Isang punong simbahan ang bumungad sa amin nang makarating kami sa venue. I smiled in amazement. Respiring in relief, I took a seat among the wooden pews. Grabe, ang sakit na ng paa ko. Alas kwatro na kaming nakababa ng bus, hindi ko alam na may isang oras pa palang lakaran.

I shut my eyes momentarily and smiled. Okay lang, better tired and in God's will, than be in comfort outside His plans. I lifted my lids as I heard the voices in the front, announcing the arrival of the preacher and calling the people to settle in their seats.

"Pastora?" A man in a green polo approached me, "Sumunod po kayo sa'min. May kuwarto po kami para sa mga gamit niyo."

"Naku!" I laughed, "Hindi po ako Pastora!"

"Malapit na," Gabriel intervened, leaning closer to my ear as we began to walk, "Once I marry you, the title is sealed, so get used to it," My heart leapt, gazing up at him with narrowed eyes.

"Marry, huh?" I whispered back.

"Bakit, ayaw mo?" He met my gaze.

"I just turned 18," I countered, "You're really gonna joke about marriage right now?"

Tumikhim siya't muling bumulong, "Mary was probably younger than you when she had borne Jesus,"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Ha!? Anong sina-"

Nagsilingon sila Pastor at Ma'am Johanna. A look of wonder painted their faces.. I forced an apologetic smile, my heart racing as Gabriel laughed even more.

"Joke lang, dear, joke lang," He chuckled, "'To naman eh."

"Oh, anong meron?" Tanong ni Ma'am Johanna.

"Ah!" Umiling ako, "W-wala naman , Ma'am,"

I flashed Gabriel a glare. "Loko ka din 'no?"

He only chuckled and met my gaze, smiling as he did. Napa-iwas ako ng tingin, taking deep breaths as we advanced. Pambihira 'to. May tinatago ring kalokohan eh. My chest heaved, unsure of how to feel. Hays, ano ba yan. Napa-isip tuloy ako ng kung ano-ano!

Ilang sandali pa at nakarating kami sa isang maliit na bahay. Binuksan ng lalake kanina ang kuwarto at iniwan rin kami upang maghanda. Sandali lang din sila Pastor Melchour at Gabriel. Pagkababa ng mga gamit ay agad rin silang lumabas.

"We'll go ahead, ladies," Sambit ni pastor Melchour sabay sara ng pintuan.

"Musta naman, Grace?" I heard Ma'am Johanna ask, "How are you taking this, so far?"

"Ah," Napa-isip ako, "Ang ganda, Ma'am! Isa po ito sa mga pinaka-exciting na experience ko."

"Mmn," She nodded with a smile, "That's good to hear. Oh siya, prepare na tayo?"

Tumango ako, reaching for my bag as I did. Binuksan ko ito at naghanap ng susuoting blouse.

Ganon din si Ma'am Johanna, she changed into a light purple dress and tied her hair up to a ponytail. Pagkatapos kong isuot ang puting blouse ay lumabas na rin kami. Ilang sandali lang kaming nakapag-usap at nakarating na rin kami sa church. Immediately the Pastor of the congregation called me towards the stage.

Umakyat kami ni Ma'am Johanna at umawit ng isang kanta para sa opening song. Once again there was an atmosphere of hunger that cloaked the place. I smiled and continued to sing. Indeed, it is so much easier to lead worship when the people themselves are hungry to encounter God.

The activity was opened with a powerful prayer lead by Pastor Melchour, and with this, the Worship came right after it. Iba talaga ang pakiramdam kapag ganito. It was something to lead worship in a church in the City, but to be in a church deep in the woods and have such people who are hungry and are longing for more is so fascinating. It always blesses me to see believers who, despite their circumstances here in the province, are still hungry for God. It truly shows how depravity draws out desire.

With a few minutes in the high praise, the worship slowly came to an end, all wrapped up with a prayer. Sabay kaming bumaba ni Ma'am Johanna mula sa elevated area ng church at bumalik sa aming upuan.

Silence overcame the place, an awareness of the shifting atmosphere gripping the people as Gabriel stood behind the pulpit. Ilang segundo rin na nakatayo lang siya roon na tila ba naghihintay kung anong mangyayari.

Slowly he lowered his head, opening his Bible with one hand. He eyed the congregation one by one, and then spoke.

"Kakabsat, before I came here, to be very honest with you, I've prepared a six-page sermon," He began with a smile, "As we were on our way, I somehow felt the need to shorten it, so it became a three-page sermon." Huminga siya ng malalim at naglibot ng paningin. "However, the Lord somehow had something else in mind. Kaya sa gabing ito. Hayaan nating ang Banal na Spirito ang magdirekta ng mga magaganap."

A wave of 'Amens' resounded in the wooden building. I felt my heart pace faster. Hmm, here we go again, Holy Spirit.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. - Acts 1:8"

He closed his Bible, shutting his eyes along with it, then he began to speak in tongues. Napasinghap ako ng hangin, immediately hearing the power that emanated from his voice. Goosebumps rose all over my body and I began to pray as well.

Gradually, the congregants joined in, praying along as he did. With every moment passing by, the prayers grew louder. Heat began to overwhelm the place, and all the more the prayers intensified. Like a cloud God's presence seemed to cloak the place, it gripped each soul like a mighty hand.

Unti-unti ay narinig ko ang mga iyak at hagulhol ng mga tao sa paligid. I found myself sinking to my knees, tears flowing as God's Glory was made manifest in the building. Once more I found myself completely fascinated with the Holy Spirit. Fire raged over my body, and all the more I surrendered to His touch.

I heard cries of repentance, some wailing for mercy. Indeed, when God's Glory is manifest, the filthiness of sin is also revealed.

