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.

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.