Economic hardships affect tribal believers
Missionaries Ray and Chris Pollock recently returned to their ministry among the Tagbanwa people in the Philippines. Elmo, a Tagbanwa believer, had taken care of their home while they were gone and they were pleasantly surprised to find some definite improvements.
"Elmo planted beautiful flowers and some fruit trees all around our house," wrote Chris. "He hung flowers, in plastic containers salvaged from the ocean, on every fence post. Our yard and animal compound were spic and span."
Ray and Chris also observed growth in the lives of the Tagbanwa believers. "It is amazing the bond of love we share with our brothers and sisters in Christ," Chris wrote, "and we are encouraged to see many growing in their faith and walk with the Lord though many of them have been going through hard times.
The difficult economic climate has reached Tagbanwa villages in the Philippines. Prices for gas, food insecticides and fertilizer as well as transportation costs have soared. The people have just been through the "hungry season" when food is scarce and now, because of lack of fertilizer and insecticides, the harvest is very scant.
Many have had to sell their boats to pay debts or send children to school and as a result the fishing industry among the Tagbanwas has virtually ended.
Ray looks for practical ways to help the Tagbanwas through these hard times. Over the last few years he implemented a program to help them accumulate and store rice for the months when it is scarce. He has recently handed the supervision of that project over to some of the believers.
Ray has also initiated a goat breeding project. His hope is to give the larger, sturdier female goats to villagers to so they can sell the meat.
Praise God that the Tagbanwa believers have grown in the Lord. Pray also for them during these difficult economic times.
"Elmo planted beautiful flowers and some fruit trees all around our house," wrote Chris. "He hung flowers, in plastic containers salvaged from the ocean, on every fence post. Our yard and animal compound were spic and span."
Ray and Chris also observed growth in the lives of the Tagbanwa believers. "It is amazing the bond of love we share with our brothers and sisters in Christ," Chris wrote, "and we are encouraged to see many growing in their faith and walk with the Lord though many of them have been going through hard times.
The difficult economic climate has reached Tagbanwa villages in the Philippines. Prices for gas, food insecticides and fertilizer as well as transportation costs have soared. The people have just been through the "hungry season" when food is scarce and now, because of lack of fertilizer and insecticides, the harvest is very scant.
Many have had to sell their boats to pay debts or send children to school and as a result the fishing industry among the Tagbanwas has virtually ended.
Ray looks for practical ways to help the Tagbanwas through these hard times. Over the last few years he implemented a program to help them accumulate and store rice for the months when it is scarce. He has recently handed the supervision of that project over to some of the believers.
Ray has also initiated a goat breeding project. His hope is to give the larger, sturdier female goats to villagers to so they can sell the meat.
Praise God that the Tagbanwa believers have grown in the Lord. Pray also for them during these difficult economic times.