Uncle Ray in a courtesy call with the late Iloilo City Mayor Rodolfo Ganzon

I met the evangelist Raymond Lentzsch in February 1991 when I was port volunteer of M/V Doulos for two weeks at the Iloilo City port.

We, M/V Doulos port volunteers, call him “Uncle Ray”.

I was assigned as his interpreter as he went around the city preaching at the city streets, plaza, city hall, provincial jail and market places of Iloilo City.

I got my “baptism of fire” in street evangelism through him because as interpreter, you also feel like you’re the evangelist.

I can’t forget preaching with him in the market of Santa Barbara town, a 30-minute drive from Iloilo City.

We had to stand on a vacant market table so the people listening will see us. Then the bells from nearby Catholic church belfry began tolling as he spoke and I interpreted.

That two weeks of working with Uncle Ray changed my life forever. His commitment to proclaim the Good News and his letters encouraged me to become a pastor.

I managed to keep one of his letters through all these years. Have a great encouragement today from a great servant of God by reading Uncle Ray’s letter:

I reconnected with Uncle Ray through his Facebook account on 7 August 2010.

He says:

[quote]Dear Jonan: Great to hear how you have pressed on in the work of the Lord, and I do recall those times you remembered when you translated for me. OM India has just published my book. If you’d like a complimentary copy, just send me your mailing adddress. Warmly in Christ at age 83, Ray Lentzsch[/quote]

I thank the Lord for the many people who have been great encouragement in the ministry.