Philippines 2019_Day 3_Tuesday

Prayer Mountain

Edwina

Our first day doing devotion with the kids and youth at the orphanage. 6am start, they were there way punctual than us! Seeing 3 year olds lift up their hands worshipping God, just humbled me. It made me wonder, how can a 3 year old in an orphanage worship God so genuinely despite their circumstances?

“from the lips of children and infants, you, Lord, have called forth your praise” Matthew 21:16

After breakfast, we were going to set off to the prayer mountain. It was in fact just a small hill behind the orphanage, but the rain from the early morning made it tricky for us non-accustomed folks. The youths were casually dressed in flip flops but reminding us to wear proper footgear. There was still a slight drizzle heading up to the prayer mountain but there was good camaraderie and a water proof hut was built and we stood in it worshipping led by Jason and Michelle. The sun came up whilst we were worshipping and the youths were holding fans fanning the team whilst we worship. This act of servanthood and many other acts they showed through the trip from beginning to the end just reminded us of how much a subservient heart they had.

We prayed for the ROLM and their work and we encouraged one another with prophesies. Hui King shared of how he and Ai Seok came to fall in love with this place, of what Pastora Fely has been doing and encouraged us to seek that in the days to come. Whilst 3 youths then went bare-foot climbing for coconuts for us to drink, we had the opportunity to mingle and get to know the rest of the youths. David felt led by the spirit and got the BLI team to pray specifically for each ROLM youths who were there. It was a spirit-filled session and words of truth and encouragement were empowered and prophesied over the youths.

Prison Background and Sharing

Hui King and Ai Seok

Today marks the third time back to the 2 prisons in Dolores.

We arrived at the first prison and was met by the familiar faces of the prison wardens who gave us the stern but yet welcoming look. It brings back conflicting emotions in us. On one hand is the astonishing harshness of the prisons, the limited area hosting some 70+ detainees and many of them still do not know how long they will be in the prison as their case have not been heard yet. On the other hand, there is a strange sense of peace and repentance, almost as if they know where they were heading, thanks to the River of Life Mission that have faithfully ministered here for many years.

Our team quickly got to work, knowing it was a packed schedule. Clinics were set up at every possible corner and space within the area allocated. We held a service within the cell. The prisoners were happy to see us, smiling and grateful as always for the opportunity to have their health and dental check and treatment. Whilst the service are being held, a few prisoners were taken at a time to see the doctors and dentists.

We shared a message on God's love and many prisoners responded with tears of repentance and for God’s healing. Michelle then presented songs to them. They shared how touched that they were and us being there is testimony of God’s faithfulness to them, that He would send his children from corners of the world to visit and minister to them. We also gave all prisoners a gift package which includes coffee, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, tuna and noodles.

After seeing all the prisoners that needed treatment and prayer, we moved on to the 2nd prison in Dolores. This prison is at a harsher and poorer condition, with many enclosed within a cage. However, they were so happy to see us. We also had a wonderful time of worship and sharing with them whilst the clinics were held. The prisoners were all so responsive to the Lord.

What a day it was, as heaven opened in the unlikeliest of places.

Medical Clinics

Hui King and Ai Seok

In the afternoon, we travelled by boat back to Dolores, to run medical and dental clinics. We were going to 2 prisons that were side by side. The first had approximately 70 prisoners in it and it was non-stop us seeing them. Their conditions ranged from skin problems, vision problems, or general aches and pains. Some needed glasses which we were not able to provide, and when humans are limited, what do we do? We pray!!! There are many testimonies of restored vision just with prayer! Why do we need doctors out here? Just kidding…

A woman I saw in the first clinic suffered with hyperthryroidism and was on medications prescribed by a doctor but had already ran out of it. She asked if we could give her another prescription, however it was not one of the medications we brought with us. On asking, if they were to go out to see a doctor, they need to put it several requests that goes to a judge who may approve or reject the order for them to go and see a doctor. As she had her old tab, after speaking to Ai Seok and Pastora Fely, they managed to get someone to go get a prescription from a pharmacy that she could continue her medication.

We proceeded to the second prison which was just behind the first. This was home to approximately 20 of them. The prisoners here were allowed to roam around and the rules seemed to be less strict. We could even see that they planted their own vegetables on the soil around the prison! Nearing the end of the session, Pastora Fely got David to go and pray for a young man who was in so much pain from arthritis that he could not even go to the doctors station. He was just lying in his man-made wooden bed. With prayer and songs being sung proclaiming God’s goodness, gradually he was able to move his limbs. As many continued to pray for healing for him, someone asked if there was a word or a prophecy for him, and I felt God telling me to tell him that his heart seems to be tied with a black vine with thorn which was hurting him and God was ready to take that all when he was ready to surrender. This man just started tearing and we knew that God had just touched him and more spiritual healing was about to begin within him. From not being able to walk and being nearly bed-bound to being able to walk around and he was able to stand by us as we took a photo before we left! How great is our God? Overall, the medical and dental team jointly saw approximately 70 patients between the 2 prisons.

Dental Clinics

Frances

Today we visited two separate prisons in Dolores which were only a short walking distance from each other. In the first prison, we entered a small doorway in which you were met by officers at a desk. The rest of the prison was laid out like a big hut with compartments and we could see the prisoners waiting for us in rows of benches as we walked in. They were all wearing t-shirts with ‘Jesus’ on them which made me smile, and my first thought was that they didn’t behave like prisoners, in fact they looked like just normal people, waiting for us.

We set up clinic in a room opposite where the prisoners would be receiving a message from Hui King and Aesiok. It was a nice pace that morning for the dental clinics, which meant we had time to speak to some of the prisoners whilst they received treatment. We would say, “Tooth out, then prayer,” and they would smile and nod. The prisoners were all very useful. Whilst still in their cells, they helped me find tissue paper and directed me on where to throw the dirty water we used to disinfect the instruments, all the while with smiles on their faces.

The second prison was a maximum-security one with only a handful of inmates. I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t what I thought a maximum-security prison would be like! The prison was a small building, where the prisoners were separated from us by a front facing wired fence. With only a few inmates, I was hoping I could spend some time hearing the message and praying. God-willing, there was indeed no one that required dental attention! It was a touching afternoon as David and Xiu Mei gave a message to the prisoners and Michelle lead them into worship.

As we sang our last song which was a more upbeat, praise song, one prisoner lifted his arms up to the sky and started dancing. The other prisoners followed and it was amazing to see them praise God so freely. Suddenly the barbed wire fence which separated us from them had gone and we worshipped God together as one. Nearing the end, one of the prisoners received prayer and healing enabling him to walk with much more ease. I learnt there and then that God wants us to be bold in our prayers. We must pray in faith, so that God can use us as a vessel for HIS awesome work. There were tears in everyone’s eyes when the man got up to walk around in his cell and it was a wonderful sight to see the other prisoners celebrating. God is so good!