Changing of the Guards!

(FROM JOSHUA AND ANNE'S SEPTEMBER PRAYER-LETTER PAGE 1)


As I write this newsletter, exactly eight years after me and my friend started Youth Mobilization (YM), I am no longer the team leader of YM.  In a simple but memorable ceremony last September 12, held at the International Teams Philippines (ITP) office, I formally turned over the team to new leadership.

With regards to my new role, it will be decided by the end of  September, so I can't make full announcements until the first week of October.

So officially, Mackie now heads YM, while John heads Tender and Tender has become a new team directly under ITP and separate from YM.  Me and Anne chose to remain with YM as a support to Mackie and we are still IT missionaries. Although the two are now different and separate teams, we have agreed to stay as one team in spirit as we promise to work together, as if nothing has changed.

It wasn’t an easy decision for me since YM was my “baby” but I have learned to obey the Lord no matter how difficult His command is.  It is a process I started to pray for and struggle with for the last two years.  Finally, me and Anne agreed that this is the time we have been waiting for.  The two new leaders are ready and the two teams can now stand on their own even without me as their team leader.

As to my new role, continue to pray for God’s will and direction.  As soon as everything is confirmed we will certainly let everyone now.  The only thing clear for us is that God is leading us to pursue and expand what God has called us to do and that is to come alongside and empower leaders so that they can be effective in their ministry to the poor, the hopeless and the helpless.  We covet and appreciate all your prayers and support.

NEWS BITS

Towards the end of May, our summer vacation, our family, together with 20 others went to Roxas and Iloilo (Visayan Region - an hour by plane from Manila) to minister and help a couple churches through medical mission, hygiene clinic and personal evangelism.  Josiah and another missionary are seen here helping with the dental service.

The Golden Hands Sewing Ministry is growing.  Since  Anne started it last July, 8 mothers have already involved.  Aside from getting extra income, the mothers also have started a small group ministry.  They use their time together not just to sew but also to share God’s Word and encourage one another.

To continue YM’s legacy of equipping youth leaders, Anne and Mackie, the new YM Team Leader, gather 15 youth leaders from different churches for an overnight summit.  They used this opportunity last September 14 & 15 to teach Leader Mundial’s ABC of Leadership and to launch YM’s newest project, the online mentoring of Youth Leaders.

The Leader Mundial Manila Summit will kick-off our last quarter activities.  We are expecting 35 leaders to attend this 4-day summit from October 17-20.  This year’s venue is the Rizal Re-Creation Center in Laguna (about a two-hour drive from Manila) and the theme is, “Renewing One’s Passion in Serving the Lord.” 

Harvest Time!

My first encounter with Zanzibar happened more than 15 years ago.  I was a young staff then of a local church involved in feeding little children in this street located in Baranggay San Isidro, Makati .  Makati City is known as the business district of the Philippines but maybe unknown to many, it is home to many urban poor communities.  Zanzibar is one of them. 

I remember so well how the children would recognize our vehicle as it turns from Batangas street towards them, a 1975 Yellow Ford Fierra.  Young and old alike would then run, grab a bowl and a spoon and line up towards our vehicle.  We would do this week after week – for almost an hour, we would give food and then take some time to share God’s Word to the people. 

I don’t know why I stopped being part of that ministry, but maybe I was assigned to another area or I was given more responsibilities and I had to train and ask someone to take my place.

15 years later, I am back in Zanzibar.  The place looks the same although recognizing a single face is a bit difficult.  The many shanties are still there.  Children roam everywhere at any given time.  The one side of that street that is home to many jeepneys still operates as a garage/repair shop/garden (one man thought of using an abandoned dilapidated jeepney as a plant rack.  He has about ten ornamental plants on top of that jeepney).  There are still those who congregate to kill time in their own unique and special way.  Some would drink and sing while the others play a locally popular game called bingo for some small amount of money.  Others still set up a tent where they can relax and sleep during the heat of the day.

But amidst all of these, something different can be seen.  A young man in his early twenties holds a Bible while his companion happily strums his guitar while leading in singing spiritual songs.  Around them is a group of about twenty, mostly mothers while 2 or three are young people.  Fathers would drop in and out as the singing continues.

