Feature Article January 23, 2002
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Christmas greetings from the PhilippinesPeter and Christina Rasenberg and their three children, a family from Cloyne, are in the Philippines with the Free Methodist organization VISA.I peered down at the first traces of snow, the excitement of our venture to the Philippines growing as our double decker Boeing 747 passed over the barren landscape of northern Alaska. Time seemed to be in a metamorphosis as we chased the sun across the horizon, and there seemed to be no end to the day.
In a couple of short months from first making contact with Fred and Barb Adams, career missionaries in the Philippines, we were now on an adventure of a lifetime as we were on our way to provide technical support for the Free Methodist church and the different projects that they are involved with on the island of Mindanao.
This country is a world of contrasts: beautiful and filthy; wealthy and destitute; industrious and easygoing; passionate and phlegmatic; enlightened and illiterate. It is somewhat strange to me, as you do not see these contrasts as two different worlds, but of one merged together. The people here have openly welcomed us (except the Abu-Sayeef) and expressed their appreciation and wonderment as to why someone would come all the way from Canada to help them. They enquire about all aspects of Canadian life, culture, and educational opportunities. Most can speak at least two languages (English is taught as part of their regular curriculum), and many people speak more than two. When given an opportunity, Filipinos are very eager to make the most of it.
I have been working out in the country on the Rosario property, where a new project that extracts oil from lemon grass is under way. A cable system was designed, built, and installed to transport the harvested grass across a river, which continually gets flooded during the rainy season. I will also be doing some engineering for the cable tram at ELIM farm, but the project is too large and will cost too much for me to accomplish while I am here. The purchase of a water buffalo and some horses will be an interim solution for a few years. My focus instead will be in two main areas: vocational training, and building useful projects like pedal-powered corn grinders (I will be training students in vocations such as welding while we are building these projects).
I have completed working drawings and presented these to the Light & Life Foundation Board (which covers most of the churches on Mindanao Island), and they were very excited about doing these projects for the rural areas. I have seen and been told of the great benefit this will be to these very poor and needy people. The women presently grind their corn with a wooden mallet contraption, which takes a great deal of time and effort, or they travel a long and costly journey to town to have it ground at a commercial mill. I am also designing attachments for the pedal power unit such as: plunger clothes washer, rice sheller, and corn husker.
As we enter into the Christmas season, we have been touched by the overwhelming needs of so many people and the work of dedicated Christians to meet these needs. I would like to share some of our experiences we have had in these last few weeks.
The first is of a woman and her family from Halifax, Canada.Her husband died about 5 years ago and they had always dreamed of doing ministry in a Third World country together. She came here after he died. She knew no one and wasn't connected with any organization. She moved right into the squatters area - what we would call the slums (or worse), with her 3 children. She's just an ordinary woman, but she is extra-ordinary in what she has accomplished. You can't imagine what its like where she lives. But she and her children seem so uncontaminated by the awfulness that surrounds them. She has made an oasis in the middle of a drug, prostitution, and filth hole.
They built washrooms and showers and a playground where they do some teaching, some childcare, have a quiet time seniors evening (its so noisy in the inner city where people live on top of each other in such crowded conditions). She has now been accepted by the community and will be providing a special Christmas celebration for her neighbours.
The second is of a couple from our church, Pastor Johnny and his wife, Tata, who run a street mission in the heart of the city where they meet with the children in a park. They meet four nights a week providing tutoring opportunities for children who attend school, praise and worship time, and often provide meals. The numbers of children can vary greatly, as a large percentage are street kids who move around a lot. On the night we visited, there were about 45 kids ranging in ages from 4 to 14. The regular kids were amazing as they were so gracious about us being there. There were also 5 or 6 children from a northern tribe who had been dropped off in the city to do some Christmas begging. The parents would be back after Christmas to pick them up. Many other children would stop by to participate during their break from selling flowered necklaces or other novelties. Often they are the sole breadwinners in their family; if they dont sell enough, they dont eat that day. As I spoke with one of the volunteer assistants about where some of these children lived, he pointed to a couple of boxes leaning against a wall across the street and described how one of the childrens whole family lived there. Many of these children simply lived on the streets, sleeping in doorways. Yet, all of these children participated in the singing and activities with joyful hearts. Meanwhile, Tata ministered to the many mothers who attend with their children.
While we said our farewells, my heart was breaking as I imagined how many of these young people would be spending the night. But God cares for each of these children, and through the good work of this couple, there have just recently been sponsorship opportunities for some of these families that will provide opportunities for education and a chance at a better life.
