catholics..  I said that we would be leaving on the morning ferry. He rang off shocked.

It was sad. He had been of no help at all. I thought perhaps he had not good relationship with the prison authorities and so they had put him off. It would have been an expensive mistake to have come all this way for no meetings. However Praise God the Lord had opened a way. I was grateful to have John along…

Later I took a pedicycle along to the harbour to the Supercat office. But it was closed for lunch.   I returned to the hotel and enquired for the office in town. The taking another bike I found the office in the city near the Metrobank and booked a ferry to Cebu and then Ormoc  at 6.45 AM the following morning.  It was P1600.  I returned triumphantly to the hotel my mission accomplished….and all done under my own steam. Praise the Lord..

Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in manner of living, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy  4 v 12  

We made out way back to the Campus where the street was filled with folks arriving in pedicabs and motorcars. There were several police directing the traffic and guards examining their papers as family entered the courtyard. Inside there were hundreds of students in their graduation cloaks and hats milling around. After an interminable wait we found Darren and filed into the back of the crowded auditorium.  The graduates came in procession two by two marching to the music of Land of Hope and Glory.  It took a lot of time before the hall was full to overflowing with 700 students and the  dignitaries arrived to be applauded  and took their places on the platform.

 The speeches were in progress when suddenly there was a commotion at the door as the folks wanted to get in but did not posses a pass. It got very violent with pushing and shouting the guards foolishly trying to close the doors.  I took a photo from the back of the auditorium but as we were uncomfortable could not hear what was being said because of the noise we decided to leave. 

We waited outside in the hot sun then decided to get some refreshments in a nearby doughnut bar. Vianney bought me a Coke and  two chocolate  doughnuts. The place was crowded but it was worth it for the cool of the air conditioning. On returning to the compound we sat in the hot sun but then moved to a shadier place where I was introduced to a Pastors wife who was a teacher. She kindly found chairs for us to sit on but after watching the folks milling around I thought it would be best to return to my hotel.

I am trying to contact the Philippines airlines to confirm my flight for next week as I am not sure when we will return from Lapu panag  village. I have a word of Challenge for tonight as we have Darren’s graduation Party.  Love must speak!!  Give me a man!! DV Lord thy will be done. After I had rested and slept, the message changed to How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?