August 21, 2023
I’ve had to force myself to sleep early the night before, just so I could wake up at 5:15 or so – I couldn’t remember the exact time I set the alarm. And soon as it went off, I got out of bed and dressed up – but considering the perceived condition of the roads and the ways to where we were headed, I went back and forth from the room and to the meeting area. I wanted to use slippers but Pastor Rey N had me decide to use shoes instead.
When the bikes actually arrived I was supposed to ride with our good friend Jomar, but was told to ride with this guy whose name escapes me. He was quiet, but I don’t think that bothered me at the time considering he had a pretty heavy-duty bike.
We weren’t on the road for more than 5 minutes – we pulled over at Petron Surallah to give each bike a constant amount for gas, before taking a longer ride through the highways. We went so fast that I took my cap off and used it as a bracelet along the way – it was at risk of flying off.
Eventually we stopped at what appeared to be the foot of the mountain. I took the opportunity to pee at a canal before taking the climb up the actual village. And that first ascent was so freaking scary. At any moment it felt like we would slip and slam down the side. I needed to get used to the driver also using his feet to ‘climb’ – to assist the rest of the bike in the ascent. It wasn’t enough for the motorbike to be strong – the driver had to assist with legs and feet, for traction and additional power.
Now we stopped once at the top of that first mountain, then proceeded to ride again. We needed to get down a couple of times so the drivers could negotiate the muddy paths. Eventually, we had to stop because the trail was too muddy to go on. We walked the rest of the way.
While we were walking Pastor Ronnie took his shirt off and got a walking stick. Pastor Rey N got a walking stick as well. Now, Pastor Rey C was the oldest of all of us but he didn’t care – he just kept soldiering on, keeping all his clothes on, no walking stick, and while we were in rubber shoes (that we were trying our darndest to keep clean), he was wearing leather shoes!
I had to stop every now and then to take pictures. What I appreciated about the locals was that there was always someone waiting for me to finish shooting before we kept on going. Also, the previously quiet local Pastor Romeo was pretty lively all throughout – A full contrast to his mood the day before. He did his part in keeping our spirits up as we walked.
We eventually made it to the church/community area. I didn’t think we were very hungry, but when we sat for breakfast, they honored us with their freshly butchered and cooked native chickens. I don’t know if it was because of any other factor, but the meat and even the rice was absolutely delicious. We topped it all off with marang and coffee.
After we all had something to eat, Pastor Alvin tuned the community guitar and got everyone started with common English worship songs. We didn’t even wait to go to their church. Right there, at the dining area, we started singing the classics – fortunately, the locals were able to follow, for the most part.
When we settled down we all proceeded to the actual church. Everyone was gathered and ready to go, but as a sign of respect we did not start until local Pastors Armando and Gilbert said their words in opening. When we were ‘welcomed’, we worshipped again with Pastor Alvin leading. I started taking more pictures in and around the service. When the singing was over, Pastor Rey N stepped up and shared on our being greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved – sort of a reminder for them as we discuss and promote the Gospel that has its roots and its life in the Grace of God, as shown by Jesus Christ.
It was Pastor Ronnie’s turn, and he felt led to do a healing altar call. You could tell that we transcended all languages here and just prayed for the locals, and in whatever language we spoke, they seemed to understand what we were praying for. I don’t think it was just them being courteous to us. They received the blessings we had to proclaim.
But here’s the thing. I served as devil’s advocate a little here. I remember telling the congregation, especially those who came forward, that sure, you may feel as if there was an improvement in your overall mood, contributing to the recovery of your affliction… but there is the real possibility that they would feel pain again. In those moments, I reiterated, they shouldn’t look for the ‘feeling’ again, but they should remember that what we left behind was Christ – much more than just the feeling of well-being.
Pastor Armando then came up and gave a speech of thanksgiving and closing. He was pretty emotional when he shared to me personally and then to the congregation, regarding his leading towards understanding King Solomon and his desire for wisdom above all things… and eventually being brought to knowing the love of God. It’s as if to say that the pinnacle of wisdom is not without knowing the love of God, through Jesus Christ.
We dismissed the people and they dispersed. We enjoyed some sugar cane before heading down the mountain – I guess it’s their version of an energy drink. We walked back to the bikes and rode back down, and we were a whole lot faster this time because (1) the sun dried the mud significantly, and (2) we were escaping the rain.
Unfortunately, the rain caught up to us as we were in the Lake Sebu area. While we were waiting, we helped Pastor Rey C with the word game on his phone. Eventually I gave in and I bought 2 durians at 45/kg. It wasn’t too much of a bother – however, we needed to shave off the spikes so that it’d be a lot easier for us to transport back to the hotel. Eventually we thought the rain died down – we left but the rain got stronger again, so we stopped again at what looked like a school preparing for the upcoming start of classes.
It was during this time that I spent time with good Pastor Jomar, and I don’t know, some of what I said was probably just to keep the conversation going, but I was led to spit out my intentions to give monthly support to them, straight from my congregation. He didn’t seem to be as ecstatic as I expected, but at least he didn’t react with disgust.
Anyway we rode off again and made our way back to Surallah – where it seemed the rains didn’t catch up. We fed the entire team – local pastors, companions and all – at Kusina Ni Macoy. I thought we were going to have issues with funds, but the other pastors reminded me that there wasn’t just pork to serve – the cheaper roast chickens also added to the fare. We finished eating, and I eventually paid my driver.
The team drove us back to the hotel, and we said our slow goodbyes, promising to see them again very soon. When they finally left, we opened the ripe durians and packed the pungent and delicious flesh into plastic containers, before placing them into styrofoam containers to freeze in the hotel restaurant, preparing them for the flight and then the trip back home.
Later in the evening we had more red wine and I proposed a toast, for a mission accomplished. And before sleeping I talked to Ann and made up with her before sleeping.
Pretty sure I had more memories, but I suppose there was a reason why recorded what I did, to embellish on at a later time. Two things – (1) We definitely need to help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, and (2) we’re definitely going back there.
Next post in this series will conclude the entire trip. Until then, God bless you!
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