October 2012, the DFCM Mission Team revisited the tribes with some foreign mission friends from Logos Hope after the habagat season (southwest monsoon). With strong sense of urgency and determination our group made it to the mission center in spite of a strong typhoon that cancelled all sea vessel trips and even some domestic flight schedules. Arriving in the town of Paluan was such a huge relief because finally we will be able to see our beloved tribe once again. Anxiety yet filled our hearts as we wonder how the people in the mountains were doing after the stretch of devastating weather condition. What we heard was so much troubles happening around and we are coming not to fix everything but to at least share some love and hope in Christ. At the end of the trip everyone was overjoyed and so much grateful for we have witnessed how faithful God is!
As a photographer I was blessed to have in this trip once again the person who is responsible for all the many inspiration I got for lens, my brother in Christ, Do Seung Park (Augustine). He is a professional photographer from South Korea, now working for MV Logos Hope for global missions. Our experience in this trip is beyond description so I guess the better way to share it is through my photos. I hope and pray this blog will bring you in the heart of the tribe.
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| The first RORO vessel to sail after the typhoon. We were blessed to get a slot and take it. |
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| Prayerfully, we were awaiting for our turn to board the ship in our van. |
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| The ship was fully loaded all the way to the top, as more passengers who were stranded in the port were left with uncertainty waiting for the next vessel to come. |
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| Leaving the Batangas Port was a big relief. At least we were sure we are inching closer to the tribe. |
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| Getting ready to dock at Abra De Ilog. |
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| It was raining when we reached the other side. |
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| Boarding our hired van, we are headed for the next 80 kilometers of drive through rough and muddy road. |
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| Our first sight inside the mission center in Paluan. |
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| It was past dinner time when we arrived and we were all treated for a most awaited meal of the day. |
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| Everyone was so relieved, thanks to our local mission staff headed by Ate Marlyn for the delicious dinner! |
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| Our kitchen in the mission center. |
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| Good morning Paluan, good morning tribe! |
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| Datu (Rolly) with daughter Kim enjoying their share of coffee in the morning. |
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| Doris (Paraguay) started collecting memories... |
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| May Parisan, one of our Mangyan scholars met us on our way to the tribe. |
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| Araro sa Bukid (plowing the field) |
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| Reflecting on street of gold. Sun drying the rice using the main road as the threshing floor. |
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| The road to Agdilao. |
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| We met Pastora Jane and bro. Toto with their youngest, John Rich along the way. |
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| Yapad, one of the girls of Agdilao |
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| Joan and Awi, two of Jerome Parisan three kids. They just lost their mother and baby brother in the typhoon. |
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| Someone said skipping on monkey business? Got a long range blind attack from a 300mm lens. And boy, it is surprisingly sharp in spite of. I named this curious monkey Mr. PAUL because he doesn't stick, his feet are always on the go. |
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| Sol (Ecuador) and Lisa of Agdilao finally reunited again! |
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| Marlene and Augustine, so at home ever! |
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| Peeking for some attention. Our kids missed our team as ever. |
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| Bike and Beyond service rides. |
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| Some sharing time in the tribe. |
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| Doris helping out our mission staff with the food preparation. |
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| Jennifer missed doing this and she enjoyed this moment so much. |
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| Kids excitedly waiting for the treat. |
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| Time flies so slow when you are starving and food is still on fire. |
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| After bath time fot kids, Marlene took some intimacy with this baby boy. |
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| Anthony finally got his first Mangyan visit. Hope he met God here. |
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| The newly watered river of Agdilao. Only during rainy season that it got some flowing. |
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| Enjoying the freshness of the banks. |
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| Augustine and Marlene enjoying the time of their lives. |
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| Steaming love for fellowmen. |
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| The playful skipper. |
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| Finding joy in simple things. |
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| Jerome Parisan, former chieftain of Agdilao Tribe. |
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| Fun on the bench. |
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| The evening fellowship. |
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| They know how to pray. And they always do it heartily. |
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| The evening of love and blessings. |
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| The morning after... |
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| The chieftain Indin with his bag of relief from the mission. |
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| Care for some more coffee? |
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| Ate Ahlie having some girls talk and fun with her friend, Miriam. |
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| Lisa of Agdilao, one of our KKP Scholars. |
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| Augustine at the entrance to the Agdilao. |
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| Ate AHlie and Jennifer in our mission jersey. |
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| May, one of the first KKP scholars from Agdilao. |
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| Packing up for the town. |
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| The team with our local workers at the DFCM Mission Center. |
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| Homeward bound. |
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| Farrewell Mindoro... |
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| Bonito Island |
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| Out and back again, Batangas Port. |
Praising God for this mission trip! We have beaten so many odds and we are all victorious in Christ. When we left we know we have so many reasons to come back again and we will be very soon!
Thank you for all the prayers and support, God knows each one of you who shared the burden with us. God bless us all, God bless the Mangyan tribes!
