Hi Dear friends
Small point, as of tomorrow, we will be in rebel Muslim country sharing with soldiers, their generals, Muslim rebels & civillians, this is a first for us and... well its an interesting situation.
The UK Goverment advisory website states "We advise against all travel to south-west Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of on-going terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups. We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao for the same reason. See Safety and Security - Terrorism and Safety and Security - Further Google searches suggests its one of the most dangerous places in the world. But we feel to go!
Even locals here in Manila are plainly stating we should not go there and citing endless stories that horror movies are made of. But we feel to go! Our friends are cautioning us that we travel at our risk if we are certain we should join them. We will travel in vehicles with blacked out windows, we will share rooms with others on the team and never stray beyond the eyesight of our hosts on the ground! None of this is putting us off. We still feel we should go and if this is it, then to live is Christ to die is gain.
We have an idea as to what the Home Office basis such a strict caution on, and its difficult to form expectaions as to what we will encounter and how we should react. But we know this, someone has to go and declare the gospel and no one can take our lives unless they first have permission from Yahew God Himself and if He has granted such permission as Paul the apostle once said "I'd rather be with Christ which is far better. We are good to go!
Jo's courage is astonishing me. Here's our verse:
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20v24
But, we know from our friends already that these lost sheep in Mindanao are responding to the gospel already. Several rebel generals, commanders and many soldiers have been saved and are requesting bible studies, One of the worst former commanders is running his own bible study – he is saved, filled with the Holy Spirit and leading soldiers to Jesus on his own.
Apparantly, the man who founded the Islamic jihad movement, the major general of generals has requested to see our friend Howard, the organise of this outreach. We are hearing that this general is tired of the bloodshed? We shall see.
This could be the time for miracles..... , we have Gods peace and permission to go and believe that heaven is a beautiful place. We are going to have great time and someone has got to do this... We have no fear, only faith, hope & love.
We have no trust in our own sufficiency, but we can see how God can turn round the heart of the heathen to glorify Himself - "If my people humble themselves and pray"!
The names to mention before the throne are Howard & Leslie, Jay, Paul, Heather Jo & George
Prayers appreciated :)
In His Grip
George & Jo Oates
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