IN LIEU OF A GRAVE YARD

By Joubert Falcuntin

Dapilo-an Mission School

June, 2000

Spiritism is a common practice among the Manobos.  In Dapilo-an Mission School, this practice is still existing.  A death of a member of a Manobo family is believed to be caused by some bad spirits.  I witnessed one of the rituals one day when an aged father became ill.  We were summoned for help.  We rushed to examine the patient.  We found out that he was suffering from tetanus.  Knowing that we could no longer do anything, I decided to go down to Kalagangan, a 12 kilometer hike through rivers and mountains, to seek medical assistance.  I was discouraged that the Barangay Health Worker was not there.  I bought some supplies and hurried back.

As I was approaching the village, a lady asked me to hurry because the patient, Loreto, was already chilling and dying.  I rushed to the patient’s house.  He was gasping for air.  I prayed for God’s help with my partner, Phrody Dalguntas.  I carefully applied CPR and massaged his semi-paralyzed body.  Thank God, he recovered.  I know God was with us at that moment. 

“God,” I whispered in prayer again, “Please spare him.”  This man was the first one to ask for Bible studies and how he is ready for baptism. Satan is trying his best to not let go of this man.  He was one of the most active supporters of the SULADS program in the village.  He attended two of the SULADS Jamborees and it was during these events that he heard more of the gospel and saw the change in many of the Manobo’s lives.  He loved the sermons and the Sabbath worship.  When we returned back to Dapilo-an Mission School, he decided to have Bible studies with me and later on decided to be baptized.  He was supposed to be the first candidate for baptism but he became a sacrifice so that more people will be reached. 

 

The story goes like this.  One Sabbath afternoon about two weeks later, the people were gathered in the house of Loreto.  The witch doctor did some rituals and the old folks chanted unfamiliar words that I don’t understand. 

The quack doctor offered a pig as a sacrifice and sprinkled blood on the face of Loreto.  Blood was mixed also with betlenut and he let the patient chew it.  During that ritual, I felt the presence of a different spirit working within them.  I held my Bible firmly on my chest and silently prayed, “Lord, please stand by me amidst these evils and thy will be done for brother Loreto.”

After the patient chewed the betlenut with blood in it, his body got numb and he became comatose.  That night the patient died.   The people were sad.  They blamed themselves, the quack doctor, as well as their old folks for the death of Loreto.  They thanked us for trying to help them.

 

The battle was over and it seemed that the enemy won.  I know, however, that the Lord will not let His work be trodden by His enemy.  I thought that was the end of it all, but the Lord knows more than I do.  After that incident, the village people became hungry for the gospel.  They asked for Bible studies and as a result, a group of forty-six were baptized. 

 

The place where Loreto died was the place chosen for the church building.  God is in control and He knows what is best for His work.  Praise God for a successful work in Dapilo-an.  Recently seven more souls were added to the fold.  Now in lieu of the graveyard of Loreto, a church stands.

THREE STRANGE VISITORS

by: Cyrile Macarayo

Dapilo-an Mission School

September, 2000

Dapilo-an Mission School vibrates every morning and evening with children’s heavenly music in their worship.  A new church is already built and is full packed every Sabbath.  Children are the most active members.  We SULADS missionaries just guide them on what and how to preach and sing.  Adults participate too, but they always give the time to children.  Sabbath is celebrated as a grand day for the Lord.

There are a few more left in the village who are not baptized yet.  One of these is Sanny a family man.  He joins a group for our Bible studies.  His companions have already received Jesus as their Savior but Sanny has no decision yet.  He sometimes attended Sabbath services.  But, whenever he feels like not attending he sneaks out to the forest.  I asked him one day.  “You were attending our Bible study group. Do you believe the Bible truths we’re presenting to you?”

“Yes, and I don’t have any question.”

“And when will you decide to be baptized”, I followed up.

“Not this time yet sir, he replied.” 

“It is not that I am in a hurry for you to decide, but the Lord is waiting for you to give your heart to Him now,” I explained.  He just kept quiet.

One Sabbath morning, after the usual serenading we invited Sanny to attend church that day.  “Yes sir he replied.”  When his wife and children were ready to go, they invited him again.  Let’s go papa.  “I’ll just follow, he answered back.  But in his mind he did not plan to attend church.

Sanny’s house stands just about 30 meters away from the church.  Church goers  were flocking in.  The church came alive with children’s songs, but Sanny just tarried there, not knowing what to do.  Shall I attend church or not.  He can’t decide.  What seemed so long a waiting, the singing stopped and this time he heard a boy preaching.  He could hear, but he couldn’t understand.  The village was quiet, because almost everybody in the village was in church.  He found a seat outside to hear the message of the child preaching.  But he had a second plan to sneak out to his farm in the woods.  It was early noontime, he was sitting there waiting for a chance to sneak out so that we missionaries couldn’t see.  And then...who could these strangers be? he said.  From down the slope coming up to his house were 3 handsome, long nosed big men all in white.  They went straight to the church and passed by him.  He’d never seen such kind of men with that structure.  The two men from left and the right stayed behind just outside the church.  But the center man went straight inside.  He did not sit with the congregation, but on to the pulpit he continued and to the boy preaching.  Sanny could hear another voice now, no longer a voice of the child, but a man’s voice.

Sanny could no longer hold himself on his seat.  He stood up and went straight to the church door.  He would like to hear the stranger preaching.  What could his message be?  But, when he had just stood at the door the service was over. 

