Bibles reach teens in Aurora Province on Word Riders’ 2nd year

“My friends would influence me to just play and do other things instead of study. This Bible will be very helpful for me! I will take care of it and will read it during my vacant period,” Sweetselle shared happily.

Sweetselle is an 8^th Grade student who enjoys math. She is just one of the hundreds of Bible recipients from the Diarabasin National High School. Their small school set aside their usual afternoon class period to welcome some special visitors who came in huge bikes and flashing ride gears, carrying with them boxes of blessings.

The Word Riders Philippines (WRP), a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, in partnership with the Philippine Bible Society (PBS), swept the beautiful province of Aurora on their second anniversary tour last June 22-24. A total of 757 Grade 8 students in five remote national high schools were blessed with their own copies of the Magandang Balita Biblia, a Bible translated in Tagalog. The other schools visited were Baler National High School, Aurora National High School, Borlongan National High School, and Dinadiawan National High School.

This mission to help shape the young generation with the Word’s life-changing message was received positively by the school officers and faculty. Since their curriculum does not include a dedicated subject on Religion or Christian Ethics, they were thrilled that the Word Riders also gave a brief lecture on how to use the Bibles. The students enjoyed the discussion and the passage reading activities.

“We are very open to have guests that teach the students to read the Bible more,” comments Mrs. Elvira S. Seradoy, the Head Teacher of Borlongan National High School. Another teacher added, “This is helpful for both the students and their parents. They would learn to read the Scriptures which is a great aid in their spiritual building.”

God’s Word is indeed for people of all ages and it was encouraging to bring the Bibles to open arms and ready hearts. Atty. Gerard Mosquera, WRP Lead Rider and also a PBS Board of Trustee, continues to praise God for this blessing to engage receptive young people with the Living Word which will give them a good foundation for their future.

On the other hand, the workers themselves benefited from this ride. Among the newly-introduced volunteers were Raymond and Malou Gabriel, a couple who have been riding for five years. More publicly known on social media as Together We Ride, they engage in community projects while advocating their hobby of motorcycle riding. They remarked, “This is one of the best projects we’ve been in. We not only get to ride and have fun but our spirituality was also enriched. It was a test of faith and it pointed us towards the Lord.”

In no way a minor player in the tour, Highway Patrol Group officers also participated in the work of engaging the kids with the Word. As one of the road escorts, PO2 Erwin Requinala helped in the Bible distribution and joined in the small interaction groups led by the riders. He shared that this would leave a good memory for him and he would likewise teach his children to read and apply God’s Word.

Another officer remarks, “Giving out Bibles is one of our best practices and has valuably contributed to the PNP.” Last February, WRP in partnership with the Philippine National Police also distributed Bibles for 35,000 recovering drug dependents in the Ilocos Region.

WRP is set to organize another ride later this year in Southern Luzon.