SULADS STORIES

A COUPLE WHO LOST THEIR HOME BY FIRE

by Elmer Andin-O

July, 1996

 Mr. Dodong Ratonel was the responsible husband of a happy family--a wife and two children.  They tried their best to survive the hardships by working as laborers on a sugar cane plantation.  Although they were very poor, they were very happy, because they were learning about the love of God through the efforts of the student missionaries who were assigned in Upper Balambangan Mission School.

 On July 5, 1996, when they left for work their house was in good condition.  They had been sure to put out the fire in their kitchen stove since they were leaving for the day.  During the day, their house was set ablaze by some unknown, and uncaring people.  The house was completely burned--not even the remains of their kettle were found.  It was suspected that before the house was set on fire, the valuable items in the house were stolen. 

 The mother was pregnant, expecting to deliver in August.  They had been saving some money to assist in the delivery of the child.  They had also laid by some stock of corn for food when the little one arrived. 

 

When they arrived from work that evening, they were exhausted from the hard work and only wanted to stretch out their very tired bodies.  They were amazed to find that their house was no longer there--it was gone!  With a big sigh, the husband could not think what to do.  The wife is mute--she cannot utter sounds--but her misty eyes revealed the worry and concern for the coming birth of her little one.  They knew of no one else to turn to in this time of extreme need but to the student missionaries whom they had learned to trust. 

The student missionaries comforted them and gave them what little assistance they could.  Mr. Andin-O went to see Daryl Famisaran, the President of the SULADS (Student Missionaries) Board of Trustees, and asked for help for this distraught family.  The board decided to ask for assistance from the Dorcas Society of the Mountain View College Church.  but the Church Board turned down the request saying that this was a SULADS problem and they must deal with it.  The Board of Trustees that were then on campus gathered up what clothes and blankets they could and solicited some things from others on campus who have a willingness to help those in need.  A big box of things were given to the couple.  The family were very happy to receive the simple gift from the SULADS.

The wife gave birth to a son only a week after the fire.  They were hoping to rebuild their house but meanwhile were staying with relatives.  A few weeks later, when one of the members of the SULADS Board of Trustees returned from a visit to the United States, another box of clothes was obtained from the college store room for the destitute family.

The SULADS are hoping that the Lord will strengthen this fine couple and that they will seek to know more about the Love of God which is their only source of faith.  Please pray with us that this family will learn to trust completely in God.