Imagine Nation had a wedding last monday in Oasis and Carlo Cecilio was supposed to be the lead photographer.  The groom Dennis & Carlo have already become buddies because everytime dennis needed a supplier he would ask Carlo's opinion. Unfortunately,  last July 19, 2008 Carlo was rushed to the hospital because of extreme pain on the right hand side of his stomach. At first we thought it was Gall Stones and then we thought it was his appendix. He was operated on at 9am for to see what was really wrong. It turned out he had a mass the size of a golf ball that had to be removed.  Praise God carlo was now ok.

So jayjay had to fill his shoes the last minute and everything went well... however, to Carlo's surprise, right after the wedding, the couple went to Medical City to pay him a visit... IN THEIR WEDDING DRESSES!!! :)  Now i really find this sweet of Dennis & Rhea.  This is the type of couple that makes you feel it was ok to get sick (wag lang operated on ha). So Jayjay did some shots of the couple inside Med City...



read more about it in Jayjay's blog: http://jayjaylucas.multiply.com/photos/album/576/Surprise_for_Carlo_Cecilio_#

These are also the things that reassured me, as the discipler/trainer of the team that my boys (and girls) are being raised well and that we share the same passion we have for God and that its being seen in our works and how much we love our couples.

All photos by Jayjay lucas.  Wish i was there but i wasn't. :)

The series tackled by our local church "The Journey church in Manhattan" www.journeymetro.com  is called "GOD ON FILM" and it talks about how we can find God in the movies that we watch.  Featured films are Hulk, Indiana Jones, Hancock and Wall-E...  So they gave almost everyone that attended last sundays service a ticket to AMC theater. Unfortunately, the theater was so packed instead of watching Hulk we ended up watching Kung Fu Panda.  I should say it was a great movie fit for kids and lots of values inside... did we find God? Oh yes we did... specially in these quotes (colored Red):

Please note our new prices effective June 1, 2008.

Juniors – 50k for 2 photo w/ album & 1 cam edited Video (40k photo only)

Carlo or Gerdie – 60k for 2 photo w/ album & 1 cam edited Video (45k photo only)

Jason or Jayjay – 70k for 2 photo w/ album & 1 cam edited Video (50k photo only)

Erron Ocampo – 80k for 2 photo w/ album & 2 cam edited video (55k photo only)

John Mateos Ong – 100k for 2 photo w/ album & 2 cam edited video (80k photo only)

 

2^nd, Incase you are based abroad or want to do an out of the country pre-nup, you don’t need to fly us over when you do it in the following dates & locations:

1. New York – June 5 to 22
2. Las Vegas – June 23 to 26
3. Chicago – Now till Aug 26 (by Tiqui)
4. Sydney, Australia – July 24 to Aug 2 (by Jason Deg)
5. London - August 11 to Sept 4 (by Madge Lejano)
6. Singapore - Aug 9 to 12
7. San Francisco - Aug 19 to 25
8. New York - Sept 16 to 22
9. Orlando, FL - Oct 7 to 14
10. San Diego, CA - Nov 3 to 11
11. Hong Kong – Dec 23 to 26 (by Jason Deg)
12. San Jose, CA – Feb 11 to 18
13. Sydney, Australia - Feb 26 – March 5
14. Perth, Australia – March 6 - 10
15. Los Angeles – March 19 - 23

 

Were also looking at going to Dubai (hopefully soon) so if you are interested in that location too… shoot us an email.

 

Lastly, want to invite you to the 2008 Philippine Wedding Summit on June 7 and 8 at the Antel Lifestyle Center in Makati Ave.… To find our booth go to the farthest and rightmost end  (in short last booth) hehehe… Sorry tho, we don’t offer discounts for those who book on the spot (to be fair to and protect couples who booked us prior).

For inquiries on the above matter or anything else, you may email us at artist_ph@yahoo.com

Last year I joined my 1st bridal fair in the US, it was Monique who manned the booth (cause I had a wedding in the Philippines) and  up meetings with interested couples. Mike & Ivy were one of those we were able to close.  However, there was a problem.  The organizers told me that the people attending were Filipinos who were getting married in the Philippines, but these couples were getting married in Los Angeles.  In short, US wedding at Philippines price!!!  However, something drew me to these couples aside from their great looks and the thought of doing another US wedding. Do You know that feeling when a voice just whispers deep inside you to go ahead  and take this…  so that’s just what I did… little did I know that these couples would lead me to 2 more Filipino weddings (thanks to the mom of ivy - tita Yolanda and another USA wedding). The couple also took care of me so well during my stay here in LA…

But that’s not it…. The couple’s love for God blessed not only me but monsignor himself… if I may paraphrase what he said “what made me remember these couple was when I saw in their invitation the word Christ.  Something I have not seen in years. And when I asked them where they lived they gave me separate addresses and I asked, how come you guys never thought of living together they said they wanted to honor and obey the Lord.”


Day before the wedding I only got 2 hours of sleep… I was afraid I’d tire down before the ceremony finishes so I stopped by right aid and took 2 bottles of Power 6 with Guarana . But I had so much fun, I shot from 1130am and ended 1am next day and had trouble sleeping.  This wedding broke my most # of shots record at 3800 which was done last 2006.  In this wedding I shot 4600 filling up over 16GB of CF cards! That’s not counting Tiqui’s shots.
When everything was over I felt sad, knowing I’ll hear less of these couples.  I just pray to God that this will just be the end of our supplier client relationship and the growth stage of a new friendship.  This is definitely one wedding that makes you shout  “THANK YOU GOD!”
By the way, the church Cathedral of the angels is indeed the strictest church in LA… they had numbers on the floor where we are allowed to shoot.  The place was dark and we were not allowed to use flash.


More pictures to follow in the album.. am trying to trim it down pa.  Sobrang dami. hahaha.

PS. Gown by Oleg Cassini but veil by Cecilio Abad...

Finally, my first shoot in Singapore! :) I'll be flying in Aug 9 and will arrive at 10am.  Then will return Aug 12 10am again.  This means i have 1 more slot for prenup, that will be on a weekend either Aug 9 or 10 (the couple of course who is flying me over will get to get first pick).  If anyone is willing to do a prenup on the 11th, lemme think about that. Off hand, here are the packages:

USD400 Labor for the weekend prenup (halfday) from 3 to 8pm.
USD300  Labor for the Aug 12 prenup from 2 to 6pm.

Expect between 500-1000 shots for the prenup.

If anyone wants to see my works or talk, i can also meet up with you guys night times... :)

I am now on my way back to Manila on this 14 hour plane ride to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific and I have finally caught up with my reading on the chronological bible.  Although my stay was only 7 nights long, I felt I was able to do a lot of things.  I went to visit 2 churches with 2 couples, I was able to talk to a couple of mine a gist of the pre-marital counseling we did last april, I was able to shoot a portfolio for our debutant in San Diego, I was able to shoot a wedding and meet 2 of my future US weddings Mark & Cheryl (San Francisco this Aug) + Zanne & Dette (San Diego this November), have lunch with my cousin Lesley,  have dinner, coffee & pray for my old college friends, I had a one on one mentoring with one of imagine nation – tiqui and I got to stay with an old couple in Orange City Ralph & Faye.

This trip was truly action packed… I never got to fix my itinerary till I got here… but I knew I was going to be ok because when I was on my way… from the book of Zechariah.

2:4 I have taken away your sins and will give you new fine new clothes.
3:7 If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, you will be given authority over my temple and its courtyards.
9:15 the Lord of heaven’s armies will protect his people.
10:1 Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds.  And he will send showers of rain.
10:2 My people are wandering like lost sheep.  They are attacked because they have no shepherd.
10:12 but by my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they wil go wherever they wish.
11:4 Go and care for the flock that is intended for slaughter.
14:9 On that day there will be one Lord – his name alone will be worshipped.

Wonderful message don’t you think?  After reading this, I knew God was on top of everything…  he was like the wind and I was just like a kite that flew wherever direction it blew.  Now looking back at the past days… Whew! That was something else Lord…

PS. the shot was taken from my room in Westin Bonaventure at around 5am.

Here is the official list of Batch 3 photographers who officially started their training last May 1… Since it is our mission to be sharers of Gods  word, were starting off the training with 40 days of Purpose Driven Life…


Girls: Nadine, Riz, Jamie, Julie, Gen & Tin
Boys: Jowel, Noel, Tim, Josef, Toto & Miko

First impressions on the new batch composed of 6 boys and 6 girls… The youngest batch and most makulit.  They are hyper, creative and oozing with potential.  Now who will get to finish the 2 year program ? Only God knows….

Congratulations for making it in the team Guys!!! May Jesus be with you.
 

Finally got my US mobile # from AT&T... its 619-5783816. This will be the permanent # i will be using when i am in the USA. if you have yours, please send me an SMS or call me. ill be in Los Angeles till the 12th. Will be checked in at Westin Bonaventure Hotel.


Sorry... no pics of my shoot earlier.  This computer i brought (not my mac) is reaaallll slllooowww....

2 of our Imagine Nation Photographers will be leaving the country soon and we would like to check if anyone would want to do a prenup or getting married in the following dates and areas:

May 1 to 5 - Hong Kong by Jason De Guzman
May - Los Angeles by Tiqui del Rosario
June to August - Chicago by Tiqui del Rosario*
July 24 to Aug 4 - Sydney Australia by Jason De Guzman

Were currently pricing weddings at USD2000 with album and Prenups at USD200. At least you don't need to fly  them over since they are there already. Pakain na lang. hehehe.

* Tiqui will be based in Chicago to study photography. When she returns i'll be her apprentice na.

To see their works, click jasondeg.multiply.com and sarcastiqx.multiply.com

Those interested may email me at johnmateosong@mac.com

Want to know Photography?  Classes offered to CCF members...

May 10 - Basic Photography by Andy Samaniego
May 17 - Photo Shop for Photographers by Deo Patalinhog
May 31 - Lighting Workshop by Ken Go

P100 per seminar per participant.
9am @ Christ Commission Fellowship 3rd floor St. Francis Square
(Beside Megamall)

      

In case you have not heard... The photographers of Imagine Nation are trained through daily reading of the bible and weekly discussions of bible topics.  We have a private online yahoogroups where we post our reflections during our "Quiet times" with the Lord, and we are taught to lead and share the word with other people.

Where in the world can you find a photography program like that?  But when i look at the members of my team... their photo works and attitude are fantastic.  Even if i can't answer how our photographers come out great by doing this.. the product speaks for itself.  We have produced several senior photographers who i have to admit are already even better than their teacher -- me.
    
When i started the imagine nation program 2 years ago... i told the Lord ill be ok if he sent me just 1 person... were now almost in Batch 3 and out of 40 to 60 people who apply he always picked out 12.

Now here is something to be really proud about... my reason for Blogging...

Imagine Nation won yesterday in a photo contest joined in by Professional Photographers.

Nothing great you may think... but the one who took the Shot, Heidi, is not even a junior photographer. She was just an apprentice.  It was not a paid prenup and i actually just sent her with the couple to practice and i was not even there to guide her.  So it was literally her "first prenup" as main.  Heidi, is a part of Imagine Nation batch 2 that started 6 months ago.... she joined in not to become a wedding photographer but just to be fed spiritually.  Little did we know God was giving her (and us included) a bonus by bagging #1. :)

I would also just like to brag that...
1.  di ko kinareer pagpili ng picture.. just remembered a shot that i liked, pulled it out from the folder and sent it.
2.  Tho it was a contest where digital manipulation was allowed.. the picture we sent came out of the camera. No leveling, cropping or sharpening or any sort of retouching was done.
3. The contest was via voting... we did not have a single representative in the fair (kasi di kami nakasali).

I share this as proof that when you walk with the Lord and put your faith in him,  Never worry... He's got your back!  PRAISE GOD!!! Way to go Heidi! :) We got our eyes on you!

Finally, the winning shot!

Finally home after being away for 10 days (March 31 till April 10) and this trip i can say was really really perfect.... It was like God orchestrated and i had a lot of realizations and felt God speak to me through my quiet times along South Banks...  Lemme just start my story.

i received 3 inquiries to go to London... all one right after the other and none of them knew each other and after i check my sched (I ws free for 10 days and was in itself a miracle!) i knew right away that i would be flying and so i immediately applied for Visa and inqiued about the rates. Everything just fell into place and before i knew it... I was there in this great city of London which was never in my itinerary and was a real total surprise for me.

In my 10 days, i only had 1 wedding and 2 prenups.. but it seemed i was always busy.  Answering emails... taking walks alone and speaking to God. I was able to get hold of a church there named Commonwealth church along Oxford st and i was really blessed. they were a nice small growing church that was threatened to become a spa.  so if you know peopel from London, recommend this church to them...

Just wanted to share some of the reflections i got:

1. I got a message that i should once again increase rates... the Big guy wants me shooting less and to give more time to teaching. I am not worried.. i know he will take care of me.

2. That my work is to bring people to church.... around the world. To introduce to them that Church is not the same as the church when they were young.. that it has improved so much and it is now more loving.  If you don't go to a church try joining a community or a cell group. just make sure they believe in Jesus.

3.  While i was there i got several answered prayer including a big one...  will reveal it all in the months to come (as its worthy of its own blog entry) and one of them was to see snow (and what a time to see snow... during summer hahaha), and not really a part of my prayer list but i got to see some punks... and according to my bride, wala na daw yung mga yun... It was just God said to me "John.. this was you before".

4.  I also realized some of my gifts there... which was weird because i never realized they were my gifts.  I always wanted the gift of healing but thats not what God wants of me (tho got to heal my torn muscle in the knee).  i'll check first if i am allowed to reavel the gifts.

Cool eh?  More in my next entry. :)

Got this mail while i am here in London... I am about to shoot the wedding tomorrow i cant believe that i still have this Jet Lag. I sleep at 6pm here and i wake up at 4am.  Wow...  here is a little souvenir photo that Leilani (my other couple) took of me while we were walking around.

I decided to share with you this article cause its really helpful...

---
Unfortunately, many people in desperate marriages base their lives upon commonly held myths. This week I want to expose some of these myths and challenge you to take constructive action in your marriage.

Myth #1
The first myth is the idea that my state of mind and the quality of my marriage is determined by my environment. "I grew up in a dysfunctional family, so I am destined to failure in my relationships." This kind of approach leaves one helpless.

Our environment certainly affects us, but it does not control us. You can keep a positive spirit even in a bad marriage, which will affect your emotions and your actions. God can give peace of mind even in the worst of situations.

Myth #2
You've probably heard this one: "People cannot change." This myth fails to realize the reality of human freedom and the power of God. History is filled with accounts of people who have made radical changes in their behavior. From St. Augustine, who once lived for pleasure and thought his desires were inescapable, to Charles Colson, the Watergate criminal who repented and began an international agency to offer prisoners spiritual help, the record is clear: People can and do change, and often the changes are dramatic!

Don’t give up on yourself or your spouse. God is in the business of changing lives. Begin with prayer, and believe that God can and will change you and your spouse.

Myth #3
"When you are in a bad marriage, there are only two options: be miserable for life, or get out." This myth limits one’s horizons to two equally devastating alternatives.

But there is always something you can do to improve a marriage. You can be a positive change agent in your marriage. Being miserable or getting out are not your only options, and there are loving solutions even in desperate marriages.

Myth #4
"Some situations are hopeless." Have you said those words? Have you believed them? The person who believes this myth usually also concludes, “My situation is hopeless. Perhaps there is hope for others, but my marriage is hopeless. It has gone on too long; the hurt is too deep.” This kind of thinking leads to depression and sometimes suicide.

God is the God of hope. When you put your hand in His hand, He will lead you through the valley of despair into the plane of hope. With God no one and no situation is hopeless. Focus your eyes on Him rather than your situation.