The one who holds the Bible and the one who leads the singing are my staff.  Lacking a place large enough to hold twenty people, we have decided to hold our weekly Bible Study on the street.  It encourages me a lot to see them lead the people in studying the Word of God, not minding the noise and the other things happening around them.  It is a good sight indeed, considering that these people used to do what the other people normally do for their past time.

Now, aside from the Bible study, they regularly attend church.  Many of them are already serving in different capacities.  Some are part of the ushering ministry while some are committed prayer warriors.  They are also very much involved in the women’s ministry, advocating what it means to be a godly woman in the house.  The church responds by providing venues for them to grow in the Lord and be productive.  They have a regular fellowship among other housewives of the church as well as out of town special activities, like the Women’s Camp that is scheduled on August 3 and 4.

Moreover, we have set up a livelihood program for them.  Initially, there’s the sewing project where women are involved in making inexpensive wash cloths and pillow casing.  Proceeds from the sale of these help the women earn income as well as some portion go to help fund church ministries.

I realize that the Lord never forgets what He has started.  15 years ago, we started to plant the seeds of the Gospel.  Now we are harvesting.  The Apostle Paul was right when he confidently said that that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  God is so good and faithful indeed!   

Reaching the Unreached

It’s been a year since Pastor Jordan Dela Cruz started a ministry among the Dumagats in a remote island (Baranggay Cozo, Sitio Dimaguipo) off Casiguran, Aurora.  His first encounter with the Dumagats was when he and his wife visited the island right after their wedding.  Pastor Jordan, an Aeta from Zambales married Zyra, a Dumagat.  After their third visit, Pastor Jordan responded to the call fo God to minister to 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.  They inhabit the coastal areas of Aurora and Quezon and some are dispersed in smaller groups in the mountains.  They speak 6 different languages.

In spite of the obvious difficulties and challenges they will face in the island (the island is very remote and there’s no clean, running water and there is no electricity), Pastor Jordan started a Bible study in April 2011.  Immediately, 30 souls surrendered their lives to Jesus.  With those 30 regularly attending their Bible Studies, soon, they started a worship service.

Their worship sanctuary says it all – a make-shift structure built out of tree branches which serve as the posts and braces while a used polyester and nylon fabric serves as the roof.  Since, most of the members are poor they don’t have any funds to build a better worship place.  The church does not even have enough funds to support Pastor Jordan and his family.  But these conditions did not deter Pastor Jordan from pursuing God’s call for his life. 

Instead of being discouraged, he started evangelizing the area by going from one community to the other preaching the Gospel.  After a few meetings, he wondered what difference it will make if he had a portable generator he can use to power a sound system so the people can hear the Gospel better.  He started praying for it.  Meanwhile, his senior pastor shared this to us and we too started praying for it.  

God does answer our prayers.  When Joshua was in the US, someone approached him after he spoke to a mission’s class about the Dumagats.  He pledged to give funds enough to buy a portable generator.

After coordinating and sharing this wonderful news to Pastor Jordan, on June 14, Rico, Elisha and Ramon all Junior Pastors of JKKCC, volunteered to represent the Youth Mobilization Team and brought a generator that will help Pastor Jordan and his Gospel ministry.

The three traveled a total of 24 hours, including a 10-hour drive from Cabanatuan to Casiguran that started at 2:30 am, just to reach the island where the Dumagats live. It was a long drive indeed, but the hardship they encountered is nothing compared to what Pastor Jordan and his family experience in the island everyday.  They went home encouraged and so much challenged.

