God is Amazing!

Where am I? Waking up in our apartment instead of seeing the nipa ceiling with bamboo and grass walls of our little house. . . And where is that quietness with only the two chickens clucking under our house?

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.

Flying back to Palanan

The team just left Baguio this morning to return to Palanan for the remaining four weeks of the DTC after a week long break. It was good to have Duane, and the team, back here for awhile. I remain here in Baguio doing logistic and administrative tasks, along with hospitality. I hope to go to the graduation end of November, and return with the team December 1.

From Duane--

The transformation of the Agta society and likewise, the spread of the gospel through out the valley is a story that could be written in a book. All without development projects--only the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ in people! Churches are planted in the valley and coastal regions because the people obey and go. Some churches are more than one day walk up the stream. The people are cut off and there is no bible school. Because of this we were asked by CMU to hold a Discipleship Training Course in Dibungko.

We set up the school in an Agta village on the edge of the jungle. God brought 45 students--25 CMU people and 20 youth. Many of the students have build their own grass huts and cook most of their meals over open wood fires. They are a mix of Agta and lowlanders--couples, singles, and families. I envision that nowhere else in the valley is there the joyous meeting together of these two distinct people groups who once were enemies. I believe this gathering is a prophetic statement. The teaching is powerful and simple. The Holy Spirit governs the teaching to their heart, transforming their mind and image of themselves.

The success of this school is a miracle--logistically, culturally, and with the language; and for some, even coping without electricity. Yet, because our team is a strong team, testing has only made us stronger.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please keep us in prayer over these next four weeks--

• that we may hear God clearly about what He wants the teachings to be
• that we have wisdom as we serve these people
• for health and strength
• for God's provision for the balance of funds for operational expenses

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To you who have been praying--THANK YOU.
To you who have given to support this ministry and expenses of the school--THANK YOU.

Your investment in these people's lives has eternal value.

Palanan visit

I just got back from Palanan last Friday!! What an experience! And what an honor to participate a bit in what God is doing in that remote area!

[Here is a photo of Heidi and me in the bunka (boat) moving up the river to the village of Dibungko.]


These photos show a view of Duane's nipa house. I had to chuckle when he told me the Agta's were building him a house--several years ago someone prophesied over us that we would have many homes. Hmm . . . interesting!


All the materials were taken from the jungle-- not a nail in the structure! Duane helped 3other couples build houses for themselves, too.





I accompanied Heidi, speaker for the week, and HongBaek (from Member Care who wanted to see the place and what is happening). After the bus ride and an overnight stay, and a 45 minutes plane ride over the mountains, it was just a 4 day visit with the team. A very good time--I don't like the HOT weather or sweat dripping down my face and down my back but otherwise I LOVED the place and the people.

Quiet, peaceful, separated from the "world" with no electricity except by generator at night for 3 hours.

Heidi loved being there, too. Her teaching followed up on all that has been said so far and family, couples, Godly communication, to know their identity in Christ, love of the Father, learning how to affirm each other (rather than shame based actions).

44 students--about 17 or 18 "youth" (16-30 years, singles) from revival at outreach youth camp last May and the remaining are CMU missionaries who keep expressing that they feel so privileged to be part of this training. They really are excited to be there and want to learn and receive from God.

The people are wonderful! I can understand now how Duane feels when he leaves and wants to go right back--I felt the same way the morning I left on the plane to go back to Baguio.

This is an exciting time. But at the same time--intense, more so than a regular CDTS school. Please pray for the staff team as they are very busy with teaching -- everything being translated, leading small groups, having one-on-one meetings with students, doing their own cooking, hand washing laundry, and extra conversational English lessons.

Weekends are full with invitations to speak in churches of other villages, teach for seminars, or have leadership training for CMU missionaries.

When they have free time they may sometimes cross the river and walk 45 minutes into town for halo-halo (crushed ice with fruit and juice mixed in), then walk back and wade the river again before climbing up the steep hill to the village or just crash in a hammock for a bit. They will all come out for a 10-day break, weather permitting flying, Oct. 24. then back again for 4 more weeks of the discipleship training course.

Thank you for your prayers, love and support of what God is doing in this region. Let us praise God together for all He is doing in the lives of these beautiful people.

Blessings,
Lois

To the Ends of the Earth

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

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

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!

I got lots of exercise going up and down the steps cut into the hillside soil! Best of all I was able to experience a bit of what Duane has known in his 10 years of going to this area for outreach. This place is so beautiful, quiet, and inhabited by gentle, happy people.

View of the village of DiBungko

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.

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.

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

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!

