Post by Pastor Ernie on May 17, 2008 12:01:30 GMT 8
Fellow PinoyMTBikers,
Please allow me to share and I hope each one will take time to read. This is something of noble value for all of us.
God bless you!
Drops of Faith Christian Mission
Hamog ng Pananampalataya Christian Missions, Inc.
Mission History
In April of 1999, Rev. Ernie Catanghal (Pastor Ernie) came to visit a town in the northern tip of the island of Mindoro. The trip was originally intended to be just an ordinary visit to a friend and a vacation as well. During the stay he was attracted to the surrounding mountain ranges from a distance while wondering if there are people existing in them. Some locals later informed him that the ethnic minority group called the Mangyan Tribes dwells in the place. For Pastor Ernie his interest with the tribe came mysteriously. Having no ample knowledge what kind of people the Mangyans are he just raised them to God in his everyday prayer, while unknowingly a great burden has already started. He has a strong feeling that somehow these people are in need.
Pastor Ernie seeks the help of his local friends, they laid out a plan and in no time the group headed towards the mountains in search of the Mangyan communities. After days of grueling walk under the heat of the sun, doing steep climbs Pastor Ernie and his group had the first encounter. From a far distance they saw a very small Mangyan village with a few shacks that are so small these were difficult to be recognized among the bushes. As soon as they progressed towards the place people started scramming to the forest one by one and by the time they reached the place no one was left. The place was a picture of a real primitive life like being brought back by a time machine to the Old Stone Age. The tribesmen are very skeptic and winning their trust and confidence is quite a big challenge.
The locals have played a crucial role in the early stages of the mission. They helped Pastor Ernie in observing and getting acquainted with the Mangyans. At start it was Pastor Ernie who funded the mission work through his own assets by sharing a part of his income, selling some possessions and giving up a bank account. Through these small beginnings the mission progressed through the years and the young mission team was able to conduct regular feeding programs and medical missions within the tribes. These activities have paved way for the Gospel to be shared. A new perspective has dawned to the people, they began to believe that somehow there’s a world outside and that some people cares. A light of hope started glistening in their once so miserable lives. As on the part of the team reality creeps that the work has just started, what the people need is not just a medicine but a cure to their condition.
In spite of all the hurdles of the time the mission work continued as more and more local people started noticing and empathizing with the cause. The volunteers who joined every operation continuously increased in number. Becoming stronger and more efficient, together they discovered, learned and reached out these suffering souls.
As the mission operation becomes more frequent and the scope widens the need for a more established organization has risen. It was in May 2005 that the idea of having a name for the mission work surfaced. Since the mission work started small which depicts tiny drops it was soon named “Drops of Faith Christian Missions” (DFCM). By God’s grace, early in year 2008 DFCM was finally registered in Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) under the name “Hamog ng Pananampalataya Christian Missions, Inc.
The Mangyans
“MANGYAN” (also called “Manguianes”) is the general term for the cultural minority populations or ethnic groups of Mindoro. The word Mangyan means “human beings”. The Mangyan, who predominantly settle in the mountainous interior of the island today but for many centuries also in the plains, are divided into six (6) ethno-linguistic groups:
1. Iraya (northern group)
2. Alangan (northern group)
3. Taobuid- Batangan (mid-northern group)
4. Tadyawan (mid-southern group)
5. Buhid (southern group)
6. Hanunoo (southern group)
We do not have exact data of the total number of Mangyan living in Mindoro. The various census data on the demographic development of the Mangyan population differ considerably. The fact that the greater number of Mangyan live in the inaccessible mountain regions and only a small percentage of them – varying through the centuries – settle in the lowlands, makes an estimation of their number extremely difficult. Moreover, the Mangyan usually try to avoid contact with government officials.
The Mission Programs
Currently, DFCM has established a holistic program for the beneficiary tribes. The mission continued to conduct a regular feeding program accompanied with medical missions, personal hygiene and good housekeeping activities, these addresses their physical needs and so far it is successful in developing a healthy routine among the people.
