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.
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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.