Good morning! It is early morning here in Baguio City--the roosters are crowing, people are walking the streets blowing their little horns (much like the kind on a bicycle) selling their special foods and I'm awake--thinking about my schedule for the day! Also, making plans for my trip to Palanan valley next week, taking in another woman who will be the speaker for the week as well as taking in special goodies (including homemade brownies and banana bread) that will add to the rice and fish that is their daily menu.
It will be a very long bus ride (not very comfortable seats, many stops along the way to pick up more passengers and letting others off, and no air con) next Monday, then spend the night at a mission house in Bagabag, and the next morning we will fly in 6-seater plane over the Sierra Madre mountains 45 minutes into the Palanan valley.
There are NO roads connecting this valley with the rest of the world. People living in palanan say "going out" when they talk about leaving the valley (by plane, foot, or boat). And if you are in Palanan, you are "inside". People from Palanan call anyone who's not born there a "foreigner" even if they're from just over the mountains. Very isolated.
God is building His kingdom there. These people have a vision to become international missionaries and are wanting to reach out to others "outside" because they want to tell people what He's done. They want the "foreigners" to have relationship with their Father.
Isaiah 62:10-12 is the scripture God gave our team for this training school--
"Go, through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples.
"Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth;
Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
"And they shall be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out, a city Not Forsaken."
We see this scripture as His special word for these people. He has redeemed them. He has called them to Himself. And He will send them out--to regions beyond what they know now. We are only a part of what He is doing among these special people.
Please be praying for these Palanan and Agta people as well as for our staff team. This is God's anointed time -- we don't want anyone to miss anything He has. He has called us to "host in humility." That requires wisdom and sensitivity to Him and others. And please pray that when words don't translate that His spirit would translate to their hearts.
We've seen Him part the waters as we put our feet into the "river" and walk ahead on dry land.
It is going to be another "good day."
Lois
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
From the Jungle
Messages don't always get through and phone calls sometimes disconnect, but Duane summed up the past week as "Good! Intense. Good!" Much of the "intensity" comes from cultural differences and words can translate to mean many different things. I've been texting and calling by cell phone a few times to him in Dibungko village where the team is with 44 Palanan / Agta students for the DTC--discipleship training course--for the next 10 weeks.
Please be praying for the staff team--it is very hot and can be a challenge to sensitively serve people of another culture--so wisdom, sensitivity, and endurance are needed.
If you have a short message you want to send to Duane or the team, I can send your comments by text or you can text him at 63-906-309-2291.
Please keep me in your prayers, too, during this time. I'm keeping busy at the training center with accounting (CDTS & training center), hospitality guests, and doing some painting in the dining area. Keeping busy helps--but I still miss being with Duane. I will be going over to Palanan/ Dibungko in two weeks with Heidi, one of the speakers. The time will be short, but good to see Duane and the rest of the team, as well as the students.
And pray for the weather--flying speakers in to Palanan and bringing the CDTS team back to Baguio during the 7th week for a week of R & R depends on good weather for flying. No roads in or out of that area.
Thank you for your part in all that God is doing here in this part of the Philippines! Is. 62:10-12 (scripture for the school).
Lois
Please be praying for the staff team--it is very hot and can be a challenge to sensitively serve people of another culture--so wisdom, sensitivity, and endurance are needed.
If you have a short message you want to send to Duane or the team, I can send your comments by text or you can text him at 63-906-309-2291.
Please keep me in your prayers, too, during this time. I'm keeping busy at the training center with accounting (CDTS & training center), hospitality guests, and doing some painting in the dining area. Keeping busy helps--but I still miss being with Duane. I will be going over to Palanan/ Dibungko in two weeks with Heidi, one of the speakers. The time will be short, but good to see Duane and the rest of the team, as well as the students.
And pray for the weather--flying speakers in to Palanan and bringing the CDTS team back to Baguio during the 7th week for a week of R & R depends on good weather for flying. No roads in or out of that area.
Thank you for your part in all that God is doing here in this part of the Philippines! Is. 62:10-12 (scripture for the school).
Lois
Monday, September 1, 2008
Back from Palanan
We just arrived back from a week in Palanan -- specifically the village of DiBungko -- if you look closely you can see Duane and me sitting in this "waiting shed" with a view of the river valley behind and (about 200 feet) below us. What a view!
