January, 2007

Year 2006 for TMFI was a year of possessing our land literally and spiritually. Your investment is vital. TMFI has put your money to helping the lost and needy to give signs of hope.

LAND AND BUILDING PROJECT
It was a resounding last week of the year because finally we purchased the long awaited land for our own Culture and Development Center. Our future home is located in Tugbok, Davao City. The center aims to train more cross-cultural workers as well as house our growing staff as the ministry among the Indigenous People continues to expand. We hope to start the construction of the training center building and staff houses soon. Please pray for our P10M need for this. Join us in faith that with God nothing is impossible!

WATER PROJECT
More people in the mountains have safe water to use. Approximately 2,750 people in 12 tribal villages gained access to clean water. There have been less incidents of water borne diseases. More than 150 people learned masonry and plumbing skills in 12 villages.

The gospel was shared to 325 people. This resulted to an average of 20% increase in church attendance in villages where there are churches and one church was planted in Banacol, Paquibato District with 20-30 regular Sunday Worship service attendees. Thanks to Geneva Global and Sacred Harvest for being God’s channel of these blessings.


Testimonies from three village leaders:

Mario Banayao from Migkawayan, Paquibato District
“It is no longer hard for us to fetch water. It is a big help especially for the mothers who can now daily bathe their children. The cooperation that the people give has also extended to other community activities and they are more aware of their role now. People have started to build more permanent dwellings in the community. Before they would prefer to stay near their farms.

Spiritually, they have also grown in their faith because they believe is the water is given by God as the result of many prayers. Even the chieftains are telling their people to attend church. Before, we had to cross the river to get drinking water and one woman drowned doing this during a flash flood. We are happy that the project was finished before the rainy season started. Now we no longer face that danger.”

Manuel Lumonday from Pig-asuhan, Paquibato District
“I became the village leader in 1997. Since then I have been trying to find a way to have safe drinking water in the community. Now we have it near our homes and the people said God has finally answered their prayers after 20 years. It encouraged my people in their faith and because of that, many asked for Bibles. Datu (Chieftain) Lampoonery Dalai said this is one of the best legacies he can give to his children and Godchildren. The people did not complain that we had to hike the whole day just to bring in the materials needed to build the water tanks and also the pipes.”

Ruben Onsilag from Banacol, Paquibato District
We are happy to finally have potable water near the village. Since we settled in this place, we have been longing for one. We tried asking for help from the local officials but they have been unable to. Health wise, there is also a significant change. There was a time that I had to bring my son to the hospital six times in a year because of severe diarrhea. A little rain would cause contamination to our water before. Now, because the source has been enclosed, we did not have any problems with water borne diseases.

The Bible study lessons during the construction time really made a big impact. In fact, it was the Datu (chieftain) himself who donated the property where the church is now built.”


INTEGRATED AGRICULTURE PROJECT
Farmers have transformed their barren patched lands into hectares of enriched fields and greater agricultural community in the mountains using Natural Farming Technology. Natural Farming Technology is a farming technique that does not utilize chemical fertilizers and pesticides yet possible to attain a harvest equal to or greater than that of the average conventional farm. “Life of the village is revitalized,” said the tribal folks. A great example of a low cost, long-term investment. Isaiah 35:1 says, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.”

We could go on and on with our list of transformation. Let us not also forget the workers who are investing their lives in obedience to God. The unsung heroes as what most people call. Your support enables the skills and talents of our workers to be released and be a blessing to the lost and needy.

Let us pursue the course and celebrate together in these victories and those yet to come! We pray that 2007 be a year of increase for you!

With you in His harvest,


SHERELLE C. COTECSON
Officer-In-Charge
Tribal Mission Foundation International
www.tribalmission.org