Jailministry
5000 New Testaments are ready to be distributed to inmates in 12 different prisons when Jan Eriksen comes to minister in the Philippines first part of November. We believe God is preparing the hearts of many people to hear the good news.
School supplies
Almost every day in April and May we are giving out school supplies to poor children to help them go to school. In addition to helping poor families, we also advice and teach parents how to give priority to education for their children and spend the little they have in the right way. When we help them in their needs, we also have a voice to teach them a better way.
From our youth camps
We have a very good working relationship with PNP in Abra de Ilog. Every camp they come to teach on drugs. This time the chief of the police came to lecture. We have the same goal: A drugfree Philippines.
VBS
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a great concept developed in the Philippines to help and bless children. We have seen more than 250 volunteers been equipped and giving their time to help children in depressed areas and rural villages. The VBS or kids camps are brightening up the days for thousands of children. The picture is from Ozamiz where the church has equipped more than 30 teachers for Kids Camps (VBS). They are going out in different poor communities and give the children some great days with the word of God, songs and activities. The army of the Lord is moving forward and our weapons are the love of God and the Word of God!
Our maternity clinic
One night a women and her husband arrived in our clinic. No less than an hour later a beautiful baby was born. They told us how they rushed to a nearby clinic when the birth pangs started, but was turned away because they could not pay 5000 pesos up front. They had heared about our clinic and they were so grateful that love and not profit was the decisive factor for help.
A year ago at the distribution of school
supplies, I
met this boy in one of the remote villages in Mindoro. He had a cleft lip and
was so wounded by people teasing him that he took up stones to throw at us when
we saw him. Last August he was operated on in our medical mission and now he is
also healed from rejection and hurt. He is very grateful and was even singing a
worship song for us. The people in the village have witnessed a total change in
the boy. Glory to God!
We are helping 50 families to get new boats after the typoon Yolanda in Palo. We have also given fishing nets to all the families.
In making so many new boats the challenge have been to find the special tree (wood) they use for making the keel. We can only find this type of tree in the mountains on the next island.
The optimism is back and the fishermen make their nets ready for a catch. New boats are on the water and many are giving praises to the name of Jesus!
In making so many new boats the challenge have been to find the special tree (wood) they use for making the keel. We can only find this type of tree in the mountains on the next island.
The optimism is back and the fishermen make their nets ready for a catch. New boats are on the water and many are giving praises to the name of Jesus!
The Philippines has been in the world news after the typhoon Yolanda (Filipino name) or Haiyan (international name) made landfall in the Philippines November 8. Lots of countries have responded and are willing to help in the affected areas. This is the strongest Typhoon on record and the destructions are enormous. On the first picture you see our jeepney that brought 6 ton of rice + noodles, sardines and other food together with medicines to Tacloban and Ormoc. We have been helping 2200 families so far. Our social worker (DOO), Gemma Parcia is doing an outstanding job in cutting through the hindrances and reaching the hungry and suffering families. Some places the stench is unbearable and dead bodies are still found almost three weeks after the tragedy. Some areas are totally devastated and there is nothing left standing, like the area of Tacloban were the typhoon made landfall and the surge came together with the strong wind and rain. Many places people have lost their houses and have just found some scrap and made a temporary shelter for their families and many are hungry and weary in this situation. In bringing food, clothes and medicines to the suffering and needy, we always bring the good tidings of the wonderful love of God. Our God give us hope in a hopeless situation. It is good when people turn to the living God in times of trouble. It is good to see the help is reaching those in need. We are impressed by the Filipino people how they overcome the difficulties. We are survivors of Yolanda, they say with a smile as they try to clean up and get back to a normal life. That is “a normal life” with little food, no electricity and no roof on your house. It is good we together, can bring some help.
Operation for deformities on cleft lip and palate
We are grateful to God for enabling us this month, to help 22 children that needed operation for deformities on cleft lip and palate. It is always heart breaking to see these children in the different villages and together with an organization of doctors called: ”The Philippine band of mercy”, we have been able to help all the children we know of having this kind of problem in the whole province of Occidental Mindoro. We were allowed to use the operating theatre in the provincial hospital in Mamburao. Gemma Parcia has done an outstanding job arranging the whole program. The Provincial Health Office and Provincial Government of Occ. Mindoro are also really grateful for this surgical mission. It is good to help the children as early as possible. We notice that some of the older children are emotionally affected because they are victimized. But we trust the outward healing also will result in an inner healing for these children. We do have pictures of all the 22 children, but we let a few of them say thank you on behalf of all of them.
It is amazing that we can help these children to a new life for the cost of only 50£ per child, because the doctors work for free and we did not have to pay for using the operating theatre in the hospital. The only cost was transport and medicines. Some of the families stayed overnight in our heath center in Mindoro to reduce the risk of infection after the operation. In the medical checkup three weeks after the operation it turned out that all 22 operations were successful.
It is amazing that we can help these children to a new life for the cost of only 50£ per child, because the doctors work for free and we did not have to pay for using the operating theatre in the hospital. The only cost was transport and medicines. Some of the families stayed overnight in our heath center in Mindoro to reduce the risk of infection after the operation. In the medical checkup three weeks after the operation it turned out that all 22 operations were successful.
Helping the poor
Tone went to the local hospital to look after a lady from one of the villages we are working in. She
got triplets a few weeks earlier. The premature triplets were fine, but against all advises from us and the hospital, they went back to the village after one week, because the grandfather in the family had made a decision (age is no guaranty for wisdom). After two weeks the babies got very sick because of dehydration and they came back to the hospital. One triplet was so weak it died and now the family wanted our help. We were able to bring the two last babies to National Children’s Hospital for treatment. The local hospitals do not have the expertise on premature babies. Thank you for helping us to help the poor and downtrodden!
got triplets a few weeks earlier. The premature triplets were fine, but against all advises from us and the hospital, they went back to the village after one week, because the grandfather in the family had made a decision (age is no guaranty for wisdom). After two weeks the babies got very sick because of dehydration and they came back to the hospital. One triplet was so weak it died and now the family wanted our help. We were able to bring the two last babies to National Children’s Hospital for treatment. The local hospitals do not have the expertise on premature babies. Thank you for helping us to help the poor and downtrodden!
Poverty
Poverty brings a lot of challenges to people. In one day we see many of the ugly faces of poverty. When God sent us to the Philippines, He said we will find new ways to reach the poor and the downtrodden. Arriving in a village to give out school supplies to the poor, we shared the word of God and distribute the school supplies. People often bring sick ones to us for us to pray for them and help them. We were told of three children with cleft lip and five men that were not able to work on their farms because of severe hernia. All can be helped with small amounts of money
A young mother (20) with seven children already, needed help with
two sick children to go to the hospital. As we went back to Abra de Ilog, they came with us in the boat. They had no money for transport to the hospital. As Tone arrived at the hospital with this lady, she met a man that we know from one of the villages. This morning his wife and baby both died in the hospital as she gave birth and something went wrong. In his sorrow he had a big problem, the whole morning he had been trying to get transport to bring the two bodies from the hospital to his village for the funeral. He had no money for the undertaker and nobody wanted to make their vans unclean by dead bodies! We became Gods answer to his problem since our van is in the service of the King and can’t be made impure.
A young mother (20) with seven children already, needed help with
two sick children to go to the hospital. As we went back to Abra de Ilog, they came with us in the boat. They had no money for transport to the hospital. As Tone arrived at the hospital with this lady, she met a man that we know from one of the villages. This morning his wife and baby both died in the hospital as she gave birth and something went wrong. In his sorrow he had a big problem, the whole morning he had been trying to get transport to bring the two bodies from the hospital to his village for the funeral. He had no money for the undertaker and nobody wanted to make their vans unclean by dead bodies! We became Gods answer to his problem since our van is in the service of the King and can’t be made impure.
Working together
Today we were the first Civil Society Organization to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Department of Social Welfare and Development in our region for a program called Family Development Sessions Plus. We will teach and help 1.890 families on Value formation (Family life and Parenthood), Health care, Education and Livelihood. Working together hand in hand we can help more people.
VBS
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a wonderful camp program for children. Children come together for 3-5 days for different activities with Bible studies. They are memorizing bible verse, learning new songs and dances, listening to the word of God and doing some games and sport together. This month of April we have 2000 children going through the program and they enjoy it so much. They all say: “thank you for letting us join the camp”. Some of the VBS we do with the local churches in the area. When their building is too small, we use our emergency tents. It is good to practice putting up the tents , so we are ready for the relief work also. As the VBS started with 200 children at our center in Cavite, we first had the parade, the national anthem and then the word of God before we learned some new songs and dances. Great time together!