We continued on, praying, worshipping for who knows how long. Tuluyan nang nawala ang programme. All became spontaneous as more minutes passed by. It was exhilarating. Hindi maipaliwanag na saya ang bumalot sa buong pagkatao ko. There was nothing - nothing more fascinating than this.

Alas onse na nang makalabas kami ng simbahan. People tarried on, praying continualy even as hours passed by. The elder pastor in the church advised us to join them in the Pastoral house. After speaking with Ma'am Johanna, we agreed.

I looked over to the altar where Gabriel was. Kasalukuyang ipinag-darasal niya ang mga tao sa altar. Baka mamaya pa ito maka-alis. I released a breath, turning my gaze as I heard Ma'am Johanna's voice. Dibale na, kasama niya naman si Pastor Melchour.

I turned around and followed behind the men who will accompany us as they began to walk. Malamig na simoy ng hangin ang yumakap sa aking katawan. Ini-angat ko ang tingin sa kalangitan. Spots of bright lights adorned the night sky, and the rays from the moon shone betwixt the tall trees.

"Malayo daw po ba ng lalakarin, Ma'am?" Lumingon si Ma'am Johanna.

"Hindi ko rin sigurado Hija eh," She gazed towards the two men before us, "Baka mga fifteen minutes walk siguro." She moved closer, her arms around me as she did. "Anyway, Grace, I wanted to ask you something."

"Po?" I gazed up in wonder.

"Well, I know Gabriel has made his intentions clear, and we can see how passionate the two of you are in serving God so," She heaved a sigh, eyes on me as she spoke, "I just wanted to ask as your ate in the ministry, what exactly is going on now? And do you have a vision of a future with him?"

Her words caused a string of other questions to rage in my mind. I am certain of Gabriel, and I can see he is indeed serious about his intentions, but exactly where is this relationship headed?

"Ma'am," I took a pause, "I am certain of him. My spirit is at peace because he has already received confirmation from the Lord about us."

"Yes, he did mention that," Ma'am Johanna remarked.

"What do you think should we do ma'am?" I gazed at her intently.

"I was gonna ask you about that," She smiled, "There are essentially two possibilities here. But first let me confirm, will you be going on to college?"

"Uh," I lowered my head, "Yon nga po ma'am. I originally wanted to. Just like you, I want to be a teacher as well. Kaso kasi-" I lifted my gaze, "Alam mo naman ma'am, wala na kaming mga magulang. Meron naman si Tita Lucia pero hindi naman pwedeng ipa-ubaya ko nalang ang mga kapatid ko sakaniya na wala manlang kahit anong tulong."

For a moment silence reigned in our midst, the leaves beneath our feet crackling as we walked.

"Baka subukan ko munang mag trabaho ng isang taon, ma'am." I pondered on my own words, "And then, God willing, ipagpapatuloy ko rin ang pag-aaral once everything begins to settle a little."

I saw Ma'am Johanna nod, "I understand. Well, in that case, you might need to pray for more empowerment from the Holy Spirit. At this rate, you have already gained a target badge in the sight of the enemy. You two are being used of God so mightily. People's eyes are on you. You must take care that your testimony is not tainted. The coming years of waiting will not be easy," She instructed, "-especially for him."

Tumango ako, "Opo, ma'am. I will do that. He will understand, I believe."

"Yes," Ma'am Johanna replied in assent, "Also, don't worry about your education. God will surely make a way."

"Indeed, Ma'am," I nodded, returning my gaze toward the night sky when, strangely, rustling from behind filled my ears. Taranta akong lumingon. I felt my heart race, my gaze occupied with a man from behind. Naka-uniporme itong pang-militar. Nanlaki ang nga mata ko. Ano 'yong hawak niya?

I took a step back, nervosity surging my veins as the man drew close.

"Kabsat!" I heard our two companions rush beside me, but soon came to a halt as three other men emerged from the dark, lifting their rifles towards them in an instant.

"A-anong kailangan niyo?"

The man shot me a bitter glare, walking towards me with a look of distaste in his face. Tila ba natigilan ako sa paghinga nang makita ang mukha nito. It emanated fury, an anger so manifest that it twisted his face immensely.

"Totoo pala," He began to walk past me, circling me with an incessant gaze. "Kayo pala ang sinasabi nilang mga 'sugo' ng Diyos na darating dito." He hissed a curse, facing me once more. "Mapag-pasensiya naman kami sa mga lunatikong Pastor dito eh." He anchored his gaze upon me. "Pero ang magtawag pa sila ng mga taong siguradong magpupumilit ng kanilang relihiyon sa mga tao dito? Hindi na namin ito matatanggap."

"A-anong sinasabi mo?" Rinig kong tanong ni Ma'am Johanna.

"Kayo." He pointed a finger towards me, "Kayong mga misyonaryo. Matagal na kaming nagtitimpi. May sariling kultura at relihiyon ang mga tao dito." He lowered his hand and locked gazes with me. "Hindi namin kailangan ng relihiyon niyo! Linoloko niyo lang ang mga tao na maniwala sa nag-iisa niyong Diyos upang makakolekta ng pera." He shook his head and gripped my hair. Mariin kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata.

"Grace!" Tarantang sigaw ni Ma'am Johanna. "Pangaasi yu, kakabsat," I heard her plea, "Huwag po sanang ganito."

"Nakakalimutan niyo yata. Teritoryo namin ito." His glare sharpened, and his grip tightened. I began speaking in tongues, fear surging my being. Oh, Jesus... Anong gagawin ko?

"Papipiliin kita," He addressed me, lifting a gun to my head, "Itigil niyo ito, o ako mismo ang tatapos sa inyo."