The 2016 school year begins soon in the Philippines and we have a number of new Starfish and new sponsors on board, so BIG WELCOME to the Starfish family! We now have the largest number of sponsored students we have ever had in our history.
Also BIG CONGRATULATIONS to a number of long-time students who have graduated recently. Well done for all your hard work and we pray God will continue to lead and guide you in your future career wherever that may be.

Here's some comments from a recent graduate....

It was on April 20 when I successfully finished my 15 years of studying. And now, new chapter of my life will be opened. World of employment is now welcoming me.
Starfish ministry, I thank you very much for your good heart, for your generosity, for your love, and for everything. Words are not enough to express how thankful I am but really I am so blessed to have you. You are God's gift for us. I want to do well in anything that I do because it is for the Lord, for the church, for my family, and also for you; I don't want to bring heartaches to all of you because you are all important to me. Thank you, thank you so much. I already finished studying but our communication will never be cut off. From time to time, I will still update you about what I'm doing.
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hi everyone
I've been asked this a few times recently so thought we better post something up here.
What can I expect if I come with you on a missions trip to the Philippines?

Filipinos tend to have a very relaxed and easy-going culture similar to kiwis but probably even more pronounced. Therefore, often things tend to happen at the last minute and are not highly structured or organised. So coming on a trip like this will require all of us to be flexible and 'go with the flow' and trust God for his leading. We don't always know exactly what will happen or what we will get involved with beforehand but this approach certainly teaches us to trust God. We have certainly seen his hand at work in the past and we trust we will again on our next trip.

That said, here are some of the things we've done in the past:

• Children's ministry - assisting with community outreach programs, Vacation Bible School, puppet shows, drama, balloons etc.
  
• Family programs - run a family sports day or an outing to a local swimming pool or beach.
  
• Feeding programs - assisting the local community with reaching out to families and children in need.
  
• Medical Clinics - assisting medical staff run community health or dental clinics
  
• Distributing food parcels, 2nd hand clothing, school stationery packs etc - we'll be doing some fundraising before we leave to cover this.
  
• Opportunities for sharing testimonies, preaching, leading Bible studies or devotionals, songs, music, dramas, praying with others, depending on the team members giftings.
  
• Assisting our partners with building and maintenance projects - painting, labouring etc.
  
• Building relationships with our sponsored children and their families - we will stay a few nights with them in their house.
  
• Youth ministry - playing basketball and other sports, opportunities to lead Bible studies
  
• Teaching English and learning Tagalog - the locals love to practise their English and teach us Tagalog at the same time.
  
• Always be on the lookout for ways that we can serve and assist the locals in what they are already doing to serve the Lord. Probably there will be new ways that we can assist and support them once we are back home in NZ.
  

Yes folks we are planning the next trip for Dec 30th 2015  to Jan 21st 2016

We would love you to consider joining us or to join our support team if you are not able.
Please have a read of the below brochure for more information and contact us if you are at all interested.

“My name is Sherie 12 years old, I am in grade 7 at Morong National High School.
We are only three in the family, my brother, my father and me. Usually, I and my young brother are alone in our house for my father is always at work. My mother left us, so I am the one who’s doing house chores like washing our clothes, cooking and cleaning our house.
We learned about the feeding program from a friend, I joined the program, and I am blessed for not only we are being fed but taught of God’s Word also. From then on I started to love the Word of God, I want to learn more of Him. I have also the burden of sharing the Bible to others.
It is my dream to be a teacher. I want to help kids to learn. I also want to teach in Feeding Program and Sunday School.
The Feeding program is helping me a lot. I am learning to pray, read God’s Word, share His love to others, do what is right, ask for forgiveness and many more.
I want to finish my studies. I am praying that we remain healthy and that God may provide us with our needs.
 I want to thank PPtB, CCI and all those who are helping the program.”

We are in the very early stages of planning the next trip to the Philippines. We are not able to release any details yet but if you are interested in finding out more, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you