Wednesday, August 29, 2007
FROM TRANSPORTATION TO TRANSFORMATION
Working a salary job got me tied up into working on the start-up church and captivated from traveling as before. This was in the year 1989. We named our church Worldwide Pentecostal Church of Christ and registered it in the State of New Jersey. The physical address of the church was 499 Wayne St., Jersey City, NJ 07306. I worked for nearly five years for the Hudson County Welfare and did acquire civil service eligibility. WPCC started with just my family and in the period of over four years we ran an attendance of around a hundred people. After moving the church in Staten Island in 1995 I decided to quit my job and moved to San Jose, California. Lemuel Jones, my oldest son, took over the church. He was twenty years old. Jones officially took the church as pastor in 1996. I felt led by God to pioneer a church in San Jose, California and made my base at the house of Carl and Lita Calderon on Marco Drive.
People were questioning me why I chose San Jose, California. And I too wondered at that time. Today the thing is very clear in my mind the reason why God transported me from New York to California. A huge transformation was going to take place in my life. Venus ocassionally visited California and I too came back to New York from time to time. The people that led to my transformation were Carl Calderon, Manny Angeles, Sam Medrano, Agustin de Guzman, Rod Llorente, Jim Lass, and, John Formoso. It was in San Jose that God put me on the crossroad of business and church. Manuel Vizcarra, pastor of the First Apostolic Assembly church in San Jose, allowed me to use his auditorium for our Sunday afternoon gathering, and Mr. James Lass, who also was a minister, but he was a successful businessman, opened my eyes into business. I marketed his sceptre software, one that helped designed the Boeing 777 jets, in Tokyo and Sydney. Great was the transformation that took place in me in these times that the Lord God would literally speak to me for hours about the things that were coming and, rather, than keeping in the realm of the church, He drove me to participate in the worldly affairs of business. Pastor Jim Lass owned a six story building in Stockton, California and he was just trying me whether I knew some people there who would be interested to buy the building. I thought of the Rev. Kenneth Haney who was pastoring the CLC in Stockton. So I called Rev. Haney and scheduled a meeting for him to see the building called Marina Towers. Jim Lass met with Haney and I was ecstatic thinking I would make a real huge commission as promised. But Jim ended up giving the building to Rev. Haney for free.
I was surrounded by spiritual people who were also business minded. Carl Calderon, the owner of the house where I stayed, was a true Christian, along with Lita, his wife. Carl was a good businessman. He exported printing machines to the Philippines. Lita was a full time registered nurse. Manny Angeles was also a very spiritual person. Endlessly he would talk about God. Yet, endlessly, he would also talk about business opportunities, being that back in the Philippines he was a very successful businessman before he was converted to the Jesus Miracle Crusade. Among the gifts of God in the form of a man were Agustin de Guzman and John Formoso. It was John Formoso that turned my life around. From the viewpoint of the world, John Formoso was the one that got me out of the church to get myself entangled in the world. But, to my version, it was John Formoso who became my deliverer. He was my business consultant.
At this time, going on my three years in San Jose and Sacramento, the Y2K bug, supposedly the coming of the end of the world, was furiously filling the airwaves and people's conversations. It was definite that the computers would crush when the year 2000 sets in. I got infected with the virus. I set my sight on the rapture without any reservation of turning back. When I would go to the Philippines, I would hammer so hard in my preaching at my church in Caloocan that the end of the world was taking place only months away and that the rapture was going to take place on the eve of December31, 1999. So I had to be with my church in Caloocan when the rapture takes place. The family was second and the church was first. Of course, God was first and wife and children were second. So, I had to take care of the church.
The culmination months into the Y2K were filled with intense prayerfulness and Bible readings. There was not a moment that I couldn't hear the voice of God. Even when a cat would run across the room a voice would tell me of some spiritual significance or premonition. I did not wat to miss the rapture. I wanted to experience flying in the air to meet the Lord there and be with Him forever and forevermore. Even the celebration of Christmas that last year of the 2000 millenium was devoid with joy. Why be happy when the end of the world was taking place only days away? So, finally, after all the announcements were made, we were gathered in the Caloocan church on New Year's eve of 1999 and 2000. We purchased a big clock and put it in front of the congregation so that we can time up the rapture. The big bang which will usher into the rapture is going to take place definitely at exactly twelve midnight. Are you kidding me? We were praying very loud and crying some profuse tears. With eyes bulging out by tears, I managed to glimpse at the clock. It was now eleven. The minutes and the seconds were all incorporated into my breathing rythyms. I would be hearing the trumpet sound any moment. As twelve o'clock was fast approaching, our prayers and worshipped intensified. Then finally it was twelve. We paused. We listened. We breathed deeply. Nothing. Still nothing. Nothing happened. Little did we know that in Sydney, Australia, twelve midnight took place two hours before us. The rapture did not materialize.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
SEVEN YEARS AFTER TWINKLE JOINED US
It's a terrible thing that all of us are all in the United States and our baby is not with us. We traveled all around and when introduced we would tell the crowd that our youngest child is left in the Philippines. Their applause and excitement get tainted with "oohh, terrible," sighs upon hearing that Twinkle is alone in the other side of the world. It was hard to bear, but it was one those things. Husbands and wives all over the world get separated simply because of the need to procure greater things in life and follow an illusive dream called prosperity. We all missed Twinkle so much and as days prolonged we wanted the passing of time to cut short so that she could now already join us. But the more we wanted her to join us in the soonest time the longer that it took her to come. When we had gotten our residency we immediately applied for her and the papers got approved with no problem. We came home to get her but the consul wondered why we left her alone when she was only a baby. This was when she was already nearly two years old. In short the interviewing consul doubted that she was our child. After all, there are many cases about child adoption where in order for the adopting parents to get the baby as quickly as possible that they produce paperworks to claim that the child is their own. So, in Twinkle's case we were now told to go get a DNA test. This was to prove that she was indeed our own daughter.
Twinkle's papers and coming were more delayed for our failure of not finding the right doctors who would administer the DNA testing. But Twinkle was being cared for very well by Sister Tina Amato. They all loved her like their own daughter. And I yearly visited her also, as I needed to visit the church.
