Single And Blooming In The Golden Years
Single And Blooming In The Golden Years
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
The passage above is the life verse of Virgie Daluddong, a 53-year old single missionary of New Tribes Mission Philippines. Virgie Daluddong is my dear friend and prayer partner.
At fifty-three and still single, Virgie is full of dreams and visions for God’s vineyard. Her vision is to be able to establish an Ibanag Christian church in Cagayan and to be able to put up a student center for the youth there.
Virgie Daluddong, presently is one of the tribal missionaries of the New Tribes Mission. She is currently assigned in her hometown in Cagayan where she is currently working for the evangelization and discipleship of Ibanag tribe, a cultural minority in the Philippines.
Virgie as a missionary to the Ibanag tribe is doing a solo flight in the mission field, which is not the usual set-up in New Tribes Mission. Even though without a partner in reaching out for the Ibanag tribe, she is not hampered by this circumstance. Presently Virgie is reaching out for four families of about fifteen members in her hometown Cagayan, northern part of the Philippines. After two years of ministering there, she was able to establish three Bible studies, one for the young people, one for the children and one for women. She is still in the process of establishing a fellowship out of these three bible study groups. She is just living by faith and she receives only a minimal financial support of four thousand per month or about one hundred dollars from her few faithful ministry supporters.
In 1998 up to 2003, she was assigned to Palawan (southern part of LuzonIsland ) by the New Tribes Mission and did evangelism and discipleship outreaches there. When I asked Virgie, what burdened her to do a tribal ministry, according to her, the Lord spoke to her about doing tribal mission during one of her personal devotions. The Lord is putting impressions on her mind, “the children in the tribes.” Because of these impressions, Virgie was prompted to enter the New Tribes School of Mission in 1995 up to 1997.
Prior to New Tribes Mission, Virgie Daluddong had tried also other Christian ministries. She became Christian Education directress of several Christian churches in the southern part of Manila .She became also a campus ministry worker of the Living Circle, the campus ministry of Grace Bible Church, a fundamentalist church in Manila which is my mother church. Virgie completed her BS Religious Education degree at GraceBibleSchool.
I asked Virgie what is the most trying moment of her life ? According to her the most trying moment in her life happened in 2006, when all her financial supporters stopped giving her support for her ministry. During those times, although all her financial supporters ceased from supporting her, the Lord has not forsaken her. During those difficult times, she was receiving pockets of financial help from unknown sources one week at a time.The Lord has proven His faithfulness to Virgie during those trying times.. ..
Then I asked her if she has moments of loneliness since she is still a single person. According to her, she has no lonely moments She enjoys the people and the ministry.
By the way, Virgie in her golden years is blessed with a new and exciting ministry. This is the Radio ministry of DZAS-FEBC for the Ibanag tribe entitled “Bata Man Kami.” This is a Bible story in Ibanag language and Virgie plays the role of a storyteller. It will be broadcast this coming May, 2010.
Truly Virgie Daluddong can do all things through Christ. I am very much encouraged by Virgie’s faith and her zeal for the ministry. Even though alone in the mission field with very minimal financial support , she is not hindered from obeying her master, the Lord Jesus. Her visions keep on burning. She is indeed a living example of a true disciple of the Lord JesusChrist, one who is faithful to the Great Commission.
Virgie Daluddong, in her golden years, remain steadfast and persevering in the Master’s business. For me, she is a shining inspiration.
