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A Wednesday to Remember
 by Annie Orteza, ACM
student
Last of
three parts Another highlight of our trip to the Manobo village happened on a Wednesday morning. While I was drinking coffee at the water reservoir, I noticed a young boy, about two years old, approaching the tub, planning to take a bath that cold early morning. As he removed his shorts, I went to our
room and took some soap and shampoo. I bathed that young boy. I then waited for
the other children to come, and did the same thing. I noticed that many of them
had wounds, scratches and colds.
After these kids took their baths, Tina cut
their long fingernails, and Tita Miriam offered free haircut for those with
long hair.
At about nine o'clock in the morning, we
had our pine tree planting. One pine tree was assigned per partner. The datu first dug the soil, and then we
cleared the soil of weeds before we planted the trees. Somebody was assigned to
put fences around the pine trees.
The next few hours, we became very busy
preparing for special numbers that we will present on our last night with the
village. It was an evening of worship, songs, messages, evangelism and
repentance.
It was so amazing to see how these people
worship our God! All special numbers were seriously prepared judging by the
costumes worn by the elders. Everybody was excited as we watched the program.
No dull moments during the night. Everybody has been very responsive to the
messages.
The datu
and his wife wore their native costumes. When it was time for the datu to speak, he greeted all of us in
English. The people were surprised and cheered for their leader. Then he sang a
song in their language. Later, the local pastor translated the message
delivered by the datu.
A couple of families and groups rendered
their special songs and dance. Of course, we also prepared a special native
dance and our "finale skit," which served as an entry point for the
evangelistic message of Pastor Mhel.
After that special night with the whole
tribe, we had our last debriefing with all the leaders. That midnight was a
continuation of testimonies, blessings, encouragements and assurance of God's
equal love to all His creations.
A Sad But Hopeful Goodbye
Early Thursday morning was our personal
devotion near the "cross." Everybody was given a chance to share their
reflection and special message for the village. Some had visions that showed
the glory of God through the Manobos, and some precautions and warnings for
their leaders to be stronger and more faithful to the Lord.
When it was time to say goodbye to our host
families and to the rest of the community, we cannot hide our loneliness. It is
only God who can tell when we will have a chance to be with them again.
The children accompanied us and carried our
baggage all the way to the top of the mountain, where the truck was waiting for
us. It was almost a two-hour walk. We were so tired and a bit wet from the rain
shower when we reached the top. We felt tears of sadness and joy when we said
our thanks and goodbyes to the children.
Our "goodbye" with them is just temporary.
Though some of us have plans of going back again in 2012, we still can never
tell when God's best plan will be.
The training we had among the Manobos
through Asian Center for Missions is more than what we expected. All of us were
blessed, and the experience will leave a mark in our hearts that will never be
forgotten.
The name of the Lord be continuously
praised for what He has done and for all people that He will continue to touch
through the indigenous people of the Philippines! All glory belongs to Yahweh
alone!
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Beth never dreamed to be a missionary. She had control of her life and was pursuing her own goals. But when God called her, she knew she just had to say yes. Her obedience paved way for Beth to see the face of God in the lives of the people she encountered and helped along her journey.
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