Good news: Willie Pastor & Mag-abo family
October 28, 2014th Year of Our Lord
Dear brethren,
This report is filled with good, happy, encouraging, uplifting news from the Philippines!
Willie Pastor released from prison
Finally, after wading through much bureaucratic red tape, on October 15 Willie and Kathy Pastor completed all the necessary steps for Willie to be released from prison. After his release at 2:50 P.M., he sent me an email message later that evening which said in part, “I am so happy and thankful that after 4 years 2 months and 23 days in prison I was released and able to see the freedom land again” (this was the time served in the national Bilibid Prison, not counting the time spent in the provincial jail).
The following message from him dated October 23 shows that he is in good spirits as he tries to acclimate himself to the environment of freedom. I reproduced the whole message because it is so encouraging and uplifting:
Greetings to all of you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus!
It’s been a week now since the day of my released from prison. Yesterday, I and my loving wife arrived home. I am glad, happy and thankful to the Lord to see again my family in our home. I’ve been in prison since February 9, 2010 for the case of Homicide. I stayed at the Reception and Diagnostic Center working there as office orderly, orientation speaker for the newly arrived inmates from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, mailman, and a vice quarter in-charge in cell 329. In all, I was in prison for 4 years, 8 months and 6 days up to the day of my freedom last October 15, 2014.
In that place, our God blessed me to work in the vineyard of His Son Jesus. I am able to preach to my co-inmates and now the Church of Christ known to them and to the employees. There were baptisms …done. Through the efforts of my brother Kenneth 3 more congregations opened in Medium security compound, Minimum security compound, and in Maximum security compound. Now at the Reception and Diagnostic Center a faithful Christian who worked and studied with me for 1 year and 8 months left there to serve his sentence continue the worked. I received a call from him (brother Sonny L. Ibañez, Sr.) telling me that there were 31 attendees yesterday on their midweek service and have 4 confessions and scheduled to be baptized this coming Saturday at the RDC laundry area. Bro. Ibañez is an ex-policeman sued by his office as he lost his issued 45 caliber service firearm. He is a good Bible student and now working on our Heavenly Father’s farm.
The things we go through for 4 years, 8 months, and 6 days are not easy especially to my loving wife who takes care of everything for me and for our children. But the heavy loads we had become easy through your prayers and help. We were so thankful to God and to all of you my dear brothers and sisters. Now, my family and I started to put one by one our life puzzle pieces which was scattered due to our adversities. And we know even how hard it is it will be easy and light through our Savior’s help and through your help. Please continue to pray and help us as up to now I do not know where to start. I am sure of one thing; we will not give up working in our Heavenly Father’s vine yard which is more honorable compare to other works on earth.
There were so many concerns here this time and I do not know which will be the first to be attended. But for now I choose to treasure the time that I am already with my children. My wife and I already had the opportunity to visit our two daughters in Baguio City studying in college. In Cavite, we’ve been with my sister Kezi’s family and also with Brother Kenneth’s family and in Manila, we’ve been at the brethren in Pasay Church of Christ to were Brother Rody Gumpad’s preached. Yesterday, Brother Armando’s family and brother Sammy Gamit was here to see me. My in-laws were here also rejoice with us. I am so much thankful to this wonderful opportunities God provides for me. Today, we were scheduled to go out with my wife, Xeth and Xyrus. Have time to have bonding which we do not do for a long time.
I am schedule to see the brethren in Burgos Church. I missed them much. I received some news about them. Some are good and bad but I will not give any comments until I am able to see them. Also, in my future plan I am planning to start a new work at the center of the province. Please help me pray that this plan materialize. I know it is not easy to start but there is no impossible as God provides. Also, I am planning to take video recordings on my preaching and be recorded in a DVD/flash drive and to be played at the congregations inside Bureau of Correction and also to the local congregations wanted have a copy.
Regarding my parole, I already reported yesterday. My first schedule report to them will be this November 19, 2014 and it will be once a month up to June 16, 2016. If there is an invitation of work out side the province I will just secure clearance from my parole officer and she will make my travel permit. In this case if you or some other needs me to work with you/with him/them I must be inform 2 weeks prior to the schedule so that I may have time to secure the necessary clearances. I want you know that I am always willing to help and work with. Please be patient to me. Thank you.
I am slow with my schedule this time not only that I am balancing and taking my adjustments but because I do not have things to use. Through the help you sent I and my wife has able to purchase some clothing’s for us. Our old clothes are already deteriorated. My preaching gadgets, laptop and projectors no more (This not a problem as I am up to the traditional way of preaching, just me, the Bible and listeners). The most need now is transportation. My old owner type jeep was stocked for 3 years. I will try to fix it, but even it will be fixed still no longer capable for long distance travel. I hope this needs be solve according to Thy will.
Thank you very much for the help we received from you. I and my wife assured you that it was used properly according to our Lord’s will and for the benefit of my family. THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU.
In Christian Love, WILLIE OTEY C. PASTOR
The financial help he has received was relayed by me from many donors during these past four years from time to time. Thank you to all who have sent financial help and especially to all who have prayed for him. Naturally, he will face financial challenges trying to get back on his feet, trying to resolve his vehicle problems, and trying to help his daughters in college who have scholarships but have been living on a shoestring.
Areston & Normalita Mag-abo Recovery
There is more good news! On July 1 Areston and Normalita Mag-abo who live in the General Santos area of southern Mindanao were involved in a serious accident which left her with broken bones. They lost the tricycle which he used as a poor man’s taxi to supplement his income as a tenant farmer. Though he can hardly read, this preacher who supports himself memorizes Scripture which his wife reads to him and he has a reputation as a very effective preacher. Because of their poverty, she did not receive the surgery required on her broken bones and they resorted to massage as a treatment (that sounds like a torment more than a treatment!).
When I reported on this situation, the good response was overwhelming. Sufficient funds were received to allow her to have corrective surgery on August 16 just as I arrived in General Santos City. Since that time she has improved day by day and is doing well. By God’s providence and the generous love of saints in the U.S., enough money was raised to replace brother Mag-abo’s motorcycle on September 7. The sidecar which attaches to the motorcycle to make a tricycle had to be constructed. I rejoice to report that I received a message confirming that brother Mag-abo’s sidecar was received on October 21.
Areston and Normalita have repeatedly poured out their hearts in thanksgiving and have requested that I express their love and appreciation to all who have prayed for them and provided financial resources to meet the great crisis they have faced as a result of the accident.
I add my personal gratitude to all who have expressed their love for our brethren so far away who live in circumstances very different from our own. All of this is made possible by the great love of God Himself which is shed abroad in our hearts by the gospel of Christ.
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
To see good Bible study material, go to: