Mindanao Highlands Mission: 03/26/15

On my trip to the jungle of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley Province.

Going to the mountains is one of the thing that really excites me. I grew up in the mountain side of Davao City and got my Elementary education in the mountains of Bukidnon. I belong to a Bagobo tribe of Davao City who are mountain people and are farmers. Living in the mountains back then was so difficult because my parents as church planters needed to divide time for the ministry and family. But because they were farmers, we have food always in our home,( not just the common food nowadays) Yes, food that sustained me and my sister while we were still young and indeed made us what we are today. Life was hard because we have to walk the terrain, uphill and downhill, through muds and across rivers to go to a nearby village or to the place where basic goods were being sold. I remember the time when we went out to "campo" (logging Company's camp) to buy things, i saw people eating Bread ("Pan" as we call it) and as a kid i just looked at them eating their "pan" hoping that somebody will notice me and share some. But to my frustration, everybody seemed ignoring me and were enjoying the food while talking with each other. For us back then, "Pan" was very special because we have to walk several hours just to have it. "Pan" was just a simple thing, so simple that could make an ordinary kid happy. Now that i am ministering to the highlands, i know how it is to make everyone feel happy.

I am just a mountain boy and i never had regrets for being one. I just realized that the Lord prepared me for more adventure today while serving Him in the same situation where i was before.

Ministering in the highlands is not about driving and sightseeing, (Yes, it is a privilege to drive a ministry vehicle and be close to nature) But most of the time i travel, i have to deal with something else along the way especially when nature seems unfair and would like to discourage me to keep going. As i move forward I learned about " Problems and Opportunities". It's such a challenge to know each of them.

Many times i have push forward even that means pushing hard on a 70 degree climb because my vehicle can not take me to my destination for something was wrong. I always tell myself "NEVER GIVE UP" even if my body said it's too much because i always believe that there's always a way to keep moving. That is called INITIATIVE. The following photos describe what is ministering to the highlands: