At first I was a little worried about being able to adjust to living in a Mangyan village. No running water or electricity (except I did bring some solar panels and a 12 volt battery!). We have crude toilets, and take showers using a dipper and a bucket. But really, it’s not that bad! Adjusting to cold water for showers took a little getting used to, but with this heat, it feels pretty good. Oh, then there is sleeping on hard mats. That also takes a little getting used to. It is all very different than home or college!

I live within the school/mission house area that is kept very clean by the missionaries and the school children. Our schools are always a model of cleanliness and order to the people. Our gardens are always well stocked with food ready for harvest and we always have plenty of water to bathe with and drink.

In the village of Pinagbayanan, I’ve been having a hard time finding enough time to spend with the adults, as our school is located at the edge of the village. It somewhat separates me from the rest of the village and thus limits me from being more involved in their daily lives. Plus, my duties keep me in the school almost all day with the kids. Basketball has been one of the ways I have been able to get out and interact with the other young men my age.

The village of Agbalite is quite different, as our school is located in the center of the village, so I am constantly interacting with the villagers.

I sometimes am tempted to think that I’m not really affecting these people at all, since I work in the school most of the time. Sometimes I think that if I could only speak Tagalog, the language spoken here, then I could really be a missionary. But I’ve also learned that God has a plan that does not center on learning Tagalog. Let me explain:

In the three months that I’ve been here, I’ve seen these children’s shyness disappear, faster for some than others. I’ve seen their comprehension of English improve and their willingness to practice it. The missionaries I work with constantly tell me that the kids are always excited when I come and sad when I leave to go to the other village. I don’t consider myself a teacher. I am often “lost” in class, and wonder if they are learning anything at all. I’ve realized it’s not about me and what I can teach the natives—it’s about loving them. Spending time with them, being patient with them, being willing to help the students after class, or physically working with the students during cleaning time. All of these things have helped us bond, and even though I can’t communicate on a deep level with them, by being their friend, our bond is growing daily. I really miss the kids when I’m away from them.

The biggest “high” is at the end of a day. Just to realize your pupils are your friends; that they are trying to speak to you in English, and want your help on a math problem—or to quiz you and see what you know! It’s even more exciting when I realize that these Mangyan students have almost no earthly possessions, yet I think they have more “real fun” than most kids in America their age.

I’ve affected these kids’ lives and they have affected mine. How? It’s easy! Just come and live with them, spend time with them, and God does the rest! In the evenings, I can sometimes hear different families having worship, and I can hear the beautiful songs they sing echoing through the village and off the mountain. It’s a great feeling to be able to know, “I taught them that song.” Although my job is simply to sow seeds and be a friend, I am confident that God will continue watering them through the missionaries and some day, it will be harvest time.

I’ve learned that I truly can do “all things through Christ which strengtheneth me;” that when I step forward in faith, God is always there, carrying me through to completion.

I would just like to say that if any other young people want to experience this place first hand like I have, Laymen Ministries currently has openings for more student missionaries! They would love to talk with you about these possibilities. Please call or write them at their main office. You will have the time of your life.

If you want to learn more of my experiences and see some cool pictures, go to my personal website at www.mindoro.org. Or if you would like to see a video of our time here last December, contact the Laymen Ministries office and request Mission to Mindoro—a great video for people my age! Thank you for your support and prayers!