Sewing Training

managers Cindy and Emy with Mayor Gordon at the recent grand opening of the "Gawang Gapo" (made in Olongapo ) shop at the SM Mall.

Our Sewing Training Center managers, Emy Atienza and Cindy Rosas, report that they have trained over 150 men and women to sew. Most of these previously unskilled have found jobs in the Olongapo and Subic areas and are now able to support themselves and their families! There are another 100+ on the waiting list for training.
Another "batch" has begun training and are learning measuring and pattern making this week. By the end of the training all students will know how to submit their bio-data (resume) to job agencies. They also will make 10 bags that they can sell to raise money for the needed pre-employment medical exam and police clearances, etc.
We hope to add more sewing machines soon to accomodate more students during each training series.
here are some recent pictures:

 

Anthony Agones- Youth Leader

Anthony Agone, 18 years old,  is our Project Life Youth Group leader. He began attending the youth group when he was 13 and became involved in the youth leadership at age 16. Anthony's hunger for more of God, and his desire to share the love and life of Jesus led him to attend the International School of Ministry Bible course while still in high school. After high school graduation he went on to train with Youth With A Mission, and graduated from the Discipleship Training School in June 2011. We continue to mentor him in areas of leadership and see a definite call of God on his life! He is well respected by his peers and older adults, and he lives a life of integrity. He has a passion to see youth transformed and lead Godly lives. Today Anthony leads two youth groups, one in Olongapo and another in the nearby Muslim Community of Subic. He is also very involved in his local church, Church of the Risen Christ, where he also has opportunity to serve and learn.

Excerpts from Anthony's Reports on new youth group:

Here are excerpts from Anthony's (our Youth Leader) Reports:

JUNE & JULY

"Last June 2012 we went to one of the areas in Subic called Matain and from there seeing different kinds of people like childrens, youths, and even the old ones. What we experienced has something to do with the mandate that God has given to all of us and that is by going there and to MAKE HIM KNOWN to ALL  people. The next week of the same month we came back again and finally we made friends with them especially  to the youths, We invited them to church for a night of worship. After inviting them we thought that only few would come without expecting that they will also invite their friends. Almost 20 youths and young adults attended the service and one gave his life to the Lord."

 

AUGUST

 "The time went so fast and it was incredible to see that we have now a youth group and every week we held a Bible study in Matain. Our first meeting was getting to know each other by introducing ourselves and we really liked the portion of this program because we learned everybody’s talents and favorite colors. Above all we took this opportunity to share the love of Christ for them (John 3:16), that God really loved them so much that He sacrificed His only Son that if we believe in Him we will live forever with Jesus.  Also, the youth core leaders from 12 street shared their testimony on how God changed their personal life. One of them was Darryl Ramos, he simply emphasize of trusting God and believing to His Words that with God there is no fear and no regrets just a future with a promise.

We are so grateful to our God for what He has done and for what He will still continue to do with the lives of His children. And we believe that it is by God’s grace that our youth group is increasing in numbers and we belive in faith as well.

SEPTEMBER

 

  "We gave tagalong Bibles to the youths and they are so thankful to have now their own Bible and so excited to  meditate on it. It’s been their prayer that they each can have a Bible and God provided for it. We are so blessed to see them happy reading their Bible and  sharing their thoughts to one another about what they’ve  learned.

                          Thank you so much! We highly appreciated your prayers and thank you for partnering with us in this wonderful mission. God bless you all"

Update: The youth group in Matain has grown to over 50 youth now in just 4 months! Please continue to pray for Anthony and other Core leaders as they continue this awesome ministry!