Preparation

In every adventure, there is a story to tell and this is the story I want to tell. The Palawan mission trip that was planned way back 2017 during CGC Missions Week sparked the interest of us young professionals to go and experience the work that God has placed in the lives of these missionaries.

Meeting with the missionaries supported by CGC from all around the Philippines allowed me to get a glimpse of what it is like to go through difficulties and joy in serving the Lord, spreading the good news outside the walls of our comfort zones, and showing the love they have for the Lord and for the people who have not heard the good news.

During the said week, the missionaries shared their experiences both bitter and sweet, and how God’s love, grace, presence, protection and provision kept them going to accomplish and finish what God has set before them. They admitted that it was not easy, but they would obediently continue to follow the command of the Lord no matter how difficult it was.

They experienced physical pains and ailments, emotional struggles of those difficult times, financial uncertainties that came with the work, and the cultural and language barriers that they had to face.

The testimonies they shared may sound like a walk in the park now for them, but have become reality and eye openers to us. Who would have known that it would be a testimony we would be living ourselves.

Preparing for the trip was a difficult one. It was easy to say “Let’s go,” but a different story to be actually ready for it. Through God’s grace and intervention, the willingness of so many volunteers in the Young Professionals Fellowship, and the huge support of CGC’s Mission Committee, and prayers of many members and other churches in Palawan, God’s plan prevailed.

One of the problems we encountered during the preparation was communication. It was difficult since there was limited signal in the tribal areas the missionaries were stationed at. Another problem was how to go about with the preparation and planning of the itinerary since our days were limited and our immersion within the tribes was short.

The physical preparations for the long hike which was expected of us to accomplish during the travel was also something to think about. Financial support was also a huge consideration. The availability of willing people to go to the field was something to consider since they would have to take leaves from busy schedules and work.

The biggest problem that we were reminded of was the spiritual warfare and preparation that we had to face and take into full consideration. Since this is God’s plan and will, God’s enemy would take interest to foil and destroy it.

By God’s grace, providence, and provision, His plan was accomplished in His name, in His time, and in His way. The itinerary kept changing even on the day of our trip and during the trip. It was made possible through meet ups and the involvement of many members.

Communication with missionaries was essential and extremely necessary to give us full detail of what needed to be done and needed to be prepared for the trip. We made a Messenger group for the missionaries to relay to give us instructions, encouragement and spiritual preparations for ready hearts as we embarked on this journey.

God has also made vacant many schedules of the Young Professionals, and He prevented any hindrances from causing any of our schedules to be cancelled. Physical preparations for the trip by way of jogging at Abellana readied us for the long hikes. Church members in different fellowships, friends from different churches, and pastors also prayed for this trip.

My experience

My experience at the two tribes in Palawan was absolutely worth the travel. It was an immersion that made me realize the beauty of going back to basics and experience the sureness of God’s existence and presence in every little thing from the scenery I have seen, to the tribesmen and tribeswomen who praise and worship the God who has saved them from a previous life of false gods and beliefs.

The influence of Christ in the lives of the people in the tribes was clearly shown in how they responded with joy as we sang praise songs, and how they listened to God’s love shared by the missionaries. The influence of Christ’s love and the truth of His death and resurrection on the cross changed the old habits and beliefs of the people in the two tribes and thus they themselves saw the fruits of their faith in Christ by the slow but obvious progress in their communities.

One particular part of the tribe I loved was the children that brought me so much joy. The smiles on their faces and the feeling of welcome they shared to me was so true and sincere that it showed me how Christ has made an impact in their lives. The praise songs we sang together showed how Christ brings them joy. Seeing them go to Sunday school also made me realize that even if they may have few materials and limited spaces, it did not stop them from worshipping God.

The children in the tribe invited us to play and chat and tour around their community. Swimming with the children in the river was also a way for us to bond with the kids and play with them. It was also a way for us to teach them hygiene and how we have to take care of our bodies, because it is not our own.

Getting to the Batak tribe was not simple, but took a leap of faith. Having to walk through rocky terrain and crossing 16-32 rivers under the heat of the sun was not easy. Blisters, bites, sunburns, and cuts, through both rainy and sunny weather, never-before seen foods and water with a metallic taste, were a few things we personally experienced.

Food ranged from the available products in the market to the freely-available vegetables and resources God provides from nature—from honey and grass ferns to grown crops that were planted and cultivated by the missionaries. Drinking water was available and ranged from filters, rivers, and wells to water bought in stores. Long car rides were also tiring but were a blessing to us since we needed to go to far places.

The experience in riding a carabao also brought us so much excitement that it was a rollercoaster ride in the outskirts of Palawan. It was an experience both uncomfortable and yet comfortable.

We got to stay at the tribes and homes of the missionaries. We slept under the protection of mosquito nets and bug repellents. The comfort of electric fans and air-conditioning units was not available; we had to fan ourselves a lot in the humid and hot weather.

Never getting hungry is something I was thankful for. We had good meals, and food was always personally prepared. There was always someone to talk to, and the hospitality they shared was a blessing; the fellowships we had truly personal and true. We shared a lot of laughter and experiences, and it was God’s time well spent.

Meeting other missionaries and missionaries-in training showed us their love for the Lord, and their determination for the word of God to reach many people as soon as possible. Their willingness to go through so many discomforts and struggles made me realize the extent of their obedience in the Lord for the knowledge of Christ and salvation to reach so many people. The calling that was given to them, they said “yes” to the calling, and sacrificed so much for the cross. It makes what I do at home and at church seem so little.

Blessed and thankful

I am truly blessed and thankful to these missionaries and ultimately to God for showing me a glimpse of a life not shackled in the comforts of these temporal world, but the eternal investment in Christ as He calls us to His real home.

They live a life for Christ, and sought to please and glorify Christ – an example I should follow. They opened my eyes to living a life in the name of Christ and desiring to have others live one as well. We are to make disciples of all nations, so why not start in our own nation?

In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It indeed is a command and a calling, not just for missionaries, missionaries-to-be or pastors, but for all of us. It is a calling for us to obey the command and this is the realization I had. I make excuses but ultimately it boils down to me obeying and saying “yes.”

I always thought full-time means having to sacrifice everything, but it really isn’t; it’s taking part in the work that Christ has purposely left for us to accomplish and fulfill. Making disciples at home, church and work is what I can do.

I have no reason to say “no.” I have come to see the lives of a few who are willing to go out to the field, and some may see the fruits of the labor as slow, but I see the persistence in their love and obedience to the calling of the Lord even though they know it may take them years, it is evident that God will see them through the promise He will keep.

It was indeed a short and long wonderful trip in Palawan. It was a blessing to see joyful smiles in many faces as they worship Christ. There was beauty in the struggles shared. The fulfilling joy in sharing not just financially but also my time and presence as well is priceless. The grace of God in all these made it all the more bearable and sweeter in every single moment that I went through.

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