“You came late,” the brothers greeted him.  But he was speechless.  His eyes were focused on Somebody. 

“What happened to you?” his wife asked.

“Where’s the stranger?”

“What stranger!  What are you talking about?” 

Only then he realized that he was the only one who saw the the strangers.

He pursued them behind the church and sure enough he saw them there. 

“Who are you?” he greeted.

“This is not yet the time to reveal who we are.  Don’t you know that we are here present every day and night in your worships?  Most especially on Sabbaths the Holy Day of the Lord.  Right now, we’ve just come from Bulalang.” (Bulalang is a former SULADS mission school closed by SULADS because of the presence of government school.  This is a neighbor village to Dapilo-an who’s church is full every Sabbath with worshippers.  Still active in church even if there are no more missionaries.) “Tell your teachers here and your people to keep up the good work.  Be strong in faith because the Lord is coming very soon.  And those who are found faithful especially in keeping the Sabbath holy will be saved.”

He was struck with fear!  “Lord, please forgive me!” he cried.  There was a long pause.  He was looking on the ground contemplating on his situation.  He looked up again to ask the strangers but...they’re GONE!

Sabbath Sept. 23, 2000, Sanny together with 8 others received Jesus as his personal Savior through baptism.  These were the last few in the village.

Our SULADS MISSION is to “reach the unreached” who are especially the unserved indigenous tribes of Mindanao by providing them non-formal education which hopes to help alleviate illiteracy, poverty, diseases and promote social awareness, yet give due respect to their traditions, beliefs, customs, aspirations and interest so that they may see the richness and the beauty of their cultural heritage and their whole life.

SULADS is a ministry that is dependent upon God to move the hearts of people to support its work.

Donations for the support of missionaries my be sent to:

 

SULADS

C/o: AWESNA 

2417 S. Azusa Avenue

West Covina, CA 91792

Mark your donation for MVC/SULADS.  Donations from the United States of America may receive a tax deductible receipt if sent thru this address.

 

Little But Great

by Bonifacio Escaño

Dapilo-an Mission School

Little children are active participants in whatever activity the student missionaries make in the mission school.  They run errands whenever asked to.  Fetch water, gather firewood, hunt “SEE” foods, sing, pray, tell stories, name it, so long as they know how, they’ll do it.  For them, that is one way of showing respect and love to their missionary teachers.  They do it heartily and happily.

In our morning and evening worships in the village, we always emphasize how important prayer is.  We just randomly call on anybody to pray during worships.

Little children of 6 pray like their older teen and youth brothers and sisters. This is not true of many of their parents because.. “old dogs learn no tricks”.  An attitude has seemed to be learned that after prayer comes confidence, and a feeling of security.  This is because one has fully surrendered himself to the Lord, and therefore, whatever happens one fears nobody whatever the situation may be.

Dapilo-an Mission School is situated on a high mountain, a little distant from the woods but far away from the bloodthirsty tribe of Langilan.  Though how far they are from these warring tribes, they are not excused from the killing spears and arrows of these headhunters.  That is why when an announcement is made that headhunters are on the strike again, they are just like chicks running for refuge under the wings of their mother hen whenever a falcon is seen hovering above.

 

One day, a rumor spread that a group of headhunters are out again to strike.  This time it’s not from Langilan but from Matig Talomo tribe.  They are known to be fierce warriors too.  The people of Dapilo-an were alarmed because the killer group is roaming near their village.  Their problem was their farms, where they get their food everyday, are in the outskirts of their village 2 - 3 hour hike away.  “Alas!” one mother said.  “How can we get our food from our farm.  We don’t have anything to eat here”.  They began to panic.  One family packed their things up and went to Kalagangan a bigger village by the road.  It was good this family had relatives there.  But what about those that will be left here in Dapilo-an

During our evening worship, I preached about “how God protected His people in times of trouble when we stay faithful to Him.” I told about David, who even as a small child was able to beat the giant.  We too can beat these headhunters, only if we are faithful and prayerful.

The chief (DATU) ordered one day, that nobody should go too far or into the woods from the village.  When one gets hurt then, the men of the village will be obliged to fight and big trouble will start again.

In our class we emphasized to our children to take heed of the Datu’s advice and they did.  But the following day something happened.  There were four girls, all students of ours, who were bringing their “liyang” (baskets) ready to go to their farm to gather sweet potatoes.  They came to our cottage to ask permission as they used to.

“Where are you going girls?”  I asked. 

“To our farm sir.  We don’t have food to eat and we are going by all means”, their leader spoke boldly. 

“Didn’t the Datu tell you not to?”  I warned. 

“Yes sir,” they chorused.  “But, we have prayed already.  When David was able to beat the giant, we, too will be saved from the head hunters.”  What a faith.  I looked at my partner, he looked at me, we were speechless.

“Yes girls, you can go but we’d like to pray for you again before you go.” 

“Yes sir, please”.  We prayed and they went.  Many times the simple faith and boldness of these children are our inspiration and strength as we work for the Lord in the SULADS ministry.

Our SULADS MISSION is to “reach the unreached” who are especially the unserved indigenous tribes of Mindanao by providing them non-formal education which hopes to help alleviate illiteracy, poverty, diseases and promote social awareness, yet give due respect to their traditions, beliefs, customs, aspirations and interest so that they may see the richness and the beauty of their cultural heritage and their whole life.

