Marbel - Broken Heart Healed by the Holy Ghost



A giant Pizza with our Marbel friends
Bought by the lady with the healed heart in Black/gray

“I know God just healed my heart”

We arrived in Marbel (also known as Koronandal), South Cotobato a strange way. We were passing through this city on a previous journey and Jo & I both felt we should stop and stay there for at least 4 weeks. We had never met anyone from there and our only contact was the Holy Spirit. But it certainly proved to be a divine leading.

We found a reasonable hotel checked in then attended a near buy leaders meeting that I was asked to speak at. There we learned of a Full Gospel Business men’s meeting due to take place that evening and we were invited to attended and treated like VIP's. Filipinos are so amazingly hospitable. There we met many wonderful brothers and sister in Christ

We heard the most appalling but latterly glorious testimony of how the chairman for FGBM here in Philippines was jailed for 20 years for things he never did. Of course we know that's standard plea of every person in jail, yet this man told that when he was young his businesses were very successful and as he gained prominence in his community, he felt his wealth provided a freedom from requiring the favours of corrupt police & politicians. He took that one step further and begin to expose the corruption and extortion that he knew of that was taking place.

Sadly, that was his undoing. In exposing boldly and openly the hypocrisy of the government leaders and police force a network of people in power schemed against him resulting in an immediate arrest and a 20 year sentence for which he was never fully charged. His opulent life descended into an instant hell on earth and his life was at serious risk everyday. Whih seemed as if even that was a part of the plan. His wealth while it lasted afforded him protection from the frequent killings and gangs but when that ran out sudden death lurked close.

Having heard the gospel he turned his life over to Christ as a last ditch attempt to avoid serious injury or worse murder. He found in his daily devotions that he really learned to love this Jesus that he had surrendered his life to, getting to know Him and walk with Him. Surprisingly this stately and unusually tall Filipino, now in his seventies holds no bitterness for the 20 years of life he lost, but instead thanks God for the way he had to go in order to humble himself and receive Christ as Saviour. We spoke together afterwards and he invited us to met with him for lunch when we are next in Manila.

Among the many, we also met a godly young pastor William and his friendly wife Irish. They trustingly invited us to speak at their church the following Sunday and there our circle of precious friends in Marbel increased further again.

These new connections soon led to a further stream speaking engagements at meetings and bible studies, always seeing the power of God present and enjoying the expansion of His kingdom. 

Following a call to deep repentance and full surrender as the only type of Christianity and sonship the bible promotes many of these gatherings evolve into weeping, travailing and calling out to God as individuals lay their lives before Him in Holy consecration. Acknowledging their very being as ordained by God Himself.  Not to be frittered away in trivial personal pursuit.

 At one such meeting several were powerfully baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. One girl in particular was on her knees, hands raised, clearly experiencing a divine encounter of sorts. Her face glowed as she sang and worshipped in another tongue. When most had become quiet she sang on. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and asked with surprise “What just happened”? She stood and offered a short testimony how that only 2 previous she lost her husband to illness. She told how several had counselled her that it would take months before she got over the major grief. But she shared that although she couldn’t quiet describe the powerful baptism with speaking in tongues she had just experienced she knew without a doubt her broken heart had been fully healed there and then, her pain and grief simply left and the Holy Spirit was indeed a comforter. This dear woman continues to show up at every meeting possible! Praise God.

Though we have now moved a 40 minute drive away we continue to love Marbel and the sincere believers in it. Their fire and love for Christ is inspirational.