Dumaguete, Philippines March 2010 FEEL HOPE
Working with: Internationl Care Ministry (ICM)Location: Dumaguete, Philippines for the month of March.
Focus: Eliminating poverty through simply thinking of the next generation.
They start with worms. By simply supplying worms, they produce a fertilizer that will help the poor to plant food that will grow. The worms will also increase providing another souces of income.
HOPE HAS ARRIVED.ICM teams up with a local church. That church will provide worms and seeds to certain families. ICM staff will visit monthly and teach on Values, Health, and Livelihood (VHL) (a program called TRANSFORM). They also provide food in the meantime to each family apart of the Transform program. This program last around 6 months. It is one of many ICM are involed with.
Once the family starts to produce fertilizer, the seed is planted. Many of the poor in Philippines do not have space to plant. Here is one example of how they maximize their space. This corner is their “garden.”
IT IS NOT JUST WORDS BUT ACTIONS. MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE.
Many of these families might only make $80 a month. If that. This organization understands generations. They see the need now while providing a way the need can be met in generations to come. They do not force religion but LOVE first. Through their love, the poor come to see a God that is the author of provision and hope. This alone will set so many free from poverty and free in Christ. Practical yet powerfully supernatural. This is our God.
FOR NEW CREATION.
Many families are able to grow tomatoes, egg plant, chilis, green beans etc. The seeds reproduce themselves. The worms reproduce themselves. It is an amazing cycle that is past on for a better future, income, and LIFE.
They are also involved with housing projects, preschools, tutoring mothers, orphanages etc.
They use the bottom of plastic coke bottle as a pot. It cuts down on ground space by hanging them. This way, more food is available to sell and eat.
CREATIVITY: DISARMING POVERTY
Why shall the poor remain poor? Those with resources and education have a responsibility. It is not for them to only use from themself but to think Kingdom minded. We are yet born into a certain situation by grace. In that portion of grace we must respond. It is by the Spirit of the Lord that we are annointed to bring the good news to the poor. Simple to us, life saving to them. Money, food, technology, creativity. Generations can be changed and people can finally see what it might look like to FEEL HOPE. The heartbeat of God is within us all.
