SULADS STORIES

HIDDEN VILLAGE FOUND

By Jonar Nomong

Katalawan Mission School

June, 2000

It was barely a month from the time we transferred from our abandoned village.  The datu said, “In this very strategic place high up in these mountains, our enemies can no longer find us.”  Datu Balintinaw is talking sense.  I could see that the village is sitting on a plateau on a very high mountain but inside a thick virgin forest.  Huge trees towering from below the cliffs with their tips waving with our small sturdy trees that grow in our new village.

No one can get to this village so easily because it would be impossible to climb the high rock cliffs unless he is a 911 rescue rock climber.  There is only one trail to get to the village and that is the creek where water meets a climber holding on to protruding roots of trees making sure of every step.  Only one false step would bean death down below.  I told the chief, “Enemies can always find ways to look for their opponents.  We may be hiding here in this seemingly safe place, but we can always be found.  There is no such thing as a safe place here on earth.  We can only be safe when we submit our lives to the Lord and He will send His angels to protect us.”

“In this village, Maestro,” the datu confidently said, “we are safe.”

One day, I came home to this village from Mountain View College.  With me was a co-SULADS missionary, Darren Castano.  He had just finished his one-year term in another village and was just paying a visit.  We reached the village at sunset.  “Thank you, sir, for coming home.  We have been waiting for you since last week,” the children chorused. 

“Is that so?  I have been praying for you people when I was away.  Did our God, the Great Spirit, protect you from your enemies?”

“Yes, Sir,” was their ready reply. 

In a moment, I saw the usual sight of dancing lights in the dark from everywhere in the village.  These lights were coming in our direction.  “What’s that?” Darren elbowed me.

“Don’t you worry.  These are the villagers coming bringing firewood sticks with live red coals on the tips.  They swing them around to keep the coals alive and that serves as their flashlights.”

“Maestro!” Datu Balintinaw welcomed me with a tight hug.  Every one expressed their appreciation in hugs as they welcomed us to their hidden village.

All of a sudden, the air was filled with heavenly music reverberating through the woods.  “This is heaven here,” Darren whispered.

“This is my home,” I whispered back.

While the children were singing, datu Balintinaw whispered to me, “Maestro, we saw strangers this morning.  I suspected them to be enemies.  They were at a distance but we are certain that they are spies.  We are on red alert here.  Our bows and arrows, bolos, and spears are ready.  Be ready at any time, Maestro, for a surprise move out for a surprise attack.  Our hidden village is found out.”

“If God is with us, who can be against us?” I comforted myself.  I didn’t bother to tell Darren.

 We had worship that evening before we dispersed. . . .

 In the stillness of the night we were about to sleep in our hammocks. . . “Maestro, Maestro!  Pack your things up!”   The ladies were shouting.  Children were crying.  The men were ready with their primitive weapons.

 

“What’s the matter, Datu?”  I demanded.

“Let’s move out, Maestro, Quick!

“Where are we going?”

“To the forest!  That is urgent!”

 “Where are the enemies?”

“All around us!  Somebody spotted them. They have flashlights in the distance.”

“Datu, we are not moving out.” 

“Why, Maestro?  No one will protect you here.”

“Our God will protect us here,” I explained.  “If you are moving out to the forest where the enemies are, we will stay here together with Sir Darren.” 

“We can’t afford to leave you here, Maestro.  You must come with us!” 

“Gather all the people here, Datu,” I commanded.  In no time every villager, to the smallest child, gathered.  Each person was holding something.  Men were ready with their bows and arrows.  Mothers were embracing their treasured babies.  They were all standing around me waiting for instructions. 

“We are NOT going anywhere!  Wherever we go, enemies are there.  Wherever we stay and pray, our God will protect us.  Let us sing.”

All of a sudden, the air was filled with music.  Each one joined his voice to blend with the angels.  We just sang and sang.  I then calmed them down with a sermon.  “Our God, the greatest God, who is living in heaven, has sent His angels to protect us tonight.  No enemy can ever face our guardian angels alive.  There is no more need to leave.  If we will just believe, with our simple faith, we can go back to our huts tonight and have a good night’s sleep.  God has promised to protect us.  I’ll see you in the morning.”  We parted.

 The morning brought sparkles of smiles of joy renewed in the strength of the Lord.