SULADS is a ministry that is dependent upon God to move the hearts of people to support its work.

Donations for the support of missionaries my be sent

to

            SULADS

        C/o: AWESNA

        2417 S. Azusa Ave.

        West Covina, CA 91792

Mark your donation “MVC/SULADS”

IN LIEU OF A GRAVE YARD

By Joubert Falcuntin

Dapilo-an Mission School

June, 2000 

       Spiritism is a common practice among the Manobos.  In Dapilo-an Mission School, this practice is still existing.  A death of a member of a Manobo family is believed to be caused by some bad spirits.  I witnessed one of the rituals one day when an aged father became ill.  We were summoned for help.  We rushed to examine the patient.  We found out that he was suffering from tetanus.  Knowing that we could no longer do anything, I decided to go down to Kalagangan, a 12 kilometer hike through rivers and mountains, to seek medical assistance.  I was discouraged that the Barangay Health Worker was not there.  I bought some supplies and hurried back.

As I was approaching the village, a lady asked me to hurry because the patient, Loreto, was already chilling and dying.  I rushed to the patient’s house.  He was gasping for air.  I prayed for God’s help with my partner, Phrody Dalguntas.  I carefully applied CPR and massaged his semi-paralyzed body.  Thank God, he recovered.  I know God was with us at that moment.   

“God,” I whispered in prayer again, “Please spare him.”  This man was the first one to ask for Bible studies and how he is ready for baptism. Satan is trying his best to not let go of this man.  He was one of the most active supporters of the SULADS program in the village.  He attended two of the SULADS Jamborees and it was during these events that he heard more of the gospel and saw the change in many of the Manobo’s lives.  He loved the sermons and the Sabbath worship.  When we returned back to Dapilo-an Mission School, he decided to have Bible studies with me and later on decided to be baptized.  He was supposed to be the first candidate for baptism but he became a sacrifice so that more people will be reached. 

The story goes like this.  One Sabbath afternoon about two weeks later, the people were gathered in the house of Loreto.  The witch doctor did some rituals and the old folks chanted unfamiliar words that I don’t understand.   

The quack doctor offered a pig as a sacrifice and sprinkled blood on the face of Loreto.  Blood was mixed also with betlenut and he let the patient chew it.  During that ritual, I felt the presence of a different spirit working within them.  I held my Bible firmly on my chest and silently prayed, “Lord, please stand by me amidst these evils and thy will be done for brother Loreto.” 

After the patient chewed the betlenut with blood in it, his body got numb and he became comatose.  That night the patient died.   The people were sad.  They blamed themselves, the quack doctor, as well as their old folks for the death of Loreto.  They thanked us for trying to help them. 

The battle was over and it seemed that the enemy won.  I know, however, that the Lord will not let His work be trodden by His enemy.  I thought that was the end of it all, but the Lord knows more than I do.  After that incident, the village people became hungry for the gospel.  They asked for Bible studies and as a result, a group of forty-six were baptized.   

The place where Loreto died was the place chosen for the church building.  God is in control and He knows what is best for His work.  Praise God for a successful work in Dapilo-an.  Recently seven more souls were added to the fold.  Now in lieu of the graveyard of Loreto, a church stands.

WITHOUT YOU I CAN’T BE LIKE

By: Cristita Bandalan Garnado

Missionary to Balangbangan Mission School

            My father was the most feared of in our tribe.  A chief in his own right nobody would dare break his word.  He was a headhunter and the fiercest among his brothers.  His brothers join him in headhunting causing bloody tribal conflicts.  By this our village Dao was always attacked by other villages.  I can still remember, when one night when we were attacked,  we groped in the dark as we ran for our lives taking cover in the bush.

            I can’t forget also the time when I was still a small girl, my father  would hide by our window with his bow and arrows.  Aiming at passersby, shot the arrow, and whenever somebody is hit especially on the leg, he would enjoy laughing especially when the victim, crawls in pain.  He seems to be just enjoying this as a game.

            He was known as notorious killer.  Because whenever he goes, wild animal or human  he killed it.  He divides the corpse in pieces, the head in another village the  left hand in a forest, the other hand in other place, and so with the rest of the pieces of the body scattered everywhere.  This leaves the bereaved crazy and furious searching for the pieces to assemble them.

            In our home, he roars like a lion and we his children tremble before him.  Mother can’t do anything either.  There seems to be no way to change my father.

            Then one day student missionaries from Mountain View College came to our village.  They said, “we came to teach  your children how to read and write  and many more things.  This seems strange to my father and he showed little interest.  He was cold in welcoming the missionaries.   We his children and the rest of the people in the village were happy for the good news that a school will be built and the two teachers will stay in the village.

            I can hardly wait for the school to start.  The villagers except my father helped the student missionaries build the school.  Children and women helped gather cogon grass for roofing,   while men gathered sticks and lumber.  It just took us a week to finish our school.

            Our new teachers’ ways were strange.  They don’t smoke like the lowlanders we knew.   They sing a lot to the tune of the guitar they brought.  At the sound of the bell we gather every morning and evening to listen to our teachers tell stories from big roll of pictures.

            School was fun.  We learned many things  in school.  What I love most were the stories from the Bible, read write, draw and sing.

