Ali P says:
We had been asked to take a short trip out to the city of Iligan to work with many local churches in the worst areas of the city. So some of us set off on Friday for a weekend that we will never forget - now entitled the Ivasion of Ilegan!
As we arrived at the city gates we were met by huge banners welcoming the YWAMers, with them the CRU crew, armed guards and dozens of vehicles all with flashing lights and sirens. we were then led in a huge convoy into the city, all traffic was moved out of the way, people were kept back and trafic lights ignored. we were taken straight to the city hall where we were met as dignitaries by the mayor and the marching band. (not to mention the TV cameras) - it was all a bit sureal, but then after we were introduced to every council member and speaches were had we were taken to a meal where there were more speeches, singing and prayers. only then were we escorted by our guards to the house where all 70+ of us were to sleep on the floor!
the accomodation was great - i got a bed! (it seems i could pull the age card)
we were taken into 3 squatter areas for ministry, we had a foreigner, an interpreter from our YWAM team and a local guide so that we didn't get lost in the tangle maze that was our community area. oh, of course we had armed guards and the CRU team to ensure we were all in the right zone where our safety could be assured.
we felt very secure, but it is so strange to be the 'foreigner', i'm still not used to it. we had to sign in and out every time we went anywhere, we were constantly counted, they didn't want any harm to come to us, and it didn't.
we did 3 trips into the local squatter areas, ministring door to door, giving out bibles, sharing the good news and leading people to a new life in Jesus. many healings took place and many lives were transformed as they realised the hope there is in Christ.
we had the pleasure of a performance from this tribal band who were christians in the evening. they came in full costume and sang and played the night away. we all got up to dance. it was a great party, Tom was celebrating his 21st birthday, so we had to give him the bumps too. i think he'l forgive us - he is English after all, he should have been expecting it.
we also got to go to a youth group and participate with the preaching and testimonies, the worship was awesome!
sunday was an amazing day. i had to, no i offered to give my testimony in a church. we were split up over about 30 churches, all wanting preachers. so i went with Nicky - she was to preach and i was to give my testimony. we arrived at this little church in the mountains on the way out of the city. we were led to the front, given gifts of towels with the church name embroidered on them and there we sat wondering what would happen. we had been told the pastor would translate for us! then he came over and asked if i taught sunday school - yes was the reply, of course i do. i couldn't lie, so then i had this idea that somewhere the other side of the wall was a room with about 50 kids in it that i was then to keep entertained for the next hour, and my testimony wasn't particularly child friendly! after some confusion the pastor insisted that i 'taught sunday school' in the main church building, it was full of all ages, except kids! what was i to do, so i said i would give my testimony now - which i did , then Nicky preached, then we prayed for anyone who had felt touched by the message, then we sat down relieved that God had spoken through us. more worship followed, then the guy behind me - he was one of the local 'helpers' told me that sunday school was now officially finished and the church service was to begin, they were expecting us to preach now!!!!!! as you can imagine we were a little stunned as we had already done all that we had prepared. so we prayed very quickly and felt God tell us what to say, so Nicky got back up and preached for a second time, then i got up and preached (for the first time ever) too. there was more worship, and an offering song, and a hello song, and a goodbye song, and i haven't even mentioned the spider incident yet.
ok, the spider incident - anyone who knows me knows how little i like any creepy crawly thing of any sort, particularly spiders, the smallest one will cause me to react, well in the middle of one of the worship times during the service i met Mungo, he needed a bit meaty name, because he was indeed a big meety spider! i heard Nicky whisper "spider!" i looked down at my feet, i had a long skirt on, and saw the largest spider in the universe sitting next to my feet. inches away! my bag which was open lay next to him, i realy didn't want him to go in there, and was wondering if he had his buddy already taking up residence there, but no, Mungo decided to move, I, on the other hand could not! i was stuck to the floor i didn't scream or jump or run for the door or knock over furniture or anything, i just watched as Mungo rose to his feet and trotted off towards the pulpit (that was where the ants were!) a man came a shooed him away with his bible, and apparently Mungo left under the door jar. he was at least 4" across and dark brown - on recounting the story later the man behind me told me it was poisonous, i asked if that meant he would bite me and it would hurt, or would i die, he answered "yes". i didn't want to know what he had answered after that - but thank God i am alive and well, and not bitten by Mungo or any other creature (well apart from a few mozzies). at the end of church we had the obligatory photo shoot and went outside to have fresh coconut juice from the man with the machete and the the tree stump, and the coconuts of course. Boco it is called here! that's when i spotted our armed guards hiding at the side of the church! nice to know they weren't trained in spider duty.
the guards were however a very friendly bunch who were happy to pose for Charlies Angels photos and also happy to learn that traditional English pastime of '3-legged racing' - well you don't get if you don't ask, and i asked!!
we did a prayer walk in the city, but of course this involved the armed guards and the convoy, so at night we were escorted through the city streets and all traffic was again held up, but we got to pray, rather a little too conspicuously, but at least we were safe. all i can compare it to is driving though blackpool illuminations - wierd yet wonderful!
on the way home we had the opportunity to do the local waterfalls - it was our day off after all. we were given the 'dignitories' trip to the HEP station and saw the waterfall in all its splendour, they opened up the gates so we could see it at full strength, it is usually much smaller, but it was beautiful. then we went to another falls, called the Hidden Falls, that's because you have to walk down 365 steps in the middle of the jungle where you find this beautiful scene that is a backdrop for a 'timote' shampoo advert. the colour of the water was tourquoise, impossible to believe, it was at the bottom of the ravine, we went swimming in the pool and some went on the bamboo raft right under the spray of the falls. we had our picnic lunch, then had to climb back up the sid eof the jungle. the butterflies and dragon flies were the most amazing colours - cerise, purple, yellow and electric blue. it was the most beautiful place in the world (so far)
it was so nice to have such an idylic day as the drive home was the most frightening one of my life, ever. several near head on collisions were averted, so please keep praying for our safety, it is important. the traffic here is - interesting! i am glad to be alive, it was a scary ride!
so the invasion ofIlegan was complete and normal life resumed back at Cha-Li beach.