Our vision is… that the

hope we give will

continue to flourish and

give life to the hopeless,

and to see them achieve

their potential through

God-given abilities and

gifts, to become dynamic

leaders of a better

tomorrow and beyond.

Primrose Chavez

This trip was led by

Pastor Kevin Donohue, and

attended by Andrew, Jacqueline,

Sam (13) and Jacob (11) Goelst.

April-May, 2013

• MPFG Graduation

• Camp in Lantawan

• MPFG Institute

• Youth Development

• Slum Visits

• MPFG Statistics

Philippines

Visit

GRADUATION

Our trip began with the celebration of education at the MPFG

graduation service. This saw over 200 children attend from

many of the different slum areas, excluding those who could

not leave their villages because of bad weather. We had the

privilege of presenting certificates and medals to children who

had been recognized by their schools for high achievement,

and were thrilled to watch many presentations of song, recitals,

dance and drama.

a

This year camp was held at Lantawan in the mountains at

their local primary school. This area is where Ps Roger and

Cherry-Ann’s BMI church is. We had approx. 180 children

for the first couple of days and on the last day over 200.

It was a loooong 2-3 hour trip by two buses, a jeepney and

a van to transport the MPFG children who attended. It was

an interesting experience travelling three to a seat with

luggage and bodies under, over, and all around you!

During camp the children were split into groups, named by

biblical tribes, and each group was taught by the Pastors.

Each evening all would gather together for a time of

worship and to hear the word and ministry.

Activities included soccer, volleyball and basketball with

many participating.

There were great connections with the children and youth,

and lots of time spent with small groups.

The ladies did an amazing job feeding everyone with their

day starting in the very early hours of the morning preparing

huge pots of rice.

There were 24 children water baptised in the river on the

last day before leaving camp.

Camp - held in Lantawan

Page 2

MPFG Institute

Selected MPFG youth have

enrolled in a leadership

course. This course runs for

36 weeks, 3 nights per week,

and requires a huge

commitment of students

who overcome transport

(some walk 1 hour each

way), and other

commitments to attend. We

had the privilege of

teaching at this institute

while we were there. Topics

include: Communication

skills, Management,

Community development,

church ministry + more.

B007 Elene Joyce Espino B029 Chelymor Valero B005 Ashna Rehmat B016 Emil Grace

Owog Owog

B014 Jennifer Elera

E015 Rona Mae Jamelo E001 Michael Chavez D028 Joshua Ejosa D001 Hannah Grace

Agua

E023 Caryn Joy Sevilla

E024 Carl John Sevilla B011 Austin Rehmat B012 Edilmira Owog

Owog B062 Jona Mae Tanuco D002 Roselyn Caldo

VISION: EMPOWERING

YOUNG LEADERS OF THIS

GENERATION AND THE

GENERATIONS TO COME

PREPARING THEM TO

LAUNCH AND MAKE

DISCIPLES, EQUIPPING THE

SAINTS TO WIN THE LOST,

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR

CHRIST AROUND THE GLOBE.

Youth Development We witnessed many examples of the

MPFG sponsor children rising up in

leadership roles. One area is through

feeding programs where students go to

different slums and gather the children

and teach Sunday school lessons, songs,

Scriptures and give food and drink.

We had the privilege to visit in a seaside

village called Tangub (where the

Sevilla’s live) where Caryn Joy, Carl

John, and other youth minister to

approx. 50 children. Many of these

children chose not to eat at the

program, but took their food home to

share with their families.

City Harvest Church (where Pastor Joe and Primrose minister) have started a Caring Network

where they travel to different areas with second hand clothing and other goods. They also

distribute foods to the people there, and many of the MPFG young adults and youth have

the opportunity to volunteer their time and help in this ministry.

Statistics:

We had the privilege of visiting the MPFG child John Rey Belleza in his home which meant trekking down a narrow

path some 20 minutes from the road (it takes him and his grandmother 1 hour to walk to church each week).

John Rey is now 15 years old, and is one of our original children in the program. John Rey attends a special school

because he has special needs, and competed in school athletics to become the champion of their whole island!

This is so exciting for him as he competed against many other special schools from other regions. We were

privileged to deliver gifts of food, special medications, and vitamin supplements for him and his family that his

sponsors generously donated, and see his medals and athletics uniform which took pride of place in their home.

John Rey lives with his grandparents who look after him while his mother works doing laundry.

The week we arrived there was a fire in

Fortune Towne which burnt four houses

including the home of Herl John Derobio,

one of our sponsored children. We had

the privilege of stopping by while visiting

his town and it was heart breaking to see

the sadness on the faces of him and his

family. We continue to pray for them

and this situation, and willing accept

donations for MPFG’s emergency fund

which can be used in these situations to

support our MPFG families. Just contact

mpfg@bmi.org.au or phone

Jacqueline Goelst 0437272369 for deposit

details, or instructions on deposit forms

with the reference “emergency”, thanks.

2003, 5 y.o.