God works in a mysterious way and we cannot know the details of His workings until a thing has completely happened. Life in the United States is difficult because you have to do your own thing. Unless you are super wealthy, you cannot afford to pay a housemaid. Whereas in the Philippines, the helps were readily available and ultra cheap. It was a blessing in disguise that we had not so many babies to take care because at that time Damariz was just a year older than Twinkle and Juven also was two years older than Damariz. This means that we had our hands full in taking care of the five children. Ordinarily, people with lots of children like we did would have to get public assitance. Why we did not get into Welfare though we were qualified to get into the program was a thing that we kind of regret these days. How we were able to support a big family in America when we did not have any job was a miracle. I only went around to preach in churches. That was my means of support for my family who was in New York and the children were going to school.
God's hands were upon us when we needed to get adjusted to reside in America legally. Bro. Robert Carter saw our condition and agreed to file a petition for us. At that time it was so much easier to get a special immigrant status. That's what we had. Venus got her residency first. The children being minors had no problem getting approved. Then I got mine approved later on. We owe our residency in America to the Carter family in Staten Island. Without them we'd have a real hard time. They helped us also in financial matters. And their members extended assistance to us whenever we needed it.
Bro. and Sis. Edwards in Ohio were the second great benefactor for us. We had been just traveling around to churches and get our support but then the children had to get to school. We had to get settled in a place where they could go to school. The Edwards offered that we stay with them and bought for us a trailer house where we paid for the monthly mortgage. This was in Rockbridge, Ohio. We had stayed here for about six months when it was important for us to go back to Staten Island. That was the time that we had to apply for our change of status. We learned in Ohio the American culture and the Edwards learned to love my children, even to this day.
Back in New York, we settled in Jersey City, New Jersey. This time I decided to get a job. We were also starting a church. We approached Rev. Fernando Colon, a pastor of a Spanish congregation, to allow us the use of their premises. Not only that he let us use the building for our Sunday worship but he also recommended me for a job at the Hudson County Welfare Office. I got the job and I started the church. By this time, we were now legal residents of the United States, with greencards. Our church in Jersey City was established in 1989, and at this time we worked on again for Twinkle's coming. We had found a doctor who would administer us the DNA test. We did that and the result was sent to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.The processing would take some time but we had greater hope now that Twinkle would be able to join us this time.
In 1990, Venus found work at the Staten Island Hospital. At first she commuted back and forth to Staten Island from Jersey City. Later we decided to relocate in Staten Island and we found a house at Hewitt Avenue at the Sunnyside area, by the Staten Island Expressway. Then a man by the name of Frank had gotten acquainted with our church in Jersey City who had a big van that he wanted to sell to us. We bought that van and we used it to pick up people for church. We named the van, "Big Bertha." And one night, Venus saw in her vision that Twinkle already came and we picked her up with Big Bertha.
And so it was. It came to pass that Twinkle's papers got all finally cleared up and now she could be picked up from the Philippines.
Without losing time I went back to the Philippines. The excitement over this event was so thick, we could literally touch it. Chin, especially, being the eldest, and had a chance to mingle with Twinkle as an infant, was ecstatic with joy. Damariz was also anxious. In other words, all of us were simply filled with joy over the news that Twinkle could now finally come.
Thankfully enough, we were now settled up. We had a church, we had a house, we had jobs, and we had a van. And all of the children were now in school. It was, I think, just perfect timing. In short, God was in all of this.
Back in the Philippines, the Amato family was saddened at the news that Twinkle was now going to leave them. They had learned to love her so much. Twinkle called Sis. Tina Nanay. Twinkle was in school already and had grown so very beautifully. Parting with her on the side of the Amato was simply difficult. They all cried and cried.
The day came that we had to go to the airport. The whole church of Caloocan were present to see Twinkle and I go. At seven years old, Twinkle had all the memories. But she was more excited to go to America and get reunited to her family there than saddened at the fact that she was going to leave her home with the Amatos. Inside the airport, Twinkle was all smiles. We went through all the inspections without any hassle. And in just a few hours, we were now airborne. We arrived in Hawaii and had the chance to get out to visit an old friend, Bro. Mike Ambler. He picked us up at the airport and took us to his huge mansion. Ambler was a millionaire. He had a handicraft business and thriving at that time. Ambler took us around and at that time Marcos body was newly put in a place where everyone could see it. Twinkle and I got to see Marcos dead body. We stayed at the Ambler's for one night and then the next day we flew into the U.S. mainland.
It was in November 1992 when we arrived in Newark airport. Twinkle was seven years and one month old. Chin drove Big Bertha. They had arrived in the airport early. Their anxiousness to see Twinkle was building up moment by moment.
When our American Airlines plane landed in Newark, I grabbed Twinkle's hands and I said, "This is it, Twink. This is America." He smiled shyly and then she became very happy.
Walking from the plane toward the exit seemed like I was floating on air. I could see the many people waiting. Then I could see Venus, Chin, Chic, Jones, Juven, and Damariz. They all came running toward us. Damariz and Twinkle embraced.
Twinkle's papers and coming were more delayed for our failure of not finding the right doctors who would administer the DNA testing. But Twinkle was being cared for very well by Sister Tina Amato. They all loved her like their own daughter. And I yearly visited her also, as I needed to visit the church.
God works in a mysterious way and we cannot know the details of His workings until a thing has completely happened. Life in the United States is difficult because you have to do your own thing. Unless you are super wealthy, you cannot afford to pay a housemaid. Whereas in the Philippines, the helps were readily available and ultra cheap. It was a blessing in disguise that we had not so many babies to take care because at that time Damariz was just a year older than Twinkle and Juven also was two years older than Damariz. This means that we had our hands full in taking care of the five children. Ordinarily, people with lots of children like we did would have to get public assitance. Why we did not get into Welfare though we were qualified to get into the program was a thing that we kind of regret these days. How we were able to support a big family in America when we did not have any job was a miracle. I only went around to preach in churches. That was my means of support for my family who was in New York and the children were going to school.
God's hands were upon us when we needed to get adjusted to reside in America legally. Bro. Robert Carter saw our condition and agreed to file a petition for us. At that time it was so much easier to get a special immigrant status. That's what we had. Venus got her residency first. The children being minors had no problem getting approved. Then I got mine approved later on. We owe our residency in America to the Carter family in Staten Island. Without them we'd have a real hard time. They helped us also in financial matters. And their members extended assistance to us whenever we needed it.
Bro. and Sis. Edwards in Ohio were the second great benefactor for us. We had been just traveling around to churches and get our support but then the children had to get to school. We had to get settled in a place where they could go to school. The Edwards offered that we stay with them and bought for us a trailer house where we paid for the monthly mortgage. This was in Rockbridge, Ohio. We had stayed here for about six months when it was important for us to go back to Staten Island. That was the time that we had to apply for our change of status. We learned in Ohio the American culture and the Edwards learned to love my children, even to this day.
