Philippines Mission - May 2011
On Monday 16th May a taxi came at 4am to pick up Ann and David Rhodes on the first part of their long journey to the Philippines. What followed was a 4 hour bus ride from Sarn, a 12 hour flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong and another 2½ hours flying onto Cebu. By noon local time on the Tuesday they had been picked up at the airport and rode in a van to the home of Pastor Alonso and Vangie Mantilla.
By 4.30am on Wednesday morning David and Alonso were on a plane to Danao, Mindanao. Pastor Bobby Abrina met them at the airport and took them to have breakfast in a local restaurant, then on a trip up to the top of a hill to the church. The Danao Christian Bible Channel also had its television transmitter there.
Meanwhile back in Bangbang, Cordova, Ann had her first meeting with the children, many of whom arrived early! The children listened well to the parable of the wise and foolish builders and then vied with one another to answer questions, particularly encouraged by small prizes for correct answers! Many children came forward for prayer for healing or other family concerns. One amazing miracle happened when a 10 year old boy called Simon came forward. Ann did not totally grasp what the problem was but prayed in faith for his healing. The next day it was revealed that he was healed of a brain disorder and had been out playing in the sun all day. This testimony raised the faith level in the village.
That afternoon Ann held a meeting for the women and shared about Philip and his obedience in following God’s directions. Many came forward for prayer and there was a real anointing on the worship led by Pastor George and his wife.
In the evening the young people came and Ann spoke about the parable of the prodigal son. There was another big response for prayer and during that time Ann’s attention was drawn to a young man whom she asked to come up and join her in prayer for one of the boys. This was the beginning of a big transformation in that young man’s life. In all three meetings people gave their lives to Jesus.
The three meetings held in Davao were all recorded on DVD and while David was preaching that afternoon, the first session was being broadcast on TV across the whole area. David had started by sharing about our human weakness and the authority given to us by God. The people were invited to receive keys in a prophetic act that unlocked riches in Christ and a future that God has set aside for individuals. On every mission since 2008 David has shared a vision in which he was given a large key that opened a vault door and others then received a key or keys to open their own security boxes. Many of those who came forward were again deeply touched by the power of God.
The afternoon started by David looking at three questions with regard to healing: what do you want God to do, do you believe he can do it, and do you want to be healed? God’s power was present to heal during the ministry time. In the final session David spoke of how the Bible reveals there will be an explosion of revelation in these days and how Christians should expect to hear from God.
On Thursday some of the children arrived even earlier for their meeting in Cordova! Ann shared two stories including the parable of the lost sheep and as part of this the children counted around the church to see how many were there. There were 97, so the children worked out 3 were missing. Again the children listened well and were rewarded by small prizes, as well as the treasure from a treasure map. All the children then made a simple origami sheep which caused much enjoyment particularly because they had never seen a sheep! Prayer for the children followed and it was thrilling to see one of the ‘naughtier’ boys respond wanting prayer for his family. After this there was a noticeable change in his behaviour which resulted in the whole family coming on Sunday.
A wonderful afternoon followed with the women where Ann shared on joy in adversity. During this she shared about her own difficult experiences, including the fire in their house in January 2011, and how God had caused them still to know great joy in His presence.
In the evening a good number of young people came and the subject was making choices. The young people were divided into small groups and given a sheet on how they would choose to spend a Saturday. They had lively discussions about this. Ann then went on to challenge them about making biblical choices. Some of the young people shared testimonies with encouragement to move forward. Notable in this was the difference in the young man who had prayed the night before. His shyness was going as he took up the microphone. David returned just in time to join in prayer for the young people, for some this was a life changing experience as God spoke into their lives.
No flights were available from Davao to Cebu until 6.30pm so Bobby Abrina took David and Alonso to a theatre with 2,500 seats where the youth were rehearsing for a ‘Youth Concert’. Rob and Anna McGregor from New Zealand were the guest speakers for that meeting and the ‘Heal the Sick Conference’ taking place on the following night. A recent report stated that many were saved and healed. The youth night was packed full with young people who enjoyed the presentations while receiving the Gospel of Christ. David and Alonso were taken to the airport and flew back to Cebu. The flight was delayed because of storms in the Philippines and it was raining heavily when they arrived in Cordova.
