They need assistance. More so, in their everyday survival, they need the most basic things a person needs in order to live: food and clothing. As for their place to stay in.

Ito na po ngayon ang itsura ng pinupuntahan namin na Payatas Dumpsite every Tuesday…

Tuluyan na silang pinaalis ng may ari ng lupa… Alam ko na mayron tayong pwedeng magawa para sa kanila. Lalo na ngayong pasko, alam ko na pwede natin silang  mapasaya.

This piece is dedicated to 100 children with their parents whom we would want to be blessed this celebration of Christmas. We will be with them on December 11, 2011 to give out simple gifts and exciting games. Through this, we hope to share them a taste of God’s Love even amidst the dumpsite.

For many years, these kids have spent their lives scavenging garbage from different places in the city of Dagupan. They never showed dismay. They are hopeful that from these pieces of scrap, they are able to survive their living. That is what they taught us: living a hopeful life in the simple things they have.

This piece is as well dedicated to whoever reads this. Be with us in this simple act of kindness to these 100 kids in Bonuan Dampsite. Your simple gift may mean a lot for these kids.

For our gifts, these kids need clothes for themselves, food such as rice, noodles, in cans, coffee, creamer, sugar for the family and toys that will make them smile. Crayons and coloring materials will also do.

This is a primer of Project BLESS. This is why we’re going to do this and how we’re going to do this. And we would love it if you would be part of it.

1. THE PROBLEM IF PEOPLE CAN’T READ.
The cycle is too obvious to ignore. Crime rate is largely attributed to poverty. The many criminals we see are from poor family who have opted to do crimes to have a means for living. And poverty is largely attributed to lack of education. The lack of education limits people to have better opportunities to improve the quality and the condition of their life. A lot of Filipinos cannot afford education even from the elementary level. Thus the cycle of crime, poverty and illiteracy just keeps going and getting worse. What’s really worse is that we as a nation would barely make any progress at all.

2. THE PROBLEM IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
I don’t need to point out that there is a flaw in the education system. We have been producing graduates after graduates in the college level who can’t read properly. And the same is true in the high school level. And when you look at what is going on in the elementary level, there is not enough quality education given to the students to be able to read properly. We have overcrowded students, dismal learning environments, and underpaid and overworked teachers. Education is taken for granted and we just allow passing students with or without them learning properly.

The Department Education has just made it mandatory for a child to an additional two years to address the deteriorating quality of education while slashing the budget for education. How ironic!

3. THE SOLUTION
Education starts with the child learning how to read. If we ever want to produce children who will be this and the next generation leaders they simply need to learn to read. In the days of old the responsibility of teaching the child to read was with the parents. By the time you reach the first grade it is expected that you can already read. This is not happening right now. Have some quality education at the basic where a child can read. If we can teach children to read – the possibilities will be endless for what the child can become and accomplish.

4. PROJECT BLESS – THE READING INITIATIVE
BLESS or Basic Life Empowerment and Support Services was conceptualized to address the educational needs of the indigent Filipino children, whose families cannot afford to send them to school. It helps children early in life with a solid phonetic approach to reading and century old values based learning methods that will guide them toward a life of fulfillment and impact. It is designed to nurture the character and stimulate the mental capability that will bring the future into a reality as each child finds their unique place in God’s grand scheme of life. It is offered as a FREE program for children who will qualify for the project. The child doesn’t have to pay for anything for the next 18-20 weeks.

The Host will shoulder all necessary expenses so that the child may be able to read to better equip him as he face life.

5. WHO QUALIFIES FOR PROJECT BLESS?
The following are the qualifications for a child to be part of Project BLESS.
 Children ages 5-8 only
 Indigent. Parents cannot afford to send him to school
 Out of school. Has already studied but poverty kept him out of school.
 Passed the Reading Readiness Test.
 Parent agrees with the terms and conditions of Project BLESS

6. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
For the child – absolutely FREE. The child will not pay a single centavo. It will be the host who will run the Project BLESS that will shoulder all cost for the child. One run/cycle of Project BLESS can cost P50,000.00 to P70,000.00 for the 5 months depending on location and resources available for the host. The host will cover many items such as transportation, meals, school supplies, snacks, medicines, and other overhead expenses. The child need not be burdened with anything that’s why the host would have to do everything. It seems expensive but when you talk of the life of the child – it will all be worth it!

