Loakanian's Journal: September 2015

Second visit at Cobabeng year 2011

"Sitio Cobabeng" is a rural place where evidences of economic advances and development of the country is hardly ever seen. The natives here live a simple life, but hard-up on their livelihood. Most of the people have no stable source of income, a probable reason why some would rather look for greener pasture on other places. The place have a small elementary school, catering to approximately 80+ number of kids. It is a 2 hours ride away from the known city called Baguio. But even with these circumstances, the gospel of Jesus Christ reached this place.

Ptr. Caroy teaching at Daclan

The fellowship of believers at Cobabeng started off when Ptr. Huberto Caroy, along with his wife, started going to "Daclan" and to other churches in Benguet as pulpit supply year 2010. At first, they met Mrs. Rowena Binaldo (former Rowena Tino) at Daclan. Then afterwards, met Mrs. Remy Diaz, who is residing at Apalan, a sitio / place along the road going to Daclan. Both already acquainted with Ptr. Caroy before the killer quake of 1990 and both having families and relatives at Cobabeng.

Apalan Bible Study early years

When Ptr. Caroy was relieved from other schedules of preaching at other Benguet churches except for Camp 6 and Daclan, by faith, Ptr. Caroy started to have bible studies at Apalan by the month of August 2010. With the help of some colleagues in the ministry and support of individuals, Ptr. Caroy pursued to evangelize and start a fellowship at Apalan, 45 minutes ride away from Baguio City. Soon, the ministry grew and the desire to reach the people at Cobabeng started to flicker.

Monday morning coming from the first visit to Cobabeng

With the request of Mrs. Binaldo and Mrs. Diaz, coupled with prayer, a one-Sunday-a-month bible study started at Cobabeng, March 6, 2011, just after the Bible study at Daclan. The first bible study at Cobabeng was held at the house of Tino Family, Mrs. Rowena's family. It was a memorable one, since it rained and the van used as transportation wasn't able to run through the muddy road of Cobabeng. Some tried to push the van, but end up being splattered with mud. Ptr. and Mrs. Caroy, along with some companions, had to stay for the night, due to the strong rain and muddy road. Whereas, some, who had next day appointments, had to walk 30-40 minutes in order to reach the highway and commute back to Baguio City. On the positive side, an evening bible study was held and some folks who were not present on the afternoon bible study was able to join in. The next day, they travelled back to Baguio City.

Sunday school held at a hut near the school

The one-Sunday-a-month bible study have been difficult for Ptr. Caroy and his companions, due to some of these reasons: the 2-hour ride distance from home, the muddy and landslide-prone roads and lack of financial support. Ptr. Caroy had to stop for a while going to Cobabeng, due to the fact that only a few individuals were financially supporting him. He was limited to holding Bible studies at Apalan only. But soon afterwards, he was absorbed as a missionary pastor of Loakan Baptist Church on April 2011. With this, the ministry at Apalan grew and the one-Sunday-a-month bible study at Cobabeng was resumed along with Sunday School for kids.

The ministry at Cobabeng still had its difficulties because even with Loakan Baptist Church's support, the distance and the road are still obstacles, especially when it rains. Furthermore, Ptr. Caroy's ministry grew bigger and wider. The believers at Apalan grew in number and places nearby are also being reached by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It also branched-out a new fellowship of believers in another area called "Gumatdang". Therefore managing / pioneering two churches or fellowship on different places while continuing the once-a-month bible study in Cobabeng became tedious. With this, there is a need to call for a full-time, faithful and God-sent laborer in God's harvest field to help build-up these new group of believers as a church. But currently, God has not yet provided or answered "Yes" on our prayers for this matter. Instead, He has provided volunteers, drivers with vehicles, deacons and pastors willing to temporarily help through pulpit supply on these outreaches.

Gumatdang Christian Fellowship

Throughout the ministry, there were ups and downs, challenges and triumphs. But praise the Lord, He continued to enable and provide people in order for the ministry at Cobabeng to continue. This year 2015, 3 individuals professing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, followed the Lord Jesus Christ through water baptism. And, Ptr. Huberto Caroy made the once-a-month to twice-a-month bible study. The Bible study from the house of Tino family was transferred to Mrs. Editha's house, due to house renovation. But also moved the children's sunday school previously held at the school's stage and huts to the wide grassy area where a single pine tree serves only as shade. This becomes a difficulty specially when rain comes. Consequently, they seek shelter and ask permission on someone else's houses. Because of this, the believers at Cobabeng desires to have their own chapel and not simply rely on residential houses which cannot cater to their growing number. Currently there are approximately 20-30 adults who join the Bible study, while 20-50 kids join the Sunday School.

In response to this desire, a 1,145 sq.m. lot was offered worth P229,000 in the area and a fund raising campaign was started at the month of May. It was initially negotiated that the amount should be paid by October, but as of now [September 10, 2015] only half of the amount was raised through solicitations. Nevertheless, the believers are still praying and believing that God will provide the need. And that if there be an excess of the fund, it is planned to convert it as building fund. And by God's grace, start building the first chapel in the sitio of Cobabeng.