![[IMG_4138.JPG]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4FnHCHMPhDimrzb3DdaHNCqr_bWld-XubqOC8j336qGfdMF7EWGM10KOaHO7HcrlViPvqGk-KU3MLfBeTIiOXjJh-OEueaRiyuXSD4REsoHR63u5bvK32OzezBjZWBXQxqIWSvugva4P/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG)
View of the village of DiBungko
![[IMG_4123.JPG]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVOdJh-j6Et7xA7yuXe3BCcgwvoPQVUkIPoUMWc7GRoMm0M2kmEKgS8QhEwXoXHhPttmpfabNel5J6-Wy67LY6vrfC1bVCrdUAHCBf2A6hD-k8jkuIJ9QVbuKGhUK99DIHFIpXQ0pjpv1/s1600/IMG_4123.JPG)
We stayed in the CMU translation house next to this village, where the team will be staying during the discipleship school.
Having lunch with some of the CMU staff after a training session.
![[IMG_4097.JPG]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0EdLIf4UYEvzUnCdoIfswd2GFEJtd58kkECVQUDIEpCB5I1OreQ2Rq_1wl6KcFwx5yY0wAU3Pxk8NV35JM3d9a2Oc3TC-ulwptnaGJVfa8pK0yIYQ9zari-emi8BUSBqxEZaZsMq65j-/s1600/IMG_4097.JPG)
Our primary purpose in going to Palanan was for training for small group leaders for the coming discipleship training course in DiBungko. These 3 were former students in CDTS 2007-- a Filipino missionary couple in Palanan and one Agta (indigenious Filipino) young man. Several CMU missionaries also attended at our invitation so they could know the heart of the discipleship training -- they found they learned principles that are practical to many areas of ministry they are already involved in. They really appreciated all we shared and our times together.
During this time we also were able to get a better understanding of what God is putting before us for this discipleship training of 19 youth (16-30 years old) presently in the ISOM (video school of missions training) as well as about 25 CMU missionaries who want the training, too. We had lots of questions before the trip, and most were answered during our time there. We were better able to work out logistic details by just being there and planning together.
Now the challenge is to have wisdom and discernment in being culturally adaptable in the teaching which will be translated into Tagalog (Filipino language).
This next week we will be busy preparing for departing for DiBungko on Sept. 11. The school begins the 16th.
During this time we also were able to get a better understanding of what God is putting before us for this discipleship training of 19 youth (16-30 years old) presently in the ISOM (video school of missions training) as well as about 25 CMU missionaries who want the training, too. We had lots of questions before the trip, and most were answered during our time there. We were better able to work out logistic details by just being there and planning together.
Now the challenge is to have wisdom and discernment in being culturally adaptable in the teaching which will be translated into Tagalog (Filipino language).
This next week we will be busy preparing for departing for DiBungko on Sept. 11. The school begins the 16th.
Please pray for --
- good weather for flying into Palanan by small plane -- 5 passengers and pilot
- finances for the school as we are not charging a fee for the school
- wisdom and discernment
- physical health and strength
We appreciate your prayers.
Lois
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Discipleship Training in Palanan!
As some of you may be aware, we cancelled the Mobile CDTS a few weeks ago because we didn’t have enough students. Praying about what the next step should be, we decided to look seriously at the invitation we had received from Christian Missions for the Unreached to bring discipleship training to Palanan, Isabella.
Through 10 years of sending our outreach teams to Palanan, the strong, trusting relationship between Crossroads DTS and CMU has developed. Our teams have seen first hand the work that God is doing to bring His gospel to the people of the Palanan valley and beyond through the missionaries of CMU. We have been blessed every year by CMU and their hearts for the people.
Last May when our CDTS team was there speaking in a youth camp, 20 youth went forward to dedicate their lives to serving God. Later the leaders of CMU asked Duane to bring a CDTS to Palanan. A few weeks after that a Bible school was formed using the ISOM curriculum with 17 students. Because our schedule is open, and CMU has agreed that now is the time for the discipleship training, we are planning for a school there beginning September 16, 2008.
Doctora Mona Chiong, the current president of CMU says, “… Palanan is a remote town, one of the poorest municipalities of the Philippines, situated behind the Siera Madre mountains , where there is no existing road and can only be reached by air through small 6-seater planes or by motorboat ,more often through the rough sea. Palanan is the home of about 15,000 people, some 1-2 thousand of whom are Agtas, an indigenous peoples group, the rest of whom are lowlanders; each group has a distinct language. The Lord's work started in this place way back in the 1980s, initially through bible translation and later a church was born. From a handful of believers then, the church has grown to about a thousand believers and there are about 17 local churches all in all, Agta and lowland. We believe God has called us to disciple the Palanan believers and we believe too that God has led us to ask help from your group in the discipling of this people group.
