I write this blog with gratitude as I receive news of the successes of Menubu Dulangan women who have been to Delesan Kailawan, an RNDM ministry in the Philippines with the Menubu Dulangan tribe in Kulaman. I have been working in the field since 2005, with study breaks in between.
I participate in the vision and the dreams of a people reclaiming their identity, nurturing their land, and embracing their God-given potential. My religious missionary calling, shaped by God’s love, reminds me that mission is not about imposing solutions but walking together in mutual respect.
With the Menubu, I have seen how their deep connection to the land, their stories, and their cultural heritage are woven into every aspiration they hold. They dream of a future where their children grow up rooted in their traditions, yet open to the possibilities of the wider world. Their resilience inspires me to envision a world where their voices are heard, their rights upheld, and their way of life respected.
These dreams are not mine alone; they are born in the rhythm of shared prayers, communal meals, and the daily labor of planting seeds—both literal and metaphorical. Together, we strive to build a future where food security sustains their families, education empowers their youth, and faith strengthens their spirits.
God’s hand is evident in our journey. Every step we take is an act of hope, trusting in God’s promise to transform dreams into reality. Together with the Menubu Dulangan, I dare to dream of a world where every life flourishes and every heart sings with gratitude for God’s abundance. These are the dreams that keep us moving forward, one prayer and one step at a time.
Sr Patricia Lourdes “Petite” Lao, RNDM is a religious missionary of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions. She is currently a doctoral candidate of the Toronto School of Theology (Regis College) with a research interest in Indigenous-visible minority dialogue and the truth and reconciliation process.
This is so inspiring and beautifully written… thank you!