Our NEW web site is online!

Our new web site with current updates is now online. We won't be posting here on the blogspot in the future, so please click on this link:

www.projectlifesubic.org 

 Bookmark the site and please subscribe for monthly updates!

LightStrike in Barretto with Capt. Baloy

It has been so refreshing to meet a Barangay Captain with so much vision, compassion for his people, and integrity! The more time we spend with Capt "Gie" (Angelito) Baloy, the more we respect him. He is a "hands on" leader, as was demonstrated at the LightStrike training in Brgy Barretto today.
Captain Gie gathered his purok leaders, police and other barangay officials so they could all observe and get trained for future LightStrikes in their neighborhoods. Everyone that attended in the Barangay Barretto covered court asked many questions and were eager to participate.

Sonny turned over the tools to the barangay for the upcoming LightStrike events. A big thanks to Rotary International (and a big shout out to our Rotary supporters in Oakhurst!!), and Barangay Barretto! Together we can make a difference in people's lives!

Another LightStrike Brings Free Solar Light to the Poor!

Last week Sonny, Greg Atienza and our Project Life Subic installation team joined forces with Pastors Alan and Neri to bring solar light to homes in Old Cabalan. Many families were so happy to have light in their dark homes.
Greg led a training for more installation teams in December and those teams are ready to continue this project in their neighborhoods. Project Life Subic, funded by a Rotary International grant, equipped many teams in 2014 and led many Lightstrikes in neighborhoods in Olongapo City and Subic town. We are now in the process of giving those teams materials and tools to carry on the effort and improve the quality of life for many, many families!
here's a few pictures of the install:

December Updates!!

• We were honored to have Barangay Captain Angelito Baloy as our guest speaker at the Sewing Center graduation this month. He was surprised to see such a mix of students- old and young, men and women, Christians and Muslims! Captain Baloy gave an inspirational speech, and encouraged all, young and old, to keep learning and improve their living standards. He is a leader in providing job training opportunities and education for his constituents. A visionary, the Captain has a dream to turn Barangay Barretto into a family resort destination area, and erase the name "Sin City" that has been part of Olongapo history. In the days of the Subic Bay Navy Base, many American troops stopped here for R & R. Nowadays Barretto is a destination for the S.E.Asian Sex Tourism Industry. The bars are visited primarily by Europeans, Aussies, Koreans, Japanese and Filipinos. Captain Baloy is encouraging local bar owners to convert their businesses to restaurants and resorts. We are so impressed with this young Barangay Captain who has such a big heart for his people!  

 As always, the student's testimonies at graduation were heartfelt as they described their new found relationship with the Lord. They told stories about how their faith and understanding grew deeper through weekly worship, devotions and prayer times. We have seen many lives transformed because of this "job training" sewing program! Our trainers, Emy, Cindy, Cathy and Glenda have continued to share their love and knowledge to the students and are making a BIG difference in this community!

Taking down the tent and packing up!

Presenting the Certificate of Appreciation to Emily

• The end of an era- The owners of the lot on 12th St. are preparing to build so we have had to end time of ministry there. So many men, women and children from 12th St. have learned about God, health, and have been helped by educational programs and job training opportunities the last 5 years! Please pray for us as we make decisions as to where to relocate the Kids Church and feeding program. We want to thank Emily Mencinares and her family for allowing us to use this vacant lot rent free for many years. Maraming salamat! You have helped us help the poor and needy in the slums of 12th St and we appreciate you so much!

• Merry Christmas to all of you from the Project Life Subic staff! We thank you for your love and support this year. Together, we can continue to share the Goodnews and see communities transformed by the love of Christ! 

MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

There's so much to be thankful for this November! We are thankful for family and friends, for our faithful partners who enable us to serve as missionaries, and for the amazing opportunities that God gives us to share His love and Word!

Here's a few updates-

• Our youth were invited to share at both chapel services at Brent International School this month. The school has over 300 students, elementary through high school, from 20+ nations. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Project Life Subic  youth group to share the Gospel through testimonies, skits and song! Anthony, our youth leader, continues to do a wonderful job with the TWO youth groups! He will graduate college with a degree in Mass Communications next May!

• Our Alternative Learning System program (we partner with the department of education) continues to meet every Wednesday. The teacher, Cat, is a sweet Christian woman with a heart for ministry. She is preparing the students for the high school exam to be held in December. Tina, our staff member coordinating this program, leads the prayer time and shares a devotion. The students are learning a lot about God's character and it is helping to shape them into excellent students. 

