LALAG SULADS Journal April-June 2015
SULADS Training 2015
The Heart of Islam
Not Enemies but Brothers
SULADS
reaching the unreached feature
columns
8 THE HEART OF ISLAM
3 EDITOR’S NOTE
9 TURNING POINT
4 NEWS
Roy St. Louis
Jelmar Orapa
11 IS THERE REALLY A
DIFFERENCE? Christy Marie Jell Labador
13 SOWING MUSTARD SEEDS Vincent Baragona
Editors
Liz Darnelle Ang Bethel Jane Ranarez
Not Enimies but Brothers
15 STAFF SPACE
Coming Out Alive
17 H.E.A.L. CORNER
Agar-agar (Seaweed) Farm
18 MR. CULTURE SAYS
Demeanor between Different Genders
19 PRAYER LIST 24 SNAPSHOT
Layout and Design
Marveluz Blessie Ensencio Clendelyn Jane Bala
about the cover
Contributors
Ranny De Vera Roy St. Louis Jelmar Orapa Christy Marie Jell M. Labador Vincent S. Baragona
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AMR shows how we work kindly side by side with our Muslim brothers.
EDITOR’S NOTE Not Enemies but Brothers Allah (God) came to break down walls of separation and prejudice between us humans. His mercy and love is as unrestricted as the air, light, and water that He created. God’s eyes see no difference between families and strangers, friends and enemies. No individual on earth is considered worthless. “Though He was a Jew, Jesus mingled freely with the Samaritans… He slept with them under their roofs, ate with them at their tables,--partaking of the food prepared and served by their hands,--taught in their streets, and treated them with the utmost kindness and courtesy. And while He drew their hearts to Him by the tie of human sympathy, His divine grace brought to them the salvation which the Jews rejected.” Ministry of Healing, p. 26. In this edition, we present to you the AMR (Adventist Muslim Relations) work in SULADS. The Muslim tribes may not be considered as a friendly group of people to reach out to, but we believe we are called to mingle among them not thinking them as our enemies but as our brothers to win in kindness and love.
Lalag (a Manobo term for Message) is the SULADS Journal that is published tri-annually by SULADS, Inc., a non-government and non-profit charitable educational institution in the Philippines which aims to educate and inspire the unreached indigenous people. SULADS come from the Manobo term sulad which means brother or sister. It is also an acronym for Socio-ecomic Uplift, Literacy, Anthropological, and Developmental Services. SULADS, Inc. Mountain View College Mt. Nebo, Valencia City, Bukidnon 8709 info@suladsasia.org
(+63) 905-426-7637 info@suladsasia.org www.suladsasia.org
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NEWS FEATURE SULADS Training 2015
We started training for the new batch of SULADS applicants on April 16, 2015 in MVC, SULADS Campus. The 51 trainees came from all walks of life including married couples, families, young adults, and returnees in wanting to learn how to serve others by learning from ALS (Alternative Learning Service), Regional Agriculture Specialists, and local speakers on spiritual growth, health, and cultural understanding. It came to an end with a wonderful Dedication Weekend on May 29 & 30 to consecrate them into the service for God before sending them off to their prospective fields. We praise God for the willing hearts and helping hands that are to serve for one year.
Early Morning Pathfinder Marching Drill
Alternative Learning Services
AMR Training
Hot Foot Bath - Hydrotheraphy
First Aid and CPR
Learning Foot Massage
Agriculture Practice
Team Building Toothpaste Challenge
Sifting through Adlai
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NEWS FEATURE
Making Miniature Village SULADS Mission School
Meeting the Sabbath
Dedication Service
Oath Taking - Blood Thumb Print
The 2015 SULADS Volunteers
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NEWS FEATURE MVC Airstip Re-opens
June 1, 2015, SULADS with Mountain View College in cooperation with PAMAS (Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services) and the Local Government of Valencia celebrate the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony of Mountain View College AIRSTRIP. The ceremony is graced by the presence of Hon. Mayor Azucena Huervas –City of Valencia; Dr. Don Leo M. Garilva- MVC, President; Alejandro C. Panes- SULADS, President; Dwayne Harris- PAMAS, President . The rehabilitation of the airstrip is made possible by the united efforts of so many different people. It was a miracle that the helicopter was given to PAMAS, and by this they are extending this miracle to be of good service to SULADS and Mountain View College for medical missions and sending of missionaries to the different distant lands. After long years of praying and hoping of an aviation service to assist SULADS, God has surely provide His people and will sustain them in their needs! The long awaited aviation assistance is now right in front of us. Praise the Lord! Ranny De Vera, AMR Director
welcome, understandably, because I was a perfect stranger to him.
