This story tells the steps on how to do community mission outreach on places never been reached by anybody for development and transformation that remain longer than the missionaries that did the trailblazing. Here, we aim to duplicate what we did in our community in Batangas City, which can be viewed in the link below.
Our mission ministers to the IP's of the Philippines. IP stands for Indigenous People's Group which composed of native people of the land. They are the ancestry of our people today. It so happen, our mission focus on the natives of the seas-- the Badjao or Badju. I don't know what God thinks about this call why to these people. But as the work progressed , I saw God's reason. We are so lucky we were not born a Badjao.
This is not the first time my parents went to Mindanao. Those former times were devoted to ministering to the T'boli's- an IP group in Mindanao. But this moment is the first time to start working on a community mission with the Badjao located in the boundary of General Santos City and Sarangani. Of course, the mission will always include the imparting of the knowledge of God. The community in Batangas City where we live has prepared in prayer and funding to pursue this work. We were seven in the team including my parents. But we were trimmed down to four because of lack of funding. So my parents, me and Manuel pushed through the trip.
General Santos City Domestic Airport
We arrived at the airport of General Santos City 7:20 in the morning of May 30,2013. Our contact was already waiting at the airport. Carrying our luggage, we were brought to friends' houses where we paid some time talking, eating and discussing about our plan and the daily work schedule. Our contact who became a friend of ours provided the place for us to stay.
The House Where We Stayed located in the center of GenSan City.
It is a two bedroom empty house fit to accommodate 20 people. It is an old bungalow which was inhabited for so long the cockroaches' smell lingers the air inside the house. So much for my allergy.
We had nothing to use in the house. Our contacts lend us the stove, a table, 4 chairs, electric pot, caserrole pot, a knife and iron serving platter which mom used in frying and cooking. It is good my mom brought with us plastic plates. We had no utensils whatsoever, and everything in the following weeks were all improvised. We also bought along with us 70 bags of manna rice for feeding program.
We slept on the floor with a foam bedding. Our friend lend us pillows and an electric fan. We brought along with us blankets and malong. I slept with my mom and dad. Sleeping is an adjustment. We only had 2 blankets and I have to contend myself sleeping under a malong so dad can use my blanket. In Batangas, though we are living in the tribe, my wooden bed is cozy, and comfortable.
Manuel slept in the other room. He created a little privacy of his own I joked as Bawing 3 community. Though the place is good and in the center of the city, we had no signal --- may it be internet or cellphone of all networks. The house where we are staying is a dead spot! Only our house! I contacted the telephone companies and reported the dilemma.. to my surprise, all of them said that nothing is wrong with their transmissions.
at KCC Supermarket
The first day was also spent in buying for food and other things we need.... in order to survive for 2 weeks . We bought food and other supplies for ourselves. There are many malls and supermarkets in General Santos City. KCC Supermarket is where you can buy food and stuff at the cheapest price. Gaizano is also one. Clothes and household stuff are cheaper in Gaizano. There are SM City and Robinson Malls in the city, but the people go jumpacked in buying at KCC .
No wonder why many Visayan and Tagalogs migrated to Mindanao. Commodity prices are high, even land prices are lower. We actually bought a piece of land for the family for future settlement, and training center. The weather is balance, not so dry but not so wet. but because it is surrounded by waters, you can expect a change to darker skin tone.
Plum, Tangerine and Korean Pear
I love the fruits. We always have every meal. They are cheaper too. One can buy a bunch of pineapples for P10, P20 and P50. Dragonfruit, Kiwi, Tangerine, Mangosteen and Plums are so expensive in Manila and Batangas but here in Mindanao--- omg! you can indulge yourself till you drop at prices that won't hurt your pocket!
GenSan City is known as the tuna capital of the Philippines. I have eaten a variety of tuna dishes: tuna kilaw, binagoongan tuna, ginataang tuna, dried tuna, tuna siomai, tuna tocino, etc..etc..etc..ut am not fond of tuna, but I went crazy over sea weeds kilaw! wiw!
The first day was really enjoying.
The next day is paying courtesy visit to the ministerial council of the city. This is very important. The City Ministerial Council must recognized that you are to work in a community/or people group so you will avoid "stepping on someone else's feet" and for backup. For anything that may come unexpectedly, you have back up prayers and support. And since we are "aliens" in the land, we pay respect to everyone who needs it.
