December Updates!!

• We were honored to have Barangay Captain Angelito Baloy as our guest speaker at the Sewing Center graduation this month. He was surprised to see such a mix of students- old and young, men and women, Christians and Muslims! Captain Baloy gave an inspirational speech, and encouraged all, young and old, to keep learning and improve their living standards. He is a leader in providing job training opportunities and education for his constituents. A visionary, the Captain has a dream to turn Barangay Barretto into a family resort destination area, and erase the name "Sin City" that has been part of Olongapo history. In the days of the Subic Bay Navy Base, many American troops stopped here for R & R. Nowadays Barretto is a destination for the S.E.Asian Sex Tourism Industry. The bars are visited primarily by Europeans, Aussies, Koreans, Japanese and Filipinos. Captain Baloy is encouraging local bar owners to convert their businesses to restaurants and resorts. We are so impressed with this young Barangay Captain who has such a big heart for his people!  

 As always, the student's testimonies at graduation were heartfelt as they described their new found relationship with the Lord. They told stories about how their faith and understanding grew deeper through weekly worship, devotions and prayer times. We have seen many lives transformed because of this "job training" sewing program! Our trainers, Emy, Cindy, Cathy and Glenda have continued to share their love and knowledge to the students and are making a BIG difference in this community!

Taking down the tent and packing up!

Presenting the Certificate of Appreciation to Emily

• The end of an era- The owners of the lot on 12th St. are preparing to build so we have had to end time of ministry there. So many men, women and children from 12th St. have learned about God, health, and have been helped by educational programs and job training opportunities the last 5 years! Please pray for us as we make decisions as to where to relocate the Kids Church and feeding program. We want to thank Emily Mencinares and her family for allowing us to use this vacant lot rent free for many years. Maraming salamat! You have helped us help the poor and needy in the slums of 12th St and we appreciate you so much!

• Merry Christmas to all of you from the Project Life Subic staff! We thank you for your love and support this year. Together, we can continue to share the Goodnews and see communities transformed by the love of Christ! 

MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

There's so much to be thankful for this November! We are thankful for family and friends, for our faithful partners who enable us to serve as missionaries, and for the amazing opportunities that God gives us to share His love and Word!

Here's a few updates-

• Our youth were invited to share at both chapel services at Brent International School this month. The school has over 300 students, elementary through high school, from 20+ nations. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Project Life Subic  youth group to share the Gospel through testimonies, skits and song! Anthony, our youth leader, continues to do a wonderful job with the TWO youth groups! He will graduate college with a degree in Mass Communications next May!

• Our Alternative Learning System program (we partner with the department of education) continues to meet every Wednesday. The teacher, Cat, is a sweet Christian woman with a heart for ministry. She is preparing the students for the high school exam to be held in December. Tina, our staff member coordinating this program, leads the prayer time and shares a devotion. The students are learning a lot about God's character and it is helping to shape them into excellent students. 

• Sonny is busy preparing for this week's LightStrike in Matain. We are partnering with the Barangay Captain and his staff to bring solar light to the slums in that community.

• Our soapmaking training was a success! Nine students attended and are now planning on starting home businesses. For our local bargirls, this is another step forward to freedom in their lives. We'll be having a "fun day" next week to practice our soap making skills and fellowship!

• Please pray- this Friday Leslie leads a meeting of potential volunteers who will help with the New Beginnings Bargirl bible study. We have a social worker from a well-known anti-trafficking organization coming to speak and educate us on the issues and needs surrounding this type of ministry. The prostitutes in our community are asking for a "church" that they can attend. Most work nights and sleep mornings, so we are hoping to provide a bible study in the afternoon, replete with worship, prayer and a short sermon or devotion. We also hope to provide a drop-in center where the girls can always feel safe and have prayer/counseling and referrals. 

• BIG NEWS!!! We will soon be switching from our blogspot to a NEW WEBSITE (currently under construction). You can click here  www.projectlifesubic.org and subscribe now. Then you will receive notification when it is completed!