Back in New York, we settled in Jersey City, New Jersey. This time I decided to get a job. We were also starting a church. We approached Rev. Fernando Colon, a pastor of a Spanish congregation, to allow us the use of their premises. Not only that he let us use the building for our Sunday worship but he also recommended me for a job at the Hudson County Welfare Office. I got the job and I started the church. By this time, we were now legal residents of the United States, with greencards. Our church in Jersey City was established in 1989, and at this time we worked on again for Twinkle's coming. We had found a doctor who would administer us the DNA test. We did that and the result was sent to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.The processing would take some time but we had greater hope now that Twinkle would be able to join us this time.
In 1990, Venus found work at the Staten Island Hospital. At first she commuted back and forth to Staten Island from Jersey City. Later we decided to relocate in Staten Island and we found a house at Hewitt Avenue at the Sunnyside area, by the Staten Island Expressway. Then a man by the name of Frank had gotten acquainted with our church in Jersey City who had a big van that he wanted to sell to us. We bought that van and we used it to pick up people for church. We named the van, "Big Bertha." And one night, Venus saw in her vision that Twinkle already came and we picked her up with Big Bertha.
And so it was. It came to pass that Twinkle's papers got all finally cleared up and now she could be picked up from the Philippines.
Without losing time I went back to the Philippines. The excitement over this event was so thick, we could literally touch it. Chin, especially, being the eldest, and had a chance to mingle with Twinkle as an infant, was ecstatic with joy. Damariz was also anxious. In other words, all of us were simply filled with joy over the news that Twinkle could now finally come.
Thankfully enough, we were now settled up. We had a church, we had a house, we had jobs, and we had a van. And all of the children were now in school. It was, I think, just perfect timing. In short, God was in all of this.
Back in the Philippines, the Amato family was saddened at the news that Twinkle was now going to leave them. They had learned to love her so much. Twinkle called Sis. Tina Nanay. Twinkle was in school already and had grown so very beautifully. Parting with her on the side of the Amato was simply difficult. They all cried and cried.
The day came that we had to go to the airport. The whole church of Caloocan were present to see Twinkle and I go. At seven years old, Twinkle had all the memories. But she was more excited to go to America and get reunited to her family there than saddened at the fact that she was going to leave her home with the Amatos. Inside the airport, Twinkle was all smiles. We went through all the inspections without any hassle. And in just a few hours, we were now airborne. We arrived in Hawaii and had the chance to get out to visit an old friend, Bro. Mike Ambler. He picked us up at the airport and took us to his huge mansion. Ambler was a millionaire. He had a handicraft business and thriving at that time. Ambler took us around and at that time Marcos body was newly put in a place where everyone could see it. Twinkle and I got to see Marcos dead body. We stayed at the Ambler's for one night and then the next day we flew into the U.S. mainland.
It was in November 1992 when we arrived in Newark airport. Twinkle was seven years and one month old. Chin drove Big Bertha. They had arrived in the airport early. Their anxiousness to see Twinkle was building up moment by moment.
When our American Airlines plane landed in Newark, I grabbed Twinkle's hands and I said, "This is it, Twink. This is America." He smiled shyly and then she became very happy.
Walking from the plane toward the exit seemed like I was floating on air. I could see the many people waiting. Then I could see Venus, Chin, Chic, Jones, Juven, and Damariz. They all came running toward us. Damariz and Twinkle embraced.
CHIN, CHIC, JONES, JUVEN, COMING OVER TO AMERICA
In March of 1984 I established the Worldwide Pentecostal Church of Christ, Inc. also known as WPCC. This was to say that we had now formally severed connection with the AMF which was still in the hands of Eddie Wheeler. Bro. Cavaness sent the money for us to buy the Caloocan church formally from Eddie Wheeler and this included the Batangas property which at that time was being pastored by my brother Fredo. By now, we had moved to a bigger house in an exclusive subdivision in U.E. Caloocan. We had also purchased another vehicle. And the church in Caloocan was doing excellently well with Bing Ocampo now assisting us as assistant pastor. The young children that I got from the streets have now become fully mature in God and they became strong workers. One of them was Boy Flores, who at this writing is now living in Sydney, Australia.
Things were doing very well for us. The children were doing wonderfully well in church and they were taken and picked up to and from school by one of our church members who drove for us. But the political situation in the country was becoming more riotous on the account of Ninoy Aquino's assasination. Marcos, who ruled the Philippines all these years since 1972 under Martial Law had let up a little allowing an election to happen. This happened because of the pressure from the Catholic Church and from the poor masses. Corazon Aquino, the widow of Ninoy, was put up by the opposition party to run for president. When the ballots were counted Marcos came out the winner and everyone was screaming in the streets that the election was rigged. Of course, the people were now tired of Marcos and they wanted a new government. This led to an escalation of riots in the streets until it bacame so huge that the first people power ever to occur in the world happened in the Philippines. I was thinking all along that a civil war could take place and so I decided to get my family out of the Philippines to move to the United States. We now had the chance to get them Visas to come with us, so I might as well.
In 1985 another child was born to the Ayudtud family making all the children now to six. She was born on October 10, 1985. We named her after her mother, Venus Twinkle. And due to the turmoil that was happening in the country we wanted to take all the children to the United States including the new born Twinkle. But the consul at the U.S. Embassy said that she was too young to travel with us. We decided to leave her behind in the care of Bro. and Sis. Amato.
Venus and I agreed the she go to America first, with Jones and Juven. Damariz at this time was brought to the Philippines by Venus' father and mother. It was on this occasion that Papa Almeda got sick and died. It was a sad moment for all of us.
Within three months after Venus left, I applied Chin and Chic for their Visas and thankfully they were granted. So now things were clear and easier for us to immigrate to the United States. Venus got a job in the law office of her brother in Jersey City who became a judge in Jersey City and the kids were left at the care of her sisters, Princess and Marilyn in Staten Island. Our concern now was about Twinkle. Once again we would become a divided household. But because there was nothing that could be done about the situation of Twinkle we left it unto the Lord.
In January of 1986 I would again fly back to the United States taking with me my oldest and second daughters, Chin and Chic. This was such a joyous moment as the girls were already thirteen and eleven years of age. They were on their early teens and at this age they already had a professionally recorded song entitled, "Struggle Is The Game." The church kept saying that now that all the children, except, of course, Twinkle, would be in America that there was a chance that we would not come back to the Philippines. I kept telling them that we would be back again. The church made us a farewell party for Chin and Chic and it was a moment of a realization that it would be their last time to see these children who they fondly loved so much. Chin and Chic were a fast rising singing sensation in our church and in other churches. Now they would miss their voices and their presence.