Medicines from Canada is a great help!
News from Joel:
Yesterday during a fellowship in the village of Anonang, I noticed a boy who was there for the first time. He looked sad and I asked what the problem is. Then he told me that he is living by himself because from the age of 7 he was abandoned by his parents (the mother died and
the father ran away). From the age of 12 years he started to live alone by
himself in his little house until now he is 18 years old. One month ago he was in an accident with a motorbike, but because he has no money to buy medicines and pay medication fee in the hospital he ignored the pain and the risk of complications. He said: "How can I buy medicine, it is hard to find my daily food." So in the very moment after we prayed for him we rushed him to the hospital and the doctor treated him and gave prescription for medicine. Praise
the Lord because all special medicines he needs, are available in the supplied we have from MWBPI. The boy is very thankful and received salvation from Jesus and medical help because of the His love .
To God be all the glory!
Yesterday during a fellowship in the village of Anonang, I noticed a boy who was there for the first time. He looked sad and I asked what the problem is. Then he told me that he is living by himself because from the age of 7 he was abandoned by his parents (the mother died and
the father ran away). From the age of 12 years he started to live alone by
himself in his little house until now he is 18 years old. One month ago he was in an accident with a motorbike, but because he has no money to buy medicines and pay medication fee in the hospital he ignored the pain and the risk of complications. He said: "How can I buy medicine, it is hard to find my daily food." So in the very moment after we prayed for him we rushed him to the hospital and the doctor treated him and gave prescription for medicine. Praise
the Lord because all special medicines he needs, are available in the supplied we have from MWBPI. The boy is very thankful and received salvation from Jesus and medical help because of the His love .
To God be all the glory!
Jail ministry
Freedom comes through happy obedience to Jesus.
We are working into five prisons on a regular schedule and we are happy to see good fruits from this ministry. This report from Ruth and Eddie
Santiago came in the end of November: Praise God! There are 16 inmates that were released from prison this week! We heard different testimonies of how God have changed their hearts from the inside and preserved their lives while in prison. Before going home to their different places, they came to our house to thank God for using us to bring them to Jesus. One of them stayed here for 3 days and helped Eddie painting the house. His desire is to serve God with his family and for God to use him, specially in jail ministry, the very place he himself received Jesus into his life. They are all grateful to the Lord for coming home to their families this Christmas. And they are excited to have their own bibles. Thanks for sending bibles.
Santiago came in the end of November: Praise God! There are 16 inmates that were released from prison this week! We heard different testimonies of how God have changed their hearts from the inside and preserved their lives while in prison. Before going home to their different places, they came to our house to thank God for using us to bring them to Jesus. One of them stayed here for 3 days and helped Eddie painting the house. His desire is to serve God with his family and for God to use him, specially in jail ministry, the very place he himself received Jesus into his life. They are all grateful to the Lord for coming home to their families this Christmas. And they are excited to have their own bibles. Thanks for sending bibles.
Health promotion
Austin, our nurse, is inspecting the construction.
Our health team at the Iselin center is now pioneering a new project in two villages in Mindoro. There have been no toilets in the villages, and because of that children and adults are getting a lot of intestinal worms. If we can train the people to use toilets and not just go around the corner, there will be a big health profit. The people in the villages are very cooperative and understand more the importance of cleanliness.
The people in the village are themselves doing the work
The manual of how to use the toilet will be posted on the wall
Bibles
Our van full of bibles
We see a growing desire to read the word of God in the Philippines. There is a bright future for a nation that long for God’s word and ask for his ways. We have the last weeks distributed Bibles to several new-planted churches in Cavite, to the mothers living at the dumpsite, to churches in Mindoro and to the Mangyan people. Two of our workers, Austin and Noel, visited a very remote Mangyan village in the mountains and it took them two days to go there and back. In the village they found a vivid church with people loving the Lord. They asked for Bibles and we are happy to help them. This last week we sent more than 1300 bibles to our churches in Mindanao to use for the new believers there.
Noel pointing to the village
Celebration
Today almost 1000 people were gathered for our 8th year anniversary and thanksgiving in Midsayap. The love of God unites people from different ethnic groups.
Livelihood
Every Saturday PWD (People with disabilities) association meets at our multipurpose house in Pigcawayan to make floor wax. This is a great livelihood project giving them some necessary income. Here pastor Eddie and the president for PWD is explaining to Erling Thu how they do it. Many of the disabled people have joined the church and found a new home with love and care.
The floor wax is neatly packed and sold through the schools in the area. It is called Chrystel wax and has our logo on the cover. The whole project is very well received in the community.
The floor wax is neatly packed and sold through the schools in the area. It is called Chrystel wax and has our logo on the cover. The whole project is very well received in the community.
Eddie Santiago showing the floor wax
A delicious meal with tilapia from our aquaponic
Aquaponic
Aquaponic is a small fishpond with Tilapia fish and some containers where we plant vegetables. The vegetables is watered and fertilized from the fishpond and the water is cleansed through the vegetable containers and run back into the fishpond. It all runs on solar
power. We have now enjoyed the first meal with tilapia fish from our pond. (see picture below) As we learn how to run this well, we will teach people in the Mangyan villages how to do it, and they can have more healthy food in the seasons with shortage of food.
power. We have now enjoyed the first meal with tilapia fish from our pond. (see picture below) As we learn how to run this well, we will teach people in the Mangyan villages how to do it, and they can have more healthy food in the seasons with shortage of food.
Health and wellness
In different villages in Mindoro we are doing a pilot project to promote good health and wellness. One nurse and three midwives are educating the people in cleanliness, nutrition and health promotion. Part of the program is to strengthen their spiritual life. Even though there is no electricity, we have a small projector that runs on battery, which enables us to show the Jesus film from the gospel of Luke. It is the first time they have a film showing in the village and we work together with the local church in the village.
Relief help
Some places in Taytay in Manila, the water is still high and people can only use top floor in their houses. Here the team gets ready for distribution of food to some 300 families. It is good we can bring hope in a demanding situation. The love of God is reaching to people in all walks of life.
Dental mission
In February and March 2016 we have been blessed with two dental teams coming from Norway. They have been working together with local dentists in different communities. We have served inmates in Iwahig Penalty Farm in Palawan and people in ten different communities in Palawan, Leyte and Mindoro. Close to 1000 patients have received much needed help with their teeth. We like to say thank you to doctor Tom Bagaas and doctor Kari M Østeholt for bringing their teams to serve the people in our health program.
Ozamiz
It is good to be with my friends in Ozamiz. The church here with Jo Jo and Helen Alvarez has found new ways of helping the poor and the down trodden, giving them dignity and showing them that God loves them.Every worship service in the church in Ozamiz (two each Sunday) there is four children’s meetings going on. They learn the word of God and know how to use the Bible from early age.
Maternity clinic
More than 80 women in the mothers class every two weeks. Last week Børge Bentsen shared the word of God about the Lord forming us in the mothers womb, and the midwives taught about the development of the foetus. In addition the women come for prenatal examination, deliveries and postnatal follow up.
Class for children with special needs
The team from Cardiff had a great time in our class for children with special needs. These children are so precious and they are so grateful for everything done for them.
Welcome back!
It is with great joy we welcome back Tone and Børge Elliot Bentsen to be part of the staff at our training center in Mindoro. They served with us for 10 months in 2010 and are now back to work with us in the Philippines. We like you to uphold them in prayer as they do their part in God’s work here.
Flood news
We are happy for the coverage in media of the flood in Manila. The demand is great, but many are also helping. The challenges are big also in the rural areas. The flood has caused a lot of damage among the poor people in some Mangyan villages in Mindoro. The rivers made new river courses and many houses disappeared in the water and their rice fields were destroyed. Some only have the poisonous root crop, nami (seen in the picture) to eat. But they know how to remove the poison and make it into a bread. We will help with some food distribution this coming week to ease the burden on many poor families.
Palawan
While Manila is flooded with rain, Palawan has nice weather and the building of our multipurpose house is making good progress.
From Eddie and Ruth:
There are more inmates in the jail this last month.Many of them have now accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.By the grace of God, seven inmates who had been baptized before,were now set free.They went home to be with their families bringing hope and life in Jesus. The new inmates also received bibles.They can now spend their time to read and meditate on the word of God.
More news from the flooding in the Philippines
The road near SM Baccor is flooded, so people with money has problems to buy things, but our clients in Dumpsite were not affected.
REPORT FROM GEMMA
In Mindoro we had more floods this week. You can see in the pictures our water source was also damaged (you can see Dong holding the pipe).
