We invite you to take a journey with us today up into a few of the villages where we have Bible studies with the Agta. While Matt and Erin were here, we got to visit several of the villages, and Erin took some great pictures that I want to share with you.
First, we drive about 45 minutes to the small town of Buhi on the back side of Mt. Iriga, "our" volcano. 1st we need to buy some fresh (aka: still flopping around) fish and vegies to contribute to lunch, then we board a rickety little boat (Erin calls it "quaint"; Jen asks if she means in the "not-sure-it's-sea-worthy way") and head out across Lake Buhi. The views of the clouds reflecting in the still water are spectacular.
Matt discovers that Filipino men definitely open up more when they are under the influence. This sweet old man is a little sloshed, but that just makes him a whole lot friendlier. He even confides in Steve and Matt that he has some gold buried at his house. He was very secretive about the whole thing, but his cover is blown when Steve hollers over the roar of the engine to me "What does ginto mean?", and I holler back "Gold!" Thankfully, there are no other passengers and the man is too inebriated to realize his secret is out.
After we arrive at the chieftain's house in the little village of Ipil, we visit for a while then head up to climb the mountain behind the village. It is pretty steep, but it is so beautiful that we don't mind.
A little ways up, we come across a large group of guys trying to get a large rock out of a hole so they can build a house on that spot. The guys jump in to help but to no avail.
The chieftain leads the way with his staff. You wonder what he will think of the stories of Moses when we get to them in the Bible stories. Will he believe when we get to the story of Jesus?
As we hike through the mountains, you see countless little huts like this one set on the side of the mountain. Several thoughts cross your mind. One, how can they possibly survive the typhoons to come in that little shack???
Second, if we don't come to tell these people the good news, who will? Who else will hike up into these mountains on the back side of the lake to give them a chance to hear if we don't? Suddenly the trail does not seem so steep anymore, and you are not as hot or thirsty. This is why we have come here - to give them a chance at life.
When we get back down the mountain, the kids run and play with all the village kids. You are proud of them for being so friendly even when they get mobbed, poked, and prodded. We talked to them before we came about how God can use their friendliness to open doors. God is using them today.
It's lunch time now at the chieftain's house. His wife has graciously cooked for us, and you are thankful but a little hesitant once you see what's on the menu. You are not so sure about eating something that is looking back at you.
But then you see Erin and even little Chloe digging in - even though they have not been here any longer than you have. If they can do it, so can you. So you dig in and discover that the grilled fish is delicious!
After lunch you decide you need to use the bathroom real quick. But when you peek behind the flimsy 1/2 curtain, you decided that maybe you can wait a while if you need to - or all day for that matter. Chloe agrees with you.
We all get a good laugh when Ben takes the "be friendly with the kids" to a whole new level. But his new girlfriend is the chieftain's granddaughter so it is a good alliance. :)
Everywhere you look there are adorable little ones like this looking back at you. Who is going to be there to tell her the good news when she gets old enough? What will happen to her if her parents never hear so are never able to give her a chance?
After lunch we have the Bible study, the story of Cain and Abel. You are afraid to take pictures because you don't want to distract from the lesson. I translate for you as Steve uses discussion questions to draw out 2 main points from the story - 1) that Cain offered his very best, but God did not accept it. God only accepts what is right in HIS eyes, not what we think He should accept - even if we work hard to give it to Him and 2) that God still loved Cain even after he killed his brother - which He showed by protecting him with a mark. Your eyes tear up as you see the group of 15 men and women really grasp these truths. Will they continue to believe this way as we go through the rest of the stories? Will this become a church that reaches out into the neighboring areas and beyond to plant new churches? Will God use these very men to start a God-sized movement amongst the Agta? You cry out in prayer for this throughout the lesson as you look from face to face.
After the study, we get in a boat to head home again. It was a long day, but how wonderful. God is doing amazing things in the village of Ipil. It makes you want to come back every week and just watch Him at work.
On the way back across the lake, you see this man in a tiny boat. It occurs to you that he was not at the study. Who will tell him the stories? Will one of those men who is hearing them now believe and then share them with this man? You find yourself praying as the boat passes him by that the Good News will not do the same.
We get home late, but it was a good day. A few days later, we take off for another village. You are tired out, but the views and your reason for going once again energize you. Where on earth do these kids get all their energy???
