Care Caravan Issue 2, May 2014

May 2014 Issue No. 2 Chinese Christian Churches Bringing God’s Love Closer to People

We may not be able to help everyone in need but certainly we can help MANY.

Photo by: Arnold Betita II

Water Filter

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Leyte

God's Love in any Language

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Leslie Sun

lmost three years and counting, Care Caravan, the mission arm of CCOWEF Philippines has been a channel of God's immense grace to the needy and less fortunate people in the Philippines.

As our country was ravaged with a series of calamities and disasters, we found ourselves handling simultaneous relief operations in various provinces, as there was a marked increase in the call for disaster management assistance. Nevertheless, we are grateful that God complemented this predicament by raising people who took the challenge of bringing God's love closer to people in the language they can fully comprehend and appreciate—the language of love and sustainable care translated to relief goods, rebuilding efforts and rehabilitation of the affected areas.

Majority of the volunteers are Chinese Christians who are not exposed to doing mission works with the marginalized sector of our society. And yet, armed only with a big heart and genuine care, many reached out and did our small share of loving, not just the good kind of loving but more so, the God kind of loving. We obeyed God's directives as laid out for us in Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has

anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.”

Undoubtedly, as God calls, He equips. We have seen and tasted the goodness of our God. There is fruition of this commission through the opening of doors for ministerial works and sharing the good news of Christ that came alongside our disaster management operations. God never ceases to amaze us with His bountiful provision through churches, business groups, schools, and individuals, who donated so much more than we expected. He sent blessings even far beyond the Philippines through overseas partners who shared stupendously.

The year 2011 marked the coming together of Care Caravan. It was the genesis of the call for God's people to love in words and in deeds. Because when we love the Care Caravan way, we transcend any borders and boundaries and we can speak in any language, for we speak directly from our hearts renewed by God in Christ Jesus. Yes, we can speak loudly and clearly and the world will hear us. #CAREPRAYHELP

Forward We CARE! Leslie Sun

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Season of Change Climate change in the Philippines has brought unpredictable weather events such as heavy rainfall that led to flash floods in coastal communities and lower-ring urban areas. Thankfully, many Filipino-Chinese Christians responded to this change by supporting Care Caravan. We marked our second year of existence by doing what we were created to do—provide a systematic flood-related calamity management action in order to alleviate the poor conditions of our Filipino fellowmen who became victims of these natural disasters.

Preparedness Scenario Thousands of family relief packs (FRP) were prepared by close to a hundred volunteers in our two-day packing sessions at our headquarter.

Immediately, provincial and local contacts were called to facilitate the

dispatching of the relief materials to the affected areas. As of September 7, 2013, a total number of 8,101 families were blessed by our ministry. The areas covered include Zambales, Olongapo, Pangasinan, Laguna, Cavite, Bataan, Rizal, Bulacan, Taguig, Manila, Quezon City and Malabon. Advanced preparation and coordination eased the distribution operations as we partnered with local Filipino churches, local government units (LGUs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Labuyo, Maring & Habagat (2013)

together and united as one in helping make these relief operations possible.

Once again, through the generosity and kindness of various Chinese Christian churches nationwide, we were able to bring God's love closer to the hearts of our less fortunate Filipino fellowmen.

Affecting over 689,000 families and causing livelihood to be disrupted for several days, Care Caravan immediately mobilized relief operations in various cities affected by the heavy rains and flooding.

Volunteers flocked together for the relief packing operations. Working with various partners Christian NGO's and LGU's, Care Caravan was able to help 7,696 families in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

Three weather disturbances in just two consecutive weeks caused a gargantuan relief management work.

However, this is also the time wherein God's faithfulness and provision were Soli Deo Gloria! best witnessed. Christians from various Chinese churches came

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PROJECT BALIK ESKWELA

Paltok Elementary School Matthew Chua

Paltok Elementary School was one of the recipients for Care Caravan's Balik Eskwela Project.

On June 7, 2013, a group of volunteers took time in sharing the gospel and providing school supplies from Kinder to Grade School Students in Del Monte, Quezon City. In partnership with the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), we were able to minister to 600 students.

We provided the students school supplies as well as fed them with God's Word, showed them God's love and His plan of redemption. As CEF reaches out to several schools once a week in teaching the students values and Christian education, we worked with the team in the hope that they will be able to follow-up the students ministered during the outreach.

