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Starfish recently was able to sponsor 11 students to attend CTC camp in Bulacan in the Philippines. CTC camp is a 2 week discipleship training camp held in the summer holidays for young people. They learn many things such as Doctrine, Christian Growth, New Testament Survey, teaching Kids, and Evangelism. Here's what some of them had to say: For me the hardest subject is Doctrine because you need to study even the smallest part of the verse. But, I really love this because we proof the certain thing in the Bible and also sometimes we are having debate, we are acting as the other religion and we always lose because we are defending the wrong even we know the truth. In Christian Growth we study about those things that we need to do in Christian living. It includes baptism, breaking of bread, obedience, and other. And in New Testament Survey it quite bit hard for me because the Study Bible in this subject is very useful and I don't have that but, there’s a lot of things that I learn. In Teaching Kids I learn some strategies to catch the attention of the children. Also they teach how to do a lesson plan for VBS (Vacation Bible School). The last subject is Evangelism. I will never forget the things that I've experience in this subject. We go outside the campsite and we evangelize some people and after that I'm very relax and I want to evangelize people that I will see. We also have sports time. Some sport I don't know how to play but in Basketball we reach the final game but lose hahaha. And in Volleyball we also reach the final and boom we are the champion hahaha and even we don't have trophy at least we have a food price and I think I gain weight.... Being a first term camper, I learned a lot their in the camp. Like one of the subject give the activity to do to survey of 10 books in the bible. That was give me a challenge for being a first term. That's why I am so thankful for all of you kuya who are willing help others to have an experience the love of God It's very good... I have a lot of thing I know... Thank again Kuya  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. One of our college students writes... Following God was the most precious thing that I’ve done in my whole life. I am still in Feeding Program which became my family too. Caring for others was one of my heart’s desire. The feeling of completeness overflows in me every time I am teaching children and youths about the greatness of our God. While walking with God, I experienced lot of things either a best feeling or worst ones. I felt loneliness, anger, tiredness, and I also been criticized by the people around me. Those were not became a hindrance for me to stop serving God, all of those storms made me stronger and continue on working for God alone. In Him I have peace. I realized that, whatever happens as long as I’m with God I can overcome those struggles, and trials are like bubble that will fade away soon.  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:
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. Christian life is a great thing it’s all about knowing God and serving Him and a challenging life because you always need to be a good example to other the nonbelievers’ and you have responsibilities to spread Gods word by using bible but I don’t have any regrets because I love what I’m doing and because I love God. Every Monday to Friday I still teaching the children in feeding program, and I’m so happy because my schedule is not conflict. And I feel great because God use me in his ministry not only to teach the children and the youth but also in music ministry.
It is an amazing thing to realize that as time quickly passes by, I get nearer and nearer to my future as a teacher. I am now in a third year of college, one more year and I will finally graduate. The process is not easy but with God there is surely a victory. God brings success to my studies even sometimes I fail to come in feeding program because I am running after the deadlines of projects and assignments I have to comply. Truly, God still remains faithful despite all my short comings I am so thankful to God for giving me strength, knowledge, and perseverance to study in able to passed my subjects, it was not that high compare to others but still I am so happy to pass it all. For me the best experience that I’ve ever encounter was experiencing God in my life, He was walking and holding me, isn’t it sweet?. I am so glad for He used me in His ministries. I’m still teaching children in Feeding Program though I faced some conflicts in my schedules, but despite that I wasn’t there regularly or I came late, my willingness to teach was still there. I felt joy everytime I’m with my church family we’re doing fun together, having good and bad times together but the best time I spent with them was giving praise, honor and willingness to serve and follow God with all our heart. How I really loved to be with God, He made my life contented and complete. Here's the latest news from PGCC... This is the update of PGCC by the grace of God we increase our church attendance last sunday we are 118 but yesterday only 97 including youth and children and on October 2nd Sunday we conduct water baptism in the church 3 young people and senior citizen.
Recently we received some testimonies from Balante Bible Church, a church we support in the Rizal area. Names have been changed for privacy. “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.” I am Lisa, 78 years old. I was devoted in my former religion; I am involved in their prayer meetings, prayer vigils for the dead and also doing novenas. I joined the feeding program as food preparation/cook volunteer. Along with it, I joined Bible studies and learned the Word of God. I learned a lot, I learned that what I was doing is not according to God’s Word; so, I left my former religion and joined in serving God through feeding program and learning His true Word. Knowing God and His Word give me joy and happiness, even my daughter noticed that I have changed for the better and she is happy. I also felt strong, after suffering stroke, I feel I am young because of the physical healing that God gave me…” “My name is Jenny, I am 12 years old, and I am in grade 6. We are seven in the family, including my parents. Only two of us are girls, I am the eldest. More often I am the one doing the laundry and the dishes. My father is a family driver, and my mother is a laundrywoman. I am blessed because our family is intact. I love to o to school and learn, my teachers are kind and good to us. I am dreaming to become a doctor someday, so I can help my family and other people. I also love to attend our church services and programs. In feeding program, we are studying God’s Word which changes my life. I use to curse and speak bad words, but now God changed me, I am now using my tongue to pray. I often pray that God help me to finish my studies. I also thank the Lord for the PPtB (Please Pass the Bread) feeding program because it is helping us with our health, it assures us the we will be fed everyday. I also thank our teachers in the program.” “I am Wendy, 49 years old, a widow for 5 years now. I have three kids. My eldest wasn’t able to go to college because my husband died and I cannot sustain his schooling needs, he ofted to work to help me in providing for our needs while I am working as laundrywoman. My second child is Rhea, she’s in college now. I am grateful that she became scholar of STARFISH New Zealand. Sarah, my youngest is now in High School.
As of now, Rhea and Sarah are volunteer teachers in our Feeding Program sponsored by Please Pass the Bread, while I am a volunteer in food preparation and cooking. I am honored that I am able to serve God. I am also happy that I was able to help kids to eat vegetables which they don’t like before. They were stubborn but now they are changing for the better. I thank God that He is always helping us in trials, He really never fails. I also thank the PPtB for giving me and my kids an opportunity to serve God. May God continually bless us!” |
