Philippines Journal 2007 #5

Tonight was the opening (I started to write “salvo,” but it sounded too military) “blast off” for the evangelistic out-of-this-world mission. This is the first time that the College has taken over a city and blanketed it with evangelistic preachers. Tomorrow at the Field School I’ll get the reports. But I know that attendance totals will be in the thousands. We had a very good turnout for an opening night. It started with a wonderful concert of fine local singing groups. Vie and the WWC VBS team did a great children segment; and I had the best translator any one could desire: Wendell Serrano, the Executive Secretary of the South Philippines Union. A political official of the area spoke and welcomed us and invited his entire constituency to attend the nightly meetings.

Today was a low-key day. Many took time to do last minute work on their sermons. Almost all of us spent 3 hours in one of the largest Malls in Asia. Things are very inexpensive there. I picked up a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts for less than $7.00! They also have the largest supermarket I have ever seen. I wanted to take a photo of the Mall, but they couldn’t find the top security person to give the permission. They do have great security. And we had 4 or 5 personal security persons with us. They are taking really good care of us. And we had durian for the first time since we are here! One foreigner said that it was the fruit that God forbade Adam and Eve to eat. And even though it had such a horrible smell they still ate it!