At the airport, after taking care all the necessary papers, I became so overjoyed watching my two daughters. They certainly were my joy and pride. And I had been a stronghold for them emotionally. They loved me and I loved them beyond measure. And here we were in the boarding area fixing to board a huge jumbo 747 Nortwest Airlines jetliner. I watched them giggled and tremendously happy. And moments later we were inside the plane. We brazed ourselves while the plane negotiated the runway and then take off. It shook momentarily and I watched with admiration my daughters who were holding on their seats with smiles on their faces. They were pinching each other to find out if this thing was real or that perhaps they were only dreaming. Moments later they slumbered and slept.
Things were doing very well for us. The children were doing wonderfully well in church and they were taken and picked up to and from school by one of our church members who drove for us. But the political situation in the country was becoming more riotous on the account of Ninoy Aquino's assasination. Marcos, who ruled the Philippines all these years since 1972 under Martial Law had let up a little allowing an election to happen. This happened because of the pressure from the Catholic Church and from the poor masses. Corazon Aquino, the widow of Ninoy, was put up by the opposition party to run for president. When the ballots were counted Marcos came out the winner and everyone was screaming in the streets that the election was rigged. Of course, the people were now tired of Marcos and they wanted a new government. This led to an escalation of riots in the streets until it bacame so huge that the first people power ever to occur in the world happened in the Philippines. I was thinking all along that a civil war could take place and so I decided to get my family out of the Philippines to move to the United States. We now had the chance to get them Visas to come with us, so I might as well.
In 1985 another child was born to the Ayudtud family making all the children now to six. She was born on October 10, 1985. We named her after her mother, Venus Twinkle. And due to the turmoil that was happening in the country we wanted to take all the children to the United States including the new born Twinkle. But the consul at the U.S. Embassy said that she was too young to travel with us. We decided to leave her behind in the care of Bro. and Sis. Amato.
Venus and I agreed the she go to America first, with Jones and Juven. Damariz at this time was brought to the Philippines by Venus' father and mother. It was on this occasion that Papa Almeda got sick and died. It was a sad moment for all of us.
Within three months after Venus left, I applied Chin and Chic for their Visas and thankfully they were granted. So now things were clear and easier for us to immigrate to the United States. Venus got a job in the law office of her brother in Jersey City who became a judge in Jersey City and the kids were left at the care of her sisters, Princess and Marilyn in Staten Island. Our concern now was about Twinkle. Once again we would become a divided household. But because there was nothing that could be done about the situation of Twinkle we left it unto the Lord.
In January of 1986 I would again fly back to the United States taking with me my oldest and second daughters, Chin and Chic. This was such a joyous moment as the girls were already thirteen and eleven years of age. They were on their early teens and at this age they already had a professionally recorded song entitled, "Struggle Is The Game." The church kept saying that now that all the children, except, of course, Twinkle, would be in America that there was a chance that we would not come back to the Philippines. I kept telling them that we would be back again. The church made us a farewell party for Chin and Chic and it was a moment of a realization that it would be their last time to see these children who they fondly loved so much. Chin and Chic were a fast rising singing sensation in our church and in other churches. Now they would miss their voices and their presence.
At the airport, after taking care all the necessary papers, I became so overjoyed watching my two daughters. They certainly were my joy and pride. And I had been a stronghold for them emotionally. They loved me and I loved them beyond measure. And here we were in the boarding area fixing to board a huge jumbo 747 Nortwest Airlines jetliner. I watched them giggled and tremendously happy. And moments later we were inside the plane. We brazed ourselves while the plane negotiated the runway and then take off. It shook momentarily and I watched with admiration my daughters who were holding on their seats with smiles on their faces. They were pinching each other to find out if this thing was real or that perhaps they were only dreaming. Moments later they slumbered and slept.
Friday, August 3, 2007
DAMARIZ IS BORN IN NEW YORK
Venus and Florida flew into the United United States in the month of July of 1983, in just less than a month after I left. The money I had quickly raised was more than enough for Venus' airline ticket and some to be left for the children and my brother Fred and his family who was going to take care of the children during our absence. At this time, Venus was seven month pregnant to Damariz and looked unmistakingly big. It was impossible to hide her pregnancy, which was a concern for her going into the United States as a visitor, especially so that her reason for coming was to speak in churches. But all that was going to be taken cared off by prayer.
There were now four children born into my family and they will all be left alone in the Philippines with my brother Fredo and Manang Rosa as the guardian. Chin was now eleven years old and in grade 5, Chic, 9, Jones, 7, and Juven, almost 2. Venus and Florida came into Los Angeles as their port of entry and Venus had to hide her belly with a big sweater. Thank God they came through and they were all jubilant. They were repeating to each other their disbelief that they finally had come into the land of Paradise. They took a connecting flight to New York where they were met by Charlo Almeda, their brother. Their arrival was such a moment of rejoicing because the dream of being able to come to the United States has finally come to fulfillment. Venus' father and mother and two sisters were already in the United States, along with Reren, their other brother. They were recounting their experiences, exchanging their testimonies with one another about how God really had been a good God to them. So, during that time, I was in Indiana, the four children back in the Philippines, and Venus in New York, with Damariz in her womb.
In Indiana, with Bro. Cavaness, Sr., I was treated very royally. Bro. Cavaness, being the main innovator in sending Bro. Willhoite to the Philippines was happy to see me, the by-product of that effort. He took me around to the churches in the area of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, after I had spoken in his church. When I finished preaching around the area, and getting ready to fly to New York, I was able to raise about $3,000. That was phenomenal. I got into the country in June and in just a period of about three months, all in all, the money I got from the churches was about $5,000. And at that time that was a lot.
I joined Venus in New York at the end of August, so we had not seen each other only for about two months time. I landed in JFK and Atty. Charlo picked me up. What a reunion and what a rejoicing. Just a few months before coming to America this thing was only a dream. Obviously God was in all of this and His plans had got to be fulfilled in our lives. The next day we went around the city, riding subways, and riding buses, visiting the United Nations building and seeing the Statue of Liberty by way of the Staten Island Ferry. And on the following Sunday I preached at the Harbor Road Pentecostal Tabernacle pastored by Rev. Robert Carter. Robert Carter's church was the church of the Almedas, Venus parents. We made friends with the people and they were rejoicing that we could come to the United States. Then Bro. Carter introduced me to other churches in the area and I preached in these churches. Everything was New York and New Jersey, we had heard of these places back in the Philippines so many times as Venus family, along with Pastor Wilde Almeda, whose church at that time was exploding in growth, was always in communication with the U.S. folk. Our nights seemed like it was still day. There was no stopping of sharing about God's goodness.
