Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matthew 25 v 36.
21st February to 13th March 06
Dear praying friends…
Once more it is time to go forth into the entire world and preach the Gospel. DV on the 21st February I leave Gatwick and head out to Cebu Island in the Philippines to visit the prisons and churches.. Some of you know the Lerion’s in Tacloban City, others will remember Pastor Ruben in Cebu and John Valdavieso an evangelist who is engaged in prison ministry. I am hoping to see Dinah Lerion (a student training to be a medical missionary) in Cebu.
Pastor Ruben has been away supporting other Christians but has returned to Cebu..There are four main prisons in Cebu Island, Lapu Lapu City jail, Mandanow prison, Cebu City jail and one other which I forget the name of ?
I am planning to visit the two jails in Ormoc and then cross Leyte Island to visit the Lerions in Tacloban City, another visit to the jail and then across the San Juanico Bridge to Samar Island where there is another prison which I know well and where the Lord was gracious to pour out His Spirit. Catbalogan Jail must hold around 100 prisoners in an open compound is pretty basic with conditions of filth and poverty on every side. Samar is one of the poorest of the Philippines 7,000 islands.
It took some while for me to recover from the trauma on my mission in India especially the car accidents the floods in Chennai and being stranded in Visakhapnam. However through much faithful prayer I have recovered and ready to take up the challenge of ministry..
Although feeling totally inadequate I am looking to the dear Lord for strength and guidance. Isaiah 40 v 31
The Lords has promised,” I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou may know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel”. Isaiah 45 v 2/3
When I was in Poland in June last year and again in India in November 05, I was limping and in pain with what I thought was a pulled muscle? On my return home after medical test I have been diagnosed having osteoarthritis in my left hip where I am told the cartilage has worn thin. It is a painful condition and I was not sure if I should continue to travel abroad as often there are some very rough roads and places to negotiate.
But the Lord has shown me clearly that I am to continue to proclaim the Gospel while it is day.. So I value your prayers on my return on the 16th March 06 as I have an appointment with a specialist at DGH in Eastbourne DV
Please remember Sheila in her continuing ministry at home, please pray for travelling mercies, but more especially for a harvest of souls to be swept into the kingdom in these last days before the Kings return..
Tony and Sheila