Hazardous cargo

This entry will be a bit different, because I won't name a lot of specific details about places and people for rather obvious reasons. Also, I won't put up many photos for the same reasons.

Before I tell the story of my second trip into the mountains, and the only one into Zamboanga Sibugay, I want to tell you what has been on my heart for years. Before I moved to Hawaii, I tried on two different occasions to get a job in the Middle East. The primary reason was that I wanted to minister among Muslims.

Frankly, it angers me when Christians express fear of Muslims. We have no reason to fear them. In fact, Jesus tells us explicitly not to fear them. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." That's not a suggestion; that's a command. 

The worst a Muslim can do to us is kill us. And we don't know that they will. But we do know what will happen to every Muslim who dies without receiving the salvation of Jesus Christ. What God will do, the One we are to fear, is certain. It is lazy, self-centered, Christ-denying disobedience for us to fear Muslims. We must pursue them with the gospel. If we die? Then we're with Christ. But there is no tragedy if we die trying to reach them; the only tragedy is when they die without having a chance to respond to the Gospel.

So, anyway, several months before my trip, I begged my host pastor for the chance to visit a certain pastor in the "critical area" where Muslims dominate. Pastor B.B. works among the Tausug tribes, a very fierce Muslim tribe on Mindanao. In fact, the word "Tausug" means "brave," and they take that seriously. This tribe was the first tribe on Mindanao to convert to Islam centuries ago, and though not the only Muslim tribe on the island, it is considered the most fierce. I was surprised when my host pastor agreed to let me go.

In midst of this stronghold of Satan is a small church, trying to reach the people with the good news. The work has been hard, and it has been slow. After about 10 years of work, the fruits have been small. Pastor B.B. said, "It's like the days of Noah here. There are only eight of us." 

Doing the best to hide the white before our trip up the mountain.

The days leading up to the trip to the Tausug area were interesting, to say the least. My hosts had to go to four or five different bus companies before they found a company willing to take us there. Even then, the bus could only take us so far, and we had to stop in another city. From there, the pastor to the Tausugs provided motorbike drivers to take us to his place. Including the motorbike drivers, we rode four men to a motorbike up some of the muddiest, rockiest unpaved roads you can imagine. But we will get to that in a minute.

We left at midnight, picking up a few pastors along the way. Many of them had never been to this place before, and I certainly had never been. In fact, they would tell me I was the first Amerkano to visit this particular ministry. My host pastor even called me "suicidal." 

When we arrived in the town where we were to meet Pastor B.B., we got out of the bus to stretch our legs. While we were stretching, I noticed a sad, mournful sound coming out of some PA speakers. It took my sleep-deprived brain a few moments to realize what I heard, but then it clicked. I was hearing the Muslim call to prayer. What a horrible sound. It is somewhere between a song and a chant, but it is so sad sounding. Then, if you consider that it is the sound of a man guiding lost souls into damnation, then it is even more heart-breaking. Clearly, I became wide awake when I heard that sound.

While we waited, we went to the home and church of another pastor who serves in the town where we made our rendezvous. He and his family served us bread and coffee, and if you've never had pan de sal for breakfast, you are missing out. It's a great little piece of bread. After several minutes, Pastor B.B. arrived.

This was a great moment for me, because this man is a hero of mine. Years ago, he was working as a fisherman in another part of the island. He was attending a livelihood class by a certain pastor, teaching how to repair electronics. This pastor used the livelihood ministry to share his faith, and he led Pastor B.B. to Christ through these meetings.

Pastor B.B. then moved back to his home to bring the Gospel. He makes use of a verse in the Qu'ran that tells Muslims to know the God of the Bible. He tells them he has done what Mohammed commanded. Also, he tells people he has found the true Islam. (I love puns, so this gets me excited). He says Muslims follow Mohammed, but Islam is to follow Isa, the name by which they know Jesus.

This might make you uncomfortable, but remember, to a Muslim, a Christian is a Crusader. We must bear the sins of the past, even those committed by nominal Christianity. If you're involved in international missions, especially ministry that goes to dangerous parts of the world, you must be ready to encounter situations and circumstances you don't find comfortable. But you must be humble enough to realize that God doesn't need your input in all situations.

After a few moments of fellowship, we started to get ready for the rocky road. As we said earlier, after the driver, there were three men on each motorbike. So, that's four men to each motorbike. Close doesn't begin to describe it. Further, they put me between two Filipinos to try to hide me as much as possible. I also put on a jacket (lent by my pastor-in-law) and a baseball cap (lent to me by a pastor's daughter) to try to hide the white as much as possible.

