Children's Christmas Party

The Children's Christmas Party was a great success! The children's workers planned many fun activities that all the kids enjoyed. They laughed, played games and sang. Some of our youth did face painting and emceed the games. Then each grade level performed a Christmas song or dance. Over 200 kids were fed a delicious, nutritious meal and juice, then they received Christmas gifts.

Thanks to those who provided funding and gifts to make all this possible. The children's smiles could have lit up the entire neighborhood!

Project Life Subic also distributed 200 kg of rice to needy families for Christmas.

"...and the award for best party of the year goes to..."

The women's fellowship of Project Life held their Christmas party last Tuesday. What a great, fun filled, precious time we had. Over 30 women attended this fellowship. The womens leadership team, (Tina, Cindy, Emy, Cathy, Connie and Angie) planned worship, food, games and testimonies of God's goodness. It was inspiring to look around at all these women and remember what their lives used to be, compared to who they are now! Such growth, such beauty and joy on their faces! The newer members are now fully participating in women's bible study and activities. Most are attending church regularly.

We all laughed and sang and fellowshipped and thanked God for what he is doing in our lives. It was the best party of the year (so far... the childrens is on Saturday, so we'll update you soon on THAT big Christmas Celebration!) One event was the "Bonga si Lola" (most beautiful elderly gramma) contest. Contestants had an array of clothes, jewelry and other accesories for their friends to choose from and dress them up! Prizes for the winners of the games and contests were much needed canned goods.

Thank you for supporting the women's ministry. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Here are the Three Nanay's!

Showing their winning prizes!

Our Livelihood Training Center has moved!

We were scheduled to move out of the Project Life Center Thursday at 9 a.m., and as of Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. we still had no place to move all our equipment, materials, shelving and tables. Having had exhausted our search for a rental, we moved the extra chairs to the vacant lot, musical instruments to the Base, and now we waited. The call came at 9 p.m. with good news of a place for rent that would accomodate the Sewing Training!

The next morning the visiting team helped us move three truckloads to our new location. We have installed a new electric meter, updated the lighting and organized our 3 new rooms so the high speed machine training could begin. The new rental is so much bigger and brighter than our old place. We can offer both a month long high speed machine training and a three month Basic Sewing Skills course.

Sixteen men and women are excited to be attending the month long training! Many had been unskilled or trash scavengers, living day to day, feeling helpless and hopeless. Some are ex cons wanting a chance to lead a productive life. Now they are learning, praying and thanking God everyday for this opportunity to have a new life and a skill that will help them get a job. We already have a waiting list of students for the next training in January!

A big thank you to PACTEC Corp. who provides funding, encouragement and manpower to teach, train and advise us as we develop this training center. We thank God for you and all those who support Project Life Subic!

Short term missions- is it worth it?

Have you ever thought of the value of a short term missions trip? Wondered if it is worth the cost financially and time wise? Has your attitude been "what can I REALLY accomplish for the Kingdom in 2-6 weeks?" Or, for those of you that sponsor these trips, have you considered the impact you have through the people you send? Here's some great news to encourage and inspire you:

The Compassion DTS from Denver, 21 strong, came to work with us last month and has left a lasting impact on the city of Olongapo and surrounding areas. This talented, enthusiastic team, led by a strong leadership staff, visited 3 schools, 4 churches, and jails. They did outdoor evangelism at the Mardi Gras, in the city park and in basketball courts. They also ministered to our 12th St family on a weekly basis and we saw many of our youth, men and women grow stronger in their walk with the Lord. The team was strong in intercession and friendship evangelism, sharing the gospel and loving people wherever they went. It was amazing to see 115 people respond to the salvation message and 17 healings in 4 weeks!

We were also so blessed to take the team to a high school of 1,000 students where they gathered for a 2 hour assembly to listen to testimonies, watch skits, and hear about a loving God. Everywhere the team went they spent time praying one on one with so many hurting people of all ages and all walks of life. The love of Christ flowed out of this team and touched so many people who had felt empty and alone.

One of the highlights was the jail ministry time. Hardened prisoners were brought to tears by the reality of God's love for them. Hearts were opened and changed. Even the guards were so happy about the team and their message of hope and redemption.

