A Long Time Coming Part 2

On the island nearly every bible study starts with a boat ride, followed by a long hike. This day was no different. We boarded the boat, prayed for a safe trip and set out across the short channel to start our hike. We found out later that there was a much shorter way to the bible study, but our fearless leader was not exactly sure where the bible study was going to be held until we got about half way across the island. Nonetheless it makes for a good story. Truly God was directing our paths, as we came upon the house of one of the elders whose mom had passed away that morning. We were able to spend a few minutes with the family praying for them and encouraging them. She had died just hours before we arrived, and her husband sat sadly by her side staring deeply at the face of the woman he loved. Though we thought our goal was to get to bible study, I fell God took us the long way specifically to minister to this hurting family.

After praying for them we left for the bible study and picked up a few people on the way as we passed by their houses. And after what seemed like an eternity of walking, at least for Tom, we arrived at the house where we would hold the study. The house was the quintessentially island style with bamboo walls, palapa roof and dirt floors. One funny thing is that just as we started to pray I looked down and between my feet sat a little chicken. A chicken at bible study, it was quite a sight to behold. The study was great and though my Tagalog is far from perfect, I understood nearly the whole thing.

As we wrapped up the study, we were surprised to see Erin and Dori walk through the door. They had just arrived by boat, and took the short cut which turned out to be just a fifteen minute walk. We enjoyed a great time of fellowship before leaving and setting out for home. As we sat down to dinner that night Tom repeatedly talked about how was awestruck by the beauty of the islands. Though the islands are beautiful, the people on the islands make them magnificent.

We were blessed to spend three days down on the island with Tom and Dori, and our great friends there on San Miguel and Cagraray Islands.