Letter to the Editor (INH)

To the Editor:

Dear family around Clarissa,

A few weeks ago I was chatting with one of the 11th graders here at the Bethany school (not one of our 25 Mangyan students). I found out she too was a Mangyan (a term given to the tribal/mountain people here on Mindoro).

So Coach Topher and I decided to take our 11th graders on a trip to Fatima’s village with Fatima guiding us. I had no idea how far up in the mountains it was. It took us two hours, mostly steep climbing on lava/volcanic rocks surrounded by jungle. It also rained a little, making the rocks slippery and dangerous. We all made it safe and sound though, including this 71-year-old, thanks to our loving Lord’s protection.

There were 12 of us including Ma’am Erica. Fatima’s parents were most hospitable and so we ate good and they had a large enough humble home for all of us.

During the afternoon we divided up into four groups. One group taught the little kids playing on the basketball court and the other three groups went house to house to distribute our Caluyanun New Testaments (which we had revised a few years ago).

At the first house we came to, after they read a few verses, they became excited saying it is their “Mangyan” language.

One lady, in particular, was extremely happy telling us she felt very blessed receiving the Bible in her language.

We invited people to join us at the basketball court (in the middle of the village) to listen to our students sing. A number showed up and it was obvious they enjoyed listening to our mga apo/grandkids praising the Lord in Tagalog, English and Hebrew.

I then shared in their language/Caluyanun why we were there and encouraged them to read the translated Word of God we brought to their village.

It was kind of refreshing for me since in San Jose I normally have to teach/preach in Tagalog, more of a strain for me than sharing in Caluyanun.

After experiencing the difficulty walking on slippery lava rocks on our way to the village, I asked the Lord if he could give us good weather on our return hike back, and as usual, He answered my prayer. Even though it still was a two-hour walk back, the rocks were not slippery.

I want to thank the Lord that we were able to minister to His children in the mountains and for the joy of knowing that our translation can even reach those nestled in the mountains. My Mangyan grandkids used the gift of music He gave them to give joy to their fellow people. And He watched over Raquel and the rest of our students during our two-day absence.

I have a lot more I could thank Him for but we will have all of eternity to catch up on His graciousness towards us.

I trust you all are doing well.

Kermit & Raquel Titrud