So, with freshly cracked ribs and still too much blond hair and white skin showing, we began the trip up the mountain. I have never ridden with hazardous cargo before, but this time, I was the hazardous cargo. The bike drivers were not too keen on having a bunch of Christians on the bikes, much less one Amerkano, so they took those curvy, muddy, rocky roads so very fast. My ribs did not enjoy that.

Mercifully, we made it to the church. The pastor's house is on the same property as the church, and they showed me where the old building had stood. The Moros had burned the first church building, but now they had a new place to worship. We ate a large breakfast (I once again used my spiritual gift of eating to make sure there was no offense), and we waited for the congregation.

While we waited, Pastor B.B. gave me a hat and a scarf. Much of the worship for these people still bears the traditions with which they are familiar. In Islam, to be considered a holy man, and therefore able to speak the words of God, you must wear a certain hat. In this Tausug church, the tradition is preserved, so the pastor was giving me a great honor by giving me this particular hat and allowing me to speak to his congregation.

As we ate, the congregation started to arrive. I met a man who showed me his membership card from the Moro National Liberation Front. On Mindanao, there are three main Muslim separatist groups, the MI (Moro Islamic), the MN and the Abu Sayyaf. This man was a general in the MN, and he was sworn to kill anyone who preached salvation by Isa. In fact, he wanted to kill pastor B.B. at one time. But Christ converted him, and now he is a faithful member of the church.

I asked him what the pastor said to convince him, and he said, "He told me, 'If you don't accept Isa, you will go to hell.'" That's what we call the direct approach.

I should point out that very close to where we met is the forest where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has its hideaway. The Moros who get into trouble with the army flee there for refuge. We were at the gates of hell, quite literally. Also, just off the coast of the place we met was another island. It was made up totally of Muslims from any of these three groups. This island is where my pastor friend's family was attacked back in January for sharing the Gospel.

When the service began, we were able to give words of encouragement. There were testimonies and the word of God shared. I even sang along in the Tausug hymns, though I am sure I butchered the language. I was blessed to be able to share with the congregation from 2 Kings 5, the story of Naaman. Particularly, I shared with them how the little girl whose parents were killed by the Syrian army was able to point her master to healing and eventual salvation. Two of my friends told me that while I was speaking, a bomb exploded on the other island near to us. I didn't hear it, but they both told me of it.

After the service, we were able to fellowship over lunch (many good eats). We also visited with the members and the pastor's family. Then it was time to head back down the mountain, ribs notwithstanding.

It is impossible to describe the emotion I felt when we arrived at the bottom of the mountain. Relief was only a small part of the feeling. To go there and to minister among the Moros, you have to be mentally prepared that you might not come back. I wouldn't be the first Amerkano to lose his life on this island, so I had to leave that in God's hands.

But there was joy, satisfaction, elation. We had done what we were told we couldn't do. People in the host church and other friends of mine in the Philippines repeatedly told me, "You can't go there." BUT WE DID! Glory to God.

As we made our final turn into the street where the church in the rendezvous town was, Pastor B.B., sitting behind me on the motorbike, said, "Whatsoever you ask in my name, believing, it shall be given to you." Who knows how long this forgotten little flock had longed for some outside recognition from others in the family. Consider what it must be like to live daily with the realization your neighbors, your family, everyone around you could legally kill you. In fact, it is commanded by the religion you left behind when you found Christ for you to be executed.

These people live with this realization daily, and they feel isolated from the rest of the church. Do they not matter? What an unspeakable joy to be able to give to these precious souls a bit of encouragement. What an immense privilege to be used by God to nurture these precious souls.

Let's join with them in prayer. Let's remember our forgotten brothers and sisters. Also, let's pray for this particular church. They are praying for a lot that is adjacent to their current lot. The price and transaction fee is only 21,000 Philippine Pesos. That's slightly less than $500 US. It would give them a chance to build a larger building and bring in more to hear the Gospel. Let's pray and see what God might do.

Ministering to Moliton -- Subanen outreach Part 1

One of the most important things we did during my three-week trip to the Philippines was participate in the Subanen outreach. 

Pastor Buyog, left, a Subanen tribe member,
leads prayer before our trip to Moliton. Pastor
Mario is also pictured.

Subanen is a Visayan word for "native." The Subanen typically live in the mountains of Mindanao. Most mission work that is done on Mindanao, a southern island in the Philippines, is done on the plain in the big cities where travel is relatively easy. But there are many, many people in the mountains, many of whom have never heard the name of Jesus.