Excerpt taken from Desperate Marriages: Moving Toward Hope and Healing in Your Relationship by Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

I am posting what John Piper wrote to all those whose love ones have Cancer. May it inspire you
to encourage them to see Cancer differently.  The picture i used here is a picture of cells attacking cancer.  The shot made me think how  truly wonderful God made us into some heck of a design.

1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.

What God permits, he permits for a reason. And that reason is his design. If God foresees molecular developments becoming cancer, he can stop it or not. If he does not, he has a purpose. Since he is infinitely wise, it is right to call this purpose a design.

2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.

God’s design is clear from 2 Corinthians 1:9, “We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” The aim of God in your cancer (among a thousand other good things) is to knock props out from under our hearts so that we rely utterly on him.

4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Numbering your days means thinking about how few there are and that they will end. How will you get a heart of wisdom if you refuse to think about this? What a waste, if we do not think about death.

5. You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.

Satan’s and God’s designs in your cancer are not the same. Satan designs to destroy your love for Christ. God designs to deepen your love for Christ. Cancer does not win if you die. It wins if you fail to cherish Christ. God’s design is to wean you off the breast of the world and feast you on the sufficiency of Christ. It is meant to help you say and feel, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” And to know that therefore, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 3:8; 1:21).

6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.

It is not wrong to know about cancer. Ignorance is not a virtue. But the lure to know more and more and the lack of zeal to know God more and more is symptomatic of unbelief. Cancer is meant to waken us to the reality of God. It is meant to put feeling and force behind the command, “Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD” (Hosea 6:3). What a waste of cancer if we read day and night about cancer and not about God.

7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.

The  kind of heart God is aiming to create with cancer is a deeply affectionate, caring heart for people. Don’t waste your cancer by retreating into yourself.

8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.

Paul used this phrase in relation to those whose loved ones had died: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). There is a grief at death. Even for the believer who dies, there is temporary loss—loss of body, and loss of loved ones here, and loss of earthly ministry. But the grief is different—it is permeated with hope. “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Don’t waste your cancer grieving as those who don’t have this hope.

9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.

Are your besetting sins as attractive as they were before you had cancer? If so you are wasting your cancer. Cancer is designed to destroy the appetite for sin. Pride, greed, lust, hatred, unforgiveness, impatience, laziness, procrastination—all these are the adversaries that cancer is meant to attack. Don’t just think of battling against cancer. Also think of battling with cancer. All these things are worse enemies than cancer. Don’t waste the power of cancer to crush these foes. Let the presence of eternity make the sins of time look as futile as they really are.

10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.

Christians are never anywhere by divine accident. There are reasons for why we wind up where we do. This will be your opportunity to bear witness” (Luke 21:12 -13). So it is with cancer. This will be an opportunity to bear witness. Christ is infinitely worthy. Here is a golden opportunity to show that he is worth more than life. Don’t waste it.

Remember you are not left alone. You will have the help you need. “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

I am now on my 2nd day in Boracay... a week after holy week, the perfect time to be in the beach (unlike holy week when it becomes chaotic). I am actually looking forward to 2 things: my wedding shoot in 2 hours and my family arriving late this afternoon.  For the first time in quite a while i get to rest and enjoy the beach with them. :)

Quite timely... my reading today is about rest.  in fact the heading is "Promised rest for God's people" in Hebrews 4 it says "God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble in fear that some of you might fail to experience it."

Let me write again what i don't want you to miss... "Tremble in fear that some of you might fail to miss it". if you can't understand it, let me ask you.. Are you sure of going to heaven? Are you afraid of not going to heaven (which is equivalent to going to hell)?  

In verse 3 it says "For only we who believe can enter his rest. even though it has been ready since he made the world"  Fantastic isn't it? our place of paradise, and where you will live after you die has already been prepared thousands of years before you were even born... but tremble, because not all of us will be able to live in it -- sayang naman when all you needed to do was to believe in Jesus.

The Chapter ends with this...

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked & exposed before his eyes and he is the one whom we are accountable."

and an encouragement... "Jesus understands your weakness, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not Sin."

Thank you Lord for allowing me to spend some time here in this island where i get a glimpse of what you have in store for those who believe.

The heart of Christian belief is that "while we are sinners, God sent his son to die for us so that we may be saved".  But what if... the Jesus was not really son of God or that the resurrection did not actually happen? Then we would have just wasted our time.. then we would have just done whatever we wanted for everyone will die tomorrow anyway as quoted in 1 Cor 15:32 "if there is no resurrection, lets feast and drink for tomorrow we die!"

Here are some studies made...

Simon Greenleaf, is one of the principle founders of the Harvard Law School.  He was originally set out to disprove the biblical testimony conerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ and was certain that a careful examination of the internal witness of the Gospels would dispel all the myths at the heart of Christianity.  However, instead this scholar came to the conclusion that the witnesses were relaible and the resurrection did in fact happen.  Infact, he after his research he said that "Resurrection of Jesus is one of the best documented event in human history"

There are 2 arguements to the resurrection (at least that i know of): That the apostles stole the body & That Jesus did not actually die.  Hmmm... lets see... first let me share a quote from a certain Dr. Frank Turek


“Many people will die for a lie they think is the truth.  But no one will die for a lie they know is a lie.”                      

Do you actually think that the 11 apostles would be willing to die for Jesus if the resurrection was not real?  Keep in mind that these 11 apostles were cowards... infact, prior to the ressurection, none of them was able to stand up for Jesus.  James was did not believe Jesus was the son of God and Peter even denied knowing Jesus 3x!

But look what these apostles were willing to go through after...

Andrew - crucified in a Grecian colony
James (the elder) - beheaded at Jerusalem
James (the lesser) - thrown off a pinnacle from the temple then beated to death with a club
Thaddeus - shot to death with arrows
Mathew (Levi) - crucified
Bartholomew - beheaded in Armenia
Peter (Simon) - crucified upside down
Philip - hung against a pillar in Heropolis
Simon - Zealot was crucified
Thomas - speared to death
John - died of extreme old age in exile in Ephesus

The resurrection is real.. in Acts 15:5 it is said that after his death he was first seen by Peter, by the 12 (mathias replaced Judas completing the 12) and then by over 500 people. The resurrection is our guarantee, our Go signal that "Yes" our labor will not be in Vain.  the chapter ends with an encouragement by John, the oldest living apostle. "So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong & immovable. Always work entusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless".

A little history of Easter found thru research on the net... The following text was found in http://www.holidays.net/easter/story.htm.  So next year, its better to say "Happy Resurrection!" than "Happy easter!"  to be more specific that we are celebrating the rising of Jesus rather than the festival of babylon god of fertility Eastar.

--- captured text ---

Easter is a time of springtime festivals. In Christian countries Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection  of Jesus Christ, the son of God. But the celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity.

Scholars believe the name Easter is thought to come from the Scandinavian  "Ostra" and the Teutonic "Ostern" or "Eastre," both Goddesses of mythology signifying spring and fertility whose festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox.

Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts.

This is Sir Lionel Luckhoo.

You can google to find out who he is or you can check out the Guiness book of Worlds Record.  He is listed as the World's most successful advocate winning 245 consecutive murder defense cases.  Take note.. "Defense".

Sir Lionel Luckhoo, Ambassador of Texas, was the owner of an island, raised horses, owned a hotel and was honored by the Queen of England four times. He was once an ambassador for both Guyana and Barbados at the same time. He had everything this world could offer, but he didn't have Jesus. He had a vacuum in him that needed to be filled.

A woman persisted in inviting him to an FGBMFI meeting. The day he came, he accepted an invitation to come to Jesus. From that day on, he has been going around the world telling people about Jesus as an ambassador for Christ.

"God is your source, not man" said Sir Lionel. "Lay your hands on the sick, and they shall recover! Don't neglect going out and doing Jesus' work" he continued. "Take up your cross and follow Jesus. He wants you as an ambassador to share the Good News. Time is short -- the Master returns at any moment!"

Sir Luckhoo died dec 13, 1997 at age 83.