The meeting time was 8:00 am at the CCOWEF Office. I was surprised to see that most volunteers were young people (high school and college students), outnumbering the young professionals. It was encouraging to see them volunteer and be exposed to the ministry and evangelization at an early age. We arrived at the school around 8:45am, CEF volunteers were already there and we were introduced to the principal.

The outreach was divided into three batches (Kinder II, Grade I and II students). One and a half hour was allotted for each batch. However, when we reached the place there was a need to make adjustments in the schedule and by God's grace we were able to adapt to the changes.

We started the program by singing songs. After singing, a CEF staff shared the story of Naaman, a commander of King Aram's army with leprosy. His servant girl introduced her to Prophet Elisha. When Elisha instructed him to dip in the Jordan River seven times, he thought it was foolish to do it but his servants encouraged him. He did as instructed and was healed. Leprosy is a contagious and deadly disease if left untreated. Leprosy pictures what sin does to men and women. Sin, if left untreated, leads to death. Lepers are also lonely people because they cannot be with the people they love. In the same way with our sins, we cannot come to God if we have sin in our lives. But God loves us so much that He made a way to reach out to us by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sin. When we truly repent of our sin and put our faith in Jesus Christ, making Him our Lord and Personal Savior, our sins will be forgiven, just as Naaman believed and obeyed and was cleansed from leprosy.

After the Bible story, the students were divided into groups and were counselled led by Care Caravan volunteers. It was very encouraging to see them lead and share the gospel to the students. After sharing the gospel to the kids, we gave out bags of school supplies and snacks to each student. It was a joy seeing them smile when they receive the bags.

It was a tiring but fulfilling day as we served the Lord together. We praise and thank God for His grace, provision, and sustenance throughout the outreach—from planning, buying to packing, financial provision, volunteers during the preparation of school supplies items, and those who shared their time with us on the day of outreach in sharing God's Word to the children.

PROJECT BALIK ESKWELA In May 2013, through your generosity, a community of Aeta students in Zambales was able to receive backpacks and school supplies. There were 400 excited children who were able to receive a few items to help them prepare for the coming school year.

Also, 600 children were able to receive school supplies in June when Care Caravan volunteers worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship in giving not only material things, but also invested a few hours in sharing the Good News.

The entire project ended with a book drive. In September 2013, Care Caravan was able to turn over old Christian books in good condition to pastors ministering in rural areas through its Christian Growth Ministries.

Children's books were also bought to add to the donations collected. These were given to two non-sectarian Chinese schools ministered to by local Chinese churches—Philippine Chen Kuang High School (UEC Greenhills) and Northern Rizal Yorklin High School (UEC Balintawak).

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BEYOND THE BEACH Calvin Chu dead. Those present that night were singing praises and declaring God's goodness. And it was certainly not because they were spared from the damages Yolanda brought about.

Majority of those present don't even have roofs over their houses anymore. What they saw was God's hand in preserving When one hears of Aklan, a few things their lives. come to mind—white sand, lazing around, island hopping, festive—words Yolanda proved how futile man's works used to describe Boracay. But outside are and redirected their focus on things the party island of five-star resorts and that are of eternal value. A pastor who is tourist-laden beaches in the municipality also serving as the barangay chairman of Kalibo, lives were devastated by the boasts of a hanging bridge—a project he did that helped the community in their day onslaught of typhoon Yolanda. to day lives. All the money, time and effort In a community that relies mostly on put into it, gone in less than an hour. agriculture, livelihood was lost, livelihood where dreams were built on. In a matter Yolanda provided an opportunity for the of hours, Ptr Christian Teodosio's church people to experience God's protection, has nowhere to meet for fellowship, with and provided an avenue for Christians to the church building's roof torn by the be a testimony. A lady pastor in Madalag strong winds that ravaged the rest of was being a light to families and friends Visayas. In coordination with Ptr Larry who took shelter in her home in the height San Pedro of Pastors Connect of the typhoon. With everyone afraid and Philippines, Care Caravan sent aid in the crying as the walls of the house began to form of relief packs for 2,000 families in shake, she led them to pray and worship the municipalities of Banga, Madalag, God. As the roof was blown away, they continued to hold on to the walls, praying and Libacao. and worshipping God. And soon, the After receiving a warm welcome from the winds started to die down. Their lives young professional volunteers from spared.

