Isnag Ministries Foundation: Update from Nard in Dibagat

The team of 8 made it to Dibagat by helicopter on schedule the 16th of March except for two who got in the 17th. I got in on the 18th. When we arrived in Dibagat, Reggie already had the walls on one side of the church removed, trusses jacked up and forms being made for the columns. By Monday March 19 the first 5 columns were poured and beam forms made! The work progress very well, and as soon as the columns forms were removed the blocks were installed, window frames and it was going like clockwork. The team of Isnags along with ours worked very well together and by Friday we had done both the church sides and then Saturday they poured the columns on the front side of the church. There are 8 guys left in Dibagat along with Rudy Barlaan and will be completely done by Thursday and will be in Tuguegarao by Friday and fly to Manila by Sunday and on schedule. The Lord provided safety and continues to do, but more than anything else the team is learning a lot from one another! God is at work among all those who are in Dibagat and those that came to help. We were blessed!

Reggie and I were supposed to fly out on Sunday morning but the weather had deteriorated in Dibagat, so by 10 am on Sunday we flew by canoe down the river and in Kabugao by 12 noon, and a van was waiting for us and by 1pm we drove to Tuguegarao and arriving at our hotel by 5pm in time to have supper with my oldest sister Emma and youngest sister Merlina at the hotel we were staying along with the New Tribes helicopter pilot and his family! What a great time of fellowship. Reggie and I just got in Manila where I am sending this message to you all. Reggie leaves tomorrow evening for home while I have meetings in Manila beginning tomorrow noon until Saturday, and waiting for the rest of the team to arrive on Sunday April 1. We will all be departing April 3rd for home.

Will put some pictures on the blog and hopefully you can see the progress as well! Thanks for continuing to pray!

Nard and Reggie

Getting ready to fly to Dibagat from Tuguegarao -- Brian, Nard and Karl

Approaching Dibagat!

Looking at church - big building west side wall are out!

A very happy youngest brother Francis with younger sister
Benita following behind along with all the relatives in Dibagat!

Our team of 10 had the shovel resting since it was Sunday for lunch!
Sitting down - left to right -- Nolan, Karl, Reggie, Ben, James, Chris and Jim --
standing -- Nard, Jeremy, Vernon and Mark Pugyao