MANILA, Philippines: For two weeks the Palawanos living in an isolated region of the Philippines tackled the concept of numbers in a course taught by missionaries.
The Palawano home where the class took place was crammed with people. "They gathered 'round their lights made of tree sap doing sums," wrote missionaries Elise and Becky Long. "The old folks came too, and it was so good to see them graduate."
The 36 Palawano adults who were not accustomed to learning in a classroom setting warmed to their subject.
"There was no way to just drop by and visit in the evenings!" wrote Elise. "If we showed our faces, everyone just mobbed us to help them with their homework."
The class not only provided culture and language exposure for the missionaries but allowed the Palawanos to experience the significance of symbols on paper. This is a stepping stone to literacy, which will one day enable them to read God's Word for themselves.
Twenty-four who came every day were able to graduate at a Palawano-style graduation ceremony. Missionary Jacque Rice and the chief, Goyok, presented the certificates.
"There is growing excitement at the thought of having a schoolroom and learning to read and write," Elise wrote.
The Palawano men are going to begin pulling gravel from the river to build a cement pad, and will work with missionary Norm Rice to chainsaw fallen trees for timber for the walls.
"We are all praising God for a busy, fruitful year, ever deepening relationships, and their growing excitement as it becomes clearer to them why we are here," wrote Elise. "We are growing to love them so much. We ache for the day when they will be our brothers and sisters in Christ."
Praise God with them for this first essential step toward learning from God's Word. Pray for wisdom in planning for the missionary work team to come and help construct the Palawano schoolroom.
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