Isolated deep in the mountains of the Philippines is a pastor who has faithfully given his life to serve the Isneg people, an unreached tribe. Slowly, a few people in his village, Lapat, have come to know the love of the Lord. Over 20 years ago, the small congregation started construction of their own church building, built block-by-block by the sacrificial donations from their members. Twenty years later, it has a roof and a floor, but still remains unfinished.

Strategically located at the entrance to 4 other remote villages of this tribe, the church in Lapat serves as a light to many more unreached people. We see this church building as not only helpful for the congregation in Lapat, but as a mission base to reach out to the other 4 Isneg villages. This will be a place that can host mission teams, evangelistic concerts, and medical outreaches, to reach this whole region with the love of God.

We would like to bring this 20-year building project to completion. This February, we will bring a team to help complete this building. Because of the nature of this trip, space is limited to 3 team members. Please let us know if you are interested by January 3rd.

Trip Dates: February 23 - March 9,  2011
Trip Cost: $2000
Trip confirmation deadline: January 23rd with a $200 deposit

Tentative Trip schedule
Wednesday, February 23	- leave Charlotte Douglas at about 6am (flight times are approximant)
Thursday, February 24	- Arrive in Manila about 11pm
Friday, February 25	- Rest in Manila
Saturday, February 26	- 7 -8:40am flight to Tuguegarao, drive to Padawan, hike to Lapat
Sunday, February 27	- Church in the morning, afternoon rest and visit
Monday, February 28	- Construction begins
Saturday, March 5	- Construction ends
Sunday, March 6	- Church in the morning, afternoon rest and visit
Monday, March 7	- Finish last details, Afternoon hike out, drive to Tuguegarao
Tuesday, March 8	- Fly to Manila morning , afternoon rest
Wednesday, March 9	- Fly to Charlotte and arrive at about 7pm

This village is very remote, and with the Gospel being so young, and life being so challenging, this mission trip is of a different nature than most. It is imperative that the team that goes is prepared both spiritually and physically. This trip will require you to make a 2-3 hour hike with all of your personal belongings on your back. While in the village, you will stay in the local Pastor's home. The beds in this village are made of bamboo slats, without mattresses. The food that is served is all grown, caught, or harvested from the village. Meals of rice, whole fish, eel, chicken, wildly grown greens and bananas are typical. All of the food is safe and well prepared, although very different than what you are accustomed to. It is imperative that you eat everything you are served. Baths are taken in an outhouse with a bucket of clean, cool spring water.

The building constructed will be a concrete structure and almost everything will be done entirely by hand. The concrete will be carried in on men’s backs and the cement blocks will be build by hand before the team arrives. The opportunity for the Gospel here is huge. God is opening a door to the souls of this tribe. We would be honored for you to join us on this mission.

“Our God of grace often gives us a second chance, but there is no second chance to harvest a ripe crop.”
Kurt von Schleicher