Ministering to these tribal people is very difficult. The people are so poor, one pastor described the work as "suicide." If you want to be a pastor to the mountains, you will die if you get sick, your children will starve to death. It's not a matter of if, but a question of when. You must understand this reality before you go into the mountains. This is the price that they must be willing to pay.

Pastor Mario Montero, pastor of Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Punta, Dipolog City, is burdened for these souls. But how to reach them? As he prayed and fasted over this need, he came up with the idea of extension churches. Since all the men in his church are taught how to preach strong, Biblical sermons, they are able to plant extension churches in these mountains.

Aiza Buyog, my hostess and sister of Pastor Buyog, stands
with the Moliton extension church in the background.

One of the extension churches was in a place called Moliton. The first Wednesday I was there, God blessed me to be able to visit this extension church, and we attended a morning dedication and anniversary service.

Traveling in the mountains is not easy. The roads are not paved at all. You must ride a motorbike up muddy, rocky roads that take a terrible toll on the motorbike (not to mention your body, as I would find out later in my trip).

The Philippines government has ignored the poor mountain dwellers for many years, refusing to pave the roads. These poor farmers, because of the roads, are not able to take their produce to the plains. They can rent a truck, but the cost is five times more than the selling price of their items.

A closer look at the church building.

This constant poverty makes many Subanen ripe for wooing by the New People's Army, the communist rebel group that controls many of the mountains. We got to go near their strongholds later in the trip, but those stories are for another time.

Moliton was the easiest of our mountain excursions, but it was not easy by fat Amerkano standards. People in this part of the island were very unaccustomed to seeing a white person. Many would call to me from the roadside, "Hey Joe!," their designation for Americans.

Finally, we arrived at the church. As you can see from the photos, it is a small structure. The church members built it themselves, and the men who preach at this church pay their own way to minister to these people. They get no reimbursements for driving their motorbikes up the muddy, rocky roads.

Moliton is situated in a beneficial place for a church. The mountain village farmers meet in Moliton to sell their goods to people from the plains. In fact, contact through that business is how the first converts were made. So, many villagers from all over the mountains will travel to the market day on Friday, and if there are believers among them, they will stay until Sunday to attend the church.

A mother and her children arrive for the service.

One girl, who now lives at the church in Punta, is named Regen. Her family lives in Palampalay, a village in the mountain next to the mountain where Moliton is. Her family would hike 5 hours each way to attend the church after they converted. Regen is now a member of the school of discipleship in Punta, learning how to lead souls to Christ. Pastor Mario told me that when her family would be hiking down the mountain, through the valley, and back up the next mountain, they would sing hymns. He described how they would echo across the valley, and it would bring tears to the pastor's eyes.

The day was a wonderful one, and I am so thankful to have been a part of the meeting.

Sister Regen, whose family hiked five
hours each way to attend
the church in Moliton.

One of the first things I noticed was the abundance of children in the audience as we were waiting on the members to arrive. I remarked about the number of children, and a man told me, "The people up here are always making souls, so that's why there are so many children."

The people start making souls pretty early in life, and there is little understanding of birth control, my friend told me. So, there are many kids.

Pastor Mario preaches to the people.

There is a particularly disgusting cult up there that tells the people they can have their sins forgiven for only 500 Philippine pesos. So, these poor people will do all they can to give the cult leader 500 pesos. The leader gets rich, and these people think they can have God's forgiveness for only about 12 US dollars.

This same cult leader teaches the women that if they are young when their husband dies, the husband's soul takes up residence in the cult leader. So, the women must move in with him and let their deceased husband father children through the leader.

On this day, Pastor Mario preached in the Mindanao language of Visaya or Cebuano. Neither he nor I can understand the Subanen language, but they all speak Visaya, too. However, the Subanen do not understand English (unless they have been taught), so when it came my turn to speak, my friends Joel and Leah translated into Visaya to those around them.

You will notice the streamers hanging up around the church. Pastor Mario makes those so that people who struggle to follow the sermons audibly can still understand. The pictures also reinforce the points to those who cannot read. Twice, when I spoke, I pointed to a particular picture. 

Graciously, 8-10 people prayed to receive Christ after the service ended.

Before the service began, we had to break up a dog fight that broke out in the middle of the church. We ran most of the dogs out, but one fell asleep near where the podium was. When I was preaching, I went to point to an illustration of Christ on the cross, and I forgot about the dog. Fortunately, I did not fall, but I did stumble and irritated the sleeping dog. 

I had prepared an in-depth sermon on Psalm 103, but God led me at the last moment to simply read from Romans 8 and expound on the promises of salvation. Twice on this trip God put a new sermon on my heart hours or moments before I was to preach, and both times, God blessed with the salvation of souls.

