In the mountains of Davao among the Matigsalug tribal people, Grace learned that though people are separated by language and culture, they can become one through God’s love and in worshipping Him.

Missionary-trainee Grace was privileged to meet the Matigsalug tribe of Davao as a part of her local missions exposure trip. She and her team endured a 7-hour trek on foot climbing mountains and crossing streams to re ac h the village of Kabalantian where a missionary group had an ongoing ministry among the tribes.

“During their worship service, I was awed at how passionate the villagers worshipped God in their own tongue,” Grace narrates. “They were singing praises in the Matigsalug and Cebuano language.”

None among the team understood the native dialect spoken there, but it was evident that they were worshipping the same God. That was enough to break language barriers and draw them closer to e ac h other.

“We worshipped God in the same Spirit and in the same passion…” she adds.

In a neighboring village, Grace was blessed to have been able to re ac h out to 5-year-old Ading. She was a malnourished little girl who stared blankly at them refusing to communicate. But as soon as Grace extended her arms and hugged Ading, she was all smiles and danced around with them.

“There is a language that everyone can understand—the language of love. And I believe God wanted us to communicate this [to them]…” Grace recounts.

Grace is a student of the Asian Center for Missions’ (ACM) Missionary Training Program. For her, the exposure trip was an assurance of God’s promise that “He will be exalted among the nations; He will be exalted in the earth…”

Because of the support of ACM partners, Grace and other missionaries are being equipped to reach tribes living in the mountains and bring them the wonderful message of God’s love.