            The teachers hardly knew me because, shyly I would hide in a corner but would listen attentively to the stories.  The teachers never knew that secretly I have learned to admire them because of their being kind and good examples as missionaries.  This led me to dream to be a missionary teacher someday.  I did the best I can in my studies.  I took the government’s placement test and I passed it.  I got a privilege to study at MVC.  With this opportunity, I worked hard to fulfill my dream.  Finally I achieved it with a major in Elementary Education.

            I have promised to my Lord and myself, because the missionaries gave their lives for me and my manobo brothers and sisters, I will also give my life to go back to my own people who have not been reached yet by the gospel.

            Today, my father is already a baptized Seventh-day Adventist.  The last to be baptized in our family.  I, too, am now a current missionary back to my own people in another village together with my husband and child.

  

 

WHEN THE ROAD TURNED INTO MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS

by Jun Cardente

Dao Mission School

November 1996

STOP!!  It was Sunday morning when we traveled to our area.  Suddenly, the jeepney stopped.  The driver and the conductor got out of the jeepney and looked at what had happened.  “Oh,” they said.  “The road turned into mountains.  We cannot pass because there is road widening work going on by the government.”

The project was being conducted at Lumbayao, San Fernando.  We cannot get to our destination any way but to pass on that road.  The government project was hindering our progress at this point.  We waited along with the other vehicles for about an hour while we waited for the heavy equipment that was working on the road.  The bulldozers were transferring the mountains to the other side.  With one last pass, the mountain turned back into a road and we were able to pass on a road that was more than twice the width of the original road.  With this, the driver started the jeepney and we continued on to Halapitan, the government center of San Fernando Township. 

 At this point, I did not know what to do to get to my destination.  Should I ride a jeepney?  If so, which one?  Or maybe I should walk from here?  I wondered about the condition of the road.  I decided to follow the guidance of my partner but he was very quiet.  We got out of the jeepney.  It was 1:00 p.m. but we had not yet eaten our lunch.  My partner said we should wait for another jeepney.  I was hungry and thirsty by this time.  After about two hours, another jeepney came by and my partner flagged it down.  We got in and started on the next leg of our journey. 

Rain started falling very heavily.  My partner was worried because he was concerned about a flood.  My partner then told me that whatever vehicle one takes, one must cross over rivers and streams at least 30 times.  At that news, I bowed my head and closed my eyes and prayed .  I know that nothing is impossible with God.  After my prayer, the jeepney crossed the first river.  I was afraid.  That was the first time in my life I had seen a road turn into a river!  I was thankful to God for leading us.  After many more crossings, we reached Bugca where we got out of the jeepney.  We unloaded our heavy things from the jeepney.

We finally ate our lunch there in the home of a relative of my partner.  During the lunch time, my partner told me that we would then hike for three hours over a muddy trail and cross three more rivers.  Imagining what it would be like, I already felt tired.  I thought of our heavy load which must be carried for those three hours.  I was discouraged.  Then I recalled Joshua 1:9 where it says, “Be strong and of good courage.  Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”  I then thought of Joshua when he led the Children of Israel across the Jordan River and my courage and strength returned.

The time came and we started hiking.  I picked up my heavy load and followed my partner.  It was now 3:00 p.m.  We walked and walked.  I didn’t know where we were but we reached Dao at 6:30 p.m.  I was very tired but also very happy. 

When I reached the place, I realized that my responsibilities had begun.  I felt embarrassed for almost two weeks because of the new culture I encountered.  I praise God because he gave me courage and strength to overcome the culture shock I experienced.  Now, I am not only encountering physical mountains and rivers, but spiritual mountains and rivers as well.  I pray to the Lord for strength to cross these difficulties.  I must climb these mountains of hardship and cross these rivers of difficulty.  I am now happy in the service of the Lord.  I believe that success is not measured so much by the profession that one has reached in life but by the obstacles that one has over come.

 Please pray for us here in Dao Mission School.

 

I’M READY TO DIE

by Arlyn Tolentino

Dao Mission School

May, 1997

My close friends and roommates criticized me when I decided to join the SULADS student missionary program at Mountain View College.  I felt so sad when my closest friend said, “You’ll become a Manobo someday.  Remember that!”  She looks down on Manobos and the SULADS.  I was hurt but my heart told me to be strong.  I wasn’t discouraged by the discouraging words of my friends.

 

“My decision is final.  I have prayed about it.  No more turning back.  I’m ready to die.”  This strong and bold decision of mine stunned my roommates and friends and that was it.  I’m now a student missionary.

I’m now assigned to the Dao Mission School.  This is a three hour hike from an abandoned logging road.  My partner is a Manobo and a mother of two.  Dao is a territory frequented by NPA rebel soldiers.  Military detachments put red flags on the map for the Dao area meaning it is a war zone because of the monitored presence of the NPA rebels.

Chief Datu Mampalawod is a strong supporter of the student missionary program.  He protects our student missionaries.  He speaks for his people in the municipal office.  He strongly objects to the recruiting and polluting of the minds of the many promising youth in Dao by the NPA’s. 

Datu Mampalawod was instrumental in getting his nephew who was an NPA guerrilla member to surrender to the authorities of the law.  This made the NPA’s angry and they plotted to kill Datu Mampalawod and other officials in the village.  Because he and his four companions were issued fire arms and ammunition, there were determined to fight the NPA rebels.  This angered the NPA commander and he then plotted to kill all the people in Dao, including the children and of course the student missionaries.

