Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:19-20
For the past week, my team has been living in Malay Balay, on the island of Mindanao. We've been doing manual labor around Mt. Moriah, the sight of a children's home and a church. On Saturday, we had the opportunity to help out with the Awanas program they run.
My team was ready bright and early at 7am Saturday morning, not knowing what to expect because we were given approximately zero information. We crammed into a van/bus hybrid, along with about 10 other people. Two hours later, we arrived at the end of a road. All of us filed out of the vehicle and we split into groups to visit people.
I started the trek with some of the others to a small village. First, we hiked through a banana tree forest. Next, we came to a huge, raging river. They told us that the water would be about ankle deep, but because of the recent typhoon, the water was waist deep. It was about this time that I realized my skirt and flip flops were a poor choice. Then, we crossed through a corn field, and crossed a second river, equal in size and strength to the first. We arrived at the village and were quickly told that a couple of us needed to go on to a different village. Mary B, a team mate, and I volunteered and continued to hike longer.
We arrived at the next village. Our friend from Mt. Moriah, Benhard, told us that this was the first time that they or any other missionaries had come to visit this village. These people have never been shown the beauty of the gospel. No one has ever visited them to show them the love of Christ. I was completely floored. An entire village of people who have never heard about our loving Savior. My heart was broken for these people.
We first started with introductions, and then we were able to play with them. They were very shy to begin with, but soon they were smiling and laughing. Next, we sang some silly songs with them, and after, we were able to tell them about Jesus. It was such a beautiful portrayal of the great commission, truly reaching people groups who had never been reached before. Being able to love on a village of people with the love of Christ who had never experienced it before was incredible. My heart came alive.
The missionaries and volunteers here are going to be visiting every week now. I feel so honored to have been part of the initial meeting. The Lord placed this tiny village of people on the hearts of the Mt. Moriah staff, and despite the less than convenient journey to get there, they are making it a priority to go every week. Their obedience to what the Lord is calling them to is remarkable.
Even through the bus ride, hike through the banana forest, across the raging rivers, through the corn field and through the forest, the missionaries are willing and are joyful to go. And even if it were one person, instead of a village, the Lord would still call them to go, because he loves each individual that much.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
I Timothy 2:3-4
