The Southern Palawano people of the Philippines are thrilled that they soon will learn to read and write in their own language.
"The preparation of literacy materials is well under way, and we are looking forward to the start of teaching that sometime during the next year," wrote missionary Elise Long, who serves among the Southern Palawanos and is the primary person responsible for literacy.
Teaching reading and writing is the next one of the many important steps in planting a church. It is also important to the people, because having a written language will be one less reason for them to be put down.
"It was so cool to see these guys who are utterly looked down upon by the lowlanders be so excited to learn to read and write, young and old," wrote missionary Sarah Asman, who recently visited the missionary team in the tribe.
"They know the day is coming when they will be able to read God's Story for themselves."
Meanwhile, the missionaries continue to build relationships while learning the culture and language, helping with community development projects such as gardening improvements, and providing medical care.
"Basically, all the work that is going on now is paving the way to being able to teach through the Bible," Sarah wrote, which is expected to be in 2008. That's when team members estimate that David Ward will be fluent enough in the Southern Palawano language to teach, and they will have necessary Scripture portions translated and lessons prepared in their language with examples from their culture.
Elise Long and David work among the Southern Palawanos with David's wife, Julie, and Norm and Jacque Rice.
"The time and energy spent on building trusting relationships and showing God's love practically through all these various ways will, with God's help, prepare the Palawano people to embrace what God would teach them through His Word as the missionaries teach," Sarah wrote.
For now, the Southern Palawanos remain trapped in animism -- the belief in spirits that control everything. These beliefs sometimes prevent them from hunting or planting, leaving them short on food. At the same time, they feel they must leave food and drink for the spirits. They fear the spirits, but also try to manipulate them.
"Imagine living in fear and deceit as they do," Sarah wrote. "I can't wait to hear how they respond to hearing of God's love for them!"
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