Iloilo, the team set off for Roxas to pick up the goods shipped free of charge In the next few days, despair fell upon the courtesy of Moreta Shipping Lines. After people as the reality of their houses, loading the goods, the team went off to possessions, and fields destroyed sank Banga, joining pastors from 16 churches in. But this was an opportunity for Jesus' from 9 different barangays for a night of light to shine in the lives of believers. fellowship. The sight was not of a With the limited resources left, the lady hopeless bunch – not what you would p a s t o r p r e p a r e d m e a l s f o r t h e expect from victims of one of the most neighbourhood, encouraging them to not powerful typhoons that left thousands lose hope.

And even as their own houses have yet to be restored, Ptr Christian Teodosio and Ptr Evon Carcillar have been working almost nonstop to bring in whatever help there is for their church and the community. This is a testimony of a true servant of God who would put his brother's needs first over his own. Love displayed in the time when it is needed the most.

It was a blessed night hearing testimonies of how God is working in the midst of a storm. These were just some of the lives that Care Caravan was able to share God's love to with the relief packs that were sent through the generosity of same-hearted individuals, companies and churches.

The following day, the team along with members of the military traversed the rough terrain going to a church in Madalag to distribute relief packs to families as the area was cut off from the municipality center during the typhoon.

Due to the remoteness of some target areas, the goods were distributed in designated pick up points instead. The goods were not much, but they were enough to spark hope: that God's people care.

Just beyond the cool sands of one of the best beaches in the world, are stories of loss, hope, and love. There lives people who turned to God in the time of tragedy and found salvation. Care Caravan is blessed to be part of that story. And you, brothers and sisters, are part of it.

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Bohol Relief Operation Ptr. Alex Chao Iligan City was devastated by a flood a few years ago. And I wanted to go there to help the survivors. I attended a crash course on Crisis Counseling spear-headed by Bless Iligan at VCF Galleria. I was looking forward to my first C120 flight. Sadly, things did not push through. The desire to help disaster survivors, however, never left me.

Thus, about a week after the Bohol earthquake, I thought of texting Care Caravan. Being familiar with its ministry to disaster survivors and having volunteered at least once in repacking relief goods, I thought of inquiring if there is anyway I could help. Once again, I volunteered for the repacking operations and was later asked if I knew anyone in Bohol who could partner with Care Caravan in distributing relief goods to survivors.

Dr. Joyce Abugan, the former president of Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, came to mind. She referred two alumni, one was a pastor while another was a staff of a Christian NGO, Sis. Joy Maduro.

Little did I know that the Christian NGO is CEVI, or Community Economic Ventures, Inc., a ministry of World Vision International. Wow! I believe it was divine providence. Thanks be to God. Several sms, calls and emails later. Plans were made to send me and two 10-ton containers of relief goods, which is more than 2000 family packs, to Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

It was not as smooth sailing...logistics was a big challenge. The goods were ready to be shipped, but the government planes were fully-booked while Sulpicio Lines does not have any empty containers available. I felt like a soldier waiting for deployment at a moment's notice, or a doctor on call. I am packed and ready to fly as soon as the shipment is confirmed. A month later, that day finally came.

So off I went after translating for the Worship Service speaker at a Chinese church in Quezon City. I knew I'd be pressed for time so I checked-in online the night before my flight. I was so happy to get a window seat at the front part of the plane where the wing does not obstruct my view. I made it to NAIA Terminal 3 by 1:50pm, and had my lunch there. My flight was 2:40pm. By 2:20pm, I was getting anxious that we were not yet called for boarding. By 2:50pm, we were told to go to a counter outside the departure area. No one was at the counter.

When an airline representative finally came, he said that our flight has been cancelled “due to the sunset”. We did not understand that. A few passengers were furious. It turns out that what the representative meant was that due to delays, our plane will have to land in Tagbilaran after sunset which is not possible as the Tagbilaran Airport does not have runway lights. Here were our options: Behind door #1 is be billeted at Century Park Sheraton overnight, compliments of the airline and take any of their three flights the next day. Behind door #2 is receive one thousand pesos from the airline, go home and come back the next day and take any of their three flights. And behind door #3 is to take their next flight to Cebu that day and arrive in Cebu after the last trip of the fast craft boat to Tagbilaran. Then take a chance of getting a ticket aboard a regular boat that leaves Cebu at 10:30pm and arrive in Tagbilaran 4 hours later.