I was invited as speaker before a group of Denomination Workers under the Northern Siquijor Mission. Coming to these meetings, I was prepared to expose the workers to a weeklong presentation about Islam in the Bible and in Prophecy. When the meetings began that Monday morning, no one had the slightest idea what was coming. Only the Ministerial Director knew me then and the work I did. The President gave me a cold
The first two sets of presentations went by without much of an interest. However, as the presentations progressed tracing old Biblical history, suddenly the workers became especially quiet, glued to their seats, amazed at how God’s hand moved through historical narratives of Biblical account. I noticed that in-between breaks, the office workers and the pastors were prompt in coming back each time for the meetings to start,
The Week of Prayer that Was!
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NEWS FEATURE never late and always anxious to take front seats. Attendance grew and swelled that now, included local church members who heard word spread around that Islam was being discussed. Little did I know that the people there were so intrigued with the spate of news bits heralded all over the newspapers, media and television networks. Muslims were in the headlines that week following a recent incident that affected, not only local, but international interests. Also, I was to learn later that many of our church members there were either afraid of Muslims, or hating them all together. The Biblical account was too much to ignore! God appeared to be orchestrating something big, something grand, and the Muslims were in the middle of it all. That sparked all the interests. As the meetings were about to climax secular history affirmed facts that pointed to Islam’s role in history and prophecy. The more the listeners became quiet not wanting to miss a single word. When the prophecy portion came to be presented, so much interest was felt around the room that was about filled with people standing on the corridors because all seats
were taken. Many of the eyes had the questioning look, not believing for a moment at what they just heard. “Islam as protectors of Sabbath-keepers in the last days? This was just too big to ignore, too much to miss out. Just totally unheard of!� many exclaimed. The meeting drew to a close and the final presentations given, those present wanting to hear more, but it was time to end. As if unsatisfied still, I was invited to come back again to do more presentation. During the last day of meetings, the Mission President stood and expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude for the information he received from the presentations. Admitting his cold reception and doubtful reflections before the meetings started, he said that these kind of presentations need to be scattered throughout his entire territory for the brethren to hear and appreciate as well. He further said that in all of his years as a pastor, this was the first time he learned these things. That was indeed a sincere expression of honest admittance from a respected pastor and administrator in his Mission territory. God be praised for giving us His sure word of prophecy as supported in His Holy Book. SULADS | APRIL-JUNE 2015 7
COVER STORY
The Heart of Islam By: Roy St. Louis
A
s a visiting lecturer on reaching the heart of Islam, I find as I travel the world of Adventism the most successful program of reaching the heart of Islam is right here in Mindanao. The SULADS program started at Mountain View College has been working well over the years and is the only program in the whole denomination that has a consistent program for sharing the love of God. Muslims come and ask for the SULADS teachers to be placed in their area more and more, they even provide food and lodging to make this happen. When the young SULADS ladies volunteer, the Muslims provide full protection. This year’s crop of volunteers are following the long list of Seventh-day Adventist who have given one or more years of their lives to reach the hearts of Muslims with God’s love with great sacrifice to their personal lives. As I write this, I just received
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a message from a Muslim princess that was first contacted by SULADS a few years ago, and she has expressed her wish to meet so we can talk. We always talk about the spiritual things of life. From the meeting I first met her in 2010, she has since introduced me to her Sultan father who is leader a large section of Muslims in Mindanao. I have since met her uncle who is a Sharia law Judge. Her family has reached out to me and offered protection as we have met some opposition in a situation a few years ago. Her family has asked our lecture team to come to their mountains and share the story of the Second Coming and Jesus for at least two to three days. This has all come about by what is being taught and lived out by the young Sulads who risk their lives to reach the unreached in this area of the world. I find it urgent for us all to continue to pray and support in reaching the heart of Islam with the willing SULADS workers for Allah.
