Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Special Prayer Request for Jizza's Graduation


Dear friends and supporters,

I'm so thankful to announce that in less than a month our very own Jizza Magallanes will graduate with her degree in Social Work. Then in June she will take the licensing exam to become an official, licensed Social Worker!  Although she doesn't yet have all the funds for her graduation and exam review, we are declaring by faith that she will graduate and attain her license.

Jizza leads an orientation for some of our clients
Actually, God has already been providing in miraculous ways for Jizza to complete her studies. Despite many trails, God has provided for all her needs and tuition fees over the years. She can now see the finish line, and she is fervently praying to graduate. I've asked her to write a letter to explain the final provisions she needs to graduate. We only need $275 more to reach this goal! If you would like to respond to her need through donations or prayer, contact me at johndlcoffey@gmail.com

John Coffey

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"The Realization of a Dream" by Jizza Magallanes

A blessed day! My name is Jizza B. Magallanes and I am 24 years old. I have been working with street children and marginalized families in Muntinlupa City, Philippines for almost three years now under International Teams Tender Ministry. At the same time, I am taking up a degree in Social Work at  the Philippine Christian University. By God’s grace, my mother and I have been working in order to fund my schooling after a painful downfall in my family’s finances which forced me to stop my schooling for awhile. I chose not to be affected by the situation and continued in my ministry despite the reality that being a full-time worker in a faith-based organization means not always receiving a steady income. It is my mother who works hard in order to support my studies. She used to work as a full-time babysitter and house helper because she firmly supports the importance of my education. And even now that she is earning a good salary by working as a house parent in the nearby "Children's Home" orphanage, she still works as a part-time clothes washer and house helper. As of now, we have been able to cover most of my tuition fee and are still working out the means to pay the rest of the balance. I wrote this letter as a step of faith, for we are still praying for provisions for my graduation fee and board examination review. Please see the breakdown below:

Amount
US $
Particular
Date Needed
8,000 PHP
US$ 200
Graduation fee (inclusion:  graduation picture, graduation toga, yearbook, alumni fee, copy of transcript of records, other school needs)
4th week of March or
1st week of April, 2014 before April 4
5,000 PHP
US$ 125
Board Examination Review Fee
3rd or 4th week of April, 2014
2,000 PHP
US$ 50

Allowance for transportation (Alabang to Manila, vice versa)
1st week of May, 2014


$ 375
- 100
$ 275
Total Amount Needed
(minus $100 in donations already received)
Only $275 left to raise

I believe in my heart that it is my calling to serve God with the use of my talents and knowledge. I will be more effective if I have a degree and license in Social Work.  Please pray for me as I face this final struggle in my studies. I believe that God has a purpose for every trial in our lives and I decide to trust in Him and to hope that other people might want to join my cause.

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If you would like to join in helping Jizza graduate, contact John Coffey at johndlcoffey@gmail.com

Thank you for your support and prayers!

Monday, March 3, 2014

March Newsletter


Staff News at IT Tender
By John Coffey and Cecille De Jesus

It's hard to imagine running our programs without the support and encouragement of Jamielyn (aka "Jam"). For months she was been assisting at our preschool and Night Life programs. However, we are excited to share that since the end of February, she has started working full-time at IT Tender. The entire team is extremely thankful for her passions and gifts in teaching children, her creativity in the arts (especially with singing and dancing), and her skills with administration.
 

Jam is currently Cecille's assistant teacher in our preschool, she serves in our Food for Life nutrition program twice a week, she helps with our Night Life program, and she also assists with administration in the office.

“Serving and worshipping alongside my fiancĂ© is an opportunity for the two of us to grow, mature, and understand each other better. Please pray for Jam as she adjusts to her new schedule at IT Tender.”
John Coffey, IT Tender Director


In other news, please pray for our full-time missionary and SLC Daycare teacher Cecille. She is one team member who inspires us all, and here is a personal update:

God Never Fails: As I continue the journey of my life, I continue to face circumstances that do not make it easy. There are times in everyone’s life that they will get tired, become weak physically, emotionally and spiritually, and for me this happened when I was first diagnosed in November 2013 with a large (12cm) ovarian cyst. I thought the process leading up to surgery would be easy, but in reality it has been emotionally and physically draining.

A lot of things need to be prepared: a 6 month course of pre-op antibiotics, multiple medical examinations and scans, and of course time and money is needed going to and from the hospital. The most difficult part for me has been the need to adjust how much I actively participate in the things I am passionate about: my studies to become a qualified teacher, my family and of course the SLC Daycare ministry where I teach. But through all of these hard times, God has shown me how to trust and hold on to His promise; that He will never fail me. I continue to praise Him for the continued strength He has give me to stand firm and continue this journey together with Him.


Things we are thankful for:

  ·      Short term volunteer Louise Carver has been volunteering with various IT Tender ministries since January but she has now arrived safely back in the UK. The team will miss her passion and dedication and the children will miss her love and caring nature

  ·      Following on from an evangelistic outreach camp last November and on-going ministry, the youth from our Night Life program have requested a bible study! This started a few weeks ago and a further update will be included in next months newsletter

  ·      New full time volunteer Jamielyn – her hard work and love for the children is already having a huge impact on our ministries

  ·      The visit of our Filipino partners Action International and their American visitors Mick and Tracey Burr. We had a great day showing them our feeding program which is sponsored by Action International


Things we would love you to pray for:
    
            ·      The on-going health of Cecille De Jesus; that her pre-op meds would be successful and that
               she would receive all the funds needed for her required surgery later this year

            ·      IT Tender is working in partnership with the local barangay (council) to host a ‘Nutrition and
               Hygiene’ seminar this month for parents of 50 of our clients – please pray for good
               attendance, open minds and improvements in families and communities

           ·      Wisdom as the IT Tender team conducts a mid-year evaluation and planning for our ongoing
              programs