SULADS STORIES

THE PROBLEM THAT WAS A STEPPING STONE TO A BLESSING

by Levi Manzo

August, 1996

On August 6, 1996, the Basak Mission School teachers were summoned to join the assembly of the barangay (village) counsel with the tribal members in Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.  They learned that there were groups of people who wanted to stop the program of the SULADS since the people in this area are mostly Baptist.  They did not want their people to be converted to Adventism, besides, the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), a group of Wycliff Bible Translators, are working in this area.

The Student Missionaries were asked to present their legal documents from the government.  They were charged with entering the area of Basak without proper permission of the barangay.

The Student Missionaries acknowledged their faults and explained the purpose of the program and why they had entered into the place upon invitation.  They made themselves very clear but the counsel told them that they should secure the permit for the purpose of the record and no problem will occur later on..

The Student Missionaries decided that perhaps they should leave Basak.  The village officers and people were worried because they had witnessed how the Student Missionaries had taught their children.  In fact, the child of the Datu had studied in the public school for three years and could still not read even a letter.  When he was transferred to the Mission School, he learned to recognize the letters in two weeks and started to read simple words.  The parents appreciated the songs that were taught to their children.  The village people liked the program of the SULADS.

An emergency meeting of the SULADS Board of Trustees was held.  It was decided to seek recognition by the Securities and Echange Commission (SEC) of the Philippine Government so that there would be a formalization of the operation of the SULADS.  The two Student Missionaires were sent back to Basak Mission School with the assurance that the documents would be available as soon as possible.

The events surrounding this disagreement caused the neighboring village of Gapako to request two Student Missionaries as well.  Now Gapako is two hours hike from Basak Mission School.  Gapako would like their children to begin learning from Student Missionaries by October, 1996.  Other villages in the Sinuda area are also requsting Mission Schools to be established in their areas.

The SULADS are requiring them to make their requests for the Student Missionaries through their Barangay Councils and FEMMATRIC--the Central Tribal Council of the Matiguslug Manobo Tribe.  The villages are willing to comply with all the requirements needed as long as the SULADS can provide them Student Missionaries to help educate their children and the adults as well. 

The SULADS are hearing the “Macedonian Call”--”Come over to our village and help us”.  Will you be a part of the answer to this call? 

The SULADS do not have the means to open these new schools.  It requires about $120 to establish a school and an additional $240 per month to operate the school.  The operation costs include a stipend of about $60 for each of two students and a scholarship to pay most of the expenses to  Mountain View College for a year upon completion of the year of service.  The stipend includes travel expenses, food, medical insurance, medicines for the village, and teaching supplies for the school.

If you would like to become a part of this program that has baptized 700 persons in two years time, please send your donation to Adventist Mission Society of America, Atty. John Tulio, Secretary, 36002 Corte Coruna, Murrietta, CA 92562.  Mark your donaton for MVC-SULADS Fund and you will receive a fully tax deductible receipt.  You may also send your donation marked SULADS to the “Quiet Hour” radio ministry.