After the sermons were over, Pastor Mario gave an invitation. Somewhere between 8 and 10 people responded to the gospel. We are thankful for the precious fruit from this trip.

Me and my squash, from this dear family.

Bananas from a dear sister.

Then we had a child dedication service. As you might imagine, that took a little while, with all the "soul making" going on. Some of the children were shy, but it was a blessed time.

After the meeting, it was time to eat. Those of you who know me well know I am always ready to eat. These dear people prepared many local dishes, and they blessed me with gifts. I was given a squash and a cluster of bananas.

Following the service and the meal, we hiked to the baptistry. Now, the baptistry is not like anything you've probably used in your church. We had to hike a mile or two, down hill. It was difficult going down hill, but the return trip was even tougher.

But oh, was it worth it. The baptistry is a pool below a waterfall in the valley down the mountain. After hiking that far, what could we do but go for a swim? Even in my Sunday dress clothes, that water felt really good.

It's a long way down there. Pant, pant, pant. 

The trip was wonderful, and I thank God for the precious souls in those mountains. Please, let us pray for the Subanen outreach. These precious souls need the gospel.

Join with us in praying for more laborers. Perhaps God would use us to help support some pastors to go up into the mountains, or help the weekend preachers who prepare sermons around their regular work schedule pay for their gas, motorbike repair and other needs.

But most of all, let's pray for laborers to reach these dear souls. May God bless you for reading, and may He strike your heart to have a burden for the unreached in the Philippines and elsewhere.

The baptistry is in the front pool. There is a strong current
in front of the waterfall, as I would soon discover.

Just because it is so beautiful. 

Holding onto the rock for dear life, hehe.

Obadiah parents meeting

It has been so long since I have written. I apologize; I had wanted to write updates from Dipolog City, but it was not feasible because of many factors.

However, in the coming days I hope to share many stories with you about my wonderful trip to the Philippines.

Today will be brief, but I hope it will encourage you. The first full day of my time on Mindanao (I arrived to Manila on a Thursday, and to Mindanao on a Friday, so my first full day on the island was Saturday, April 28) was a blessed day for me. I got to meet the parents and children of Obadiah Learning and Development, the outreach mission school for Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Punta, Dipolog City.

The school does not charge the students, but the cost involved for each student must be raised. God has blessed me to be a sponsor for several of the students, and I was blessed to be able to meet many of the kids whom I sponsor. Their parents cooked me a variety of Filipino dishes. I have no idea what many of them were, but in order to be a good guest, I made sure I ate plenty. (Using my spiritual gifts.)

Me and my kids

I am most excited about this school because it is an outreach school. The parents must agree to either attend the church or allow a Bible study in their home if their children attend. The result has been the salvation of many families.

I had the privilege of baptizing one of the families while I was there. The daughters and mother were former Jehovah's Witnesses, but now they are part of the body of Christ. 

In addition to the children's sponsorships, the school is praying for the funds to build its own building. Right now, the school meets in the church building, but a lot has been donated for the purpose of allowing the school to be built. There is a five-year lease on the property.

The school can be built for only 150,000 Philippine pesos, roughly $3,600 in US money. We have already received donations for $1,100, but we are praying for the balance to be realized. The new building would serve as a meeting place for the children's discipleship during Sundays as well, and would be extra space for the church. The church in Punta has more than 5,000 members, but there is room for only about 200 people. 

So, please, let us pray for this need. And let us lift up Obadiah Learning and Development and its continued outreach to the lost.

Bibles for Aloran

Folks, we have another challenge before us. Pastor Manuel Obut in Aloran, Misamis Occidental, has seen tremendous fruit born in his ministry area. Soldiers, government workers, and scores of others who hear the gospel in the 38 barangays of Aloran need Bibles. (A barangay is a smaller governmental division within the city, sort of like a village). 


Pastor Manuel has asked us for 200 King James Bibles. He says, "Because of God's grace, I was given the privilege to speak the GOSPEL in the local govenrment in Aloran every twice a month through the whole year round and I need Bibles for the Bible Studies."


Can we help with that? I hope so. If you want to give toward these Bibles, please do so through Love in Action Ministries. Our friends there are always seeking to send Bibles to our indigenous missionary friends there, as you can see from this blog post in late February.


How can you help with these Bibles for Pastor Manuel? Well, if you live near Dothan, you can take any Bibles you want to give to the Love in Actions Ministries Center. If you're not in Dothan, please mail them to Love in Action at the following address:
Love In Action International Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 85 
Dothan, AL 36302.