Presently, there are about 30 who would like to enroll in the school if it would be held in Palanan, half of them are young people who are presently enrolled in our bible school and the other half are church leaders, church workers and members of our group. It is also a mixed group of Agtas and lowlanders. I have been informed that in your school, the students are required to attend school five days in the week. I would like to request for some modification regarding this matter; that is that the five days be reduced to 3 days since most of them have to work in the fields, or have to go out to fish and hunt or some other means of livelihood so that they could have food in their homes.”
From Duane--
For 10 years we have been invited into Palanan. The relationship began when a missionary family who were pioneers there came to our school. Since then friendships have developed with the lowland and Agta people, and a strong love and trust with the Christians and CMU. They are extremely isolated, and have good [historical] reason to be cautious of all non-residents.
I'm not one to force the door open, but the door is opening...the school is another indication of trust [given]. I shudder at the thought of how easily foreign visionaries/missionaries could have destroyed or at least severely infected these people....and marvel at the wisdom of the missionaries to plant the gospel and let their new found freedom in Christ work with little interference.
The Agta's are the indigenous Filipino. Similar to other native people, for example, the native Americans. They are not in appearance, thought, language, or culture similar to the national Filipino. They are called by different names but live throughout the country in small family groups in the mountains.... they are mostly hidden from the world.
I've heard that approximately 80% of the Palanan Agta's are Christian. This is a transformation from illiterate family groups living a severe nomadic life in the jungle....to Christian villages with churches and schools and increasing population! This is a leap forward which could never have been done by national or foreign "development projects". Only the gospel of God's kingdom could accomplish such a radical transition, yet allow them to remain a distinct people at peace! It is simply the power of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Yes, I am excited to see the transformation of a society! Likewise we are honored and humbled that God would allow us to have a little part.
There are many churches planted among the lowland and Agta people. Most of the lowlanders are still not Christian....this is the largest mission field and actively undertaken by both Agta and lowland Christians. Each year we are asked to go further to more distant villages where there are no churches. Travel is by canoe and walking.
The big picture being planted in these people include missions beyond the borders of the mountains to the indigenous people in Indo-China. I assume this would seem impossible to them but with God it is not, and it will happen! Last year we had our first Agta student. SIL is training lowland and Agta in mother tongue to mother tongue translation. This is a leap forward in translation work! These people will come across the mountains! They will not remain hidden outcasts!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Because we believe this invitation is God's heart for the people of Palanan Valley, we have agreed together to take a team there to begin the school. We have also felt we are not to charge these people so will be praying for the necessary funds. Please pray with us regarding that. Duane, Susan, and I will be going there the 22nd of this month for 5 days to set up some things, as well as doing some staff training for the 3 Palanan and 1 Agta former CDTS students that will be helping with the small groups. Everything will be translated, unless already in tagalog language, so having native speakers for the small groups is really important.
Please pray with us for--
1) the speakers (topics such as Identity, Pride and Humility, Character of God and Hearing God's Voice, Forgiveness, Member Care, Counseling Principles, Worship, Spiritual Warfare, Relinquishing Rights, Leadership Principles, and more) some local and some foreign as well as our own staff team.
2) transportation as it is fly-in only or walk over the mountains 4 days or by small boat on the ocean. (We are going for "fly-in" method.)
3) God's schedule as we schedule speakers, flights, logistics,.
4) Finances for the training.
If God gives you some scriptures for us please pass them on to us. We appreciate your prayers, messages, love and support of this ministry here in the Philippines. Thank you!
Through 10 years of sending our outreach teams to Palanan, the strong, trusting relationship between Crossroads DTS and CMU has developed. Our teams have seen first hand the work that God is doing to bring His gospel to the people of the Palanan valley and beyond through the missionaries of CMU. We have been blessed every year by CMU and their hearts for the people.
Last May when our CDTS team was there speaking in a youth camp, 20 youth went forward to dedicate their lives to serving God. Later the leaders of CMU asked Duane to bring a CDTS to Palanan. A few weeks after that a Bible school was formed using the ISOM curriculum with 17 students. Because our schedule is open, and CMU has agreed that now is the time for the discipleship training, we are planning for a school there beginning September 16, 2008.
Doctora Mona Chiong, the current president of CMU says, “… Palanan is a remote town, one of the poorest municipalities of the Philippines, situated behind the Siera Madre mountains , where there is no existing road and can only be reached by air through small 6-seater planes or by motorboat ,more often through the rough sea. Palanan is the home of about 15,000 people, some 1-2 thousand of whom are Agtas, an indigenous peoples group, the rest of whom are lowlanders; each group has a distinct language. The Lord's work started in this place way back in the 1980s, initially through bible translation and later a church was born. From a handful of believers then, the church has grown to about a thousand believers and there are about 17 local churches all in all, Agta and lowland. We believe God has called us to disciple the Palanan believers and we believe too that God has led us to ask help from your group in the discipling of this people group.
