Donovan and Charla Epp were thankful for prayer as they travelled back to their tribal home among the Agta people in the Philippines and settled into life.
Arriving in early November, their son Zane and his special friend joining them just days later, they spent one week in Manila where they attempted to adjust to the new time zone. They squeezed in medical and multiple dentist appointments. However, they are thankful to be able to have access to such care, a reminder of how much the Philippines is home.
After a day’s delay due to a typhoon, they were able to take the twelve-hour bus trip northeast to the nearest mission base to their village. The typhoon did not develop into the super typhoon it was threatening. However, throughout the night as they travelled, they could see some of the damage and flooding that it did cause.
Before they flew into the village, they focused on supply buying and weighing all the cargo. The helicopter is limited by weight, so decisions had to be made on priority. They are thankful for the team there who make everything happen, from supply buyers, to guest house hosts, to pilots and their wives, and it was great for them to see everyone again.
Their house in the village is showing its age, but the rats don’t seem to mind. It took quite a bit of time and energy to reclaim their house from the pests and the elements. There were leaks that needed to be fixed, power issues and water issues. Reconnecting with the village people happens quickly, with the first cup of coffee, and catching up and hearing the constant chatter of kids playing under their house was wonderful.
Donovan was back teaching under the house right away as the Agta gathered to worship together the first Sunday. His faithful Agta partner in lesson preparation and teaching has been living with his wife’s family in another area but moved back in time for church. He led the worship and prayer. The Agta were eager to worship together again.
Recently there was an emergency of a severity they had not seen for some time. A young man in his twenties was travelling alone back to his home and had stopped to make a fire because the rain had been intense and the river was too full to cross. While warming at the fire, he had a seizure and fell into it, severely burning his arm. Due to the weather, he waited for three days before finally getting home. His parents hiked the three hours to where Donovan and Charla live to inquire about flying him out. Thank the Lord the weather cleared (after another two days) so that the helicopter was able to fly in and take him out to seek medical help. The Lord preserved his life as it seemed humanly impossible for him to endure five days of pain and trauma without infection spreading into his body. Pray for him, whilst in hospital and due to infection his arm was amputated.