The first bridge from Core (part of Balao) was broken. No cars can pass going back and forth to Mamburao. There is also a shortage of supplies of food now, because there are no trucks that can go to Batangas and Manila to buy food and gasoline. That is the situation in Mindoro.
BIBLES
The new believers in Bual Sur village, prayed to have bibles, specially the new believers baptized in water and in Spirit last month. They received bibles yesterday, and are so thankful to the savior Jesus Christ. Now they can continue now to learn the word of God in meetings and even in their homes since they now have their own bibles.
NEWS FROM JUNE
Lasse and Synnøve Tretteteig has now finished the ten months they had set aside to serve in the ministry here in the Philippines. They have been stationed at the training centre at Core and have been a great blessing to everyone involved there. With Lasses versatility and work capacity they have been able to accomplish a lot both in the villages and at Core. Synnøve has in addition worked with the livelihood women at Core. We are very grateful to you both and are rejoicing over great friends and co-workers. In August we wish Børge and Toen Bentsen welcome.
Iselinsenteret on Mindoro has been reinforced and we have now three midwifes and one nurse in our health team connected to the centre. Jacky, Eva, Raquel and Austin are doing a terrific job with health enlightenment in the villages at the same time as they are sharing the gospel. They show compassion for the whole human being and have given help to many people.
Special class for children with special needs on Core is an exciting project. Our new teacher Tin Tin has worked with children like this earlier and has a lot of experience. We let Sarah, with Down syndrome, represent the 26 children in the special class. We are grateful that we can give these children a school offer instead of them being hidden away in houses around the area. Sarah is a bright sunshine and is posing for the camera.
We are grateful for the first graduated class from School of the Word. They are now home again to help pioneer new churches in the areas they come from. This class accomplished a lot in the villages on Mindoro. We believe that this training of workers will bring great harvest for the kingdom of God in years to come.
NEWS FROM APRIL
This month has been marked by the great effort and work from our staff in taking care of more than 1200 children at our VBS (vacation bible schools). It is great joy among the children that attend. The theme of the year is ”Explore the nature and experience God”. More than 200 children from the neighbourhood and the dumpsite in Cavite have attended a three-day long camp.
Affects after of the flood in Iligan City still influences the area. Some of our volunteers together with the church in Ozamiz went back with more than 300 bibles that we promised to bring. It occurred that they still lack a lot and many families have still not a proper roof over their head.
We have been so blessed with a new minivan as a gift to the centre in Cavite. It is a fantastic help in the ministries and enables us to drive safely to both the airport and to Batangas.
NEWS FROM MARCH
It is a blessing to meet 16 year old Mary Jane from Pigcawayan. She was born without hands and feet, but has learned how to cope with life in a wonderful way. She walks on the stumps of her calves with no sole on the feet, and she uses her arms without hands. As you see in the picture, she is even able to text on her cell phone. She does very well at school and is an honor student this year in high school. She was very happy when we went to the shoe maker to get her shoes for graduation. Mary Jane is one in a group of 80 people with disabilities that we are helping in Pigcawayan. Many of these people have got a brand new life after the church started to reach out to them. They have come out of a life in isolation and depression to find the new life in Jesus and the fellowship in his body. God gives people dignity and lifts them into a life where they can know him and walk with him. Everyone has the same worth just because they are created in the image of God.
The last couple of weeks we had a visit by two good dentists from Norway. Together with Filipino dentists they have served a lot of people with their skills in four different locations in what we call dental mission. Dental means people are getting help with their teeth and mission means they are introduced to Jesus Christ. Several hundred people have been helped these days. It is good to see how grateful people are for the love shown to them. Most of them do not have the money to pay for the anesthesia needed to pull the teeth.
NEWS FROM FEBRUARY
It is wonderful to witness what God is doing in people’s lives. The last few weeks have been filled with contrasts. From being in the flood area in Iligan City where 1200 people lost their lives just before Christmas, to seeing what God is doing in young lives at our training center. There are no dull moments when you walk with God.In the children’s home things are going really well. The premature twins that came sick and malnourished to our center in Mindoro from one of the Mangyan villages are doing so well.
Their mother died as she gave birth at home and the father tried to keep them alive for one week. He came to our center as the last attempt to save their lives. Just to see the growth and change in their lives the last few months has been fantastic.
In both of our maternity clinics more and more women are being helped to have a safe delivery in clean environments. The mothers are so grateful for the help and they are listening to the gospel as it is shared in deeds and words. They are also grateful for not going into debt giving birth, as they have to pay more then one months salary to deliver in hospital, and they don’t have that money.
In both of our maternity clinics more and more women are being helped to have a safe delivery in clean environments. The mothers are so grateful for the help and they are listening to the gospel as it is shared in deeds and words. They are also grateful for not going into debt giving birth, as they have to pay more then one months salary to deliver in hospital, and they don’t have that money.
The training center is a great tool to equip people to serve God. Our volunteers are divided into groups and each group are responsible for teaching one Mangyan village about gardening as well as helping in the church. The ”vegetable project” is meant to help the Mangyans to grow vegetables. In the dry season nothing is growing unless you have a watering system and the Mangyan people only live on a root crop for several moths because nothing else is growing. This causes malnourishment and when the rainy season starts in June, people are getting more easily sick. But it takes time to change a lifestyle and help them to understand.
The last few weeks we also renewed the thatched roof on the pavilion and we are ready for the camp season with youth and children’s camps. We plan to have 3000 youth and children in our camps this summer (April/May). We do VBS (Vacation Bible School) and youth camps. It means a lot for poor children to be given opportunities like this and it is a good investment in young lives. We are very blessed by Toby Knight from York that is at our training center as a teacher. We like to extend our thanks to everyone praying for us!
NEWS FROM JANUARY
The typhoon hitting the northern part of Mindanao just before Christmas, made a lot of damage, 700 people are dead and 500 still missing in Iligan, and another 1000 dead in Cagayan de Oro. Thousands of people lost everything they had. We don’t have local contacts in these areas, so we decided to wait with our help and move in when we had coordinated with the local government. The church in Ozamiz is closest to the devastated areas, and they have been to Iligan City (the place with most damage) twice to give help.
Many of the people that survived the flood in Iligan had very traumatic experiences and are suffering after what happened.” The water came so fast, it was like being in a washing machine”, one man said. In memory of families that disappeared, the neighbors put up this memorial where the house of the missing family used to be. We saw lots of memorials like this.
We are bringing help to 311 families that are still in the evacuation center because their houses are gone. We have coordinated with the people there and got a list of things they desperately need. Still there is a lot of need for help to the people. The other day we helped 269 families with kitchen utensils. They were very grateful for the love and help given to them.
The Christmas baskets have been a tremendous help to many people. 1260 poor families have been given help this Christmas!
This week we also held a three days Pastor and leaders conference for Mangyans. It was held at our training center in Core. This is now the fourth conference to promote true unity among the native people groups. We see very good fruit from these conferences and we give glory to God!
This week we also held a three days Pastor and leaders conference for Mangyans. It was held at our training center in Core. This is now the fourth conference to promote true unity among the native people groups. We see very good fruit from these conferences and we give glory to God!
In the jail in Oroqueta we gave Bibles to new inmates. When people get out of prison they get their Bibles with them, so we need now and again to bring more Bibles.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR
News from November
We are so blessed to see the kingdom of God being proclaimed in many different ways. God has spoken to us about reaching children, and we are doing that in varying ways. Lately we had the joy of hosting the Dove training program for children workers. We had training at our center in Mindoro with the bible school students being part of the training and in Ozamiz in Mindanao. 165 teachers have been trained to teach children the good news of Jesus Christ. Looking at the facts that half of the population in the Philippines is children, we understand the strategy of the Holy Spirit, telling us to reach the children.
In Pigcawayan with Eddie and Ruth, we have started to build a multipurpose house on our new lot there. They have many carpenters in the church and are able to do the work themselves. We purchased the land and provide much of the materials for the house. It is fantastic to witness how they are influencing the whole community by teaching moral formation in the high school using “A purpose driven life” as text book for the fourth year. We are also helping the 80 people with disabilities and their testimony is that meeting Jesus has given them dignity. They feel seen and loved by what the church do for them. What a joy to see the love of Jesus changing people.
This last month Justin left us with his new family from Holland. He seemed to warm quickly to his new parents and was happy to leave with them. We are grateful for every child that comes to a good and loving home. It is a special time when the rest of the children and the staff say good bye. We feel joy for his new family and sorrow for not seeing him again. The rest of the children are doing well and we give thanks to God for each one of them.
