Bill Bunkley On Mission In The Philippines
by Bill Bunkley
When I learned that I would be traveling to the Philippines to witness the awesome spread of the Gospel by Bible League International in Southeast Asia, it must be acknowledged that I only had two major reference points to this part of the world: the Philippine's connection to World War II/Vietnam era and the many products I have purchased through the years labeled "Made in the Philippines".
Geographically, one doesn't get much farther away from the home base here in . But being a history buff, the role the Philippines played in the events of World War II were foremost in my mind especially in light of an important connection the region has to the Bunkley family.
That connection lies in the close proximity of the chain and during WWII my father was stationed on the small island with the Army Air Corps. Canton Island was an important refueling stop for aviation operations in the Pacific Theater, which included the . Since my father's passing when I was a teenager, it has been my desire to visit the island and to date this trip is the closest I have come.
Upon arrival in , it was evident that the Bible League International Headquarters Staff were extremely proud of their long standing ministry outreach to their country. The population in the is in excess of 90 million people; making them the 12th most populated country in the world. This is clearly demonstrated each day by the extreme traffic jams of Jeepneys (buses) and motorized trikes. In 2008 alone, over 800,000 people completed a Bible League International Bible Study course. That alone is a need for 800,000 Bibles.
Greeting us in country was tropical storm winds and monsoon rains. Travel to our first ministry stop in was hampered by severely flooded streets. I learned rather quickly about the perils of walking in the these rain swollen areas when I unknowingly stepped into a three foot submerged drain opening while walking into the first church. Although bruised, scratched and soaked, my resolve to move on was no less diminished.
What I would see in the next two hours, and the remainder of that rain soaked afternoon, would impact my life forever.
After donning knee-high water resistant boots, our team made its way to a public cemetery. What unfolded before my eyes is almost unexplainable. Here the Bible League International church supported pastors are ministering to scores of poor homeless families that live in the tombs of the cemetery and in makeshift shanties. All of the tombs are above ground due to the high water table next to the ocean.
Among the darkness we were encouraged by the light of the Gospel. Several residents are members of the house church located in the cemetery. It is these and others who will come to know Christ in the future who desperately need a copy of God's Word. It is for them and others like them that we had come to the , to bring their story back home so we, who are blessed in , could send Bibles to these seemingly forgotten people.
Later in the day we visited a Bible League International sponsored church that ministers to the scores of river squatters living in shanties above the water; as well as a second church who ministers to the poor and homeless living in the city dump. Abject poverty is everywhere. There are essentially no government services for these people. No schooling. It is with the help of Bible League International church planters that these lost souls are being reached with the redemptive message of Truth!
Another of the many Bible League International operations required that we head south for a five hour trip, first by bus and then by ferry to the . Upon arrival, we were once again met by torrential rains. Our goal was to visit three different indigenous tribal churches of the Mangyan people. As we began our travel inland we were met by massive flooding. Several sections of the highway had been washed out and travel to some of our target areas became impossible. Because of our delays we ventured directly to the drop off point where we would leave our vans and hike to the back country to overnight in a primitive village with no electricity or running water.
Hiking in mud and driving rain proved difficult for the team but we made it to the village. There we spent an incredible night among an entire of 's who have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. We worshiped with them both upon our arrival and at their daily 4:00AM first dawn church service! They spend one hour together each morning in intercessory prayer. Though we could not understand the language of their prayers, there was no doubt that the spirit of Lord was in that place.
It was indeed a night to remember as we slept side by side in one of the village huts listening to the chickens, pigs, goats and the village water buffalo who all wanted come into out hut to get out of the rain.
Precious was the sound during the night of a mother singing to her cyring baby to sleep. It was a sweet memory I will not soon forget.
Pray for the Mangyan's as many more of their people will be reached by the Bible League International Church Planters.
Three islands later I wish I could note all of the stories and testimonies from our trip but they are too numerous to tell. I must share, however, one last story about my new friend Jonathan. Jonathan's mother attempted to abort him. The abortion was botched and Jonathan was born but not before the abortionist's knife severely sliced both hands. He was born handicap yet he has overcome it with the help of the Lord Jesus Christ. With his deformed hands he has learned to play the guitar and sing praises unto the Lord. There was not a dry eye among the team members when he ministered to us in song. At one point in his life he contemplated suicide but was ministered to by the sharing of the Gospel and today he is part of the Bible League International Church Planting team. He is reaching his people for Christ but he needs our help in supplying Bibles.
The needs are great but we know we serve a great God. Each of my Philippine experiences was a rich reminder of not only how blessed we are here in America, but how essential it is for us to use the resources God has entrusted us with; and to carry out his will to go to the nation's and preach the Gospel. It is my prayer that we will be faithful to his Word.
Originally published September 29, 2009.
