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Pastor David Rhodes left the United Kingdom, after what had been a snowy couple of days, to go the heat and humidity in the Philippines on Monday 7th April 2008. This was his third visit to the Philippines. Alonso Mantilla, his contact for the September 2005 mission, had put together an exciting and busy schedule. This trip involved four different Philippine islands: Mindanao, Bohol, Cebu and Leyte.

When David arrived at the airport in Cebu on the Tuesday he met up with Alonso Mantilla and they then had to catch another flight to Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao. A fault on the plane caused a few hours delay but a replacement flight was soon arranged.

David spoke at nine different locations on this trip, which included six two day seminars. The theme of the mission was ‘Moving in God’s Power and Revelation’. At each of the two day seminars Alonso Mantilla also preached to the gathered leaders.

Early on the Wednesday morning the first two day seminar started in the very large Rizal Theatre, now a church building, in Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.

After the first teaching session David shared a vision which spoke about how keys that unlock God’s riches, set aside for every individual, could be accessed. In the vision David had a large key that opened the vault door as in a bank, each person then had a key to open their own security box. Some may even end up with more than one key. This linked with a previous prophetic word where David had been given keys to the Philippines and in turn would be given keys to Wales in the UK. In a prophetic act keys were handed out to those who came forward and a powerful encounter took place. Tears often flowed and many were deeply touched by the power of God.

Other ministry times included prayer for healing, release of prophetic revelation as well as releasing people into the healing ministry. Pastor David Rhodes prayed for all who wanted to move out in healing, and that all that God had poured into him would be poured into others. Again and again people were aware that the Lord was really touching their lives.

David spoke on how God takes weak people and releases them in power so that the glory goes to the Lord. A fresh look at the Great Commission made it clear that all disciples are to be taught to obey all Jesus commanded his disciples. That goes beyond just preaching about repentance to include healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. As disciples do this the presence of God will be manifested in power. He also spoke of an increase of visions and dreams that God will give to all people; and that Christians there would be an explosion of prophecy. Every disciple needs to become more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and be willing to speak out what they receive.

These messages were repeated right throughout the mission and were received well by all the leaders. At every place that was visited after this, the same prophetic acts were carried out with the same powerful effect. People enthusiastically received the keys and many also wanted to move out in the healing ministry.

On Thursday evening David and Alonso caught a bus to Pagadian City and arrived there after 1am on Friday morning. By 9am they were in Shiloh People of Praise church ready to start another two days of seminars. Again the power of God was in evidence from start to finish.

Early on Sunday they caught yet another bus this time going north to Ozamis City in Mindanao. David preached and ministered in The Temple of Praise at the fellowships Sunday morning service. people came to this venue on the following morning for the Ozamis City two days of seminars. Young and old alike were touched by the message and the ministry.

On Tuesday evening, as no direct ferry was available, David and Alonso caught an overnight boat from Ozamis City to Cebu City and then got a super jet boat to Tagbilaran City in Bohol. Eventually they were able to get to Anda where there was a Youth Camp in progress. Pastor David Rhodes spoke and ministered at the afternoon and evening meetings. The messages were simple but challenging and those who sought prayer had a powerful encounter with God. Reports have come back that show the Lord is still at work in these young people.

After an overnight stay in a nearby resort visited in 2005 they had an early morning ride to the Bohol Heritage Resort in Tagbilaran City. Two more days of seminars began and the power of God continued to be manifested.

On the Friday evening they travelled onto Buenavista and stayed with a local couple, Josephine and Martin, whom they had stayed with in 2005. In Rufo Hill UCCP church in Buenavista well over 200 people packed the building for just one day of meetings on Saturday 19th April. After the first teaching session it took three-quarters of an hour to prophetically give out keys to those who came forward. After a further two hour teaching sessions in the afternoon, an hour and a quarter was spent just praying for the sick. Again and again people were saying their symptoms had just disappeared. Only time will show what really happened that day.

On the Sunday 20th April they went early in the morning to minister in the Freewill Baptist Church in Ubay, Bohol. It was hoped to minister at one church in the morning and a daughter church in the afternoon. This had to change as the evening ferry was then in dry dock so would not be running. The noon ferry had to be used if they were to get to Cebu ready for the Monday meetings.

The seminars in Cebu City were held in City Harvest Church. Some who had met David before in Cebu attended but most were new to his ministry. A Pastor from Pajo in the north of Cebu, who David had prayed for healing in February 2005, told him how his eye problem was completely healed. Right from the first session God’s power was in evidence and everyone responded well to the word and the ministry.

Soon after the Cebu meetings it was off to the port to catch an overnight ferry to Leyte to arrive there at 2am. After that came a short tricycle ride to the bus station followed by a two hour bus ride and then finally three up on a motor bike to get to Zion Christian Church in Curva, Liloan. Amazingly it was the first day it had rained heavily on the trip. During the two days many were touched by the simplicity of the word and the power of God in the ministry times. There were some very powerful prophetic words spoken over some of the people. At the end of the last session at Liloan, after a powerful ministry time, David and Alonso were prayed for by those who had gathered. As soon as this started David began to weep bitterly and the words, “give me Wales” were repeatedly found on his lips. This was a real cry from the Spirit of God within David. Only the Lord knows how this will come to pass.

On the Thursday evening they were driven back to Bato ready for the final overnight ferry from Leyte back to Cebu. When they arrived at the port they had a meal together with some who had travelled with them from Liloan. The boat got into Cebu at 2am but they stayed on the boat until about 5am They were met by a local pastor at the port and he drove them to his home. In the afternoon they all went to the airport where Pastor David Rhodes caught his flight home via Hong Kong and London Heathrow airport. He finally arrived home in Wales on 26th April 2008.

Everywhere Pastors David Rhodes and Alonso Mantilla went on this trip the local Christians were encouraged by the ministry; churches seeing an overflow of god’s blessing which may even start a Holy Spirit led revival. Many were healed of all sorts of illnesses to the Glory of God. Reports have already started to come in about what God did and the changes it has brought in people’s lives. As before good seed was sown and a mighty harvest is expected both in the Philippines and in Wales in the near future.

Outlines of talks given on the mission plus a few others are available on this website. Please just click the link below to access three pages of notes. Use them as you want and may they be a real blessing to you.