Celebrate

Albert Castelijn—Banwaon New Testament dedication

“Grab your Bibles. It’s time to leave for church!” How many times has that echoed through your house on a Sunday morning?

Well, now, for the first time in history, the Banwaon people of the Philippines can hear the same in their jungle houses when it’s time for the believers to gather. For the first time ever, they have the completed New Testament in their own language.

March 26 was, in Lynne Castelijn’s words, “one of the best days of my entire life. I can't even begin to describe it.”

Lynne and her husband, Albert, have labored for years among the Banwaon people. In the last few years, Albert, along with his Banwaon translation helpers, has spent countless hours to complete the translation of the New Testament in the Banwaon language. November 27, 2023, Lynne posted the great news: “Finished! Complete! Checked! Approved!”

Then came detailed read-throughs and proofreading, including an audio recording of the entire New Testament by Banwaon believers. Next formatting. Typesetting. Printing. Binding.

And finally, March 26, 2025, was the day set for the dedication. The new church building was ready – built by the Banwaon believers. The “neighbors” were invited. By March 25th, over 500 people had arrived – “from the Tala Andig tribe, the Higaunon, the Manobo and Banwaon from the mountains,” posted Lynne. Altogether, there were over 1000 who came for the dedication, including locals.

First Banwaon believer from 1980’s Amay Binaldu receives his complete New Testament in 2025—what a wait!

“The Banwaon believers … are all hosting people in their houses. The logistics are staggering. They never cease to amaze and inspire me how they take it all in stride—mud, lack of power and water, minimal resources.”

With two helicopters on location, pilots Alex Minium and Ryan deRoos spent the day bringing guests and more copies of the Bible, with more flights planned for the 26th.

Fervent prayer ensued. “The weather forecast for tomorrow (Dedication Day) is for ‘100% chance of rain including torrential downpours,’” wrote Lynne. “Tomorrow is when the rest of our guests are due to fly in (and out) by helicopter. The roads are a bog so not a good alternative.”

But God held off the rain, and the aviation team flew 13 round trip flights in those two days to get everyone in and out. The “amazing day” planned by an “amazing God” brought the living, unchangeable Word of God to the Banwaon people, all together in one book they can carry with them when they assemble together as believers and when they study on their own.

One of two Ethnos360 Aviation helicopters delivering people and Bibles to the dedication

Can you sense the satisfaction in having a part in bringing God’s Word to the Banwaon people? Thank you for laboring alongside Albert and Lynne by providing affordable flights to make this translation a reality. And, as Lynne says, “PRAISE [God] for the many, many wonderful things He has done and is doing!”

PS: Without regular subsidy support through our Missionary Flight Sponsorship Project this event would not have happened.