By Joan Castor, LPT
The Grace Church of Houston Missionary Team, together with CPU coordinators and members of the Indigenous community, gathered for a group photo during the outreach activity in Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City.
On August 4, 2026, the Grace Church of Houston Mission Team conducted an outreach activity for the Ati Community of Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City. The team was joined by outreach coordinators from Central Philippine University. The activity aimed to share faith, offer support, and build strong connections with the indigenous community.
The Ati community warmly welcomed the visitors. A total of 27 indigenous students, from elementary to junior high school, gathered at the venue. These students were enrolled at Iloilo River Plains Integrated School. They came with their families to take part in a simple yet meaningful program and gift-giving activity.
The program started with an opening prayer led by one of the missionaries. The prayer was spoken in English and translated into Hiligaynon by Pastor Rodmar Lilia so everyone could understand. After the prayer, Prof. Sarex D. Dipol, Jr., Director for the Community Engagement and Service-Learning Center, gave a short message. He shared words of encouragement and welcomed everyone to the activity.
A praise and worship session followed, led by Ms. Jane Fotiades. The atmosphere became joyful as participants sang together. The students from the indigenous group of Iloilo River Plains Integrated School also performed an intermission number. Their presentation brought smiles and added energy to the gathering.
One of the highlights of the program was the storytelling and reenactment of the Bible passage from Ephesians 6:10–18, known as “The Armor of God.” This presentation showed the importance of faith, truth, and righteousness. It reminded everyone that God’s protection and guidance are needed every day. The story helped the participants understand how they could stay strong in their faith and face life’s challenges with courage.
After the presentation, the students joined a simple activity related to the story. They actively participated and showed great joy while working with the missionaries. The activity allowed them to express what they learned in a fun and engaging way.
A prayer for lunch was then offered, and a meal was shared among all participants. This moment gave everyone time to talk, laugh, and build stronger relationships. After the meal, a gift-giving activity was held outside the venue. Each family received gifts from the mission team. These gifts brought happiness and hope to the community.
The outreach activity created a strong impact on both the visitors and the Ati community. Through praise and worship, participants expressed their gratitude and deepened their relationship with God. The storytelling and reenactment helped them understand the message of faith in a clear and meaningful way. The gift-giving showed love, care, and generosity in action.
Overall, the activity was not only enjoyable but also meaningful. It strengthened faith, built unity, and encouraged values such as kindness, truth, and love. It was a clear reminder that simple acts of service can bring lasting change to a community.