6. HOW CAN I HELP?
a. Sponsor a child for the next five months worth P1,000.00 ($25.00). You can give it in installment within four months. You can also give a one-time financial support to any amount you desire.
b. Promote Project BLESS to other people or organization who may be interested to support initiatives like this.
c. Give in kind. It will help lessen the cost. We will need rice, juice, biscuits, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, medicines, and clothing.
d. Volunteer. We need assistants that will serve as cooks, servers, assistant to the teacher, and as an older brother/sister for the kids.

7. WHEN WILL IT START?
Project BLESS Dagupan will open on August 1, 2011.

8. WHO CAN WE CONTACT?
Pastor Jonathan Tamondong–Full Life Baptist Fellowship Dagupan.
Email Add: athan_dfreak@yahoo.com

or visit us at:

Full Life Baptist Fellowship, Inc.
272 Tapuac District, Dagupan City, Philippines
(Across Lyceum Northwestern University, right after Dagupan Astrodome)

9.  WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

We simply cannot afford NOT to.  With the crime rate increasing every day and with poverty widening the gap, we can no longer sit back and watch people be a victim of crime or each child remains illiterate because they were never given a chance.  Each child deserves a chance to have a better life.  Project BLESS is our way of showing how much we love this country and how much we long to see a generation of leaders that will build this country.  But most of all, it’s our commitment to God to serve Him among the least.

We have been to two communities teaching and feeding children. Project BLESS brings it to a step higher as we would help kids to read at all cost. It will be expensive but God will provide. It will be hard but we know the risks if we don’t. Teaching children to read should start NOW! 

There’s too much at stake for a child not to read!
TEACH A CHILD TO READ. EDUCATE HIM FOR LIFE! BUILD A NATION!

People are born to have equal rights—right to live, right to have a decent job, right to be educated, just to name a few. However, this is just an ideal thought. In reality, people are born with different status quo. Others were born privileged while others were not. I know 20 people who are considered marginalized. I have been with them and have seen how they work so hard to survive and take care of their stomachs while we help them with their spiritual needs every Tuesday 10:30-11:30 in the morning . They are the garbage collectors who gather and segregate wastes and then sell these wastes to the junkshop. Sometimes, from these trash, they get their food. Before, they work every single day in a large pile of garbage. Now, they reserve Sunday as an offering to the Lord. This rainy season, they need rubber boots for their bare feet and raincoat for themselves while they go through the garbage to look for sellable items. They also need a better shelter for their fragmented sanctuary. They may be marginalized but they deserve to be recognized and loved.

Ang batang ito ay si Nonong, wala na po siyang ama at siya po ay nakatira sa Dump Site dito sa Dagupan kasama  ang kanyang ina. Bata palang po siya pero puro basura na ang nasa paligid niya. Ang hirap pong isipin na ang isang batang katulad niya ay sa basurahan na nakatira. Ngayong Sunday, may 29 ay dedication po niya at itoy aming gaganapin sa aming church (FULL LIFE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP) at sa araw na ito ay kasama namin ang mga garbage collectors upang aming ipagdiwang ang dedication niya.

Ang gawain na ito ay gagawin ng ilang  sa mga youth ng aming church. (FULL LIFE BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP).  Sa pangunguna ni Nikka kasama ang kanyang mga tinuturuan sa small group. Kung nais po ninyong tumulong. kami po’y inyong matatagpuan dito sa Dagupan sa harapan ng Lyceum o kayay sa tabi lamang po ng astrodome. Para naman po sa karagdagang impormasyon ay maaari po kayong kayong sumulat sa email address na ito…  nikkailumin@yahoo.com

Minsan sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad sa Markos 10:14

Pahintulutan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata at huwag ninyo silang hadlangan, sapagkat sa mga katulad nila nauukol ang paghahari ng Diyos.