There is a saying that “we should not only teach people how to eat fish but rather how to catch fish”, that is why the mission is focusing now on the intellectual needs of the people. DFCM established a para-schooling program that caters to everyone from the youngest to the oldest member of the tribe as long as there is willingness to learn. The para-school is situated inside the tribal community. For those children who are discovered to have a potential for formal schooling they are enlisted as candidates under the “Kalingang-Kapatid Program” or KKP. It is a one-to-one educational program meaning through a sponsor a child gets to school. DFCM has a Mission Center strategically situated in the town where the local elementary and secondary schools are. It serves as the dormitory for the Mangyan scholars, where they are also provided with a house parent which serves also as a counselor.
Nowadays, most of the Mangyans are forced to settle on the highlands where hunting is not a very reliable source due to the disintegrating wildlife and productive farming is impossible either. To improve their economical condition DFCM is also taking into strong consideration a diverse livelihood program that will suite the condition of the Mangyans. A nomadic lifestyle is always counter-productive to any program so a permanent place is very necessary to be successful. To begin with, DFCM is working on purchasing a three hectare piece of flat land which is adjacent to their original location. This will serve as a permanent place for a new community for them where better houses for each family, a school building and a church will be constructed. Part of the area will also provide farm lands, feeding ground for livestock and for housing other livelihood projects.
The Call
DFCM has heeded to the call and started the work, but it is still a long way to go from here. Admittedly, the need has never stopped and even ever increasing and the mission will continue until the Mangyan tribe becomes self-reliant and self-sufficient. Being independent, the organization is still short in terms of helping capacity due to limited funding and resources. At this point, the organization is not capable of generating sufficient funds for its regular operation, this is the reason why DFCM is constantly sharing the burden to everyone who has compassion for fellowmen and is willing to be God’s hand on earth.
We believe that God has called all of us to be a man and woman for others. The Bible says in Galatians 6:2, “Let us help carry each other’s burdens.” May we join our hands together in love and compassion – to reach out to our less fortunate brethrens, the Mangyans, for we are all blessed to be a blessing.
Please allow me to share and I hope each one will take time to read. This is something of noble value for all of us.
God bless you!
______________________________________________
Drops of Faith Christian Mission
Hamog ng Pananampalataya Christian Missions, Inc.
Mission History
In April of 1999, Rev. Ernie Catanghal (Pastor Ernie) came to visit a town in the northern tip of the island of Mindoro. The trip was originally intended to be just an ordinary visit to a friend and a vacation as well. During the stay he was attracted to the surrounding mountain ranges from a distance while wondering if there are people existing in them. Some locals later informed him that the ethnic minority group called the Mangyan Tribes dwells in the place. For Pastor Ernie his interest with the tribe came mysteriously. Having no ample knowledge what kind of people the Mangyans are he just raised them to God in his everyday prayer, while unknowingly a great burden has already started. He has a strong feeling that somehow these people are in need.
Pastor Ernie seeks the help of his local friends, they laid out a plan and in no time the group headed towards the mountains in search of the Mangyan communities. After days of grueling walk under the heat of the sun, doing steep climbs Pastor Ernie and his group had the first encounter. From a far distance they saw a very small Mangyan village with a few shacks that are so small these were difficult to be recognized among the bushes. As soon as they progressed towards the place people started scramming to the forest one by one and by the time they reached the place no one was left. The place was a picture of a real primitive life like being brought back by a time machine to the Old Stone Age. The tribesmen are very skeptic and winning their trust and confidence is quite a big challenge.
The locals have played a crucial role in the early stages of the mission. They helped Pastor Ernie in observing and getting acquainted with the Mangyans. At start it was Pastor Ernie who funded the mission work through his own assets by sharing a part of his income, selling some possessions and giving up a bank account. Through these small beginnings the mission progressed through the years and the young mission team was able to conduct regular feeding programs and medical missions within the tribes. These activities have paved way for the Gospel to be shared. A new perspective has dawned to the people, they began to believe that somehow there’s a world outside and that some people cares. A light of hope started glistening in their once so miserable lives. As on the part of the team reality creeps that the work has just started, what the people need is not just a medicine but a cure to their condition.
