On March 11, I was able to visit Willey Otey Pastor in the prison facility where he is being held. The charges against him would not even be possible in the US as it was a clear case of self-defense against an armed person entering into his home with the clear intent to harm the family. Willey did the only he could do and was initially cleared. However, when political considerations and the power of political interests entered into the matter, Willey was unjustly imprisoned. Despite the injustice of the situation, Willey has not focused on the wrong done to him, but on his obligation to spread the gospel where he is. I wanted to write an additional report about his work now that I have received pictures of the visit that were cleared by the prison officials. Willey’s brother, Kenneth who is serving as the main coordinator of the prison work, was allowed a camera to take limited pictures during our visit.
We met in the Catholic chapel at the prison facility because they have opened their chapel to the brethren for services without precondition. They were denied use of the “Protestant chapel” by the Protestant chaplain because of Willey and Kenneth’s teaching of truth regarding the church and the plan of salvation. Before being allowed the indoor facility, Willey was teaching under some trees in the compound, regardless of weather.
To this point, there are 30 baptized believers gathering in the Maximum Security section of the prison and another 30 that have just begun meeting in the Medium Security section. Willey is meeting with brethren in a small section of the prison that serves to evaluate incoming inmates before they are permanently housed in one of the main sections of varying security levels. About 15 or so baptized brethren were meeting with Willey at the time of our visit in that evaluation section. Please understand that these men in all three sections have been converted to Christ as a result of Willey’s working with them as they have come through the intake section where incoming inmates stay for about 15 days. (Willey has been assigned to this section permanently with a job of helping in the medical section.)
When I asked Willey what he intends to do after his release, his answer was immediate: “I feel a responsibility to stay and help in this new work!” It is very possible that Willey may be released within the next few months and then there will be a need for some help in support to make his continued work possible in that area. At least for some time, Willey will need to maintain his place in the province where his family can live and where he will spend time working with the church there as well. However, Willey will need some additional help for traveling funds between Manila and his home province as well as funds to live while in Manila. As I can well attest, Manila is much more expensive to live in than are the provinces well removed from Manila. If you would like to have fellowship with Willey in this work, please let me know and I will put you in contact through Willey’s wife or Kenneth Pastor.
Please remember Willey and his family in your prayers daily! There are no words to express what pictures would clearly show if I was allowed to show them regarding his conditions. Yet, Willey’s attitude is very good and his concentration is on the work of the Lord that needs to be done as he is openly thankful for his living circumstances which could have been far worse in one of the permanent sections of the prison. He and his family have my greatest admiration and respect as they go through their trials. Please join me in praying daily that God will deliver them all very soon from this difficult and dangerous time!
Brotherly, Harry O.
