Greetings to you all again on this beautiful rainy day in Manila. We took a walk through one of the bigger malls in this city. It is just a few minutes from our hotel. Grace went in one of the stores looking around, and before you know it, one after another are coming over to get something from you. One man I met at the same mall; last year, came over and asked for some money to by milk for his little baby. I think the babies here in Manila never grow up. He asked the same question also last year. Well some are just professional beggars. You feel a bit sorry for them. I see old women, people of all ages openly begging on the streets.

I know the Lord says in His word that; "the poor you will always have among you." The Scripture also says; "Give and it shall be given." I have often thought about Peters word to a beggar. "Silver and gold have I not, but what I do have I give unto you," He presented the power of the Lord, and the man started running around, completely healed.

After the beggar had got his money for some milk, another lady came up to me. She asked me if the other beggar was my friend. She probably saw me giving something to him. I told her that he was a beggar asking for help. Then she started walking with me, very friendly. I told her I was married and that my wife was just in one of the stores looking around.

Then it came to me. They come to you expecting something, why not give them the real thing. I told her I was a minister of the word of God, and that I was here in the Philippines on a Missionary journey. Her disposition changed and she immediately told med she was more like a Mary of Magdalene. I smiled and told her, "You mean the one who once had seven evil spirits on her. She responded "Yes". Well I said, "she happened to be one of Jesus best friends. She ended up being one of his most devoted friends and a dynamic believer. She was one of the first to go to the grave on the resurrection morning.

The woman looked a little surprised at my respond, because she openly confessed that she had another agenda in approaching me. Well I sort of had a feeling about that. But why don''t we use every opportunity to just change it to something good. God took me, a worldly person; and changed me into something He could use. He can do that again and again.

I told her that the only thing she needed was an approach from God, to speak to her and then everything would change. I testified of how God started with me, a sinner without God, and that I have never regretted his appearance in my life. "The same opportunity is for you also," I said. She was touched by my approach, and told that she had a daughter, seven years old. I said, "then you have a great mission in your life, to bring her up and teach her the right things. You know what you don't want for her. You got some bad experience in you own life, now you can help her do the right thing."

I asked if I could pray for her. She accepted, and there we stood in the midst of a busy mall, people on every angel, and praying for her to receive the Lord into her heart. When we separated, I was looking after her as she walked on, thinking in my heart. What if I meet her again on the other side, not knowing who that woman is, but she could say. "Do you remember praying for me at the Robinson Mall in Manila. My life was changed from then on." Well it is positive thinking, but I would love to see it come through.

Let us use our time and our days wisely, and may be the Lord will grant us our hearts desire, in seeing results of our daily walk with him. God bless you all, and remember us in your prayers.