Method: Media - Message: Unchanged

I was blessed with an opportunity to minister to a couple of villages when our friend, Greg, offered to pass through Bontoc on his way north. He and a friend have a film showing ministry with churches north of us. He graciously offered to take a few days in Bontoc to show gospel films in our area before continuing on his way.

We started by showing a film about commitment to Christ to our Student Sponsorship Ministry students the evening Greg and Arnold arrived.

The freshly planted Maligcong rice terraces

Our first trip was to Maligcong. A wedding was taking place the same weekend, so we were not sure how many people would leave the wedding festivities and hike through the fields to watch a movie. We were thankful when the church was full during the showing and Pastor Frederick was able to share with the people afterwards.

Pastor Frederick, Arnold, Greg, Jordan, Jay-ar, and Pastora Cynthia in Maligcong

The next morning, we left Maligcong and headed straight to Saclit, our next destination.

We arrived in Saclit in mid-morning and had to wait for evening to show the film. In the meantime, I showed Jay-ar and Jordan how to make a rocket stove. They are both connected with our YWAM Student Sponsorship Ministry and wanted to join us in ministering in the villages for the weekend. At dinner, they were eager to use the rocket stoves to cook our meal - and did a great job.

Jay-ar and Jordan cooking dinner on the rocket stoves

Just before dark we set up the projection equipment in an open area in the middle of the village. We showed the Jesus film which tells the story of Jesus based on the book of Luke. There were people sitting on benches, stones, stairs, walls, and hanging out of windows as the movie played. Because there was no moon it was too dark to attempt counting how many people were there, but when flashlights and torches shone in different places you could see people gathered in every direction from which you could view the screen.

After the movie Pastor Steve talked with the people

I was excited about the opportunities these days provided.  First, it was great to share using media to help people in both villages understand the gospel. It also provided an opportunity to include Jay-ar and Jordan in ministry.

Grace,
Thomas

Light in Saclit

Saclit is a couple of hours east of Bontoc and located beyond the end of the road near the top of a mountain. Alayna and I visited there this weekend along with Pastor Steve who serves the community in this remote place.

Alayna hiking to Saclit

Our Saturday evening Bible study was cancelled because a wedding was taking place. In communities like this, nearly everything else stops for such an occasion because everyone is connected to the couple getting married. Being of a much lighter skin and notably taller than anyone else in the place, I was not able to just blend in and watch what was happening. It was not long before I was invited to dance, to eat, and to stand in front of everyone and give "advices" to the newlyweds. I gave my "advices" before the next dance began. But before I could join in the dancing, we were escorted to where the food was being served. Alayna and I shared a generous serving of rice and a few chunks of boiled pig. We did not make it back to the dancing because Alayna was not feeling so well and needed to go and rest. Even though we went home, the party continued until daybreak; we could hear the gongs and the PA the MC used all through the night.

Dancing and playing the gongs

Giving "advices" to the new couple

Of course, the night brought other sounds too. Between the ceiling of the room below the church where Pastor Steve sleeps when he is in town and the floor of the sanctuary above, there is room for the rats to run and play. At various times, they were quite active and woke us from our slumber. Then we could listen to the gongs or the MC at the distant wedding.

In the morning, some people were already hard at work. Apparently we were not the only ones who left the wedding. The first sign of such work was when the neighbors carried off a pig - before moving to the Philippines, I never knew how noisy pigs can be. Then outside of our window I noticed a man plowing a rice field.

During the service Sunday morning, Alayna presented a selection of the Read Aloud Bible Stories to the children - and everyone else who came.

Alayna reading the children Bible stories

 Afterwards, I led a discussion of Jesus healing the blind man as it is recorded in John 9.

Studying God's Word

 After lunch, we had some left-overs and these children were eager to give macaroni and cheese a taste test.

Beautiful faces

Later, some of the children returned to the church to hear the stories again - and again. They especially enjoyed holding the book themselves and turning pages as they listened to the Ilocano recording.

Enjoying the story of Zaccheus

By then people began to gather to learn about rocket stoves and solar soda-bottle lights.

Ungan's house where we gathered and later installed the bottle-lights

Before we began talking about how to build stuff, we prayed for Ungan and his house. He has been fearful recently. I could not get a clear answer as to whether it was due to spiritual fear or physical fear because he is not originally from this place where tribal tensions are still higher than in most places. Regardless, we prayed for God's peace for his home and his family.

The weather could not make up its mind. When we began, it was lightly raining and we stayed under the eaves of Ungan's house. Then the sun came out so hot we had to seek shade near the church building. By the time we were installing the bottle-light, it was overcast once again.

