The North Sector Women’s even in August was a “cookfest,” aimed at building sisterhood  across districts and growing in culinary skills together.  There were 8 cooking sites where sisters all over the sector met for cooking demonstrations on dishes of their choice: Italian, Asian, international, Filipino legacy, healthy menu, special dishes for everyday, Mexican.  The site at the Echague residence had “Christmas Cuisine” as the theme.  It definitely had all the Christmas “ingredients”:

Red and green-colored ingredients were used for the main meal (Christmas chicken and salad with toasted walnuts and blue cheese), and the dessert (cupcakes in ice cream cones complete with Christmas décor  including poinsettia and Christmas tree).  Not only did the meal look festive, the taste also deserved two thumbs up!  Step aside,  Iron Chefs — you got some tough competition!

We were in very good company.  The 23 sisters in our cooking site represented all the six districts of the North Sector plus one guest from Lingkod Samar.  Different generations from different  walks of life.  We got to know each other through a short fun game, also while preparing the dishes, as we waited for the food to cook,  and  during the meal itself.

Sisters from five different districts share a meal and build sisterhood.

It was a time of sharing stories of God’s goodness in our lives.  We learned that one sister had a near-death experience while on a business trip.  Another sister jumped from a moving train and in another occasion,  jumped on to a moving ferry!

Its was a time of sharing gifts.  Nancy Limuaco and Lenit Lainez, our “cooking experts,”  shared their gift and passion for  cooking and baking. 

Nancy Limuaco (NDC) demonstrates how to prepare the Christmas chicken

Lenit Lainez (NDC) shows us how to prepare the Christmas dessert

We found out later on that they spent a considerable amount of time preparing the ingredients prior to the actual session.  Other sisters shared the gift of gab which broke the ice for better interaction.  Mae Legaspi used her organizational gifts and Dulce Echague shared her gift of generosity and hospitality.  Others  brought their listening ears, sense of humor,  and ability to bridge the relationship among sisters who were together at close range for the first time.   These are only some of the gifts that were put to good use that Christmas-like day.

Voila, our cake in an ice cream cone!

All said, it was a Saturday full of laughter and joy, true to our name, Ligaya ng Panginoon.  I believe we grew in sisterhood  and also learned a complete meal  to prepare for our families this Christmas. T he success of our event was made possible by our common love for God and for one another.   It is because of this foundation that we can celebrate Christmas in August and all year round!

- Tetel Fernandez (UD)

“Empowerment.“  This is the one word summary of the experience of  37 Day Care Workers last April 13 when they participated at a seminar sponsored by the North Sector’s Project Hearts and Hands.  The Day Care workers come from 42 Day Care centers located in different areas of Cainta.  The seminar, entitled “Effective Teaching Made Easy: On Teaching Methodologies” empowered the Day Care workers with a new awareness of their own teaching styles/ personality type, different modality strengths of children (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) and new effective techniques to use in teaching.  Towards the end, they watched an inspirational film clip on John Foppe, a known motivational speaker born without arms. 

37 day care workers attend "Effective Teaching Made Easy" seminar

One of the participants, after receiving all the input of the day approached one of the organizers to say, “Nanlalamig na ako sa aking serbisyo.  Pero sa seminar na ito,  nabuhayan akong muli.”  Doesn’t that statement fit so well with the message of Easter wherein our Lord, through His resurrection, breathes in new life and new hope to our fearful, tired and anxious hearts?

In Cainta, children ages 3 to 5 years old attend these Day Care Centers, paying a mere fifty pesos a month to cover all expenses in their pre-school education.  Because there are Day Care Centers such as these, parents of low income communities can have a safe place to leave their children while they go out seeking livelihood for their families.  Last December, the North Sector through Project Heart and Hands tried to augment this P50/per child/ per month budget by donating school materials, cleaning materials and audio visual equipment.  Their donations went on to benefit more than 3,000 preschool children who came back to school in January 2010.

"Sa seminar na ito, nabuhayan akong muli."

