by Richard Schwenk

Seminary students planting Madre de Cacao trees.

Indigenous peoples--whether the Mapuche in Chile or the Aeta in the Philippines--find themselves fighting the same battles to maintain control of their ancestral lands and continue the language and culture that is part of their God-given heritage.

Richard Schwenk tells how United Methodist missionaries in the Philippines walk in solidarity with the Aeta, helping them learn what rights they have under Filipino law and how to claim them.

Send comments and questions to nwo@gbgm-umc.org.
Photo courtesy Richard and Caring Schwenk. Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are copyright © The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church and courtesy, New World Outlook magazine.