Learning about rocket stoves

While water was heated for coffee on the rocket stove, we prepared solar soda-bottle lights for installation.

Thomas and Pastor Steve with the double bottle-light installed

Quite a view from up there - notice all of the rice granaries on the far hills

Thomas, Ungan, and Alayna in the newly lit room

While we were working on the roof, these young men were sitting nearby playing a homemade instrument made of bamboo and a few pebbles. The bamboo strings were plucked and had a soothing sound. They told me the name, but I forgot what it was.

Ungan sitting in his doorway

Later we visited a few people at their homes. Anabel, standing next to Alayna, invited us to have dinner with her family. Pastor Steve tried to keep us in the conversation by translating. But mostly Alayna enjoyed holding the baby while I watched and listened, until the man in the lower left of the photo below came into the house.

He is not very fluent in English, but I appreciated the effort he was making to talk with me. We talked about the number of children we both had and other simple topics in an effort to get to know one another. We did not make it too far, but we were both trying. When we were getting ready to leave, he invited us to visit his house for a while.

At his house, there was some friendly conversation and some serious encouragement in faith and discipleship as we all talked. I really enjoy talking with people and sharing time with them in their homes.

His youngest daughter was so excited to have guests she barely stopped running back and forth long enough for me to get this photo.

We were all tired when we finally made it to bed. Happily, the rats did not keep me awake too much during the night.

In the morning we hiked down to the jeepney which would take us back to Bontoc. I was happy that I did not need to hike up or down the entire mountain during this trip and was surprised to find the jeepney empty when we arrived. But there must have been quite a line of people not far behind us because before long it was crowded inside and on top with people going home from the wedding.

As Pastor Steve talked with people, they asked us to give them a teaching during the long ride to Bontoc. Unsure of how to proceed, we got out the speakers and the Read Aloud Bible Stories and went through each of the stories we have translated. This was a group made up of mostly adults and we had a great discussion about each story and what we could learn from them. Pastor Steve and I were both amazed at how God can use even a jeepney ride through the mountains with a group of sleepy people as a time to teach and to learn.

Pray for Pastor Steve as he works to revive the church in Saclit. It was established long ago by YWAM missionaries, but floundered and eventually disbanded. He has a heart for the people there and the work is challenging.

Grace,
Tom

Adriana's a Godmother

Stevonnie Bless

On October 20, we received a text from our friend Mindel saying her daughter, Stevonnie, was to be dedicated at Saclit Sunday, and they had chosen me to be her godparent!

Daddy and Alayna were already going to Anabel and someone had to take care of the team, so it was my first village trip without a family member. I was very excited. I left Saturday and returned Monday. I enjoyed seeing Stevonnie Bless’s smiles and talking with Steve and Mindel.  For more details, visit our girls’ blog at dancingwithdaddy.blogspot.com

Love,

Adriana          

Remembering Lazaro

Pastor Steve, our friend who I have sometimes accompanied to Saclit, contacted me yesterday.  Sadly, he shared the news that Lazaro, passed away.  Lazaro was a baby I was honored to have met and prayed for on my first visit to Saclit.

I don't know all of Lazaro's story, but the news reminded Lisa and I of the struggle poverty creates in the most basic issues of life, such as health care.

Continue to pray for the physical and spiritual health of the Igorot people.

A Weekend in Saclit

In the jeepney awaiting our departure

This weekend, Adriana and I accompanied our friend Pastor Steve to the village of Saclit.  Although a tropical storm had brought a lot of rain over the previous days, we were fortunate that the road was not blocked by landslides.

But travel is always an adventure.  Not long after leaving Bontoc, we had our first tire change - both front tires.  One tire was flat.  The tread was peeling off of the other.  But honestly, I was not so sure its replacement was much better.

The first tire

The replacement

Ooops

Tire change in the mountains

It was not long before we had to stop again and put the first tire back on.

You may have noticed the rocks on the right of the picture.  That is from a landslide.  All along the way, the road varies from 1 to 2 lanes due to interferences from rocks above or collapse of the road below.

Adriana of the Cordillera Mountains

The rest of the way, there was the additional noise from the tire as the tread peeled off.  But we made it - well mostly.  Bald tires work okay on flat, paved roads.  But the rain had made the road up the mountain to Saclit muddy.  Bald tires and a full load of people made it impossible for the jeepney to complete the trip to the top of the mountain.

