Flooding in Camarines Norte

Nonstop rains in Camarines Norte caused rivers to over flow their banks. Peoples' houses were flooded. Water was everywhere, but there is no water to drink.A truck comes with a day's supply of water, but when? No one knows. So they wait all day in the rain. When water arrives but isn't enough, fighting breaks out among those who still have no water.A call came from Pastor Pabs, "Terry, can you help us? We need drinking water!" Terry gathered up water containers and bought purified water to fill them.

Ptr Pabs helped load up the car.

Terry counted the containers--more than 350 liters of water. That should last a while. They picked up Ptr Tito and drove to Basud, Camarines Norte.

When the water arrived, faces beamed, "Oh, thank you, Lord!"

They were so grateful. "We won't have to wait in line today." Many helpful hands helped unload the car with the precious water.

Water was transferred from the large containers into smaller ones

to be distributed to family, fellow believers, and neighbors.

Everyone bowed in prayer as Ptr Tito thanked God for His life-giving water.

Folks smiled as they went home with containers of water.

Ptr Pabs' 93 year old mother repeated when her supply of water was delivered,

"God bless you! God bless you!"

Simply the Story Training

Simply the Story (STS) is a training to learn to lead inductive Bible studies oral style.
Dorothy, the STS directress, Tony, and Sally came from California and Australia.

Ann, Steve, and Terry translated the English lectures into Tagalog.

52 Bicolanos, Cebuanos, and Americans trained in our home.

After the Bible story was told, trainees retold the story to a partner.

The Bible stories were discussed intently in small groups.
Each small group acted out a Bible story.

Steve joined his group of Agta folks as they acted out their story.
Dorothy gave a megavoice to the Agta Cheiftain so he could listen to the New Testament.
Josephine read the Bible story to help oral learners learn their story.
At Pili Baptist Church, Dorothy told the story of how Jesus healed the woman

who was bent over (Luke 13:10-17).

The people listened with keen attention.
Everyone experienced what it would be like to not be able to stand up.
Folks told us STS was the most helpful training they have ever attended.
As trainees left our home, we trust they will use their newly learned skills

to reach Bicol for Christ.

First Bicol Training in Catanduanes

Friday morning, Steve, Terry and Michaelle boarded the ferry

for the province and island of Catanduanes.As we explained Paul's method of starting churches,

we took turns, telling stories from Acts.

Steve's Tagalog was amazing. His illustrations aided understanding.

Terry's jokes and playful ways made him a favorite with trainees.

Michaelle won the prize for the most animated storyteller.

Small groups gave trainees time to study the Word.

They practiced telling the stories and leading discussion questions.

Snack TimeMayan cooked our food over charcoal.

Sunday 3 of the trainees were baptized.

Relaxing after training with a game of chess Filipino style--no need for a table or chairs.

Group picture with our theme verse in Tagalog--2 Timothy 2:2
From what they learned, may these faithful ones teach others, who will teach others,

as more new churches are started to reach the Bicolanos for Christ.

Found a Southern Baptist Church

In our search for Southern Baptist Churches in Bicol,

we boarded a boat at Port Tamban...

.

That took us to the island of Binagasbasan, after 3 hours on the boat.

There we found Binagasbasan Southern Baptist Church.

Nonoy, Pastor Tito, Mercy, Michaelle and Terry arrived on Saturday in time

for the child dedication service.

Pastor Buddy led the service.

Pastor Tito dedicated the children.

This is NanayMunding Pereco, the grandmother of the church.

Her daughter and husband, Melinda and Jim Green, started the church.

(Melinda met Jim when he came to the Philippines in the US Navy.)

Nanay Munding's granddaughter Mercy told Pastor Tito about the church.

This is Mercy's mother Nene with one of the many grandchildren.

On Sunday, the people gathered again for Sunday School and worship.

Oh how they love to sing!

Danilo played the guitar and sang.

The children sang.

The mothers sang. Everyone sang from their hearts without written music or words.

Terry preached, explaining how God looks at our hearts, not at our outer appearance.

On Monday morning, we boarded another boat to go home.

We hope to return again to encourage and build up God's people in Binagasbasan.