Cutting the Vine
Greetings!
The Higaonon tribe is one of the people groups that inhabit the mountainous regions of North-Central Mindanao. They practice an ancient ritual for settling blood feuds between two families or tribes. In this ritual, the chieftain would use a bolo to hack a green rattan vine placed on a bound pig. It is a graphic, violent and symbolic ritual in which two opposing parties direct their anger at a sacrificial animal. After the ritual, the pig is cooked and eaten and the two pieces of rattan are given to the leaders of the formerly opposing groups to remind them of the peace agreement that has just been reached.
Higaonon Tribe
Praise God that He Himself provided the sacrifice to cut the enmity between God and men, establishing peace and reconciling us to God through the cross of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:14-16
We appreciate your prayers and support.

Henry Ventura
CCI Philippines National Director
New Classes
Praise God for the new classes that started in Laguna, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin with a total of 52 students. One of these classes was started by Pastor Freddie Arnado, a Higaonon pastor who is a 2013 CCI graduate. He teaches the Bible in the mountains of Iligan and is now training nine Higaonon students.

Relief Update
Hope Ministry, together with Pastor Melvin Caindoy, ma’am Teresa Caindoy and some CCI students, went to Talibon to distribute relief goods to the pastors, all of whom are CCI graduates, at Island Gospel Ministries.
Our brethren in North Carolina sent a box of theological books, some cellphones, clothes and cash to help the families who were affected by Typhoon Odette. We distributed these funds to help the fishermen get back on their feet by providing capital to buy a boat, fishing nets, and other means of livelihood.

Pastor Jun Mabano, our Regional Coordinator in Mindanao received some of the theological books. He wrote, “Thank you for the books you have given me. I believe these are the books I am looking for, for my teaching and preaching ministry in the church. Thanks for the donation of these theological books. God bless. "
Graduations
Six students at Bethel Baptist Church in Iligan City graduated in March after eight years of study (including the long interruptions due to the pandemic). Three of these graduates will teach CCI classes possibly later this year. Their teacher, Pastor Kevin Sabaduquia, will continue to teach the second batch of students at Bethel.
Nine pastors finished their training at Talakag Training Center for Biblical Studies in Bukidnon after seven years of study. Pastor Val Abellanosa, the CCI Coordinator who oversaw this training and Pastor Scatty James Hidalgo, one of the teachers, are both Higaonon.
Testimony
Brother Noel Acas Ochate:

Brother Noel is 66 years old and he has been a deacon since 1983. He leads the Mananita team ministry. His team goes to birthdays, funerals and other gatherings to look for opportunities to share the gospel of salvation. He has a good voice. He would sing for the audience and then preach the Word of God. He takes his wife, daughter and granddaughter (girl in photo) with him on these events.

He told me that the most important thing that he learned during the training is OIA: Observation, Interpretation, Application. This helps him discover and preach the truth and avoid preaching out of context. He plans to pioneer more churches in places where there is no Christian church yet.
Prayer Requests & Praises

●     Please continue to pray for healing for our Luzon Regional Coordinator Pastor Manny Gocon, and for Leonora’s husband Caleb.
●     Please pray for the upcoming Online Teachers’ Conference in May. Please pray for Dr. David Nelson who will be our speaker at the Conference.
●    Please pray that the Lord would guide us as we seek to expand into new areas and to give us Coordinators who have the same passion and love for the ministry of CCI.