Six of us, plus local pastors to Can-eo made the trek to this special village this weekend to minister, despite around 40 landslides and a wash-out along the way. I am SO thankful to be part of the group that went.
We began our trip waiting for a jeepney around 8am, a light drizzle accompanying us. About an hour later, a jeepney took us on the shortest part of our trip, about 20 until the road was no longer vehicle-friendly. Then for the 1 1/2 hour hike where I realized I should have had a better poncho! But the views of winding rivers, mountains, and even landslides were breath-taking (more to come on that as I can, though pictures don't do it justice).
We arrived in Can-eo and enjoyed Pastor Rudy and Bridgette's company, learning more about our weekend town and resting for lunch. Next adventure....Chapiosen (sp) ! This barrio of Can-eo (which is already a barrio of Bontoc) can only be reached by slippery rock/mud paths, but we believed God wanted us to take the challenge! This leg of our trip was when I felt closest to my team, as we truly had to put others first, staying aware of each others' footing on the slippery, steep steps. I also received the "drowned rat award", as I was completely soaked to the core. Unfortunately, there was a major landslide still sliding when we got about 5/6 of the way to Chapiosen, so we stopped, took a moment to pray for the town, and began our trek back. Still raining, it sure wasn't as wet for this leg of the trip.
On our way back, we made home visits to some community members. I love meeting people where they are. You can pray for R, whose deep oppression kept him completely covered under a charcoal colored blanket both visits when we prayed for him. Praise God that his mother told our team on the second visit how he had removed the blanket when we left for a short time. Please pray for his spiritual healing.
Team members ministered in a Saturday night meeting, and we also lead the church in children's and adult ministry the next morning. I'm so proud of my teammates, who all had firsts that weekend, whether preaching or leading worship!
Sunday was an especially special time for our team and a villager named Ochowan (sp?). We learned that she was across the river, and though we would miss our jeepney ride back to Bontoc, we wanted to go and pray with her. Ochowan is around 80 years old and suffers from tuberculosis and diabetes. She's homebound, and medications for her illnesses are just not an option. Before we went, we knew we did not just want her to make a decision to follow Christ in order to be hospitable to us.
I look forward to sharing photos of this special weekend as soon as possible.
God bless!
During our time at her house, we prayed for her, talked about her childhood and her present, and Tom, our missionary friend, and Pastor Rudy presented the truth of the gospel to her in a very clear way, reminding her that this faith decision meant forsaking the pagan gods so deep a part of the culture. By the end of our time with her, Ochowan had accepted Christ as her savior, and told us how "light" and "happy" she felt. Please pray for people to disciple and love her, and for her healing. Praise God with us for her salvation.