We are now looking forward to the Christmas season here in the Philippines. It is another great opportunity to show the love of Jesus Christ to people around us. We hope also this year to be able to bring Christmas baskets to poor families together with the good news of the savior that became one of us to save us and give us a total new life.
News from September
At our centre at Core in the Philippines we have just finished a three days leadership training for the Mangyans. 150 leaders and wives enjoyed the word of God and the presence of God as they were equipped to serve God better in their villages. It is third time we have this kind of conference, and this time we had more people than before. God is moving in the hearts of the people and it is a great joy to see how well the trainings center functions for this kind of gatherings.
Our new jeepny has now arrived in Core. It is a big van only used in the Philippines and functions very well. Our training center is built in native Filipino stile and a homemade jeepney just makes it perfect. The van is a great blessing in the work. We use it with our rapid response unit to bring the tents and other emergency equipment out in the villages when needed. We were all surprised at the capacity of the jeepney, when Lasse Tretteteig was able to bring more than 100 people in on trip for the conference.
The Bible to Everyone
Lasse Tretteteig has started the project of reading the Bible into mp3 players for illiterate people to be able to listen to the Bible for themselves. Some young Mangyans are here getting ready to read the NT into mp3 players. People will be helped and blessed by listening to God´s word in their native language. This will be a great blessing to people that never have been able to “read” for themselves.
Report from Elvie Ortiz
Elvie Ortiz is reporting: We are so blessed with our brethren in the village of Balisawan today. We had a good fellowship with them and so grateful for God´s wonderful word that was shared with one our volunteers. They are so thankful for the words they heard, it really touched them. After our fellowship we gave them clothes and medicines from MWPBI. They say "thank you so much for these blessing". God is so faithful all the time.
The story of Rubina
Rubina has a wonderful testimony of the saving and healing power of God. From being a street child from the age of 6, she met Jesus at the age of 15 and was totally changed by the risen savior. She had no ear drums and was for a long time struggling with bad hearing, but Jesus healed her and gave her perfect hearing. She was "adopted" by JoJo and Helen Alvarez. Through the school program she got education and finished collage. She is in the age of 21 leading the work for the street children in Ozamiz. Also she has reached out to a village in the mountains, and seen a church born there. Now she wants to serve the Lord and share His love with others. She will be in the first group at our Bible school at Core this year. God is rising up some wonderful young people to serve him.
NEWS FROM JULY
In the Philippines we are now in the rainy season and even drying the cloths are a challenge some weeks. The typhoons teach us to be very flexible because some days there are no ferries due to the weather.
Eddie Santiago led the 30 Persons With Disabilities (PWD's) from Pigcawayan for the 33rd national convention for people with disabilities.The PWD's is so thankful to the Lord for the effort of MWBPI that helped them for food and transportation to be able to attend the meeting for the first time. They said "it has never happened before that somebody give us care and attention, but thanks once again to MWBPI who reached out and extended to us the love of Jesus and to Pastor Eddie and Ruth who guide us spiritually and taught many things from the Bible". To God be the glory!
Eddie Santiago led the 30 Persons With Disabilities (PWD's) from Pigcawayan for the 33rd national convention for people with disabilities.The PWD's is so thankful to the Lord for the effort of MWBPI that helped them for food and transportation to be able to attend the meeting for the first time. They said "it has never happened before that somebody give us care and attention, but thanks once again to MWBPI who reached out and extended to us the love of Jesus and to Pastor Eddie and Ruth who guide us spiritually and taught many things from the Bible". To God be the glory!
NEWS FROM THE BEGINNING OF MAY
April and May is school holiday in the Philippines and a busy time for all of us in MWBPI. It is time for VBS (vacation bible schools), youth camps, practical training of bible school teams from Norway, distribution of school supplies for the poor, and many other ways of showing the love of God as we are preaching the good news about Jesus Christ. Already more than 800 children have enjoyed the VBS in different places.
We are in the process of building up our emergency unit in Mindoro so we can respond to disasters and bring relevant help to the people in the communities in Mindoro. Already we have done two relief operations the last two weeks responding to the need of villages burned down. There was great joy as the people from the village listened to the good news about the love of God helping us through calamities and problems. The word of God gave them hope and the comfort of the Holy Spirit was right there among us.
NEWS FROM THE BEGINING OF APRIL
We are giving
praise to the Lord for his goodness and protection to all of our workers in the
Philippines. Johnny is faithfully doing the work in the jail in Oroqueta. On
our last visit a few weeks ago, four more prisoners received Jesus as their
Lord and savior (some of them were murderers). Johnny now turning 66 years old
sent me this news about the Lord´s protection: On March 12 I was going to jail
and my motorbike and me went into a banana plant in Aloran. And I'm so
very thankful to God, because I saw His presence and glory who protected and
covered me and also my motorbike and I am okay and nothing happened to me.
Hallelujah!
Every time we visit the village of Camurong, we meet the “Miracle boy” with his mother and father. His mother had six miscarriages (in the seventh month every time) and could not get children. It was a great sorrow to them, but the Lord intervened. As we prayed for her in the name of Jesus and brought a prophetic word to her, she gave birth to this handsome boy. The whole family as well as the whole village witnessed the miracle of God and gave all the glory to God. And they gave the baby the nickname “Miracle boy”. The boy will start in our daycare this June and he is turning five years old this year.
The last week we had graduation in all six schools (day cares) we are running. It is a great privilege to be able to lift people from poverty and give them dignity, as they are given an education the parents are not able to pay for. We have met hundreds of grateful children and parent this week, giving thanks to the Lord for his provision.
We are now buying all the school supplies to help the less fortunate children to have an education. Many children are hindered to go to school because they can’t afford the school material needed. We are planning to help at least 6000 children this year. Education is one way to lift them up and give them dignity.
We are now buying all the school supplies to help the less fortunate children to have an education. Many children are hindered to go to school because they can’t afford the school material needed. We are planning to help at least 6000 children this year. Education is one way to lift them up and give them dignity.
2010
News from the Philippines Christmas 2010
We are so blessed to look at all that God has done in the year 2010. Full of admiration for a great God we say: Thank you Lord!
Filipinos love Christmas parties and they know how to celebrate. In addition to giving out Christmas baskets to the poor and needy, we also do Christmas parties for the different programs like jail ministry, school programs, dump site (garbage tip), people with disabilities and livelihood. It is a great time to share the love of God in deed and words.
Persons with disabilities in Picgawayan, was given a chance to have their Christmas party. Together with the church and DSWD we were able to bless more than 70 disabled people. I got this report from Ruth and Eddie in the church there: They were thankful to the Lord and they were happy for the delicious meal, for the groceries, and for the word of God shared to them. They said "it's different", I know it’s the joy and love from the Lord. Some of them were saying thank you, with tears coming down from their eyes. Jesus said: I was sick and you stopped to visit.
Filipinos love Christmas parties and they know how to celebrate. In addition to giving out Christmas baskets to the poor and needy, we also do Christmas parties for the different programs like jail ministry, school programs, dump site (garbage tip), people with disabilities and livelihood. It is a great time to share the love of God in deed and words.
Persons with disabilities in Picgawayan, was given a chance to have their Christmas party. Together with the church and DSWD we were able to bless more than 70 disabled people. I got this report from Ruth and Eddie in the church there: They were thankful to the Lord and they were happy for the delicious meal, for the groceries, and for the word of God shared to them. They said "it's different", I know it’s the joy and love from the Lord. Some of them were saying thank you, with tears coming down from their eyes. Jesus said: I was sick and you stopped to visit.
The prison in Mamburao is one of five prisons we are working into. We are sharing the GOOD NEWS about Christ and gave praise to the Lord. Everybody loves the games and is having a lot of fun. We had a good meal of pansit and gave toilet requisites as Christmas gifts. Both the trustees of the inmates and the guards said thank you for the work done during the year. Jesus said: I was in prison and you came to me.
We had a Christmas party for the women that delivered their babies at our new Iselin centre in Mindoro. 29 mothers with babies came for the gathering. They enjoyed the word of God, some teaching on family planning, and they were all given caps and socks knitted in Norway. It is good to see how they are lifted up and given dignity as mothers. The midwifes are doing an outstanding job demonstrating the love of God to people in a vulnerable situation.
The poor and needy are helped with a Christmas basket to celebrate Christmas Eve with their loved one. We are touch by the gratefulness of the people receiving Christmas baskets in Mindoro. More than 300 were invited to our Community Developing Centre at Core. Most of them are Mangyans from the nearby villages. One old god-fearing Mangyan lady came to say thanks to Jesus together with me. My limited Tagalog is no problem when we want to give thanks to the Lord. Signs are working and God receives our praise! We also receive many gifts, vegetables and fruit, which I transported back to our children’s home in Cavite. The people like to show their appreciation for the help given during the year. Jesus said: I was hungry and you fed me.