She go no mo'

Adriana and I were both glad to walk the rest of the way.  The driver tried hard to make it, but a few times we slipped and slid to the edge of the road.  It's very steep and a long way down.  Besides, we had been riding for a couple of hours already.

Enough about travel.  Our purpose for the weekend was not to write about getting there, but about being there.

Entering the "City Gate"

Saclit is at the top of a mountain.  Once the road ends you still need to hike up the trail.  Some of it has stairs like you see above.  I found out this weekend that its location was chosen in large part due to the history of tribal wars.  The latest incident related to these wars was as recent as 2004.  The location of Saclit provides clear view of anyone who might be trying to attack.  This provided a very defensible location to farm and raise your family.

We stayed at the home of Alex and Megela and their family.  In the evening, people gathered at at their home for a Bible study.  Together we talked about what we can learn about people, about God, and about the relationship between the two from the story of Bartimaeus.  The discussion was good, but once again I was wishing I knew enough Ilocano to understand the conversation without a translator.  About 10:00 pm the conversation died down and we went to bed.

In the morning, as we prepared for church, the family went about their chores.  One of which is feeding the pigs.  In the picture below, 8 year old Amy is pounding the pig food in the corner of the house.  Behind her you can see the banana tree stalks which are chopped and added to the food garbage before being pounded in the wooden mortar and pestle.

Preparing pig food

After the pigs were fed, I had the opportunity to sit with the many children who had gathered at the house.  We listened to the recordings of the Read Aloud Bible Stories as we sat on the back porch.  Many people of all ages stopped to listen to a story or two as they were either on their way somewhere or came out of curiosity to see what was happening.  You can see in the picture that the houses are very close together, so all of the neighbors could hear what was going on.

When we finished the stories that were recorded in Ilocano, I read the remaining stories in English.  Some understood more than others, but we had to go through all of the stories a couple of times before they would let me leave to go to the church building.

Read Aloud Bible Stories

While Saturday was a hike UP, Sunday was a hike DOWN.  The home we stayed in is near the top of the village and the church is further down.  As we walked, Adriana and I drew a lot of attention since not many foreigners make it to Saclit.

Walking to church

The church service in Saclit does not have a specific starting time.  As people gather, Pastor Steve leads worship.  As people hear the the singing, they come to the church.  Eventually, it is decided that it is time to study God's Word.  Pastor Steve had some things on his heart that he wanted to share before inviting me to share.

Much like the Bible study the evening before, we read from the Bible and talked about what we can learn from the story.  This time we talked about Zaccheus.  In both settings, we also listened to the Read Aloud Bible Stories.  This was helpful to more than just the children who were there.  Many of the people in Saclit are illiterate and as such are oral learners.  Hearing the story as it is written in the Bible and hearing it repeated with the illustrations from the book makes it easier for them to retain.  When Pastor Steve and I were talking about it later, he expressed how much he appreciated the teachings and felt the way we presented these Bible stories will make it so that people will think about them when they are alone - working in the fields or lying in their beds at night.  Isn't that what we should all be doing with God's Word?

After the service ended, many people stayed at the church to talk.  Adriana and I were warmly welcomed and asked to come again.  The people emphasized how much they appreciated our coming and would like very much for our whole family to come.  People brought food for us to eat for lunch, although they were too shy to sit and eat with us.

We enjoyed their company so much that we were too late to catch the bus.  Since there is no vehicle that leaves from the top of the mountain in the afternoon, we needed to hike down to the highway to catch a ride.  Adriana was not feeling well much of the weekend and the rain made the shortcut too slippery and dangerous - it is shorter, but much steeper than the road.  Together, these made our trip down take longer - besides the fact that we left late.

We were able to catch a ride with an overloaded jeepney for part of the trip.  It was full of people from a nearby village who had been at the river all night.  A person from that place had drown when he was crossing the river and the storm surge swept him away.  All along the river there were people taking turns watching to recover the body.  We crowded in with them until they turned off the main road to return to their village.

After waiting a while along the road, another vehicle came along.  If you have never ridden in the mountains in the bed of a dump truck, the picture below gives you an idea of what it looks like.  It was a blessing that there was room for Adriana to ride in the front and that he took us all the way to Bontoc.

Hitchin' a ride

Pastor Steve and I rode in the back and were glad it was just a light rain.

Pastor Steve

Grace,
Tom

Stepping Up to Saclit

A friend of mine is a pastor in two Barangays of Bontoc, Mountain Province. The first, and his home, is in Bontoc where he ministers to students who board at his church as well as others from the community. The second place is in the village of Saclit, about 2 ½ hours away. Until he began making the trip to Saclit last year, no evangelical Christian pastor had been teaching the people there for a number of years.