Kaya naman, napakaganda na habang mga bata pa sila ay nakakarinig na sila ng Salita ng Diyos upang sa ganun paglaki nila ay gagawa sila ng kabutihan sa kanilang kapwa.

Dahil sa PASA LOVE, naabot namin ang mga taong ito. Ang mga taong itoy nabubuhay sa kanilang pagbabasura. Masaya sila tuwing  mayron silang makitang pagkain na pwede pang makain at masaya sila kung mayron silang makitang mga bagay na pwedeng ibenta  sa basura upang magka-pera sila. Sa kabila ng kalagayan ito, nandun pa rin ang kagalakan nila dahil kuntento sila sa anumang bagay na mayron sila at higit sa lahat ay  nakilala nila at tinanggap nila ang Diyos sa buhay nila. Tuwing araw ng  martes ay pumupunta ako sa lugar nila upang patuloy na ibahagi ang Salita ng Diyos at ipanalangin sila.

Do something great by sharing love to a child this Christmas!

But Philippines is a country of great opportunities.  I simply don’t mean business opportunities but opportunities where you can do greatness by doing the most ordinary things.  Our country is filled with hurting, hapless, and hopeless people.  And yet it is because of them that opportunities open up where we can show love, compassion, and care and reveal the kind of person we truly are.  It is with these kinds of people where we can best see God and show God.

PASA LOVE, the kindness ministry of Full Life Baptist Fellowship will celebrate its anniversary this December.  It has been a great year of serving the people with various acts of kindness in our community.  And we intend to keep doing it.  We believe that doing acts of kindness is the best way to show God’s love and compassion (Matthew 5:16).  It has been a great year of serving and we’ll celebrate by serving the least of the least again.

It breaks our heart when we see people at a garbage heap sorting the garbage and collecting items that they can use.  Their earnings from this is not the big to support their families.  We simply cannot look away especially when you see them bringing their children along with them.

It is for this reason that we chose them to bless them this coming Christmas.  We will give a school bag filled with school supplies along with some toys and goodies for them.  We’ll throw a party for them and let them know how much God loves them.  This may be the best Christmas so far for us.  We usually celebrate Christmas with a party but right now we find greater joy sharing what we have to those who needs it the most.

And you can help.  Sponsorship for a child only cost P100.00 ($2.50).  It will be used to purchase school supplies, toys and goodies.  It is a small amount to share for a priceless opportunity to share love for a child.

If you want to help you can donate school bags, school supplies, toys and goodies.  You can also give financial support.  For financial support, you can use PAYPAL.  Just send to:

israeltarlit@yahoo.com.ph

Do greatness by doing ordinary things – share love to a child!

Reflection:

Sacrifice is letting go of what you have in order to receive something  better  or greater.

May mga bagay sa buhay natin na pwedeng maging hadlang upang tayo ay malayo kay God. At ang resulta nito ay ito…

Mamumuhay tayo ayon sa ating sariling pagpapasya.

Mamumuhay tayo na gagawin natin ang mga bagay na gusto natin.

Mamumuhay tayo na tayo ang masusunod.

Kung tatanungin natin ang sarili natin ng ganito…

Am I interested in God at all?

Am I seeking God?

Would I passionately and relentlessly look for Him until I find Him?

May oras pa ba tayong nilalaan para kay God.   Sa 24 na oras mayron  tayo, ilang oras ang naibibigay natin sa Kanya upang magbasa ng Biblia, manalangin at upang pasalamatan sya. Nagagawa pa ba natin ang mga bagay na ito. Ito yung mga bagay na hinahanap ni God mula sayo. Na sa lahat ng bagay na ating ginagawa ay inuuna natin Siya.