WAZZUP?: PHOTOS OF THE GRAND EVANGELICAL MISSION ON FEBRUARY 28TH, 2011 IN THE PHILIPPINES

I remember this line in the song entitled ''If'' by David Gates
" If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you? "
I think, when David Gates wrote this song, he still didn't know that pictures really paint thousands and thousands of words.

To help you remember this song, I have decided to include its complete lyrics in this blog.
"

If

~ David Gates

If a picture paints a thousand words,
then why can't I paint you?
The words would never show,
the you I've come to know . . .

If a face could launch a thousand ships,
then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you,
you're all that's left me to . . .

And when my love for life
is running dry,
You come and pour
yourself on me . . .

If a man could be two places at one time,
I'd be with you,
tomorrow and today,
beside you all the way . . .

If the world should stop revolving,
Spinning slowly down to die,
I'd spend the end with you
when the world was through . . .

Then one by one
the stars would all go out . . .
Then you and I
would simply fly away! "

As an ESL teacher and trainer, I have been using photos to develop the thinking skills, vocabulary, creativity, speaking, listening, and other communication skills, and conversational abilities of my students and trainees.

Photos also teach cultures. They increase the general knowledge and information of every learner.

To prove that pictures really paint thousands and thousands of words, and maybe, millions and millions of words, I wanna showcase here the photos taken on February 28th, 2012 during the first ever simultaneously held Grand Evangelical Mission in 14 different and separated regions in the Philippines.

It's up to you to decide whether these pictures really speak more than thousands and thousands of words.

One of the venues: the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines before the event started.

As early as February 27th, 2012, brethren together with their guests started to flock the different locations from the different parts of the Philippines for they were so excited about the Grand Evangelical Mission.

brethren and guests flocked the place very early

From London, one of the special people on that very special day, Mr. Allen Molden.

at the height of air temperature and heat of the sun, brethren and guests stayed uncovered waiting for the clock to strike 5 in the afternoon


a very large throng of people, I.N.C. members or not walked all the way from Pasay to Quirino Grandstand on the day, February, 28th, 2012. I saw them walking under the heat of the sun without any umbrellas.

Brethren and guests with their families enjoyed watching the fountain. That time served as the bonding moment of every family.

Devotion, enthusiasm, unity, love, spirituality, and strong faith were captured by this reflection.

It was also the time to talk to a lot of brethren and a lot of guests. I enjoyed talking to them. Tears ran through my face upon seeing them walking from Pasay passing through Makati down to Quirino Grandstand.

Brethren were happily waving flags of liberty and freedom to GLORIFY THE ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY.

The choir members from different locales in Metro Manila were rehearsing before the G.E.M. started. I was not included in this assemblage of choir members. Central choir members were not selected to perform. Instead, I invited a lot of people for the G.E.M. At least, I distibuted 20 invitations. But only 7 people were able to go with me

These men were from the MMDA sector. They offered help to the brethren though I found them as UNFRIENDLY AS THEY ARE. USUALLY, MEMBERS OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO ARE MOCKED AND RIDICULED. Though we were able to inviite many guests on that day, still, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO MOCKED US ESPECIALLY IN THE PLACE WHERE WE PARKED OUR L300 VAN. BRETHREN WERE MOCKED BY SECURITY GUARDS, AND I SAW POLICEMEN AND MMDA PERSONNEL DID NOT REALLY HELP TO MANAGE THE TRAFFIC. THEY SAID THAT IGLESIA NI CRISTO HAS HER OWN TRAFFIC PERSONNEL TO MANAGE EVERYTHING.

Family members took the chance of having a picnic.

Brethren are so proud to show to the whole world that they are members of the IGLESIA NI CRISTO or the CHURCH OF CHRIST...THE ONLY CHURCH WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE THAT HAS A PROMISE OF SOUL'S SALVATION.

The whole area was already filled with people. It was difficult to walk. But every one was so happy doing so.

Brethren and guests started to fill in the venue, the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, as early as possible, never minding the great heat coming from the sun.

The Baywalk area was also filled with the brethren and guests. The Quirino Grandstand wasn't able to hold the very large crowd of people. So most of us were just around the vicinity listening to the words of GOD from the sound system or from the car stereos.

The Philippine government wasn't able to manage the traffic properly because they DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT A VERY LARGE CROWD OF IGLESIA NI CRISTO MEMBERS AND GUESTS WOULD BE COMING TO THAT VERY SPECIAL EVENT. Most brethren walked from Divisoria to the Quirino Grandstand. Others took the ''calesa'' just to reach the place on time.

This bus had an engine problem. Brotherhood inside the Church has been displayed enormously.

Though this brother is sick, he still wanted to be part of the missionary work. Luckily, the Church is ready for this kind of circumstance. The Iglesia Ni Cristo has her own PROFESSIONAL medical personnel ready to give medical assistance.