More pictures on Dibagat Teams 2007 · 433 days ago

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The Impact of His Word and Work among the Isnags and mission team members · 434 days ago

I was wearing a black cap with long black hair with dark sunglasses as we landed in Dibagat and taxied to the end. The pilot turned around and I could see my youngest brother and many Isnag women and children waiting for our arrival. However, nobody knew I was coming except the translator and I told him not to let anyone know. It was fun watching the Isnags smiling away as I looked at them from the airplane window, and then they were discussing something together. After taking my cap off to reveal who I was, there was an exciting shout of welcome for me. Their conversation went like this – ‘that looks like manong, but probably not, then they turned to my brother and said, ‘do you supposed that is manong, and he said – ‘no way, that’s an old woman coming to visit us.” It was fun surprising them as well along with the 3rd team when I arrived in Manila February 17.

The 3rd team finished the welding, cementing and wiring and the Isnags installed the roofing and the job was completed for our teams. Then on Feb 23 we met for the first time in the newly expanded church and it was AWESOME feeling to be there and see that it will meet the needs of the Dibagat Bible Church at least for a while. As we were meeting together as a team, I asked each of the members to share from their heart beginning with the team leader. One of our team members was on active duty in the military but he had 50 days of leave so he gave his time to come join our team. As he was sharing his heart out, he was crying away because God was speaking in a special way. That was the beginning of God’s Spirit working in his heart. After everyone finished sharing we closed in prayer and then got ready for bed. As the men went downstairs to get ready for bed, one of the team member, an associate pastor went to the soldier and asked him point blank, if he had ever asked Jesus to come to his heart and left it that way and he got ready for bed. Then the soldier came and told him, he didn’t think he had ever surrendered his life to Christ so he wants Him now! The night of February 23, 2007 a US soldier “became a new creature in Christ…” 2 Cor. 5:17, born a second birth the same place I had my 2nd birth 44 years ago in the jungles of Dibagat!

On Sunday morning we had a worship time with the Isnags and this soldier gave his testimony to the Isnags and excited Isnags were giving praise to the Lord. One woman said, ‘now God’s Word is bearing fruit not only among the Isnags in Dibagat but around the world for His glory.” Another Isnag elder said – ‘the teams that God brought to Dibagat are the extension of Christ’s hands from heaven to come all the way to Dibagat to wash the Isnag feet, now it’s our turn to go and wash others feet since we have been shown how to do it.”

Each of the team members from January 5 to March 3 were all completely changed for His glory. They have seen what God is doing among the Isnags and what He is doing in their lives. With my gratitude to all of the teams, those who sent and prayed and gave of their resources to make these trips possible. May Jesus Christ be praised and honor and glory be His! Thanks to all those who went and gave of themselves!!

Finally—“Give thanks to the Lord, call on His Name; make known among the nations what He has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8

Guess who we found! · 451 days ago

Has anyone in the states seen Nard lately? Well, a Gomer Pyle, “surprise surprise” is in order. The team (+1) arrived the other night and began a sprinting scramble uphill to the mountains of Luzon! At least that is how I (Kirk) feel. Tomorrow we are looking forward to flying into Dibagat. Two are going by motorcycle to Kabugao, then proceeding up river by canoe to Dibagat. They live here in Bagabag at the SIL base and can only stay for five days, so their help will be greatly appreciated. Plus, they get to have an incredible adventure getting to and from Dibagat. We have added three other projects in addition to getting the Church finished. Two of the projects involve repairing the water system that was installed by the Water Project Team in 2005. The other is finishing the school water project that was started by the first team. Hopefully all the supplies will be there to complete everything! We are team of 16. Also keep praying! It has been amazing how God has been working and providing just what we need when we need it! But really that should not be so surprising…. Blessings!!

Team Two update · 457 days ago

Everyone has arrived safely back in the US full of stories and good experiences. Now they have to adjust to the climate, culture, and time change. Larry, Enol, and Ritchie, have said their goodbyes to family in the village and today had their fair well celebration at the Manila SIL center. Larry was the Center Administrator there before helping co-lead the teams. Enol was the cook for many teams in Dibagat. They will be departing for the US so they may become Wycliffe members, hoping to return soon to the Philippines. We will be waiting on the safe arrival of Team Three this Thursday and Saturday.

Team Two's Progress · 461 days ago

The week started nicely but soon the rain came and the mud became worse than ever. Thankfully we were not having to walk on any trails. The generator that was needed for the welder broke down but parts arrived from the U.S. a day after we got there and no time was lost. We moved the one wall to its new location and blocked up the back wall. The metal was cut for the trusses and welded up. The old roof had to come off for the new trusses to be set. Working late the last night the trusses were braced. We had good weather just in time for tearing the old trusses out and putting up the new ones. We had close to 40 villagers helping to move the wall and to set the trusses. We had two injuries but both are alright now. One villager stepped on a wire and one team member stumbled and suffered some scrapes and soreness. The project is coming along nicely and pretty much on schedule. The one picture shows the termite damage from a 3×6 post that was torn out of a wall in the church.