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Aura Ladan One of the best experiences I’ve had with PFM was during our 6-month missionary training course back in 2010. My batch mates and I became like brothers and sisters. There were 10 of us in our batch, five boys and five girls. You can imagine how that was! Everything was girls versus boys. I’m thankful for the love, understanding, and non-judgmental attitude of my batch mates toward me. I realize that I was the most immature in the group. I remember Che, our team leader, telling the rest of our batch mates to be more understanding toward me because I was new to the faith. It was true, I was a two-month old Adventist when I joined PFM. Sir Abner Dizon (our trainer) told them the same thing, that it was okay for me to give “tantrums” because I was still a “child.” (I think he was explaining to us about the stages of spiritual growth at that time, and he used me as an illustration.) In retrospect, it’s a wonder why PFM accepted me as a missionary in the first place! I remember when my birthday came. We were in our field school then. They cooked spaghetti and other special foods. They made me feel special on my birthday. They gave their birthday wishes and prayers for me. I was so happy. At that time I felt deserving of those gestures. I hadn’t realized yet that I was such an undeserving brat. After all, these were the people whom I yelled at (especially the boys) and bickered with. And yet they still accepted and understood me. I knew it wasn’t just a show, or something that they felt compelled to do. There was authenticity and sincerity in the way they treated me despite my many faults and shortcomings. And it wasn’t just on my birthday. Every day I felt the acceptance, the love, and the understanding that they showed me, of which I was so undeserving. And so, this is but a short and imperfect tribute to my batch mates (PFM Training Batch 2010). You guys were the best! Thank you for your love and understanding. You have no idea how much you all taught me. I felt the love of Jesus through you in the time we had together. In my heart, ours will always be PFM’s best batch ever. I miss you all! 
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Bon Ross Ferrer “Please pray for Kurib,” Auntie May pleaded during church a few weeks ago. “He had a stroke and was rushed to the hospital yesterday morning.” We began regularly praying for Uncle Kurib’s healing until, about a month later, we heard that he was back from the hospital. I was happy that God answered our prayers even though this man was not particularly close to us. A few days later, I was preparing for breakfast when I had an unexpected visit. “Hello!” Uncle Kurib greeted me. “May I ask if you could massage my left arm when you have the time? I can’t move it very well.” I smiled back and said, “Sure, Uncle. I’d be happy to do that. I’ll go to your house this evening and give you a massage right before you sleep, so it would be more relaxing.” “Thank you,” he replied. “I’ll see you later then.” “Ok, Uncle.” “Wow, this is a first time,” I thought to myself after he left. Later that evening I made my way to Uncle Kurib’s house. After a little chat, I took some tuba-tuba leaves from my bag and rubbed coconut oil on them. Then I lit up a candle, warmed the leaves a little in the flame, and stuck them on Uncle Kurib’s left arm. After waiting for a few minutes, I started to massage his arm. “I don’t know why it happened to me,” Uncle Kurib said as he watched me massage his arm. “I mean, I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t smoke. I don’t even eat meat that much.” I smiled and continued massaging his arm. “My dad had a stroke too,” I told him. “But my mom and the rest of the family were always there for him. He never felt alone because of the love of our family.” I glanced at the wall and saw some pictures. “Are those your children, Uncle?” Uncle Kurib’s face lit up. “Yes, and they are very good children, too! They all graduated with honors. When they found out I had a stroke, they sent me to a good hospital in Manila and made sure I was well taken care of.” Uncle Kurib went on talking about his children as I continued massaging his arm. He seemed to forget that he was sick. He was so happy talking about them. After I finished the massage, I was in for another surprise. “What time does your worship service start?” he asked. “I want to join you.” And wonder of wonders, Uncle Kurib has faithfully attended our worship services ever since. I don’t know exactly how God got to his heart, but I’m happy to have a new friend to share the love of God with.   Alfred Madinno
