I rarely get the chance to travel. Most of my experience as a missionary consisted of typing away at a laptop computer a few steps away from bed.
So when I got invited to see the Mountain Heights Missionary Training School in Tongantongan, Valencia, Bukidnon, I was more than eager to go.
My friend, Brother Bruce, is one of the supporters of the school while another friend that I met through him, Sister Juliet, was volunteering as a teacher.
The three of us left Davao by bus around three o'clock in the morning and arrived in Valencia five hours later. From there, we took a tricycle (locally called a
rela) to the home of Bro. Bruce's uncle where we will be staying for the night.
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| Bro. Bruce and the motorcycle we borrowed. |
In the afternoon, we hopped onto a motorcycle and drove to the foot of the hill where the school is located. The uphill hike took a very exhausting (or was it only me?) fifteen minutes. I thought my heart was going to burst in my ears. haha.
Near the top was the school, itself a simple building which housed fourteen eager and aspiring Bible students.
The school was established a couple of years ago and has grown as far as getting their own electricity, improving the curriculum, establishing farms/gardens, and gaining volunteer teachers.
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| Sis. Juliet and the school that will be her home for the next four months. |
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| The other side of the school and a view of the vegetable gardens. |
Sis. Juliet currently teaches the students Health and English.The students also have classes on the Bible and trade skills like baking and agriculture.
Even without the support of parents and relatives, the students here are determined to continue with their education. Currently, they make bread that they sell to the neighboring village below. The school is also surrounded by vegetable gardens cared for by the students as a source of food and possible income.
Since the arrival of Sis. Juliet, work on installing a better kitchen has been started, an enclosed bath area put up, and students' work schedules implemented. Specific dates have also been set apart for student recreation and for visiting nearby churches on Sabbaths.
Other projects the staff and students will be undertaking include a kiln for better and easier baking, a separate staff house, kitchen sinks and cupboards, writing desks, and improved dormitories. There is also a need for learning materials (textbooks, workbooks, visual aides, etc.) and school supplies. The students do need all the help they can get.
Away from the hustle of the city and immersed in the scenes of nature and in the responsibilities that accompany self-support, the students have come to learn and understand that they need just this experience in order to be drawn closer to God and to be prepared for the ministry that is to be their life-work.
As it began to get dark, we decided to head back down, but took a few moments to marvel at the wonderful extra gift that graces the school at the end of each day - an awe-inspiring sunset.
Leaving Sis. Juliet behind, Bro. Bruce and I traveled back to Davao at two in the morning the following day. It was a physically exhausting trip, but on the inside I felt all light and happy.
Thoughts of eager Bible students and devoted Bible workers all over the world never fail to inspire me to constantly look to God to make me a more efficient worker for Him.
Who knows, He just might ask me to volunteer at Mountain Heights Missionary Training School someday. Just in case, I already got an answer ready. ;-)
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| Bro. Bruce, myself, and Sis. Juliet |
Coming up soon on this blog: my recent trip to a hilltop church in Davao del Sur and our Fourth Anniversary of ministry at the Davao City Jail.
