May - June 2017

Transforming Grace: A story of two Ladies “To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn't deserve it, can never earn it, and can never repay it..... Vertical grace: God's grace to people; Horizontal grace -- people's grace to each other."(Charles Swindoll)

JonalynJonalyn is a young lady with 3 kids-- the eldest is a girl, the 2nd child was diagnosed with ADDH and a toddler. They live in a shanty in Payatas Dumpsite with her in-laws and another family with kids. Her husband is a scavenger and occasional construction worker. Their meager income is further strained by the need to send the 2nd child to a special education school for better opportunities to learn. Most often, her son gets reprimanding from the grandparents who are not knowledgeable in dealing with his special needs; Jonalyn as a mother will comfort him with the best she's learned by attending and observing at the Special Ed. school. She gets exhausted more because she also has a toddler who needs loving care too.Jonalyn still has a broad smile despite her life circumstances. She says God made her resilient and determined to pursue her goals. She loves studying the Bible and be actively involved in church life. Early adult life, her love for the Lord waned -- she enjoyed the night life and used drugs. Yet the Lord kept watch over her and protected her. She met her husband, a Christ follower and reminded her of who God is in their lives. Together, they went back obeying the Lord. Though they struggle financially, it kept them dependent on the Lord to provide for the needs. One of that is thru the Micro Loan Entrepreneurship Program we had introduced at the Payatas Church. It helps them stay afloat with an additional income for the family, applying biblical business principles and practice. She is one of the ladies that paid off her loan within 6 months instead of 12 months. The mentoring she got from Violy and Maryann (facilitators) and the community spirit forged amongst the ladies of the Entrepreneurship group in church had encouraged her to be steadfast in the Lord.

VIOLYAt age 33, would you go back to Grade 1 to study all over again to finish High School? Meet Violy -- our ministry partner/facilitator for the Entrepreneurship Micro Loans Livelihood Program.

Here's her life story.Violy completed only up to 5th Grade --they were poor. Her marriage failed and was left to raise alone her daughter. She took a job as seamstress in a Christian company where she met Christ as her personal Lord and Savior in the Bible studies held at work.

Headquarters Address: Resty - renguerra@indigenousministries.org

Indigenous Ministries International Mel - medical@indigenousministries.org

15455 Gleneagle Drive Suite 130 Tel # (011) (63) 908 892 8449 (PH)

Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (011) (63) 947 788 0782 (PH)

website: www.indigenousministries.org (1) (408) 768-9283 (US)

Violy (cont..)

An opportunity came up where a friend gave a small loan for her to start a catering business. The business became successful. Then her father got ill- she needed to care for him and finance his medical bills. His illness ate up her time and business capital. She says " I struggled with the Lord -- heal my father and I will give up my business!" Her father got healed and her business folded up. She admits that it was during these 10 years while she was preoccupied with the business that she forgot all about the Lord.Consequently, she became homeless. Violy was offered to live in their small church facility in exchange for keeping the place clean and orderly. She then got involved with church life, joyfully serving in the children's ministry towards street children. They had foreigners visiting the church. She couldn't communicate nor write in English and felt challenged to go back to school so she could do a better job in ministering.At age 33, she enrolled in an adult night school. Because all her school records were gone, she was advised to start at first grade and challenge it all the way to senior high school. Motivated, she completed first grade to senior high school in 3 years and with honors! She was class president with gold and 2 silver medals upon graduation-- her child pinning the medals on her!! What an accomplishment both mother and child was so proud of.Few years later she was asked by another church member to attend a Conservative Baptist Women's Council. There the Lord started talking to her/directing her plans. She became a volunteer staff with the CB head office; auditing classes offered by CB Asia Seminary wherein someone noticed her interest/servant spirit. Violy was given a full scholarship to a degree leading to Bachelors of Science in Ministry. She graduates this year with a college degree at the age of 62.Meanwhile, while volunteering at CBAP, she became assistant to our other ministry partner, Maryann. Together they helped us jumpstart the Church Based Entrepreneurship Micro Finance Livelihood Program in Payatas. God is using every experience and skills to bring back glory to Him! Violy continues facilitating/training our Payatas Micro Finance Livelihood ladies group, not only teaching biblical business principles but relates them to day to day life. Because of that, the group became a support/prayer group for one another. Jonalyn is one young lady she has been mentoring here- a young mother struggling to make ends meet. Violy says: "My biggest joy in reaching out to the underprivileged poor in the community is that I can relate to their experiences and can encourage them that there is victory and fulfillment in Christ! At my age, all I pray for is good health that I may continue to minister to them, casting off in Christ all troubles that comes along the way."

"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. You will have plenty...and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know...that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other." Joel 2:25-27

Prayer Request - The last two months, Mel had "first time" health issues: an asthma attack then a reactive hypertension secondary to arthritic pains/insomnia. The doctors caution me against frequent exposure at the Payatas Dumpsite and to hot weather. Yes, I will be cautious but will not let fear overtake me in fulfilling what God had called us to do here in the Philippines. Thank you in advance for lifting us up to God for protection and determination. Jeremiah 29:11 - We are helping Violy raise her monthly support so she can continue the work that the Lord has placed in her heart. If you want to help, please send your support to IM SEA and indicate VIOLY and I will forward your support to CBAP office.

Blessings,Resty & Mel