On the other hand, Pastor Jordan was so thankful.  He sees the generator as God’s proof that He will provide for all their needs.  He said in the interview, “The Lord commanded me to be here.  He was the one who brought me here; He will be the one to bring me out of here.  In all the trials and challenges we have experienced here, the Lord has proven Himself faithful.  I don’t know how to hunt nor to fish, and so I am totally dependent to Him who called me for this prupose.  This generator is just one of the many answer to prayers we have received from God”

Now, we have officially started of our ministry to the unreached.  As they board the boat that will bring them out of the island, they did’t say good bye but instead they said, we will meet again.  True enough, we are now planning to mobilize a bigger group to help Pastor Jordan and his ministry.  Please pray for us as we target to help build their worship place and his damaged boat.  That includes bringing a sound system and musical instruments.  We are also looking at bringing a medical team because many people in the island are sick and without any medical assistance.  The nearest hospital is at least 5 hours away by bus.

Article from our March Prayer Letter

YOU ALONE KNOW!

As I write our 2nd Prayer letter for the year 2012, I am in Palmdale, California.  I am staying with Chuck Keortge, a friend whom I first met in Quito, Ecuador during the first year of the Leader Mundial summit in 2007.  Ever since that year, I’ve been passing through South California after the summit but this year, for the first time, I have decided to visit them before the summit starts.  He’s more than a friend, in so many times and so many ways, he has shown to be my mentor, teacher and most especially a loving father.  I learn a lot from him and through him I have made many connections in the ministry both in the Philippines and in California, particularly his home church in Lancaster, Grace Chapel.

Anyway, on our way home from Grace Chapel last Saturday, the rain started to pour out as forecasted.  In here, it is so true the saying, “When it rains, it pours!”  What was coming down was not just water, it was snow. I thought there will be a blanket of snow in the morning because of the downpour, but it stopped a few minutes after we reached Chuck’s house.  But as we were traveling, I couldn’t help it but see the analogy between the down pour of rain and another kind of down pour we are experiencing in our ministry in the Philippines.

Indeed, we are experiencing a down pour of trials and problems as of the moment.  It started last year when many of our donors stopped giving, both personal and ministry.  It is due to the economic recession the whole world is experiencing right now.  Many of these donors have supported us faithfully in the last five years and if not for what they are experiencing personally, they would have continued supporting us.  We lose more than 60 percent of our personal and ministry support.

Then some of our team members also started experiencing persecution from their own family.  It seems connected to the economic situation but what bothers me is that their family would rather see them go back to their old sinful ways for as long as they can bring home money.  When they stood for their faith consequently, they were literally thrown out of their house.  In our most difficult time, we had to take in one of them because he won’t have any place to stay.  A price both of us had to pay because of the Gospel.

But the down pour didn’t stop there, a few months before the year ends, one calamity after the other struck the Philippines.  Storms came our way damaging many areas, including properties of our ministry partners, specifically, the farm we help put out for the Aetas of Morong, Bataan.  Then two months into 2012, an earthquake hit the southern islands of the Philippines bringing death and destruction to the Visayan region.  Family members of Pastor Junie, who leads the Seed of Love ministry, one of our ministry partners, were cut off from food and water supply as a result of the landslides and other damages brought about by the earthquake.

As the team leader, honestly, I contemplated quitting.  It seems that these are clear signs from God that I should stop, throw in the towel and change career.  They are signs indeed but are they really from God?

Then God made me remember a passage I preached onto at the beginning of the year.   It’s on Ezekiel 37 – the valley of dry bones.  In verse three it says, “He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."

In this particular passage, after the Lord has brought Ezekiel to valley, a valley full of dry bones, and after showing him around, how all the bones were very dry, He then asked Ezekiel a very important question.  “Can these dry bones live?”

Like many of us, I being the first one on the list, it is so easy for us to be affected by what we see, hear and experience.  Our decisions, most of the time, are based on logical thinking and those decisions are affected for sure by the factors that surround us.  Ezekiel could have easily answered, “Of course Lord, it is impossible, can’t you see that the bones are very dry?  They can’t, they are dead, and they have met their end.  It is an irreversible situation they are in.”

To be honest, that’s how I feel.  Everything is pointing to it, we have met our end.  “We have to stop now.  It is an irreversible process and there’s no way out.  It is impossible; we can’t continue without support, the damage is just too big, it is time to quit.”

