In planning my next Philippine trip in May, there has come a ministry opportunity in which I have received more info. In my last blog, I mentioned about the possibility of being involved in providing an evangelism opportunity, a meal, and a bag of groceries/meds for each family in two Mangyan tribes. (At the end of this blog, I will share some info about these tribal communities.)
One community will have around 100 people and the other around 300—around 100 family units. When news of this event begins to spread, there could be groups come down from the mountain area. So the plan is to prepare 140 bags of assorted groceries/meds in order to cover any who might come from other areas.
The total cost of expenses will come to 66,500 pesos or $1336. That sounds like a lot of money BUT when feeding 400 plus people and the cost per sack of groceries is $9.50…..yes, you read that right…where in the USA can you buy a sack of groceries for $9.50 for a family. No where! Sounds like a great price for such a great ministry to help provide food.
So this is where you come in? Yes, I am still collecting funds to get me there and take care of my expenses. But, this is another way for you to be a part of this adventure. How would you like to provide a sack of groceries for a Mangyan family? More importantly, HOW MANY SACK WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE?
$9.50 would provide for one family. $47.50 would provide for 5 families. $95.00 would provide a sack of groceries for 10 families…think of that…for a one hundred dollar bill you could feed ten families. $190 would feed 20 families. HOW MANY SACKS WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE?
Also, as of this writing, I have been invited to do a workshop and speak on a Sunday at a church plant. I have been invited to do a workshop and lead some nightly bible studies at another church. I have been invited to attend a pastor’s gathering for fellowship and to get acquainted. I am waiting to hear from another church that wants me there on Sunday and maybe a workshop as well. Invitations are coming. Sounds like some wonderful opportunities God is providing.
So, decide if you would like to donate to the total expenses of the trip…. $2000. (Currently need another $1000) Decide how many sacks you would like to provide @ $9.50 per sack per family. You can PM me on Facebook messenger or send me an email gtbunn@windstream.net to let me know what you would like to do.
You can also go to my blog, gregorybunn.blogspot.com, and click on the contribution tab which will give you info on donating. God bless you for your thoughtfulness, your generosity, and your support. Please pray for the people in the Philippines, the pastors, the churches, the Mangyan tribes, and how God might like for you to be involved.
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Mangyan is the generic name for the eight indigenous groups found on the island of Mindoro, southwest of the island of Luzon, the Philippines, each with its own tribal name, language, and customs. The total population may be around 100,000, but official statistics are difficult to determine under the conditions of remote areas, reclusive tribal groups and some having little if any outside world contact.
The Mangyans were once the only inhabitants of Mindoro. Being coastal dwellers at first, they have moved inland and into the mountains to avoid the influx and influence of foreign settlers such as the Tagalogs, the Spanish and their conquests and religious conversion, and raids by the Moro (they raided Spanish settlements for religious purposes, and to satisfy the demand for slave labor). Today, the Mangyans live secludedly in remote parts of Mindoro but eventually come down to the lowlands in order to make usual trades. Their sustenance comes from farming for their own crops, fruits, and hunting. A certain group of Mangyans, living in Southern Mindoro, call themselves Hanunuo Mangyans, meaning “true”, “pure” or “genuine,” a term that they use to stress the fact that they are strict in the sense of ancestral preservation of tradition and practices.
Shifting agriculture (kaingin) is a common practice by all of the Mangyan groups because it is the only way they can grow crops to eat without using fertilizers. Most families own large tracks of land which they clear and plant different crops throughout the year. Every day, crops are harvested for daily consumption with the majority of the Mangyan diets consisting of root crops such as sweet potatoes, ube, and kamoting kahoy. Eating rice is often a luxury because it is not grown where they live. After a few years the cleared land is not fertile anymore and another area is cleared and crops are planted. This is the nature of tropical soil and a method the Mangyan have been using for a long time. Most families own multiple tracks of land that they rotate using.
When night falls, communities become very quiet. There is no electricity available so dinner is often prepared by lantern or fire light and usually starts right after it turns dark. Most people are asleep by 8 or 9pm and awake early in the morning when the sun rises. In the mountains it can get really cold at night as well.
Something unique to the indigenous Mangyan of Mindoro is how well organized their groups are. All eight groups have active tribal councils and they are very strict about what visitors can enter their communities. Mangyans live in peaceful societies as compared to the head-hunting tribes of North Luzon and the brave defiant warrior tribes of the South. Social scientists theorized that some societies become peaceful because their system of norms and values reward peaceful behavior but disapprove aggressive and impulsive behaviors. Each group also has formal bylaws with penalties for different crimes that are committed. To enter the different communities one must get clearance from the tribal leaders, the tribal councils and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. They are very appreciative of medical and food missions and other help people give. -----copied
