We traveled with Pastor Bert Gicole and other pastors from Redeemer of the World Church to minister on the last seven sayings of Jesus.  We traveled to remote areas two hours outside of Bacolod in Old Segay, Manipasuk, Manapla and within Bacolod. 

The first day (Thursday) we departed Bacolod at 0600 and drove around the otherside of the island.  This was deep into sugar cane territory.  We arrived at the church to find a bamboo structure in the midst of a community consisting of houses made of the same material.  Tiphany fell in love with some puppies and Catherine fell in love with some children.

The team of pastors spoke on the seven sayings of the cross to the people in the community, then we broke camp to proceed to the next location in Old Sigay.

The second stop found us in Old Sigay, which is at the northern end of the island.  The church was situated in a small village located on the coastline.  Small banka boats littered the coastline of this small fishing village.  The church was nothing more than a bamboo frame with curtains placed around it.  They must have fit 50 people into this small area.  What a joy to worship the Lord in settings commensurate with what He had when He walked the earth.  In the midst of all this I thought that the Lord will feel most welcome in places like this when He returns as this is what He was used to ministering in.

Our third stop was on day two.  We traveled an hour outside of Bacolod to the city of Manapla.  We first visited this church about two months ago.  It was fitting to hold service in the upper room of this old two story home.  We enjoyed the fellowship with this congregation.

Our last stop landed us back in Bacolod at the Sea Breeze Hotel.  The local mall was built upon reclaimed land, so there is not much of a breeze from the sea anymore, but there is a great view of the front of the new mall.

At this point of the journey fatigue was starting to settle in, but the folks at the service pepped us up, and we presented the seven sayings of the cross for the fourth time in two days.

Pastor Bert consistently invited Catherine at the end of these services to offer a word of encouragement to the congregations.  You would have thought she was the one that had prepared hours for these services.  She is a natural in front of a congregation, and they enjoyed hearing her.