Interceding for Aloran

The life of an indigenous missionary in the Philippines is hard. There are many obstacles that come into the lives of the missionaries. Health is a problem. Money is a problem. And an almost universal struggle is that of a meeting place.


My friend in Aloran, Pastor Manuel Obut, and his wife, Marylo, are quite busy. In addition to the Bible studies and church work, they also have two outreach schools. Since public schools are crowded in the Philippines, and since private schools are expensive, a common outreach for churches in the Philippines is to provide education for children. It allows the church the ability to teach the children (and their parents) the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


Pastor Manuel, his wife, and the church have many needs, and we would ask you to pray for them. It may not be proper to speak of all of them now, but we do ask you to remember the needs. Please pray for their school, for the teachers, for the children. Also, we are still seeking the 200 Bibles for Pastor Manuel's Bible studies to the many people in Aloran.


However, the pressing need for this time is the church lot. For eight years, the Obut family and church have been caretakers on a lot where there are many buildings. They have been able to use a building for a church and a dwelling place. It hasn't always been the most comfortable place. But they are thankful that the landlady has allowed them to stay there and watch God grow their ministry.


"The houses here are made cement, but we are sheltered in an old bamboo house destroyed already by termites almost to fall down," Pastor Manuel told me. "We received insults and hurting words."


Now, they need help. The landlady's family are not supportive of the church remaining there. The church and the family feel pressure from the landlady's family to move.


There is a lot nearby available for purchase, but the cost for this lot is 1.2 million Philippine pesos. That is more than $28,000 in US currency. They are also praying for another temporary lot so they can build their church and "stand on their own." Pastor told me they have been praying for the temporary lot for two months now. Let's join with them in praying for the lot. Let's also pray for their opposition who are causing them trouble.

Finally, let's continue to contribute Bibles for their work in reaching the lost in Aloran, Misamis Occidental. Remember, we need King James Bibles. We are praying for 200 of them. We have many already, but we have not reached our goal.