Oct 23, 2019 Hiking two hours to meet Jesus

Don and Beverly were on their first mission trip to the Philippines. Don was preaching at a meeting site way out in the jungle where the people lived in a primitive neighborhood called a barangay.

Each night, they would drive an hour from where the team was staying in the city of Dipolog to their jungle church way out among the banana and coconut trees.

As they got into a routine for their meetings each night, Don noticed an elderly woman who always seemed to be there before they arrived. She would be sitting down, waiting for the meeting to start and Don just assumed that she was a church member because she was there so faithfully.

Meanwhile, leading out in the children’s program, Beverly met a young girl with short hair who was a little shy at first. As Beverly saw her each night and got to know her, she soon found out that this young girl, Gina, was the old woman’s neighbor.

They come together, shared the gospel worker at their site. They walk here from up in the hills. Don and Beverly were then shocked to learn that Marina, the old woman, was 80 years old! Marina and Gina walk two hours each way to come to the meetings, said the gospel worker.

Beverly couldn’t believe what she was hearing so she said, Isn’t there something we can do to make it easier for them? Let’s send a motorcycle to pick them up every night! Whatever it costs, we’ll cover it.

You don’t understand, the gospel worker said. No vehicles can go up there where Marina lives. Small footpaths are the only way to get there. Not even a motorcycle can drive up those paths!

They also discovered that Marina supported herself by gleaning leftovers from rice and other crop harvests throughout the year. Even as an 80-year-old, she was still doing difficult physical labor to put food on the table for herself and her granddaughter who lives with her.

Don and Beverly were amazed at the vibrance and energy of this lovely woman who was so dedicated to attending the meetings. Each night she listened attentively and discovered, for herself a new friendÑJesus!

On the last Sabbath Don and Beverly had the privilege of seeing the huge smile on Marina’s face when she was baptized! Will you pray for Marina and Gina as they start a new journey with their Savior?