Facts about the Islands

There are 7,107 Islands in the Philippines. The common saying associated with this is "depending on the tide." This means that what is accepted as an island is often very liberal and as the tide rises - some of these small, sea level islands become submerged thereby changing the number.

There are 880 of the Islands that are actually inhabited and some of them have few people living on them as they are used primarily as tourist destinations rather than inhabited dwelling places.

Nevertheless, population is not sparse. With varied reports, it is believed that over 89 million people now live on these islands, and considering that if you were to put all the land mass of the islands together it would only be about the size of Arizona, there are areas of very dense population.

Manila for example is one of the most largely populated cities in the world - #7 to be exact

http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-population-125.html

This site says there are 14 million people in the city, I have heard as many as 18 million. I dont know how much it matters with that many. The density of people in that city is overwhelming. I remember being in Cebu City in February (where there is ONLY 4 million people) and standing on a street corner with about about 1500 tracts if I remember correctly. Me and Missionary Travis Lewis gave them all away in less than an hour. Swarms and swarms of souls heading to an eternal destination.

Many Islands, many people, few missionaries per capita, a powerful stronghold binding them with catholicism and now westernization with all the materialism and humanism that it carries.

pray the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth more labourers...

Visit From a Friend

Steph and the girls are home drawing pictures and making cards in anticipation of the Lewis family (http://www.lewisinthephilippines.com/) coming in tonight. They are missionaries on the Island of Cebu in the Philippines and have been a great blessing in my life as they took me in on my last trip back in February. I was able to see so many different aspects of the culture and opportunities there. From mountain tops to the ocean shores we covered much of that island in two weeks (when I wasnt working that is). We went hut to hut, balanced on bamboo stalks 10 feet above some pretty filthy areas we would not have wanted to fall in, stood at an overlook that allowed a view of the whole island, spent time in the schools and churches, held extension classes outside in the rural areas and gave the gospel on the very crowded streets. It was an experience I will treasure always. This family has a heart for God that has been passed on to the faithful that God has allowed them to reap in since being on the field this past 4 years. Their church is overfilled and has a different population at the morning service as at the evening to accomodate everyone - praise the Lord for such a dilemna. The Lord is providing the means to increase their capacity and a second church in a town called Carcar is also in the works for the near future.

They are coming in tonight for just a couple of days and will be meeting out at Old Paths Bible Baptist Church on Wednesday evening. We look forward to talking about all that God has done in and through them on this furlough as well as gleaning wisdom as we prepare to begin deputation. Take some time to pray for this family and the work that God has called them to in Cebu.