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!