Interview with Kuya Ron Ron
Q: Where are you from originally, and what is your tribe or background?
I’m from Davao City on Mindanao. My tribe is Ilonggo—pure Ilonggo and I speak Ilonggo, I understand Ilonggo, and also Cebuano. So I speak both.
Q: How did you first hear about Jesus?
I grew up in a Christian family. My dad was a deacon and sometimes he preached in the church. My mom is a Christian too. So from a young age, I already knew Jesus Christ because of my family and the community.
But I accepted Jesus personally when I was 13 years old, it was May 15, 2007 during Vacation Bible School. After that, around 15 years old, I really started to follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior, to understand more deeply, not just knowledge but a real relationship.
Q: What led you to become a missionary and end up where you are now?
Actually, it was not my prayer to go here. I didn’t plan this. I just prayed, “Lord, what is Your plan for my life?”
I worked a secular job, under a national telephone service provider. But when I was working, I realized something was wrong. My work was affecting my worship life, it was starting to change. My spiritual life was stagnant. So I asked the Lord, “What is happening to me?” and I quit. After that, I studied at BOOST (Baptist Out Of School Training) in Mindanao. I am a BOOST alumni, and my dad was the former director of MBRLC (Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center). Many of my friends also studied at BOOST.
Then the association was praying about this area here in Bicol. I was not on the list of people to be sent. But they prayed, “Whoever accepts, whoever is willing to go and check the area,” and I was the one who responded. So Pastor Steve and Kuya Jethro brought me here.
There was nothing here that time—just a small house, Kuya Joshua’s house. Pastor Steve said, “You will go here. You will do missions here.” I said, “Whaaat?” That was two years ago. Now, I’ve seen how God has changed this place. The Lord is so great. Until now, He has supported me.
The Lord is so great to me, until now he has supported me
Everyday is a miracle for me, even through what is happening in the area.
There are so many neglected people here. They are called “the neglected,” even the government neglects them. And I asked the Lord, “Why did I neglect them?” They have brains, they have hearts, they have spirits, they have souls.
Even in Mindanao, there are neglected people. But here it’s different. My perspective changed.
Now when I go home, I will share that even the neglected people are loved by God. They have hearts and they love God too.
Q: What’s the hardest part of working cross-culturally, even within the Philippines?
The culture. The way you talk to people, the way they understand what you share. Only the Lord knows what will happen.
It’s only three days away from Mindanao but everything is different here—the food, the life, the relationships, the language, even the beliefs here are different.
Cross-cultural ministry is really the frontline of the mission. It’s very hard. Spiritually, it’s a battle also.
Q: What keeps you going when things get difficult?
The Lord always responds to me with comfort. He always gives me peace. All the problems- “this is you Lord, I don't know what will happen tomorrow”
And when I share Jesus and someone says, “Yes, I want to hear that,” or “I accept Jesus,” that is the joy that keeps me going. That’s what a missionary lives for.
Q: What advice do you have for others preparing for cross-cultural missions?
Pray. Pray and pray. And always talk to God. Even when I’m driving, I say, “Thank You Lord for this day, thank You for what is happening in my life.”
Also, study your Bible. Make your Bible on your brain, memorize, understand the story, understand the way you understand the Bible and be prepared!
Q: How can people pray for you right now?
Please pray for more missionaries here in Bicol. The harvest is here, but the laborers are few. The people are ready, but we are lacking missionaries. Pray, “Lord, send more!”
Luke 19:10 says, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”
People are strongly rooted in their beliefs, but they are lost. Sometimes people make mistakes and they feel “oh we’re alone” or “I'm not like you, I'm not a pastor's kid, I'm not a Christian”
But the Lord came here not for the people who are good, He came for the people who are lost and don’t even know yet and don’t understand what the bible is really telling them.
Q: Did any missionaries impact your life personally?
Yes, the Watsons. They discipled my parents. Because of them, I saw the greatness of the Lord in my parents. I wanted to be like them. Without the help of the Lord through them, I would not be here.
You don’t go, it doesn’t happen.
Q: Last thoughts
To God be the glory. It’s not me—it’s the Lord’s message. I’m just the one He sent.