I'll post some pictures from the team's outreach here. As you view them please remember that this could be YOU, or SOMEONE you send on a short term trip! Worth it? You bet!

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

SOLAR LIGHTS for the SLUMS

Sonny and the men of 12th St are getting ready to train others how to install solar lights in tin roofs to provide light for the poor. Most shanty and permanent housing in the poor areas are dark during the day because there are no/or few windows for light. Not everyone has electric bulbs or can afford electricity so this simple method will be an affordable way to improve living conditions!

The solar lights are made of plastic soda bottles filled with water and fitted through the tin roofs, then sealed so no leaking occurs. Each bottle refracts light equal to a 55 watt bulb. More on this soon! We will buy the tools needed (cutters, tin snips and sealant) train the men, then they will be installing these around our 12th St area. After that we hope to share this with others in squatter areas of the city.

CHANGES CHANGES CHANGES!

We've had a bit of what could be perceived as BAD news, but we are looking at it as a new beginning! Last week we found out that we must move out of the building we use for the Project Life Center. The Dept of Social Welfare will use it as a residential care facility for underprivileged. We have been there for 3 years, and paid utilities ( for the social workers office and ours) and done repairs in lieu of rent.

Our first reaction was shock, but then we realized we can move some of the classes to our vacant lot where we have the childrens ministry and bible studies. We would just have to find a place for the livelihood/training. NOW we heard that our vacant lot has been sold and we have no idea where we will go, nor do we have funds for rent. We are actually getting EXCITED because we know God will provide something and we can't wait to see what will happen. We believe we are getting ready for good changes and growth! Please pray with us for direction and opportunity to eventually have all ministries under one roof.

In the meantime, we have had 3 offers for temporary use of space for the livelihood and youth group. We are challenged, but not dismayed!

Children's Ministry Training

We recently hosted a one day training taught by Nats and Mae of Childrens Evangelism Fellowship. Many of you know about CEF's "Good News Club" a ministry that holds activities in elementary schools around the world. Nats and Mae have moved to Olongapo to equip childrens workers all over the city. They have already impacted this city in a BIG way since they arrived! The training was held at Church of the Risen Christ and was attended by 144 people from over 40 churches and other prganizations. Project Life sent 12 of our workers to be trained. They all feel they are now better equipped and will be more effective at sharing the good news and helping our 12th St. kids !

CRAZY SOCKS DAY at CHILDREN'S MINISTRY!

A friend from California, Mary Zieglar, sent us cute, crazy socks that she had used as table decorations at her father's 90th birthday. So we decided to make sock puppets, wear crazy socks, and give all the children socks this month. They were delighted! Here are some pictures of the kids that day.

The children's ministry continues to be our biggest challenge in terms of volunteers and curriculum. We have set a policy to only allow the mothers and youth who have attended training to work with our kids. The lead teachers, Connie and Cathy, are hoping to increase the number of volunteers after the Sept 10 training with Childrens Evangelism Fellowship. CEF is the organization responsible for the Good News Clubs in the USA and around the world. The organization is very active in the Philippines and now have sent a CEF couple to Olongapo!! Project Life is hosting a training for CEF next month and we are doing all we can to help them network here. We think they will have a HUGE impact on the city!

We have a generator!!!

Our intern, Sammi Caiati from CA, was instrumental in getting a much needed generator for Project Life. Her friends from home (who prefer to remain anonymous) donated the funds so we could purchase a Honda 1,000 watt Generator to use during the frequent power outtages we encounter here during floods and summer season. It is super easy to maintain, high quality and portable. Not only will this be useful here at the Base, but we can use the generator for outreaches in remote areas. A very big thanks goes out to our anonymous donors (you know who you are!) and Sammi. " Maraming Salamat"

PACTEC TEAM VISITS PROJECT LIFE!

Mike, Sonny and Lewis at the 12th St. Lot where we have many of our ministry activities.

Isaiah 61:4 Livelihood managers Emy and Cindy with the PACTEC crew!