I prayed, “Lord, I decided to work for you even though I was forsaken by my friends but because you called me, I’m here working for you.  You brought me to this critical area.  As You promised that You will not forsake me and Your people, I’m claiming that promise.  But if ever it is Your will, Lord, for me to die with these people, I will accept it with joy of victory in Jesus.”

Friday afternoon, about sunset, a boy reported that two NPA’s were already in the village.  The people were so afraid.  The village was so quiet and everybody seemed to just feel and wait for what will happen next.  Then it started to rain.  My partner was pale and grabbing her two kids, she asked me, “What shall we do now?”

Calmly I got my Bible and turned to Psalm 23.  I read it to them in the vernacular.  I went on to chapter 91.  I encouraged them boldly.  “We should never be afraid.  Relax, pray, and trust the Lord, our Shepherd, and nothing will harm us.  Nobody will run away, please,” I instructed.  The two kids held close to their mother who was more afraid.  She was praying for her husband who might be on the way still.  I came close to her, hugged her tight, and we reconciled with each other.

“Don’t you worry, my partner,” I comforted her.  “We are working for the Lord. If he wills that we die for him like John the Baptist or Paul, I’m ready now.”  Our tears were choking us as we surrendered our lives to the Lord as we were still glued together with our tight embrace for that seemed to be the last moment of our lives.

Then we heard a knock on our door.  “Open, please,” he demanded in a loud whisper.  I opened the door and there stood in front of me two men.  One was my partner’s husband and the other was his brother. 

 

“Don’t you worry,” they calmed us down.  “The NPA’s are gone.”

What a relief.  But in the morning the threat of the return of the rebels still haunted the villagers.  I was refreshed with the thought that the angel of the Lord drove those NPA’s away.

PATIENCE

by Marlon Manlapao

Dao Mission School

December 1996

To be a missionary or a leader of people is not an easy task if you are not fully dedicated to the Lord.  In the mountain, you can experience so many things that you would not expect to happen.  You need to understand others and especially yourself.  You need the ability to accept and remain calm in difficult situations.

It happened like this.  Sir Jun Cardante and I together with Merlyn Gapas, the midwife assigned by the government here in Barangay Dao conducted an evaluation.  We started gathering people in an assembly meeting.  We tell them what was the purpose and what they will get by cooperating with us.  We told them we would visit their houses and to be sure that their houses were clean.  We wanted to see their herbal garden, beautification of the house, and of course, the toilet.  They responded, “Uya”, which means “yes”.  We scheduled to visit them one month later.

After three weeks, no preparations had been made.  Even the Barangay Plaza was not ready to be evaluated.  We called the Barangay Captain and the Datus and requested that they help us with the problem.  We observed that they were not willing to help.  We felt embarrassed to tell the midwife and the sanitary inspector about this failure.

We called another assembly meeting.  We asked them one by one why there seemed to be problems between them and us, the student missionaries.  Why was it that they would not cooperate in this program which was designed for their own good?  If they did not cooperate, this mission school might be closed.  Some of them promised to cooperate next time because they did not want their school to be closed.  We did not want to close the school either because we had learned to love the children and parents of Dao.  We love them in spite of their unseemly behavior or how hard headed they might be at times. 

This experience taught us to be more patient with the Manobos.  We need to understand their weaknesses and to educate and guide them.

We do not know what is the plan of God for each one of us.  We take it to the Lord in prayer.  I will go where He wants me to go.  I am not afraid of the NPA’s (a rebel group) and their program here in Dao.  I am willing to be like Dodong Bardon (who was killed by the rebels some years ago while working as a student missionary) if it is God’s will.

THE PATH THAT I MUST TREAD

by Marlon Manlapao

Dao Mission School

August 1996

God has a plan for the life of every person.  The reason I write this story is that my life is an example of God’s planning.  I had no thoughts of doing missionary work.  I did not wish to go to unknown places and face unknown hardships without the experience to handle the problems.

When I decided to serve the Lord by joining the SULADS program, I put my entire life in His hands.  I decided that whatever happened, I will do His unfinished work in the mountains of Bukidnon or any other place he sends me.

When Sir Daryl Famisaran told me of the decision of the SULADS Board of Trustees to send me along with Bobby to Dao Mission School, we were glad to pack our things and start on the journey as soon as possible.  When we arrived at the end of the road at Dugka, San Fernando, Bukidnon, some of the people there including the barangay officials warned us that we should not go.  They said it would be dangerous for us to go to Dao because there were many members of the New People’s Army (NPA), a communist organization, working in Dao.  In fact, the NPA had just recently stolen a radio from the people of Dugka. 

We only smiled at them and said, “If our lives end in Dao, we are humbly willing to accept that.”   We continued on our journey and reached Dao.  Nothing happened to us as we are on God’s work and we  trust in God to protect us.  We have been assigned to the work in Dao and God will see us through.

The municipal mayor, the national police, and the Philippine military are suspecting that Dao is functioning as NPA representatives.  While it is true that many NPA have visited Dao, it does not mean that we are working with them.  We ignored their accusations.

From August 5-11, 1996, we held an effort to win souls in Dao.  We have prepared thirty souls for baptism.  On August 31, Pastor Cabaluna baptized these valiant souls.  Even though our enemies try to break us by discouragement and problems, we try to put all our problems before the Lord in prayer. 

We know now that this is the work that we must do and the path that we must tread as we wait for His Second Coming.

MONTHLY REPORT FROM DAO MISSION SCHOOL

by Jun Cardente

November, 1996

A big challenge is placed before each of us waiting for the second coming of Christ.  We must render service to the Lord.  We are to proclaim the everlasting good news of salvation to all the world.

