WCF PHILIPPINES TRIP REPORT

Sophie Robinson

Earlier this year I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to the Philippines on a WCF-sponsored missionary trip – a trip to see God at work in the lives of brothers and sisters in Christ across the world and, most importantly, take a small part in spreading God's glory. From visiting the different Sunday schools with so many happy participants to attending and taking part in their annual Young Persons’ Bible Camp on Camiguin island, I and the others in our group were able to see the involvement and love for God's word in those young people. In visiting the ecclesias we were also able to experience firsthand the deep love and care shown by the members to not only each other but to us as well.

We visited the Diliman Sunday School, the Mailagl Sunday School, and the Opol Beach Sunday School. In the Sunday schools, we were greeted with much singing and reciting of Bible verses from kids of all ages. At each, we helped with gift-giving and were welcomed with presentations from the different classes. We were treated to delicious potluck dinners provided by each ecclesia and then were able to benefit from the late evening Bible studies presented by different brothers.

Throughout our time in the Philippines, the amount I was able to learn in the well-thought-out Bible classes is more than I can say. My Bible has never been so full of notes about Christlike women throughout scripture who have done so much more than I had realized. Studies on women such as Rahab, Deborah, Mary, Tamar, Jael, the Ten Virgins, and many more taught me important lessons about how we are to go into battle for the Lord – acting for God in humility, determination, and with the motivations of love and faith. These lessons were even more fortified by the active examples of the different ecclesias – not only through their joyous welcomes and hospitality but also

through their very apparent care for their own ecclesial families. A number of the halls served as living quarters for brothers and sisters in Christ and young children in need of a place to stay. Members of the ecclesias led many students in their Sunday School programs outdoors – even in, quite often, bouts of rain.

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." (Romans 12:9-13)

At the Bible camp, it was amazing to see the zeal of the young people, the concentration of those young people during classes, and most of all to hear the voices of hundreds joined as one in the singing of praises to Yahweh. The love for God was apparent in those volunteering to play instruments during hymns, in the students’ rapt attention in classes (even after very late nights playing games and sports), and in those spending late hours practicing in the choir.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-6)

Traveling to a third-world country, I truly learned to appreciate how much time and capacity we have to serve God. We all come from different backgrounds, have different capabilities, and have different amounts of “free” time to dedicate to our faith and God.

Many people in the Philippines, despite working long hours every day, seven days a week, have made God a clear priority. The first culture shock I experienced, aside from the quite common and accepted lack of toilet paper in bathrooms, was the difference in approach to time. One class presented how the gospel gives us hope for the future, how with God's word we can move on a straight path to His Kingdom and the fulfillment of His promises – rather than moving circuitously like the Israelites did in the wilderness, which only led to death. We can spend our time on either of those two paths, however only one of those paths is going to lead us where we truly should want to be.

From my experiences there, it seemed that although it appeared that there was much less time to spend on God, the lack of time was a much looser constraint. Despite being quite busy and having a full schedule, there was always time for fellowship, fruitful discussion, and very early or late Bible classes. On our first day at the Bible camp on Camiguin, the majority of the hundreds of young people who were supposed to be arriving were nowhere to be seen. The only ferry over to Camiguin had been quite delayed and many didn't arrive until very late in the evening rather than the morning on the first day. Because of this, the introduction, first session, icebreakers, and minute meditation were postponed and, with what seemed to be minimal stress or trouble, fit into the next day. It’s important to remember that all things work together for good for those who love God. Although life in this world is quite difficult, we have been given a higher calling toward which to strive. We truly have been blessed to have something so worth making the time for, no matter our situation or schedule.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

– Sophie Robinson