A Parenting seminar was conducted by Mission Ministries Philippines and partner school Head Start Learning Center last February 8, 2023, at Bagong Silangang, Quezon City.
Dr. Chonabelle Domingo the speaker of the said seminar, highlighted the purpose of God for creating a family and the challenges faced by parents in today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing world. The lecture covers other topics like Understanding the Behavioral Problems, Nature of the children, and Disciplinary Measures.
During group discussions, participants had the opportunity to express their own thoughts and experiences, which sparked parent cooperation and networking. Parents can impart knowledge and insights and learn from one another during the event.
In the end, the attendees were grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as parents and expressed their appreciation for the organizers’ efforts.
Mission Ministries Philippines and its partners celebrated the annual Christmas party last December 10, 2022, at the Good News Global Ministries in Pasig. Another joyful event to fellowship with the partners face-to-face. With the theme “Reuniting, Reconnecting, Remembering … The Christ of Christmas
This event is a reunion and Christmas Celebration of partners after the pandemic. For two years, the Christmas party was held online.
Presents and raffle prizes were in abundance from the good and generous hearts of some key people, with special mention to the MMP Officers of Teachers’ Associations and the supervisors.
Pastor Julian Vallente, the head pastor of the Good News Global Ministries, gave the inspirational message. From his message, we should be one just as Jesus Christ and the Heavenly Father are one. God sees us as one body of Christ and should work together to achieve His purpose for us.
The gathering was also graced by Pastor Joey Casas, one of the board of Trustees of MMP, and Ms. Zeny Ablang, former Children’s Mission Philippines Team Leader who is now helping MMP in her own capacity.
The partners reunite and reconnect because we remember that Christ is the reason for all these things we do in Mission Ministries Philippines.
“Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do” was this year’s theme for the Teachers’ Retreat held last November 4 and 5, 2022 at Onesimo Farm and Campsite in Matalinting, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
It is MMP’s first in-person activity since the Pandemic ravaged the globe. On this occasion, more than 30 teachers took part. There were games that encouraged teamwork, innovation, and interpersonal interaction. Abilities that the pandemic hindered. The retreat nonetheless demonstrated that a family’s love can always triumph over obstacles and distance.
The highlight of the retreat was the message of Pastor Efren Roxas, former Camp Manager of Onesimus Camp Site and a dear friend of MMP, He is also the husband of Mrs. Becky Roxas, author of Bip-Bip, MMP’s book in Filipino.
The message of Pastor Roxas is to increase one’s adversity quotient as well as their intellectual and emotional quotients. No matter how we feel about it, bad times will come and go. But even when we go through these difficulties, we may overcome them and succeed. In order to be tough, we must switch from asking Why (why is this occurring) to What (what can I learn from this circumstance?). Although following God’s word is not simple, we must recognize the lessons He is trying to impart to us. Awards were given to the 5 groups: WOW, Resilience, F6, Victorious, and Undefeated. The names of each group derived from their experiences and how they were able to face the pandemic.
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” a banner verse of MMP and its partners. One that has made an impact on a 4-year student of one of MMP’s partners, Praise Rotary Emerald Academy operated from 1999 to 2004. The school was situated in Payatas, one of the underprivileged neighborhoods in Quezon City. Pastor Dante Paule and his wife, teacher Margie Paule, served as its leaders.
And only recently did this former pupil get in touch with Teacher Margie to let her know that she and her brother, who was also a student at the aforementioned school, had just graduated and were now doctors. The teacher was both humbled and proud to learn that the young pupils she had formerly taught were now accomplished professionals in their industries.
The family of the said children was junk shop owners before. They have now alleviated their family income status and were able to send their children to medical school. And what a transformation indeed to the family.
In 2004, teacher Margie and her family moved to another location in Calamba, Laguna, and set up another school named Tech-Grow Kids Developmental School. The former school was then managed by another teacher and relocated to Montalban, Rizal.
From 2004 to the present, The Tech-Grow Kids Developmental School has produced other successful students. One more deserving of mention graduated from U.P. Los Banos, Cum laude, Now a teacher at a Bible school in Calauan, Laguna. Both of the schools’ are Dep Ed recognized.
In addition to producing excellent pupils, the schools also generated students who have become Christians. Their church now counts them among its members and workers.
Preschool can truly be considered a ministry of the church that transforms lives and spreads the gospel.
The amazing tale of this partner school truly embodies the goal and mission of Mission Ministries Philippines, as it is said that “No teacher becomes a millionaire, but our riches are when our pupils or students become successful in life.”