We are happy to say that we are now using our “Korean Church”.  We call it the Korean Church because much of the cost of construction was borne by Korean students at Mountain View College.  We tore down the old church so that we could use the materials from it to finish the Korean Church.  The church is still not finished but we now use it for our Sabbath services as well as midweek meetings.

On November 11, 1996, we called a meeting and told the villagers that we would be conducting a sanitary inspection in each house in the village.  In fact, the first inspection by our mission school students has already taken place.  That was really just a reminder.   The second inspection will be done by us—the student missionaries.  The third and final inspection will be done by the midwife assigned by the government along with government inspectors.  There is an award to be given by the midwife assigned here.  Items inspected include the comfort room, the vegetable garden, the herbal garden, beautification of their yards, etc.  We worked out this program because we believe that cleanliness is next to godliness.

In support of another government program, we assisted in a tree planting drive.  Last week, we distributed five plastic bags to each family.  These bags are for collecting seeds from trees.  We lectured the people about the problems of cutting and burning the trees in the forest.  We told them that no one is allowed to cut any trees inside the barangay. 

We called an emergency meeting of the barangay and presented the possibility of reviving the “adult education” program.  It was voted by the group to bring it back.  This program is for villagers over 18 years of age.  The group will meet once each week and was started in the middle of November.  

On Sabbath mornings, we, accompanied by our students go out and serenade the villagers.  On Tuesday and Thursday nights, we visit those who are no longer regular in attendance at the Sabbath services. 

We also have other activities such as teaching the regular school classes, gardening, caring for those who are ill in the village, and conducting worship in the barangay hall each morning and evening. 

We praise God for guiding us here in the mountain.  Our peace and safety is quite critical now because of the activity of the National Peoples Army (NPA is a communist organization).  We continue the work here in Dao in spite of the threats to our safety.  Perhaps these things are all signs of the nearness of the coming of Jesus.  Please pray for us here in Dao.

Opening of a New School in Kabalansihan

by Fred L. Webb

On April 8, 1996, Datu Tang-ao (Alex Panes) took two student missionaries out to Kabalansihan in response to a request from the leaders at the Manobo Tribal Headquarters. 

When Several of the leaders of the SULADS attended the funeral of the Supreme Datu Gawilan in November of 1994, the leaders of the tribe became aware of the SULADS program among the Manobos.  They were interested for the SULADS to establish a school in their area.  They were told that the SULADS would not be able to do anything until at least April and probably not until June. 

At the close of the school year in March of 1996, the SULADS were able to train two students to go as missionaries for this task.  On April 5, representatives from Kabalansihan visited Mountain View College requesting that the new school be established in their village.  In response, Mr. Panes was able to open the school.

Upon arrival, it was learned that there had at one time been a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kabalansihan but it had died out due to backsliding until only one old lady was attending on Sabbaths.  She wept when she saw the student missionaries and realized that her days of worship alone were at an end.  Many villagers are backsliders and readily identified with the student missionaries.  One student chosen to work in Kabalansihan is a gymnast.  When a few of the people had gathered after their arrival, Bobby did a handstand and walked around a bit on his hands.  The villagers were duly impressed.  Bobby told the villagers that in order to be able to do this type of thing, they would have to live very healthy lives to have healthy bodies.  To accomplish this, they would have to leave off smoking.

We are praying that these backsliders in Kabalansihan will be quickly reclaimed and put to work in winning the rest of the village for Jesus.

MANOBO BAPTIST CHILDREN ATTEND CROSS ASSOCIATION FEDERATION

by Neil Tagarao

Basak Mission School

February, 1997

I never thought the Manobo children who have never gone to school could learn English songs so quickly!  Before I came to Basak, the children had only a few songs in the native dialect, a few in English and Cebuan but they sang in harmony.  God blessed their efforts and my prayers.  When I taught them to sing in soprano, alto, and tenor, they were able to learn it within one month. 

Many were blessed last December during our caroling because of their heaven-sent voices.  Even the parents were very impressed with the development of their children.  Because God blessed and developed the talents of the children, the neighboring barrios were so amazed at these barefooted carolers.  Even our SDA brethren in Kipolot, Kitaotao, Bukidnon during the association rally were amazed.

On January 29 to February 2, 1997, we attended the cross association Federation of Bukidnon at Lake View Academy.  The children had participated in every program through their singing.  Providentially, the union administrators attended, Elder Paternao M. Diaz, President of the South Philippine Union Conference (SPUC);  Dr. Remelito Tabingo, Secretary of SPUC; Elder Pleny Fondevilla, President of Northern Mindanao Conference (NMC) and Elder James Ramos, Secretary-Treasurer of NMC.  They witnessed the singing of these Manobo children and were impressed. 

I was supposed to ask for a love offering for repair of the roof of our teacher’s cottage, a water tank, and a school building but Elder Fondevilla prevented me from doing so.  He advised the president of the association to present it to the NMC executive committee during the church leader’s meeting.  Lake View Academy was asking for the offering to finish their administration building.

I was startled for a minute because i could not ask for a love offering.  Then I realized that it was God’s will.  It is God’s way.  It is God’s blessing.  There might be more blessing if the request is approved than if we had gotten the offering from the association.