Seeds of Hope centre are functioning very well. Our day care here at the garbage tip is doing fine and the children are eager to learn the basic skills of reading and writing. All the families at the garbage tip received Christmas baskets today. People are very grateful and we had smile and laughter all over the place. One of the families we will help with a small loan to start a business, so they don’t need to be at the garbage tip any longer. We see small steps of change already and give praise to the Lord!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you!
Christmas Party
We had a Christmas party for the women that have given birth at our new Iselin centre in Mindoro. 29 mothers with babies came for the gathering. They enjoyed the word of God, some teaching on family planning and all were given caps and socks knitted in Norway. It is good to see how they are lifted up and given dignity as mothers. We are so happy for the people that are given help at Iselin centre.
Flashes of News end November 2010
Here is some more news of the good things the Lord is doing among us in the Philippines. We are grateful to the Lord for all his mercy and goodness. Also the visit of Graham and Ann Deakin has been a blessing.
The Dap Dap project is a livelihood project giving help to the church leaders in 20 villages in Mindoro. Instead of giving support, we help them to grow rice and corn to sustain their own living. The field is in a very fertile valley called Dap Dap. Right now they are harvesting the rice and it looks like it will be a plentiful harvest. The Mangyan are used to harvest small areas when convenient and are not used to big operations like this. It takes some time to teach them how to do this. Catching rats is part of the harvesting that the children do. It will be a delicious dinner. They have a very good way of catching them by grasping them over the neck so they can’t bite and pulling the tail to break the neck.
Seeds of Hope Centre is all finished now and we extend our help to the 80 families living at the garbage tip. In addition to the Day care and feeding of the 100 children, we will do “out of school classes” for older children as well as dental and medical help along with the Bible studies. Many of the women living there are pregnant, so our midwives will conduct prenatal checkups, mother classes, immunization, consultations and feeding for the babies and children under the age of four. They all want to deliver their babies at our maternity clinic, but they don’t have money for transport to come for check up and mother classes. That is why we do this now in Seeds of Hope Centre.
The Dap Dap project is a livelihood project giving help to the church leaders in 20 villages in Mindoro. Instead of giving support, we help them to grow rice and corn to sustain their own living. The field is in a very fertile valley called Dap Dap. Right now they are harvesting the rice and it looks like it will be a plentiful harvest. The Mangyan are used to harvest small areas when convenient and are not used to big operations like this. It takes some time to teach them how to do this. Catching rats is part of the harvesting that the children do. It will be a delicious dinner. They have a very good way of catching them by grasping them over the neck so they can’t bite and pulling the tail to break the neck.
Seeds of Hope Centre is all finished now and we extend our help to the 80 families living at the garbage tip. In addition to the Day care and feeding of the 100 children, we will do “out of school classes” for older children as well as dental and medical help along with the Bible studies. Many of the women living there are pregnant, so our midwives will conduct prenatal checkups, mother classes, immunization, consultations and feeding for the babies and children under the age of four. They all want to deliver their babies at our maternity clinic, but they don’t have money for transport to come for check up and mother classes. That is why we do this now in Seeds of Hope Centre.
More News From September 2010
We have started building the daycare and feeding centre at the dump site in Cavite. The bulldozer has flattened the land, the workers have arrived and the first sand and gravel has been delivered. Praise the Lord for his provision for the poor. Twice a week we do the feeding at the dumpsite. Yesterday 87 children were given food. Before the feeding, the children saw the story of Peter walking on the water acted out and explained through preaching. The children and many parents enjoy the word of God and their time together. Hope and faith in the heart and soup in the stomach is a good combination.
A four days conference for Mangyan leaders finished on Saturday a week ago at our campus in Core. Santie took initiative for 70 leaders from six different groupings to come together for the first time in history. They spent time in the word and prayer and looked at how they can promote unity among the Mangyan churches. They all enjoyed the time together and the teaching from the word of God. They have asked to have another gathering in November, because of the great help they find in the things share with them.
News September 2010
We have started the work among the 80 families living at the dump site in Cavite. Twice a week we have feeding for 70 children, teaching them cleanliness and the word of God together with a nutrient-rich chicken soup and vitamins. They are very hungry and the mothers are very grateful for the help. It is hard to understand how people can live in such conditions. We have wanted to start a day care for the children at the dump site and we have now been given the permission to do all we have planned. Today we signed the contract and we are starting to put up semi permanent building next week. That will be a great help in the feeding as well as in gathering the people.
In Mindoro we had inauguration of the new multipurpose house with Joey and Vivian in Mamburao. The old house collapsed due to termites and this new place will be a great tool for the church as well as for the fisherman ministry and jail ministry. We plan also for the church to have a daycare for the poor children in the area.
In Mindoro we had inauguration of the new multipurpose house with Joey and Vivian in Mamburao. The old house collapsed due to termites and this new place will be a great tool for the church as well as for the fisherman ministry and jail ministry. We plan also for the church to have a daycare for the poor children in the area.
Food distribution on the dumpsite
We have now had our first food delivery on the dumpsite. There live about 80 families around the dumpsite. Last Monday cars came in a big line dumping trash on the site. There were a lot of people, both adults and children, ready to receive the trash to see if there was anything valuable that could be exchanged in money to buy food for the family.
Even though I have seen it with my own eyes it is impossible to understand that someone can live under such circumstances. Now the rain season is here and a lot of people have developed wounds and rashes. Since this is a dumpsite, there are also a lot of flies that comes into the wounds. The way the situation is right now they need boots and gloves, as many of them look through the garbage barefoot and without anything on their hands.
We distributed food and vitamins to 69 children. Further, we told them about the necessity of washing their hands before they eat. It seemed like most of the children were unfamiliar with the use of soap.
The mothers are very grateful that we came and gave the children food. I believe we will achieve a great collaboration with the families and we hope that we may help some of them to a different life.
Tone
Even though I have seen it with my own eyes it is impossible to understand that someone can live under such circumstances. Now the rain season is here and a lot of people have developed wounds and rashes. Since this is a dumpsite, there are also a lot of flies that comes into the wounds. The way the situation is right now they need boots and gloves, as many of them look through the garbage barefoot and without anything on their hands.
We distributed food and vitamins to 69 children. Further, we told them about the necessity of washing their hands before they eat. It seemed like most of the children were unfamiliar with the use of soap.
The mothers are very grateful that we came and gave the children food. I believe we will achieve a great collaboration with the families and we hope that we may help some of them to a different life.
Tone
News May and June
Street Children
Some of these youth, which came off the street 5-6 years ago, are now leading the work among the street children. Every week they go out on the streets to gather the children for teaching, singing and a nice meal. It is done three different places in the city. Children down to four years old are among those they gather. As we come together in the open area in the centre of the city, it starts to get dark. The children sing with joy, listen very attentive to the word of God and pray with all their heart as they are lead in prayer. Then they have a meal with rice, chicken and vegetables.
School Supplies
The one time giving of school supplies are helping more than 6000 children go to school this year. It is also a powerful way of showing the love of God and we give both the children and the parents the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are now working at the big dump site in Cavite helping the poor families living there to send their children to school. On the picture you see some of the children at the dump site going home with new school bags. We will also start a feeding of the children and a daycare to see a change in the lives of the families living at the dump site.
Food distribution
Last Monday, we had this month’s distribution of food for the 17 villages we are helping because of the drought in Mindoro . This food is a supplement to the root crop they already have, and is helping them trough the crises preventing malnutrition and sickness. The rainy season has just started, but still there is at least three more months before they can harvest again.
Opening of the Centre on Mindoro
We are rejoicing over the opening of the Community-Development Centre and training campus in Mindoro. We had 350 guests that rejoiced together with us and gave praise to the Lord. Congress representative from Mindoro, Girlie Villarosa whom also is one of the most influential politicians in the country (deputy speaker of the house), visited us together with local politicians. We are rejoicing over good relations with the leaders of the country and with local politicians.
The new community-development centre consists of three different buildings: Education program (preschool, school supplies and sponsorship program), Health program in the Islin centre (delivery room, medical help to the poor and health promotion) and Community help with work training and relief help programmes. In the last building we also have an office for ICMF and the team working together with ptr. Santie to reach out in the Mangyan villages with the gospel and health promoting effort. Here we are additionally keeping equipment for reading the Bible on the different Mangyan languages enabling the illiterate to ”receive” the word of God for themselves.