Then the Fall season came and we began to experience the cold. We adjusted our clothes from Summer to Winter, and brazed for what was to come. And one night in the outset of October 1983 Venus felt pain and was rushed to Staten Island Hospital. The baby was due and on October 2, 1983 a new healthy girl was added to the Ayudtud family born in the United States of America and to have the utter privilege of being an American citizen. The parents were tourists and so Damariz got late in coming but much ahead in citizenship. Damariz was different in looks as a baby than the other children when they were born as she was darker and with a face that appeared upset. News was broadcast all over that Damariz was born, we called Bro. Cavaness, Bro. Haymon, and of course the children in the Philippines.
Because of schedules already planned ahead of time and in a rush to go back to the Philippines, Damariz traveled with us even when she was only less that 15 days old. Our first stop was in Titusville, Pennsylvania, using Greyhound Bus as our means of transportation. Florida was with us. She wanted to come along and see places. Pastor Watson met us at the bus station, with his wife. He was over seven feet tall while she was barely five feet tall. Though big in size he was soft spoken. They treated us very especially and we were given a very good offering. It was in Titusville that we saw the first oil well in the United States.
Our next stop after Titusville was at Bro. Jacks in Newark, Ohio and then at Bro. & Sis. Edwards in Logan, Ohio. The Edwards were very kind to us, simple country folk with a real big heart. Then after we left Logan, we boarder a Greyhound Bus to Shellbyville, Indiana. I was back again at Bro. Cavaness, Sr's church. They were more anxious to see me this time because Venus and Damariz were with me, and with Florida. Bro. Cavaness picked us up at the Greyhound Bus terminal in Indianapolis and took us straight to his house. That evening we went to service and the people were very happy to hear Venus speak. Florida also shared her testimony and I preached. By now they were more familiar with me, since I had been in their church before. We stayed with the Cavanesses about two days and then we moved on to another place. This time we went to Colombia, Tennessee to preach at the church of Bro. Henry Mobley. As usual people entertained us and were happy to listen to us. And as usual we left the place with a good offering.
After going to a lot more places in Kentucky, in Tennesse, and in Alabama, our last stop was to be with Bro. & Sis. Charles Hanchey, our former missionary to the Philippines, in Ferriday, Louisiana. They were very excited to see us for they already knew that we had gotten a Visa and that we were going to see them. At this time Venus and I had to go back to the Philippines and we decided to leave Damariz with Florida who was going to be staying with the Hanchey's for the time being, and to look for work. By this time, Damariz was over a month old. We hated to leave her behind but it was needful at that time that we go back to the Philippines without her. We brought lots of stuffs to take with us to the Philippines. Chin, Chic, and Jones, had their instructions what to bring for them. For Jones, all the toys in the world. For Chin and Chic, all the Barbie dolls. It happened that because of more schedules that I had to meet, Venus was the only one that flew back home. I had to stay behind and would follow several days after. I saw Venus off of New Orleans airport, and then I went to the church of Bro. Bervick Spell in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
There were now four children born into my family and they will all be left alone in the Philippines with my brother Fredo and Manang Rosa as the guardian. Chin was now eleven years old and in grade 5, Chic, 9, Jones, 7, and Juven, almost 2. Venus and Florida came into Los Angeles as their port of entry and Venus had to hide her belly with a big sweater. Thank God they came through and they were all jubilant. They were repeating to each other their disbelief that they finally had come into the land of Paradise. They took a connecting flight to New York where they were met by Charlo Almeda, their brother. Their arrival was such a moment of rejoicing because the dream of being able to come to the United States has finally come to fulfillment. Venus' father and mother and two sisters were already in the United States, along with Reren, their other brother. They were recounting their experiences, exchanging their testimonies with one another about how God really had been a good God to them. So, during that time, I was in Indiana, the four children back in the Philippines, and Venus in New York, with Damariz in her womb.
In Indiana, with Bro. Cavaness, Sr., I was treated very royally. Bro. Cavaness, being the main innovator in sending Bro. Willhoite to the Philippines was happy to see me, the by-product of that effort. He took me around to the churches in the area of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, after I had spoken in his church. When I finished preaching around the area, and getting ready to fly to New York, I was able to raise about $3,000. That was phenomenal. I got into the country in June and in just a period of about three months, all in all, the money I got from the churches was about $5,000. And at that time that was a lot.
I joined Venus in New York at the end of August, so we had not seen each other only for about two months time. I landed in JFK and Atty. Charlo picked me up. What a reunion and what a rejoicing. Just a few months before coming to America this thing was only a dream. Obviously God was in all of this and His plans had got to be fulfilled in our lives. The next day we went around the city, riding subways, and riding buses, visiting the United Nations building and seeing the Statue of Liberty by way of the Staten Island Ferry. And on the following Sunday I preached at the Harbor Road Pentecostal Tabernacle pastored by Rev. Robert Carter. Robert Carter's church was the church of the Almedas, Venus parents. We made friends with the people and they were rejoicing that we could come to the United States. Then Bro. Carter introduced me to other churches in the area and I preached in these churches. Everything was New York and New Jersey, we had heard of these places back in the Philippines so many times as Venus family, along with Pastor Wilde Almeda, whose church at that time was exploding in growth, was always in communication with the U.S. folk. Our nights seemed like it was still day. There was no stopping of sharing about God's goodness.
Then the Fall season came and we began to experience the cold. We adjusted our clothes from Summer to Winter, and brazed for what was to come. And one night in the outset of October 1983 Venus felt pain and was rushed to Staten Island Hospital. The baby was due and on October 2, 1983 a new healthy girl was added to the Ayudtud family born in the United States of America and to have the utter privilege of being an American citizen. The parents were tourists and so Damariz got late in coming but much ahead in citizenship. Damariz was different in looks as a baby than the other children when they were born as she was darker and with a face that appeared upset. News was broadcast all over that Damariz was born, we called Bro. Cavaness, Bro. Haymon, and of course the children in the Philippines.
