A unique mission indeed!

We visited the pure natives of Davao del Sur, the “Bilaan.” Most of them are converts of “Kristohanon” a local sect founded by some Protestants who separated from the group, and started a local teachings and interpretation of the Bible. Then, Fr. Pierre Samson, a PME priest from Quebec, Canada, (the PME Fathers were then in charge of the Diocese of Digos), started a mission to help them become literate, improve their health and livelihood. He started a dormitory for children where he taught them how to read and write. Most of the Bilaans are illiterate but their children are now attending schools. 15-20 percent of the population are Catholics. At the time of our visit, the elders or most of their parents still do not know how to read and write. This is what the priests of the diocese refer to as “Parish Mission Community.”

Last March 15-17,2014, Srs. Rica, Konsol, Elpie and an LMP visited this place called: Little Baguio, Malita, Davao del Sur for a “Share a Bible mission “. More than a hundred young people, attended the seminar with the exception of 20 adults, who are the catechists of the community.

 

According to Fr. Santos Villahermosa, the parish priest, we have to equip the young (high school) literate students because they are the new evangelizers. The elders in their Gagmay’ng Kristohanon Katilingban (GKK) – are very eager to know about Jesus and so they usually listen to their children telling stories about him. Their enthusiasm is so great that as soon as they hear a bible story, they relay it immediately to their neighbors.

This is indeed unique, because while most catechists is other parishes are adults, even elderly, the new evangelizers in this community are the young. A total of 87 Bibles were given to the young who promised to read the Bible and to share it with their elders and with everyone.