Learning Tagalog

OMS opened work in the Philippines in 1982 under the leadership of Wesley and Margaret Wildermuth. Bill and Joyce Oden joined them several months later. Originally, the missionaries were not required to learn Tagalog, the heart language of the Filipino language. English was the medium of instruction in the Manila schools and many had a high proficiency in English. However, the policy was reversed when it was realized that they would need to know the language.

A Bible Study

One of the language instructors for the missionaries was a young 19-year-old university student. Opportunities were given to witness to the instructor and soon he gave his heart to the Lord. Through him, the Lord opened doors for the missionaries to have a Bible study in his parent's home. A number of people accepted Jesus from this study. These home meetings led to the founding of a small church, Faith Fellowship, in 1984.