Hosea Ministry International
Greetings from the Philippines!
In August, a typhoon struck the islands of the Philippines, and like always, it was followed by floods. During these disasters, we always distribute food aid to families and church members so that they can survive the monsoon season. This time the rains have been pouring down for two months without a break, longer than ever before.
Even though the rain continued day after day, we organized training and seminar days for the pastors of Hosea. The training was held in our Talaban tribes church which is fairly close to Mamburao city. Two pastors from the mountains, from the churches of the tribes living on the other side of the island, also came to the seminar. We didn't expect them to come, because the floods had cut off the roads, and the heavy rain made the journey very slow and difficult on the muddy roads. They had to use motorbikes and the ride would take about eight hours. However difficult the journey was, these dear pastors were determined to join us. Through the mud and rain they came, soaking wet, and said that they wanted to be taught too.
One of the pastors told us that they had no more food to feed their families. Usually they make their income by selling bananas or root vegetables, but floods and rains had ruined the crops, and soon they had used all their money.
As there was no other help available, this tribe pastor went to the Lord and prayed for God to send a miracle of food. After the prayer, he went to a mountain stream to wash. As he was washing, he saw a banknote at the bottom of the river: there it was, waiting in just the right place, and not even a strong current washed it away! This is how God provided him with the money for food. God really takes care of His own in many different ways.
We also heard more stories about the living conditions in the mountain tribes. One of the pastors told us that his brother is a tribal chief who lives a four-hour walk and 30 river crossings away. In the mornings, the tribe starts their day with prayers. The area is so isolated that even medical personnel cannot go there in case of illness. Because of the difficult journey, the tribesmen do not usually want to go to the hospital, because it is too far away.
In serious cases, the tribal leader makes a raft of bamboo that is only a few bamboo sticks wide, because in many places large rocks close severely narrow the channel and the opening has to be found somewhere. The patient is on the raft and the chief paddles the raft, and also dives in to get the raft through the narrow openings to the other side of the obstacle.
The chief is accompanied by a couple of tribesmen who help with carrying both the patient and the raft on the mountain paths during the four hours long walk. This tribal chief is a man of faith and he has stated that the most important thing is to know God and also to help others.
These tribal pastors who attended the seminar said they were desperate to learn more from the Bible so that they could better teach their tribal members. Their attitude of serving their community is truly appealing.
I've thought many times: What if Jesus suddenly appeared before you in human form and invited you to follow Him? Where would He take you? Jesus doesn't seek out pleasant places or popular people. His compassion is often directed to dark and lonely places. Wherever those places are, we need the courage to share the gospel with those people we meet. John 20:21: "As the Father sent me, so will I send you."
Blessings, Anne
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