We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving with friends and family. We are thankful for YOU!

Micro Finance for New Businesses!

We are happy to announce that our collaboration with Global Micro has produced three micro finance loans this week! Micro finance loans are designed to help the poor who want to start a business but have no means to get bank loans. They are small loans, not charity, and the recipient also receives training in bookeeping or marketing if needed. When the money is repayed (usually a small amount each week over 10-20 weeks) it is then used to provide another loan for another person.
This ability to start a business offers opportunity for an individual to break the cycle of poverty and to enable him or her to provide for the family. A simple, small but successful business provides a way for children to attend school,  pay for health care when needed, and an overall improvement in living conditions. This is a "Hand up" not a "handout"!
Project Life Subic encouraged four potential recipients to develop a business plan and assess their needs. Then Global Micro held the interviews and set up the contracts. This week three loans were awarded and another may be available in November.
Cathy will be opening a small sari sari store (home business selling a variety of canned goods, toiletries, charcoal, etc). Cindy is buying/selling frozen foods. Glenda will be making longanisa and other home cooked foods to sell to neighbors. We will keep you updated on their progress!
We are celebrating with Cindy, Cathy and Glenda! Here are some pictures of the contract signing with Tobias S., Global Micro founder.

MARAMING SALAMAT to Tobias for all his efforts to help change the lives of those in need! This is the beginning of a collaboration that will be beneficial and life-changing for MANY!

Passionate or Complacent?

 “I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it's so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.”

--Jimmy Carter

Our subject at the staff meeting last week was “Passionate or Complacent?”  It was time to examine our hearts and ask ourselves if we still have a passion for God. Do we love God so much we are compelled to express that through our ministry? Or, have we lost our enthusiasm and become complacent? Are we just content with how things are?

I wove a tale of the young couple who falls madly in love, compelled to be near each other, love each other, can’t stand to be apart. Then they marry, start a family. Years go by, the passion begins to fade. Everyday activities begin to take precedence, and complacency sets in. Then, as they mature, they recognize their need for each other and that their love for one another needs to be rekindled. Their passion needs to be reignited for them to grow closer and weather the ups and downs of their relationship and their journey through life.

As we dug deeper into scriptures we discovered that complacent people are characterized by self-importance, egotism and conceit, just the opposite of humility. They are self-satisfied, not willing to improve or make better their situations. We also discovered that God does not like complacency. In Revelations 3:15-16 the Lord says “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Needless to say, we had some lively discussions and sharing from the heart during our staff devotion. It was a time to repent, refocus and move forward with conviction and passion!

Have you been lulled into complacency? Has your passion for God and the people He loves burnt out? Are you losing your passion for ministry, family, or other things that the Lord has put in your life? Are you lukewarm? Join us in prayer this month as we clean out the complacency and renew our passion!

A few updates: Darryl, our co-leader in Youth, will be focusing on work and hopefully college in October. We will miss him but realize we need to release him to pursue his future. He would like to get a college degree and become a teacher! Here are some pictures of Darryl, Anthony and our youth:

Darryl is a gifted young man, and already completed one year of college before taking a Discipleship Training School with YWAM. He is now applying for scholarships and working but will still need help to attend school. If you are interested in sponsoring Darryl, please contact us at Project Life Subic.

Also-  Please pray as Anthony restructures his youth core leaders and equips them to reach the Matain and Olongapo youth! They are preparing to do an assembly at the high school and will have the opportunity to impact THOUSANDS of students! They are also invited back to speak and perform at Brent International School this semester.

A note from Leslie-

Many of you remember that when we first came to the Philippines in 2006 it was to help a YWAM Base restructure and improve aspects of their bargirl ministry. Then at the end of that year we ventured out into Community Development, first as YWAM Subic, and then in 2010 as Project Life Subic, Inc. a non-profit organization with a local board of directors.
Our focus has been four-fold: Spiritual (bible studies, youth groups and Kids Church), job training (Sewing Center and other livelihood classes), Education (sponsorship, weekly "ALS" program to help out of school youth get a high school diploma) and Health (weekly children's feeding, health education & outreaches, deworming, dental clinics). 

