아브라지역 집회2 Mission in Abra 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

more picture..

 

this is a journal of abra missions trip by jeanifer gapew
Mountain Ministry; Supo, Tubo, Abra 2011
Early morning on February 5, 2011, every one was excited to go to Suyo, Tubo, Abra for a mountain ministry.Going out of our comfort zone is a great challenge for us. Pastor Jun Tack Sung and Ma’am Kathryn Santiago were our leaders. As a start of our trip, we sung a song lead by Pastor Sung then Ma’am Santiago prayed for our safety trip.
During the trip, our vehicle met a little problem so Bro. Alex repaired it.
When we arrived at Candon, Ilocus Sur, Pastor Sung bought food (kalamay) because everyone is hungry. It was nearly 2:00 in the afternoon when we arrived in Sister Kristine’s house at San Emilio, Ilocus Sur where in her father prepared a delicious food for everybody. It was a great blessing to us that their family welcomed us gladly. After eating, we thanked them and then prayed for them for God’s continuous blessing and protection.
As we continued our trip, everyone was cheerful for we are not hungry anymore. But when we were living San Emilio the road started to become rocky and dusty. The road was going up and down and there were sharp curves. The road was one way; only one vehicle is permitted to pass. There was a jeep that blocked our way, according to the owner, who was from Abra, their car run out of gasoline. So brother Marvel, Moris, Jofel, Rey, Alex and the others help each other to push the jeep on the side of the road for us to be able to pass by.
Arriving at the boundary of Abra and San Emilio, we had to load our car in a boat for us to be able to cross the other side of the river. We took pictures for our remembrance of that place, it was awesomely beautiful. Sister Bhena, who was from Abra acts as our guide. She told us that in 30 minutes time from the river we’ll be arriving in their place. Finally, after a tiring nine hour trip, we arrived safe and sound. The hosts welcomed us and gave us some snack. After a while, Sister Bhena led us in a house where we can rest and spend our night. The owner of the house accommodated us very well. We’ve known that her husband was the barangay captain so their place was spacious for visitors. As for the gentlemen, they stayed in a house near the church.
After some time of rest and preparation, we ate and then started our night service wherein lots of people attended. The host pastor welcomed us and introduced us to the congregation. That church was the mother church of Assembles of God in their place.
Sister Sarah took over as the master of service. We presented our skit and dance in our best. Some shared their testimonies. After Sister Mabel led the praise and worship, Ma’am Kathryn shared the word of God. God is indeed great for He worked in a very special way. When their was an altar call, lots of the young people came in front longing to be prayed for. After the service Sister Mabel gathered some of the young people, including us, to practice a choir song to be presented the next day. Every one enjoyed it. Sister Mabel was a cool choir leader. After the practice, Sister Bhena told us that we are required to wear a skirt on Sunday service for us to be recognized as Bible school students. The problem was we did not bring any skirt because we were not oriented about it. Everyone except the boys was grumbling because of that skirt issue but thank God that there were good people who lent us there skirts even though it’s a little bit shameful in our part.
When Sunday morning came; we had our morning devotion at the church. Then we prepared for the Sunday service. The children, young people and the adults were separated during the Sunday school service. Some of us were assigned to teach the children, adults and young people while the others joined the adult service. After sometime, the Sunday school was finished and its time for the Divine service. Pastor Sung was the preacher while Ma’am Santiago was the translator. Everyone was blessed by the word of God. Pastor Sung was used by God mightily.
After the service, Pastor Sung announced that there will be a young people service 2:00 in the afternoon, and so it was. Ma’am Kathryn lectured about sex education and homosexuality just appropriate for the Church’s recent situation. Lots of the young people who were the active ones in that church were in bondage of homosexuality. They even influenced the little ones. So, we had the sharing and interaction with them. We were assigned in each group. We answered there questions as they were being pleased. As we continue our bonding with them, we went to their clean and clear river for swimming. The children enjoyed it. They were just good swimmers even the little ones. When the time is over, the kids were disappointed because they want more, but anyway it was worth it.
It was time for dinner. The food was delicious. The owner of the house where we stayed butchered a goat especially for us. They were just a good chef. We enjoyed the food and ate in our satisfaction.
After that, we had our evening service. That was our last night in that place, and as usual, lots of people attended. We shared our life testimonies then some of us presented a skit. Pastor Sung shared the word of God while Ma’am Santiago translated for him again and everyone was blessed. The service was finished victoriously.
After two nights, It was a little bit sad to leave place but anyway that’s how it is. We thanked those who accommodated us in that good place and prayed for them. Some brought us fishes fresh from the river and some goods. They were really a great blessing.
We travelled back again at the dusty and rocky road but on different route. We travelled via Bangued, Abra. The view was beautiful. It shows the beautiful creations of God. Young person from Supo was our guide. According to him, he’s taking up his college degree at Bangued, Abra.
We cross lots of river on the way. We load our car on a boat three times and it was enjoyable. Ma’am Santiago also bought us some snack on the way for we were all hungry. We stopped on the place where the longest foot bridge in the Philippines was found. We were lucky that we have seen that place. And atlast, there were no rivers anymore, there were already phone signals. There were check points and the road was still dusty. We stopped over at Ma’am Elvira’s house, former dean of our school. She offered us some snacks. Our hunger was a little bit lessened. We thanked her and prayed for her and her family then we continued our travel. The road is not rocky and dusty anymore. After couple of hours, we finally arrived at Bangued where in we stopped over to a Pastors house and had our lunch. The food was just good. After eating, he invited us to visit their church building being constructed at Santiago, still part of Bangued. The road going there was dusty and there were lots of goat on the way. The place was good but hot. We prayed for the building for God’s providence and blessing for that church. Pastor Sung promised to be back in that place with some boys of the ABC student to help in the construction.
We continued traveling again and there were no stop over’s anymore except when Brother Alex bought some gasoline for the car at Bauang, La Union. We thanked God for He kept us safe, strong and healthy in our mission trip and it was successful. We were blessed that we had the opportunity to be at Supo, Tubo, Abra. We as trainees would assure that our sincere prayers are with them. We will continue our mountain ministry gladly.
Even though tired, our strength is the joy of the Lord. To God be the glory!