My parents came from a pagan background. When I was young, however, they started studying the Bible with our Lutheran neighbors. Later, when our family moved, another denomination named Jesus is Alive continued studying the Bible with them. Both of my parents attended their Sunday services for a while. When I entered primary school, the only book in our house was a New Testament Bible written in the Kalanguya language. To improve my reading ability, I read the book. I was impressed by the stories about Jesus. It was around this time that I began to have nightmares of someone trying to strangle me. I was afraid to sleep on the second floor of our house because it seemed there were unseen creatures lurking around. After I learned to pray, though, I began to notice a pattern. I never had any nightmares when I prayed before sleeping. But the nightmares came back again when I forgot to pray. I also found an old, torn Bible in our house, that contained both the Old and the New Testament. I was fascinated by the historical events that happened before the time of Christ. I have always loved reading about history. During my college years, I sometimes attended the church services of different denominations. But during those years I also got into a lot of vices like alcohol and gambling. In spite of my vices, there were many times that I saw my prayers answered. These encounters with God served to remind me of His goodness despite my addictions. Sometime around 2012, I found a copy of the Great Controversy in my boarding house. I had no idea who left it there but I read it hungrily. It seemed that the book made my previous reading of the Bible and history even clearer. As I read, I began to have questions about the true day of worship. During some of our drinking sessions, I tried to ask my church mates as well as my Catholic and Lutheran friends about the discoveries I was making, but I was not satisfied with their answers. As I continued to read the Great Controversy, I learned about the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I had heard of them from my sister, who referred to them as, “Sabadista,” but I didn’t really know much about them. Then in 2013, I had a conversation with a close friend. “It seems,” I said, “that according to the Bible, the day for worship is the seventh-day, or Saturday, not Sunday which was dedicated to the sun. It seems like the Seventh-day Adventists are correct in worshipping on the seventh-day Sabbath.” Unexpectedly, she replied, “My eldest sister is with the Sabadistas. Why don’t we go to the house where she worships and find out what the true day of worship really is?” So, the next Sabbath, we went to the PFM mission house in Tinoc. The missionaries at that time were Kuya Leo and Ate Merriam Gonzaga with their daughter, Gift. We started attending Bible studies with Kuya Leo, and I was amazed to find the historical fulfillment of Bible prophecies. I saw a completeness of truth during our Bible studies which resonated with me. That’s why in November of 2013, I decided, along with my friend, to be baptized. I was converted because of God's faithfulness to His promises, His mercy, and His divine guidance. I long to be among those who will meet Jesus in the air on that coming day. To God be the glory always! John Holbrook Smoke burned Pandak’s eyes as he swung in his hammock with fierce concentration. But he couldn’t see the smoke, nor could he hear the clatter of the village around him. He was deep in a trance, fighting desperately to navigate his village through a world ruled by hundreds of spirits. Another child was sick. A shaman from another village had sent a spirit cat to scratch the child, and Pandak was fighting for the child’s life. The spirit was powerful, though, and Pandak’s spirits refused to help. Pandak knew it was impossible to please every spirit. Their rules were so complex and contradictory that it was impossible to get through life without experiencing their wrath. Like every one of his people, he lived with this terror every waking and sleeping moment. As the most powerful shaman in the area, he did his best to manipulate his spirits in order to help his people, but the responsibility lay heavy on his shoulders. And so he rocked on in his desperate battle to save the child’s life, not realizing that rather than manipulating the spirits, he and his people were actually descending deeper and deeper into slavery to them. He watched in frantic despair as the demon squeezed the life out of the little child. There was nothing he could do. The child was soon dead. Friends, this story is not a fantasy. This is a reality darker and more desperate than you or I can imagine. It is the reality that tens of thousands of people live with every moment of their lives, and they cannot escape. Won’t you join me in paying whatever price is necessary to bring Jesus’ liberation to these people before it’s too late? Reprinted with permission from Adventist Frontiers, April 2011.  NOBODY WENT TO CHURCH THAT SABBATH. For the very first time in the history of the Moraza church, nobody showed up at all. I wondered how the missionaries felt. Had everyone backslidden? “Oh Lord,” I prayed. “Please don’t let them all leave because of me!” You see, I knew that I was to blame for all of this. I should have been more patient with my non-Adventist cousin, George. I had a fight with him about the boundary of our rice fields. We were both clearing our fields, one day, preparing them for planting. I was clearing the portion which I believed was ours when I heard him holler, “Hey, Elena, that’s part of our land! You’re claiming what’s not yours.” I was furious! “This is part of our land,” I retorted. “I know what my father left for me before he died.” We exchanged quite a few unpleasant words that day. Finally, we