We reach out to the poor- men and women, young and old, and have seen hundreds of lives transformed by the love and power of Christ. Our 5 locations are diverse, and four of those are rent-free! We have ministries on a mountainside under the trees, on a vacant lot with a tent in the 12th St slums, the third floor of a furniture store across from the city's high school, a borrowed abandoned building on a barangay compound. 

We do have to pay rent for our Center in Barretto, and will probably expand to use more rooms in the future. Sonny and I also rent two rooms in the building and made it into an apartment to live in. It is in the heart of the Red Light District, a very strategic area to reach out to another "poor" segment of society, the Bargirls. Human trafficking and prostitution are on the rise here, and we have many of the girls coming to us for job training, ALS and English classes. Many of the women are distanced from their family and friends and feel depressed and lonely. They do little more than sleep, work, eat and most have no outside interests. Some want to attend church, but their schedules don't allow, so we are starting a new project, "New Beginnings" a weekly gathering for those involved in the sex trade industry.  Once a week these girls can join us for a time of worship, devotions, and prayer. Various fun activities, learning new hobbies and skills will also be presented. We can love and encourage them in a safe environment. I don't know why I didn't see this coming- I've always had a heart for this type of ministry, but all things are best when it's God's timing. 

Please continue to pray- for the ministry programs that are already established (and lives being impacted by Christ on a weekly basis!) and for this new adventure, "New Beginnings"
Thanks for caring and partnering with us,
Leslie

Please take time to watch this!

I just found this video online and had to share! Although our city is not as large as Manila and surrounding areas, the footage in this video paints a picture of our life here. Our traffic in Olongapo is nothing like Manila, but the slums and living conditions look the same. Fabella Hospital in Manila is more crowded, but at least there were sheets on the bed, unlike the Olongapo public hospital where you must bring your own bedding and sometimes share a bed with another mother and infant. Schools here in Olongapo have also gone to the "rotating system" this year, where half the students attend mornings, then the other half in the afternoon. Some schools have three shifts!
Please, please take time to watch this! Let it grab your heart. For those of you who support us, I hope this brings a clearer picture of the magnitude of the problems and why we must continue to bring the Good News and help people help themselves. Together we can make a difference!

June Updates!

Thanks to those of you have responded to the May blog and got involved! YOU are making a big difference in the lives of many people here=)
- Jordan, a 15yr old member of our Youth Group, received the gift of glasses last month from an anonymous donor. He has also been placed on a waiting list for cataract surgery in BOTH eyes (he is totally blind in one eye, and partial blindness in other) funded by a medical mission. This guy is so smart, and has potential to be a success at school, but has been held back by his vision problems for many years. His mother is a hardworking mom, but poor.  She has been burdened in the past with the sadness of being unable to provide the medical needs of her son, but is now thanking God and Project Life Subic for opening doors to get him help.
- Thanks to friends in Canada and USA who have been collecting fabric for our Sewing Center! We have two big boxes on the way to the Philippines. This will be a huge help, providing materials we are unable to find here in the Olongapo/Subic area. If anyone else wants to get involved with this project just email us for details!
- Anthony and Tina are both enrolled in college and we are adjusting their ministry schedules so they can continue their missions work as they attend school this semester. They are receiving scholarships and discounts, but still have many expenses. Thanks to your donations we are able to help them get an education.


We have had some BIG changes at Matain lately! Unfortunately, the violence has increased with more and more drug dealers moving in to the squatter area and surrounding neighborhood. Shooting deaths are on the rise and the last murder took place next to our bible study tent. We made the decision to cancel the Men's group, women's fellowship and youth group until we could relocate to a safe place. Fortunately we have been given a space (for free!) in the local Barangay Hall Compound just a few blocks from where we had been meeting. It is a room in an old abandoned building that needs some fixing up, and we hope to be using the place by July 1. The roof is patched, a door and window bars installed, and it's cleaned and painted. Our next challenge is the flooding that occurs with each rain, but we are working on a solution. Remember, we are used to floods, hahahaha!
Here's some pictures:

The Youth Group did the clean up!

