The pastor cleared his throat and gazed back at us, "Good morning, Sis Grace!" Bati niya, "'Mind introducing the young man?"

I nodded, smiling as I met his gaze. "Ah, siya po si Gabriel Daw-as, Pastor," I began, "Kapatid po niya si Janice, 'yong nakwento ko last Sunday,"

"Ah, I see!" Pastor Melchour stretched his hand towars him, "Imbag ta napanunotam nga umay, Ading!" He remarked, expressing in Ilocano how glad he was that Gabriel came. "Taga-saan ka, Ading?"

Gabriel shook his hand and replied, "Taga Benguet po si Papa at taga-Sagada naman si Mama, Pastor. Pero dito po kami sa Baguio lumaki."

The two immediately somewhat got along as they found out they were of the same tribe. Napangiti nalang ako. Oo nga pala, taga Mountain Province si Pastor Melchour. The two continued to converse as we walked to seats.

Natanaw ko si Ma'am Johanna from the second pew, waving at me as we approached.

"Hi, Ma'am!" I beamed, sitting beside her as the two men conversed beside me.

"Hello, Hija. Naku, inabutan kayo ng ulan ah,"

"Oo ng po Ma'am eh," bumuntong-hininga ako, "Mabuti nalang po at hindi masyadong malayo 'tong church."

She smiled in assent, "Ah nga pala, mabuti't na-invite mo si Gabriel! How about 'yong kapatid niya?"

"Ah, mamayang hapon daw po, Ma'am, sa Youth Service."

May malawak na ngiting namuo sa mga labi niya, and with this I could only smile as well. After a few minutes, the M.C.'s voice was heard through the mic, announcing the start of the service.

We all composed ourselves and prepared as a fellow member opened the service in prayer. Pagkatapos nito, sumunod naman agad ang testimonies. I could see from Gabriel's eyes wonder, and I somehow expected that. Ilang taon din siguro siyang hindi naka-attend ng service. Surely he was finding all this new again.

A few minutes passed and after about four testimonies, we we're called to stand for the worship. As always, His Peace and Presence filled the room, making it known to everyone who was present.

Lumipas muli ang ilan pang minuto at natapos na rin ang worship, all wrapped up with a powerful prayer. Isa-isa kaming umupo at pinanood nang umakyat si Pastor Fernando sa platform. Since it's the first Sunday of the month, ang Senior Pastor namin ngayon ang magpe-preach.

Ibang-iba ang preaching style ni Pastor Fernando kay Pastor Melchour. Whilst Pastor Melchour's style was more dynamic and urging, Pastor Fernando's style was more gentle and tranquil. Despite the difference, however, the Anointing upon both their lives are undeniably evident. More on Spiritual Gifts ang forte ni Pastor Melchour, while Healing and Deliverance naman ang forte ni Pastor Fernando.

He was the one who taught us to bind and rebuke evil spirits, to know our authority in Jesus' Name, to exercise our right as believers and cut all possible generational curses in our lives.

Manghang-mangha ako nang mapag-aralan ang mga ito. Totoo, I had been a Christian since I was a child, pero ni minsan hindi naituro ito sa simbahan namin. Indeed, the number of years being a Christian doesn't always guarantee maturity.

Laking pasalamat ko kay Pastor Fernando. Kung hindi niya itinuro 'yon sa Youth Service noon, I hadn't had known what to do noong pinagpray ko si Janice. Mabuti nalang talaga. God gave him a ministry, and he does well in it. It wasn't a surprise that he was teaching something on the same line right now. He taught about deliverance.

Ini-angat ko ang tingin at sinulyapan si Gabriel, his eyes nailed to the front as he listened intently. I still couldn't pinpoint what could have happened to him. Oo, nakakita kami ng isang milagro right before our eyes, but I didn't expect to see such a drastic change in him after a day! I lowered my head in thought. Ano nga kaya ang nangyari?

I released a sigh. Kung sabagay nga naman, there was nothing impossible with God.

Salamat, Panginoon. Thank You for the answered prayer.

For a moment my focus was pulled from the preaching, my mind venturing in thoughts. Sabi ni Gabriel noon sumasama siya sa mama niya na nagchuchurch when she was still alive. I have no doubt... bunga din siguro siya ng mga panalangin ng ina niya.

Inangat ko ang paningin pabalik sa pulpito. Pastor Fernando was already closing the message, calling the people to the altar for deliverance as he did. Instinctively my gaze shifted to Gabriel, watching as he too slowly stood, walking towards the front in response to the call. I felt joy well up in my heart, excitement claiming my being.

Nagsimula nang tumugtog ang worship team, at sa pagkanta ng worship leader nagsimula na ring magministro ang mga pastor sa mga nasa harap. It was a wonderful - even fascinating -sight. Tuwang-tuwa ako sa nakikita ko. I never thought I'd actually see with my own eyes Gabriel coming to the Lord.

I saw him raise his hand, as though crying out in surrender as he reached the altar. Ako lang ba 'to? Cause right now as I watched I realized; there was nothing more appealing than a man with his hands raised, crying out to God.

I released a long breath as we entered the church building once more, walking on ahead as Gabriel followed behind. Inilibot ko ang paningin. Nasa'n na kaya ang iba? I lifted my phone and checked the time. Ah, may 40 minutes pa kasi bago 3PM. Baka maya-maya meron na sila. Binuksan ko ang messages at binasa ang text ni Rhoe; palabas na daw siya sakanila.

I slid the phone back to my bag and shifted my attention to the man who sat beside me. My lips curved to a smile. "Kamusta naman ang experience kanina, Gabriel?"

He gazed at me and paused for a while, "Hindi ko ma-explain eh," he took in a breath, "Pero ... maganda."

My smile widened as I heard his reply. I understand. Pati naman ako noon hindi ko maipaliwanag ang pakiramdam. There are no words in any earthly vocabulary that could fully describe the beauty of God's presence.

"May tanong nga pala ako," Sambit niya.

I looked at him in wonder. "Ano 'yon?"

"Kanina kasi, may naririnig akong mga salitang sinasabi niyo na hindi ko maintindihan." He lowered his gaze, "Naririnig ko rin si mama noon na ganon pag nagdarasal eh. Ano ba 'yon?"

"Ah," I nodded, "Speaking in Tongues 'yon."

"Speaking in Tongues?"

"Oo. 'Yon ang initial evidence of the Baptism or Infilling ng Banal na Espirito." Panimula ko, "Noong kasisimula palang ng church, Jesus promised the disciples that He will send the Holy Spirit to endow His followers with Power. This all happened in Acts 2 - the Holy Spirit came down and filled every one of them, and the initial evidence of this is they all started speaking in tongues..."

I saw him nodding along as I tried my best to explain. I explained how it is different to have the Holy Spirit in one's heart, and to have Him engulf a person completely. I explained to him how this greatly helps a believer grow, "Kaya naman, it's highly advised that a new believer be Baptized in the Holy Spirit," I concluded.

"Wow," I saw him release a breath, "That's fascinating."

"It is," I spoke in assent.

"Paano ka nabaptize, Grace?" I heard him ask.

"Ano, prineach 'yon ni Pastor Melchour noon, and then sa Altar Call nilay-hands ako ni ma'am Johanna."

"I see,"

"Bakit?"

He lifted his head and gazed at me intently, "Can you do the same for me?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "A-ano? Ako?"

"Oo, Ikaw." His gaze remained unaltered, "Pwede ba?"