both decided to just leave the whole thing alone. I decided not to work on the land anymore, and he did the same. I was fetching water from the well a few days later when one of my neighbors said, “Elena, George said his family doesn’t consider you a relative anymore because of what happened at the farm the other day.” I didn’t reply, but I was hurt. When my bucket was full I picked it up and turned to leave. As I turned I saw Solena, George’s sister, coming toward the well with an empty bucket in her hand. Solena is an Adventist, and she’s my best friend. I wondered if she was angry with me as well. I tried to read her expression, and waited to see if she would talk to me. But she didn’t. In fact, she passed by me as if she didn’t even notice that I was there. “So, I guess it’s true,” I thought. “The whole family hates me, even Solena.” The bucket of water felt strangely heavy in my hand as I walked home. Not surprisingly, the news about my inglorious incident with George at the farm spread around the whole village. Even the church was affected. You see, Solena and I are leaders. The other members look up to us. Before the incident with George, we had been a team. Whether we were leading Bible studies or coordinating church events, we were always together. Oh, how much I missed those days. They suddenly seemed to be all part of a distant past. Nobody went to church that Sabbath. I didn’t blame them. I didn’t feel like I could worship God with such a burden in my heart either. “I feel so alone,” I was crying to Redly, the missionary, when she came to visit me later that evening. “I have no relatives here. Both of my parents are gone. And now, God is my only friend.” “But Solena doesn’t hate you!” Redly replied. “I was at her house, just this morning. She told me that she loves you because you are her best friend. Of course she loves her brother too. But she told me that she can’t afford to lose either of you.” “She really said that?” I asked incredulously. “Yes, she did,” Redly assured me. “Don’t listen to what people are saying.” It was as if heavy weight was lifted off my chest. My best friend, my sister, my partner in ministry didn’t hate me after all! I was the first to arrive at church the following Sabbath. Thank God that the other members also came. Best of all, Solena was there too! We chatted happily, and made plans for the church as if nothing had ever happened. During the testimony time, I shared what I told Redly when she came to visit me. “I feel so alone. I have no relatives here. Now that both of my parents are gone, God is my best friend.” And then I added, “But I thank God that I still have Solena with me!” “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” (Matt 5:9 NKJV). **Names have been changed to protect privacy.  Missionaries Robert and Jing Talisic share Part 2 of their thanksgiving testimonies during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week we summarized their experiences using the acronym PANDEMIC, and we shared the first four letters. Praise God with us as we read about how the last four letters represent God’s blessings to the Talisics! E - EVERYTHING IS FINE WITH OUR FAMILY BACK HOME The Talisics were far from home, with no signal and no communication with their family back home. They worried about their bedridden mother who was undergoing kidney dialysis treatment twice a week, their 83-year old father, and a sister who was suffering from pneumonia. And all of this while Covid-19 was widely rapidly spreading throughout the Philippines, resulting in thousands of lives lost. In a situation like this it is no surprise if missionaries sometimes become depressed. “Why are you crying, Sweetheart? We’re worshipping,” Robert asked as he noticed Jing suddenly burst out in tears in the middle of their singing. “I just thought about our family back home, Sweetheart,” Jing replied, tears streaming down her face. “I wonder how they’re doing. I mean, with the Mom and Dad and Ate’s situation, and all of this happening in the middle of the pandemic . . . We don’t know, anyone of them could be gone by now. But we can’t find out because they have no way of reaching us.” Robert wished he could ease the pain in his wife’s heart as he saw her sobbing. He drew close, wrapped his arms around her, and tried to assure her as best he could, “Don’t worry, Sweetheart, I’m sure everything is fine with our family. God is taking good care of them. Don’t entertain those thoughts. Let’s just continue to pray for them. Let us put our trust in our Heavenly Father.” And the Lord did truly take good care of their family! When the Talisics were finally able to communicate with them, they found out that their family was doing well. No one was harmed. And, to top it all, Jing’s sister was miraculously healed of pneumonia. All praises to our God! M - MATURING LEADERS Jing and Robert are also full of praise to God for the growing spiritual maturity of the Buhid church leaders. The native leaders are taking on more and more leadership and decision-making responsibilities. Danny and Ipoy, are especially notable because of how they regularly volunteer to relieve the Talisics of some of their burdens. “Let’s lead out alternately,” they say. “If you want you can stay here in Hingin 2, and we’ll take care of Bahayao. If you are tired, just tell us, we’ll take over.” Danny and Ipoy are always excited to reach out to other Mangyan villages also. When restrictions were imposed because of the pandemic, they asked the missionaries, “When can we start again? Will you please contact our district Pastor and ask?” These are the little signs that let Jing and Robert say, “They’re getting there. It’s all worth it. Praise the Lord!”  I - INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES The time when the village had no electricity seems like eons ago. Now people have their own TV sets and DVD players. Some even have refrigerators and washing machines. I’m not kidding! With this material progress comes both advantages and disadvantages, especially for the work of the Gospel. With a concerned look on her face, Jing told Robert, “Sweetheart, I heard our neighbors talking the other day. They say they prefer watching programs on TV and movies over attending church services.” “Yes, that’s a problem.” Robert answered. “That’s what technology did to this little village. The people lost their interest for spiritual things. But, on a happier note, I was talking to some of the church members this morning and they have deep spiritual questions. I wonder how we could best help them. I was even having difficulty explaining the answers to some of their questions.” A couple of weeks later God brought a solution to the two problems that the Talisics had been pondering, both the effect of technology and the believers’ thirst for truth. “Look, what I have for you, Sweetheart,” Robert came home one morning, carrying a package in his arms, with a wide grin on his face. He put down the box on their kitchen table. “What is that?” Jing asked. “Open it and find out,” Robert replied. Jing opened the package and gasped in amazement when she found out what’s inside. “Oh, this is exactly what we need,” she said. Inside the package was a set of evangelism equipment from AWR, complete with a portable projector, an amplifier, and a light bulb. “I’m very excited, Sweetheart. Now we can show them Bible study videos and sermons to better explain the answers to their questions. This would be such great help for teaching, since the people here are very much into videos and movies nowadays. It’s also very timely that Ninong Leo sent us a portable DVD player as a gift.” The Buhid brethren have been very eager to watch and listen to the videos that the Talisics started showing. They are excited to learn more, and to better prepare for God’s work using the technology that God provided.  C - CASH OR IN KIND?
“Sweetheart, we’re still alive, and very much blessed after the lockdown.” Jing was telling her husband one evening as they were preparing for bed. “Yes, that’s true, God has provided more than we actually need,” Robert replied. “I have an idea, instead of counting sheep tonight, why not let’s count our blessings before we go to sleep?” “That’s a good idea. Hhmmm . . . Cash or in kind?” Jing asked, smiling. “Well, God gave us both. So let’s count them both,” Robert chuckled. “Okay! Well, because of the lockdown restrictions, the Home Base was not able to send us our stipend on time. But, we were able to receive help from the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP). Praise God for that!” recounted Jing. “And also, even before that, we received food supplies, and financial support for our daily needs from several other sources. We even helped in the distribution of food donations. God really has so many ways of giving His provisions,” added Robert. “Not to mention that package from my sister in Texas,” Jing recalled. “Because of that we were able to share the blessings to church members and neighbors in the community.” “Yes, that’s true. God is so good. We were well provided for. We did not go hungry, and neither did the rest of the people in our community,” Robert mused. “It was a time of crisis, and life was not easy, but now we can recount how God has blessed us and the people whom we labor for.” Starting to kneel down on the bamboo floor of their little hut, Robert held his wife’s hand and said, “Sweetheart, let’s say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord, and tell Him how grateful we are for His goodness before we go to sleep.” “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies…are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ESV). Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers for the church planting work among the Buhid. Please join us in praying that the church there will grow in maturity until the day that the native leaders can fully take over the work, and the missionaries can confidently move on to other Unreached tribes still waiting to hear about Jesus.  