Igbet: Let the Little Children Come to the Father

by: Tamasen Tervo

“Mayan buntag!” Eli woke up, looking so startled, the children filled the air with laughter. They crowded on the benches along the tables, watching Leona with rapt attention as she told the story of Samuel. She had employed Frat as Eli and little Joshua as Samuel to act. Joshua quickly caught on and played his part beautifully, while Frat continued to make the children giggle. Leona walked among the children, telling them what she wanted them to learn from the story.

The church we were in was made of wooden slats to let the breeze curl through, and it had a beautiful red tin roof, made with donations from the US. The church sits right on the beach. We were in Igbet, at the children’s church that Pastor Bernie and his wife Daisy have started. Daisy teaches the children every Saturday, evidence of that on the walls – an alphabet and Bible verses – and in the children’s quick responses to Leona’s questions. The children also get regularly fed there.

“Remember,” Leona said to the children in closing that afternoon, “God knows your name, and He knows you better than you know yourself.

”But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 19:14

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Cagayan de Oro: Miracle in the City             By: Tamasen Tervo

Her eyes shone, and she smiled, nodding to the music. Frat and Randy were playing for her as she sat on the marble porch on a piece of cardboard, where she had been combing her hair and filing her nails. The porch of the hotel was her home for the night.

Then Dennis was asking her if she wanted to be prayed for. Though the woman’s English was limited, she assented. Dennis laid his hands on her, along with Randy and Gary, and prayed. She was so grateful and appreciative.

Then when we had to leave, I knelt down tying my woven leather bracelet around her brown wrist.

“Pagpalain kayo ng Diyos,” I said. May God bless you. Her face lit up with joy for the small gift, and she thanked me with two besos on one cheek, and one on the other.

God has done great things in Cagayan de Oro! The first night, there was a welcome at the Overcomer’s Christian Fellowship church. We climbed a steep set of stairs through the warm night, a chorus of bugs and waving coconut trees escorting us. The ALCA (Apostolic Lutheran Church of America) team, which was us, of course, was asked to render a song, along with sharing different thoughts. The youth performed a wonderful drama of the disciples healing a leper in Jesus name, and Jesus reminding them to have joy, not because they have such powers, but because their names are written in heaven.

The next day, we had the pastor’s convention in the hotel conference room, where I got to meet several of the youth and help Leona with the children. What a blessing it is to be here!