We arrive to the home of the family where we will have the study today. Their home makes you feel somehow guilty for the many times lately you have complained about life and its amenities. You resolve to be more thankful.
We all sit around and visit. You begin to realize that things don't happen at American warp speed here in rural Philippines. The only way to connect with these dear people is by slowing down and just being with them. Sometimes not even talking. Just sitting with them and showing that they are important enough to you to just come and be there - without some fast agenda. At first the lack of doing anything profitable grates on you, but then you hear a small voice telling you to just rest. You realize that you can worship in the quiet of your heart as you rest in the stillness of the moment.
When Steve finally starts the Bible study several hours later, you become discouraged by the lack of response from the group. In the village of Ipil, the people were all answering the questions and discussing the issues. Here, they won't even look at you. You feel for Steve as he tries to lead a discussion, tries to help them understand when they will only look at the ground. You begin to pray for these people. They are not as fun to teach, but they need to hear as well. They say before and after the study that they truly want to study, but they sure don't act like it during. And who knows what God will do with this little group? You resolve to pray for them - and for Steve as he tries to find the patience and motivation to keep teaching the truth despite their lack of involvement.
We leave that home, hike back out to the road, and Steve says that we need to stop and get some rice for them before we go on. Erin asks if that is customary, and Steve replies that it isn't, but they asked him for a loan to buy some rice because it has been a long time since they have had anything to eat. Steve did not give them a loan, but we definitely need to find them some food before we go on. You suddenly feel guilty for your feelings of frustration toward them during the lesson when they refused to be involved. Maybe they were just so weak and hungry... Steve and Matt walk down the road to find a little sari-sari store where they can buy some rice. The ladies and kids find a little inn and pay to use their bathroom - thank goodness it was there - you had gotten pretty desperate after that coffee earlier, and the only other option was out in the grass. After giving them the rice, we pile back in the truck to drive a couple miles down the road to the next study. When we pull up, we discover that a log bridge is the only way across the creek. You are a little nervous and wonder if you will fall in and make a fool of yourself. You are saved for now - they tell you that the study will be a little further up the creek this time, and you should use the bridge up there.
Your relief is short-lived. When you see the other bridge, it doesn't look much better but at least it has a rail. If the little kids can do it, you can too so you just dive in (NOT literally). No problem. If getting wet and making a fool out of yourself hadn't motivated you enough, falling on a momma water buffalo and her baby certainly did the trick.
Once safely across the bridge, you follow the winding path to the hut down the way.
The kids scoop up a rooster - they always seem to find some animal to play with. Your brain jumps to all the diseases that animal could have. Even though it has never been found in the Philippines - bird flu??? You quiet the questions with a quiet prayer and conscious choice to just trust God.
You are excited by the group that has gathered. These people seem much more excited. You are especially impressed with 2 young guys, Joven and Boknoy. They seem very eager to learn. The study had started out with just them, but several others have now joined. God is truly at work here. You are excited - and try to ignore the ants biting your feet, the smell of the pig next to you, and the sound of the rooster behind you.
Boknoy reads the story out of the Word before Steve re-tells it. You wonder if God will one day send this young man into the mountains to share the Good News of Christ with his tribesmen. You say a silent prayer while he reads - you can't understand the reading in Tagalog anyway.
As we finish up and go to leave, Steve squats to talk with this old woman washing clothes. Maybe she will join the study next week. You find yourself praying for her as well. This whole journey has sure made you pray more often. Your heart sings as it rejoices in what God is doing in your own life as He makes you more aware of HIS perspective on the people around you. You pray that you will not easily forget as you return to the hustle and bustle of life in the States. The people there need your prayer as well.
As we pile in the car to drive away, you look into the eyes of the group gathered to watch you drive away. To go back to your comfortable house and your abundance of food. You pray that God will never allow you to forget what you have learned today. That you will be thankful for all that He has blessed you with - not only a comfortable life but easy access to the Gospel. That you will never forget to pray for those who are not as fortunate. For those who have never had the chance to hear the Good News that Christ died for them. You pray that God will not allow you to become so focused on your life that you forget those for whom He died. You pray that He will show you how you can be a part of giving them a chance to hear.
If at some point you would like to make this a real journey instead of a virtual one, pray about it, then contact us - we would love to help if we can!