Village on the Mountain

The village of Saclit has a road going most of the way to it, but is high on a mountain and isolated from other places. Bontoc has the nearest hospital and public market. The nearest police station is in Sadanga, about an hour away. Fortunately, they do have electricity and springs higher in the mountain provide a source of running water.

Rice Terraces from Above

The people of Saclit are farmers. They rely on the rice grown in terraces carved into the side of the mountain. Other main crops include peanuts and sugar cane. Chickens run free under and around the houses. This was my first visit to Saclit and I found it interesting how many pigs were free to roam. Most villages I have visited keep their pigs in pens, but here a pig in a pen was the exception.

Pig at the Door

As with other villages in the province, the Igorot people still cling to animistic practices. There is a high place with a large “grandfather tree” under which sacrifices of pigs, chickens, or carabao (water buffalo) are made for planting, harvest, and in observance of other rituals. But there is a faithful remnant of God’s children even here!

On the weekend of March 19 and 20, 2011, I was honored to accompany my friend, Pastor Steve, to the village of Saclit. As we approached the road going up to the village from the main road, the jeepney was blocked by road construction. Concrete had just been poured on the main road and the jeepney could not make the turn without destroying the newly poured road. As a result, we had to hike the rest of the way. It took us more than 1 ½ hours to hike from the main road to the village – even though we used the steep footpath which bypassed one of the long cutbacks of the serpentine dirt road up the side of the mountain.

Jeepney at (No)Turn-off to Road to Saclit

Hike Up to Saclit
- If you look closely, you can see the road on the mountainside behind me.

Thomas, Pastor Steve, Alex, and Miguela

Saturday evening, we met with people in the home of our hosts, Alex and Miguela. Because it is planting time in the village, it was late before people began to arrive. Our Bible study did not even begin until after 9 pm. The people of Saclit speak little English, so Pastor Steve translated as we talked through the story of redemption the Bible reveals. Then we listened to Matthew 27 and 28 using the Proclaimer. Though it was late and those gathered had worked hard all day, even the children listened attentively as the story of the crucifixion and resurrection were dramatized in Ilocano. At the end of each chapter, Pastor Steve and I asked questions to ensure people understood and internalized the story they just heard. Most were amazed that the people present at His crucifixion still did not believe.

Carol Listening to the Story

Saturday Night Bible Study

Several commented that hearing the story on the Proclaimer greatly helped their understanding as opposed to someone reading to them. My experience is that people in this area have limited exposure to stories being read aloud with vivid expression. The illiteracy, poverty, and differences among the various dialects spoken here often make it so that when people are reading aloud it is not smooth and expressive but halting and flat.

Thomas Praying for Lazaro

Sunday morning, we packed up and headed to the church building located in the lower part of the village. On our way, we stopped to visit baby Lazaro. He is 6 months old and has respiratory issues that make every breath a conscious effort. My heart broke as I held his frail little body in my arms. Even his cry was weak and labored. We prayed for him before continuing on to the church building.

Church Building in Saclit

There is not a set time for the beginning of service for the church. About 9 am, Pastor Steve began singing hymns translated into Ilocano and people gathered. In all, about 25 men, women, and children attended. As this is a different group of people than those that had gathered the night before, Pastor Steve had suggested that we repeat the teaching we had already given.

Listening to the Proclaimer

Pastor Steve Explaining

Except for a couple of energetic boys about 2 years old, once again everyone listened intently as the Proclaimer played the stories of the crucifixion and resurrection. After talking about the story I asked if there was anyone who had not yet given their life to Christ and made Him their leader. It was nearly unanimous that people wanted to do so. Not knowing if I had been understood properly or if the hospitality of the people made them eager to please their guest, I asked Pastor Steve to explain that they did not need to do this if they had done so in the past. We also made it clear that if they made this commitment, then they could never again serve Lumawig or the other spirits, but Christ alone. None changed their mind. Almost the entire congregation gave their hearts to Christ after having the story of redemption taught to them and listening to the crucifixion and resurrection using the Proclaimer! Pastor Steve and I are overwhelmed at what the Holy Spirit did that morning!

The Church at Saclit

After service, I was blessed as several people provided me with a bag of peanuts as a token of appreciation for my coming to their place. Although I never mentioned it, they knew that I had hiked up from the road and were thankful for my effort to reach them. I was repeatedly invited back and was asked to bring my family the next time.

That made me…

Happy!

Grace,
Tom