View from the street.

Our English classes at the Upper Room will be observing a few weeks break while volunteer teachers Sean and Beka are on vacation in the USA. This wonderful couple work at Brent International School in Subic,  (yes, where the amazing Andrew and Brittany also worked!) and have been such an asset to our ministry. They both bring something unique and special to the class and are making a positive, Godly impact on the lives of the participants. Thanks guys, have a nice time with your family and friends and we'll see you in August!

Again, we thank all of you who support this ministry through your prayers and finances. You are a blessing to the people we serve, helping us bring hope to many who have lived in despair. Maraming Salamat! (Much Thanks!)

GET INVOLVED! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Some of you have been able to come here and teach our children's workers, volunteer with youth, share at bible studies, etc. But many don't have the time or resources to do that. How can YOU get involved? Joining our prayer team is one way. Sharing and promoting the Project Life Subic ministry is another. Here are a few more ideas that would be practical and effective:

Sponsor a college student by covering the miscellaneous expenses for only $85 per semester ($17 per month). Better yet, a donation of any amount would help.

Tina Luna has been faithfully serving with us for over 5 years. She is a single mom who's children are now teenagers or adults and she is ready to go to school. Tina has overcome a stroke and her limp doesn't keep her from sharing the gospel, serving on the women's team at 12th St. or climbing up the hillside to share at the Bulanghagi Bible study! Tina wants to enroll for a two year course starting this June. Any one-time gift appreciated, no matter how large or small! Click on the "Donate" button to make a difference in this woman's future.
Our two youth leaders, Anthony and Darryl, will also return to college next month on scholarships! Any amount given towards their books and supplies would be a blessing.

Sponsor a ministry! What area of ministry is your passion? Youth? Children? Men or women? Is it education- like our Alternative Learning System (a high school diploma program for elementary and high school drop outs). Is job training your interest? Helping victims of human trafficking? All of these programs need funding to continue. Please, prayerfully consider helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of the poor and their communities. Help us share the Hope for the future! Please send us a note with your one-time or monthly donation specifying what/who you are giving to.

Send us your fabric! We are looking for someone to organize a fabric drive in your community. The Sewing Training Center is in need of cotton fabric to make their various products, plus the students need fabric for their class projects. Our fabric choices locally are limited in availability and design. Do you know others (individuals, quilting clubs/shops) who have fabric to donate? Just collect and ship to us via LBC. Message us for details.

Be an outlet for various products being made by the poor. Do you know of a shop that would buy jewelry or soap made by women leaving the sex trade and staring a new life? Or can sell our Matibayong bags made by the Sewing center? Maybe you know how to design a web site where these products can be sold? Please contact us!

It's time to step up and get involved. We need you!

Another Graduation at the Sewing Center!

