Here is a feeble effort to relate my experiences at PYC (Philippine Youth for Christ).
It was a quick turn-around for sure! I had declined the invitation to speak at PYC last year and this year. But after I said, “No,” God said, “Yes,” and I found myself hurrying through the doors that He had opened for me!
I needed to renew my passport because to enter the Philippines a US passport needs to be valid for 6 months and mine was one week short. Receiving my renewed passport in less than a week is definitely a miracle, because it had to be mailed to USA, processed, and sent back. That just doesn’t happen. But as I thought back on it, I believe the man who spoke to me at window #1, was an angel. He had heard me ask the lady when my passport would be back and that I was flying to the Philippines in less than 2 weeks. He stuck his head around the corner saying,
“I am not from here, I am from somewhere else, but I can assure you that your passport will be here by June 22.”
His voice was marvelous and the passport was back in less than one week! They told me when I picked it up that they were very surprised, this was very unusual!
When God sends you on a mission, you know that great things are in store!!
There were over 1000 youth in the small town of Iloilo Philippines. The town is messy and the streets under construction all the time. Those youth had no proper place to stay, but slept in offices and any spare space. They seemed to all be dedicated to God. We met for united prayer every morning at 5 a.m. You should hear them pray, thankfulness, confession, intercession, commitment and praise!! Someone would break out in singing a song or chorus that applied to someone’s prayer, and all joined in singing. They sounded like a choir of holy angels! I was so so blessed.
The break-out sessions were held in the morning and afternoon. There were several of them and the people chose which one they wanted to attend. Mine was in the afternoon, and I was astonished at the turn out. The room was quite large but people had to squeeze in and press forward until I was standing against the wall, Many were turned away.
Thursday was outreach day and they all split up into small groups. Some gave out literature and sang at the mall, others did children’s programs, visited the sick in the hospitals, orchestra concert and testimonies in the park, health expo, and I was involved in the medical outreach to a community, teaching the 8 natural laws of health. We did massage and met a lot of wonderful people who really enjoyed receiving a massage.
Got to ride in the Philippine jeepny
Massage group
This is our entire medical outreach team
Next we also sang for a little terminally sick boy in ICU. I said a special prayer for him. His family was so appreciative and touched by our words of encouragement and cheer, as they had been there for over 2 weeks. I was so privileged to be included in the young people’s group that day.
That evening after outreach my voice suddenly went out. I could not speak! It was as if the devil just snatched out my vocal cords! I still had one and a half hours Friday to speak and one hour with everyone in the main hall on Sabbath morning. I prayed: “Oh dear Lord, if you just give me my voice back for one and a half hours tomorrow and one hour on Sabbath I don’t mind to loose my voice the rest of the time!”
Friday I was able to do my break-out with no problem. As soon as I sat down afterward, however, my voice went out completely! Praise the Lord. On Sabbath morning I woke up not able to even make a squeak with my voice! I messaged Jon Wood and asked him if he could do SS. He only replied, “I will pray for you.” I really wanted to reach everyone with the message God had given me, but it was such a foreboding concern when there were over 1000 people ready to hear my stories and now I had no voice! Many people came to pray with me that morning. Just before my time to go up a group of us prayed. I walked out before all those marvelous youth and opened my mouth the speak! By God’s wonderful grace, and the help of a good microphone I was able to speak to that huge crowd of people for over an hour! I finished with prayer and as soon as I said “Amen” I felt a huge tickle in my throat, making me totally unable to stop coughing, and my voice went out as if you just turned off the light switch! I cannot put into words the greatness of our God! He says to Satan: “Thus far and no farther!”
All the speakers were wonderful, godly and talented. They are all excellent speakers with inspiring presentations. We grew close to each other. It was so inspirational to meet them each one. I would have loved to hear everyones message, but that was impossible.
These are the group of speakers.
I will never forget these youth. They are so loving, so thankful, and so teachable. After every program they came in groups or singularly and took pictures with me. At times I could not move from my place, for maybe an hour, so many of them waiting for a picture. By Sabbath evening we had a farewell time when all the speakers and leaders stood on the platform and then all the delegates crowded around them and on the floor level for pictures. After that I had so many photographs with so many people, I must have had over 500 photos taken in all!
This picture shows the speakers and most of the youth
Sunday morning we met for prayer from 4a.m. through 7a.m. The room was packed with youth praising God and asking for continued strength as they went back to their schools or place of work. There were many nurses, doctors, dentists and other professionals also humbly seeking God! Songs of praise and thankfulness were offered. They gave their all to Jesus that morning. Then they put all the speakers on a circle of chairs in the middle of the room and all the delegates gathered around. They placed their hands on us and had special specific prayers for us all. I was moved to tears at the love and earnestness of those prayers for BletJhaw and myself. This was followed by more photos and such a crowd of people around me waiting for a photo, an autograph, a note in their Bibles, and a good-bye hug. Tears fell down their cheeks and mine to as we said goodbye to each other! They are so dear! I will never be the same again – so touched by the love, sincerity, compassion and prayers of so many young people.
Every speaker was assigned care-givers. These people were to show us where to go, calling the van to drive us, help us get our food on time, carry our things etc. I had two girls that helped me with the break-out sessions, what a blessing, they helped me in every way possible. We became so bonded, that tears fell freely as we said goodbye to each other. It was so hard for us to leave each other! I will never forget you – I love you so much!
I had a 14 year old boy help me to the main sessions morning and evening. I will never forget him! His name is Neigell. He was absolutely wonderful. I called him my guardian angel! He really touched my heart. One time we were all in the meeting when I really needed water for my throat. He ran all the way back in the heat to the cooking place and brought me water, then fanned me throughout the entire program. We walked, we talked and we prayed together. He would always find me in a crowd, small as I am, and escort me back to the motel, or call a van. Friday night when I could not speak, I skipped supper because I needed to pray about the Sabbath presentation. He was concerned about that and brought me some delicious soup. He gave me a foretaste of heaven. His mother was the main cook. The food was delicious and all vegan Philippine style.
So as you can see I have been blessed beyond words. My need for human companionship and love has been filled to overflowing and I have been brought further into the loving heart of Jesus. It is with joy that I pick up my work here in BYT, to share with my beloved jungle people more about their wonderful Savior.
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