Hello everyone,

I have a little less than a month here in the Philippines. Its been quite an experience so far. I am definately being molded day by day as we all are from our personal experiences. I have lived on the edge of faith everyday since going to Africa. Serving abroad alone has many daily challenges and opportunities to exercise ones faith on a daily basis. And depending on the location where one serves has additional challenges. Everyday when I walk the streets for my basic needs, I see in the eyes of many people who are obviously not of a Godly spirit, who would not think twice about taking my life if I would even look at them in the eyes. There is a great vail of darkness here.

Last friday I spoke in a prison with about 900 inmates. The prisons in third world countries are not to be compared to the USA. As I walked in the prison, it was divided into 3 or 4 areas similar to like a horse corral. There was 2 areas for the men. One area was for the worst of the worst. The other for the less violent. I had the opportunity to speak for an hour in each area. I knew when I walked in there that I needed to be very careful in what I am preaching about, so as not to created a riot. I spoke to a group of believers, but all the other men who were of different faith especially muslims, could hear every word I said. there was no walls to divide us. Plus I had a microphone. So in reality, I was speaking to all 900 men. Well, as normal, I speak in the spirit, So I trusted in the Lord to put the words in my mouth. I spoke about things that went right to the core of what is right and wrong, but used words that did not point directly to one religion. But indirectly, I was talking about many sensitive things that could have costed me my life. I had no real protection. There were a couple guards in the area. But if something would have erupted, there is not much they could have done for me. This is the same prison I mentioned in my previous letter where a woman pastor from the USA was stabbed 7 times and died. I could see in the eyes of all the men that they were hearing things in a way that maybe they have not heard before. Its something to see the worst people in a given society being completely silent without interruption. I knew God was very present. Especially to see men who were probably murderers in tears.

After speaking to both groups I had a nice talk with the warden. He really supports anyone who wants to bring the word of God into his prison. He also gave me 2 hours to speak where I was originally only allowed one hour.

Its takes about an hour and a half to get to that prison from where I am renting a small room in the heart of the city.

Then last sunday, I went to another place. It was a jail that is used for pre-trial men and woman. I have been speaking here for a while now. First I spoke to the women's side. There was one woman there who was praying for God to send someone to her to teach her about Gods word. She let it be known to me shortly after I started to speak to her. She has a very troubled live. He husband is also in the other prison I spoke in which I mentioned above. Well, it did not take too long before her eyes were opened up to a whole new understanding of what her purpose is in this life, and what God wants for her life. She wept as I spoke to her through the iron bars. She ended up giving her life to the Lord. And since I did not know when she was going to get out of that cell, I ended up baptizing her through the iron bars with my drinking water that I was holding. It was an amazing thing to see as she immediately started to speak in a different way because of now having the spirit of God rule her temple, instead of the prince of this world.

After that I spoke to the men. there was about 50 men in a single cell. They were so crowded that they had to take turns sleeping at different times. They could not all lay down on the floor at the same time to sleep. So as some slept, others stood up during the night. There was one toilet. Also, the prisoners are not fed by the system. So relatives of the ones who are incarcerated had to bring food for them. But most of the time, only a few would have someone come and bring food. So obviously the ones who got a little food were sharing with the others. So none of them would ever get enough food to eat. And most of the time, only a little rice was brought. They can not afford to bring anything else.

So seeing their condition, I spoke with passion and love to them about change and serving a new master. I made them realize that if they continue in their present choices, that their lives would continue to spiral to the very bottom with no hope. Again, I saw many in tears and receiving Gods words. I saw hope in the eyes of many. It was a blessing to witness these troubled souls have a new found hope in our awesome merciful God.

Today I went to that same jail and spoke to a new group of men, and the same woman who gave her life to the Lord last week. It was another very moving experience to say the least.

The other day, I walked around the city with the manager of the place where I am renting. I was used to also lead and baptize him and his wife into a new life with Christ. He took me to an office of the traffic control force for the city. It is similar to the state troopers back home. I sat and talked to the people who were in charge of the whole organization. The man I was with asked them if they would be interested in having me speak to all of them with words of Godly encouragement. Well, come to find out, they were looking for people or pastors like me to come and speak to their forces prior to going out to their stations everyday. I was told that there is so much corruption and that the people lost a lot of faith many of the people who enforce the law because of corruption. So They welcomed the idea of me coming to speak to them. I am awaiting to talk to the captain in charge of everything. But it will be in the next few days that I will be able top start speaking to their law enforcement officers.

This is a great opportunitiy.. And I can foresee other opportunities coming from this one if they are seeing the fruits of Gods word in their own lives. So pray that Gods word will reach the very top of those who run this city and country. I have high hopes and great faith that there will be greater things than these.

It sounds like our economy is really suffering from what I hear. Please pray for me upon my return. I gave up everything to do this mission here in the Philippines and in Africa. I need your prayers for work when I return. It sounds like many people are not spending money. So I need the hand of God on my situation when I return. I have suffered much this past year. It would be nice to be blessed with a season of grace when I return. Please pray.

God bless you all for your support and prayers.

Your servant in Christ, Tom