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by Tommy L. Tan
It all started as a plan back in December 2017 when Pastor Philip Lim shared to us about the trials and joys of being in a mission. The planning began like a spark in the forest.
Slowly but surely it made impact. The mission trip to Palawan tribal communities was just a plan that God made possible. During the planning of the mission trip, I was adopted by nine Young Professionals to go with them as the youngest member of the team.
Last May 18 – 22, 2018, together we embarked on a challenge to visit some tribes of missionaries that our church is supporting in Palawan. The first tribe the team visited was the Batak Tribe in which the team had to hike for more than 4 hours and through over 16 rivers.
The second tribe the team visited was the Tagbanua Tribe, specifically the Maringits. We shared to them our knowledge on how taking care of our bodies through proper hygiene can glorify God because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The team was able to give out hygiene kits and some other goods as well.
During the trip, I was able to experience a “tip of the iceberg” of what the missionaries go through when the leave their safe zone, otherwise known as their comfort zone. Imagine, the missionaries have to start from scratch building their own places to stay and purchasing the land they want to stay in.
Hearing their testimonies from the time they arrived Palawan until the present, I was really amazed at how God really provides for them. Due to this, I have learned to trust God’s sovereignty more. I was able to witness the creation of God in Palawan and it reminded me of the verse in Psalm 19:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
Not to mention that while we were hiking, the team had to deal with blisters and wounds in our feet, while not knowing how close or far we are from all destinations. There, God reminded me about perseverance and to endure the temporary pain so that we may reach the goal.
Another thing I learned is that God can and will use anyone he chooses. The team was composed of five nurses, a chemical engineer, a businesswoman, a nutritionist, someone who speaks Tagalog very well, and then there’s me.
I consider myself not very adequate for the mission trip because for one, I do not speak Tagalog very well. I know the basics but not enough. I have not graduated college; thus I have no degree and am not officially part of Young Pro.
Yet God included me to be part of a team that was very passionate about this mission trip. Because of that, I was reminded of the following three verses in the Bible.
Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Romans 10:15 (NIV)
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Indeed, the mission trip to Palawan was an eye-opener of God’s grace and mercy. An experience I will forever cherish in my heart.
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