We arrived back in Baguio just a few days ago--and have been adjusting. The transition from the village of Dibungko to the city of Baugio is a bigger "leap" than going to the USA from the Philippines! Really.
I was able to go to Palanan, participate in the graduation of the (47) Discipleship Training Course students as well as the Leadership seminar for the CMU missionary leaders. We were unable to leave the village on December 1 as planned due to rain and clouds blocking us in. Finally, on Wednesday we all flew out of Palanan to the SIL airstrip in Bagabag and then traveled 7 hours by bus back to Baguio. Even in that we saw that God provided a couple extra days without responsibility to just "unwind" and relax.
To be able to see the changes in the students' lives, their hearts so open to God and His work in their lives was a gift! And to see the transformation of their hearts and minds to BELIEVE "I am precious to God and He made me Agta and I am special" rather than believe the lie of the enemy "I am only Agta and not good" was worth it all.
It is amazing to communicate love to some of these dear women when all I can say is "mapia-dima-dima" (good morning) and give hugs.
The Baguio team--we can see God handpicked each one to be a part of this team. Each day they chose to press in to what God was doing and set aside personal comfort, preferences, and desires. What fun to take a "Thanksgiving meal" including a turkey and cranberry sauce up there for the team. Semi "baked" it Fijian style in the ground, wrapped in banana leaves, roasting on the hot rocks. I think it truly was the best turkey I've ever had! It was a special time of giving thanks for our "most special thing of 2008."Thank you for praying with us during this past 3 months of discipleship training.