We were honored to have Mike Schilling, Lewis Strickland and Caleb visit Isaiah 61:4 Livelihood then tour 12th St. with us last week! Mike and Caleb are from Louisiana PACTEC, and Lewis is our friend from PACTEC Philippines who helped launch the bayong bag business for the livelihood. Mike and Lewis are an integral part of the team, financially and prayerfully supporting Project Life and always full of new ideas to help the livelihood become a success. Lewis is also on the PLS Board of Directors. They are excited to be a part of Project Life and understand the impact they can have creating jobs for the poor. Our collaboration is a fine example of what God can do when His people work together to share the gospel AND provide practical help. They have already helped us create jobs for 18 people, training many more and are backing our efforts to open a training center so we can train people from all over Olongapo City to be seamstresses. We are also grateful to many other PACTEC staff such as Michael, Roland, Arvin, Joanna, Joel and others who are helping this dream become reality. Salamat!

Matibayong Bags in Royal Market!

The Isaiah 61:4 Livelihood products are now on sale at the Royal Market in Subic Bay Freeport! Cindy, Emmy and Leslie delivered the displays and products that will be sold on consignment. There was quite a bit of interest as even shop managers and customers began reaching for the bags before we could get them hung up on the display racks! It took months of planning and patience to reach this goal. We thank those at Royal who helped us through the process, Ma'am Shirley, Eden, Sir Oscar and many more who have a heart to make a difference in their community.

The next step for the livelihood is the purchase of a computer and then training workers to use Quickbooks, Word and Publisher so they can more efficiently run their livelihood program. They will also be establishing a seamstress training program in response to requests from various groups around the city.

We have outgrown the space we are using on Gordon Avenue and are now looking for a rental in the nearby barangays. Ideally we need a house where the various ministries can take place downstairs and the livelihood could be upstairs. Our dream is to have ALL Project Life activities under one roof in the future.

Community Worship and Movie Night on 12th St.!

Big thanks to our intern, Sammi, who organized this big event on 12th St.! Over 110 adults and children worshipped together then watched the Jesus film in Tagalog. This was the first outdoor film showing in this neighborhood and the film drew both Christians and many non believers too. The Project Life Youth led worship, the women provided snacks and the children helped set up the chairs. We're looking forward to many more film nights as a way to draw the community closer to each other and God. Maraming, maraming salamat Sammi!

Last week was very fruitful and BUSY! We started out with a Community Development Seminar, taught by Alycia Wiebe from YWAM’s Foundations in Community Development School. Over 50 missionaries, pastors and city workers attended. We held the seminar at Church of the Risen Christ as our Project Life Center was too small to accommodate that many people. We learned about a biblical view of poverty, the 5 stages of development, and how to help without hurting. There’s a lot of data that proves many missionaries have good intentions, but many keep the nationals dependent on them, not God. Our goal should be to raise up Godly leaders in the communities and empower them to change their neighborhoods. We want all projects to be self sustaining and able to multiply. We gathered our 12th St. leaders that attended the seminar to discuss and assess how well we apply these principles to what we do at Project Life. We’re happy to report that we have been doing ok in developing the community in a healthy way for the most part! Our next step is to take a deeper look at areas we might want to change so that we can strengthen the ministry even more.

We also hosted a mini DTS (Discipleship Training Week) at the project Life Center that was attended by 20+ Project Life leaders and youth. Our visiting YWAM team from Perth, Australia taught on topics such as “The nature and character of God”, “Evangelism”, and “Destiny and Purpose”. It was so exciting to not only learn (head knowledge) about these subjects, but to experience moments of deep understanding (heart knowledge) as God moved in our midst. It was a special time for our leaders and youth as we grasped some of the biblical principles and gained a deeper understanding of Christ and how to share that knowledge.
The team also led a sports camp in the afternoon and our interns and visitors helped with that. They had a fun time reaching out to the community!

We also partnered on Wednesday with our friends at Mercy In Action and an American pediatrician and held a medical outreach at the 12th St. lot. Over 90 patients were treated and prayed for that day in the extremely humid, hot weather. Our visiting team blessed everyone with treats of water and bananas and there were smiles and grateful hearts all around!!