• Sonny is busy preparing for this week's LightStrike in Matain. We are partnering with the Barangay Captain and his staff to bring solar light to the slums in that community.

• Our soapmaking training was a success! Nine students attended and are now planning on starting home businesses. For our local bargirls, this is another step forward to freedom in their lives. We'll be having a "fun day" next week to practice our soap making skills and fellowship!

• Please pray- this Friday Leslie leads a meeting of potential volunteers who will help with the New Beginnings Bargirl bible study. We have a social worker from a well-known anti-trafficking organization coming to speak and educate us on the issues and needs surrounding this type of ministry. The prostitutes in our community are asking for a "church" that they can attend. Most work nights and sleep mornings, so we are hoping to provide a bible study in the afternoon, replete with worship, prayer and a short sermon or devotion. We also hope to provide a drop-in center where the girls can always feel safe and have prayer/counseling and referrals. 

• BIG NEWS!!! We will soon be switching from our blogspot to a NEW WEBSITE (currently under construction). You can click here  www.projectlifesubic.org and subscribe now. Then you will receive notification when it is completed!

We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving with friends and family. We are thankful for YOU!

Micro Finance for New Businesses!

We are happy to announce that our collaboration with Global Micro has produced three micro finance loans this week! Micro finance loans are designed to help the poor who want to start a business but have no means to get bank loans. They are small loans, not charity, and the recipient also receives training in bookeeping or marketing if needed. When the money is repayed (usually a small amount each week over 10-20 weeks) it is then used to provide another loan for another person.
This ability to start a business offers opportunity for an individual to break the cycle of poverty and to enable him or her to provide for the family. A simple, small but successful business provides a way for children to attend school,  pay for health care when needed, and an overall improvement in living conditions. This is a "Hand up" not a "handout"!
Project Life Subic encouraged four potential recipients to develop a business plan and assess their needs. Then Global Micro held the interviews and set up the contracts. This week three loans were awarded and another may be available in November.
Cathy will be opening a small sari sari store (home business selling a variety of canned goods, toiletries, charcoal, etc). Cindy is buying/selling frozen foods. Glenda will be making longanisa and other home cooked foods to sell to neighbors. We will keep you updated on their progress!
We are celebrating with Cindy, Cathy and Glenda! Here are some pictures of the contract signing with Tobias S., Global Micro founder.

MARAMING SALAMAT to Tobias for all his efforts to help change the lives of those in need! This is the beginning of a collaboration that will be beneficial and life-changing for MANY!

Passionate or Complacent?

 “I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it's so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.”

--Jimmy Carter

Our subject at the staff meeting last week was “Passionate or Complacent?”  It was time to examine our hearts and ask ourselves if we still have a passion for God. Do we love God so much we are compelled to express that through our ministry? Or, have we lost our enthusiasm and become complacent? Are we just content with how things are?

I wove a tale of the young couple who falls madly in love, compelled to be near each other, love each other, can’t stand to be apart. Then they marry, start a family. Years go by, the passion begins to fade. Everyday activities begin to take precedence, and complacency sets in. Then, as they mature, they recognize their need for each other and that their love for one another needs to be rekindled. Their passion needs to be reignited for them to grow closer and weather the ups and downs of their relationship and their journey through life.

As we dug deeper into scriptures we discovered that complacent people are characterized by self-importance, egotism and conceit, just the opposite of humility. They are self-satisfied, not willing to improve or make better their situations. We also discovered that God does not like complacency. In Revelations 3:15-16 the Lord says “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Needless to say, we had some lively discussions and sharing from the heart during our staff devotion. It was a time to repent, refocus and move forward with conviction and passion!

Have you been lulled into complacency? Has your passion for God and the people He loves burnt out? Are you losing your passion for ministry, family, or other things that the Lord has put in your life? Are you lukewarm? Join us in prayer this month as we clean out the complacency and renew our passion!

A few updates: Darryl, our co-leader in Youth, will be focusing on work and hopefully college in October. We will miss him but realize we need to release him to pursue his future. He would like to get a college degree and become a teacher! Here are some pictures of Darryl, Anthony and our youth:

Darryl is a gifted young man, and already completed one year of college before taking a Discipleship Training School with YWAM. He is now applying for scholarships and working but will still need help to attend school. If you are interested in sponsoring Darryl, please contact us at Project Life Subic.

Also-  Please pray as Anthony restructures his youth core leaders and equips them to reach the Matain and Olongapo youth! They are preparing to do an assembly at the high school and will have the opportunity to impact THOUSANDS of students! They are also invited back to speak and perform at Brent International School this semester.