A NOT so "Chance Encounter"

A short note from Leslie:
We had a NOT so chance encounter with a very special couple from Manila yesterday. It was more like a "Divine Appointment"!
It takes more than passion and energy to run a ministry, it takes wisdom, knowledge and a strategy. We have been facing a variety of situations lately that have us questioning how we can be more effective. I have been pondering what motivates people here and trying to understand how much culture plays a part in what/how we do things. Some of you know me well, you know my heart for respecting the culture of the people we serve. But, I also think we can't use culture as an excuse to do less than excellent!  I often challenge people from many countries to examine our cultural practices and discard what's not biblical, and keep what is healthy and good!
Struggling with a lack of answers, and feeling a bit stagnant, Sonny and I had a random encounter with one of the most brilliant Filipinos we have ever met. This man and his wife are both educated and charming, and have so much experience in government and business. They shared insights to the Filipino mind and culture in a way I've not heard expressed before. Our conversation ranged from livelihood training, business, politics, attitude, motivation and so much more! It helped me gain new perspective and opened my mind to trying some new ideas. We laughed and shared over a lovely late dinner, forgetting the time and just thoroughly enjoying their company! What a blessing (and, I might add, an honor) to meet this couple that has such integrity and grace. I feel refreshed and the world looks a little different this morning!

Lots of changes and challenges this June!

Just when we think we have it all figured out and our schedule is manageable, new things happen and create challenges!

-The Rotary International Grant for LightStrikes and Livelihood has been approved! We will be scheduling a monthly LightStrike very soon. Big thanks to Fern Facchino and the Oakhurst Rotary Clubs for making this happen! This will involve all of our leaders as we attempt to hold a LightStrike in 8 different Barangays of the city over the next year.

The men are gathering to learn about soda bottle solar light installation.

-The attendees of the Men's Celebrate Recovery group are learning that their relationship with God plays a large part of their growth. Sonny is hearing so many great stories of change in the men's lives. He is so encouraged by their participation and eagerness to be a part of this group! Sonny has now translated the first of five Celebrate Recovery study booklets to Tagalog, the Filipino language. This group of men are preparing to help Sonny start a new men's bible study in the nearby Muslim fishing village.

-Leslie begins a weekly childbirth class in the jail next week! She will be teaching guards and nurses about healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Last week she was able to connect the jail personnel to the Mercy Midwives Charity Birthing Center folks and they have agreed to do a monthly prenatal clinic at the jail. Then the pregnant inmates can give birth at the center with loving support.

-After a one year break from hosting teams, we will be welcoming a missions team from YWAM Denver the end of July. They will be assisting our current ministries, plus we will add other events for them to have an optimal experience while they are here. Should be fun and very busy!

-A few days after the team leaves, Sonny and Leslie will be moving to a one bedroom apartment and also relocating the Project Life office. Happy to report it won't be in the flood zone, but it is in the middle of the Red Light district! And near the European Deli and various restaurants. We'll also be able to bicycle to the market.  Moving can be stressful, but we'll have lots of help =)



New classroom for youth activities!

-The new center is finally opening in two weeks! The good news is we are scheduled to offer a variety of youth activities five days a week. The challenge is that our youth leader will only be available one of those days because of his school schedule, and his assistant may also return to school in October. Great news for the two guys, and we know God will provide a solution for this and bring us help!

As we say here, "That's it, Pancit!" So many changes in such a short time! Please keep us in your prayers as we face this busy, busy season.

A recent picture of some of our Project Life leaders and families at church.