Child Evangelism Fellowship in Sarangani Province
June 2006

This is an amazing story that can be traced back – in part – to our involvement with the Kipulkuda Elementary School and the lunch program we initiated there. 

Subsequent to Dan’s trip to Maitum in February, and the initial unsuccessful steps taken to invite Philippine officials to help, a ranking official in the Sarangani public school system was inspired to alter her career and life. She was among the officials the Kipulkuda Principal approached about the lunch program. She was unable to help, because no funding was available, but she found our efforts inspiring. She is a devoted protestant in lay ministry in her church in General Santos City and had participated in Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) campaigns in the city. When she learned that our mission was assisting one of their public schools, she decided that she, too, could work for Jesus within the schools. 

The official presented a plan, plus information about us and our efforts to her superiors and they agreed to allow her and a team she would form, to develop a CEF program for the entire school system. She is retiring this year and will serve as the volunteer coordinator for this program. She has obtained the curriculum from the U.S.. She and her team are traveling throughout the province and holding training classes for the teachers. In each school, one or more teachers can volunteer to receive the training and implement the program in that school. They have found that in most school, many teachers are interested. Each day, students can attend a half hour CEF class. The classes are an elective because in some communities the schools are predominantly Muslim. 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Not only is there at least a nominal Muslim presence in most schools, but the Catholic church might also object in some communities. However, the boldness of this program, the inspiration of the official to retire so she can manage it, and the simple astonishment we feel in seeing another country embrace Christianity in such a powerful manner, leaves us in pure gratefulness to God for using us in a small but powerful way. 

Once again, it is not through what we say that has made a difference, but in what we did. We simply spent a few dollars to feed children and it helped inspire an evangelistic effort that no one could have envisioned. Mission teams from the states often visit the mission field and conduct CEF, Vacation Bible School and other brief programs. They stay a few days and often minister in a language the children cannot understand. And, there is seldom adequate follow-up once the teams return to the U.S.. We do applaud the youth of our American churches for taking these trips, and their churches and schools for helping to orchestrate them. We have helped sponsor kids on such trips in the past and their experiences have sometimes led to commitments to serve as missionaries. 

However, the Sarangani school system’s CEF program is taught by Filipinos and represents a long-term campaign to win them to Christ and help them mature in their faith. Please join us in praising God for this development and continue to pray that as we demonstrate Jesus among both the people we are ministering to, and those with whom we have influence – from the poor to the affluent, from tribal leaders to the highest elected officials – He will be observed and desired, not us.

Upo church
June 2006

In June, 2006, we attended Sunday morning services at a tribal church in Upo, a village in the hills above Maitum. The Upo church was started as the daughter church of the Maitum Assembly of God church. This photo was taken at the conclusion of the service.

When we returned to the U.S., we spread word of the incident among family, friends and our church. Donations totaling $500 were received from individuals, and Phoenix Calvary Temple church donated another $1,000. The $1,500 was wired to the General Council of the Philippine Assemblies of God, which then wired the funds to the Maitum AG church which is overseeing reconstruction of the Upo church. This amount is probably more than both churches see in collections in a year. The Upo church will be rebuilt and enhanced to minister to the T’bolis in a greater manner than before. 

We remind our friends and partners that the Datu Wali Mission (DWM) is not affiliated with any denomination or mission organization. Our help for the Upo church was separate from DWM. Contributions came from people in a variety of denominations and we all participated in helping the T’boli tribe continue having a place to worship and learn about Jesus. The Assemblies of God, both in the U.S. and in the Philippines, simply facilitated our help. As DWM continues its efforts, we solicit and appreciate the partnership of people of all denominations and congregations.