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NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS
We praise God that Pastors David Bell and Mervyn France returned here to POC with David’s sister Barbara to survey the Old hospital building for us, to help kick start our new Project “A City On a Hill.’
In 1986 as I walked up the steep hill to see the old hospital for the first time, I turned to take in the view and it overlooked one of the dark bar districts of the Philippines, (which was close to the Subic Bay U.S. Naval Base) when the Lord brought to my mind His words, “you are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14 Whilst the building was in a much better condition then, it is now ours!!! The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 tore off the roof, followed by a hundred or so typhoons and not least of all, is the growth of trees and vines that are trying their best to lay claim to the building, but we are not deterred. God has a great plan for this city on a Hill.
We called for volunteers to sacrifice a couple of Saturdays to help clean the building ready for Pastor David’s team coming. We were amazed by the response. More than 60 volunteers, teachers, teenage students, parents, church members and neighbours, came to help. David and Mervyn were shocked to see the improvement since they left in December. They recruited a few hehey wasted no time, but set straight to work, physically measuring every wall, door, window, inside and out, for each of the more than one hundred rooms.lpers including Nathanael and Rannel.
It was a mammoth task. David and Barbara worked up to 10pm most nights inputting all the data they gathered into the computer. As we know war broke out in Iran and the teams’ flights were cancelled. Mervyn was able to get to Thailand but no further, while David and Barbara were stuck in the Philippines for more than a week. They used the time to continue working on the survey. When they eventually were able to get a flight out with a different airline, they made one last visit to the site, and Barbara jokingly told David not to put his computer away as they had a 14 hour flight. God wonderfully provided their additional expenses, and Mervyn eventually got home safely from Thailand too.
We are so very grateful for their hard work. Once the survey is complete we will be able to get an estimate for the cost of the first phase of project, which will be to replace the roof. We have already received a couple of donations towards this Phase. We are very excited seeing the promise of God being fulfilled. He is so faithful to His Word.
- Chrissy
POC Christian Academy
This school year has been filled with moments of joy, growth, and God’s faithfulness—reminders of why the work you support, truly matters. School events continue to be among the most meaningful experiences for our students. In January, we celebrated Bible Month, where students expressed their creativity and faith through Bible-themed activities. In February, we held our much-anticipated ‘Sportsfest’, where students participated in both team and individual sports including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton. Beyond the competition, these moments fostered discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—values that shape not just good students, but strong individuals. These events, while impactful, come with financial challenges. Yet through your generosity—and the extra efforts of parents who sought support from local government partners—we were able to carry them out successfully. We are also grateful to share a major milestone: after years of prayer, preparation, and perseverance, our Junior High School has officially been granted its Certificate of Recognition. This achievement affirms the legitimacy and quality of the education we provide. It strengthens our ability to partner with government agencies and brings us one step closer to opening our Senior High School department in our new campus—God willing.
As we approach the end of the school year, we also face a bittersweet reality. Several of our dedicated teachers have made the difficult decision to transition into the public school system in pursuit of more sustainable compensation. While we celebrate their growth and understand their needs, their departure leaves a gap in our community.
This is an area where we would really appreciate your prayers. Please pray that God will provide for our school in a way that allows us to support and retain passionate, mission-driven teachers. Pray also that He will send new educators— individuals who not only possess the qualifications, but who share the vision and calling to shape young lives for Christ.
Your continued support is not just funding a school—it is investing in lives, in faith, and in a future rooted in God’s purpose. Thank you for continuing to stand with us.
- Aaron
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POC Children's Home
Over the past few months, we have been very busy preparing for three major government requirements for our Children’s Home: Licensing and Registration, Accreditation, and Certification with Regional Alternative Child Care Office (RACCO).
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By God’s grace, and through your continued prayers and support, we have successfully received our license and registration from the Department Of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). After inspection, we were also granted certification by RACCO—an important milestone that now allows us to foster and facilitate adoption for children in need of loving families.
As this was our first time to be certified, we truly praise God for this achievement.
While we are grateful for these milestones, we also want to share that we did not pass the initial inspection for accreditation.
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While we are grateful for these milestones, we also want to share that we did not pass the initial inspection for accreditation. However, we have been given time to comply with the requirements, and we are currently working diligently to address the necessary improvements. We humbly ask for your continued prayers as we strive to complete these requirements and obtain our accreditation.
We are also deeply thankful to “Your Kids Around the World” for their generous support, which enabled us to carry out significant repairs to our boys’ house—an important step toward meeting accreditation standards.
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We would like to invite you to partner with us in meeting a special need for one of our children, Crystal. Crystal, who has microcephaly and cerebral palsy, recently celebrated her 10th birthday. As she grows, it has become increasingly difficult for our staff to safely carry and assist her throughout the day.
more manageable, but would also greatly improve her posture and comfort. At present, sitting in a regular chair causes her to crouch, which is not supportive for her back and overall health.
The cost of a suitable wheelchair is approximately ₱50,000, (£633) and it is our hope to provide this for Crystal as soon as possible. We are asking for your support and generosity in helping us meet this important need for Crystal.
-Monique
prayer requests
“Please continue to pray for Veronica for healing and deliverance of pain caused by cancer, and for Pastor Dondie’s heart”
MORE UPDATES
Our friend and co prison minister Gillian arrived to conduct the ‘Christianity Explored’ bible study course in the female dorm at Olongapo District Jail. She stayed in our house with family as the guest house was already occupied. While Gillian was with us we were in the jails almost every weekday. It was wonderful to see the women growing in their understanding of the gospel and to just get to know them better personally. The women have since been attending our regular services.
Gillian also ministered in the other jails with us. It is always a blessing to have her with us. We have been struggling to get into Angeles District Jail of late because our Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) had expired (not our fault) and they only renew those in the month of October. Praise God we have now sorted that and it was wonderful to share the gospel again with the inmates ‘Persons Deprived of Liberty’ (PDL’s) as we now have to refer to them.
In the midst of all the busyness, Dondie became quite ill, evident by severe swelling in his feet, legs and stomach. Initially he was resistant to going to the doctor to be checked. Gillian (who formerly worked as a doctor in the UK) upon seeing his blood test results, and the swelling, warned Dondie that the problem was probably his heart (he had assumed it was his kidneys). She also warned that his legs looked infected. Praise God he eventually agreed to visit the doctor, who had him confined immediately. The doctor said his legs were infected, he was confined to treat cellulitis and pneumonia. Here in the Philippines a patient has to be accompanied 24/7 by a family member to assist with the patient.
It was hard to see Dondie struggling to breathe, unable to lie down and unable to sleep at all. He was then referred also to a cardiologist who confirmed Gillian’s suspicions that the heart was the source of the problem. His heart is currently working at 20% capacity. We praise God that the cardiologist is a believer and after every consultation laid on hands and prayed for Dondie. After 10 days in hospital Dondie was discharged and is happy to be home. But while we continue pray for his healing, he needs to go to another province to a hospital able to do an angiogram, to accurately monitor his situation.
The Lord wonderfully provided for all the hospital and doctors expenses, through various donations, discounts and the Christian Cardiologist kindly waived his (£600+) fee. God is so Good.
Thank you all so much for your faithful support and prayer as we partner together in the work of the Lord.
Together Let’s Make a Difference!
Love in Christ God bless,
Chrissy, Dondie & your POCM Family