On Turning Away from Poverty

On the turning away

 From the pale and downtrodden

 And the words they say

 Which we won't understand

 "Don't accept that what's happening

 Is just a case of others' suffering

 Or you'll find that you're joining in

 The turning away"  Lyrics by Pink Floyd

 

“Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs of you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks of you. Will you be that one to Him?”  Mother Theresa

 

Ponderings from Leslie:

Last week I noticed that a bamboo wall was being erected to cover the chain link fence that runs along the canal road opposite the 12th St. area. New buildings, gas stations and mini marts are opening on this road and it was obvious that someone on the Subic Bay Freeport Zone wanted to protect the customers from having to see the slums and the poor that live in the shacks and shanties. I was so angered and saddened by this. Is it part of the "Turning away"? I started thinking about this reaction, and wonder why we do this. I'm not writing this to upset you, or because I think I have any answers, but I would hope to open a dialogue in our minds/hearts about our reactions. I don't want to get all "Shane Claiborne-ish" on you, (but highly recommend reading anything he wrote) =), but hope to provoke each of us to examine how and why we feel like we do when confronted with POVERTY.

the new fence!

Looking across the canal to 12th St.

 

Although I should be immune to these feelings because our work is focused on the poor, there are still times when it jumps up and slaps me in the face!  In the last few days I've had three close encounters with the" poor and downtrodden" and had to make a decision regarding my reaction. The first was after church Sunday night when I encountered a mentally ill man rummaging through a garbage can for food just outside the hospital. My next encounter was when my husband parked our car outside the music store and I observed three youth sleeping (passed out?!?) on the sidewalk, many people just walking by. Then, a little girl with extremely skinny arms and rotted teeth kept tapping on the car window and repeating "Gimme money, gimme money". (Her "begger boss" or parents taught her well). How do we react to that? Do we turn away? Do we run and hide because we  feel there's little we can do to turn the tide? Does it hurt so bad we can't look? Can't respond to the person and affirm their humanity because it might cost us something?

 

youth sleeping on the street

 

I certainly don't have the answers. I did what I felt compelled to do about each situation. Each of our responses might be different. Again, I'm just hoping to provoke some thought about this.

 

I have been encouraged lately as I've observed a few others and how they react. They haven't recoiled from the sights/sounds/smells of poverty. They didn't hold back the hugs or not play with kids because of head lice, scabies, TB or other health concerns. They fully engaged with the poor in the middle of the slums! My new friend, Mila (visiting from Calcutta) not only had intelligent observations about the poor and responsibilities of the rich, but she joined our volunteers and 12th St mothers after the feeding and washed dishes with them. They enjoyed having her there! Andrew and Brittany (local teachers who volunteer with children's ministry every week)  have a gift of treating each child and parent with respect and bring joy to all who interact with them. Recently I watched my daughter Vanessa as she was mobbed by little kids in the fishing village and put smiles on their  faces as she treated each with kindness and took the time to listen to them. It is so encouraging to see what a difference a person can make in the life of another!

 

Please don't turn away.... you CAN make a difference.

 

Ok, enough... any comments or questions? you know where to reach me... I'll just leave you with this:

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

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.'    Matthew 25:34-40

 

 

 

 

Maligayang Pasko! (Merry Christmas!)

"The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10 & 11

There was much laughter and sounds of joy as we gathered in Matain to celebrate the birth of Christ last week. A big thanks to Sierra Pines Church who sponsored the Christmas party and gift giving and helped us reach out in spiritual and practical ways to this village!
Over 300 meals were served to the hungry men, women and children, and 200 toys distributed to the kids. We were also able to give 64 families bags of groceries.
A jeep helped transport food, gifts and chairs to an area near the event then volunteers carried everything down the beachfront to the village. (No roads going to that place, we hike in every week).
Music was provided by the youth group and childrens ministry leaders and kids. Then Anthony read the Christmas story from the bible. For most of the guests this was the first time they had ever heard about the birth of Christ! Then Leslie spoke about "The Greatest Gift" and an invitation was given to accept this gift. Most of the crowd responded and were led in prayer to receive Christ. Our ministry leaders spent time encouraging and praying with the people of Matain.
After that everyone had a special Spaghetti dinner (spaghetti with sweet sauce is the traditional Christmas food here!) and the kids lined up to receive a toy. Sixty-four families received groceries including all the Christmas Day dinner items for their families to take home and have a wonderful Christmas together!

The next day, PACTEC, Phil gifted Project Life so we could buy shoes for the kids. It's so important for the children here to wear shoes and help prevent infection of parasites. (check out our previous post about the worms!)

Our biggest thanks is to God. He continues to open doors for ministry and brings others alongside us to help make all this possible! "Glory to God in the Highest, and  Merry Christmas to all!"

Another class graduates at the Sewing Center

Yesterday's graduation was a joyous time of laughter, testimonies and encouragement! After opening prayer and some worship (and action songs, of course!), each graduate took a turn sharing his or her experiences of the Project Life Subic Sewing training. A recurring theme was how they grew in knowledge and relationship to God, and how that had changed their life. They were all grateful to now have a skill and a way to earn money.
One man, having worked a couple weeks already at PACTEC, (the company that hires many of the grads and helps support the training center) talked about how he never had confidence before. Now he feels confident and capable and his self esteem has grown. He also learned so much during his time at PACTEC and had much to share with the grads. He encouraged them to be excellent employees, to work hard and be serious about their job and integrity. He also shared how proud he was to be able to buy shoes for his children with his first paycheck. His next check provided not only necessities, but he gave his children a little money so they could buy Christmas gifts for each other.
All the graduates received certificates and took home the bags they made so they can sell them and pay for pre-employment physicals, etc.
A big thanks to our faithful trainers- Emy, Cindy, Cathy, Angie and Glenda. Our love and thanks to PACTEC, Lewis, Mike, Arvin and Joanna (and their )families for making this all possible. Merry Christmas!

Celebrating!

This family has been blessed with new beginnings!

Trainer Cindy presenting certificate, new bible and bags

    

Emy encouraging the grads

Worms! - NOT your garden variety!

One of the biggest threats to the health of children in undeveloped countries is parasites! The Ascaris worm is very prevalent here in the Philippines, and cause a variety of health problems and even death. These worms not only live in intestines, but can travel by blood vessels to the lungs and other organs. The female will grow to 6-13". The worm can cause malnutrition, lung problems, (increases risk of asthma) appendicitis, and intestinal blockages. It has caused many a misdiagnosis as it may look like "pneumonia" on an x-ray.
Our children in the slums are at a 50% + risk of parasites due to poor hygiene and lack of clean water and proper sanitation. It's easy to spot those severely infected- some have chronic cough, runny eyes, and slightly distended abdomens.
Project Life Subic just completed two deworming clinics this week. The Rotary Club donated the medicine, and Val Smith Orr, R.N. ("Captain Bulate!") and her assistant Evelyn taught the children and parents about the prevention and treatment of worms. Val brought her worm samples that fascinated the audience and was a real eye-opener!
Our hope is to help these children be restored to health. "...I was sick and you looked after me..." Matt 25:36
Here are some pictures of the clinics. Scroll down to see one of the worms!

"Captain Bulate" (Val) adding the drama to the teaching!



This little boy had an amazing discovery after he went to the toilet and he was proud to show it off! Look closely, the worm is still pink and alive.

Our new volunteers!

We are so happy to have Trisha Reyes, and Andrew and Brittany Wilcox volunteering to help with children's ministry! They are a big help to the children's leaders and also to our many kids. Andrew and his beautiful wife, Brittany are both teachers at a local international school. Trisha is taking some time out from schooling, but is also involved with youth group and the worship team at Church of the Risen Christ. She is also a talented artist!
Our Core leaders from our Youth Group continue to help the childrens program every Saturday, assisting with merienda, music, clean up and wherever else they are needed.
A big "THANKS!!!" to all the volunteers for being such a blessing to the kids of 12th St.

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.