This month we will also have more youth camps on the centre. For many of the youths this is the first time they experience coming to camp. It is great to be able to help the poor that would not have been able to have a proper vacation.
The new community-development centre consists of three different buildings: Education program (preschool, school supplies and sponsorship program), Health program in the Islin centre (delivery room, medical help to the poor and health promotion) and Community help with work training and relief help programmes. In the last building we also have an office for ICMF and the team working together with ptr. Santie to reach out in the Mangyan villages with the gospel and health promoting effort. Here we are additionally keeping equipment for reading the Bible on the different Mangyan languages enabling the illiterate to ”receive” the word of God for themselves.
This month we will also have more youth camps on the centre. For many of the youths this is the first time they experience coming to camp. It is great to be able to help the poor that would not have been able to have a proper vacation.
Unusual drought
We are having an El Nino season, an unusual drought, right now in the Philippines. El Niño is a global coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon. The name El Niño comes from the Spanish name for "the little boy" and also refers to the Christ Child. The reason is because when the phenomenon of an El Niño happens, it is normally around Christmas time. It usually happens in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of South America and is characterized by unusually warm temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
The last El Niño began in September 2006 and it lasted until early July of 2007. Since July 2007, El Niño has been a little quiet until now. In the US this will cause a crown year with the best crop ever (like 1997), while the Philippines, Indonesia and countries in our region experience a terrible drought and starvation for many people. Warm winds dry out the land. The effects have been seen in the Philippines since Christmas and are now felt by the people in Mindoro. It is an unusual dry season and nothing grows without watering. The Mangyans normally just live of the things they harvest day by day in the mountains and have no money to buy food. This lifestyle causes a lot of problems when there is a drought. They will normally harvest cassava, sweet potatoes, burut, gabe, rice, bananas and name. Many villages have no more food and can only find some name. Name has a poison that must be washed away before they use it as food. The Mangyans know how to do this. The cassava and other crops don’t grow any more. Many of our Mangyan brothers don’t know what to eat from one day until the next. When speaking to Santie two days ago, he started to cry when I asked about the situation. He said: My people have no food. But I am looking to God to help us through the next months. In their churches there are 300 families. I asked him to gather the other leaders and look at all possible solutions for their people. We sat down with him to make a plan what can be done. In addition to some food given, we must find seed of vegetables they can grow around their houses to help in the crises. They will not be back to normal harvest before September.
The last El Niño began in September 2006 and it lasted until early July of 2007. Since July 2007, El Niño has been a little quiet until now. In the US this will cause a crown year with the best crop ever (like 1997), while the Philippines, Indonesia and countries in our region experience a terrible drought and starvation for many people. Warm winds dry out the land. The effects have been seen in the Philippines since Christmas and are now felt by the people in Mindoro. It is an unusual dry season and nothing grows without watering. The Mangyans normally just live of the things they harvest day by day in the mountains and have no money to buy food. This lifestyle causes a lot of problems when there is a drought. They will normally harvest cassava, sweet potatoes, burut, gabe, rice, bananas and name. Many villages have no more food and can only find some name. Name has a poison that must be washed away before they use it as food. The Mangyans know how to do this. The cassava and other crops don’t grow any more. Many of our Mangyan brothers don’t know what to eat from one day until the next. When speaking to Santie two days ago, he started to cry when I asked about the situation. He said: My people have no food. But I am looking to God to help us through the next months. In their churches there are 300 families. I asked him to gather the other leaders and look at all possible solutions for their people. We sat down with him to make a plan what can be done. In addition to some food given, we must find seed of vegetables they can grow around their houses to help in the crises. They will not be back to normal harvest before September.
Updates February 2010
This time we like to give you some updates from Mindoro. Our base at Core, is now operating and the base consists of three parts. Our community developing center, training campus and a resting place for people that need to come aside for some time (yet to be built). Each part is divided into three more areas. The community developing center has the education part (preparatory school ++), the health center (Iselin Center), and the livelihood center. At the training campus we already have training of workers; in addition we will have training of local leaders and campus for youth camps. We are impressed by the quality of the young people giving their lives to serve the Lord.
The first baby was born in the new maternity clinic in Core yesterday. The boy was strong and healthy and the parents very grateful for the help given them. Landa and Tone assisted at the delivery, and we rejoice in the fact that we have now started to use the health center in Mindoro on a daily basis. A baby born is a miracle every time and the boy born at the Iselin center yesterday is no exception. We are so thankful to God for letting us help people in so many different ways.
The first baby was born in the new maternity clinic in Core yesterday. The boy was strong and healthy and the parents very grateful for the help given them. Landa and Tone assisted at the delivery, and we rejoice in the fact that we have now started to use the health center in Mindoro on a daily basis. A baby born is a miracle every time and the boy born at the Iselin center yesterday is no exception. We are so thankful to God for letting us help people in so many different ways.
2009
Report from Christmas 2009
Our recent activity last Christmas is the Christmas baskets special where we distribute assorted goodies for the poor families who could hardly buy food for the Noche Buena
(Night before Christmas) and Media Noche (Night before New Year). It’s a Filipino tradition that they gather and prepare delicious food during those occasions. We have made the 1, 296 families celebrate a merry Christmas through the groceries that we have given to them. The Christmas baskets were distributed in Palawan, Cotobato, Cavite and Mindoro.
In Mindoro, we have to load all the goodies in a truck since these MangyanVillage (indigenous people) is 2 hours drive from our Center there. According to the Mangyan leaders they could not believe that it is a truckload of goodies that will be brought to them!
(Night before Christmas) and Media Noche (Night before New Year). It’s a Filipino tradition that they gather and prepare delicious food during those occasions. We have made the 1, 296 families celebrate a merry Christmas through the groceries that we have given to them. The Christmas baskets were distributed in Palawan, Cotobato, Cavite and Mindoro.
In Mindoro, we have to load all the goodies in a truck since these MangyanVillage (indigenous people) is 2 hours drive from our Center there. According to the Mangyan leaders they could not believe that it is a truckload of goodies that will be brought to them!
We have had Christmas party among the 96 inmates with our new jail ministry in Mindoro. It was also their first time to experience a party and received bibles. They were given hope and encouragement by the messages that were preached by our local partner, Norwegian missionary and Chinese students. We also had Christmas parties in three other prisons we are working in.
There are so many things that the Lord is doing in touching the lives of the people we serve, because of the continued support in prayers, volunteer service and financial support of generous people like you who are committed to serve in His kingdom.
Summary of Relief Work 2009
We had an excellent team of young people working with us.
Development of the center at Core
The new ”Community Developing Centre” on Mindoro is now in use. The pre-school is giving help to many of the poor children that otherwise would not be able to go to school. Many of the parents that cannot read are now attending readers training so they can keep up with their children. “Iselin centre” is the new health centre with delivery room for women giving birth, dentist room, health promoting programs and hygiene teaching. We are just waiting for some formalities before the delivery room can be in full use. The last building is a livelihood centre that helps people with getting a living. The women that make pearl necklaces, is one of the programs that resides in this house. One example of the help to community development is the help we have given to the neighbour village here at Core. We were given a gift from Norway that was marked to helping poor farmers with a place to sundry the rice. This is a cemented place where they can dry their rice in the harvest time. Many of the farmers use the roads to dry their rice because they have nothing else, and a lot of the rice is destroyed when car’s driver over it. Our neighbours at Core had a place that once had been a basketball court. However, now it was destroyed and overgrown by weeds. We contacted them and met with the local leaders about the project. Now we have built a beautiful basketball court that has lifted the impression of the village from being a place of decay and ruin, to being a place in development. We have repaired the drainage system in the area so that the water is channelled away and is not flooding the court. The children and youths now have a nice place to play and practice, and the village have a natural meeting place and a place for social gathering. All the poor farmers in the area now have a place to dry their rice and we have gained very happy and thankful neighbours.
On the picture, you can see the change that has happened in the village. However, the greatest part is that the gospel of the Kingdom of God is being demonstrated and proclaimed to all the villages .
On the picture, you can see the change that has happened in the village. However, the greatest part is that the gospel of the Kingdom of God is being demonstrated and proclaimed to all the villages .
Life for the whole family.