What a celebration we had as twenty-five students graduated from the Project Life Sewing Training Center last Friday! Our students are primarily not high school grads and have extremely limited choices for employment. Most are from very poor families and feel little hope when they contemplate the future. We are always so happy that after graduation they can apply for jobs as seamstresses or commercial sewing in factories and support their families.They are happy because they have skills, possibilities for employment and they are growing in relationship with God.
This graduation was very special as we had 8 bargirls and a mamasan complete the course. Some of their stories of how they were lured into their current jobs were sad and shocking. Some were trafficked as teenagers. Many live in a room at the bar when "off-duty". They save all they can to send home to families. We were very proud of these students who may have worked until 4 a.m., but then came to class three days a week! We are happy to report that three of this group are returning home to families soon, and six of them will form a sewing shop and start new lives. The Mamasan has leadership and entrepreneurial skills and wants to teach others to sew so they too can escape damaging lifestyles. We will do all we can to assist them in the future if needed.
Here's an excerpt from one of the girl's testimonies.She first worked in Manila as a teenager then a friend introduced her to working as a bargirl:
"I was working at a bar in Angeles with my sister. We were so scared and my parents didn't know that we're working at a bar and afraid they will disown us if they learn. ...We decided to work there because we only finish elementary (school). We were poor and the eldest of the family so the family depend on us that's why we have to work... When our boss transferred to Olongapo we transferred here too...I saw the Project Life Sewing Center and it was near where we work so we registered for class. ...I'm very thankful because I know how to sew and measure now and it's very uplifting for myself that I can do all this now! I'm very thankful to Project Life that I learn to know God....I can get a decent job in the future and fulfill my dreams for my family. Thank you very much and God bless you!
A big thanks to all of YOU who help support this ministry. We'll share more stories like this in the future!

LightStrike in Tabacuhan!

Thanks to a grant from Rotary International, the LightStrike project is underway! Last Saturday's event was a success and 49 homes have light! The families are very grateful, and we will have follow up stories soon. Logos Global Mission Church was the group we partnered with in Tabacuhan, and they made many connections with the locals and have committed to continue Lightstrikes in their barangay.
The people of Tabacuhan were so grateful to have light in their homes. Many were shy at first but then gathered closer to watch then offered to help. One family, though they are very poor, shared their food with the installation team to express their gratitude.
We have three more LightStrikes planned for April in three more areas of Olongapo City! Our target installation for the next three is 60 homes each event. Stay tuned for updates =)

Sewing Training in the New Classroom

I walked in to the Sewing Training center to see 25 new smiling faces in the classroom! The students are so happy to learn to be seamstresses and hopeful to get a decent job in the near future. Most of the students are unskilled, poor, or victims of human trafficking. All see this training opportunity as a way to better jobs and providing for their families. Some dream of having their own business someday.
Our sewing trainors also share the Good News with the men and women they teach. They have seen lives transformed from the inside out by the power and love of Jesus. During the trainings the students build relationships with each other and with God. They have amazing testimonies of how the Lord is changing their life, marriage, and family. Keep up the good work trainors Emy, Cindy, Cathy and Glenda!

Bringing Light to the Poor

Training installation teams has begun for the LightStrike solar bottle project! What is "LightStrike" ? Read on- 

 So many families live in darkness every day in the poor areas of the city, their windowless homes creating an atmosphere of despair.  For a few that have access to electricity, they often can’t afford to pay their bill and the power is cut off. The rest only have what little light that the entrance to their shack provides, or from light coming in the small holes on the tin roof. Most small shacks are built closely together with a dark narrow alley as the only access to these homes.

The lack of light lowers the productivity of many and the people feel apathetic. It is difficult to do tasks such as housework, students homework, and other daily activities. The use of candles is always a danger in the slums, but these residents must burn candles for light not only at night, but during the day.

One of our community projects, “Light Strike”, gathers volunteers to help provide free light for the homes of the poor.  Recycled soda bottles, filled with clean water and bleach, are installed in the roofs of shanty homes to create light with the equivalent of a 55 watt bulb. The soda bottles provide light during daylight hours. Sunlight enters the top of the bottle which is above the roof approximately five inches, then is refracted by the water and provides light shining through the part of the bottle that is under the roof. The bottle has been fitted and sealed on a square of corrugated tin then silicone sealant and rivets create a waterproof seal to prevent roof leaks.

 We first train volunteers within the neighborhoods to install these lights. The local barangay (community) leaders are contacted and their neighborhoods surveyed to make a list of the families in need of light. With the financial help from our friends in Rotary International, we are now training teams to provide LightStrikes in 8 barangays this year. They will also receive sets of tools and be able to continue to help their communities!

With the installation of the solar soda bottle light, we have found that families are less apathetic, more productive, and their quality of life is greatly   improved!