Because of schedules already planned ahead of time and in a rush to go back to the Philippines, Damariz traveled with us even when she was only less that 15 days old. Our first stop was in Titusville, Pennsylvania, using Greyhound Bus as our means of transportation. Florida was with us. She wanted to come along and see places. Pastor Watson met us at the bus station, with his wife. He was over seven feet tall while she was barely five feet tall. Though big in size he was soft spoken. They treated us very especially and we were given a very good offering. It was in Titusville that we saw the first oil well in the United States.
Our next stop after Titusville was at Bro. Jacks in Newark, Ohio and then at Bro. & Sis. Edwards in Logan, Ohio. The Edwards were very kind to us, simple country folk with a real big heart. Then after we left Logan, we boarder a Greyhound Bus to Shellbyville, Indiana. I was back again at Bro. Cavaness, Sr's church. They were more anxious to see me this time because Venus and Damariz were with me, and with Florida. Bro. Cavaness picked us up at the Greyhound Bus terminal in Indianapolis and took us straight to his house. That evening we went to service and the people were very happy to hear Venus speak. Florida also shared her testimony and I preached. By now they were more familiar with me, since I had been in their church before. We stayed with the Cavanesses about two days and then we moved on to another place. This time we went to Colombia, Tennessee to preach at the church of Bro. Henry Mobley. As usual people entertained us and were happy to listen to us. And as usual we left the place with a good offering.
After going to a lot more places in Kentucky, in Tennesse, and in Alabama, our last stop was to be with Bro. & Sis. Charles Hanchey, our former missionary to the Philippines, in Ferriday, Louisiana. They were very excited to see us for they already knew that we had gotten a Visa and that we were going to see them. At this time Venus and I had to go back to the Philippines and we decided to leave Damariz with Florida who was going to be staying with the Hanchey's for the time being, and to look for work. By this time, Damariz was over a month old. We hated to leave her behind but it was needful at that time that we go back to the Philippines without her. We brought lots of stuffs to take with us to the Philippines. Chin, Chic, and Jones, had their instructions what to bring for them. For Jones, all the toys in the world. For Chin and Chic, all the Barbie dolls. It happened that because of more schedules that I had to meet, Venus was the only one that flew back home. I had to stay behind and would follow several days after. I saw Venus off of New Orleans airport, and then I went to the church of Bro. Bervick Spell in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
FACE TO FACE WITH EDDIE WHEELER
Rev. Darnell Fletcher was so instrumental in my introduction to the American life and also to the organization of the Apostolic Ministers Fellowship in the United States. He had briefed me about the United States ministers, the organization's extensive mission programs, and the problem that has arisen over Bro. Eddie Wheeler being in the Philippines. The forthcoming ministers conference was going to take place soon in Denver and that is where I would be going next in order to attend the meeting and to meet the AMF board of elders. Elder Robert C. Cavaness, Sr., considered as the founder of the AMF, and Elder Bervick A. Spell, current chairman, had been to the Philippines and saw the work there, and they were informing everyone that I was in the United States and would be meeting with the ministers and with the board of elders and I would speak in the conference. This thing meant to happen and it would appear that this was the main reason why I came to the United States. The AMF had missions in other countries such as Brazil, Venezuela, India, China, Mexico, and several more countries, and the Philippines was the only country that created a conflict among the leadership. And I was here to give light about that conflict.
The coming of Eddie Wheeler to the Philippines was a big confusion because the AMF body had not sanctioned him, he just volunteered and then went around the churches to raise his money and came to the Philippines in order to simply be an assistant to Bro. Willhoite in the Bible School. Willhoite and Wheeler clashed. Their personality just didn't suit each other well. They had bitter arguments. Willhoite recommended that the U.S. board recall Wheeler, but how could they recall him when he was not formally sent by the board? Whereupon, when Wheeler came back to the United States from the Philippines he began spreading negative reports about the Willhoites that were untrue. He succeeded into steering some supporters into his side. And so when he went back to the Philippines for the second time he came on his own and that was the time that he persuaded the local pastors to come with him.
Rev. Donald Haymon, the foreign missions director of the organization, was also the pastor of the Calvary Apostolic Church in Denver, and it was in his church that the annual conference was going to be held. This took place August 8 to 13 in 1983. Bro. Haymon had also been to the Philippines before. He was the one that I always called about problems and about financial supports regarding the Filipino AMF. I had wakened him up several times in the middle of the night calling from the Philippines not knowing what time it was in Denver, Colorado. He and I knew each other very well over the phone. Bro. Cavaness and him talked about my coming over, and he was indeed very glad to learn that I had gotten a Visa to be able to come. Bro. Haymon met me at the Denver airport with his own limousine. Was I impressed? Beyond words! "You are a very special man to me, and so I use my limosine to pick you up," he informed me. Everything in the United States was all new to me. But when I stepped inside the limo I thought how wealthy the American pastors were. After stopping at a beautiful restaurant to eat, Bro. Haymon took me to one of the members house where I would be staying during the duration of the conference. A woman received me in their house and told me with a smile that she had hid her dog upon learning that I was going to be staying with them. She was only joking. She had heard that people in the Philippines eat dog.
The next morning someone came to pick me up for the AMF conference. Calvary Apostolic Church was huge and beautiful. The service was already in progress when I came in to the building and I got seated on the third row from the front. There was an orchestra on my right hand side accompanying the singing. I was blown away at the beauty of the platform, the tall ceiling, and the chandelier hanging down so magnificently. But what really impressed me most was the ministers who were dressed up so very dignified, I had not spotted anyone who was not in a suit. And the women also were all dressed up very elegantly. I was all smiles and couldn't contain my joy. My wonderment was at its height. Here I was from Sicpao and today I'm in Denver. As the service progressed the MC behind the huge pulpit mentioned my name and then Bro. Haymon was called to introduce me and I was asked to sing. I expected this moment and it was my time to shine, so to speak. I had no qualms whatsoever when I stepped into the platform and with shoulders carrying confidence and dignity I spoke with no hesitation, with an English that was almost American. I mentioned about how I appreciated the AMF for sending Bro. Willhoite to the Philippines. "I am the by-product of your love and care for souls," I said. "God only knows how big is the thing that you have done for the Filipino people." I could hear the "Praise the Lords" and the "Hallelujahs" from the crowd. Then I sang the song that Bro. Haymon liked very well when he heard me in the Philippines. The title of the song was "If God Should Choose." When I finished, the whole place was filled with applause. They could not believe their ears. I sang very professionally. I announced that I brought some recordings of my singing and that they could buy them to help the missions in the Philippines.
