I remember when I was in training camp in May 2010. A friend had
a bundle of brightly colored bracelets, and was only selling them for $2.00
each! It was part of her fundrasier. I remember thinking to myself “ They are
so beautiful, and so cheap. How is that possible?! I’m getting some.�
a bundle of brightly colored bracelets, and was only selling them for $2.00
each! It was part of her fundrasier. I remember thinking to myself “ They are
so beautiful, and so cheap. How is that possible?! I’m getting some.�
Little did I know then, that I would be serving and meeting
the makers of those brightly colored bracelets in 9 months!
Kuya Al is the Pastor at the church here in Aninuan Village.
Him and his wife Ate (pronounced ahtay) Marina are some of the kindest and most
gracious hosts we have encountered on the race. We are staying in their home, and they gave up their rooms.
Jojo is their daughter who has graciously given up her room as well.
Ate Marina is a phenomenal cook, and we literally look
forward to every meal. So far, my personal favorites have been pancakes for
breakfast, tunafish and the meat dishes are tied for lunch, and tacos for
dinner. Just when we think the
food can’t get any better, Ate Marina and Ate Judith (her friend and bracelet
maker) whip up something even more delicious…
forward to every meal. So far, my personal favorites have been pancakes for
breakfast, tunafish and the meat dishes are tied for lunch, and tacos for
dinner. Just when we think the
food can’t get any better, Ate Marina and Ate Judith (her friend and bracelet
maker) whip up something even more delicious…
One of the
certainties of the race… inconsistency…some months we’re in the African bush
eating hard boiled eggs, and rice with no flavor for every meal, and then we
are living in a village near the beach, eating food the far surpasses any
restaurant…and I’ve learned to appreciate the lessons taught during both
seasons.
certainties of the race… inconsistency…some months we’re in the African bush
eating hard boiled eggs, and rice with no flavor for every meal, and then we
are living in a village near the beach, eating food the far surpasses any
restaurant…and I’ve learned to appreciate the lessons taught during both
seasons.
Kuya Al took us to a mountainous Village called Minolo, on
Monday. Many of the members of his 60 person church come from this village that
is about 10 kilometers away. Both teams took a jeepney to the village and were
welcomed by more hospitality and food from every house that we walked into.
Monday. Many of the members of his 60 person church come from this village that
is about 10 kilometers away. Both teams took a jeepney to the village and were
welcomed by more hospitality and food from every house that we walked into.
Many of the women who create bracelets for Threads of Hope
live in this village. We were able to meet about 4 of them and encourage them
and pray with them. This is Ate Pastora Mena.
live in this village. We were able to meet about 4 of them and encourage them
and pray with them. This is Ate Pastora Mena.
She has 9 children. She is a single mom, and her only source
of income comes from the bracelets that she makes. We stopped and made sure to
buy some from her. She was so excited to meet us, and it was a pleasure for us
to meet her as well.
of income comes from the bracelets that she makes. We stopped and made sure to
buy some from her. She was so excited to meet us, and it was a pleasure for us
to meet her as well.
It was really special to see the hands behind the beautiful
bracelets.
bracelets.
These are hard-working women who have chosen to make an
honest living by creating these bracelets. Working for Threads of Hope also gives the women the
opportunity to stay at home with their children, and not have to walk up and
down the beach for 10-12 hours a day to earn an income. Another benefit that
working for Threads of Hope has, is that the children can go to school, and
work on bracelets in their free time.
honest living by creating these bracelets. Working for Threads of Hope also gives the women the
opportunity to stay at home with their children, and not have to walk up and
down the beach for 10-12 hours a day to earn an income. Another benefit that
working for Threads of Hope has, is that the children can go to school, and
work on bracelets in their free time.
The woman that is to the right of me is Bina. The teens in the pic are the new generation of bracelet makers.
Bina
makes bracelets, and because all her children are grown, she also works as a
masseuse on the beach. I have seen Bina at work. I admire her and the other
masseuses for many reasons…one being that I have seen some of the people they
have to massage (a tad bit gross), but mostly because she pushes through long
hot hours every single day…with a smile on her face that radiates God’s joy.
This is Ate Lucing
She lives in the valley of the mountainous village. I thought I was going to die by breaking my neck falling down the hill, that had no path…but thank God I made it. She faithfully walks about an hour and a half to church on Wednesday
nights, and Sunday mornings. She is also a bracelet maker for Threads
of Hope. We were blessed with some delicious coconuts that were freshly caught for us.
She lives in the valley of the mountainous village. I thought I was going to die by breaking my neck falling down the hill, that had no path…but thank God I made it. She faithfully walks about an hour and a half to church on Wednesday
nights, and Sunday mornings. She is also a bracelet maker for Threads
of Hope. We were blessed with some delicious coconuts that were freshly caught for us.
Threads of Hope, founded by Alex Kuhlow. Is one wonderful God
alternative to the prostitution, and poverty issue here in Puerto Galera,
Philippines. But it takes two to tango, (which btw is so much fun on a summer
NYC night), and you are needed to make a difference in the lives of these
Filipino families.
Check out their site… http://www.threadsofhope.com.ph/.….buy some bracelets…I can
vouch that it IS providing families with income for food, education, and
clothes. It is giving women an
opportunity to use their God-given talent, and stay out of prostitution.
vouch that it IS providing families with income for food, education, and
clothes. It is giving women an
opportunity to use their God-given talent, and stay out of prostitution.
The bracelets really are great gifts to give, as well as
great ideas for fundraising events. For fundraising purposes, 50 percent goes
to the fundrasier, and 50 percent goes back to Threads Of Hope and their
employees. You have already met some of these ladies. Now you have some faces you know you can help. =)
great ideas for fundraising events. For fundraising purposes, 50 percent goes
to the fundrasier, and 50 percent goes back to Threads Of Hope and their
employees. You have already met some of these ladies. Now you have some faces you know you can help. =)
Agenda:Love,
Bethsaida
