Originally posted by Elder Gus Harter
Zamboanga City is located at the far western tip of a narrow peninsular on the coast of Mindanao. We have had a congregation of believers in that city since 1994. Our American ministry has only visited there on one occasion because it is surrounded by Muslim stronghold. However in last few months new interest in doctrine of grace has greatly increased and several ministers from that city have requested me to visit them. After the ministry assured me that it was safe in the city, I set June 14 to 17 to hold a conference inviting visiting ministers and our congregations. As the time drew near Muslim terrorist kidnap several people including two missionaries from a beach resort. They were known to have gone to Basilan, a small island thirty minutes boat ride from Zamboanga City. The government sent troops to Basilan. There is both an army base and marine base in Zamboanga. Several battles were fought and the government troops had the terrorist surrounded. But using the hostages as shields, the terrorists escape and melted into the surrounding population.
I boarded a plane and soon landed in Zamboanga. I was met at the airport by over twenty people. They placed around my neck 20 necklaces of orchids that were beautiful. I did not desire to be unappreciative of the gifts but I thought if it was not obvious to all that I was an American visitor; I certainly was after all the decoration. In order to make to make me feel safer they had an armed guard escort us to the hotel. The hotel was a walled compound with adequate accommodations and a good meeting hall.
On Thursday night and all day Friday we had an excellent conference with in excess of eighty people in attendance. There were several visiting ministers but most of the attendees were from four congregations of people committed already to our churches. On Saturday morning we went to the ocean to have a baptism. We baptized first a fine minister named Genorlito Tanduyan, who from a logging accident was paralyzed from waist down. In joining us he had to give up his congregation and church building, but he gladly came with seven of his members joining as well. His brother in law Roberto Santiago who is also a minister had joined at meeting in Iligan City, had his entire church of twenty members unite with us. We baptized seventeen people on that Saturday and were going to baptize the remainder on Sunday. But a typhoon was blowing off the coast and the waves were too high to enter the surf safely. Across from the spot of baptizing, you could see the island of Basilan, the home of many of the Muslim Rebels. At the conclusion of the article you can see a picture taken after the baptism of this island.
We now have four ministers, Elder Bert Tejada, Pastor Roberto Santiago, Genorlito Tanduyan, and Abel Maghuyop who all have congregations in Zamboanga. Please pray for these brethren.
Your Servant in Christ,
Gus Harter
Photos: Trip to Zamboanga City
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