One of our favorite ways to obtain Bibles is through Christianbook.com. If you follow this link, you will see good quality KJV Bibles for only $4.99. This website lets you order the Bibles and send them directly to Love in Action. When you fill out the shipping address, just put the Love in Action address and the Bibles will go directly there.


Of course, you may also give money gifts to Love in Action Ministries. Money gifts are tax deductible.


If we raise more than 200 Bibles, it will be OK, because we have many more pastors in the Philippines who are needing them. So let's give to our brothers who don't have the ability to buy for themselves.


Below, we are going to share Pastor Manuel's testimony as he shared it on his Facebook page. See the tremendous work God is doing in Aloran. 


I praise the Lord always for giving me the opportunities to be used for his honor and glory.To preach Jesus Christ our Savior.

I been 8 years Pastor in Aloran, Misamis Occidental when i came here I knew no one and no friend to go,but one friend and one I knew Jesus is his name,he was with me and is with me until this very moment as I minister the people in this place by his grace and mercy.

People were so hard to reach for the Gospel of Jesus when we started the work here,because of their traditions and false beliefs.

"God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

"Faithful is he that calleth you,who also will do it."

We started from kids,preschool kids,junior kids,high school kids then the college,then the adults until the church was organized 4 years ago.

It was all by the GRACE OF GOD we keep moving on,there were hardships,rejections,insults,shames,frustrations,tears fell from our eyes for the cause of Jesus and his work,but by His grace none of this things moved us,I knew my Redeemer lives and He will help us as church to serve Him until everything is said and done.

All things work together for our good,to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Presently the church meeting place is temporarily sheltered in a mission village,our situation and life here was not easy,but the grace of God is sufficient and learn to be content whatever state we are.

Praying God will settle the ministry in a permanent place - could be called CHURCH PROPERTY.In His Perfect Time I knew He will Give this to the Church.

The church, the school ministry was used by God to reached lost people here in Aloran and led them at the feet of Jesus.

Much work has to be done,please help us pray as a church,to evangelized the people here.Last year the church did Barangay ( small barrios) evangelization through film showing - the death and the salvation of Jesus was the theme of the film showed there are 38 barangays in Aloran.

Every night during that time souls were saved in every place we went. And we will do it again and again and again.

Recently,God provided the church new LCD Projector,a blessing from God for this ministry.Someone was touched by the Holy Spirit to gave it to us.

We are praying for GOSPEL TRACTS AND BIBLES,please include us in your prayers.

Because of God's grace,I was given the privilege to speak the GOSPEL in the local govenrment in Aloran every twice a month through the whole year round and I need Bibles for the Bible Studies.

Last April 16,2012 I preached the Government employees in Aloran,the department heads and the politicians, many said the sinners prayer during the invitation to received Christ as their Lord and personal Savior.

Hallelujah praise the Lord many came to knew Jesus now in Aloran, please pray for us here.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

May the Lord find us Faithful and use our ordinary and humble lives.

by:Pastor Manuel

Praises from the kids camp

We want to share with you some praises from the kids camp in Ozamis from this week. Our God dealt bountifully with our sister who led the camp, the first she has ever led.

Sister Judith prayed for 60 kids, and God answered with 73. Of that group, Sister Judith reports 36 followed in water baptism.

"A truly overwhelming moment on my part," our sister said. "God indeed is wondrous and gracious."

Let us join together in praising God for this answer to prayer.

Kids camp

We will be short today, but we want to share some exciting news. Shiloh Bible Baptist Church in Ozamis City will hold its first retreat for children. It will be held April 17 and 18.


Our sister who is leading the camp is asking our prayers. She particularly asks us to pray for the Holy Spirit to convict the children of their need  for a Savior. I hope we can pray for that.


Also, she asks for prayer for "provision ... covering and protection, good health of each child,wisdom of the host and speakers, and victory, no black/brownout, good weather, and everything that makes this camp possible and victorious."


Let's join our prayers with this dear woman, and let us see God bring some youngsters into the kingdom.

A time to mourn

"...weep with them that weep." -- Romans 12:15


This entry is a personal one. Our dear friends in the Philippines were finally pregnant after six years of marriage. But this weekend, they lost their child. Please pray for this committed couple who remained faithful to the work God had called them to, even when the pregnancy started getting rough.


Also, the wife needs surgery that the couple has no way of paying for. Please pray that God would supply for this need. 


When we were talking to this couple, they told us it meant a lot to them to know brothers and sisters were praying for them. So, if you will join in your prayers, please leave a comment on the Facebook thread with words of encouragement or Bible verses (and, of course, follow through with the prayers). They will see them.

Thank you, and please pray.