Robert and Cirena Smith Making Disciples in the Philippines Finding Refreshment from Afar
Members of the Jerome Prairie Bible Church missions team
Our year kicked off with a trip south to connect with co-workers from around the field for a time of refreshment and fellowship. We were blessed as team from Jerome Prairie Bible Church in Grants Pass, Oregon came over to the Philippines to help facilitate this time. The majority of the team focused on teaching our kids (a huge blessing) while the rest of us were refreshed in the word with teaching from Pastor James Downing & his wife Suzie. Joining their team from Bend, Oregon was Freddie Gateley who blessed our time together as he led us in worship each day. Thank-you so much to all our new friends from Jerome Prairie Bible; we are blessed.
Smith family with Joe and Sharon Goodman, Smitty & Joe wearing their new barong.
Also visiting were Oli & Judy Jacobsen. Oli is one of our former Field Chairman’s here in the Philippines. We were also blessed with a visit by NTM, USA Executive Board member Marv Ketchum, who is also the Director of Student Life at the Missions Training Center in Camdenton, MO. Joining Marv from the NTM, USA Personnel Departmentwere Joe and Sharon Goodman. Joe and Sharon gave our first official welcome to NTM when we graduated from the MTC in 2008 and so we were excited to be among the first to welcome them to the Philippines when they arrived. Joe was needing a new barong (Filipino style dress shirt) and so we went out shopping in search of one. In the process I found one for myself also.
Smith family with Chris & Lynn Strange
Before heading back to northern Luzon we made one more trip further south to spend time with co-workers there, some of whom were not able to attend our bigger meeting. It was even a greater opportunity to get to know some of them on a more personal level. Especially special was the opportunity to spend time with our co-workders Chris & Lyn Stange who announced they would be leaving the field in the near future. Chris & Lyn were among the first to greet us in the Philippines when we arrived as associates in 2003. This couple will be sorely missed by their co-workers and Filipino’s alike.
As we work to fulfill the task that God has for us it is always exciting to have others to come from so far away and at great personal expense to be a part of what God is doing here and to remind us that we are not alone in this work. I would highly recommend for anyone that might ever have an inclination to visit the mission field if even for a short-term period of time to do so. You might find it not only a blessing for those you are there to visit but also for yourself. We live in a very need world and there is much work to be done. Thanks for your part in that.
Tags: Barong, New Tribes Mission, NTM
Too Much Death in the Village
Missionary Donavan Epp with one of the Agta men from the village where he works.
What a privilege it is to come alongside of our co-workers, Don & Char Epp, working to reach the Agta here in the Philippines. Whether it’s tracking down the necessary supplies, providing a meal here or there or preparing a room, there is a much bigger picture behind what we do. And with Christmas once again upon us and the reminder of God’s unsearchable love for us by sending His son to come & live among us, we are also challenged to remember the countless number of lives that have yet to hear of this incredible grace. What a glorious day it will be when the Agta, and many other unreached people groups around the world, are delivered from darkness to light, recognizing that Christ and Christ alone is the source of life and death. More importantly that He is the source of life eternal. We live in a very needy world and there is much work to be done.
Tags: Agta
Transitioning North
Local transportation in our new place of service.
After two years of Culture & Language Study in Manila the Lord is giving us some direction as to our next ministry assignment. With the departure of our northern Luzon support center personal for a short home assignment we have been asked to fill in for them during their absence. At this point we are preparing for a temporary move until the end of the year at which time in cooperation with our field leadership, we will re-evaluate the needs around the field to determine where we might continue to serve on a longer term basis. For now we are grateful for the privilege of continued service to the King of kings and Lord of lords! We live in a very needy world and there is much work to be done. Thanks for your part in allowing that to happen; whether by prayers, giving financially or your words of encouragement.
Providing Support in Palawan
Taking time out for a trip to the beach during our 16 days in Palawan Supply Buying
As we draw closer to completing our time in National Culture and Language Acquisition in Manila, we find ourselves praying more and more about what the Lord has in store for us next. While we have worked towards the possibility of moving into a tribal church planting team we have also said that we would be willing to go back into tribal church planting support, which is where our first two years of missions service began. And so when we were recently requested to fill in for a few weeks in September doing supply buying back in Palawan we thought what a great opportunity to get another taste of that might be like.
During the 16 days we were back on the island we did supply buying for six different families working to reach four distinct people groups. We purchased everything from hardware and office supplies to food and medicine. It may not sound like much but between all the running around town to track down the various needs, packing it up for safe shipping over land, air, and sea, this is a job that is absolutely essential to the work of delivering the gospel to those that have yet to hear and planting viable God-sustaining churches. So while there is still the possibility that we could join an existing tribal church planting team in the near future, there is also the possibility that we could join multiple church planting teams in providing vital front-line support. Your prayers are much coveted.
