Show Them How to Catch Fish

By Joshua Benavidez

I just recently started with my new role as Extreme Response (ER) International's Director for Asia.  I officially started at the start of the year.  Part of my job is to build and maintain healthy relationships with our partner organizations within our region.

So before the end of February, together with Russ Cline and Jerry Carnill, ER's Chief Advancement Officer and Chief Executive Officer respectively, I went to India and Nepal to be acquainted with the leaders of our partner organizations and to personally see what kind of work they are doing.

For 10 days, we went from one city to another and we saw the amazing work being done to help poor communities, street children, children living in the dump and women rescued from human trafficking.  In almost all ministries we visited, they have started a sewing livelihood program for women.

It immediately caught my interest and attention, not only because we have a sewing ministry in Manila but also because it confirms the direction God has placed in our hearts for all our ministries and partnerships.

It is based on the saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Aside from the sewing ministry, towards the end of January, we set up a livelihood program for a ministry among an unreached people's group in the northeastern part of the Philippines - the Dumagats.

The Dumagats, the close relatives of the Aetas, are semi-nomadic people.  They move from one place to another in search of food and better shelter although some have learned to live in permanent settlements.  Most of them are hunters and fishermen.  This particular group we are helping is in Casiguran, Aurora which is about 24 hours away from Manila by land.

Last year, we bought a generator that the pastor requested so he can go around the village and preach the Gospel.  He and his wife also attended Leader Mundial Manila Summit held last October 2012.  There we learned the hardship and difficulties they are facing not just in the ministry but also in their daily life as a family.

He narrated to us that the small boat he was using before to catch fish needed repairs including the motor that powers it. 

He also told us that the church that used to support them stopped.  If only they have the means, they would like to raise hogs so that the income can be used to help the church and the community.

The Lord answered our prayers as a donor gave enough funds to buy a new motor for a small boat and buy some pigs too.

Before we left for the US last January, he came to Manila so we can give him the funds he needed.  A few days later, he bought the hogs they will raise and he also bought a new motor for his small boat.

We also gave some extra for their family's needs.  So in a way, we gave them some “fish” because sometimes before they can catch some fish, they need to eat first too.

The pastor later on sent some pictures.  He reported that the hogs are doing well and are growing healthy.  He also said that he is now able to use the boat for catching fish and at the same time for ferrying people from one island to another which also earns him a little income.   He is so thankful to God that He provided means for them to have a source of living and that God is always on time. He understands that life in their island is still difficult, but now a glimmer of hope shines.