 |
Name : | Rev. B. Fred Balintay |
| Country : | Philippines | |
| Native language : | Zambal | |
| Work Position : | Senior Pastor | |
|
Work |
When Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991 in one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century, the Aeta people who had been living in the vicinity were violently displaced. Thousands of Aeta were moved to different resettlement areas, scattering their tribe. Through the resettlement arrangements each family was given a small parcel of land to use to build a home and raise food. Before the eruption the Aeta had gathered food in the forests in which they lived, and were ill prepared for farming. As the Senior Pastor for the inter-denominational Pinatubo Bethel Christian Church, a part of Rev. Balintay’s ministry is to help his people adjust to their transition from the mountains of the Philippines to a life a farming, and has started a training center for leadership and agricultural. Although he was not trained as a farmer himself, Rev. Balintay has done his best to arrange agricultural workshops. He feels, however, he needs to further his own learning in livestock, crop production, and community development. At the Asian Rural Institute he will study sustainable agricultural methods that will be a tremendous benefit to the Aeta people.
|
|
|
Sending Organization |
The Pinatubo Bethel Christian Church was started only five years ago with three Aeta leaders. Through hard work they have grown, and now have twenty Pastors, all of whom belong to the Aeta tribe. Their ministry is founded on providing for the province of Zambales through equipping effective leaders to build up God’s Kingdom. The church hosts an inter-denominational training center which offers classes in agriculture, livestock and leadership. The training center currently has three staff members but hopes to expand to include more specialized training, such as income generating skills like making jam for sale. Both the church and the training center serve the displaced Aeta Tribe, helping them to secure a brighter, more stable future.
|