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!

 

Follow up to Big Flood

Thanks to all of you who donated- we were able to distribute food, medicines, toiletries and waterproof tarps to 180 families in need. Here's a few more pictures of the Project Life team in action:

The Big Flood

After two weeks of unusually heavy, non-stop rain, our area and much of Luzon island was flooded and declared a state of calamity. This was worse than the flooding after Typhoon Ondoy in 2009, and even deeper water than the flood of 1997. Our former base, (we moved in April) which was under 4 ft of water last October, was inundated with 7 feet of water. Although damage was extensive and many evacuated, no deaths were reported in the Olongapo- Subic area.

just north of our house



the market under water

 

the bridge near our old base

This was the first time in 5 years that we haven't flooded and instead of being "Flood victims" we were able to organize flood relief efforts. Because of generous donations of a couple individuals, and the cooperation and assistance of Pactec in the Freeport, we responded with two teams to take food, medicines and tarps to those in need. Our youth group also assisted Mercy in Action charity birth center with post flood clean up.
The flood victims were so happy that people would respond with the love of Christ and help them in a practical way.
There is still much to be done. Please keep us in prayer as Project Life continues to do what we can to help.

Pactec responded quickly to the need, donating tarp to provide waterproof shelter

we filled these bags with food and toiletries

bagging rice

     

Fishing village after the storm



a tarp to cover the roof and keep the rain out!

MATAIN UPDATE

What we thought would be a small women's bible study/fellowship in Matain has become a community fellowship in just a few weeks! Men. women, youth and children are now attending the weekly Thursday bible study and it continues to grow! This small fishing village is hungry to know more about God, and are participating in discussions and prayer. Cathy and Cindy (two of our leaders from 12th St.) are doing a wonderful job!  

the neighbors gathering for bible study under the new tarp

there are so many kids! we'll eventually have to add activities for them

A couple weeks ago our 12th St. Youth group leader, Anthony, visited the area and met the youth. By his second visit 21 teens and young adults showed up and a new youth group has been formed! Many are out of school youths because the parents can't afford the daily transportation costs to send them to high school. We are going to look into this situation and see what can be done to help them return to school.

some of the youth that Anthony took to a Youth event at our church last week. Their first time to ever go inside a church. Now they can't wait to help Anthony with their own youth group! 

Sonny has not been able to go to Matain yet because of his broken leg, (have to walk down the beach to get to this area) but the men of Matain are waiting to meet him. He has plans to teach them guitar so they can worship together. We can't wait to see what's next in this new location! Please continue to pray for the people of Matain!

Rachelle's "house" before

After we gave them the tarp for the roof they added bamboo and created a room!

Medical DTS from Kona, Hawaii

We were privileged to host a wonderful group of medical/counseling professionals during the month of May. They came to help the people we serve, and also helped Sonny and Leslie during their time of need! (Sonny fractured two leg bones and an ankle bone on May 6.)
Not only did they provide free medical clinics and a free pharmacy on 12th St and the jail, they also participated in all the other Project Life Subic activities, including the new community meetings in Matain, Subic, and did a lot of health teachings! They made friends everywhere they went, and shared their knowledge and love with so many.

It's time!

The time has come for Project Life to start new activities in a new area! While all our ministry activities continue and grow on 12th St., Cathy and Cindy will be pioneering a women's fellowship bible study in the slums of Subic. The location is in the midst of both the Muslim and Catholic/animist communities, just 5 minutes from Sonny and Leslie's house and the Sewing Training Center. We also have plans to add children's, youth and men's activities as well.
For the time being, the women's group will be every Thursday afternoon, and we will see what other doors of opportunity will open.
In one part of the area there are 30+ families with over 100 kids living in shacks and under tarps with no toilets.The living conditions are much worse than 12th St. The extent of poverty is shocking, even for those of us who are used to serving in the slums. It is impossible to guard our hearts from this, instead we have to see it, feel it and let it break our hearts. Out of that a deeper passion is born, a passion to bring HOPE to people living in hopelessness.
  Our first reaction is we want to rush in and "Fix" things, but we know that we must take it slow, assess the needs, find out what the people feel they need, then involve the community in all projects as time and finances allow. We will need to identify potential leaders and nurture and train them. We will have to find favor and build relationships with key people in the area. We've accomplished this process at 12th St. and are confident that it can be done in Subic.
A medical outreach is planned for the area in May and we also hope to have a "Lightstrike" there in the future. At this time there is no budget for any of this, but when we began our work at 12th St. there were no funds either.  As we stepped out in faith, God provided the finances through friends, service clubs and churches!
Keep us and all our activities in prayer please! This is an exciting time for ALL of us, both for the Project Life volunteers serving here and for you, our friends and partners who help keep us going! This will be an amazing journey as we share the love of Christ and watch the slums be transformed!

Logos Hope in Subic Bay

The Logos Hope, an Operation Mobilization ministry ship that contains the world's largest floating bookstore, is in Subic Bay! They held wonderful events on board the ship and also sent some of their 400 crew members (from 56 nations!) to help various ministries in our area.

Our leaders all attended the "Called to Serve" evening of fun and encouragement. Many of our 12th St. women and youth attended other events on the ship, and we took 57 children to an afternoon children's ministry event hosted by the crew.

On Saturdays the Logos teams came to 12th St. and spent time with our children and youth. They brought puppets, music and stories and the kids had such a fun time! The teams also encouraged our volunteers, and took time to pray with those at our ministry and the neighbors. A big THANKS to the M.V. Logos Hope for all you have done to serve so many during your time in port!