In the afternoon they had the business meeting. I was informed that Eddie Wheeler was going to be grilled about what was happening in the Philippines. And then I was informed that they would call me into the meeting to be at face to face with him. The last time I saw him upclose was when we had our hearing in court in the Philippines. I brazed for what was to come. But I was not afraid. This was my moment to let the board know that we did not have any need for Eddie Wheeler and that they should keep him in the States. Finally, I was summoned to the room where the board of elders were all gathered. There were almost twenty of them, all stern-faced big in body people. I saw Wheeler on the other end of the long table and I was going to be seated on the other end. "Welcome, Bro. Ayudtud, Bro. Spell, the chairman, spoke." I did not say anything. I gently smiled. I let them see my toughness and my dignity.
"Is it true that you sued Bro. Wheeler to court?" one elder asked. "Yes, sir," I answered. "Did you know that what you did was against the Scriptures?" I did not reply. I was glimpsing at Wheeler when I looked up. Then I said, "I think the case is over." Wheeler spoke, "Bro. Juanito, you know I have the papers all signed up by Bro. Spell that I was taking over the work. I showed it to you." There was silence. They waited that I answer. I did not talk. I thought there was no point about me talking. This is their turf. They are all Americans. They play their game and I was going to lose. "That don't mean anything!" the senior Cavaness spoke with an Indiana twang. "You know that you had no business to be going back there. You and Willhoite had some problems. And Willhoite was our man." Wheeler was stopped by Bro. Cavaness. "And Bro. Juanito was always there as the leader before you came," Cavaness continued, "and, I personally feel that they are capable of doing the work by themselves."
Wheeler asked permission to speak and was given the permission. He talked about the incapability of the national pastors to lead because they do not have the proper understanding of the doctrine. He also mentioned about the dishonesty done by some nationals in the past. He convinced the board that he had the calling and with or without the approval of the board he would continue to work in the Philippines.
I also spoke about my intention to keep the Caloocan church. "You cannot sell the Caloocan church just because I am the pastor and I do not agree with you," I told Eddie Wheeler. This awakened some sleepy board members when they heard what I just said. Wheeler had no right to sell the Caloocan church because he had not invested anything on it. "But I can do what I want to do. I have the papers," Wheeler answered me. I was going to start an altercation with Wheeler but Bro. Haymon prevented it to happen by diverting my attention. "Bro. Juanito, what is your plan now that you are here now in America?" Haymon asked me. I was caught by the question. They saw it was a possibility that I would leave the Philippines in order to stay in the U.S. "No, I'm going back there," I answered. "Isn't it that your wife's family lives in New York, and that you wife is coming to join you?" Haymon asked. "That's true. But I am still going back to the Philippines."
I was with the highest authority to my ministry inside that room for what seemed to be an eternity. I recounted it was about an hour that my meeting with Wheeler lasted. They had no idea that Venus was already in New York at this time. And although Wheeler came out as a winner as decided by the board that they would allow him to continue his ministry in the Philippines, what they did not know was I was the biggest winner. I rose to the rank of being an international man that day. They had summoned me inside that meeting to recognize who I was. Many of the board members were in their early sixties. There was not even among them who were under fifty years old, except with Wheeler. And here I was, just turned 30 years old, and they recognized me. I was elated of their recognition of me. And Haymon and the senior Cavaness, along with the junior Cavaness, patted me in the back and told me that they would send me money to buy the property of the Caloocan church from Eddie Wheeler. The topmost leaders of AMF were for me. And I felt very glad about it.
The conference concluded on Friday night and Haymon kept me to preach for his service on the coming Sunday. He got me from the house of his members to stay with them in their house. Haymon was a truly blessed man of God. His house was in an exclusive subdivision and the acreage of his home was huge. I was amazed that when we approached the gate leading to his palacial house it automatically opened by itself. I haven't seen anything like this. I exclaimed, "Wow!" and could not keep it in a low voice. We droved uphill going to his house and saw the pine trees and the squirrels climbing up to the trees. Haymon put me inside a big room designated for guest which has a bathroom. He also showed me an indoor swimming pool housed in a building beside their house almost as the size of their house. I was at a loss of words to describe what I was feeling.
I had the fun preaching on that Sunday service. I sang many songs. And people laughed at my jokes. Bro. Haymon helped me to get adjusted to the American English. He pointed out the word unreasonable as to be pronounced to un-reezon-able rather than anrisonabol, which was what I did. He also pointed the word difficulty to be pronounced to deefee-cult-y rather than di-fi-culty. He gave me an offering of $700 and plus I sold about $300 worth of my tapes. When I saw the money I just could not believe the blessings of the Lord upon me. Then he told me that I would be flying to Shelbyville, Indiana, that was where Elder Robert C. Cavaness, Sr. was pastor and he would take care of me from there. So, the next day he took me to the airport to take a flight to Indianapolis where Bro. Cavaness was going to meet me.
The coming of Eddie Wheeler to the Philippines was a big confusion because the AMF body had not sanctioned him, he just volunteered and then went around the churches to raise his money and came to the Philippines in order to simply be an assistant to Bro. Willhoite in the Bible School. Willhoite and Wheeler clashed. Their personality just didn't suit each other well. They had bitter arguments. Willhoite recommended that the U.S. board recall Wheeler, but how could they recall him when he was not formally sent by the board? Whereupon, when Wheeler came back to the United States from the Philippines he began spreading negative reports about the Willhoites that were untrue. He succeeded into steering some supporters into his side. And so when he went back to the Philippines for the second time he came on his own and that was the time that he persuaded the local pastors to come with him.
Rev. Donald Haymon, the foreign missions director of the organization, was also the pastor of the Calvary Apostolic Church in Denver, and it was in his church that the annual conference was going to be held. This took place August 8 to 13 in 1983. Bro. Haymon had also been to the Philippines before. He was the one that I always called about problems and about financial supports regarding the Filipino AMF. I had wakened him up several times in the middle of the night calling from the Philippines not knowing what time it was in Denver, Colorado. He and I knew each other very well over the phone. Bro. Cavaness and him talked about my coming over, and he was indeed very glad to learn that I had gotten a Visa to be able to come. Bro. Haymon met me at the Denver airport with his own limousine. Was I impressed? Beyond words! "You are a very special man to me, and so I use my limosine to pick you up," he informed me. Everything in the United States was all new to me. But when I stepped inside the limo I thought how wealthy the American pastors were. After stopping at a beautiful restaurant to eat, Bro. Haymon took me to one of the members house where I would be staying during the duration of the conference. A woman received me in their house and told me with a smile that she had hid her dog upon learning that I was going to be staying with them. She was only joking. She had heard that people in the Philippines eat dog.