My room mate and I chose door #1 and the first flight. That meant our wake up call was 2am!

Upon arrival in Tagbilaran on Monday, there were more delays. The relief goods have arrived midnight but getting it out of the pier will take two more days because of the long lines of container vans. There is also the need to obtain the approval to distribute the relief goods from the local Comelec offices of Maribojoc and Loon, the two municipalities where we distributed the relief goods. According to Sis. Joy (CEVI), these were the most severely-damaged and least-reached areas. We needed the permission to distribute to avoid getting accused of “politicking” because the delayed Barangay elections will be held the next Monday. So the next day, Sis. Joy, her Manager, Sir Goodie, and I were on a motorcycle to secure permissions and to survey the route the relief trucks can take since the two main bridges connecting Tagbilaran to the two municipalities were destroyed by the earthquake. What normally takes 15 minutes now takes 2-3 hours depending of the route you choose.

After securing Comelec's approval and distributing claim stubs to all the Baranggays of the two municipalities by motorcycles that had to cross rivers on canoes without “katigs”, and cancelling one Barangay from our list as the relief packs in some of the sacks were less than the expected 8 family packs/sack, the distribution finally went underway that Saturday. It was done by two teams on two hired trucks and several CEVI staff on motorcycles. Our team even had to hire a stranger driving a public tricycle to deliver several sacks of relief goods to a drop off location which the Team #2 needed to pick up because they did not have enough family packs. The distribution was finished way past sunset. What I thought would be a 2-days 2-nights trip turned out to be an 8-days 8-nights visit. But it was worth the sacrifices and the income I lost from staying there for more than a week.

It was not all hardship doing the relief distribution! There were joys as well. You get to partner with like-hearted people serving the survivors together. You see, and hear (some will say “thank you” as you hand them the pack), the appreciation of the recipients. You get to experience a new place and meet the people there.

You get to meet real life survivors of the earthquake and landslides. (One mother was on her way to the city to mind her store when the earthquake happened and a landslide occurred. The tricycle she and her daughter were riding on was spared from being crushed by a huge boulder by a coconut tree.) You get to feed 200 pigeons at the plaza (They eat off your hand if you give them adobong mani but not if you give them popcorn). You will also be more grateful of what you have after seeing the lack and devastation. You learn to handle delays, challenges, and frustrations. You get to see the beautiful fireflies lighting the trees along the Abatan River. I also got to attend a local church worship service and get to go on 2 of the 3 feeding programs I established in behalf of the Reliv Kalogris Foundation. And I got to do all these through Care Caravan.

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IN THE RUBBLES (Source : UECPalawan Newsletter - December 2013)

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

(Psalm 100:5)

On November 8, 2013, the strongest typhoon recorded in history, super typhoon Yolanda (with international name Haiyan) left unimaginable devastation especially in Samar and Leyte where more than 6,000 people died. As the typhoon exited the country, it passed through the Calamianes Group of Islands in the northern part of Palawan wiping out several parts of Busuanga and Coron, taking the lives of at least 20 people as well.

The typhoon left many people homeless, traumatized, hungry and with no livelihood. In Busuanga and Coron, trees were uprooted, business establishments were destroyed, houses were left with no roofs, electricity and communication lines were down, and the airport tower was damaged leaving hundreds of people stranded.

Among the countless stories of God's faithfulness and mercy amidst this tragedy, we at UECPalawan have one to tell.

Vessels of Hope As a church with an average of only 40 regular members, it came as a surprise how God used UECPalawan as a vessel of hope for the typhoon victims particularly in Busuanga and Coron. More than P500,000 cash donations and P70,000 worth of goods came in from several donors including Care Caravan, and sister churches like UECMalabon. Rice, drinking water, biscuits, soap, noodles and canned goods were among the goods purchased and repacked using the monetary donations. In only two repacking sessions, through the efforts of 150 volunteers from inside and outside the church, almost 3,000 relief bags were packed. Along these goods were 128 sacks of rice and 5,590 bottles of drinking water.

