by: Rev. Ptr. Ernie Catanghal
July 1, 2017
“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” [Psalm 100:5]
Just barely three months ago Ptr. Manny Cabcaan and Randy Parisan (KAKAMPI Chairman) of the Iraya Mangyan tribe in Kalansan of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro visited Manila to acquire their community’s very first rice milling machine and right after successfully transporting it to the tribe and installing it in a prepared rice mill barn, we have dedicated the Kalansan Rice Mill to the Lord. And now the two tribal leaders are back again to the city for another blessing from the Lord -the RICE THRESHER MACHINE.
This rice thresher will also be the first for the community where farming is their primary source of food supply. It will be the prerequisite equipment for their farming process as it will produce what the rice mill machine will be processing to produce rice. We are all praying to secure this equipment before the next harvest month which is October but God’s goodness overflows as He answered our prayers months before our projections. Through one participant from our guest mountaineers of OHMC in Kalansan last June, Bro. Glen Ganchua from Calapan City, this project came to reality. It was a surprise indeed because we only had a very brief talk while in the mission center and we never discussed any intention on the project. Yet it is the Lord who touches the good heart and the response came overwhelmingly. Next thing is we are setting up a meeting with him in the supplier’s store in Manila for the proper endorsement to DFCM. With no time to waste, I invited the tribal leaders from Kalansan so that they will be the one to receive the endorsement from our good donor.
July 3, 2017
This is the day that the Lord has made! We met this young man in front of the supplier’s store, our generous brother in Christ all the way from Calapan City who also traveled a long way just to meet us for this purpose. He was all smile as we warmly shake each other’s hands, and after a few introduction we went immediately into our business there -to endorse the purchased rice thresher machine (fully paid) and do a thorough checking and engine test.
Our brand new thresher machine with Bro. Glen Ganchua.
Our 10HP Brigs and Straton gasoline engine for the thresher machine straight from the box.
Waiting for the initial test run.
Checking the mountings on the machine, and it’s just perfect fit.
Doing test run using old newspapers as substitute to actual hays to be shredded by the thresher.
Praise the Lord! The unit is all good and is ready to serve the tribe.
For the last time our Iraya brethren expressing their heartfelt gratitude to God and to Bro. Glen.
July 5, 2017
Through the unwavering support of our friend Alex Gonzales of Caloy Gonzales Paint and Auto Shop we were once again able to secure a transport for the machine to deliver it to Calatagan Batangas where we can meet up the Mangyan’s boat that will ship the thresher to the foot of Mt. Calavite in the island of Mindoro.
Chairman Randy and I with Alex’s company driver, Mon.
As soon as we arrived in our supplier’s store in Manila the machine and the engine was immediately prepared for transport and in in no time we were hitting the highway to Calatagan Batangas.
Our engine being secured with rain protection just in case.
Our machine being loaded at the back of our truck service.
All set to go…
Chairman Randy Parisan during our stop over somewhere along SLEX (South Luzon Express Way).
At the entrance of Calatagan Fish Port in Batangas. We are on standby while checking first if the boat from Kalansan has also arrived, and they have an hour earlier than us.
Our tribesmen who eagerly awaited for us in the port now carefully unloading the blessings for their tribal community.
The Kalansan boys excited with their new farm buddy.
Using bamboo poles to load the machine to the boat.
Loading this machine on the boat is a lot easier than the rice mill we transported last April.
After securing the machine then it was the engine.
After putting some muscles in finally our machine and engine are safely loaded in the boat and are ready to meet the tribe. Our Iraya Mangyan brothers from Kalansan cannot hide their overflowing joy for this gift from the Lord.
As soon as the housing (warehouse) for the thresher machine and other farming equipment is completely constructed alongside our rice mill barn we will be dedicating them to the Lord once again, until then.
Once again thank you OHMC (Phil Felix) for bridging DFCM with people who have heart for our Iraya Mangyans, thank you so much Bro. Glen Guanchua for being the instrument of the Lord for His overflowing goodness to the tribe and may He return the favor to you and your household always. Thank you also Alex Gonzales for always providing us with a transport vehicle, your goodness reaches the heavens. And to you our loving and faithful Father in heaven, all highest thanksgiving and glory belongs to you, and may Your Name be praised in the tribes now and forevermore.
OUR NEXT PROJECT
As heads up this is our third equipment which will complete the whole process in their farming, the one used for land preparation before planting rice… THE HAND TRACTOR. We are also praying for another opportunity to make this project happen.
His goodness overflows!
All glory belongs to our God.
Drops of Faith Christian Missions 