Author: Ryan Vanderboegh
5/27/26
Today, like most days on Mindoro, we are up with the sun and getting ready for another day of exciting ministry. We traveled by car/van for an hour or so to the river where our hike began. With some traveling by foot and some on a cart pulled by Carabao (aka water buffalo), we hiked through jungle terrain which crossed the river multiple times before arriving to Ambang, a village inhabited by the Iraya tribe (a group of Mangyans or tribal people on Mindoro). Here we served by helping with a medical clinic and also with a basketball clinic.
The Mangyans suffer many health disparities due to poor access to healthcare. The Behman’s make monthly trips to this village to help provide care and more importantly share the love of Christ. Jesus used healing as a means to share truth and medicine is a beautiful tool for the gospel. We saw this firsthand today with our clinic in Ambang.
In every corner of the Philippines, basketball is a beloved sport and many enjoy volleyball as well. Our team has the unique opportunity to connect with both lowlanders and tribal people through basketball and volleyball. By sharing these sports we open the doors to sharing something so much greater, the truth of God’s word.
One of our team members, Abby, celebrated a birthday today. We had fun sharing a meal together and then enjoying a local made birthday cake to celebrate. A birthday to remember for sure!