In its continuing mission to share the good news of salvation to the parents of partner schools of Mission Ministries Philippines, the 5th parenting seminar for this year is The Path to Success, held last September 18, 2021. Pastor Melita Espanol, teacher and Administrator of JMARS Learning Center in Cavite and pastor of Believers in Christ Church facilitated the seminar.
Pastor Melet said that to be successful is to lay the foundation by believing in God. He should be the center of whatever we will do, especially being a parent. And as God as the greatest foundation we can rely on.
The seminar was attended by 70 participants from 10 partner schools of MMP. To date this is the well-attended parenting seminar conducted by MMP since it started this January.
Mission Ministries Phil. was founded because of its calling to give quality education to the least privileged children in poor communities and most importantly to spread the Good News of salvation. In continuing this mission, MMP launched the online Parenting Seminars which aims to help parents in handling their children and understanding each other as parents. And the most important part of the seminar is evangelizing, through the Word of God.
Ms. Chonabelle Domingo, President, and CEO of MMP was the first speaker for this seminar last January 23, 2021, entitled Parenting in Pandemic. It was attended by over 90 parents from the 14 partner schools who joined.
Ms. Domingo taught of doing this parenting seminars due to the urgency in saving the souls of our students and their parents. Bringing them the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. In these trying times, when hopelessness envelopes the world, Christians must live to the commission of being the light and salt of the world.
And indeed as we sow, God gives us harvests. One of the partners, Children’s Den testified that 5 of their parents who attended the seminar accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. They have been ministering to these parents and God used the seminar for them to fully accept Christ as their God and Savior.
With that good report, MMP aims to continue conducting parenting seminars. So last March 20, 2021, the second parenting seminar entitled “The 5 Love Languages” was facilitated by Ms. Aida Aquino.
MMP included these seminars in the year-round activities.
Mission Ministries Philippines Joins Medical Ambassador Philippines, Inc. in Health Awareness
“A Must for Mask” a project of Mission Ministries Philippines, Inc. in its contribution to help fight the coronavirus. It was initiated sometime last year and the masks were given to its partner schools. This project is one of the ministries of MMP being revisited in its philosophy of a holistic approach. As the organization not only aims to nurture the cognitive and spiritual of the students but also their physical and health aspects.
This project made viable in partnership with Medical Ambassador Phil. Inc., a Christian non-profit medical mission organization with the mission to see churches and organizations that follow Christ’s mandate, establishing effective health ministries and evangelism to the poor, vulnerable, and among the least reached people in target communities.
In the recent event, Medical Ambassador Phil. Inc.(MAP, Inc. ) conducted a seminar entitled “ Kaalaman at Siyensya ng Bakuna” last March 19, 2021. This seminar is to propagate awareness about the vaccines for the coronavirus. The resource person is Dr. Romelei Camiling – Alfonso.
MMP participated in this event as its initial seminar with MAP, Inc. There are plans of training and other seminars for partner schools to equip them in terms of health issues.
Bringing KIDPRENUER On-line
Here’s a report on Praiere Rose Academy for Youngsters, a partner school of Mission Ministries Phil. that continued teaching KIDPRENUER and bringing it online. Teacher Precy Vallente, school Administrator, and Teacher Kezia Vallente recall how they were able to administer the Kidprenuer curriculum online this school year. Here is what they have to say:
“Kidpreneur Curriculum is one of the immense life molding tools MMP had provided for us. Our school had been using it since the time this curriculum was launched. For years now, it has always been an interesting part of our school’s endeavor to encourage children on entrepreneurship that even parents enjoy its challenges.
Every year, we see to it that we do a culminating activity that will lead every child to a pathway of kidpreneurship. We do a “Palengke Like This Program” which before was called “Munting Palengke sa Loob ng Paaralan” until such time that we moved out to a covered court near the school.
This year we did not allow this pandemic to hinder culminating and enhancing children’s interest as they learned stories about young entrepreneurs and their disciplines. We had the so-called “KidPRAYneur” online business where children were asked to advertise their products online. They were also asked to be part of the preparations and even selling of such.
This then had become a motivating gem to the young minds. Some of the children’s reactions are: – “It’s enjoying, I was able to share my clothes with others” because they did an ukay-ukay thing. Actually, there were two of them who did such. – “Happy… because I have money to buy a speaker” and he encouraged his Mom to continue selling. – “Happy…” because of the experience of selling and earning money out of it.
There’s the spirit of sharing, a plan where to use the money, and the joy of knowing that there’s a good fruit out of it.
Such kinds of experiences won’t be forgotten. As they grow these will be part of their honing moments and good memoirs.”
Truly there will be no barriers in pursuing education and changing the mindset of today for tomorrow’s success.