In spite of all the hurdles of the time the mission work continued as more and more local people started noticing and empathizing with the cause. The volunteers who joined every operation continuously increased in number. Becoming stronger and more efficient, together they discovered, learned and reached out these suffering souls.
As the mission operation becomes more frequent and the scope widens the need for a more established organization has risen. It was in May 2005 that the idea of having a name for the mission work surfaced. Since the mission work started small which depicts tiny drops it was soon named “Drops of Faith Christian Missions” (DFCM). By God’s grace, early in year 2008 DFCM was finally registered in Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.) under the name “Hamog ng Pananampalataya Christian Missions, Inc.
The Mangyans
“MANGYAN” (also called “Manguianes”) is the general term for the cultural minority populations or ethnic groups of Mindoro. The word Mangyan means “human beings”. The Mangyan, who predominantly settle in the mountainous interior of the island today but for many centuries also in the plains, are divided into six (6) ethno-linguistic groups:
1. Iraya (northern group)
2. Alangan (northern group)
3. Taobuid- Batangan (mid-northern group)
4. Tadyawan (mid-southern group)
5. Buhid (southern group)
6. Hanunoo (southern group)
We do not have exact data of the total number of Mangyan living in Mindoro. The various census data on the demographic development of the Mangyan population differ considerably. The fact that the greater number of Mangyan live in the inaccessible mountain regions and only a small percentage of them – varying through the centuries – settle in the lowlands, makes an estimation of their number extremely difficult. Moreover, the Mangyan usually try to avoid contact with government officials.
The Mission Programs
Currently, DFCM has established a holistic program for the beneficiary tribes. The mission continued to conduct a regular feeding program accompanied with medical missions, personal hygiene and good housekeeping activities, these addresses their physical needs and so far it is successful in developing a healthy routine among the people.
There is a saying that “we should not only teach people how to eat fish but rather how to catch fish”, that is why the mission is focusing now on the intellectual needs of the people. DFCM established a para-schooling program that caters to everyone from the youngest to the oldest member of the tribe as long as there is willingness to learn. The para-school is situated inside the tribal community. For those children who are discovered to have a potential for formal schooling they are enlisted as candidates under the “Kalingang-Kapatid Program” or KKP. It is a one-to-one educational program meaning through a sponsor a child gets to school. DFCM has a Mission Center strategically situated in the town where the local elementary and secondary schools are. It serves as the dormitory for the Mangyan scholars, where they are also provided with a house parent which serves also as a counselor.
Nowadays, most of the Mangyans are forced to settle on the highlands where hunting is not a very reliable source due to the disintegrating wildlife and productive farming is impossible either. To improve their economical condition DFCM is also taking into strong consideration a diverse livelihood program that will suite the condition of the Mangyans. A nomadic lifestyle is always counter-productive to any program so a permanent place is very necessary to be successful. To begin with, DFCM is working on purchasing a three hectare piece of flat land which is adjacent to their original location. This will serve as a permanent place for a new community for them where better houses for each family, a school building and a church will be constructed. Part of the area will also provide farm lands, feeding ground for livestock and for housing other livelihood projects.
The Call
DFCM has heeded to the call and started the work, but it is still a long way to go from here. Admittedly, the need has never stopped and even ever increasing and the mission will continue until the Mangyan tribe becomes self-reliant and self-sufficient. Being independent, the organization is still short in terms of helping capacity due to limited funding and resources. At this point, the organization is not capable of generating sufficient funds for its regular operation, this is the reason why DFCM is constantly sharing the burden to everyone who has compassion for fellowmen and is willing to be God’s hand on earth.
We believe that God has called all of us to be a man and woman for others. The Bible says in Galatians 6:2, “Let us help carry each other’s burdens.” May we join our hands together in love and compassion – to reach out to our less fortunate brethrens, the Mangyans, for we are all blessed to be a blessing.
“Let us help carry each other’s burdens.”
______________________________________________