Our hearts were saddened and challenged anew as there were two funerals in our village this week.
We were saddened as we saw the false hope that many have of rescuing their loved ones from eternal punishment by praying for them after their death. We were saddened to see our Agutaynen friends living in fear of doing the "wrong" thing after someone dies.
– It is forbidden to sweep for at least nine days, for the house of the deceased and their neighbors.
– It is forbidden to remove “leaf shingles” from the roof of anyone’s home for at least nine days, possibly up to two months. 
– It is forbidden for the cross bearer, that leads the funeral procession, to look back during the procession.
– It is forbidden to build the coffin too big.
– It is forbidden to use the wood or nails that are left from building the coffin.
If any of these forbidden things are done, it is said that someone else will die. The above list is not complete. There are many more things that are also forbidden following a death.
As you can see, the Agutaynens live in fear.
We were challenged anew:
– to be God’s vessels for His glory;
– to trust in Him for the strength and ability to learn this language and culture;
– to trust in Him for His timing for the presentation of the Gospel message;
– to show His love to the Agutaynens in our daily lives.
Thank you all for your faithful prayers for us and the Agutaynens.