The work of a Day Care worker is truly like a missionary service to the community.  Each worker is paid an allowance of P4,000/ month by the municipal government.  They work a full day teaching one, two, sometimes three batches of pre-schoolers.  When the P50 contributions of the children are not enough to cover the expenses, they often have to dip into their own pockets.  But despite the sacrifices,  many of them have been at this for so many years now.  For example, two of the participants yesterday were a mother and daughter tandem who have both embraced teaching pre-schoolers as their lifelong mission and service in life.  Another teacher worked as a real estate agent for 17 years while sending her five children to college.  Now, as her youngest child graduates from college, she is “retiring” to teach pre-schoolers, who according to her bring so much more joy and satisfaction.  “Iba nga ang pera sa Real Estate.  Pero dito sa pre-school, iba ang saya at satisfaction na mararamdaman mo”, she says. “How can someone who has so little, choose to still give more?,” I ask myself.

The seminar yesterday was given by our very own Vanessa Villarosa-Salvana.  Vanessa, from NDC, is a much sought after speaker by educators nationwide for her corporate training expertise in understanding children’s different learning styles to enhance teaching effectiveness.  Vanessa came out such a hit with the participants that each one wanted to have their photograph taken with Vanessa at the end of the seminar.  “Ang ganda ganda ni Ma’am Vanessa,” one participant said. “Ang galing pa!”, another added.  “At hindi boring!”, all the participants agreed.  Vanessa’s eyes shone brightly as she patiently shared her knowledge with the day care workers.  It was evident that she was not just sharing from her mind.  Her whole being resounded with life as she spoke.  A heart that loves Christ shone through. 

In Ezekiel 37: 5-6, it says,

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.  I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ “ 

And this is exactly what happened yesterday at the seminar.  The Lord has breathed new life not only into the hearts of the participants but the organizers as well.  What a joy to witness the Lord’s work first hand!  What a privilege to see hearts being renewed, refreshed and transformed before my very eyes.

To our brothers and sisters in the North Sector, let us press on in our efforts to reach out because yes, we are being used by the Lord to make a difference.  Praise be to God, the Father of us all!

- Sharee Roque, North District A

Ngunit nung nag uumpisa na ang prayer meeting unti-unting nawala ang takot at mga tanong. Napalitan ito ng kapayapaan sa aking puso’t isipan dahil nakita ko sa bawat bilanggo ang kasiyahan at pananabik. 

Sa aking pakikipag- usap sa mga bilanggo, iba’t ibang kwento ang aking napakinggan. Si Mang Jun, illegal possession of drugs. Si Mang Waldo, rape at si Michael, hold- up. Ang tanging naibulong ko lang sa aking sarili ay mahirap at masakit tanggapin ang mga pangyayari pero kahit sa kanilang pagkakabilanggo, nakita ko pa rin na nagamit ng Panginoon ang kanilang sitwasyon para maipakilala nya ang Kanyang Sarili sa kanila. 

Hindi pa napapatunayan kung totoong nag kasala sila sa batas. Hindi ko man sila nakilala bago sila pumasok sa bilangguan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga kasalanang nagawa ng bawat bilanggo. Pero nasasalamin ko sa kanilang mga mukha ang bakas ng pagsisisi, pagpupursigi na makapag bagong buhay at makalaya. Nasasalamin ko rin ang pananabik nila na makilala ng lubusan ang Panginoon at ang pagkauhaw na makapakinig ng salita ng Diyos. 

Kahit sa kaunting oras at panahon na inilagi namin doon ay naipadama namin ang pagmamahal sa kanila ng Diyos. Sa simpleng regalo na sabon, shampoo, toothpase, pandesal, juice atbp ay masasalamin mo ang kasiyahan sa kanilang mukha na parang bang nakatanggap sila  ng mamahaling regalo. Hindi man kami ang tunay na kapamilya, mararamdaman mo na nasasabik sila sa dalaw. At paulit-ulit mong maririnig sa kanila “Maraming salamat, huwag sana kayong magsasawa sa pagdalaw sa amin“. 

"Nasalamin ko ang mukha ni Jesus sa bawat bilanggo." - Malou Bautista, North E

Ang hamon na naghihintay sa bawat bilanggo ay paano nila haharapin ang buhay sa labas ng bilangguan. Paano sila tatanggapin ng lipunan. Ang bawat isa sa atin ay binibigyan ng Panginoon ng pagkakataong makapag bagong buhay nasa loob o labas man tayo ng bilangguan. Huwag nating sayangin ang pagkakataong ito. 

