Initial Survey Report

I thought you all may enjoy an initial report from Steve's brief survey down to Bicol. We hope to do a more in-depth one later once we are able to discuss his findings in more detail. Thank you for praying for them this past week; they arrived home tonight safely with a lot of stories to tell. Most of the time down there was spent talking with and visiting people. They spent quite a bit of time with local pastors, seeing how we can partner with them to reach the Agta people. They also spent a lot of time visiting different Agta groups (there are about 170 groups settled throughout the region) and talking with their chieftains about the possibility of us coming there.

We still don't know yet for sure where will be most strategic to locate, but a few options are rising to the top. We will most likely be in a town very much like this one below, very near to the most beautiful and volatile volcano in the region. There are many active ones in Bicol, but Mt. Mayon goes off about once every 5 years (some say 8). Last one was in 2001 - and it is certainly seems due now. It was giving many signs of readiness while Steve was down there. I just hope it goes before we move there, then it will hopefully be quiet for a while... Steve, on the other hand, wants to be there to see it go.

Here is another pic of Mt. Mayon. Steve is standing with Roland, a local pastor here in Lipa who accompanied them on their trip. He is also the husband of Jen's Tagalog teacher.

It is an absolutely gorgeous place - the prettiest Steve has ever seen. It is a peninsula only about 15 miles wide at its widest point, so there are LOTS of picturesque beaches. It is beautiful, but also very much in need of Christ. Please continue to pray with us for the people in Bicol - particularly the Agtas.