Baptism of Eighty-three in Dao

by Alfredo Moreno

as told to Mrs. Nelita B. Janoyan

When the student missionaries were sent to barangay Da-o to reopen the school, the was opened for carrying forward a mighty spiritual reformation among the people of Da-o.  During the first three months of their stay, the missionaries spent their time in revival and conducting Bible Studies for all the families of this barangay.  It was through God’s power that the barangay officials were enlightened by God’s word and the whole village accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

On February 3, 1995, a parade began at Da-o headed for the baptism at San Carlos.  The parade was lead by Barangay Captain Santos Mambus-ag with his six councilmen and three datus with their families and relatives.  Eight-three of hem in all were willing to hike from Barangay Da-o to Don Carlos where the mass baptism was to be held.  God was so gracious.  When they reached Barangay Nam-Nam, Municipal Counselor Arandes offered a vehicle to transport them to Halipitan.  There three jeepnies were waiting to transport them to Don Carlos.  That day, the doors of heaven were opened to accept eighty-three precious souls to be in God’s fold.

The Da-o Seventh-day Adventist Church is quite a small building and unable to contain the congregation of 200 people who assemble for the Sabbath services.  They are planning to enlarge their church to accommodate the listeners but are unable to pay for the materials needed.  They are appealing to their brothers in other churches to assist them in accomplishing this task.

 In June of 1995,.  a mission school will open in Da-o.  The student missionaries ask each of us to pray for God’s blessing as they venture into this new step in their work in Da-o.

 

Baptism of Eighty-three in Dao

by Alfredo Moreno

as told to Mrs. Nelita B. Janoyan

When the student missionaries were sent to barangay Da-o to reopen the school, the was opened for carrying forward a mighty spiritual reformation among the people of Da-o.  During the first three months of their stay, the missionaries spent their time in revival and conducting Bible Studies for all the families of this barangay.  It was through God’s power that the barangay officials were enlightened by God’s word and the whole village accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

On February 3, 1995, a parade began at Da-o headed for the baptism at San Carlos.  The parade was lead by Barangay Captain Santos Mambus-ag with his six councilmen and three datus with their families and relatives.  Eight-three of hem in all were willing to hike from Barangay Da-o to Don Carlos where the mass baptism was to be held.  God was so gracious.  When they reached Barangay Nam-Nam, Municipal Counselor Arandes offered a vehicle to transport them to Halipitan.  There three jeepnies were waiting to transport them to Don Carlos.  That day, the doors of heaven were opened to accept eighty-three precious souls to be in God’s fold.

The Da-o Seventh-day Adventist Church is quite a small building and unable to contain the congregation of 200 people who assemble for the Sabbath services.  They are planning to enlarge their church to accommodate the listeners but are unable to pay for the materials needed.  They are appealing to their brothers in other churches to assist them in accomplishing this task.

 In June of 1995,.  a mission school will open in Da-o.  The student missionaries ask each of us to pray for God’s blessing as they venture into this new step in their work in Da-o.

 

CRY FOR HELP

By Marivic Damiles

Dao Mission School

Help! I heard a shout.  After breakfast, I went out.  People were shouting and running.  I didn’t go immediately thinking that there’s “ Tinigbasay” (bolo fight) again.

 

Early in the morning, everything was ready.  Time to leave for MVC.  But a pregnant mother with two small children collapsed.  I do not know what to do.  Since people depended everything on us.  Ma’am Prima hold her at the back and I put her in a comfortable position.  She was trembling in fear and speechless.  I hugged her and cry to the Lord.  We cannot do anything.  All we did was ask the Lord to help us.

While my partner was applying massage, I ran to the cottage to get some medicine.  Good! We have boiled water bark of medicinal plants.  Preparation for stomach ache, since stomach ache is very common there.  I took a glass and add sugar & soybeans to make the taste not bitter.  But we have a hard time letting her drink.  She was screaming 7 murmuring.  Some men held her arms and chin to her drink.  We forced her to drink because we knew that she was nervous.  When she’d taken some, she felt better.

 

All of a sudden she stoop up and wanted to fight.  I thought that she was controlled by the other spirit.  I talked to God in a silent prayer “Lord, you’re powerful, please help her to possess spirit from you”.  With the help of some big men, we were able to carry her inside the house. She was murmuring again with words which we cannot understand.  At this time she was weak. 

I asked the people not to gather around.  Asking her husband to get their Bible and open it in Psalms 91 and have a series of prayers.  Tears flowed from her eyes and still she was speechless.  But she was starting to feel better.  When she can talk we asked her to express what she had worried about.  She told us that she was afraid if killing might happen again.  She’d recalled the person killed by an “ugpit” (bolo) before.  We listened and let her talk.

After she had expressed what she has been worrying about, we started to give words of comfort.  We told her the love of God to all of us.  And nothing we should worry about.  Problems will be solved if we let god control our lives.

Yes, we cry for help from the Lord, sure God hears our sincere prayers.  Through giving assurance to these who have lost hope and downhearted. 

Help us pray that the Spirit of the Lord will be manifested to the people in Da-o who need the love of God.

I CAN FEEL THE CROSS IS HEAVY

by Nelson Decina

Dampaan Mission School

February, 1997

We took the children of Dampaan camping in the month of February.  The children were having fun gathering bamboo and cogon grass for their tents even though the rain was falling.  Their parents were happy for this activity so their children could prepare for the last day events. 

