SULADS STORIES

A GERMAN LADY VISITS LAWATANO

by Lowell Limbagan

July, 1996

Miss Gerda, a lady of German origin, was working in Halipitan, doing missionary work among the Manobo villages.  She organized a “Mabum Tulugan From German Friends” in which Manobo people can stay overnight if they have an emergency trip to the town.  She visited many Manobo villages and one day happened to visit Lawatano.  Her task is to visit all the villages in her territory.

When she arrived in Lawatano, she was amazed.  There was a difference in these people.  They seemed to be more educated than the other groups of Manobos that she visited.  The children gathered and sang some songs to welcome the visitor.  She then visited the school and asked some questions about the SULADS program.  She was delighted to know that the MVC SULADS organization has this concern for the Manobo people.  She said, “I’m happy to go back to my country now since there is a program going on in this place which will help educate the Manobo people.”

On July 18, a farewell for Miss Gerda was held and Miss Gerda especially requested the children from the Lawatano singing group to sing at her farewell.  She very much appreciated the lovely songs the children sang for her benefit.  In her farewell address, she mentioned that she felt comfortable leaving as there was a program operated by MVC--the SULADS--which would remain to guide and teach the Manobo people.  Manobos from other villages who witnessed the farewell and heard the remarks of Miss Gerda are now asking for teachers to come to their villages to teach their children also.

The SULADS long to reach all these people who are desiring to know more about Jesus.  We also pray that the songs that were sung to Miss Gerda will cause her to desire to seek Jesus as w