Hebrews 13: 3 tells us to “share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.”
Wow, that’s really heavy.
We’ve asked God to show us how to love the Ati. We’ve witnessed this indigenous group, worn and calloused, isolated and mistreated. At some of our feedings Filipino children comment to each other, “Stay away from them – they’re Ati.” Pushed into corners of unwanted, uneven land on our island, we’ve seen their struggle first-hand.
It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that we heard part of the tribe had settled in across the road in our neighborhood.
Hearing that this tribe exists with no electricity or running water, we made a pot of soup and, along with a few from our First Love team, walked across the road and entered their village.
It was heartbreaking to hear that two of their babies were very sick. One baby had had a fever for ten days. So off to the hospital.
Our concern was Dengue Fever as many that day had tested positive. But Darlyn May had pneumonia.
After several days in the hospital, a grateful daddy held his healthy baby girl in his arms again.
We’ve returned several times to visit our neighbors.
Now instead of bringing a cooked meal, we bring uncooked chicken, rice and vegetables – empowering them to prepare meals for their own families.
Our First Love team is now delivering supplies to the Ati village to improve their homes and build new ones.
We were privileged to gather with the Ashland Grace mission team from Ohio to pray and worship on the beach. How encouraging it was to have these dedicated people visit us! They donated their time in service projects, ministered in our 10 feeding stations and brought supplies, clothes, flip flops …. even headbands!
When all is said and done this month, we are grateful for the Heartaches and happy for the Headbands.
Will you pray for us? That God will use us as instruments to empower this tribe and, most of all, lead them to Jesus.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
“May the LORD bless you
and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor
and give you his peace.”
Love,
Steve & Susan