Month: June 2016
Darkness No More
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
By God’s grace we have reached miles in turning the tide for this desolate tribe in the mountain edge.
But the work has just began, can we be faithful like Christ to complete it?
Please support our Project: Let There Be Light (Part 1) and Let There Be Light (Part 2)
We Can Guide You How…
Just click the link below for details:
OUR TRIBAL PROJECTS
https://dfcmtribalmissions.wordpress.com/category/tribal-projects/
OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
https://dfcmtribalmissions.wordpress.com/category/kalingang-kapatid-program-kkp/
HOW TO SEND SUPPORT:
A Mission Station in the Tribe
Due to the very remote location of the Iraya Mangyans in Kalansan the people hardly receive any form of aid and services coming from both the local and national government. And since the mission work of DFCM recognizes the predicaments of the situation of this community a series of projects are being raised up for them and the mission sees the importance of proper stewardship of the blessings which are being brought to them. In line with this DFCM is now providing teachings and training for the people on how to make the projects self-sustainable. Also, DFCM found the necessity of putting up a station that will house all the vital and long-term projects for the community.
Below is an architectural presentation of a proposed mission station that will be built inside the tribal community of Kalansan (Iraya Mangyan). This structure will serve as the health clinic, library, lounge area, cooperative office and store, stockroom for the lighting project, emergency management system (EMS), pharmacy, and a missionary quarter with toilet & bath and a small kitchen/dining area.
This project will be situated in an area duly designated by the tribal community leaders for the specific purpose. The community committed to provide the space and the materials while the DFCM will help on producing other construction materials.
Most of the materials and finish to be used for this structure will be from the indigenous materials the tribe uses for their houses. This will preserve the natural look and culture of the community.
DFCM is praying for partners in building and completing this project.
Will you care to join us?
My Random Mangyan Photos
By: Pastor Ernie Catanghal
They said “a picture can paint a thousand words” and I am blessed to be in an amazing place with amazing people and extraordinary culture. But very seldom I can snatch a moment of shutter bugging, if only I can give justice to the truth of their stories through my shots. I just hope I can do more with lens and brush to show everyone these faces who laugh, who cry, who anguish, who dreams just like us… but seldom seen.
Hope you’ll like some of it.
JUST GOT A LITTLE CHANCE TO PLAY WITH MY LENS AT THE TRIBES.
And The Light Has Come And Shined
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” [Matthew 5:16]
Project: Let There Be Light (Part 1) is becoming a huge success in the tribal community as we are reaching the 40th home provided with LED lights that brightens their home at night and help their kids be able to have a more conducive studying condition. Our solar powered battery charging station is also serving the community well and is now generating income for the them for every charging service they provide to the battery owners. All praises be to our God!
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As we have announced earlier we are expanding this significant project through initializing the next stage: LET THERE BE LIGHT Part 2. The intention is to extend the light from their homes to their streets through our street lighting project. This will provide adequate lighting on their paths connecting the community to the school, and the idea was supported by the Mangyan community with so much enthusiasm.
We then lifted up this project in prayers to the Lord and started sharing about it and how significant it will become to the tribal community. Thank God, in no time there were some people who believed in the idea and started sending support. We wasted no time, through the unwavering support of Pastor Richard Delos Reyes we started scouting for good suppliers that will provide us LED street lamps, additional solar panels, bigger deep cycle batteries and cables.
With some resources on hand and finding a good material for the project we were able to produce 2 pieces of 18 watts LED street lamps, a battery, some 50 meters cable that will start up the project. While the Mangyans gave their share by providing wooden posts, bamboos and their priceless labor of labor of love.
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We started outlaying the proposed street lamps from the solar powered charging station’s street with a 50 meters distance between the first 2 posts to check on the “power drop” effect on the cable length limit for this type of materials. The tribesmen were on toes as some were digging holes for the post footing, some were preparing the wooden posts they provided, some were trimming down the trees to clear the pathway, and some preparing the lamps and cables.
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The most awaited moment came when all were set for the installation of the lamps and cabling which connects them to the power source which is located in the charging station. Everyone was holding their breath as we were about to tap the power line, and alas, the anxiety was over… THE LIGHT HAS COME!
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This is the birth of this project: LET THERE BE LIGHT Part 2, the genesis of the bright nights ahead for the Mangyan tribe in Kalansan. This will not be made possible if not for the amazing people who shared their blessings to this cause. THANK YOU and MAY GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY for your good heart.
And the work has just began, our goal is to raise 12 street lamps using:
- 4 – 100 watts solar panels
- 4 panel controllers
- 4 deep cycle batteries
- 600 meters of outdoor cables
If you are being touched by the Lord to contribute to this benevolent work please let us know and we will be more than glad to guide you how.
Thank you so much and God bless!
The Journey of Hope Lives On!
