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NEWS
NEW SPARROWS
The Cruz siblings ages, 11, 10 and 8, were being raised by their single dad until he was incarcerated earlier this year. Since his arrest they have been cared for by relatives who were struggling and were unable to fully provide all their needs. The children do not have birth certificates either which meant they were unable to be enrolled in school and have consequently had no formal education.
I briefly mentioned their story in our previous news update as we anticipated their arrival. Since they have been with us they have settle in very well and have made plenty of friends. The eldest loves arts and the 2 younger siblings enjoy sports and outdoor games. If you are interested in sponsoring any one of the Cruz Siblings, please feel free to contact us through our email or website and we will gladly arrange for your sponsorship as soon as possible.
- monique
HAPPY EASTER
Every year we celebrate Easter with the children by arranging a day of activities such as egg hunts, egg paintings, poster making, colouring, bracelet making and teaching the kids the reason we celebrate. The kids had a wonderful time though due to the intense heat of the summer we were forced to cut the program short to just a half day activity. We were blessed to have a surprise visit by a local Retired US Navy (VFW post 11447) team, who came over to spend some time with the children and donate some goodies they had made and packed especially for them for the Easter celebration.
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They also offered to give further help in the future, which was really wonderful too.
- monique
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click here for a downloadable version and for the previous issues
NO WATER
Every summer we face the problem of our wells drying up. This summer has been a huge struggle for us as 2 of our water pumps broke because of the wells drying up. We are having to replace those pumps and drill a new and deeper well. Unfortunately we are faced with the problem that because of the intense heat we cannot draw water at all. The daytime temperatures are reaching daily highs of 37° with 80% humidity, so the children desperately long for a quick dip in the shower to cool off. Praise God our friends from Germany through FCM have given support to help fund the new water drilling.
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But we are still needing to find a new location to drill for water (which is a little bit hit and miss!!). Please pray that we find the right place soon. As it has been hard for the children and the houseparents to face summer without any water. The children have been eating on banana leaves to save water in washing dishes.
- monique
prayer requests
“Please pray for Provision for our buildings’
URGENT repairs and maintenance,
also a Project Manager for the new School Building”
FCM VISIT
Some of the leaders of FCM (Our German Partners - Freundeskreis Christlicher Mission e.V.) came for their yearly visit. They were a tremendous encouragement to us, as we shared fellowship together. They arranged a special day out to the beach for the children, followed by a special trip to Mc Donald’s for their favourite meal of fried chicken, rice, fries, spaghetti and an ice cream sundae to follow. Needless to say they all had a wonderful time and the kids were blissfully unaware that it had been a difficult month financially as so many friends and neighbours had turned up with goodies, showing their love for them. The FCM team even went to the supermarket and filled our cupboards with groceries. God is so good. It is not the easiest life having to wait sometimes for the eleventh hour so to speak, for the Lord to provide, but it is a privileged life and what a wonderful testimony of His goodness and faithfulness as He never fails!!!
- chrissy
POC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
We’re now on the last stretch! As the school year is drawing to a close everyone is hard at work. Students making sure that their final requirements are being done and also the teachers getting the paper work ready for finals. These activities are not only on pen and paper but also physical activities such as dances and dramas showing cultural and historical significance. This even includes ‘filming’ where they use their phones and enact a very significant novel by the Philippine national hero Jose P. Rizal called “Noli Me Tangere”. We were blessed to see our students apply themselves in multiple intelligences where everyone has a chance to flourish. Of course we are all also excited for a well deserved rest/vacation this coming month!
EXCITING NEWS
In other exciting, albeit more personal news, Paula and I have just found out that we’re going to have a baby!
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This is of course a very exciting time for my wife and I. Paula is continuing work as a neonatal intensive care nurse and is doing very well so far. We would appreciate your prayers for a successful pregnancy and for our little sparrow on the way. Will keep you all posted about it, God bless you!
- aaron
FREE AT LAST
Usually on the fifth Sunday of the month we get the opportunity get to minister at our POCF church in Laguna. Last month just before Dondie was scheduled to go there, we received the news that Pastora Vangie’s husband, bro Emoy, was at last released from prison after serving 30 years for a crime he did not commit.
It was actually during one of our then, monthly visits to Muntinlupa’s Maximum Security Prison, that Pastora Vangie and I met and she later established a POCF church in Laguna.
Needless to say I was eager to meet bro. Emoy again after so many years (as we are no longer able to minister in New Bilibid Prison there in Muntinlupa).
Upon visiting the church in Laguna, it was wonderful to meet bro Emoy and 2 other former inmates, bro Jerry Pipino and bro Dexter recently released, whom we used to minister to on Dorm 1C death row (bro Dexter was the guitarist and worship leader for our Death Row services). It was so good to see them and to worship together with them after so many years.
God is good.
- chrissy
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MORE UPDATES
PAUL's Surgery
Thank you all so much for your prayers for my brother Paul. Though the chemo was not as successful as we had hoped, and he had to undergo cancer surgery, the surgery however was successful. Of course we would value prayers for his full recovery and for him to be completely cancer free.
GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN UPDATE
We are excited to announce we have had our first donation towards the renovation of the Old Hospital roof (our New School Building). Our Engineer will be working on the estimate of the cost, as soon as the survey is completed.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
During the school summer Vacation our Shine Ministry Team will be conducting a Children’s Outreach Program. We would value your prayers for this activity.
UPCOMING U.K & EUROPE TOUR - AUTUMN 2025
Nathanael and I will be visiting the U.K., & Germany as planned in September/October. Nathanael is scheduled to minister in Germany throughout September and the U.K. in October (hopefully with a short trip to Northern Ireland too). We still have dates available and would love to visit your church/small group to bring the God’s word and to share our vision.
Again we suggest that you please contact us at our email address HERE as soon as possible to secure your preferred date. Hope to see you then.
UNPLANNED VISIT
Unfortunately my mother’s health has suddenly deteriorated and dad has requested I spend some time with her, so he is paying for me to make a short visit to the U.K.
I praise God that along with Dondie and the family, we have a wonderful team of dedicated workers who are well able to continue all the children’s works and outreaches, while I’m away, but please pray that the Lord will continue to supply all the finances needed in my absence.​.
THANK YOU
Thanks again to all our partners in this work, as without you it would not be possible
Together Let’s Make a Difference!
Love in Christ God bless,
Chrissy, Dondie & your POCM Family