Reflection around Mt. Kalatungan

by Mel Andricks

The van drove us around in the most magnificent, fertile, and lush land of Bukidnon. The landscape dotted with faintly visible houses, sat underneath misty white clouds on that early morning trip. Houses along the highway lit up as their inhabitants woke up and started to cook their breakfasts. Some children were starting to walk to school in their uniforms with their Jansport backpacks proudly hanging on their backs. Farmers began to untie their Carabaos in search of greener pastures.

Thinking back to this drive through Bukidnon brings both nostalgia and heartache. During the drive we stopped at a local pastor’s house. He lived in poverty but was kind and hospitable. His wife tried to accommodate as best as she could even though we came unannounced. The driver of the van knew most of these “jungle pastors” who sacrificially dedicated their lives to, “Go out into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” He knows their stories well since his father is one of them. Most of these pastors and their families do not have medical care. Health education is also non-existent in some areas. For example, many of them don’t know basic health practices like the importance of eating a healthy diet.

I was overwhelmed with what I saw and wish that I can practically help them, especially  in providing health care education and resources. Preventive health care would be so helpful to support these dedicated pastors and their families who risk their lives and their health for the expansion God’s kingdom. The big question is, how can we help? GraceDrive is an amazing resource and tool to be engaged and make an impact in these underprivileged families lives. For example, some of them have children with physical and developmental disabilities. Could we decrease the strain on their families by giving them the help they need? I believe we can. By giving to GraceDrive I am sure we call can pull our resources together to make a difference. Our passion for God can be poured into these incredible and deeply devout “jungle pastors” who would benefit tremendously from our support. This will not only bring great encouragement to them but will help expand their territories of ministry.

As we make our journey together under GraceDrive, I believe we can do incredible things to change the lives of these people. To begin these changes, I would encourage each one of us to pray on every date of the month that has the number 5 in it. (e.g 5, 15, 25) I put reminders on my phone calendar to remind me to pray for GraceDrive. This way, we are all praying together in unity because without prayer we can accomplish little. Mighty things happen when we pray corporately, no matter where we are in the world, with one mind and one spirit. I hope this small step will encourage us to be engaged and to be intentional. Thank you for joining with me as we keep our faces toward God and keep our perspective on the things above.

“Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:10