Philippines
The Philippines consist of 7107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, only 2000 of which are inhabited. Luzon, in the North, and Mindanao, in the South, are by far the largest, and comprise roughly 66 per cent of the country's area. These two islands produce most of the countries rice which is a staple in the Philippines. Rice is eaten with every meal and often with snacks.
Some of the rice fields in Mindanao.
Water Buffalo these animals are used for many types of work in the Philippines. Cows are not raised in the Philippines because it is to humid and wet and they get a fungus on their hooves and the hooves rot out.
The Philippines have a population of 78 million people in an area slightly larger than the state of Arizona. 82% are Roman Catholic, 9% are Protestant, 5% are Muslim and 3% are Buddhist. It is a poor country by Western standards with annual earnings of $1,000.00 per person.
Pastor Lucy interpreting for Ron
On the island of Mindanao war rages on between the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and the Philippine armed forces. The Muslim's desire is to take over the entire island and proclaim Islamic law. Though there are many churches and ministries operating in this area these radical Muslims wish to force their religion upon the entire population using terrorism and violence to achieve their goals. Most of our churches, campus ministries and Christian School are in the area contested by the MILF.
A lady that was healed from a heart condition she has had for many years.
Our brave Pastors and church leaders in Mindanao are fulfilling God's call at great risk to their personal lives and safety and that of their families. We recently had a member of our Board of Directors shot and killed as he was opening his business for the day. He was known to be a Christian man that had helped many of the people in the area. Many business men and women have been kidnaped for ransom by the MILF. This is how they raise the money for their revolution.
Some of the Pastors from our organization in the Philippines called Refuge New Life.
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Africa - Philippines - Mexico
Click Here for Ron & Bernadette's 2005 report from their trip to Africa.