The Ministerial Council Meeting
The Ministerial Council was broken into two: The Ministerial Council of the Locals and The Elders of the City. We were surprised that a discrimination between the Local (small units) and the Elders ( the larger units) is existing. And we are even more surprised at both's adamant responses of these people to the plight of the Badjaos in Mindanao. If these people are rejecting the Badjaos, how much more the christians and muslims in Mindanao. And we were right! The people doesn't want anything to do with the Badjaos. They call these tribe a people of deceivers, murderers, dogs, useless beings, sore of the city...name all the negative descriptions.. mananawa ka! We were even asked to go home and return to Batangas.
The reports we heard made us more unstoppable.
Looking for Makona and her clan.
Makona and her clan is our contact clan in the tribe. We heard a news that they are living somewhere along the road near the sea before Bawing. A contact in the tribe makes it easier to communicate, and will serve as the core group of the working team. Through them, we are expecting an easier way to get through the tribe. We learned that the Badjao community in there is being ruled by a Tausug, and are living with other moslem clan within the community.
We found Makona and her clan... they are moving out. They were demolishing their houses because the owner of the land, a Maguindanaoan, where they are living are selling it so they have to move out to an unknown place. We gave them our food supply for the feeding program so they can eat.
There goes our base and core group.
Off to the city.... Plan B.
This is what I like in my work... when you are ready and equip, you can relax while you plan and pray. As for me, it's also my time for mapping up the place and see the probability of success, threat, hindrances and failure.
Plan B is go straight to the community. We follow the impression of God in our hearts. Its a long way...with checkpoints. Mmmm...
The beaches along Sarangani Bay
The Badjao Village rest alongside the shoreline of Sarangani Bay.
Paying a courtesy visit to the tribal leader
The houses by the sea
The community reception is good. So far, an interpreter is needed..and Manuel did it so well. The people are Sama Palau'. They are the ones who live on the seas literally. Our community is Sama Central, the ones living by on land. Their Sama dialect is deeper than ours, I can only understand a little of what the people are saying.
There is a fresh water fountain near the sea. The people drink this water and is indeed fresh. It is a miracle and a sure sign of blessing from above.
The following days were spent building a relationship with the tribal leader and making the people familiar with us. We didn't promise anything. We only promise we will come back and live with then
m to help the community achieve its transformation. The tribal leader accepted us, and offered a s space in the community for us to build our house. Manuel was liked by the people, however, we are still praying for a couple to stay with mom and dad in the community.
It is easy to come to people and help them specially when you have resources. And it is easy for people to come to you to receive your gifts... it is a natural instinct of human beings. Implementer of change should aim a real transformation that will run throughout generations of the people that were helped. Here, a long and deep patience is needed.. and a resource that goes beyond the supply of money and material things.
Trailblazing among the IP's need a lot of careful planning and preparation.... and a lot of prayer.
Planning and preparations include
1. studying the IP's culture which includes their norms, traditions, lifestyle, etc.
2. learn their language
3. learn adaptation by living with them. Equip yourself with the necessary training in order to exist in an unreached community.
4. muster your resources. tap resources.
5. learn spiritual warfare
Moving forward includes
1. Establishing contacts and networks.
2. Establish good relationship with contacts and networks.
3. Mapping the community which includes identifying their needs
4. Live with the people
5. Start developing
Those are starters. And it didn't take overnight. To us, establishing contacts, networks and relationships took two years on process. Those who did it in short period of time-- its the implementer who gives up easily. It's just like planting on a rocky soil.
Oh I love the city of General Santos... very peaceful... clean air...the scent of ocean breeze refreshes the soul.
Tricycles are designed to accommodate 6 passengers.
Our property in GenSan.... 1000sqms for residential and future missions training center.
Manny Pacquiao and his family attend church here. We met him and his wife Jinkee, now elected Vice Governor of Sarangani. I admire his humble spirit. I was so happy watching him pile up the chairs in the worship hall, arranging things there, disregarding his being a Congressman and a Pambansang Kamao. Woah, I made him an example to my trainees.
New Friends
New Friends. That's how it is in our place.
I simply like the place after mapping it out. It's sad I only got to visit it when needed.
We will come back to start the community development and of course introducing Christ to the people. As of this moment, 111 children are waiting to be enrolled in school. 1300 are needed to be fed to combat malnutrition. No existing livelihood. No nothing....pure tribal life.
