On Sunday the 13th Atoy Franco and I met Kenneth Pastor at the R.D.C. Unit of the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila. After getting our security check and tattoo (an ink image is stamped on the wrists of visitors), we joined Willie and Kathy Pastor with about 35 inmates for Bible study and worship (8:45 A.M.‑12:00 P.M.). I presented a verse by verse study of Matthew 5 entitled “Attitudes Essential in the Kingdom of God” in two parts. These basic attitudes are presented in verses 3‑12, and their importance is reflected in the rest of the chapter.

 Our audience was very attentive as I preached and Willie translated. Five precious souls yielded to the gospel and requested baptism.

In spite of the trials of incarceration, Willie’s faith is strong and he is diligently working to convert the lost. This year alone 46 inmates have been converted, bringing the total for the two years Willie has been in prison to about 150‑200. Two congregations now meet among the 10,000 inmates.
Willie’s wife Kathy was able to join us. Though we can hardly imagine the emotional, financial, and spiritual pressures she lives under with four children to manage, she like Willie manifests an indomitable faith in God!

Here is an update on Willie’s legal status. He was put into prison two and a half years ago for killing someone many years ago. It was done in self‑defense, but the attacker’s family had good lawyers who persisted until they got a conviction with a sentence of eight years with the possibility of parole for good behavior after a minimum of six years. Last year he applied to the President for an executive pardon. After some hopeful signs, the Board of Parole recommended the President not consider granting a pardon until Willie has served at least his minimum sentence.

As an alternative, Willie recently applied to the Public Attorney’s Office for “colonist status,” which allows the minimum sentence to be cut in half before considering any form of early release. If all the necessary people sign off on this, Willie could possibly be considered for some form of early release by the fall of 2013.

Willie and his family have spent much money pursuing these various appeals and they are very thankful for saints who have helped them through prayers and financial aid from time to time. Let us continue to pray for God’s providence in all this.

If anyone would like to send Willie and Kathy a note of encouragement, email messages can be addressed to willieoteypastor@rocketmail.com. His brother Kenneth goes to the prison every Sunday and often on other occasions helping to preach the gospel, which places constant financial strain on him. He receives no support but simply works to provide his family’s needs. If someone could provide $50 or $75 a month or even occasional one‑time gifts to help Kenneth, it would be money well spent for the cause of Christ. Kenneth can be contacted at kennethpastor30@yahoo.com.