SULADS STORIES

A WISH OF HOPE

by Miller Orbeta

Dampaan Mission School

March, 1997

 

It was time for the literacy class when my feet were tempted to roam around the village of Dampaan.  The literacy class was to be held at 5:00 p.m. February 19, 1997 in the house of Datu Tibalawan.  I overcame my inclination to roam and stepped into the house.  I was asked to offer the invocation prayer so the adult literacy class could begin.  

An exciting visual aid showing the five vowels was posted on the wall.  Tiger grass was used to form the letters.  The group repeated in unison the sounds of the vowel letters.  Our assignment was to write the five vowels.  Nelson Decina, the student missionary assigned in Dampaan walked slowly around the room encouraging each one and little by little they were able to read and form the letters.  The adult pupils were all sitting on the bamboo floor giving Nelson their undivided attention.

Aiyo Marina, the sister of Datu Tibalawan and a very enthusiastic elderly lady, spoke to the group.  She is very active and has learned to read already.  My attention was focused on her.  She expressed a wish of hers that she had held for many years.  Tears came to my eyes as my heart was touched.  Her wish had been that one day she would be able to read her Bible well. 

She continued, “I can read my Bible fluently and write the text which I quote.  I had wanted to learn during my cradle time.  For many years now I have wished for knowledge and wisdom to read and write.  Maybe this is the answer to my prayers.  With this I have a blessed hope by God’s mercy.  It is not an end for me.  Election is near and now I can vote wisely for responsible barangay officials here in Dampaan.”  This wish encouraged Nelson when he heard how happy they were to receive this little education.

Aiyo Marina concluded, “It is my great pride and pleasure that we can now read and write.  I am proud now that my people have learned to read and write.  Thank you, student missionary for coming to us.  More than fifty years now we have not known a single letter of the alphabet.  Now because God sent us a missionary, we have a great hope to read our Bible.  Thank God that the missionary has lead us through life’s pathway.   To you, Oh God, we give our trust.  We wish now to walk in the Light.”

Until now, Aiyo Marina had been waiting for a student missionary to come to teach them how to read and write.  Now that wish was fulfilled.  Pray for Nelson and the other student missionaries that they may have the wisdom and insight to not only teach these wonderful people how to read and write but also teach the greater lessons of Salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord.