TUAO YOUTH MISSION TRIP: DEC 2006
This Tuao youth mission trip has been both a learning as well as a spiritual trip for all of us.
The first thing that strikes us in the Philippines is the warmth and hospitality of its people. Three brethren from Baguio city, Shem, Ephram and Julius were there to ferry us from Clarke airport and Tuao with an overnight stop at Ramon. They went back to Baguio city for a few days while we were at Tuao and returned to drive us from Tuao to Clarke. We were very warmly received everywhere we went especially by the brethren at Ramon and Tuao.
The people of Taribubu in Tuao are mainly rice farmers who led simple lives in less than comfortable surroundings and with basic amenities just barely there. Yet they appear happy and contented with their lives and are able to serve and worship God fervently. You can feel the passion they have for God in their singing and their desire to know the Word of God. The minister Jhun Ma and his wife Babe, transplanted themselves from their comfortable urban homes to serve God in Taribubu. We really admire their sacrifice.
Conditions in Taribubu were challenging, with frequent and heavy rains during the trip. December is in the midst of the rainy season, and the two typhoons, although it did not hit Tuao directly, brought along heavy rains to the region. One direct result of the daily rain is the presence of mud everywhere in the village. Once you step out of the house you inevitably end up wading through mud.
Although there is electricity supply in the village, power failures are frequent. On the first night of the youth’s overnight stay with their host families, a power failure plunged the entire village into darkness except for the occasional candlelight in some homes. But when you gaze upwards, you see beautiful clear sky studded with numerous bright stars twinkling in the distance. In fact, a few of the youths saw shooting stars that night. It was a breathtaking sight. It appears as if a message had been written in the sky to let your light shine before men.
And our youths really did let their lights shine during this mission trip. I am very impressed and really proud of this group of PP youths. They were very focused in their efforts to serve God and spread the Gospel. During the school visits, home bible studies, Sunday bible class/sermon, and project works such as helping to fill the floor of the new church under construction with gravel and painting signboards, you can see the enthusiasm and joy in their faces.
During the project works, groups of villagers and their children gathered to watch this group of pampered urban youths merrily performing their tasks. It is a strong testimony to the faith and passion of our youths.
The attitude and resilience shown by our youths were nothing short of amazing. All of them were ready for anything that came their way. Nothing fazes them. Not the ubiquitous mud, the very basic toilet facilities, frequent power failures and incessant attacks by mosquitoes and other unidentified arthropods. Some of the youths have quite prominent “battle scars” to show for that. They took it all in their stride without any complaints. I must specifically mention our four ladies, Charmaine, Olivia, Cheryl and Andrea who were really outstanding in coping so well with the physical and environmental obstacles during the trip and effectively reaching out and engaging the children in the village.
The youth’s resilience was also very admirable. There were many minor hiccups and setbacks during this trip. After a few disruptions to the schedule, punctuality was no longer a major concern as long as the scheduled event took place. What is remarkable is that after each setback, the youths were able to bounce right back with renewed strength and enthusiasm.
This mission trip has not only touched the lives of the people in Taribubu but also impacted strongly on our youths and in fact everyone in the group. At the farewell in Tuao on the penultimate day of the trip, there was hardly a dry eye in the group. This mission trip has been a powerful learning experience as well as a form of spiritual renewal for everyone.
Ooi Boo Chye