Quick Trip Home to Wisconsin

July 31, 2008

We 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

Duane Just Got Back From OUTREACH!!

The next few posts display photos from the CDTS 2008 outreach in Palanan. Each year we are able to go and be a part of what God is doing in this beautiful area north east of Baguio, along the Pacific Ocean. The picture above shows the village of Dibungko, which acts as a "home base" for the team during our time there.

An Agta woman...and her baby...

Agta kids...

OUTREACH! part 2

My son-in-law Rod gave me this hammock. It was great to use on outreach...sometimes in unique locations.:)

This Agta man was building a small chicken house and I enjoyed being able to learn about the process of tying the bamboo together and helping fold the leaves for the roof.

This Agta man is a leader in the church and just last year joined CMU.

Travel on the river....

Outreach! part 3

The missionaries of Christian Missions to the Unreached and our CDTS team together.

Some of the Agta youth and I

Abigail, the daughter of one of the Bible translators. We're great friends...:)

OUTREACH! part 4

The Palanan River Valley

The Sierra Madre Mountains

I
found this farming equpiment on the beach after a typhoon and carried it up to where we were staying....

Mary Ann (Agta woman- Bible translator) and Emily (our New Zealand family's child).

Mobile CDTS 2008

Palanan Video

This is where the CDTS 2008 Outreach team will for the first part of outreach. Please pray for us. We will be there April 25 to May 10

Crossroads Discipleship Training School -Jan. '08

". . . From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1)

How the Lord has ministered into the lives of some of the Crossroads Discipleship Training School students is evident in the testimonies they've shared and the visible changes shown in their lives. Here are some:

• “I rebelled against God for a number of years. Sent to an orphanage at an early age made me feel rejected and abandoned. Fed-up with a troubled marriage, I ran away from home and family. With a prosperous business to lean on, I lived my life the way I want. I thought money would fill the void in my heart and would assuage the gnawing pain of rejection. I was wrong. Money all the more led me to drift away from God, making my life miserable. God had to strip me off of everything I depended on for me to realize how empty and futile life is without knowing the love of the Father. Now, I’ve come home forgiven and rejoicing in God’s unconditional love for me."

• “My father died when I was still very young. I grew up with a very abusive step father. Physical and verbal abuse were constant that they carved a deep wound in my soul. Suppressed anger and fear dominated my life even after I became a Christian. Ministering among an unreached people group, had kept me busy in the ministry for years pushing down the pestering wound inside of me. Zeal and enthusiasm eventually ebbed away and was replaced with emotional and physical fatigue. Soon discontent and resentment grew in my heart. God in His mercy met me at the crossroad of my life. He brought me to CDTS where I learned the value God has placed on me as His child. Having found my true identity, I want to go back and continue to serve the people I left behind.”

• “Here is a list of the people I want to forgive and they are the ones I could remember so far and I’m sure that there are still more” she said as she handed me the paper full of names of the people who had hurt her extremely. “I had carried this bitterness for so long and my rebellion had led me deep into sinful and shameful behavior. I want to live a life that is pleasing to God and I desire to serve among those who have been through the life I’ve been into.”

From the mouths of the children--
This year God has blessed the school with four young children with smiles and boundless energy and joy which never failed to cheer everyone around them. From them we can learn valuable lessons.

Dav-it, a three year-old Vietnamese boy told his mother one day that Grandpa (Gary, an 80 year old missionary who was our speaker that week and was sitting across him at the breakfast table) had promised to give him a gift. His mother translated for us what the boy said. And with all smiles and without the prompting of anybody, he said “thank you” to Gary. He had a promise and even before he received the gift, he was grateful.

(One of our staff team shared this story with us one morning--)
"I went outside the yard one day when I noticed a branch was broken off from a plant which I planted and carefully tended. I asked Rosemary, a six-year-old child, if she saw who did it. 'I don’t know,' she said and looking intently into my face, she added 'why not plant the broken branch so it will grow into another plant?' 'What an idea' I said to her in agreement and gave her a hug."

Many times when we face problems, we often see the obstacles instead of solutions. Or we dwell on the "problem" rather than seeing it as an "opportunity for growth." It is all about CHOICES--how are we going to see it and respond?

Please pray with us:

• Participating with God in what He is doing in the students in these last few weeks of the lecture phase.

• Outreach preparation and involvement.

• Fees of the students. There are those who still have not paid their lecture or outreach fees. Please pray for provision. Four more weeks and we will be going out.

• Staff needs. All our team serve as volunteers and are trusting God to provide.

• That we may continue to be led by God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the responsibilities we have here.