It is the beginning of a another school year, and for the typical Mangyan children it is the season of the year where they introspect of their dreams -will it ever come true? For people like them there is a vast uncertainty of the hope for their future. DFCM likewise faces a lot of uncertainties every season like this for the KKP Program -will we be able to continue lending a hand to these dreamers?
This June before the school year formally starts Pastor Ernie was burning the candle at both ends just to find ways of keeping these children’s hope alive. God is so good and so faithful for He touched the hearts of His people to respond to the call -to sponsor an Iraya Mangyan child to school. By the time Pastor Ernie returned to the tribes the mission was able to secure 10 sponsorship for our 12 KKP Applicants, with that there are only 2 kids left waiting for sponsorship. Nevertheless Pastor Ernie gave the assurance to the remaining two that they will go to school with the rest of the KKP Scholars by faith.
When we announced the lineup of our KKP Scholars for SY 2016-17 during the Parents-Scholars meeting in our Mission Center tears of joy flowed on the face of everyone upon knowing that no one will go home… but everyone will go to school.
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These green folders which we call “the seal” that the KKP Scholars were holding contains their application form, personal records and scholarship grant, while the overjoyed parents were holding the KKP Shirts we awarded to the scholars.
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Right after the announcements and celebration we brought the new batch of KKP Scholars to the mini-mart to buy all the supplies they will need in the Mission Center and in school. This is another exciting part because this is the time our KKP Scholars will enjoy the very very rare “shopping” experience.
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With all the supplies provided and the Mission Center all set for the coming school year we can say we have victoriously overcome the most crucial stage of the program. Now we begin to host the scholars in the mission center and get them oriented together with the DFCM House Parents (Pastor Manny and Olay) with the important policies and system inside the center.
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This school year for our KKP Scholars will not be made possible if not for our dedicated partners who selflessly stepped out of their comfort zone and made a difference in the lives of oir Mangyan children. God knows how much you have done for them and we will be forever grateful for you.
Maraming Salamat po sa inyong pagtulong sa ating mga kabataang Iraya Mangyan!
(Thank you very much for helping our young Iraya Mangyans!)
Sa aming pong pagpapatuloy sa paglalakbay na ito ay parati pong babalitaan namin kayo. God bless you!
(As we continue in this journey we will keep you posted. Pagpalain po kayo ng Diyos!)
Neneng Dizon: Iraya Mangyan at Grade 9, consistent first honor student in class.
You have touched lives more than you have expected! Salamat po ng marami.
Let’s Join Them In Their Dream
An Epistle from the Land of Hope and Promises
by Rev. Ernie dV. Catanghal
A month and more has passed since the Mission Center has opened its doors for the KKP Mangyan scholars. Looking back, there were so many things we have been through – especially the children. Life in the mountains is so much different from the town, the life that these children have been used to. Their life with their families is an abstract of endless difficulties and slow uncertainness; a life they learned to love and embrace – the Mangyan kind of life.
Now, after we have kindled the faith and what we have showed them as we opened their eyes to the new horizon of God’s greatness and grace, to the promises of civilization they are brought to a new world. A world so much different that they mesmerized yet through those many years they have avoided.
For us, what they need is change, a change for betterment and we have believed that God has a greater purpose for them. They need not to lack forever, if only fair opportunity will open up for them. As God’s hands on earth we lead them there, to the direction where we ourselves are wondering. And as we walk together we are sighted by vision and braced by faith.
And as we walk together we are sighted by vision and braced by faith.
As each day unfolds, from the very beginning till now, obstacles of different sort seems to find pleasure in every turn. Fragments of reluctance, worry and fear enter the minds of the vulnerable children as they mingle into the new world. These has caused us some of them to turn back at a very early stage, for them knowing not what was the cost and what was lost. In their sight it was a move to deliverance, but for us who believe is an uncorrupted rejection of hope for their future.
Our workers are also enfeebled by the elements of complexity and strain; these are the times when the enemy advances the most, where barrage of disillusion can permeate the heart of the strong and elected. The verses of the righteous implored to God is the string that connects us to the answers – answers that will bring back the vision.
We are dreamers for God’s destitute children, catalysts to them whose minds and hearts are indifferent. On minuscule capacity we might be but on vast faith on God we stand. There is also strength in knowing that as we walk on the valleys… right upon the hills there are saints praying to further our existence; them who empathize to every cause and every burden, them who have shared a life. We don’t have much but our devotion to reach out and touch the indigent population of the Mangyan tribe for Christ, and we will make it immense for God’s kingdom.
I pray so dearly that God unceasingly preserve us in the pious work, and may He touch more hearts that would collaborate with us for the cause of the mission – “Discipleship: To help Mangyans help Mangyans”. If we persevere I believe that on that day we will see multitudes of Mangyan souls entering the gates of life everlasting.
“Discipleship: To help Mangyans help Mangyans”.
[Reminiscence of July 2008]
Drops of Faith Christian Missions 