Bob - Philippines

Nickname: Bob

I grew up in a Christian environment - a Christian mother and siblings. Needless to say, I was exposed to the Gospel in church. One of the things I enjoyed about church was the singing, of which until now I love to sing.
I grew up in a mountainous, far flung place in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, in the northern part of the Philippines. In fact, I belong to one of the indigenous groups (Kalanguya - also identified with the head hunting tradition before the Gospel came to our place) in the Philippines. Getting to school for a degree was not an easy thing because of financial difficulties. God has allowed me to finished my Master of Arts, and curently I am enrolled in another Master of Arts program in community development in Manila, Philippines thinking that this will help me maximize the gifts God has given me - to help my villagers and other people.

Though I grew up in a Christian environment, the turning point of having understood the Gospel of salvation came alive in August 1985 in my freshman year in the university when a Campus Crusade for Christ staff member explained to me who and why Christ came on earth. I understood that God wants to use me. I was able to go to a seminary and earn my Master of Divinity degree and pastored in an squatter area for five years and three years in another area, two different churches. Shy person as I was, I grew out from it (still struggling but...going) because I realized that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and I am still learning, trying to grow by His grace.

I am currently involved in an Old Testament translation, helping to translate it into my mother tongue. I am, however, assigned at making a devotional guide for my own people of which I have done about sixty of them already.

I am not an official photographer, but I enjoy taking pictures, trying to capture every beauty of God's wonderful creation - nature and people and odd moments where unexpected scenes pop up. May I be able to shed light through photography, as I enhance my skill in this area of ministry.