Exploits of Seven Passionate Missionaries in Coron, Palawan
As told by Deity Delos Reyes

After three months of classroom instruction, the students of batch 15, regular class of ACM Makati's Mission Training Program went to Sitio Dungun in Coron, Palawan for local exposure trip. After a grueling travel of 19 hours by sea, seven exited exposure trippers plus myself, all first timer in Coron, Palawan finally set foot in the beautiful Calamian group of islands last September 3, 2005. The unspoiled country side scenery left us spellbound.

At the pier, we were welcomed by Ptr. Nonoy Ortiz, a New Tribes missionary assigned in Coron. We ate breakfast in his house before proceeding to the market to buy supplies for our 9 day stay in " Dungon ", the place where the team will stay most of the time during the duration of the exposure trip. After completing our market list, we were brought to the New Tribes mission house where we waited for Ptr. Harry Buhwillon, our host missionary assigned in sitio Dungun.

From Coron town, we rode two small bancas going to sitio Dungun. Heavy rain greeted us on our way leaving us wet and shivering yet delighted with the beautiful views of scattered islands. It took us less than an hour to finally reach our destination where we were welcomed by 2 church workers of our hosts who also prepared a welcome meal for us. We were also introduced to Ate Myrna, the kind and soft spoken wife of Ptr. Harry, then we had lunch - fish, rice and vegetable salad was served. The house we stayed is a typical nipa hut, roofing made of nipa and floors made of bamboo. The posts are made of hard wood from tree trunks.

We observed that petromax and "gasera" were hanged in many corners of the house. There's no electricity in this place, no cell phone signal. Spring water though is overflowing. The lack of amenities truly would encourage one to come out and bask in nature's beauty and to spend a good portion of their time fellowshipping with the natives. The country side living was a delight to us. This has to be cherished, so camera started flashing.

During the 9 day local exposure trip, the students were exposed to different activities.
Each activity is prefaced by a "briefing"-a short lecture on what to expect, what the demographics of the community are plus pointers on cultural sensitivity. The students had the chance to observe how our host missionaries do their ministry to the tagbanua tribe. One of the students was able to teach the natives bead -making using shells instead and other raw materials found in their place. They joined bible studies, outreach ministries and prayer meetings. During these activities, some were asked to share testimonies, do exhortations, and assist the missionaries. Some also did special numbers like rendering tagbanua songs.

A typical bible study would take an hour or more of walking and climbing a hill then down again. Sometimes it would also mean skipping a meal for it would usually take an hour and more to finish one bible study before transferring to another house. During one outreach bible studies, we visited three household ( all non Christians ) One lady on the last house visited accepted Christ as His personal Saviour. Some shared to Ptr. Harry how blessed they are with the testimonies of the students. Amazement filled our hearts when almost all of the natives visited expressed their desire to attend the next Sunday gathering at sitio " Dungun"

While we were at Sitio Dungun, we also had a chance to explore Dibato Island, a beautiful island with white beach. According to our host, the island was sold by a tagbanua to a Businessman in exchange for two bottles of wine and " malong".

We were also privileged to visit Malauig Island, where "pebbles beach" is found. It was such an amazing view. Instead of sand, the beach has pebbles arranged from the smallest to the biggest one. It is in this island, we met one if not the oldest man in Coron. According to the natives, he is approximately 130 years old. Interestingly, he happens to be the first convert among the villagers. Almost all of the village people come from his clan.

On our way back to Coron, we check Cayangan lake, a favorite picnic spot of tourists, which has been recognized for two consecutive years as the cleanest lake in the Philippines. The allure of Cayangan can be experienced via a 20-minute boat ride from the town of Coron and a 15-minute trek-up hill. The lake is a favorite of divers as well, who long for its cool, fresh waters.

During our 9 day stay in Coron, Palawan. We could not help but appreciate the sight of untouched nature. During our trips, you could almost hear everybody say " Ganda, ganda!"- and you could only nod in agreement ( you need'nt tire yourself out so you can concentrate in looking at the sight.) Even the weather cooperated with us except for the boat ride from Cayangan Lake to Coron wherein we experienced a roller coaster ride with strong rain and rough waters.

But nothing could compare, to the many experiences and lessons learned by the exposure trippers. One of the students shared this testimony. "The exposure trip helped me realize the life of the missionary, its routine activities, possible living conditions and struggles. This helped me anticipate and prepare myself to whatever situations I will be facing as a missionary myself." The students also had a first hand experience on language learning skills. "I have found out that learning the dialect of our target people is the best way to win their hearts." shares one of them. Another student had this realization, "The exposure trip caused me to re- thing my calling, to re- evaluate everything. It is easy to read about missionaries experience while still at home in our comfort zone, but in reality it looks very different" The reflection of the exposure trip made others realize the importance of paying attention to the different stages of conflict and to internalize them and the importance of team building as well." We should know the different character style and how they fit together. Team building and character development are important things we have to learn and to apply in our lives and ministries "From the student's stories and testimonies, one would know that the daily fellowshipping with each other, with the natives and our host missionaries taught them on hand experience how to properly adapt to a different culture as well as teaching and interviewing skills. " Contact with the local people gave me a taste of what to expect when I myself will be a missionary to a foreign country of very much different culture.

I learned how to be immersed in the community and mingled with the people to understand them better, their ways, belief, language and views of life. This helped me to communicate and relate effectively and also made the people trusting to communicate back and be open" The local exposure trip also allowed them to gain more compassion to the poor, lost and the needy. "The simplicity of the local people's lives and total dependence on God's blessing to exist are so encouraging and inspiring "shares one of the student.

Another student shares this testimony "the ministry of our sisters and brothers { there} was a great example of incarnational ministry and it was also encouraging me to do the same way. It will cost a lot, but Jesus is my great example of this. He paid much higher price as I can pay. The love of Jesus I could really see in { their }life and ministry." These are just few of the realization God has impressed in the lives of the students. The fantastic view of God's creation also made them/ us realize again how near, He is- through the creation and through the people whom He has made creative enough to be caretakers of the land.

The two weeks local exposure trip is part of ACM's six month training course designed to equip Christians toward effective cross cultural ministry. Indeed, it has helped the students and me a lot.