Three months ago, Tone found two weeks old Krystel in the local hospital here in Cavite. Krystel was malnourished and had a severe blood infection. But there was no treatment because the parents had no money to pay. She was in the hospital to die. Speaking to her mother we decided to help. Krystel was transferred to National Children’s Hospital in Manila and after treatment she was transferred to our clinic in Cavite. She has been with us now for two months. She is doing really well. Both parents have wrecked relationships in the past. The father has a criminal passed and the mother broke free from a non-marital cohabitation with drunkenness and domestic violence. After the help has been given to Krystel, both parents have heard the gospel and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Last Sunday as they visited Krystel here at our clinic, we were able to talk and pray together. We spoke together about forgiveness for sins, how to receive Jesus as Lord and the new life they now are enjoying. It was great to hear their testimonies: “He was so hard and did not want to believe, but when God saved Krystal’s life, he changed completely”, says the mother and looks at her husband. “I was a bad man and did many wrong things and ended up in prison. But now I have met Jesus and he has changed my life”, says the father with a big smile. They have both had a new start in life. Now he works every day, driving a tri cycle and earning a living for his family.” While I am waiting for passengers, I have time to read my Bible. I like to learn more about Jesus”. Krystel came home to her parents in June 2008. Eighteen months later the whole family suddenly came to visit us in Cavite. They wanted to say thank you for the help given and to tell us that they walk with God and give him all the glory! It was a great joy to se the whole family again. All the praise to our glories Savior!
Updates from the first week of November 2009
The evacuation centre where people are living close together
We believed that the phase of relief help would change and that we now could start with longterm help such as rebuilding of houses. However, last week we went out with a lot of relief help. Still hundreds of families live in evacuationscentres in different parts of Manila. These are the people who have been affected by all the three powerfull typhones Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi (the Philippine names) which hit Manila in October. Last week we visited five evacuation centres. The areas that are still flooded have issues with diseases such as denguefever and different infections caused by ratpie in the water. It is important that these people get enough food to help them resist such diseases. We have given out help to 1000 new families last week. These are people who cannot move back to their houses because they are still under water. People are very greatful for the help they get that provides food for at least a week.
Now more than 5000 families have recieved help by the money that you have given! It is a great privilage to be your hands and feet helping the poeple in need. Many people express that they experience Gods love and compassion through the help they are reciving and are touched by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now more than 5000 families have recieved help by the money that you have given! It is a great privilage to be your hands and feet helping the poeple in need. Many people express that they experience Gods love and compassion through the help they are reciving and are touched by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Update October 2009
5th Anniversary of MWBPI
Last week MWBPI celebrated their 5th anniversary. We gathered the staff, the sponsor children, the livelihood ladies, and others involved with MWBPI. On the picture you can see the staff dressed up in costumes for their special number.
Home for Abandoned and Malnourished Babies
The home for abandoned and malnourished babies is going well. In October one of the babies was adopted to Spain. Further, this month one malnourished child has come from Mindoro and one more abandoned baby is now in our care. Totally, there is now 12 babies and children at the center.
Relief Help
We feel honored to be the hands and the feet in this nation right now. Together we have been able to help 3949 families so far, after the flood in Manila. We are continuing to reach out to people. The last place helped was Marikina, where there is a great need for help. We have now started the second face of relief help, giving out kitchen utilities like frying pan, casserole, plates, cups, spoons, water jug, blankets, towels etc. to the people who have lost everything. This will enable them to start getting back on their feet after the tragedy. The help you have sent has worked miracles for thousands of people. Now the danger for epidemics is increasing, so pray for the people in these areas.
We have had a meeting with the major of General Trias to ask the government to provide a place for the people along the river to relocate. In that way they can move away from the dangerous areas along the river and we can help them with more permanent homes. These people are the poorest of the poor. The major promised to find a solution together with us.
Mass wedding
Yesterday we arranged mass wadding for ten couples. Many cannot afford to be married and if you are not married in the Philippines, the children will not be registered for school. The ten newlyweds where very grateful!
Maternity Clinic
There is a great increase of deliveries in the maternity clinic. So far in October we have reached 47 deliveries.
Latest news from the Relief Work in Manila
People are still in need and we are continuing to reach out with relief support. Yesterday we went into Manila to two different places and handed out food supplies to 500 families. Today we went to two other places in Manila and were able to help additionally 650 families. Totally, we have now been able to help more than 2000 families. As each family normally consists of approximately 5-8 members we have been able to reach more than 10 000 people. The supplies we hand out are basic food and soap for a whole family to last for at least a week.
Ministries without borders have very capable social workers who travel into the affected areas, surveying the area to find the neediest families. In addition, we have a close working relationship with the local governments and churches in the different areas. Many of the churches have been flooded and are not able to help the needy themselves.
Still many people are in great need. In some places in Manila the water is still high and does not seem to be decreasing. Everyone we help are smiling and saying thank you! Thanks to your help we are able to reach out to many people
Ministries without borders have very capable social workers who travel into the affected areas, surveying the area to find the neediest families. In addition, we have a close working relationship with the local governments and churches in the different areas. Many of the churches have been flooded and are not able to help the needy themselves.
Still many people are in great need. In some places in Manila the water is still high and does not seem to be decreasing. Everyone we help are smiling and saying thank you! Thanks to your help we are able to reach out to many people
Flood victims getting help in Manila
People are still in great need! Yesterday we went into Manila to one of the areas that are still flooded. Pasig is one of the lower areas in Manila. Some of the places the water reached to our waist. We had armed military escort, and brought food supplies to many families. The army trucks are the only transport vehicle that can carry the amount of food we were bringing and manage the amount of water we were traveling through. On the way in we saw a dead man floating in the river. In the same water children are playing. The water is so dirty you cannot see many centimeters below the surface. When we got to the house we were supposed to hand out food in, we realized it was too much water there so we had to do it in the street from the army vehicles. Over 500 of the neediest families were given food supplies. However, there are still many families in need. And as we were there the word spread and thousands of people came, bagging for food. As people have lost everything and the prices of food have more than doubled in the area the situation is critical for many of them and they can get desperate. Here the armed soldiers got in handy. Today we helped an additional of 50 families in the Cavite area. The ones that get help are extremely thankful. Every day we are reaching out to people with the most essential help.
Many organizations are helping in the outer edge of the affected area, but are reluctant to go into the inner areas where we went yesterday. It is important to give the help now to prevent hopelessness and sickness. The Filipino army is very helpful and was very good in calming the people we could not cater for this time. We are impressed by the Filipino people coping with this situation. In the midst of the problems they are grateful and praying to God for help. It is a great privilege to be your extended hand to the Filipino people, demonstrating the love of God.
Many organizations are helping in the outer edge of the affected area, but are reluctant to go into the inner areas where we went yesterday. It is important to give the help now to prevent hopelessness and sickness. The Filipino army is very helpful and was very good in calming the people we could not cater for this time. We are impressed by the Filipino people coping with this situation. In the midst of the problems they are grateful and praying to God for help. It is a great privilege to be your extended hand to the Filipino people, demonstrating the love of God.
Updates about Typhoon in Manila area
As some may have heard a typhoon hit the Manila area Saturday. Many people have lost their lives and thousands have lost their homes and everything they own. Big areas are totally destroyed. It is important that people get help the first days with food, clothes and soap to prevent the spread of diseases. Yesterday we were able to help 40 people with baskets of food, clothes and soap. Tomorrow we are helping an additional 170 families. People are in great need, and the ones that are helped are extremely happy! However, the families need help to rebuild their houses. Yesterday we went to a school were 16 families are staying in a small classroom of 15 square meters. If you want to help, please transfer money to the account: 354-3.35450551-8. Name: Ministries Without Borders, Philippines. Swiftcode: MBTCPHMM. Account in Norway: 3632.52.58033
Latest News - September 2009
We would like to share some of the good things happening in the ministry here. In the maternity clinic people are coming for check up, teaching classes and deliveries. Every day grateful mothers go home with a healthy baby in their arms. It is good when people can see the love of God in vulnerable situations in life.
In the children’s home all the babies are doing well. We will let Jenny represent all of them this month. She was found on a garbage dump only a few hours old with her umbilical cord torn off. She was brought to our clinic where our midwife attended to her and her life was saved. Nobody has been able to trace her family. In June she turned one year old and she is now walking around like a little sun beam. She is now ready for adoption waiting for her parents to turn up.
One of our friends from Norway sent a gift for the fishermen. We are now in the typhoon season here in the Philippines. Visiting Joey in Mindoro, we found that many of the fishermen he is working among were lacking food, since they had not been able to go out fishing for several weeks. Some fishermen have been stranded on other islands due to the storms in the area, and their wives and children were at home with no food in their houses. Joey went visiting 50 of the families, and it turned out that 36 families were in need. He invited them all to come on Sunday afternoon to receive prayer and food for their families. Some of the wives were crying in gratefulness to the Lord for meeting their needs. Joey shared about the fishermen that became followers of Jesus two thousand years ago and helped them all to turn to the Lord in their need. And they all were giving thanks to the Lord! Again we saw that one man’s good deed became another man’s miracle.
