International Teams-Philippines Tender Ministry Monthly Newsletter—JANUARY, 2013

Starting the Year with More Hands

Reaching Out to the Poor!

The HAKBANG Sponsorship started the year with a bang!  The program aims to help the children and their families not just in terms of education but also in other aspects of their lives. In order to strengthen the beneficiaries it is important to give them spiritual care. The ministry is very thankful that along came the City Bible Church-Sucat. The church is just new but their desire is to reach out to the people of Upper Sucat Community where most of the beneficiaries live. Ptr. Dino Go Yupo, the church’s pastor, shared their gratefulness and eagerness to work hand in hand with the ministry. They will be the ones who will conduct the Bible Study, bring them to church, and have a weekly fellowship with the people in the Upper Sucat Community.

The partnership was formally introduced to the community during the 10th General Assembly held last January 20, 2013 at Brgy. Sucat Hall, Sucat, Muntinlupa. It was well attended by 80 people who were divided into groups: children, parents/guardians, and youth.  The children enjoyed the storytelling, games and coloring activities while the youth had a blast because of the team building activities and sharing of their ideas and feelings through cell groups. The parents had an opportunity to hear sound teaching about family from Ptr. John Basiwa and were later given a chance to share their learning to other parents.We are hopeful that this will serve as a great beginning for the year 2013. We believe more and more people are willing to offer their lives and talents to help the poor not just through physical and educational needs but as well as through emotional and physical needs.  By:  Jizza B. Magallanes TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

A Message of Hope & Dreams that Are Coming True

Marvic (in white Polo shirt) together

 with his partner Rochelle and their

 daughter Eunice.

As a new year opens for the PAGBABAGO (Transformation) Alternative Learning System (ALS), the ministry rejoices because the dream of a former street child is finally coming true! Marvic used to perceive his life as hopeless and that he would always stay on the streets. He used to work as a jeepney barker (the one who calls passengers to the jeepney) and sniff rugby. His life was changed when he came upon an agency which serves street children.  They were the ones who referred him to enroll at IT Tender Ministry’s ALS program last school year. After he graduated in highs chool through passing the Accreditation and Equivalency Examination, he took a vocational course and successfully finished it this month.

Marvic together with his young family and mother joyfully dropped by the ministry to express his thankfulness because of the help and support he received. His graduation was held last January 11, 2013 at Tunasan Sports Complex, Tunasan, Muntinlupa. He shared that he is planning to find a job right after he receives his diploma. He said that he wants to work hard for his
newly born baby girl. He couldn’t believe that his life would be like this looking back to a time when heused to think that his life would forever remain on the streets.Indeed, change is possible if a person is given a chance to improve himself. Hoping, more lives will be similar to that of Marvic which has a message of hope and dreams come true even though it seems impossible. By:  Jizza B. Magallanes  

The Heart Beats Continue...

These children are enjoying

 their meal.

The heart of the IT Tender Ministry beats continuously as it reaches out to the street children in Alabang, Muntinlupa. The ministry sees the Night Life Program as its “HEART” because this is where it all started. Now, a weekly center-based activity is conducted from 10 o’clock in the evening until 1 o’clock a.m. where the street children receive hygiene support and food and have a chance to hear about God’s love for them. These activities help them feel that they are loved and cared for. It is a joy for the ministry that volunteers from Grace Chapel Church joined us even for just one session. These missionaries had a chance to play with them and feed them and let the children feel the love of Christ as they ministered through this program. As of this month the coordinator focused on individual children through home and area visits and identified the basic and urgent needs of each child. We praise God for the knowledge given to us and continue praying for the coming months of serving God through helping children at risk and taking action for each of their needs 

Children playing with

 the visitors.

through the grace of our Lord. By:  Lorna Carro & Gabriel Malquisto
 

Praise for the month of January !!!!

· The ministry joyfully shares their gratitude for all the support and prayer which

made the 2013 Planning and Evaluation possible last December 26 to 29, 2012

in the beautiful city of Tagaytay, Philippines.

· For the visitation of Extreme Response Leaders: Jerry Carnill, Paul Cripps, Russ Cline

and also to the talented photographer Charlie Beck.

· For the ministry exposure of Grace Chapel Missions Team lead by Ptr. Danny

Gardner.

· For the formalization of the partnership with City Bible Church-Sucat lead

by Ptr. Dino Go Yupo in ministering to Upper Sucat Community.

· And most especially to God the Almighty! Without Him we won’t be able to continue serving His people coming from poor communities and the street children. Praise Him for all His generosity, guidance & love!

Prayer Items !!!

· May you include in your thoughts and prayers all the provisions and guidance in implementing the plans for this year resulting from the 2013 Planning & Evaluation.

· Guidance and provision as the ministry is about to start the ALS Summer Computer Class Program.

· Provision for Family Day this coming February 23, 2013

· Guidance for the Sponsorship Case Conference

And also the Staff support for 6 full time staff for only about Php18,000 or $ 500 usd a month to sustain the personal needs of all 6 of them.

· May our God continue to graciously provide our physical needs and keep us safe and in good health.