The next morning someone came to pick me up for the AMF conference. Calvary Apostolic Church was huge and beautiful. The service was already in progress when I came in to the building and I got seated on the third row from the front. There was an orchestra on my right hand side accompanying the singing. I was blown away at the beauty of the platform, the tall ceiling, and the chandelier hanging down so magnificently. But what really impressed me most was the ministers who were dressed up so very dignified, I had not spotted anyone who was not in a suit. And the women also were all dressed up very elegantly. I was all smiles and couldn't contain my joy. My wonderment was at its height. Here I was from Sicpao and today I'm in Denver. As the service progressed the MC behind the huge pulpit mentioned my name and then Bro. Haymon was called to introduce me and I was asked to sing. I expected this moment and it was my time to shine, so to speak. I had no qualms whatsoever when I stepped into the platform and with shoulders carrying confidence and dignity I spoke with no hesitation, with an English that was almost American. I mentioned about how I appreciated the AMF for sending Bro. Willhoite to the Philippines. "I am the by-product of your love and care for souls," I said. "God only knows how big is the thing that you have done for the Filipino people." I could hear the "Praise the Lords" and the "Hallelujahs" from the crowd. Then I sang the song that Bro. Haymon liked very well when he heard me in the Philippines. The title of the song was "If God Should Choose." When I finished, the whole place was filled with applause. They could not believe their ears. I sang very professionally. I announced that I brought some recordings of my singing and that they could buy them to help the missions in the Philippines.
In the afternoon they had the business meeting. I was informed that Eddie Wheeler was going to be grilled about what was happening in the Philippines. And then I was informed that they would call me into the meeting to be at face to face with him. The last time I saw him upclose was when we had our hearing in court in the Philippines. I brazed for what was to come. But I was not afraid. This was my moment to let the board know that we did not have any need for Eddie Wheeler and that they should keep him in the States. Finally, I was summoned to the room where the board of elders were all gathered. There were almost twenty of them, all stern-faced big in body people. I saw Wheeler on the other end of the long table and I was going to be seated on the other end. "Welcome, Bro. Ayudtud, Bro. Spell, the chairman, spoke." I did not say anything. I gently smiled. I let them see my toughness and my dignity.
"Is it true that you sued Bro. Wheeler to court?" one elder asked. "Yes, sir," I answered. "Did you know that what you did was against the Scriptures?" I did not reply. I was glimpsing at Wheeler when I looked up. Then I said, "I think the case is over." Wheeler spoke, "Bro. Juanito, you know I have the papers all signed up by Bro. Spell that I was taking over the work. I showed it to you." There was silence. They waited that I answer. I did not talk. I thought there was no point about me talking. This is their turf. They are all Americans. They play their game and I was going to lose. "That don't mean anything!" the senior Cavaness spoke with an Indiana twang. "You know that you had no business to be going back there. You and Willhoite had some problems. And Willhoite was our man." Wheeler was stopped by Bro. Cavaness. "And Bro. Juanito was always there as the leader before you came," Cavaness continued, "and, I personally feel that they are capable of doing the work by themselves."
Wheeler asked permission to speak and was given the permission. He talked about the incapability of the national pastors to lead because they do not have the proper understanding of the doctrine. He also mentioned about the dishonesty done by some nationals in the past. He convinced the board that he had the calling and with or without the approval of the board he would continue to work in the Philippines.
I also spoke about my intention to keep the Caloocan church. "You cannot sell the Caloocan church just because I am the pastor and I do not agree with you," I told Eddie Wheeler. This awakened some sleepy board members when they heard what I just said. Wheeler had no right to sell the Caloocan church because he had not invested anything on it. "But I can do what I want to do. I have the papers," Wheeler answered me. I was going to start an altercation with Wheeler but Bro. Haymon prevented it to happen by diverting my attention. "Bro. Juanito, what is your plan now that you are here now in America?" Haymon asked me. I was caught by the question. They saw it was a possibility that I would leave the Philippines in order to stay in the U.S. "No, I'm going back there," I answered. "Isn't it that your wife's family lives in New York, and that you wife is coming to join you?" Haymon asked. "That's true. But I am still going back to the Philippines."
I was with the highest authority to my ministry inside that room for what seemed to be an eternity. I recounted it was about an hour that my meeting with Wheeler lasted. They had no idea that Venus was already in New York at this time. And although Wheeler came out as a winner as decided by the board that they would allow him to continue his ministry in the Philippines, what they did not know was I was the biggest winner. I rose to the rank of being an international man that day. They had summoned me inside that meeting to recognize who I was. Many of the board members were in their early sixties. There was not even among them who were under fifty years old, except with Wheeler. And here I was, just turned 30 years old, and they recognized me. I was elated of their recognition of me. And Haymon and the senior Cavaness, along with the junior Cavaness, patted me in the back and told me that they would send me money to buy the property of the Caloocan church from Eddie Wheeler. The topmost leaders of AMF were for me. And I felt very glad about it.
The conference concluded on Friday night and Haymon kept me to preach for his service on the coming Sunday. He got me from the house of his members to stay with them in their house. Haymon was a truly blessed man of God. His house was in an exclusive subdivision and the acreage of his home was huge. I was amazed that when we approached the gate leading to his palacial house it automatically opened by itself. I haven't seen anything like this. I exclaimed, "Wow!" and could not keep it in a low voice. We droved uphill going to his house and saw the pine trees and the squirrels climbing up to the trees. Haymon put me inside a big room designated for guest which has a bathroom. He also showed me an indoor swimming pool housed in a building beside their house almost as the size of their house. I was at a loss of words to describe what I was feeling.
I had the fun preaching on that Sunday service. I sang many songs. And people laughed at my jokes. Bro. Haymon helped me to get adjusted to the American English. He pointed out the word unreasonable as to be pronounced to un-reezon-able rather than anrisonabol, which was what I did. He also pointed the word difficulty to be pronounced to deefee-cult-y rather than di-fi-culty. He gave me an offering of $700 and plus I sold about $300 worth of my tapes. When I saw the money I just could not believe the blessings of the Lord upon me. Then he told me that I would be flying to Shelbyville, Indiana, that was where Elder Robert C. Cavaness, Sr. was pastor and he would take care of me from there. So, the next day he took me to the airport to take a flight to Indianapolis where Bro. Cavaness was going to meet me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)