A New Assignment
A Philippines Bible Worker Story
Editor’s note: The following story comes from one of our Bible Workers in the Philippines. These Bible Workers daily show courage and trust in God despite the potential for danger. We praise God for this simple story that warmed our hearts and inspired us to trust in Him for guidance and protection. The story has been edited for length and clarity.
“Now the Lord said to Joshua: ‘Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.” ––Joshua 8:1
I was doing my work as a Bible Worker, doing activities to nurture church members who were baptized last year. For many weeks I was worshiping in people’s homes and giving Bible studies. Then one day I received an urgent call. I had been given a new assignment. The district Pastor wanted to hold an evangelistic series in a distant village, if the village was friendly enough to let new people in. I was to travel to the village to find out if the people there would welcome an unfamiliar face.
When I heard my assignment, I knew that it was going to be a great challenge. The village is deep in the mountains. No motorbike can reach it; the natives typically use horses or water buffalo to travel anywhere outside the village. The only way for me to reach the village was to walk.
I began the long trek, and as I was walking I was deep in thought. Rumors in the area said that bad people roamed the forests and visited homes to ransack, abuse, and otherwise create trouble for the locals. Because of this, the villagers are wary of strangers, and they are known to be very unfriendly to new faces. Would the villagers mistake me for a rogue troublemaker? Would I be admitted into their village? I was afraid and hesitant, but I had to go. The district Pastor wanted that evangelistic series.
“I had to take courage because I knew God was with me, as He is all the time.”
As I hiked further on, I lifted up my voice in prayer. I asked God to grant me safe passage as I traveled and to allow the villageers to accept me. Then I asked Him to go before me if He wanted the village to be reached by evangelism.
As I neared the village, I began to get nervous. My heart began to pound, but I had to take courage because I knew God was with me, as He is all the time.
And to my surprise, I could see the local people smiling and waving their hands as if they knew me! I smiled back, and slowly my nervousness faded away. With smiles, I greeted the people, and they smiled back. God had answered my prayer. They were friendly enough!
Now, I go to this village every week to bring the message of the Good News of Salvation to these people. Looking back and thinking about this situation, I thank the Lord for His goodness and for giving me the assurance that He was with me. He must want the Gospel preached to these people!
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”––Isaiah 41:10
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ––2 Timothy 1:7
Please keep our Philippines Bible Workers in your prayers as they continue to reach new people in challenging areas.
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