Quick Trip to Sadanga - October 19-20

Well, it is not really a quick trip to Sadanga.  But one team member's prayer life improved dramatically along the way and she seriously considered changing her permanent address to Sadanga rather than return to Bontoc along that same road.

As I said, it's not a quick trip, but once we were there, we were not able to stay long. Our weekend plans were thwarted by the typhoons so we had to reschedule. After the typhoons had passed, the road was reopened so traffic could pass instead of requiring several transfers across the landslides. Since all of the team's remaining weekends were full, it was decided to make a mid-week overnight trip.

It was a good opportunity for me to spend some time with Alexie and Annalise.  Annalise was especially excited to spend the night at our friend Jonathan's house once again.  He is the son of Pastor Farne, at whose house we have stayed before and would be staying during our visit.

We arrived in the evening and shared our dinner with the rice and chicken that Pastor Farne's family provided. The food was delicious.

Then it was time to hike to the moon church. (When you climb so many stairs to get to one place, it seems a lunar landing is not far beyond.)  We sang worship songs as we awaited people gathering.

It was important for us to make sure we made it to Sadanga, because the team brought a Proclaimer for the village.  As Krista guided the Bible study using the Proclaimer and asked many thought provoking questions, it was great to see the believers discuss what the Bible was saying and how it can be applied in their own lives.

After the message, Pastor Farne and a couple of the church leaders took time to learn how to use the Proclaimer for themselves so that they could continue to use it once we were gone.

Ayla seemed to think it was too late at night for all of this talking.

Claire, Alexie, and Marie

Our gathering went late and everyone was ready to go to sleep when bedtime came.  Alexie and Annalise may look bright eyed in the picture below, but it was only a few minutes before the room was silent.

In the morning, we had breakfast and then packed up to leave on the first jeepney back to Bontoc.

Stairs are part of life in Sadanga - you don't go anywhere without them

UPDATE:  I saw Pastor Farne in the market yesterday. He told me they are using the Proclaimer and finding it helpful in their ministry.

Grace,
Tom