PHOTO BY ERIK TRYGGESTAD
Faith in the Philippines - At Arapal Christian Camp, on the island of Cebu in the Philippines, Christians raise goats, plant vegetables and worship under a wooden pavilion -- the meeting place of a Church of Christ.
Faith in the Philippines - At Arapal Christian Camp, on the island of Cebu in the Philippines, Christians raise goats, plant vegetables and worship under a wooden pavilion -- the meeting place of a Church of Christ.
IN THE PHILIPPINES, a determined minister fights for self-sustainable agriculture to bring his people to prosperity — and salvation.
ANONANG SUR, Philippines — Salvador Cariaga is furious.
The Filipino evangelist carefully places three bottles of liquor across a blacksmith’s anvil, their glass bottoms clinking as rain pours from the thatched roof over his head.
Quietly, he asks their owner, Bebe, to stand on the other side, facing him.
For an eternal moment, raindrops make the only sound.
Normally, Cariaga is all smiles as he touts to anyone who will listen the virtues of goat milk, earthworms and coconut vinegar — all part of life here at Arapal Christian Camp, a sustainable agriculture community he oversees on the island of Cebu.
Just over the hill, a mission team of Texas high school students has finished tearing down Bebe’s ramshackle house and building it back, stronger than before.
Bebe, who struggles with alcoholism, smiled as she stripped wood alongside the students the previous day, making thatch for her new roof. She helped two of the girls from the group make candy from coconuts.
Minutes ago, as Cariaga drove back to camp with supplies, he passed Bebe’s 10-year-old son, carrying the three bottles of whiskey.
ANONANG SUR, Philippines — Salvador Cariaga is furious.
The Filipino evangelist carefully places three bottles of liquor across a blacksmith’s anvil, their glass bottoms clinking as rain pours from the thatched roof over his head.
Quietly, he asks their owner, Bebe, to stand on the other side, facing him.
For an eternal moment, raindrops make the only sound.
Normally, Cariaga is all smiles as he touts to anyone who will listen the virtues of goat milk, earthworms and coconut vinegar — all part of life here at Arapal Christian Camp, a sustainable agriculture community he oversees on the island of Cebu.
Just over the hill, a mission team of Texas high school students has finished tearing down Bebe’s ramshackle house and building it back, stronger than before.
Bebe, who struggles with alcoholism, smiled as she stripped wood alongside the students the previous day, making thatch for her new roof. She helped two of the girls from the group make candy from coconuts.
Minutes ago, as Cariaga drove back to camp with supplies, he passed Bebe’s 10-year-old son, carrying the three bottles of whiskey.
MORE TO THE STORY
IN PICTURES
YOU SHARE
The Chronicle welcomes and encourages feedback that promotes thoughtful and respectful discussion. Letters/comments should be 750 characters or less and may be edited for length or clarity. Comments to the print or online edition are considered to be letters to the editor and may be published.
Do you have a lead on a story that you think might be of interest to readers of The Christian Chronicle? Just complete the form below to submit your idea to our staff. Please use as much detail as possible. If we decide to use your story, someone on staff may contact you at the email address associated with your account for clarification and more information.
Do you have a question for the Chronicle? If you can't find an answer in our Frequently Asked Questions, then this is the place to ask. Please limit your question to 250 characters or less.
ON THIS PAGE
Top Story | Featured Stories | Latest News | Online Exclusives | Elsewhere in News | Your Opinion | Upcoming Events | In Pictures | You Share
Top Story | Featured Stories | Latest News | Online Exclusives | Elsewhere in News | Your Opinion | Upcoming Events | In Pictures | You Share
THE CHRONICLE BLOG
Paul Subhan, leader of 'Gospel for Muslims' ministry in India, dies at 75
By: Erik Tryggestad | 0 comments
Video: Christian youths in Madagascar sing, rap and plead for their friend's life
By: Erik Tryggestad | 1 comments
Churches of Christ assessing needs after deadly tornadoes strike Texas
By: Bobby Ross Jr. | 2 comments
Billie Sol Estes, 'notorious' Texas financier and church member, dies at 88
By: Erik Tryggestad | 9 comments
John Tyson named ninth president of Rochester College in Michigan
By: Bobby Ross Jr. | 7 comments
MAY
17
17
By: Erik Tryggestad | 0 comments
MAY
16
16
By: Erik Tryggestad | 1 comments
MAY
16
16
By: Bobby Ross Jr. | 2 comments
MAY
16
16
By: Erik Tryggestad | 9 comments
MAY
16
16
By: Bobby Ross Jr. | 7 comments
FEATURED STORIES
|
Explosion rocks Texas church AFTER A DEADLY BLAST at a fertilizer plant owned by a church elder, West Church of Christ members rely on faith, prayer and fellow Christians. | |
|
A convicted church IN RURAL OKLAHOMA, congregation finds its calling in prison ministry. |
NEWSLETTER
