Then Elijah gave a very powerful answer and I really like how he responded.  He said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."  He was actually saying it is not the dry bones who will determine whether they will live or not, but it is the Lord!  The Sovereign Lord, the God who is in full control of everything!  It is not our situation, nor even what the whole world is experiencing right now that will dictate whether we will continue serving the Lord or not but it is the Lord.  It is the Lord who called us into the ministry; it is Him who knows our beginning and end.  He who started a good work in us knows how to faithfully complete it in Christ Jesus.

We know how the dry bones ended.  They lived!  The valley of dry bones became a valley of an army of the living!  God knows indeed and He completed His work!  He will do the same for us, no matter situation we are in right now!

It is amazing, how God’s word can truly turn you around even though the situation has not turned around yet.  As soon as we decided to keep on believing and serving the Lord with or without support, the Lord started to show us what He can really do.  They are too many to mention, and so I just wrote them one by one in our Praise Items!   One thing’s for sure it is the Lord who knows!

Kanawan Farm Rehabilitation

 FAITH GARDENING IN KANAWAN AS CONDUCTED BY ANNE IN 2009

About three years ago, the Youth Mobilization team was involved in a series of projects that include a water system, gardening, poultry and livestock raising to help our partner ministry in an Aeta tribe called Kanawan.  This tribe, home to many Aetas displaced by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the 1990's, is situated in a mountain in Morong, Bataan, just outside the former US naval base in Subic.  


These projects proved to be very helpful as the farm become their main source of food and water.  Also, they were able to send students to school through the produce they get from the vegetable garden, poultry and livestock farming.  


Sad to say, the last quarter typhoon in 2011 and the resulting flooding destroyed all of these.  Decimating the vegetable garden and all of the chickens, goats, and pigs died.  Only the water system remained intact.

THE WATER BUFFALO IS THE LONE ANIMAL SURVIVOR OF THE STORM

Their immediate need was food (we have conducted a bit of a relief work immediately after the typhoon but lack of funds hindered us to sustain it) as their main source of food was cut off and it will take some time for them to grow vegetables and to harvest rice once again. They will also need seedlings, and new poultry and livestock to raise.


Through the help of a generous donor, we were able to help them build their farm again.  At the start of the year 2012, we have prioritized this farm rehabilitation project.

THE CHICKEN COOP

THE ALMOST-FINISHED PIG PEN

So far, the chicken coop and the pig pen have been constructed already.  They just need some finishing touches but we'll be able to use them to keep the animals safe and sound.  Last February 3, the animals (4 piglets and 100 chicks) arrived.  The vegetables (okra, egg plant, tomato, etc) are also growing while the rice will be ready for harvest in less than a month.  Please pray for the rice field because it is at its critical level.  Last year, it was also at that staged when the typhoon came and what's left after the strong winds and rain were eaten by field rats.

PASTOR DOMULOT AND HIS RICE FIELD

If all goes well, the vegetables will be harvested in 4-6 months. We just received word from Pastor Arsenio Domulot, who supervises and tends the farm, and who is also the senior pastor of Kanawan Christian Church, that the chickens are all fuly grown and that they have started selling them.  On the other hand, the pigs will be ready to reproduce after 4 months.  We bought 4 females.  

THE FOUR (NOT THREE) LITTLE PIGS

We are also considering buying other animals like goats, cows and ducks.  Duck eggs are used to make the locally popular "balut" and their meat is good for foo too.  It all depends on what happens with the present, if the program turns out good and produces so that we will have enough funds to expand the farm, then we will add more animals.  The area is really fit for raising animals because there is a nearby river making water so accessible for the farm and for personal use.  They also have a huge space to raise different kinds of animals.

Dumaguete Relief Operation (Ending)

PART 3 OF 3

The next day, February 21, we left early for La Libertad.  We bought additional 5 sacks of rice because we found out that some are taking advantage of the situation, selling rice at 100 pesos a kilo.  The price of rice before the earthquake was only 30-35 pesos a kilo.  We arrived at the foot of the mountain at 8 am and 30 minutes later, after securing all the relief bags to 4 single motorcycles we rented, we headed for Baranggay Pacuan.  We ourselves, 4 of us (5 including the driver), boarded a single motorcycle.