Ang pagdalaw ko sa bilangguan ay hindi isang aksidente, kundi isang pagsunod sa paanyaya ng Panginoon na “Puntahan mo ako“. Doon nasalamin ko ang mukha ni Jesus sa bawat bilanggo, sa mga ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha at walang patid na pasasalamat. Si Jesus ang nangusap sa akin sa mga oras na iyon, nagpapasalamat at may kasamang ngiti sa pagdalaw namin sa kanya sa loob ng bilangguan. 

- Malou Bautista, North E

By 8:00 a.m., project coordinator Toby Estrella gathered everyone present and led the prayers and briefing. After coordinating who rides with whom, owners of vehicles that were not used were advised to transfer their cars to a safer area.

North Sector "Felix Team"

In a few minutes, the convoy towards our assigned area, Sitio Felix, Barangay San Andres, Cainta, Rizal started rolling through narrow streets. Along the way, we couldn’t help but notice the signs of the Ondoy tragedy. Murky water lines on the walls of houses, which reached up to chest level, were still visible. We could only imagine how much damage the flood caused the poor residents of the area.

Finally, we spotted the Sitio Felix Day Care Center. We were relieved to see that the area was not as “depressed” as we imagined it would be. The houses were relatively clean, the Day Care Center was compact but well built and equipped with colorfully painted wooden chairs, tables & shelves, and the toddlers were all washed up, tidied, and dressed as if a town fiesta was ongoing. As expected, the sewage and water supply system of the area left much to be desired, thus giving the air a tinge of pungent smell. This was, however, overpowered by the warm greetings of the DSWD volunteers headed by the feisty Teacher Jenny and Teacher Weng, as well as the well behaved and cheerful children.

We helped set up the activity area by transferring the chairs and tables from the Day Care Center to the Ynares Multi Purpose Hall. The men unloaded the boxes of donations that were hauled from Cradle of Joy. The tarpaulin was hung, and the sound system was connected.

To further arm us with strength and endurance needed for the activity, Acting District Coordinator Ruel Morales once again led the NDC volunteers in prayer.

Not wasting any time, our designated glib and witty emcee Aldem Salvana grabbed the microphone, gathered the children and made them sing and dance to warm them up. The today’s staple, “Nobody Nobody But You”, was led by yours truly.

Who's teaching whom?

Aldem then instructed the children to count off from 1 to 5 in an effort to group them by 10′s. Each team was assisted by one or two NDC members. The team games prepared by Celine Piezas and Letlet Cepeda commenced. First was “Isip-Isip”, a multiple choice question-and-answer game that determined the winner through a process of elimination. Questions asked were biblical in nature. Jake Yap had to step in to intensify the level of difficulty since the mothers present knew all the answers to the puzzles meant only for toddlers.

Next was the “Carolling” contest where teams were asked to present a one-minute Christmas carol complete with choreography. The winning team was a group of older grade schoolers who were excited onlookers, thus, were invited to join in.

The third game was the “Human Parol” where teams composed lantern designs using their own body parts, either in a standing, lying or pyramid position. One team displayed creativity by adding blinking lights to their parol, while another created an intricate star pattern with their arms held together.

Children and parents alike enjoyed the games. Prizes included practical items such as soap, toothpaste, bottles of alcohol, powder, notebooks, crayons, and lots healthy snacks, all costing Php 1,600. No child was left without any prize or token.

After all the games, the children had worked up an appetite and were therefore ready for snack time. They were served spaghetti, donuts, juice and bread products. Although we were told to prepare for fifty (50) toddlers, Elvie Escoto, who cooked and packed the snacks was ready for seventy (70), which was just as well because non-Day Care Center students who were eager observers, numbering an additional twenty (20), benefited from the surplus. This seemed to simulate the gospel on the multiplication of loaves and fishes.

Mission accomplished!

To heighten the Christmas spirit of spreading joy to the seventy toddlers and grade schoolers, the games and snack time were topped by the distribution of loot bags containing sweets and toys prepared by LNP, augmented by Noel & Dulce Echague.

After all the treats given to the children, it was time to honor the five DSWD workers who have been selflessly giving their time and energy in serving the youth of the community despite their measly salaries; sometimes even drawing from their own resources to fill in the inadequacies of the center. Apart from giving the volunteers a token gift, we gathered around and prayed for them to have more strength, perseverance, and to be blessed with material and financial provisions that they themselves need, as some of them were Ondoy victims as well.

We proceeded to turn over LNP’s donations of books, toys, sanitary supplies and appliances through the DSWD workers. Overwhelmed by the show of love and support, one of the volunteer Day Care Center parents led the praying over us, LNP members, for deeper faith in God and devotion to our call.

No event would be complete without photo opportunities and so we aligned ourselves for group shots and started clicking away.

We in North District C donated our resources, volunteered our time and energy, hoping to lend a helping hand to the weakest of the weak Ondoy victims — innocent toddlers of the Sitio Felix Day Care Center. In turn, our hearts were filled with joy at the opportunity to bring smiles to their faces, and to witness the selflessness of the DSWD volunteers who have gone beyond the call of duty, and made serving their full time preoccupation.

- Celine Piezas (NDC), December 19, 2009

Arinda Team from North B, D, and UD

The different districts headed to their assigned Day Care Centers in Cainta bringing with them not only valuable goods but also joy in their hearts and warmth in their hands.  

Our District, North B together with North D, University District, DSWD workers and PHH Team reps Jobaqs Baquiano & Avic Gaborni then proceeded to Arinda Day Care Center. We left the Cainta Municipal grounds a little delayed of our target time because the truck carrying our goods arrived late.

Serving the children at the Arinda Day Care

After an hour or so of traveling on rough road, we finally got to the site. We can still see and feel the devastation that typhoon “Ondoy” brought to the lives of the people in the area.

While waiting for things to settle, some brothers and sisters mingled with the children and the DSWD workers. Others helped out in unloading the goods from the truck to the venue. We started the program with an opening prayer led by Jutes Judith (UD). Jutes and Mac Panganiban (UD) facilitated the games (“Utos ng Hari”, “Bring Me”, etc.) which was participated in by the children who obviously had a great time and were excited to receive their prizes. We prepared pasta, sandwiches and juice for everyone including the parents of the children for snacks.

The LNP Team, headed by yours truly, also spent time to honor the DSWD workers of Arinda group for their dedication and service to the children and to the Day Care Center. Simple tokens of gratitude were also presented to them. The workers were prayed over after the honoring.

"How Good and Pleasant It Is for Brethren to ..."

The highlight of the event was the turning over of donations consisting of television sets, DVD players, electric fans, books & toys, weighing scales, vitamins, and cleaning materials to the Day Care Centers. On behalf of the DSWD workers, Jhing Ayap and Ofel Tagaduar expressed their gratitude to LNP for the donations. 

The activity was concluded with a closing prayer led by Paeng Cruz (NDD).       

- By Ronnie Oronce (NDB), December 19, 2009

“When God is involved, it’s not necessarily the giftedness of the leader that prompts God’s blessing; it’s more often the leader’s willingness to move when & where He indicates.” – John Maxwell (from The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day)

I’ve also experienced the Lord’s blessing in the same way, and I would like to share my reflection about it — not as a leader, but as a disciple who desires to faithfully follow the Lord.

Three years ago, I heard the Lord prompting me to once again serve Him through the community. You see, I was at a point when I didn’t want to pursue community life any more.  So when I heard the Lord calling me, I was really not inclined to obey… simply because (nakakahiya mang aminin) I’m not a confident person. I would always avoid serving by pointing to another person and say, ‘Sya na lang Lord, he can do it better anyway.  Di ko kaya yan.’

For quite some time, that would work.  The Lord would just let me have it my way.   He would call.  I would plead and avoid.  But then the Lord, with all His love, desires my growth; and so He would get back to me calling me to serve yet again and again.  He wouldn’t stop.  And each time, I would look at my ungiftedness, and beg off.

Finally the Lord said,  “Mark, what I’m asking from you is your availability. Are you willing to make yourself available for me?”    I couldn’t say No to that.

"It is our willingness to be available that the Lord seeks in our hearts." - Mark Dino

I started attending prayer meetings of Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon. My first service was playing the guitar during the worship because that is the only service that I know how to do decently well.  I was content in serving in the music ministry then.  But the Lord had a plan for me to grow, and He knew that I wouldn’t grow just by doing what I wanted to do.   And so, through my leader, the Lord called me to take another step in serving him.  I was asked to lead a prayer meeting.  I begged to be assigned to a prayer meeting three months from that day.   Then came a series of requests for service — each service involving an area that I’m not familiar with, nor confident to do because I know I’m not good at it or not gifted with it. And each and every time, the Lord would only ask me for one thing – my availability.

Looking back now, I’m thankful for every step of service that God called me to. For each commitment of availability that I made with the Lord, I was blessed more than anyone else. I learned new skills, I grew in character, and I was able to witness to my brothers and sisters.  Best of all, I was serving not man but God. 

Going back to Maxwell’s words, my conviction grew even more knowing that our God blesses those who are willing to step out of our comfort zone in order to please the Lord, willing to be used by the Lord despite insecurities of our incapabilities.  The very disposition of putting ourselves at the disposal of the Lord plays a big factor for God to bless us.   It’s ironic that when we give ourselves away for service, we realize at the end of the day, it is us who are blessed all the more.

I believe that God’s equation is: service = blessing.  Blessed, not in the material sense, but blessed in the sense that we can truly ask for whatever means it takes to do our service well, and He will grant it.  The Lord will supply the necessary grace that we need to do our service well.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Lk 9: 23-24)

The bottom line: God desires that his people may have life to the full.  God desires to bless his people – his only requirement: our willingness to make ourselves availabile for His sake.

My experience says, when we give ourselves away for the service of the Lord, we are transformed, we are changed, and we are blessed.

– Mark Dino  (North District E, and Branch Leader for Lingkod, Quezon City)

That prayer was like a seed planted in my heart.  I felt that it was God’s way of leading me to embrace the way of life of community.  He made that prayer a blessing in disguise, and indeed He granted me the grace to fully live out my Christian faith through the community’s way of life.

Through the years, I have understood and desired to know more about the community through teachings and different events of the community.  When I joined North District E, I witnessed concretely the richness of our life together. And through my own experiences in attending several Haranas, serving either as a host and/or a choreographer of a dance presentation, it was simply a glimpse of God’s amazing love and faithfulness through the brothers and sisters who followed our way of life as their response to love and honor the Lord.

Here I am, choreographing and performing for Jojo and Maila's harana

As I pursue the vocation of Marriage, I have seen how my concept of Harana evolved from a simple child’s prayer to that of seeing it as a vital role as I transition to a new state of life. The Harana is more than the singing of Kundiman songs to express love or dancing Filipino Folk Dances to remember our culture and tradition. It is an integral part of our life as singles. It is a venue where brothers and sisters honor the couple for following the Lord and being faithful to our call in the community through our way of life. More than honoring the couple, it is also to prepare them for the vocation of marriage.

The Harana is a continuation of the courtship process, signaling the transition of a new state of life-from being single to that of pursuing the vocation of Marriage. Pursuing my state of life in the context of the community makes it more meaningful and significant. All the more that the prayer I said to the Lord during that first Harana I attended became so real and personal. As young as I was that time, the grace of God worked mightily in my life that enabled me to fulfill God’s call in Ligaya. Through the guidance of my family, my Pastoral Leaders and the sisters and brothers I am surrounded with, I have followed the Lord through our community way of life.

And now, my own harana: November 14, 2009

The night before my own Harana, it was as if I was brought back to that simple prayer I had, “Lord, I want to have my own Harana.” And indeed, I had my own. The preparations made by brothers and sisters and those who were present, were enough to honor both me and Paulo. Truly, it was an overwhelming fulfillment of my prayer. God’s answer to the desire I whispered years back, and now being fulfilled through His grace. A fitting response to the Lord is “Thank You for the gift of community, Thank You for my Announcement. Thank you for my Harana.”

Portia Domingo, NDE

Katz Festojo at her work station

My patient, Felipe Reyes (not his real name), a victim of stabbing had been difficult to work with from the first time I tried to get a blood extraction.  He would always be obviously irritated, uncooperative and VERY difficult to work with. 

Oftentimes he would refuse the procedures he needed to undergo.  Trying his hardest: negotiating, cursing just so that no doctor or nurse would touch him. So much so that my resident, his attending physician, would need to resort to threats and intimidation just to get him to undergo a necessary ancillary procedure. 

Being the Surgical ICU intern, I was tasked with his blood extractions. And I did NOT want to do them. This guy was always yelling at his doctors, always complaining, always making excuses.  Coming into the room, I was prepared to make some excuse about the patient refusing the procedure.  But  when I faced him, I felt the Lord.  The word “KINDNESS” popped into my head.  I could have left, but I really had no choice.  “KINDNESS” daw, sabi ni Lord.

“Opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ come everyday. We just have to take them.”

So, I introduced myself.  Asked for his name.  Where he was from.   He was a stabbing ‘victim’ from Cavite.  Thus, we exchanged stories as I stuck needles into him about 5 times. I learned about his family.  The reasons for the incident.

The entire time, he was rude. He was bossy. He would order me, in an irritated voice: “Kunin mo nga ang tissue” so he could spit into it.  I found myself gritting my teeth as I smiled at him and patiently handed him tissues to wipe sputum off his mouth.  I would throw away his infected tissues. He would have me pick up some other things for him.

He needed his urine catheter to be changed.  He had been refused several times already.  Even when talking to the resident doctors.   I was tired. I wanted to leave. Nevertheless, the word “KINDNESS” kept popping into my head.  Thus, I explained to him the procedure, half expecting him to refuse. Afterwards, I informed him that I had to leave and someone else would do the job.

He told me, “ikaw na lang.”   I was struck. Something as simple as asking a patient’s name and history, I acknowledged him as a person.  And tears stung my eyes because he was not being acknowledged as a person the 5 days he had been in the Surgical ICU. People knew him as a patient, a case.  I knew him as Mr. Reyes. So I did the procedure and he did not complain. Before my eyes, he was changing.  I imagined a wounded animal in the way he was reacting initially. Now, he was being respectful, mindful, acting like a person. He was asking me to do it because he didn’t trust anyone else to.

When I was going to leave the room for a different shift, I informed him that I would be leaving. He expressed his disappointment saying, “wala na akong kakampi dito.” I couldn’t find any words to reply with. I only knew that this was a great milestone. He trusted me enough to want me there. 

I didn’t show this man any extraordinary kindness – apart from that what was due to him. Then I realized what a rare gift that was. To have someone offer them the dignity that is due them — the dignity that God intended for him.   When we are the face of Jesus to others, we don’t even have to do anything out of the ordinary.  We only have to see them with God’s eyes.  See the dignity that He sees. Want for them the beauty and the privilege that HE intended. Sometimes all our patients need is for us to see them as they are.

When I wander PGH, I wonder if compassion is dead.  As doctors, we see death and destruction day to day. It’s commonplace. It’s thoroughfare.  And yet a bit of kindness to a person who needs it is light. Patient Reyes helped me see light in the darkness of everyday. 

Sometimes, I still feel disappointed in myself for the missed opportunities in proclaiming Jesus to the world. But God is still good, and He always reminds me that his love is available, even through simple works.  I think I feel that it wasn’t me showing God’s love to them. It was my patients showing God’s love to me. Isn’t that ironic?

- KATZ FESTEJO, North District E

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God.

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God

PROJECT HEART AND HANDS

Goal and rationale

• We are called to love one another (1 John 3: 16-18)
• Aside from helping our brothers and sisters, we have the responsibility to extend our resources to those outside our community

• This project is a concrete expression of our spirituality, this is our Sector’s expression of its oneness with God’s people
• Compassion is a work of one’s heart and hands; building lives means giving from our hearts and doing it with our own hands
  • Respond for “such a time as this”
  • Manifest concretely our love for one another
  • Support the needs of our brethren

• There is much to be done in the aftermath of Ondoy as well as the other typhoons, and as disciples on mission, we are called to

What kind of project we want to implement?

REHABILITATION OF DAY CARE CENTERS
IN MARIKINA, CAINTA, PASIG AND TAYTAY

Why Day Care Centers?

• It has a multi-dimensional impact:
  • shelter for children as parents pursue their livelihoods
  • can serve as evacuation centers
  • can be a venue for community-building activities like livelihood/skills training for the parents, training and support for day care workers
  • has direct contact and impact on the local community
  • It provides opportunity for direct trans-gen community involvement
  • It creates an opportunity to be involved in the lives of the children
  • It is manageable, doable and has long term benefit to the beneficiaries

Why Marikina, Cainta, Pasig and Taytay?

• The areas were hardly-hit by the floods
• Close to our homes

What are the tangible forms of assistance to be provided?

• Educational books and toys for children
• Television sets and DVD players with educational materials
• Facilities, i.e., blackboards, wash rooms, cabinets, book shelves, teacher’s tables, play ground
• This model can be adopted when we pursue projects for our outreaches and public schools

How can you help?

• Three choices:
  • financial support – personal donations or solicitation
  • provisions in kind – any of the items mentioned above, transportation
  • presence and support for proposed ancillary activities – medical mission, skills and livelihood training, feeding program, tree-planting, prayer meeting and turn over ceremonies
• Pray and discuss as a family your response or form of service you can commit to give
• Fill up the pledge form (given during the SA; see also attached) and submit to your District Servants on or before 20 November 2009

When will the project be implemented?

• 12 and 19 December 2009 – initial delivery of assistance and donations to the identified day care centers with Sector brothers and sisters
• December 2009 – fund-raising activities
• January 2010 – additional deliveries of assistance and donations; community-building and interaction activities

For further information, please contact the following project team members:

• Toby Estrella                      – 09178820725
• Dennis Pilapil                     – 09189105347
• Jobaqs Baquiano              – 09228207179
• Sharee Roque                   – 09209787427
• Avic Gaborni                      – 09165004934
• Shawie Villaflores            – 09179261189
• Mae Chatto                        – 09175389271

Watch the video presented during the SA at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIlxt3HE1-o

During the retreat, the Lord asked me to look back in my life as an underway member of Ligaya. In my first few years, I found myself in a constant struggle to be faithful and committed.   I went in and out of the Community but I knew that the Lord was blessing my every decision to return. Through the Lord’s grace, I slowly grew in maturity especially in my relationship with the Lord. I grew in my appreciation of the community as I would sometimes take on various services; celebrate Lord’s Day with Ligaya families, etc. I gradually saw the wisdom of our way of life (one is the area of giving tithes).

"Me heart beats for the Lord." - Marvin Barbara

In my unworthiness, I cried before the Lord when the speaker made us realize that the covenant is a gift from the Lord and that He is the one who initiated it. But the Lord comforted me saying that with His gift comes the grace to be worthy of the life He has called me to live.

In my last reflection during the retreat, the Lord asked for my heart saying that if He owns my heart, I belong to Him wherever I go. He further said that He would bring me to a place where I can still experience community life and receive support from brothers and sisters. I took it to mean that I was not yet taking the covenant this year and that He was blessing my desire to work abroad for a few years. After much discernment, I told my PL about it.

Few days before the Feast of the Covenant, our district coordinator, through my PL, gave me another perspective saying that if my heart is really for Ligaya and that there’s no work opportunity abroad yet, I might want to reconsider my decision. Knowing in my heart that the Lord is really calling me to Ligaya and that my heart beats for him and Ligaya, I gladly decided to take the covenant this year and not postpone it.

If not for my decision to work abroad, taking the covenant would have been very easy. I would not be who I am now as a person and God’s disciple if not for the teachings and sometimes correction I received from the brothers and sisters. The people whom I have significant relationship with are in the community. I draw inspiration from the brothers and sisters who have been in the community for many years but still persevere in the Lord.

I would like to believe that it’s easier now to live out our way of life; I just have to continue what I have been doing. However, I also know that as with other journey, there will be obstacles along the way. There is no assurance from the Lord of a peaceful life ahead. For this reason, I entrust myself to the Lord of the covenant. The God who gave me this gift is the same God who will grant me the grace to be faithful.

- Marvin Barbara, North Sector