Missionaries Robert and Jing Talisic, on the Buhid Mangyan Project, share their thanksgiving testimonies during the Covid-19 pandemic. We summarized their experiences using the acronym PANDEMIC. This week we will post the first half of their testimony. Be sure to check back next week for the continued story! P - PLANTED VEGETABLES ARE NOW BEARING FRUIT When the lockdown was announced because of COVID-19, Robert and Jing were concerned. “What will we do?,” Jing asked. “Food will soon become difficult to find. Papa, we have to do something or we’ll starve!” Robert, in his calm, collected way replied, “Then let’s just grow our own garden. There’s plenty of space to plant around here.” Even though neither of them had any experience growing a vegetable garden, they began preparing the soil with great gusto. That’s the kind of thing that missionaries do in a crisis like this. After all, they don’t want to go hungry, especially if there is something that they can do about it! And God blessed their efforts. So much so, in fact, that they were surprised! It was a pretty good garden for first-timers. After only a couple of months, they were finally able to taste of the fruit of their labors. And boy was it so very, very sweet! A - ALL-NEW TALENTS AND SKILLS DISCOVERED This is connected to Robert and Jing’s first experience. As mentioned, they had never tried growing a vegetable garden in the past. They only did so now because of the crisis. Robert is especially thankful that God helped him to develop a newly-discovered talent. He was the one who mostly took care of the plants, and it was a first time for him. It’s just amazing how God almost instantly gave him the gifts and skills that he needed as unexpected situations arose.  N - NEARBY SIGNAL LOCATED
In the past, Robert and Jing had to hike all way to barangay Hagan to communicate with their loved ones, and with the Home-base. It was the nearest place where they could get signal for phone calls and cellular data. Then the lockdown was enforced. On top of that, a person from Hagan was tested positive for Covid-19. All hope of communication with the outside world was lost for Robert and Jing. At least that’s what they thought. God always finds a way, though. After over a month of zero communication with the outside world, Robert and Jing discovered that near the bridge, inside their own barangay, there was a spot along the road with cellular signal! It was just a few meters down the road from the cellphone loading station! “Whew! It’s awfully hot in this place, Sweetheart,” Robert remarked, holding up an umbrella for Jing and himself. “I know! It’s so hot here,” Jing replied as she typed on her phone. “It’s been over a month since we communicated with the Home-base, though. They need to know how we’re doing. This is God’s provision for us, and we must thank Him for it, even if it is uncomfortable. This is just one of those things that a missionary has to put up with. Roses always come with thorns, you know,” Jing said, smiling at her husband. “Yes, at least in this world,” Robert agreed. D - DISCOVERIES FROM READING “I feel so drained,” Jing confided to her husband. “After being here in the mission field for more than a year, I long so much for a break!” “I know,” Robert replied. “If it weren’t for the COVID-19, we would have been able to go back to the Home-base for a break way back in April.” Can you guess how they overcame their boredom and weariness? Through reading! “Hey, Sweetheart I didn’t know these things!” Jing excitedly reported to her husband one day. “This is interesting. I want to share this with the brethren!” Both of them spent significant time during the lockdown reading and learning new things, and sharing their discoveries with the Buhid believers. In this way they were able to wisely invest the time spent under lockdown conditions, and God turned the seemingly lost time into a blessing to His mission. Romans 8:28 says it well, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (NKJV). Despite the challenges and disappointments that Robert and Jing have faced over the last few months, they were able to testify that, “Through God’s mercy, by His grace, and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our exhaustion and weariness were replaced by new energy and excitement because of the things God is teaching us through our readings.” Join us here at PFM in praising the Lord for His sustaining power! To be continued next week . . . Even during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, every one of PFM’s missionaries has remained on project, trusting God to protect and provide. The peace and fearless trust in God that each missionary has shown demonstrates to the lost how much better life is with Jesus.
Praise God with us! He has used even this terrible crisis to bring the good news of salvation to His lost children. He continues to move people to faith through PFM’s missionaries, and PFM’s missionaries have faithfully carried on the work despite the pandemic. But as with all of us, COVID has hit PFM hard. More than once, PFM’s missionaries and home-base staff have gone without even a basic stipend. It is in times like these that our faith is tested. Friends, team-mates in God’s work, PFM needs your help. During this COVID crisis we are reaching out to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Please, will you consider joining our team by supporting God’s work through PFM? Click here to find out how. Thank you so much for your generosity, for your prayers, and for passing on the word! Only as we work together will we be able to finish God’s work.   |
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