The two-hour motorcycle drive proved to be the ride of our lives.  Some roads are already paved with concrete but many still are not.  We passed by several times areas where there were landslides – big rocks and mud lie on what use to be passable roads.  Twice we had to disembark so our motorcycles can be pushed through areas badly damaged by the landslide.  No wonder, no other vehicles can be used to get in and out of that area, cutting off many people from food supply and other basic necessities.

After being tossed, twisted and shaken for two hours, we finally arrived at our destination.  We immediately distributed the relief items because we still need to go to Jonie’s mother which will take another 10-15 minutes hike.  Before heading for the hike, Jonie took the opportunity to briefly share God’s word to his relatives.  They listened intently, and from time to time, they uttered their thanksgiving to God for His great love and care for them.  It was their first time to receive any help after the earthquake.  They couldn’t believe that we will take so much effort just to bring help.  Tears flowed from their eyes as Jonie led them in prayer.

The same thing happened when we finally met Jonie’s mother and other relatives up the hill.  They laughed and cried at the same time.  Jonie’s mother even said that she thought she won’t see Jonie again but God is so faithful indeed that He gave them the opportunity to meet Jonie.  We really wanted to stay longer but because we needed to catch the bus’ last trip; we left there 30 minutes after 1 in the afternoon.  7 hours later, we’re back in Bacolod. 

Before leaving La Libertad, we stopped somewhere in the mountain where there is a view of Baranggay Solonggon.  70 people there died because of the landslide.  Until now, many bodies are still buried underneath the combination of mud, rocks and trees.  Jonie has relatives there too who need help but time and resources hindered us from going there.  We told them that if God provides, we will surely come back and help in the relief operations in Solonggon.

We spent our last night there in Bacolod.  Our flight back to Manila is at 10 in the morning.  Tired and bruised, we tried to sleep but somehow, our minds still lingered in what we had experienced for the last three days.  It is hard not to think about it, especially that we feel that our job is not done yet.  Many people still need help.  Those who help only bring relief goods at the evacuation center.  How about those who are at the other side of the mountain, especially the elderly and the weak who can’t travel?  We must come back, we said to ourselves as sleep finally conquered our tired and beaten bodies. 

Dumaguete Relief Operation (Continuation)

PART 2 OF 3

The more we venture into each Baranggay of Guihulngan, the more we see the damages.  Roads are uneven and cracked while bridges are totally damaged (the government made make-shift bridges so light vehicles can pass over) making land travel risky and treacherous.  Numerous times we again saw placards that people put up so they can ask for food and water.  People also shouted at us as we pass by, imploring us to give help. 

At one point, since we had to stop so we can give relief bags to Jonie’s relatives, we were almost mobbed by the people so we had to leave in a hurry.  People started running as fast as they could to reach our vehicle.  That’s how desperate the people have become just to get some food and water.  We wanted to give but our supply will not be sufficient to give to everyone.  We left hurriedly although we could see their desperate plea for help.  If only we have more, then we can help them too.

That afternoon, we were able to give relief bags to Jonie’s relatives living in Guihulngan.  We even reached the first Baranggay of La Libertad where Jonie’s cousin lives.  She pastors a church in that area.  After giving them relief bags, we wanted to continue to our next destination – Jonie’s relatives in Baranggay Pacuan, La Libertad. 

Before leaving, they cautioned us about going there in the evening.  It is almost 6 in the afternoon and it was getting dark.  They told us that it will take another two hours to reach our destination and there are landslides along the way.  Also, bandits and robbers are common in that area especially at night.

We heeded their advice and we returned to Jonie’s cousin to spend the night.  About dinner time, two strong after shocks just minutes apart from each other greeted us.  The quakes were a bit strong that the walls and the foundation of the house seemed to sound as if they were being twisted.  People started filling the streets and it took another an hour or two before they returned inside their houses.  The next day, very early in the morning, we felt another after shock.  According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhilVocs), as of this week, there are more than 1600 after shocks already recorded.

TO BE CONTINUED...