After the camping we had our bayanihan.  We got bamboo for fencing the village.  I went with the people  to gather the bamboo.  When I carried the freshly cut bamboo, it felt so heavy.  When I started carrying it up the hill to the village, I felt so tired.  The hills were steeper than I remembered them!  I asked my companions to stop for a rest.  After a short rest, we continued on up the hill with our bamboo on our shoulders. 

I began thinking of the crucifixion of Christ as I carried that bamboo up the hill.  I imagined Jesus struggling from Jerusalem down into the valley and up the other side towards Calvary as He carried that heavy cross.  Soldiers beat Him and drove the thorns into His head.  Later, while on the cross, He asked for water and they gave him vinegar to drink.  I was comparing what we were doing carrying bamboo with what Jesus did when he carried the cross.  My mouth was also dry.  I was thirsty.  The bamboo was heavy.

When we arrived in the village, I began talking to the villagers about the comparisons I had thought of between carrying bamboo and Jesus carrying the cross.  I explained to them how it was a great sacrifice for him to carry that cross for me.  I told them how I had decided that the bamboo was just too heavy for me and that I would just leave it on the hillside because I couldn’t bear it anymore.  I told them then of how I had become ashamed of myself for even thinking of quitting.

I told them of how Jesus carried that cross for my sin and their sins.  He was innocent of any crime and did not deserve to die but He was willing to carry my cross for me and to offer His life so that I may inherit eternal life.  I told them that Jesus had carried the cross for each of them and died for each of them.  They were happy to learn that Someone loved them so much that He was willing to suffer and die just for them!  This experience seemed to make the carrying of the cross just a little more meaningful to them.  Pray with me that they will walk with Jesus until He comes again to take us all to live with Him.

WE ARE NOT NPA’S

by Nelson Decina

Dampaan Mission School

January, 1997

It was December 18 when the Bright Light Association program started and all members of our gymnaires were there to show some of their talents they had learned in the mountains.  People were happy when they saw these very young people riding a roller coaster balancing (balancing on a board on a cylindrical roller on a stand) and other acts.  They were so proud that children from the mountain had talents and they offered some old clothes as our pinoskohan or reward.

When the program ended, we went directly home and to work again.  By this time, the NPA rebel group was active in the mountains.  Sometimes they would visit in Dampaan and the people were afraid because they carried guns on their shoulders.  These NPA’s were from other sitios and would not do us any harm but they just liked to ask for food.

On January 6, I heard from another barrio that they were accusing us of being members of the NPA.  The parents were afraid and went directly to the person who accused us.  The person said the members of the gymnaires were members of the NPA because the day before, young people who looked like the gymnaires had come to their house.  He ordered all the members of the gymnaires to report to him so that he could identify which ones they were.  I went to Datu Tibalawan and told him that we should not be afraid because the truth will set us free.

We asked all members of the gymnaires to be there so that the person could see their faces.  As the gymnaires lined up in front of the person, he could not identify even one as being one of the NPA that had come to his house.  The person was very ashamed because all his accusations were a big lie. 

The gymnaires are not rebels.  They are part of the Dampaan Mission School which represents Jesus to all those who see them.  Pray that Satan will not be successful in bringing ill repute on the activities of our mission schools.

My First Month at Dampaan Mission School

by Nelson Decina

November 1996

 

When I applied as a SULADS missionary to the SULADS president, I didn’t have hope to be accepted because I was not around during the orientation seminar for one week.  Even in the dedication ceremony I was not present because of my appointment in Bright Light Association.  I directed a five day camping that was held in Barangay Lumbayao.   I never thought that I will be accepted because I was not interviewed by the Board of directors.  When I came on campus, one of my friends told me that I am assigned to Dampaan mission school.  I questioned myself, what was Dampaan Mission School all about.  Are those people living there good people?  Are there a lot of discouragements as I have heard from some friends?  Some friends questioned me regarding why I had joined the program when in fact this coming year I should graduate.  I explained to them that it is God’s call and that I should join the program.

 

I didn’t listen to what they were saying.  All I needed to do was to think of doing missionary work.  I packed my things and prepared for my departure.  When I left MVC, I always prayed to God about what might happen in my future.  I prayed for my protection.  When my companion and I reached Laligan, some people told us that it is better that we should take a ride on a motorcycle with boards down each side called a habal-habal.  For me it is quite interesting because it was my first time to see that kind of vehicle.  When the motorcycle started to run, I was afraid because we were riding beside the driver, not at the back of the motorcycle.  I was thinking that I was going to die now because of the rugged road and the big stones in the road.  

 

When we were about to reach Bulacao, a very heavy rain began to fall.  We became very wet as well as our bags.  I prayed to the Lord that He will guide us and will give us hope, courage, and faith to continue.  It was about 2:00 p.m. when we reached Dampaan.  There, I met Datu Tibalawan and the rest of the villagers.  I saw people who were smiling and friendly and so happy.  I was very impressed with the love shown to me.

The next morning, a mother came to our cottage and informed us that her husband has a wound.  We visited the house and when I looked at it, the wound was still bleeding.  I stopped the bleeding by touching the pressure point.  I applied medicine, dressed the wound, and prayed.

 

Then, I understood what the work of the missionary was.  Every day we are so happy.  We enjoy working with the students.  Every Sabbath we  have a ministerial seminar reaching out to some of the neighboring villages.  We sing songs and encourage those who have backslidden from their religious convictions.

Pray that I will be faithful and fulfill the mission for which I have been dedicated.