Willie Usman is a Muslim by birth. He was born on the southern tip island of Sulu. For some, their island was called the “Island of Tears,” for it was not easy to live there – no electricity, no potable water, and no suitable spices. Early marriages and the lack of good education were also just some of the common social issues in their place.

Willie was born to Muslim parents. They were typical but not devout Muslims. In their family’s search for a greener pasture, their family transferred to the town of Jolo. It was at that time that war broke out between the Muslim insurgents and the Philippine government. But by the grace of God, they were able to wade through the war and survived one of the darkest times in their life. When the war ceased, their family moved to the city of Zamboanga. There, he first saw the greatest book of all time – the Holy Bible.

Their  house  was located along the seashore. Every day, Willie went to the shore to fish and play with his neighbours. One ordinary morning, he decided to go to the coast to look for some toys, coins, and other pieces of stuff that could still be useful to him. While Willie was strolling along the beach, a floating object caught his eyes. He went and picked it up and began to explore it. To his surprise, it was a small blue book with torn and missing pages. Little did he know that it was a Gideon New Testament. He brought it to their house and began to read it.