In 1999, I traveled to Casanayan to attend a funeral. With time to spare, I made a side trip to see
the Lady of Casanayan. I stepped inside
the house where two ladies were seated counting their prayers with rosaries. In front of them, in the corner cabinet, was
Maria. Poor Maria. The past 170 years hadn’t been good to
her. Her “perfectly preserved” body was
nothing but coal-black leather skin covering frail decayed bones, what you
would expect for someone her age. I
guess the imagination can run wild when folks are desperate for a miracle.
This morning, I returned to Casanayan, a 3 hour drive weaving
through corn fields and mountain passes.
My friends and I conducted a training for about 30 people, crowded in a
hollow-block chapel with a tin roof and dirt floor. Palm and banana trees shaded nearby bamboo
houses. About 40 feet away, the ocean
tossed waves onto the sandy beach, where we baptized several people earlier
this year. Now, God’s kingdom has an
outpost in this remote town. After the
training, I offered to take my friends to meet Maria Basanes, the Lady of
Casanayan. They declined, but said that
the story sounded familiar to other such stories throughout the country where superstitions and folk-lore abound.
I reflected on the fact that the Philippines has a
tremendous degree of religious freedom, much more so than present-day America. In the past, I have shared the gospel in
public schools. Teachers will dismiss
their class in order to allow their students to hear the American who can speak
their language. I have conducted Bible
studies inside City Hall. We’ve showed
The Jesus Film in the town square. I can
pass out gospel tracs at the airport.
Even street preaching is allowed.
A couple of weeks ago I preached in a public gym, with loud speakers
broadcasting the love of Jesus.
While such openness allows us to share God’s truths, it also
brings opportunities for deception, with the Lady of Casanayan being one
example. In the air above the Philippine
islands, spiritual battles are taking place between good and evil, between the servants
of God and the angels of darkness.
Although the modern world does not give much attention to this country,
God takes these battles seriously, for all people are of equal
worth. We take these battles seriously,
too. Thank you for your support in allowing
us to be in the battle, and to “sound forth the Word of the Lord.”
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