Family Broadcast Brings Joy To The Mountaintops

"We first came to know the people of Sitio Camias when my wife and I visited them last August 2007," reflects Cryz Colorado, pastor of Cabanatuan City Church of the Nazarene and announcer for World Mission Broadcast program Rated PG.

Sitio Camias is a mountain community in Central Luzon Philippines with no power supply and far removed from other towns. Vehicles cannot reach the community because of its rugged road conditions. The only available ride is a “patuke,” a wheel-less cart pulled by carabao that they use to transport their “charcoal” down to the foot of the mountain.

Pastor Cryz comments about their first visit, "It was really difficult to reach them. Even for a good hiker it could take at least 1 ½ hours to hike. But the good thing is they have radios powered by truck batteries and some families listen to our program, Rated PG aired over 1188 DZXO AM. With the desire to meet our listeners in person, my wife Nerizza and I went there with a simple token of appreciation for two of our listeners. After a short period of fellowship, rest, and eating noodle soup, we bid goodbye with the promise of coming back."

Five Cabanatuan City Church members made good on that promise and returned to Sitio Camias at Christmastime.  Other church members helped by giving their “Handog Pag-ibig” (Love Offering) and the youth group helped by packing the Christmas bags for children, including food, toys and other give-away items.

The team left Cabanatuan City at 6AM and reached the foot of the mountain at seven. They attempted to haul their precious cargo as far as they could up the mountain, using an Isuzu truck, but could only manage to climb a few meters.  So the rest of the journey was made on foot.  Recalls Pastor Cryz, "Carrying Christmas bags, food, and drinks, and other stuff made our hiking more difficult but more exciting!"

"We were tired but were so delighted to see the people waiting for us. They prepared boiled Camote for us and apologized that it was the only thing they could offer. The mood in the community really touched our hearts as we realized that for these people Christmas was just an ordinary day and nothing was special at all. No one was preparing for Christmas Eve dinner (Noche Buena). There were no Christmas decors and Christmas lights. When we greeted them 'Merry Christmas' they just responded with a smile."

But that mood was soon to change as the team from Cabanatuan began to spread the joy of Christmas.  One of the families who regularly listen to Rated PG hosted the team. In their home  hung a RATED PG Poster (From DZXO), displayed prominently on the front of their house.  When the team began their Christmas program started the program young people and adults joined in the festive singing, playing, fun, and fellowship. They were an eager audience for Pastor Cryz to share the word of God and lead them in a prayer of accepting Jesus, the Gift of Christmas.

Pastor Cryz concludes, "It was indeed a happy day and a great way to celebrate Christmas. We proclaimed to them the message of Christmas through carols and the Word. We shared with them the joy of Christmas through fun and games, gift giving, food and fellowship. We know all our efforts and gifts are just small but they all came from the grateful hearts of our church family. Our members were praying for us and monitoring us with their cell phones. They rejoiced with us knowing that in simple and small ways we were able to share with the people of Sitio Camias the blessings of Christmas Season."

"We left the community after a lunch fellowship with a commitment to come back. Then we started our return trek back down the mountain. But this time with lighter loads and greater joy in our hearts, not because of what we had done but because of what the Lord taught us while touching the lives of the people through our team."

Future Ministry Plans for Sitio Camias:

• Visit them once a month and conduct Bible Studies
• Summer Ministries in April

-         3-day Vacation Bible School for Children during the day

-         Evangelistic Crusade at night

-         Medical Mission

Prayer Requests:

• May the Gospel penetrate the entire community.
  
• May Christ's Church be established there.  Currently there are no evangelical churches in the community. 
• May more people listen to our Radio Program
• May God provide resources for Cabanatuan City Church in preparing the Summer ministries for the people.

Radio Coordinator

this post was filed under Inspirations on Jan 29, 2008