Our day began with breakfast around 7:30 a.m. There’s nothing quite like hot dogs and rice to get your day started right. Hot dogs don’t sound appetizing for breakfast? How about pork tosino (sweet pork) and rice? Still not interested? You can order a Western omelet – with rice of course.

We headed for Guimaras around 8:30 a.m. Guimaras is known for its delicious mangoes. It’s the only place in the Philippines that can export mangoes to the United States.

To get on board the boat going to Guimaras, one must walk on a very narrow plank. The members of our group managed to do this rather well (this year). A new law enacted since we came to Iloilo last time is that every passenger must wear life vests. Can you guess what’s missing on those vests? How about some straps to secure it on your body? At least we looked safe. :)

On Guimaras, we proceeded to Good Shepherd Orphanage where Bro. Rick Martin lived and served during his first year in the Philippines. Our visit was unexpected, however, the principal asked us to come to their chapel service and say a few words to the student body. Bro. Daniel Fittro gave a brief testimony followed by a salvation message by Bro. Apusen. Around seventy-five students received Christ as their Savior.

After the chapel service, we walked up a hill which was dubbed Olivet Hill by Bro. Rick Martin when he stayed there at the orphanage. On top on this hill, Bro. Martin was able to see Iloilo, and he would pray regularly for that city. As has been our custom now for several years, we took a group picture on Olivet Hill.

After finishing up at the orphanage, we headed to the Mayor’s office in Buena Vista. We were able to spend some time with the mayor who was saved many years ago at the Good Shepherd Orphanage. We had one more stop before heading to a nearby hotel for lunch. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Every member of our group left completely filled.

The last stop on the island was at a Trappist Monastery. This monastery is famous for making great tasting mango and guava jam. With our sightseeing tour completed, we headed back to the pier and got on a boat to head back to the hotel.

At 5:30 p.m., we headed to Iloilo Baptist Church to attend their Pastors’ and Workers’ Conference. The orchestra filled the vast auditorium with beautiful music prior to the start of the service. The service started with lively congregational singing as Bro. Johnylee led the singing. Bro. Martin then introduced a musical play about our LORD Jesus being the Lamb of God. It was very touching and performed powerfully by members of Iloilo Baptist Church. Bro. Martin said that they used the play during Easter as a means to get visitors to church that would not come any other way. Many of those visitors were saved after the Gospel was explained and the invitation given.

Bro. Capaci was the main speaker tonight, and he preached a powerful message from Mark chapter two about our responsibility to win as many souls to Christ as possible. After a brief time of food and fellowship in Bro. Martin’s home after the service, we headed back to the hotel to get some needed rest. Jet lag still lingers for some of us. Thank you for reading this blog. Talk to you again next time. Pray for us.

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