Turning Point I
was converted to God in the year of 2009. Since then, I desired to know more of Him and wished to have an opportunity to study His Word deeper. I thought that my dream would “only be achieved” if I will study AB Theology. I was thinking that if I finish that degree, I will become a better person and a better missionary for God. I liked to be a missionary to those people who were like me before, not much to others especially the Muslims. But the God of Abraham, Jacob, Isaac and Ishmael, the God of the Adventists and the God of the Muslims who is able to change the hearts of men, who changed the heart of Paul, changed my heart and perceptions towards Muslims into the way He wanted. That change did not happen instantly. It took years! When God brought me to a Muslim area to do canvassing work, I did not understand at first, in fact I
was wondering why God brought me there when I was not productive in that field. I was transferred to another Muslim area to do the same work. There I found a University that offered courses with a very low tuition fee. My mind was changed. Instead of going back to an Adventist school, I decided to enroll to that University. I took the entrance exam, but I made conditions with God. If I pass and become a scholar I will stay, but if not, I’ll go back to the Adventist school where I came from. The result came, and I passed. Praise the Lord! I was a scholar! I took BSED Mathematics. Still the thought of sharing the Gospel with the Muslims did not come to my mind. I met a man who was doing Muslim Ministry where I learned a lot. He taught me many things about Islam, but I did not grasp everything since I’m still was prejudice against them. Then I had a Muslim friend who SULADS | APRIL-JUNE 2015 9
was one of the officers of the Muslim Students Association in the University and later became the president. Because we were so close, he invited me to their weekly gathering inside the campus. I could not refuse. I came and listened to their Alim (a Muslim scholar/ professor in religion) speaking. The topic was not really that interesting, but I listened anyway. After his speech, my friend introduced me to the group and asked me to stand and give them a short message. Of course I was shocked! I did not expect it, and I was not prepared. What shall I say? Well, I stood up and greeted them. After introducing myself I thought, “I can’t just sit down without saying anything about my faith. I am a missionary, and I must have something to share to them.” So I told them the story of the Dark Ages. How our forefathers were tortured, beaten, crucified, fed to the lions, and burned alive while others were laughing and feasting for the death of God’s people! But amidst this terrible and horrible persecutions, God raised Islam to protect His people and to preserve the truth that the Devil wanted to destroy, and so on…. They looked
at me with amazement, without blinking their eyes. I was a little bit scared, but after the program, we shook hands as if we were long-lost brothers. I really could sense that they liked the message and they were happy to hear it. What convinced me to continue to work further in this field was the reaction of the one Muslim who approached me and said; “Indeed, brother, it is better if we will study the Bible and the Qur’an to find the truth.” For those who are acquainted with Islam, those words were very unusual for a Muslim to utter because to them reading or studying the Bible is Haraam (forbidden). But not only that, their President told me to come again and talk more because they want to know more about what the Bible says about them. With that experience I was challenged to study and know what really the Bible is saying regarding these people. Because how do I tell them if I have no knowledge? That was the turning point for me, and I’m still pressing forward to learn more by God’s grace. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God)! ‘Til Jesus comes!
Jelmar Orapa
was a SULADS missionary to Laa Island, Tawi-Tawi in the year 2012. He is now studying AB Shariah at MSU-Tawi-Tawi to further reach out to the Muslims.
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is there
REALLY a difference?
I
remember when I was just twelve when the classes were suspended because of war. Everyone was alarmed and explosions were everywhere. “Why are they fighting?” I asked. The only answer I got was because we are different from each other. It was then I started to hear more about wars, got used to it, and thought that it’s normal since it’s because we’re different from the Muslims. But one will never truly know and understand a certain group of people not until that individual take the veil away from her discriminating eyes, not until she opens her heart for some new space. One must dig more – not just scratch the surface. I grew up in Lanao del Norte. When I was younger, I had Muslim
classmates and friends. For me, they’re not that bad at all. Maybe because of cultural differences, I found them a bit funny or weird; but they were fun to be with. They were even gentler and more harmless than others, far from the usual perspective we have received about them. After college, I joined SULADS. Being sent to one of the most feared places in Mindanao, it was indeed a challenge. But the LORD had always been good enough to have me experience to live and mingle with them once more in a different context. “Asalamu Alaikum” is the usual greeting one uses meaning “Peace be unto you.” But these words seems so ironical to the relationship we SULADS | APRIL-JUNE 2015 11
often have with them. When Jesus said He loves all the children of the world, does this mean He only loves us Christians and not our Muslim brothers? The Scriptures says, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same LORD over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.” (Romans 10:12) This simply means we are no different from them. We have one Lord, and we are all brothers and sisters even though we are different from each other in some instances. Looking back I’m so grateful because these people whom we often times labeled as “barbaric” and “notorious” had fed, loved, and accepted me. Honestly, Muslims are loving and awesome people. And for them to experience God’s love as well, one has to accept and understand them as they are and know where they are coming from. The only way for
them to see God’s love is through you. The things we see and hear from different media doesn’t totally define them. Let’s stop labeling people with words we don’t even truly understand.