A Helping Hand for the Ga’dang
UK Summit Team - Ga'dang Water Project
Recently I had the privilege of participating in a two-week water project for the Ga’dang people, a remote people group in the Philippines. Along with 12 members of a short-term missionary team from the UK, one other missionary from Manila, Erik Peterson, and the missionaries who live in this village, Chuck & Shannon Talbot (their partner Christina Canapp was out of the village due to illness), we laid water pipe from a mountain spring to the village below that had never before had running water (about 20 homes). They now have six different water stations strategically located around the village to provide a fresh source of water where in the past they had struggled, especially during dry season.
Ga'dang preparing to plant rice.
Of course water alone is not the primary goal of this project. As our missionaries in this village continue to study the local language and prepare to teach, our prayer is that one day these people will see what was done for them as not just another ‘good deed’ but more importantly as a ‘Gift of God!’ We look forward to the day when this unreached people group will one day stand and give glory to God for all He has done for them, not just just providing water to get them thru the dry season, but more importantly, providing living water to get them thru all seasons of life.
The total cost estimation for this project was set at $3500 (not including individual missionary expences for travel, supplies, etc…). Should the spirit of God compel either yourself personally or that of your church to partner with us, please send your gift directly to and made payable to:
New Tribes Mission, 1000 East First Street, Sanford, Florida 32771-1487
Please send a note also stating what the gift is for: Ga’dang Water Project, Philippines. You can also visit our GIVE page for other ways to give.
As Christ has said, “… anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name… will certainly not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41)
Tags: Ga'dang, UK Summit Team
Building a Vision for the Ga-dang
What are they looking at???
Reaching the Ethnos?
NTMPI SYMC 2011 - Staff
What a privilege it was recently to join our NTMPI co-workers at the New Tribes School of Missions (NTSM) for their Summer Youth Missions Camp. Along with just one other NCLA student, we travelled to the NTSM training center in Bataan about 3 hours NW of Manila where we joined our Filipino ka misyenero (co-missionaries) as counsellors for the four day camp. With anticipation that we would somehow be a blessing and an encouragement to sa mga kabataan (Filipino Youth), it was quickly made evident that we would be equally blessed and encouraged by the passion and ferver they bring to Christendom.
Despite a late summer typhoon that brought more than two straight days of hard rain, our spirits were not dampened as we joined together to consider what the Lord has for each of us in regards to building His kingdom. The theme of this years camp in just it’s third year of existence was “ETHNOS: Isang Hamon sa Kabataan” (a challenge to the youth). As it were though, this was just as much of a challenge for those of us already in missions to consider where and how the Lord would continue to use us.
Family time at the SYMC
NTM Philippines Summer Youth Missions Camp - Staff & Students
Ten More Sacks of Rice
I've got a lot of rice to eat still.
During a recent language helping session when I told my language helper “I’ve got a lot of rice to eat still.” (see previous blog entry), he responded jokingly (or not), “Oo nga e’, siguro sampung sako.” - Yes, that’s right, maybe ten sacks.
Our highlight for the month of March was a second language review which confirmed what we already thought, that I (Robert) am progressing nicely with Tagalog towards a capable level. It’s been one year since my first review and afterwards the language evaluator responded, “Uy! Ano ang nangyari sa dating Robert?” - Wow! What happened to the previous Robert? Meaning to say she was both surprised and pleased with my progress.
Language review though is not just about seeing where one is at and how one has progressed but it is also about giving guidance to progress even further. And so while I am quite excited about where I am at and all that I have learned thus far, I feel as though I’ve just been handed another ten sacks of rice. It’s all quite intimidating. Please pray that I will continue to press on, one sack of rice at a time, or better still, one spoonful at a time, and then entrust the results to the Lord.
Other Praise & Prayer:
- Please be in prayer for an upcoming VBS @ Manda Bible Christian Church from April 11-16. We are hoping to have as many as two hundred kids, most of whom are unchurched. Please pray for our time of preparation, for faithful workers, and for good follow-up.
- Praise God for an opportunity to share the word of God in church one Sunday this past month. I preached a message titled “Christ: The Perfect Picture of God’s Faithfulness” from Genesis 9:8-17.
- We are praising God for time we spent this past month with two couples that we previously worked with in Palawan. The Gammelsaeters are back in the Philippines from Norway and the Okeefe’s are one their way back to the States for furthough.
- We are still hoping to visit two different tribal areas in the near future as part of our allocation process. We have also been made aware of a couple of key support roles that need to be filled so please pray for discernment as to what God has for us post NCLA.
- Please continue to be in prayer for Cirena’s sister Josephine who recently underwent a hysterectomy to remove a cancerous tumor. She is now undergoing a month of radiation therapy to remove any remaining cancer cells.
- Finally, please remember us as we look forward to celebrating sixteen years of marriage on April 16th. No big plans but just very grateful to the Lord for bringing us together to serve Him together.
