RELIEF FOR THE BANWAONS
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| The Lord provides for the generous Banwaon Church. |
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June 6, 2007
by Donna Gibson
When Christians around the world heard of the Banwaon believers' generosity to the sick during a cholera epidemic, they responded in kind.
Last week, a truckload of rice arrived in the Banwaon village where missionaries Albert and Lynne Castelijn and Chris and Lynne Strange serve.
"As the deep rumble of the old logging truck came closer, then triumphantly shuddered past the path to our house," wrote Lynne Castelijn, "we all stood at the top of the stairs whooping and cheering.
"More than a dozen weary but smiling, waving men sat atop the red and blue striped tarpaulin covering 180 sacks of rice on the top of the truck bed. Changing gears, the truck made a final gallant effort up the hill as cheers erupted in the village. Joy. Relief. Excitement. It was here. Thank you Lord!"
In November, a cholera epidemic took the lives of more than 30 Banwaon and Tala Andig people, most of them unbelievers. As they came to the village here for medical help, the believers responded with love, care and generosity.
"Out of their poverty they willingly shared their recently harvested rice crop in an effort to feed the sick ones and their families," Lynne wrote. "Some gave away all the rice they had."
They did not know how they would make it to the next harvest later this year. But they knew that, as God's children, He would take care of them.
The answer to their prayers came at night to avoid the threat of hijacking on the road. The rice was stored before distribution. Careful lists were made to fairly allocate it. Many had never seen so much rice at one time!
Then in true Banwaon fashion, a thanksgiving feast was prepared. Everyone pitched in -- cutting firewood, cooking ten sacks of rice and two pigs, and moving the whole cooking affair under the nearest house when it began to rain.
People came from all over the jungle, hiking many kilometers, to join in the celebration called kaamulan. More than 1,000 people were fed, "beginning with those who'd come from furthest away and ending with those from our village," wrote Lynne.
Albert joined the church leaders and village chiefs to explain clearly why the rice gift was given and who gave it. Many unbelieving tribal people were pointed to God and encouraged to listen to the teaching of His Word.
The next morning, they distributed the rice. Some people loaded their family's share on horses or water buffalo but most carried the 50kg sacks on their shoulders.
"Thank you to all who gave to the Banwaon food relief project. God has been greatly glorified," wrote Lynne.
"We are thankful the physical needs of the people have been met, but our biggest prayer is that many unbelieving Banwaons will be touched by the love and testimony of Christians both tribal and overseas, and will desire to hear more about Christ."
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