When God closes a door He opens windows. And Mission Ministries Philippines witness how God made this statement true once again. This pandemic closes doors and yet God opens windows of opportunities and reviving dormant ministries.
It takes one good heart, one stretch hand, and one step to make a difference. In recent news, Mission Ministries Philippines together with people with generous hearts made these projects possible. A simple act of kindness made it viable to feed the hungry and alleviate a community.
Feeding the Hungry, Feeding the Soul, Feeding the Spirit
In its mission to address the needs of children holistically, Mission Ministries Philippines conducted a feeding program in partnership with its school partners who cater to the less fortunate communities.
One of the devastating results of the pandemic is the lost of income to the families. Families that depend on a hand to mouth existence. And losing jobs of parents hardens it more. The basic needs of the family like food have been jeopardized because of this.
At present four of MMP partners implemented this endeavor. More than 180 children benefited to this project. They were given healthy, nutritious and delicious food. Parents of the children also helped in the preparation. Making this a conjugal effort between the parents, school and the church. This simple act of kindness made a difference.
Aside from feeding the physical needs, the most important of the project is to feed the soul and spirit. Part of the feeding program is to share the Good News to the children and to their families as well. Bible stories were told and the love of God to us, giving hope especially in this chaos and uncertain future.
God commanded us to feed the hungry and Mission Ministries Philippines together with the partners are responding to this.
Small Rice Enterprise To Variety Store From Small Seed
“It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13:32
The Bible verse above simply describes how the Lord blessed the seed money given to Pastor Rodel and Teacher Jocelyn Alcantara. From a small seed, now grown into a larger plant. It was September 2019 when one of MMP’s International Advisers, Bro. Hal McNaughton, together with the team, made a visit to Pastor Rodel’s church and learning center. During the visit, we were able to witness how the teachers run the preschool class. The preschool children showed off their talents in music and movements, while some recited their memory verses.
The MMP team offered additional coaching to the teachers while Pastor Rodel shared his ministry’s humble beginnings— from one church that he started in Barangay Macabud, he planted another church in Barangay Udiongan in the same town of Rizal. After listening, Bro. Hal asked Pastor Rodel about how he was able to sustain his ministry and family needs, knowing the unfortunate condition of the community that he is serving and him doing fulltime ministry. Pastor Rodel replied with a smile and said…”We simply depend on God’s provision. It is all by God’s grace that we were able to do His work.
The ministry’s resilience and dependence to God touched Bro. Hal’s heart. He offered help by giving seed money for them to start a livelihood to sustain their needs. Pastor Rodel and his wife started their business enterprise with just five (5) sacks of rice and sold it to their community. A small portion of the learning center became their rice storage space.
After a few months, the Lord multiplied the seed money entrusted to them. From a small rice enterprise, it bore good fruit and now became a variety store. They were able to set-up the store just beside the church. Their income now supports the feeding program of the church and other needs. Faithful friends and donors like you who trust and continually support God’s work made a difference to the lives of many people.
Through your generous support and prayers to MMP ministry, we are encouraged to move forward and keep going. To God be the Glory!!
Deep Well Project at Eastgate Fruitful Life Learning Center
“Dreams become REALITY when we put our MIND to it.”
It was early 2020 when one of Mission Ministries Philippines’ (MMP) friends, Bro. Michael “Mike” Villa-real from First Congregational Church of Anaheim (California, USA) and the MMP team visited one of our partners, Eastgate Fruitful Life Learning Center in Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez, Rizal. The purpose of the visit is for Bro. Mike and the team to have a concrete preschool exposure, to see the learning development of the children, and to meet the teachers. During the visit, Pastor Rodel Alcantara, the school administrator and head pastor of Eastgate Fruitful Life Community Church, shared his vision and dreams of his church and learning center. He also shared the current condition of the community where he is serving.
The families living there have limited access of water for drinking and other household use. The community has only one (1) deep well to cater hundreds of families. Pastor Rodel, along with some of his church members, uses his tricycle to transport all their water containers to the deep well area and have it refilled. It usually takes them several hours to be served due to the long line. Pastor Rodel has been in the community serving God for fourteen (14) years. Upon seeing the plight in the community, Bro. Mike’s heart was greatly moved. He then shared his visitation experience to his congregation, addressing the needs of the community. By the grace of God, He used the leaders and members of the First Congregational Church of Anaheim to install deep well to the said partner learning center and church.
The installation of deep well project started last February 1, 2021, and after one (1) month, the deep well is completely finished and fully operational. The DREAM of Pastor Rodel became a REALITY because of faithful donors and prayer warriors like you.
”For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants”. Isaiah 44:3
