Stories from the Field

August 2005

Bohol Boat Team

By Jess Jennings, Your IMB missionary in the Philippines

From Robinson Crusoe to "Gilligan's Island" to Castaway, there seems to be a part of us that dreams about getting away from it all and living on some isolated, fantasy island. The Bohol Team has been getting away and living on isolated islands... but that is where the fantasy ends. Imagine small strips of sand, lined with house after house, very little drinking water, and not much shade. Many of the inhabitants of these islands quit school after the 6th grade and live from day to day catching fish and "farming" seaweed in the ocean. There is no future and no hope for these thousands who live on the islands. Even though the Bohol Team of American and Filipino students who served in the Philippines this summer experienced much sickness in their first few days, they brought encouragement to the local evangelical churches... and hope to the islanders.

On the island of Cataban, the team went out daily, witnessing from house to house, and were received warmly by the 1,000 residents of this island. Relationship building through sports, presenting dramas, and conducting a nightly worship service were some of the other activities performed. The Bohol Team also taught the basics of discipleship to some of the local youth believers. Several people throughout the week indicated that they had committed their life to Jesus Christ!

For more about this work in the Philippines, go to www.peopleteamsorg/agusanriverministries

Serve on a Nehemiah Team in the Philippines, Summer 2006 – keyword: Philippines!