“
”
We are all precious in God’s eyes - regardless of race or tribe.
Spending one year in the field is something I will never ever regret. Hardships and trials were just God’s way of re-creating my character and these were nothing compared to His great love for us. He died for everyone. We are all precious in God’s eyes – regardless of race or tribe. Spending one year with the Muslims was something so life-changing for me. That’s why one year is simply not enough – this is just one of the reasons why I’m coming back to serve in SULADS again.
Christy Marie Jell Labador served as one of the mastals (teacher) in Laa Island, Tawi-Tawi for school year 2014-2015.
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Sowing Mustard Seeds
2
014, I enrolled in the Master’s Program for Islamic studies at MSU main, KFCIAAS (King Faisal Center for Islamic, Arabic and Asian Studies) at Marawi City. Music is a very interesting topic. Seeing it as one of our choices of topics to be reported, without any delay I picked it up right away. The day of my report came, I believed in this great opportunity for me to present the Seventhday
Adventist stand on music and how we look at music in our life. So I really asked God to season my words with grace that everything that would come out from my mouth would be a savor of hope and grace to their hearts. I prayed that this topic of music would lead them to realize the sincerity of the Gospel we are holding unto. I presented the presentation of Christian Berdahl’s Distraction Dilemma. They were all in shock of everything I had shared. They were all amazed
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at the detailed information I had presented on the nature of music on its subtle effect to debase the morality of men. I believe the enemy was not happy with the stirring of their reasoning on the evil influences of music to our minds. In the middle of my report, the electricity suddenly was shut off. The whole class was already in the height of embracing the little seeds of truths when everything stopped.
would want to listen to. It is a struggle for me to give up those kinds of music that I am used to listening to. I know what you presented were all right.”
I know God has His ways already established for my classmates. I know God will make those mustard seeds grow in their hearts.
I can’t understand my happiness, and I am full of gratitude for God’s marvelous ways. From that meeting, everything was changed. The door to reach them has become a lot bigger. With the connection I have with that classmate, I got more access into big events that would increase the sphere of my influence. I never knew that she was from a royal Muslim blood and holds several important positions in their society.
A week after, I saw one classmate and she suddenly blurted, “Thank you Vincent, I am really considering now the kind of music I
I believe God has already prepared a great harvest through these little mustard seeds of faith that have been planted.
Vincent Baragona
was assigned in 2013 in Punduhan, Tawi-Tawi. To better reach other classes of Muslims, he took Islamic studies at MSU-Marawi.
We would be glad to read your mission stories, comments, and suggestions! You can share it with us at pub@suladsasia.org. 14 SULADS |APRIL-JUNE 2015
STAFF’S SPACE
Coming Out Alive
“P
apa! Lord, Lord, LORD, save us!” was heard as the white Korando SUV crashed into the papaya tree and the cement railing on the side curb of the road and then finally landing on it’s right side on April 5, 2015 afternoon between Carmen and Bukidnon. Smoke was coming out of the engine. And each person inside the car was piled on top of each other. The Muslim community came immediately around the car thinking many had died or was badly injured. Because thirty minutes before the accident, they
saw Sitan (Maguindanao – Satan), a body without a head with blood bleeding sitting at that corner. They threw stones to shoo him away. Usually when he comes around, death is coming rapidly. One by one, each person came out the driver’s door. All were shocked and surprised to find us alive including Ma’am Ethel who had a recent C-section and 1 month old Baby Drexy. Dr. Panes came out saying, “Alhamdulillah! (Thanks be to God).” The crowd responded back, “Alhamdulillah!” There was no death or even a single bone broken among those SULADS | APRIL-JUNE 2015 15
in the vehicle. All were certain angels were on guard to keep us safe. The Counselor invited us to his house to offer us water and crackers as snacks while we waited for help and as we shared our story of what had happened. Dr. Panes explained that he had fallen asleep for a few moments and that was when the vehicle went out of his control. It slammed into the tree and side railings causing the front right wheel to break off. He also shared how similar we were in our practices as Seventhday Adventists we don’t eat pork and certain foods because it’s haram (forbidden by Allah); they exclaimed that we’re just like the Muslims. We shared about our SULADS work in the Muslim communities in giving education to tribes where no one wants to go in Lanao del Norte and Tawi-Tawi. In our short time together, we were able to see the kindness and hospitality the Muslims had towards us.