Ann and David had stayed in Mel Indoc’s home while in Cordova and ministered in his church in Alumnus, Cebu City, on the Friday. David started by sharing about weakness and authority while Ann talked about Philip and hearing from God. The church, like many of the surrounding houses, was built on stilts on a river bank and the tide came in covering the footpaths with knee deep water. Alonso had to wade through this at lunchtime while the rest waited for the tide to go out. In the afternoon David spoke about healing and the need to preach the whole gospel. Ministry times through the day saw God move in power.
David and Ann were asked to go to the hospital to visit Mel Indoc’s sister who had a severe kidney problem and was due for surgery, but after a short time praying with her she started moving her arms and legs that had previously been stiff and urine started to flow in a catheter. News came later that the hospital was sending her home as she was healed.
This was David’s fifth trip to the Philippines but the first time he had ministered in Alonso Mantilla’s own church in Cordova. Six sessions were held with David talking about anointing, authority, healing, the power of the tongue, preaching the whole gospel and revealing God’s glory. Ann spoke in the morning about hearing from God and invited people to come up and just stand where God’s glory cloud had been captured on camera earlier in the morning. God touched many including one young man who started shaking and fell backwards onto the stage.
Sunday morning started in Cordova with a great time of worship followed by Ann leading a Bible study about dreams and visions. David then spoke about how we need to receive some things by faith but pursue other things. While this took place Ann shared with the children outside about the parable of the prodigal son.
In the evening the meeting switched to the local covered basketball court. The church’s band started the outreach with worship music followed by David speaking about why Jesus came and the response we need to make now. Many people came forward for prayer and even the youngest children knew the power of God touch them.
On the Monday afternoon Ann, David and Alonso travelled by boat to Tubigon in Bohol and by aircon van to Buenavista to the home of Josephine and Martin Nunez.
The following day they drove to ‘Village Tour’, a centre on the Cambuhat River in Buenavista. In the two morning sessions David spoke about our weakness and how we need to go for more of God in our lives. Ann shared in the afternoon about hearing from God. The first person in the line for prayer was a lady who worked in the centre who had a heart problem. As soon as she was prayed for the pain had gone. Later she confirmed the answer came in the name of Jesus. Many others were healed that same day.
On the Wednesday the meeting was held in the Community Learning Centre, Getafe. David shared in the only morning session about speaking life not death over our lives. During the lunch break there was a power cut and as plans to move outside were being discussed the power came back. The power was needed for the microphone system but more importantly for the cooling fans because the temperature and humidity was very high. In the afternoon Ann shared about hearing from God and David brought a message about healing. The ministry time saw many touched by God’s power. A baby burning up with fever was brought forward. The fever was rebuked and the temperature returned to normal at once and baby was alert and very happy.
Later that evening, back in Josephine and Martin’s home, there was an impromptu concert in celebration of David and Ann’s anniversary. This was their last night in Buenavista.
The following day they were driven down to Tubigon Assemblies of God Church where Bob Morales is the pastor. David spoke about the power of the tongue and then the anointing and authority all Christians should know. Ann spoke again about hearing from God and David concluded the sessions in Bohol sharing about the glory God wants us to know. During times of ministry almost everybody came forward for prayer and God moved powerfully. Pastor Nestor Mesares shared how on David’s visit to Tubigon in 2005 he received prayer for his hands and that his wife would have a child. His hands were healed instantly at that time and he now has 2 children, his first 5 years ago.
David and Ann had told Alonso they would be celebrating all that God had done on the mission and their 39th Anniversary on their last Friday in Cebu. Alonso had arranged for a special meeting in the Family Farm Restaurant, Sangi, Lapulapu at noon. When they arrived it looked more like a wedding reception, with a banner and balloons celebrating their anniversary. The daughter of a pastor, who is a wedding singer, serenaded the couple. Several people David met on his first visit to the Philippines in 2005 were there at this event. One of these was George Piamonte who also sang a couple of songs. David spoke about the kind of gospel of power that will herald the second coming of Jesus.
After final farewells and a trip to the airport, the long trip home back to Blaengarw began. They knew this trip had been transforming particularly in Cordova as they heard how young people were reading their Bibles and women had stopped watching soaps on TV. They recently heard that the church has doubled in size. Further reports received from Davao speak of positive responses by TV broadcast viewers, church members and youth. The people received the teaching and are now practising their gifts and are on fire, serving the Lord.