Last week we also visited the church in Ozamiz to strengthen the brothers there. All the street children were given new t-shirts at the feeding last Friday. It is such a joy to see the changes in young people’s lives. God is at work in wonderful ways.
Monthly News Archive
Latest News - June 2009
In Mindoro we are excited at the development of our new mission training centre. You can see here a very recent picture of our newly constructed hall which will hold many training events and conferences for local, national and international guests. Also, on our new base is already a maternity clinic, school and administration centre, and soon there will be accomodation 'lodges' to cater for more than 100 guests at any one time. We're so thankful to God and blessed by the generosity of our supporters around the world that are making this happen - thank you!
In Mindoro we are excited at the development of our new mission training centre. You can see here a very recent picture of our newly constructed hall which will hold many training events and conferences for local, national and international guests. Also, on our new base is already a maternity clinic, school and administration centre, and soon there will be accomodation 'lodges' to cater for more than 100 guests at any one time. We're so thankful to God and blessed by the generosity of our supporters around the world that are making this happen - thank you!
Latest News - May 2009
In Cavite we see great progress among the children. We are in the middle of summer right now, and they enjoy taking a bath. On the picture you see Robert (with Down syndrome) and Theresa enjoying the water. Robert is developing very well after we had to specialist from Norway helping here for two months.
We also saw 45 deliveries in the maternity clinic in the month of March. Many women are helped and give thanks to the Lord for the help they receive.
The team from Bergen Bible School has been a great blessing to us. First we had 200 children from the neighborhood here in Cavite coming to our base. We hosted a three days holiday club, running from eight in the morning till six in the evening. The theme was “Gods Champions” and we had days packed with teaching, singing, games, crafts and a lot of fun.
In Cavite we see great progress among the children. We are in the middle of summer right now, and they enjoy taking a bath. On the picture you see Robert (with Down syndrome) and Theresa enjoying the water. Robert is developing very well after we had to specialist from Norway helping here for two months.
We also saw 45 deliveries in the maternity clinic in the month of March. Many women are helped and give thanks to the Lord for the help they receive.
The team from Bergen Bible School has been a great blessing to us. First we had 200 children from the neighborhood here in Cavite coming to our base. We hosted a three days holiday club, running from eight in the morning till six in the evening. The theme was “Gods Champions” and we had days packed with teaching, singing, games, crafts and a lot of fun.
Latest News - March 2009
We reached a new record at the maternity clinic last week, having six deliveries in 12 hours. A lady had been to ultrasound scan and knew she could expect a breech delivery. Because she could not afford to deliver at the hospital she came rushing into our clinic to deliver. But she was hiding the result of the scan for the midwife on duty. Tone was summoned and with her experience the baby was delivered safely.
In the clinic for malnourished children we see great progress in all the children. Jennilyn is a baby from one of the Mangyan villages who was breastfed by her aunt because her mother was so ill with Tuberculosis. She was three months old and weighed only 1,8 kilos. She had pneumonia and was malnourished when we found her in the beginning of February. Jennilyn is now healed and is growing very healthy. She is a smiling and happy baby. Jennilyn will be united with her parents after some months.
We reached a new record at the maternity clinic last week, having six deliveries in 12 hours. A lady had been to ultrasound scan and knew she could expect a breech delivery. Because she could not afford to deliver at the hospital she came rushing into our clinic to deliver. But she was hiding the result of the scan for the midwife on duty. Tone was summoned and with her experience the baby was delivered safely.
In the clinic for malnourished children we see great progress in all the children. Jennilyn is a baby from one of the Mangyan villages who was breastfed by her aunt because her mother was so ill with Tuberculosis. She was three months old and weighed only 1,8 kilos. She had pneumonia and was malnourished when we found her in the beginning of February. Jennilyn is now healed and is growing very healthy. She is a smiling and happy baby. Jennilyn will be united with her parents after some months.
In the children’s home Dexter has been with us since he was born a year ago. He now has a new family in Sweden. We are grateful to God for giving him a good Christian family.
Thank you for all your prayers!
Thank you for all your prayers!
Latest News - February 2009
Let me tell you about Carlo.
Carlo Lingkibin (19) is a young man with the hand of God on his life. He is working in the mountains at the border between Oriental and Occidental Mindoro. He works with Sante, Ernie and the other brothers reaching their fellow Mangyan for Christ. Carlo is an anointed preacher. “Often when he preaches I start crying”, say’s Sante. Carlo has led more than 100 families to the Lord in three different villages far into the mountains. When asked how he is working, he tells me that most of the people are illiterate, so it is all oral learning. He has plans for starting a literacy program. Carlo is walking for three days from his village to reach the road where he can have a lift. Many places he has to crawl on hands and knees. When asked if he stayed over night in hotels, he just laughed and shook his head. “I stay alone in caves”, he said with a big smile. In the villages where he is working, people have not yet started to wear cloths. They only have the traditional string. Carlo himself did not have clothes when asked to join us in our gathering. He did not tell anybody, but cried to the Lord. Three days ago he was given a shirt and a pair of trousers. On the picture you see him in his new clothes sitting next to Rosena, who is the wife of Ernie. She is leading the work among the ladies. She told Tone that in the remote areas, the women feel ashamed because they are naked. They are now asking for clothes. So far, people in the churches from other villages, where they use clothes, are giving what they have, but it is not sufficient. If people have two shirts, one is given away. If you have two blankets one is given away. It is time for us to help them! These villages are the places that has benefitted from the tape recorders with crank handle. Sante told me that of the 20 cassette players we gave them, four needs to be repaired. Next step is to get mp3 players with solar chargers from China. That will give them access to the whole bible and make the work much easier for Carlo and the other brothers laboring there. Each set costing approximately 6$. At our training centre at Core, these brothers will have an office where they can record teaching in the six different languishes among the Mangyan. The kingdom of God is increasing day by day!
Latest News - January 2009
Firstly, a Happy New Year to you all!
Unfortunately, for one community here in the Philippines the year hasn't started off so well. Close by from our new base on Mindoro is a village called Magnot, home to several of our construction workers. Earlier this month a fire broke out in a kitchen, which spread through the whole village because of strong winds, but thankfully no one was injured - just one poor pig that was lost to the flames. 50 families lost everything, with just 3 houses that remain standing and so the community is in real need.
Together with the local government, Red Crossand other NGO we have been able to offer emergency help, something that we praise God for - that He has given us the resources to help people when there is such need.
2008
Latest News - November 2008
This month we have been delighted to host two overseas teams for medical missions. Firstly, thanks to the generosity of dentists visiting from Norway, we were able to provide free dental clinics to over 200 people in the local communities of Santiago in Luzon and Abra de illog in Mindoro. We have also been extremely grateful for our visitors from the USA who have enabled hundreds of locals to receive free eye care treatment - praise God!
Latest News - October 2008
We continue to provide a fortnightly program to expectant mothers in the Cavite community. Around 40 'mums to be' attend the classes, which provide ante-natal and post-natal advice and training. Most of these ladies will then come to our facilities to deliver their child. Here is a photo taken early this month with some of the proud mums and bumps!
Latest News - September 2008
This month sees two more of the children in our baby home go and join their new adopted families. It is such a joy to be able to care for these little ones, most of them who have been with us since birth, before they go to different parts of the world to start their new lves. God Bless them all!.
Latest News - July 2008
Local Pastor receives motorbike for ministry
Pastor Sante lives on the island of Mindoro with his family and looks after more than 20 churches. This month we had the privilege of donating him a motorbike, which will enable him to visit his congregations much more frequently and easily. Our prompting to give turned out to be an answer to four years of prayer from Pastor Sante - praise God!
Latest News - June 2008
School supplies distributed to 3000 youngsters and inauguration of Mindoro Day Care!
Over the last six weeks 3000 children throughout the Philippines have received much needed school supplies from Ministries Without Borders. For 600 pesos per child, that’s just US$16, we have been able to give each child enough writing materials, books and clothing to get through the whole of the next academic year!
It has also been an excited month as our new day care center was inaugurated on our new site in Mindoro. Government Counselors and local Pastors were amongst the guests hosted at this special event, all of whom readily welcome this new facility for the community.
Latest News - May 2008
School supplies distributed to 3000 children!
This month 3000 children throughout the Philippines will receive much needed school supplies from Ministries Without Borders. For 600pesos per child, that’s just US$16, we have been able to give each child enough writing materials, books and clothing to get through the whole of the next academic year!
Thank you so much to all our generous sponsors, without whom we would never be able to touch and bless so many lives.