Presently, there are about 30 who would like to enroll in the school if it would be held in Palanan, half of them are young people who are presently enrolled in our bible school and the other half are church leaders, church workers and members of our group. It is also a mixed group of Agtas and lowlanders. I have been informed that in your school, the students are required to attend school five days in the week. I would like to request for some modification regarding this matter; that is that the five days be reduced to 3 days since most of them have to work in the fields, or have to go out to fish and hunt or some other means of livelihood so that they could have food in their homes.”
From Duane--
For 10 years we have been invited into Palanan. The relationship began when a missionary family who were pioneers there came to our school. Since then friendships have developed with the lowland and Agta people, and a strong love and trust with the Christians and CMU. They are extremely isolated, and have good [historical] reason to be cautious of all non-residents.
I'm not one to force the door open, but the door is opening...the school is another indication of trust [given]. I shudder at the thought of how easily foreign visionaries/missionaries could have destroyed or at least severely infected these people....and marvel at the wisdom of the missionaries to plant the gospel and let their new found freedom in Christ work with little interference.
The Agta's are the indigenous Filipino. Similar to other native people, for example, the native Americans. They are not in appearance, thought, language, or culture similar to the national Filipino. They are called by different names but live throughout the country in small family groups in the mountains.... they are mostly hidden from the world.
I've heard that approximately 80% of the Palanan Agta's are Christian. This is a transformation from illiterate family groups living a severe nomadic life in the jungle....to Christian villages with churches and schools and increasing population! This is a leap forward which could never have been done by national or foreign "development projects". Only the gospel of God's kingdom could accomplish such a radical transition, yet allow them to remain a distinct people at peace! It is simply the power of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Yes, I am excited to see the transformation of a society! Likewise we are honored and humbled that God would allow us to have a little part.
There are many churches planted among the lowland and Agta people. Most of the lowlanders are still not Christian....this is the largest mission field and actively undertaken by both Agta and lowland Christians. Each year we are asked to go further to more distant villages where there are no churches. Travel is by canoe and walking.
The big picture being planted in these people include missions beyond the borders of the mountains to the indigenous people in Indo-China. I assume this would seem impossible to them but with God it is not, and it will happen! Last year we had our first Agta student. SIL is training lowland and Agta in mother tongue to mother tongue translation. This is a leap forward in translation work! These people will come across the mountains! They will not remain hidden outcasts!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Because we believe this invitation is God's heart for the people of Palanan Valley, we have agreed together to take a team there to begin the school. We have also felt we are not to charge these people so will be praying for the necessary funds. Please pray with us regarding that. Duane, Susan, and I will be going there the 22nd of this month for 5 days to set up some things, as well as doing some staff training for the 3 Palanan and 1 Agta former CDTS students that will be helping with the small groups. Everything will be translated, unless already in tagalog language, so having native speakers for the small groups is really important.
Please pray with us for--
1) the speakers (topics such as Identity, Pride and Humility, Character of God and Hearing God's Voice, Forgiveness, Member Care, Counseling Principles, Worship, Spiritual Warfare, Relinquishing Rights, Leadership Principles, and more) some local and some foreign as well as our own staff team.
2) transportation as it is fly-in only or walk over the mountains 4 days or by small boat on the ocean. (We are going for "fly-in" method.)
3) God's schedule as we schedule speakers, flights, logistics,.
4) Finances for the training.
If God gives you some scriptures for us please pass them on to us. We appreciate your prayers, messages, love and support of this ministry here in the Philippines. Thank you!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Quick Trip Home to Wisconsin
July 31, 2008We just arrived back in the Philippines last week after a short visit home in USA, with family and friends. The time went quickly, but it was great to spend time with our kids and grandkids both in Washington state and Wisconsin.
We had time with family hiking, sitting around the fire talking, playing in the water and Duane had time to do some canoeing and kayaking around the lake. I managed about an hour in the hammock, too! It was a refreshing time and so good to be with everyone again.
We hope to make it a longer time next year and be able to make more connections with friends. It seemed this was a time for family and God really blessed us with those times.
We have had to cancel the planned mobile Crossroads Discipleship Training School planned for Aug. 6 (due to not enough students) so will let you know next time what is ahead for these next few months.
Oh, by the way--I turned "60" last week, too! Someone told me that "60 is the new 50"!! God is good.
Love and blessings to you all--
Lois
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Duane Just Got Back From OUTREACH!!
OUTREACH! part 2
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