The tribal people of the Philippines live a very simple life, often in one room houses, but their families are united by love and the simplicity of their lives allows them to do things like eat together every day. And when political and societal forces in the Philippines try to divide these families, the missionaries do what they can to protect them.

“The people are good and intelligent,” he says, “but don’t have the opportunity for education.” Fr. Eddie took the time to learn the tribal language so that he and his fellow missionaries could visit families, accompany them, and help them see their dignity. The missionaries also try to encourage the rich and powerful Filipinos to help their poor brothers and sisters, “to realize that we are all one.”

In order to empower the tribal families to continue to support themselves, the Missionhurst missionaries try to get scholarships for the young people so that they can go to college and feel more integrated into Filipino society.

Fr. Eddie tells the story of two sisters who finished high school but couldn’t afford to go to college. Sadly, he could only find enough money for a scholarship for one of the sisters. When it came time to decide who would take the scholarship, the younger sister, who was more intelligent, sacrificed the opportunity so that her older sister could go to college and come back to take care of their family. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

Although Fr. Eddie’s entire life is oriented toward bringing the Gospel to families on the fringes of Filipino society, he believes that introducing others to Christ’s love is the mission of every Christian.