The boxes arrived!

What fun we had unpacking 8 boxes full of toys, toiletries and cards for all our Project Life Kids! A huge THANKS to Sierra Pines Church! We had enough for both the 12th St. area AND for the families at the remote Alibang area. (More on this later). Saturday we gave gifts and fed 200+ children and adults a nutritious meal. Our leaders from 12th St. prepared teachings, songs and games for the kids. The morning started out on a jeepney crammed with people (21) and supplies. It was quite an adventure as we traveled over cement road, then dirt, then rutted roads and across a little river. The Alibang area is in a beautiful rural area surrounded by mountains, bamboo, and little streams. The people are poor Aeta tribal and Tagalog. The children were so happy to get toys and toothbrushes, soaps and crayons and more! It was like Christmas all over again! Here are some pictures from this event.

Isaiah 61:4 Livelihood

Our livelihood program, led by Emy and Cindy, is growing so quickly! They have expanded their product line (thanks Lani, for all your creative ideas!), and have increased their sales. Primarily funded by our friends at PACTEC on the Freeport, Isaiah 61 has trained and given jobs to 15 residents of the Olongapo area. This is run as a ministry with the hopes that not only will the workers support their families, but they will be able to do other activities to help their community grow and know God!

Our bags are made from recycled, waterproof, industrial strength vinyl trimmed with a variety of fabrics. We call these "Matibayong", a play on the words "matibay" (strong, durable) and "bayong" (shopping bag). The bags come in many styles and sizes. Here are a few new pictures of the livelihood and the products:

Youth Girls Retreat

Victoria, Stephanie and Brittany hosted a girl's youth retreat last weekend for 14 of our high school and young adult women. It was a fun-packed retreat with devotions, worship, games and, of course, LOTS OF FOOD! They had such a good time with each other and had an opportunity to strengthen their walk with the Lord.

Project life christmas bags

Our friend Becher put this video together for Sierra Pines Church. Thanks Bech! We love it!

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

We thanked 30 of our community volunteers at last night's Appreciation dinner. It was a fun time of family fellowship, food and thanksgiving to God for all that He is doing on 12th St. After dinner we played a couple of games and the competition was fierce! We all laughed so much and cried a few tears of joy. Certificates were awarded to the various volunteers from the men's, women's, youth, children, and feeding ministries. Our volunteers really are "Oaks of Righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor" (Isaiah 61:3). They stand firmly rooted and strong in their love of the Lord and are committed to seeing God transform their community. What a blessing they are to so many!

First, a big THANKS to Sierra Pines Church for organizing the Christmas gifts for the kids! And MARAMING SALAMAT to CRC! With the funding being the lowest we have experienced in the last three years, we weren't sure what we could do for Christmas. Now our local Olongapo church, Church of the Risen Christ, will be hosting a party for the 12th St. women, and Sierra Pines is sending gifts for the children! We will serve spaghetti (for you non-Filipinos, sweet spaghetti is THE dish of choice here at Christmas!) at the children's feeding/ministry and decorate the "12th St Meeting Place" (we dont want to call it the "vacant lot" anymore). We are continually amazed at God's provision and the goodness of the body of Christ!

Our friend, Becher Marr, produced a short video to show at SPC and you can see it on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by8gGm0hQ9s

Thanks Becher- it is such a good video! A real glimpse into the people and ministry of Project Life.

Medical Outreach in the Jail

..."I was in prison and you came to visit me"... Matt 25:36



We were invited into the jail to hold a medical outreach last Friday. At first it didn't seem possible, no doctor or dentist available, litle money for meds, but we felt we needed to step out in faith and go. Our friend, Claire (from Helping Hands), provided meds and brought a doc with her, our leadership team came armed with BP cuffs, and registration forms and in we went! 260 patients were treated and educated about their diseases. Sonny and John Santos (former inmate) treated skin diseases, Claire set up a prayer station, Leslie triaged and treated various simple ailments and taught health ed with the help of a couple inmates. Emmy took care of the pharmacy, Cindy and Cathy did blood pressures, Tina, Connie and Anthony took care of registration, forms and more. Many were prayed for and 4 gave their hearts to Jesus that morning. Pastor Mar (we support his weekly men's bible study in the jail) will do the follow-up with the 4 men. Our Youth Dance Crew entertained the 600+ inmates with two dances. Bringing a medical outreach team to the jail is about more than treating physical disease. It's a way to show the prisoners love and compassion, and to encourage them when they feel hopeless.

Dance crew


Doctor Fermantes did an excellent job and was a blessing to the inmates!(Faces of inmates blurred to protect privacy)

Claire, Leslie and Emy

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matt 25:40