I have recently returned from a mission trip to the Philippines - my head buzzing with the sights and sounds, the joys and sorrows, and a tremendous burden to break the cycle of poverty I observed there.

Since I am accountable for the trust and support given to RoNaCO, I feel that I should report as soon as I comeback from the Philippines to Canada what is going on in the ministry. We want you to know the concerns and needs, as well as the progress, of our less privileged families living in cemeteries, beside railroad tracks and in other slum areas in Manila.

(Note: All expenses for this trip were paid by Rosalie. Not a cent was taken from donations received by RonaCO.)

1. to extend spiritual, emotional and sometimes emergency medical support to individuals and families infected and/or affected with AIDS;

2. through our Educational Sponsorship Program, to assist children who have been orphaned because of AIDS.

The Educational Sponsorship Program was originally aimed at poverty stricken children who had lost one or both parents because of AIDS. However, recently we included needy children from the slum areas. Sponsorship is for school fees, supplies and allowance for fare and snacks. Currently, we sponsor 12 children.

Some of the sponsored children with Maggie (left),
Rosalie - RoNaCO president and the author of this newsletter,
Pastor Ferrera (centre) and relatives of the children.
Used clothings sent by RoNaCO from Canada have benefited these children.

RoNaCO got involved by helping one child at a time, such as paying for Tetanus shots for Koko, a three-year old boy bitten by a dog, and helping Jeph who broke his arm while fetching water for his family. I will share my first-hand experience of meeting some of these poor families later in this newsletter. I also witnessed how each member of the Ferrera family and some members of the River of Joy Christian Fellowship truly share the love of God not just in words but in deeds and actions.

Some of the kids whose parents have squattered in the cemetery.

RIVER OF JOY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Pastor Charlie Ferrera started this church in 1990 while working full time at 700 Club, a Christian organization based in the United States. His wife, Maggie, coordinates the volunteers both of RoNaCO and church members most of whom are also very poor. As well she takes care of the meal preparation for meetings and during outreach.

Pastor Charlie resigned from his full time position to be able to carry out this mission. While it is not easy to get adults to come to church, they are willing to send their children. Many came, and the church saw their spiritual and physical needs. As the number of children increased, they started twice a week the Children's Sidewalk Bible Study and Feeding Programs for some 150 to 400 children in two slum areas.

My sons, James and Mark, in front of the Church

SIDEWALK BIBLE STUDY / FEEDING PROGRAM.
This is usually held in an open area in the cemetery with the children sitting on a tarp on the ground. When rain is suspected they have it at one of the mausoleums in the cemetery. It's amazing to see how they hold the attention of sometimes hundreds of children who are very attentive and obviously having fun. This is more remarkable considering that for most of them they would have neither the discipline nor the teaching at home. Many of them go to school or go to bed hungry, so our efforts would not be complete if we didn't help nourish them physically as well as spiritually. Feeding them a meal or snacks once or twice a week is barely enough, but that is the least we can do.

Kevin, his siblings of six, and his mom sleep here
(Note: these are tombstones)

RICE DISTRIBUTION
Since I worked with National Food Authority before coming to Canada in 1978, I was able to negotiate for the cost of rice at a discounted price of Cdn. 58 cents per kilo. The price of rice has recently increased to almost double, making it even more difficult for the poor to afford it. The first distribution of rice was done last August and we hope to be able to continue this project. We plan to purchase eight cavans (50 kilo per cavan) of rice every month; six cavans will go to 150 families from three slum areas. Each family will receive for free a kilo of rice every two weeks. These families have been identified, are known to be in need, and have been given identification cards for distribution purposes. The other two cavans will be for the church Feeding Program for the children and others who come to church for meetings and rehearsals.

Preparing rice for distribution

To be abandoned either by one parent or both parents;
To work at a very early age, selling anything, like plastics bags;
To be taken advantage of, or be abused by relatives or others;
To be malnourished and to contract serious diseases;
To be exposed to and involved in crime, prostitution and drugs;
To follow in their parents' footsteps - uneducated, struggling to earn a living or stealing to survive.

The generational cycle will continue . . . they will have children who will repeat the cycle. The picture looks grim. This is reality, but is it hopeless - NO!

The fact is the children are helpless in this situation. Can we break the cycle? Only by God's grace and the help of those who care.

MINISTRY'S FINANCIAL NEEDS
The Ferrera family and volunteers from their church are in the front line always willing and ready to carry out God's acts of compassion. I praise God for the joy and privilege of seeing His love work in the lives of these children; and that I can share this with you. Maggie wrote in a recent letter: "We've been praying for more people to help these needy families." Will you be part of the answer to her prayer?

You probably can't help teach these children or cook the meals or provide hands-on help. BUT you can help by praying for them and for the Ferrera family and helpers, and you can help by donating to RoNaCO who provides funds for this outreach.

Please consider giving to these urgent needs:

$250 a month to be able to continue the Rice Distribution project.
$180 for Educational Program.
$15 per child/month for 12 children
$116 for Maggie's leadership
$100 transportation and snack allowance for volunteers.
$100 for medical emergency, benevolent fund, and miscellaneous urgent needs.

We need approximately Cdn. $750 a month for this mission to continue. You may also designate your gift to a particular project like Rice Distribution or Educational Program, which will enable us to expand that project and help more poor families as funds are available. Please see Response Form below.

There is a simplicity about the poor that gives them an awareness of God and a hunger for spiritual food. Poverty is an international dilemma and we cannot solve all the world's problems, but we believe that God has called RoNaCO to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of this small corner of the world - one family at a time - one child at a time! With God's help . . . and yours . . . we can help

BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY!

Working with you for His Glory,

Rosalie Memije
President, RoNaCO

HOW YOU CAN HELP.
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