Thank-you all so very much for standing with us in this incredible journey. There is actually a lot more to pray about and be thankful for but we’ll leave you with the above for now. Lot’s of Love.
Tags: Language, Tagalog, Tagalog Idioms, VBS
I’ve Got A Lot of Rice to Eat Still
No, I’m not trying to gain weight. Actually, this is a Tagalog idiom I learned recently. The context in which I first heard this was with regard to Sheila’s mathematics from her tutor. “Marami pa siyang Kakaining bigas.” (She has a lot of rice to eat still.) I understood the words but I had no idea what she meant. I thought to myself, “Is she saying my daughter is skinny? What does that have to do with her learning math?” Seeing the dumbfounded look on my face (which is pretty common for me as I study Tagalog) she politely explained the meaning for me. Its North American counterpart is, “She has a long road ahead of her still…” or “She has a lot to learn still.” By the way, Sheila has improved a great deal since then.
The next Sunday in church someone was complimenting me on the progress I was making in Tagalog so I thought I would practice the usage of this new idiom saying, “Gumagaling na ang Tagalog ko pero marami pa akong kakaining bigas.” (My Tagalog is getting better now but I still have a lot of rice to eat.) Without hesitation the reply came, “Yes, that’s true. But just keep practicing & you’ll get better.”
We are so grateful for the relationships we are building here and for the opportunity for me to come and learn more of this language and culture than I ever thought I would. God may have confused the languages (Gen.11:7-9), but I am also convinced that if we humble ourselves before Him (James 4:10) He will be faithful to allow us to learn that which is not without meaning (1Cor.14:9-10) for His glory.
Praise & Prayer:
Cirena co-hosted MBCC's Couples Night Fellowship
1. Praise God for a great Couples Fellowship Night this past month at Manda Bible Christian Church. Cirena played a big role in helping to organize this event but truly it was the body working together to help make this event a success.
2. MBCC is a member of ABCCOP (Alliance of Bible Christian Communities of the Philippines). We are praising God that recently Smitty was given the opportunity to attend their 38th Natl. Convention along with another member of the church.
3. We are praising God too for how Sheila has progressed so quickly with her mathematics since we hired a tutor for her to help get her caught up. We have seen a marked improvement in her ability and confidence.
Smitty and other members of MBCC were recently confirmed as members of the Ministerial Council for 2011.
4. With our pastor at MBCC having resigned recently, this has meant a great deal of extra effort on the part of its members. Please pray for us as we do our part to help see the church “Still Growing, Still Going in 2011” as per our theme for the year.
5. On the home front, please be in prayer for Cirena’s sister Josephine in Albuquerque who recently underwent a hysterectomy to remove a cancerous tumor the size of an orange. She is recovering nicely and praise God, additional biopsies found no other cancer.
6. Please pray for continued progress in Tagalog and for wise discernment as to where we might serve beyond National Culture and Language Acquisition. For now we are grateful to serve within the local church but we remain steadfast in our desire to make disciples among the unreached people groups of the Philippines.
Tags: ABCCOP, Tagalog Idioms
New Year, New Opportunities!
Dear Praying Partners,
Another year has come to an end and another year has begun. As we look to the Lord in 2011 we are both excited and curious about what the future holds. A new year with new opportunities. A preliminary look at National Culture & Language Acquisition says I should be finished by the end of June. Please keep the following in prayer for 2011:
1. Pray that I could finish well and continue to make the necessary progress in language over these next six months. It’s been exciting to learn as much as I have already and to have opportunities to get out and use it. It still feels though like I have a long way to go.
2. We have plans to visit three N. Luzon tribal works in need of partners in early March. Please pray that our Helicopter Flight Program will be up and running by then so as to limit travel time and increase time in the villages with the people. We will need approx. 2hrs of flight service.
3. Please pray for a continued increase of our support in 2011. We are grateful for all that already give faithfully and for the new financial partners we have added just recently. Our current support level is near 53% with other expenses supplemented from savings & other benefits.
4. Please keep in mind Sheila Marie’s homeschooling. She has done well in all subject areas except for Math and so we have recently made the decision to hire a private tutor for her. Praise God for a wonderful yourng Christian gal from church willing to work with her.
5. Pray for our time at Manda. Bible Christian Church. The pastor there for the past 7yrs. has recently resigned his position for a period of rest and to seek other opportunities from the Lord. We are trusting God to bring the right man to continue leading the church.
6. Please pray for patience as we wait on the Lord for His timing and for wise counsel in helping us to discern future ministry options. We continue to prepare ourselves for tribal ministry but we also realize that we have gifts that may be better suited for filling support roles.
Thanks so much for standing with us as we wish you all a joyous New Year with new opportunities, as we continue to serve the Lord together, and for His blessings on all He has in mind for each one of us.
Robert, Cirena & Sheila Marie Smith
Making Disciples in the Philippines
New Tribes Mission