The Agta Tribe of Bicol

Steve and Jen Hagen are targeting the Agta Tribe of Bicol.

They met Ptr Ezekiel, who is also working with the Agta.

Ptr Ezekiel introduced Steve to an Agta Chieftain.

The Chieftain became Steve's man of peace,

introducing Steve to Agtas, who were interested in Bible study.

The Chieftain and Steve took Terry and Michaelle with him to two of their Bible studies.

After driving to Lake Buhi, we rode a boat to the other side. We walked to Ipil where we met the Chieftain.Then we climbed the mountain to the Cheiftain's house for the 1st Bible study.
During the Bible study, it rained, making the trail back down the mountain slippery.

On the way down, Terry slipped twice, going down the mountain on his bottom.
After lunch, we climbed the mountain for the 2nd Bible study.

By now, Michaelle is wondering if she will make it.

We have heightened respect for Steve, knowing what it takes just to get to his Bible studies.

At this Bible study, Terry asked, "Did Jesus take away sins or just reduce sins?"
When a man answered Jesus just reduced sins, a lively discussion followed.

Some understand salvation more clearly than others.

Pray God will continue to draw the Agtas to Himself.

The Naga Community in Christ (NCIC)

Before moving to Bicol, we met with Bob and Koleen French from World Team

because they had worked with Bicolanos for 20 years.

They started cell churches called The Naga Community in Christ (NCIC).

After we moved to Bicol, Koleen came down for a training.

Koleen explained how to start cell churches, using the Bible lessons Bob had written.

That evening, she introduced us to Bong and Judy Lee, leaders of the Isaac cell.

On Thursday, we returned to attend their Isaac cell church.

The evening began with worship...

Followed by studying the Word from Numbers 18-19.

Numbers 19 stimulated questions about tithing.

Prayer followed the study of God's Word.

The evening ended with a time of food and fellowship.

As Terry talked with the men,

he learned that many of the Isaac cell members were hardware store owners in Naga.

Alex supplies the new SM Mall with hollow (or cinder) blocks from his store.

Daren knew the owner of the hardware store across the street from where we live in Baao.

Bong owns Naga A&M Mahusay Trading.

When we asked if these owners were in competition with each other,

Judy answered, "No, we help one another.

If one store doesn't have an item, the owner calls another store to order it."

Today NCIC has 14 cell or house churches that meet every week.

On Sundays, members of the cell churches can come together for corporate worship.

The newest cell group was started 2 months ago in Pili, the neightboring town.

The cell churches remain the backbone of NCIC

as they continue to reach Bicolanos for Christ.

Our First Week in Bicol

Wednesday July 2nd was moving day.

As the truck was being loaded, we discovered to our dismay...

Termites!

After burning books and boxes, we drove to our new town.

It was exciting to see our house for the first time.

Ed, from our office, said it was the most perfect rental house he had ever seen.

Our thanks go to Steve and Jen Hagen and a Filipino pastor, who found the house for us.

Megan, a semester missionary, was there to greet us.

She had just arrived from Legaspi, near Mt Mayon,

where she had been recording Bible stories with Pastor Shane.

We spent the rest of the week unpacking. Not fun!

But after a few days, the place started to look more like home.

Come on in and take a look at our house.

Here's the living room...

and the kitchen.

On Sunday, we drove 20 minutes to Pili Southern Baptist Church.

Pastor Jimmy Rodriguez and his wife Gene welcomed us.

During the worship service, members sang a special praise to the Lord.

Pastor Jimmy spoke on James 2--Faith without works is dead.

Later on in the week, we visited Pastor Tito Reburiano.

He couldn't believe we lived so near him.

His wife Claire and daughters Sarah and Annie welcomed us to their home.

Claire's sister Cora was also visiting them all the way from California.

Cora and Claire are from the same town we live in.

They told us the first catholic bishop in the Philippines was from our town.

An image of Mary is passed from family to family.

Even though they also participated in this tradition,

the Lord rescued these sisters and brought them to Himself.

Pray for the Bicolanos to come to Christ.