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In history, Joseph was saved from the pit of death through the help of the Ishmaelite, so now we thank God for our Muslim brethren who assisted us when we were in the pit of the car accident. Job 33:28 states, “He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.” Coming out of the accident alive was a miraculous testimony of God’s light seen in all seven individuals (Dr. Alejandro Panes, Isabel Panes, Simi Velasco, Ethel Velasco, Gwen Velasco (7 y/o), Drexy Velasco (1 mo), and Liz Ang) inside the Korando.
H.E.A.L. CORNER
Health | Education Agriculture | Livelihood
Agar-Agar (Seaweed) Farm Tawi-Tawi is known as the southern tip of the pearl of the Philippines consisting of more than 300 islands and islets spreading south of the Zamboanga Peninsula where some of our Sulads serve. The leading source of livelihood found in the islands are agriculture, fishing, and agar-agar (seaweed) farming. Especially in the shallow waters spread for kilometers around the islands, one can find agar-agar farms managed by a family including children who are able to work. They set up their farms with 20 – 30 seedlings of agar tied on to the nylon strings to help it grow in the sea beds. Agar-agar is available for harvest after 35 days usually yielding 5 kilos per line. The harvested agar-agar is then spread out to dry underneath the sun. When its dries after a few weeks, it becomes whitish as the water content evaporates. Moist agar-agar cost about 15% deduction from the regular market price, so they do their best to sell it dried. Agar-agar is a versatile plant. Its ingredients help in medical formulation, cosmetics, and of food preparations like ice cream. Although the families work hard to bring in lots of agar-agar to sell, one family usually earns the measly amount of around PhP1,750 ($40) per month. We hope that the SULADS volunteers will learn to bring an atmosphere of care in helping these special people even in their livelihood.
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MR. CULTURE SAYS
Demeanor between Different Genders
N
ever commit the mistake of shaking the hand of the opposite sex! This is taboo in Islam, those that are not careful might just pay a huge price for it. In Islam, women especially, are well protected with a level of respect. Muslim men would even hardly expose their women in public. Thus, whenever an opposite sex approaches a couple or a woman alone, eyes around are watching with the keenest interest if this culture is observed at all. Beware to never cross the line, better veer yourself away from harm’s way.
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PRAYER LIST Prayer of Praise • • • • •
“Count the mercies! count the mercies! Number all the gifts of love; Keep a daily, faithful record Of the comforts from above.”
Success of the 2015 SULADS Training and Sent-Off of the Missionaries New Mission Fields Opened: Abnati, Palawan, Ilo-ilo, Lumbuyan 20,000 Pesos Donation for the Corn Mill in the High School in Sto. Domingo Partnership with PAMAS & the Re-Opening of the MVC Airstrip Support and prayers of all those with SULADS heart
Prayer Request/Needs • • • • • • • •
2015 Batch of Volunteer Missionaries SULADS Industries (Farm & Beekeeping) GC Session in America Travel of Dr. Alejandro Panes to GC Session Deaf Program led by Famisaran’s AMR Ministry God’s love and unity in serving each other Needs for: Multi-cab Front Drive and Engine Secretary’s Desktop Computer Welding Machine for the Industry
YOU TOO CAN HELP! Banco de Oro (BDO) Dollar Account Account Name: SULADS, INC Account Number: 103-2100-35355 Swift Code: BNORPHMM Banco de Oro (BDO) Peso Account Account Name: SULADS, INC Account Number: 321-001-8337 Kindly notify us at care@suladsasia.org about your donation details.
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SNAPSHOT
Benecito (Ben) Consejo was partnered with Rene C. Vidal in 1980 to Lanao del Norte to work among the Muslims. Mr. Vidal went ahead to register for his classes while his partner was left behind. When Mr. Consejo was on the bus, hijackers commanded all to come out of the bus. They were forced to decide if they were Muslims or Christians. Mr. Consejo chose to be with the Christians; therefore, he was murdered at that site. He was the first Sulad who died for his faith while in service.
We would be glad to see your photos in the mission field with the story behind it. Send it to pub@suladsasia.org.
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