5 KILOS FROM THE HANDS OF GOD
by: Sheilah Lumawag & Lovely Dela Cruz
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about
your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what
you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Mat 6:25
There was scarcity of food in
the mountain. Many Aetas have a hard
time looking for food. As a missionary
in the place, most of the times, they come to us to ask for food. We have decided to become open-handed to them
though we know that time will come our supplies will be emptied. We put our
trust to God that He will not forsake us. I believed that it is His will for us
to become a blessing for the Aetas.
Days passed, what was left in
our rice container was only enough for our last meal. I don’t have money
anymore same with my co-missionaries. One of my companion suggested that we can
borrow from the church fund so that we can buy some kilos of rice. However, at
the end of our conversation, we agreed that we will not do it. Instead, we put
our trust to God that He has a thousand ways to feed us. We reminded ourselves
that God will provide.
The following day, Lovely and I
went to Sitio Kinabwan to conduct a Bible study to our students there. We spent
the whole day there. When we arrived in
our house, Shella, one of our companions was not yet around. A few minutes
passed, she arrived with five kilos of rice in her hand. She said that
“someone” impressed her to go to Adona (one of the converts). They have no
Bible study yet she still went. When she arrived there, Adona happily asked her
if we still have rice so Shella said the truth. Later, Adona gave her the five
kilo rice. He husband had just came from the town and bought one sack of rice.
They said that it is good for us to help one another since we are brothers and
sisters in Christ.
My heart was full of joy after I heard the
story. This was God’s way to provide our
needs. God knows our situation and He is always able and willing to help us if
we just put our trust on Him. Remember that our Father in heaven is rich. He owns the whole universe (Psalm 24), thus He
can supply our needs (Php 4:19).
“ANITO”
By: Leo Gonzaga
In Cabatuan, the Aetas believe in spirits they call “anitos.” According to them, the anito gives them wealth in life and healing of their sickness. So to ensure prosperity, in business or other aspects of life, they must be presented to the “anitos.” They believe that the anitos live in trees, rivers, forest, and even the “gabi” which is a rootcrop.
One time, we attended the ceremonial call for the anitos. This is like a fiesta and all the "mang-aanito" (spirit mediums) in barangay Cabatuan were present. In the morning, they offered a black pig and they drunk the blood believing that their prayers will be heard. They cooked the meat to feast on. During the night, they were inside one house forming a circle, children ages 5-15 years old are in front. These children will be the next to inherit the anito. I asked permission to take a picture while they are dancing and the owner of the house gave his approval.
When I took a picture, one of the "mang-aanito" got annoyed and told me I am not respecting their rituals. She wanted me to say sorry. I didn’t. I did not have any bad intentions and I don’t want them to think that they are doing right. Besides, I asked permission first. So she got angry and told me they will give me sickness. I was not afraid. I went home when the things are getting worst.
After several weeks of waiting for me to have sickness, they finally gave up waiting for nothing. They told me, my anito is greater than what they have. Then I told them about my God, the Creator and my Redeemer.
The power of God prevailed. God has His own way of getting these people know about Him.
LIKE THE WOMAN AT THE WELL
By: Merriam Darang Gonzaga
Isang umaga, isang babae kasama ang kanyang anak na babae ang pumunta sa Brgy. Macolcol para ibenta ang ilang sako ng puso ng saging. Sila ay nanggaling pa sa Brgy.Palis, 2 hrs. walk in Lahar. Nagkataon naman na ang kanyang buyer na lagi niyang pinagdadalhan ay isa sa aming Bible interest. At nagkataon naman na naka-schedule kami mag-Bible study sa oras na iyon. Si Ate Delia, ang kanilang buyer ang nag-imbita sa mag-inang ito, kasama pa ang isang babae na makinig muna sa Bible study at kanila naman itong pinaunlakan. Ang aming topiko noon ay 2nd Coming, matamang nakinig ang nanay at nakita ko sa kanyang mukha ang kauhawan sa Salita ng Diyos. Ngayon niya lang nalaman na si Apo Hesus pala ay babalik ditto sa lupa. Nang matapos ang Bible study, ang babae ay naghayag ng kanyang pananabik ang makarinig ulit kaya nga kanyang hiniling na kung puwede kaming pumunta sa kanilang lugar at kung puwede ding magpadala ng missionary doon.
Isang araw muli siyang bumalik, may dala-dalang papaya bilang kanyang pasasalamat sa kanyang mga narinig. Tuwang-tuwa siyang malaman na tinugon ng Diyos ang kanyang panalangin sapagkat kami ay pupunta doon sa susunod na araw. Ipinangako niyang ititipon niya lahat ng tao para sa aming pagdating.
March 18, after 2 hrs. walk in lahar, we arrived and met the lady happily saying, “Kanina pa naghihintay, akala ko di nakayo darating.” When we reached the Barrio, we met around 50 persons waiting for us in a newly made meeting place made in bamboo and banana leaves as roof, just made because of us. They also prepared some boiled camote. We’re all very happy to meet the people there in Brgy. Palis. Some people are still wearing g-strings. We had a short program. Sing songs. Give a short Bible study. They were all eager to hear the Word of Hope. How hungry are they? Not just physical but spiritual.
Like the woman at the well, God used this lady so that souls hungry for the truth may hear. Please pray for these souls ready for harvest.
