Life of Christian Missionaries in the Badjao Community of Batangas City

It was Holy Thursday when we conducted the outreach in two (2) Badjao Communities in Batangas City. This is part of PCAC mission core to do mission works amongst the tribal group of the Phils. In coordination with The Badjao Christian Church in Cantellon II headed by Pastor Albert Santiago and wife Mommy Helen who are already working in this community for the past thirteen years and with Sis Rachel Bas who is a former missionary to China and Tita Rose who is working in the Wawa Badjao Community.

We left PCAC at 5:00 am, our 1^st stop was at the Jolibee Batangas for the meet up with Sis Rachel, we came in early so we have time for breakfast. When Sis Rachel arrived with her sister, she describe her life as a missionary as “masarap”

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 She recently married a British missionary she met at the field. Her experienced of God’s perfect timing with her financial needs are very encouraging, she was praying for  $350.00 for her tuition fee when a Black American lady missionary she had met for the 1^st time in the café she was working had a chat with her and the next day gave her the exact amount she needed because God had spoken to the lady to bless Sis Rachel. Another incident that required her to pray for $1,000.00 was answered but it was a sacrificial gift from another foreign missionary who was also praying for tuition fee. Though she also experienced hardship in the field such as interrogation by the police, eating spoiled food, delayed financial support, difficulty in the harvest of souls, she only had two (2) converts during her three years in the field.

Ptr Albert was head of a church in Bulacan when God called him to do mission works among the Badjao in Batangas. The couple is independently running the community which started in Malitam where in they had to abandon because the island was slowly being reclaimed by nature. 

We were surprised by the improvement in the lives and community of the Badjaos, the  houses they live in, the concrete church and the education of the children. 

The couple was able to finance the studies of Arlene, (the interpreter) now a licensed teacher. There are other young people who were able to finish 2 yr courses.

We were amazed by  God's signs & wonders manifesting in the lives of these couple working with the Badjao. God sent people , foreign Tribal King, Chinese businessman among others to help finance the building of the school and its tables & chairs, the medical needs of the slip disc of Ptr Albert. The alimango waiting at the door step of their house so that they will have a good meal that day. The big nail that pierced the head of Ptr Albert making his blood spurt out.

The couple also experienced hardship living inside the community such as the sanitation issue, financial support and the tradition of the Badjao. But God is truly faithful that all their needs are met, their strength renewed daily and their health restored.