Dear Eric and Hannah,
I greet you in the name of Jesus! I am Rev. Remedios L. D., pastor of the Wesleyan Church in Palawan, Philippines. We host the Batong Buhay Child Development Center attended by Earl John.
I would like to thank you wholeheartedly for your benevolent giving to Earl John.
This Center is situated in an urban community of 1,500 households. One great blessing to us in this part of the country is the absence of earthquakes. During typhoons, we only experience rains with slight wind and flooding to low areas. This is because big mountains cover us. Narra, our town, is known as the Rice Granary of Palawan. Most of the jobs here are for farm hands. Other sources of livelihood are fishing, mining, vegetable gardening, animal raising, taxi driving, and domestic helping.
Sadly, most families don't make enough for all their needs. Health and education are being neglected. Chronic diseases are rampant due to lack of nutritious foods. Child labor is common here as school age children are sent to odd jobs to augment the family's income.
But through the Center's presence in this community, child labor has decreased and the number of professionals has increased. Every child in the CEnter is getting a fair chance to pursue their dreams, and to get good jobs. Compassion children here are seen as blessed. Our Center now has 266 children and about half now attending the church.
Warm and loving letters from the sponsors are important to the children. They can't keep form smiling when the letters come. They feel loved and remembered. But those who don't get letters wonder if their sponsor is real. Children who have a close relationship with their sponsors through correspondence have more self-confidence and a positive outlook in life. Please write to Earl John as much as you can.
Without God's help we could do nothing. Please continue praying for wisdom in the church and Center leadership. Pray for all the sponsored children and their families, for God's will to be realized in their lives.
Once again, we thank you for being our faithful partner in the ministry of releasing Children from poverty in Christ's name. May God bless you!
In Him,
Rev. Remedios L. D.
I also wanted to share this fun video shared by Compassion Australia that shows some of the Philippines!
If you would like to sponsor child from the Philippines, Jayson has been waiting over 260 days! He's 11 and his birthday is February 22.
In his home, Jayson helps by gardening, caring for children and caring for animals. He lives with his father and his mother. His father is sometimes employed as a laborer and his mother is sometimes employed. There are 2 children in the family.
As part of Compassion's ministry, Jayson participates in church activities. He is also in primary school where his performance is average. Basketball, playing with cars and singing are his favorite activities. To sponsor Jayson, click here.
