Everyone on the team was looking forward to our visit to the Tagbanwa village in northern Palawan. As is so often the case, getting there was part of the event. There was some uncertainty about the journey as bad weather including heavy rains was expected for that area. We left in four-wheel drive vans and were able to make it all the way into the tribe with little difficulty. For the return journey we arranged for the NTM plane to shuttle us out to the nearest town and then travelled on by local bus service – all part of the experience!
Danny & Philippa Brooks were the only missionaries in the village when we arrived, their partners, Ray & Chris Pollock had gone home on a short furlough. In the evenings Danny & Philippa shared their testimonies with us; how they came to know the Lord, how they met and eventually came to the Philipines to work with New Tribes Mission. Their love for the Lord and for the people in the village was evident to us all.
During the day they took us around the village, visiting in homes and introducing us to their friends. There was a birthday celebration going on for a little boy at one house, so there were lots of people to meet and interact with there. Another family was making new roofing for their house. They showed us how to fold the coconut leaves and tie them together with ‘thread’, also made from coconut leaves. Learning this new skill was much less important than spending time with these warm and friendly people.
As we said in a previous ‘post’ the gospel was presented for the first time in this village a few weeks before our visit and about thirty people trusted the Lord. These new believers need further teaching and encouragement from God’s Word, with the Pollocks away it has fallen to Danny and Philippa to build them up in their faith.
While all of this has been going on other events have been taking place in the village too. The village is located on the coast right at a beautiful beach. Private businessmen have recognised the potential of the area as a tourist site and are keen to develop the beach front. This will have a huge impact on those who live in the village especially the small landowners who are dependant on their rice fields and coconut plantations close to the beach. Already the developers have employed security men who have been moving into the area in preparation for work to commence.
A few days after we left the Brooks were having a Bible study with the believers, some of the security men came to join in with them. After the meeting these men asked if they too could go through the chronological teaching programme. It always amazes me that when circumstances don’t look favourable, God is in control and in grace He can bring about good.
Maybe one or two items still to 'unpack'
1 comment:
Hey N & B, loving the suitcase unpacking - that trip seemed sooooo exciting!!!Looking forward to the next instalment,
Lou
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