2019 was a year that took me on a special mission to Sitio Quinomay, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, to serve the Indigenous People, also known as “the Mangyans.” It was a four-hour trek from the jump-off point, requiring numerous river crossings. The village, with its 149 households, is tucked away in the mountains, where the Mangyans live a simple life, cultivating what they can on their small plots of land.
A few months after arriving, I started organizing the young people in the church to join me in ministry. A friend from Manila sent me some money for ministry work, so I purchased 50 kilos of rice. With the help of the young people, we divided the rice into two-kilo portions and packed them in plastic bags for distribution. Our goal was to serve those in need in nearby villages, just as Jesus did during His time on earth.
We chose to visit two villages close by: Sitio Kilapnit and Sitio Kulitob, both within Mansalay territory. My team went to Sitio Kilapnit, while the other team went to the other village. We set off at 8am and reached the village around noon after a challenging hike.
In Sitio Kilapnit, we found ten households who desperately needed assistance. My team quickly distributed the rice, knowing it wouldn’t be enough for the entire village. However, we made sure that the ten widowed families received a gift.
The outreach ended with a meaningful and unforgettable experience, both for me and for those who received the gifts. One widow, pictured below, told us that in her lifetime, she had never seen a group of young people intentionally hike for four hours just to deliver a gift of love from Jesus.
In our fast-paced world, we often question God when things don’t go our way. However, the people we met in the mountains are truly qualified to ask those questions. They have so little, yet they are so happy. Most of the time, they only eat one meal a day and are lucky if they manage to eat three times a day with rice.
As one author said, “A simple act of kindness creates a ripple effect.” Let’s learn to extend a helping hand to those in need and experience a joy we’ve never felt before. Try it, my friend, and you’ll be filled with a happiness you’ve never known. God is waiting for you!
Jessie A. Oyangurin
Life coach
Philippines