All Things to All People

The Chieftan - she was so gracious to the team

The first Agta team I visited (Macey, Michelle, Chelsea, and Donnatello) shared with me how amazing it was in their current village because they truly felt like they were members of the village.  Unlike their first two stops, they stayed with a family in the village, so they were always with the people.  This stronger attachment to the people allowed them to build relationships faster, and those relationships ran deeper.  The chieftan of the village was very helpful in welcoming the team and making their presence know in the village.  Soon, Donnatello and Ray, one of the team’s translators, were working with the men during the day, and the girls and Nikki, the other translator and Ray’s sister, were able to fellowship with the women and children before establishing regular bible studies.

One of the best things to do to be well received in another country, region, or even town, is to fully embrace the culture of the town.  Donnatello and Ray made great steps towards the men by working with them.  We all were able to connect with the people through our interest in what they do with the fibers of a plant native to their area. 

Almost everyone in the village makes their living from these plants by harvesting them, stripping the fibers, or weaving them into goods.  One day while we were hiking through the mountains with the chieftan, we met the indigenous people that lived around the village.  After two hours of hiking, she asked if we wanted to visit one more house.  We said yes, of course, and met the people there.  The people who lived in the house asked if we would like to see where the plants were harvested because the area was only a five-minute walk away.  After the five-minute walk turned into a twenty-five-minute walk, we saw men working, gathering the plants.  They let Michelle, Donnatello, Chelsea, and me strip the fibers from the plants.  It was fun to do and a great bonding moment for the team and the people.

Macey learning the trade

The next day, we were walking through the village inviting more people to bible studies, and we saw some women twisting the dark-type of fibers into strands.  They taught Macey how to do it while we watched. 

A weaving machine for the fibers

Nothing shows someone you care about him and his life more than asking him to teach you how he lives.  For these people, those plants are the center of their lives.  By showing interest in their trades, we hopefully began the process of replacing those plants with Christ.