Children Learn to Forgive

The summer school combined lessons, games, songs, crafts, and shared meals with the message of Jesus. Children from coastal, island, stilt-house, and mountain communities were reached. Most come from ethnic groups such as the Sama, Tausug, and Yakan.

Although Christian terminology could only be used cautiously in some predominantly Muslim communities, many children's interest grew. They wanted to learn more about Isa Almasi (Jesus, the Messiah) and asked numerous questions about the faith during lessons. Ultimately, 35 young people were baptized, thereby publicly professing their faith in Jesus Christ.

About 150 volunteers, teachers, house church leaders, and other helpers dedicated themselves to the summer school. Despite difficult travel conditions, unpredictable weather, physical exhaustion, and logistical challenges, they experienced God's faithfulness. He provided the teams with protection, strength, unity, and the resources they needed.

The “Salvation Bracelet” was a special help, enabling the children to share the Gospel. As they practiced making and giving away the bracelets, many explained the message of forgiveness, salvation, and God's love to their peers themselves. In this way, they became not only listeners but also ambassadors of the Gospel.

One teacher reported how deeply the lessons had shaped the children's understanding of prayer and forgiveness. After a lesson on forgiveness, two children who had previously been at odds with one another asked each other for forgiveness and prayed together. Other children also shared how what they had learned was affecting their daily lives. One said, “I've learned not to take revenge on those who've hurt me, but to pray for them instead.”