The Distribution Through the help of Ptr. Bing Cabildo of Salvacion Fundamental Baptist Church, Ptr. Ed Lumanog of Central Fundamental Baptist Church, and Ptr. Lorwin Libara of New Busuanga Fundamental Baptist Church, the goods were distributed to the different communities in Busuanga and Coron. Among the barangays reached were Concepcion, Salvacion, New Busuanga, Turda, several sitios in Brgy. Tagumpay, San Rafael, New Quezon, Buluang, Dagotdot, San Isidro, and the islands of Panlaitan and Culion.

Three members of UECPalawan were also able to visit Brgys. Concepcion, Salvacion, San Nicolas and Panlaitan on a Mission trip organized by Christian medical Mobile Services (CMMS) in partnership with various groups and organizations in Manila. There they saw how a person could be robbed of everything that he has except for one thing; the hope that he has in the Lord.

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G O D ' S L OV E A ND FA I T H F U L N E S S Eddie Sentero My name is Eddie Sentero. I'm a Chinese Mestizo (chut-si-a.) I studied high school at Philippine Cultural (Kiao-Tiong.) My Chinese name is Tan Chi Kiao. I heard that there is a Chinese pastor in Metro Manila with the same name. I want to meet him because I'm also a pastor. Allow me to tell you my life story 20 years ago.

I was a Roman Catholic. I attended Sunday masses occasionally with my wife and daughter, thinking that by doing that, it would improve my relationship with God as well as my family. However during those times, I could not manage my own life. I was powerless to control my urges to do wrong things. I loved the things of the world, and was obsessed by what the world could give me. I gave in to the lust of the flesh and pleasures of life.

In 1992, my mother was diagnosed with brain tumor. We went to faith healers, attended masses and prayed hard. I made a covenant with God that if He would heal my mother whom I loved dearly, I will attend mass every Sunday. My mother got well, so I fulfilled my promise to God and went to mass every Sunday. But after a few months, I stopped and went back to my old ways and it was even worse than before.

I wanted so much what the world gives, that I would try to get it in any way I could. I wanted to get more and more, so I started to defraud my employer. Eventually, I was caught and my employer sued me to court and I was sentenced to imprisonment for 18 to 24 years in 1996.

In 1999, I was sent to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, a place some call “place of the living dead.” It was the worst and most awful year in my life because I was taken away from the society and separated from my family and friends.

One night, while I was alone in my 3 feet by 6 feet room (we call it kubol), I kept blaming God for allowing this horrible situation to happen to me. But then I remembered a Bible verse I learned before, Proverbs 19:3, “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.” So I cried and repented of my sins. So I started to become very religious the following days by attending church services, reading the Bible and praying.

But this only lasted for 5 weeks. I met a co-prisoner Chinese drug lord who asked me to be his partner in pushing drugs inside the prison. He offered to support me financially. So I took the opportunity and was involved in dealing drugs for one and half years. I had plenty of money during those times, but deep inside me I felt something was missing in my life.

In 2001, a co-inmate invited me to attend a worship service. Because I was bored with my life, I joined him. After about half a year, I attended an evangelism seminar. God used the seminar to speak to me. I heed the verse in Revelations 3:20 and I opened the door of heart and invited Jesus into my life. I was touched by John 3:16 and understood that God loves me so much, and don't have to perish and go hell, but instead I can have eternal life. It was then that I made the decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I asked God to manage my life. I knew that He cared for me and I mattered to Him. Eventually, I studied at the Bible School inside the New Bilibid Prison and after graduation in 2005, I was commissioned as the pastor of Sonlight Ministry, a church inside the prison.

I thank God for missionaries, Religious Volunteer Officers, and people like you CCOWE Young Professionals who come to the prison and share God's love to criminals like us. It gives us opportunity to know Him and be redeemed and give us hope for the future.

Until today, I continue to serve God as a pastor. Satan continues to tempt me and tries to push me to lose control by giving me family problems. But it's different now. He cannot deceive me because in the midst of problems, I know God will never leave me. He is in control of my life.

I was obviously wrong to say that 1999 was the worst and most awful year of my life. God allowed me to be imprisoned so that I could experience His love and faithfulness. He never gave up on me but pursued a love relationship with me.

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