As 14 students from our mission school and adult school wound their way down the mountains and through the river, their hearts beat faster with nervous excitement. They were going to a public school in the foothills to take a screening test to see if they knew Tagalog well enough to take the final exam for elementary school in October. We had learned only the week before that this test would be available on a day other than Sabbath, so our students had little time to prepare.

As it turned out, only seven students passed the screening, but, in the process, we learned some encouraging things. First of all, the officials conducting the screening were impressed by all of our students and surprised at their facility and speed in math and Tagalog.

In the past, school officials seemed to have some animosity against us and made efforts to control our school. But this time, when representatives from the department of education made a surprise visit into the mountains to inform us of the upcoming exam, they were quite amiable and supportive of what we are doing.

Two weeks ago, they took Sublitu, our star student, to Bagio. They pampered him for a week at a conference of literacy workers and helped him prepare a talk, which he gave to an audience of more than 2,000 people. He was very nervous, but he focused his efforts on giving a clear witness of the value of missionary work among his people and how God has made such a difference in his life and helped him in his business.

The seven students who passed the screening test are intently preparing for this exam with the help of our missionary team. Six students are excited to be the charter class in the first Palawano high school ever. There have been tremendous challenges in getting this off the ground, and it will be a miracle of God’s grace when we begin classes September 21. Please pray that the Lord will send us the teachers and materials we need to operate a quality high school patterned after His design—work and study. Our dream is that this high school will outfit young Palawanos to work for their people, instill in them desire and skill for soul-winning, and expand their imaginations of what God can do in them and through them. Through this high school, we pray the Lord will give them a hope and a future. Keep watching for updates as the Lord provides for us in this challenging adventure of faith.

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