More than 60 Tala Andig believers traveled to an isolated mountaintop village in the Philippines last week to invite the people to listen to evangelistic Bible lessons.
The believers, along with missionaries Paul and Debbie Howells, prayed and planned for a couple of months before making the trip up the mountain. They informed the villagers that they would be coming to visit.
The morning of the event the church jeepney was filled to overflowing with people. They drove for 40 minutes and arrived at the foot of the mountain where they left the jeepney and begin the trek up the mountain. It was a grueling two-hour trip but scenery was beautiful and the air was cool.
"There were some beautiful, big trees to stop and rest under from time to time," wrote Debbie. "It helped us forget the ache in our legs and the searing in our lungs as we felt close to running out of breath."
When the group arrived at the village, there was no welcoming committee. The houses were closed up and the few people they saw were not friendly.
"For the first couple of hours we walked around the houses and tried talking to people," Debbie wrote. "Some wouldn't tell us their name, some tried to hide from us, and some told us information that wasn't true."
This is contrary to usual Tala Andig culture. Normally there is a welcoming committee for any visitors and a curious crowd gathers to see the newcomers.
Eventually the 60 believers found some shade to sit under and eat their packed lunches. About 3 p.m. the village leader appeared and told them they had no time to listen to Bible teaching. He said they had already heard the Bible and the village was doing fine.
While walking around the believers saw evidence of fear, suspicion, distrust and signs of spiritual darkness including skulls and amulets to ward off evil spirits. Those the believers did manage to talk with clearly had no knowledge of the Gospel.
"Later on we heard that their leader had briefed his people -- over 73 households -- not to entertain us or talk to us," wrote Debbie.
Pray that God will cause the Tala Andig villagers to hunger for His Word. Pray that the village leader will allow the Gospel message to be taught. Pray also that the believers will not become discouraged but will continue their outreach efforts.
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