Missions Mindoro 2022

It was raining almost daily that week, there was even a report of an encounter between NPA & the military wherein two (2) people died, but this did not dampened the high spirit of the Pasay City Alliance Church (PCAC) team headed by Ptr Romy Fernandez  to go to Calintaan Occidental Mindoro for the outreach amongst the Mangyans & appreciation fellowship with the CAMACOP Mindoro ministry workers. This trip was part of the missions exposure of the PCAC Kairos course graduates batch 2021.

Amidst heavy rain that Friday evening and a little delay, the team of 16 composed of PCAC leaders (deacons, deaconesses, prayer core & pastor) hopped in the two SUVs. The convoy got into traffic along Alabang because of the rain. Some of the passengers of the other SUV experienced motion discomfort causing them to stop along the high way to relieve their churning stomachs. 

We missed the 11:30 pm RORO by just a few minutes but since the other SUV got lost while exiting Star Toll in Batangas, thanks to Waze & human Waze,  we were just early for the 1:30 am trip. Our group had a chance to eat Mami at the carinderia in the port while waiting for the other car to arrive. By the way, prices of chichiria were quite high that some of our companions had to let go of purchasing banana chips & just settled for Boy Bawang.

Our car was amongst those who got in the ferry first while the other car was already stopped at the waiting line. By GOD'S grace & the convincing power (angry mode) of a team member, the personnel at the waiting line allowed them while the ship's staff also was able to squeeze the car, the 2nd to the last to  board the ship.

So everybody was happy specially the husbands of the ladies in the last car.                                          Are you puzzled? The couples were not in the same car?                                                                             Yes they were not but anyways, they were together on board the ship. Incidentally one of them was amongst those who vomitted while in Alabang, so the hubby really had to be by her side during the boat ride.

Praise GOD, the sea was good to us, not a wave could be felt nor the boat swayed by the winds, it was a pleasant sailing specially for our 1st timer on boat ride, Bro Rollie. So after 3 hours of smooth sailing,  we safely landed at Abra de Ilog Port of Occidental Mindoro. But there will be another 2.5 hours drive going to our destination.

  It was already Saturday morning, it was still dark when our cars left the port. Our church has an Upper room prayer session via zoom every  Sat at 6:30 am. There was no signal on the road  so Bro Rollie who heads the Prayer Core initiated the prayer session while we were travelling since most of those in our group were the regular attendees of that session.  One brother later told us that he was awaken from his sleep by the prayer of Bro Rollie who was seated beside him, he thought he might  already be in heaven as he heard the prayers.

This is one of my highlights during the trip, being able to join the morning prayer as I'm a not a morning person. Praying/lifting to GOD,  speaking blessings to whatever we see on the road including the prison & penal farm, the province, the NPAs, the local government as well as our personal thanksgiving and the Sunday church plus all our activities in the area. 

It was such an uplifting moment while our car was moving, the road was almost empty given that time of the day when people & animals are just awaking up , seeing the freshness of the surroundings, such greenery, the mountains are lush, the fields mostly are planted with Palay while others were just emptied of it's corn crops. The road was quite and the environment was  peaceful, such a nice moment to commune with our Creator.

We search Iriron Alliance Church around 7am, actually it is called Zaripath, a facility for rehabilitation and recreation of CAMACOP pastors/workers. Through the generosity of DMS Herradura we were allowed to use the Zaripath for our lodging during our short Mission trip for the Mangyan outreach and as venue for the appreciation activity to the workers/church planters in Calintaan Occidental Mindoro.

The Zaripath has two rooms, bathroom, kitchen and a large common area for activities. A few meters at the back of the facility is a rice field, river and a beach.

We were treated with  a healthy  breakfast of vegetables ( ampalaya, talong, okra) & dried fish. But we were served first with egg sandwich & coffee which we thought was already our breakfast so feasted on two (2)  sets of breakfast, really happy tummies.

While the food were still being digested, a short briefing about the church planting ministry in the province was given by  our host Ptr Rommel Mendoza.

Welcoming the Men's group

Ptr Rommel Mendoza (aka Kap Omel) introduced his team, seated facilitated the briefing. 

Ptr Omel & Ptr Romy, both wearing gray tshirts & shorts

After the briefing , we started preparing for the activities of the Mangyan outreach in the afternoon.

Coffee, canned goods for food packs to be given to the Mangyans 

PCAC team & the local workers preparing the gift packs of candies & chocolates for the Mangyan children 

Repacking of 2 kilos of rice for distribution to the Mangyan families

Preparing  the food packs 

Palit sintas para may magamit sa rope illustration

Aral muna bago salang sa activities sa mga Mangyan

We would like to share with you the activities of this successful ministry trip. 

Kindly click the links below.

Day 1. Blessing the Mangyans at Madayangdang Alliance Church

Day 2. Appreciation Fellowship with the Occidental Mindoro Church planters & workers

Day 3. Recreation, our moments

Cotollengo Filipino

A Meaningful Birthday Celebration among children and young adults with special needs

Gloria vista subdivision, Brgy San Rafael, Rodriguez(Montalban), Rizal 1860, Philippines 

Sometime in April 2017, I saw a documentary of Pinky Web on TV about Cotollengo Filipino, this caught my interest since the children are all with disability so this could be a possible candidate for our outreach program which is already running on it’s 3^rd year however my concern was the distance to Rizal province, the location of the orphanage, from Pasay where I live.

When my husband (Hoberto S. Fernandez) died on August 09, 2017, I was not at all in my best emotional capacity to organize an outreach for my 53rd birthday on Sept 15, normally preparation such as looking for supporters, raising funds, coordinating with the orphanage, shopping for the needs of the beneficiaries took about one to two months. But by God's grace even though the preparations went in 3 weeks, we were able to raise more than what I originally budgeted, actual funds double the target.

Truly God takes care of the widows and He gave me generous relatives and friends to sponsor the outreach.

This is the fund raising message sent to the supporters.

Dear Classmates, Friends & Relatives,

We will be having an outreach program at the Cottolengo Filipino, an orphanage for the physically and mentally disable boys on September 24, 2017 from 2pm to 5pm in Rodriguez Rizal. There are 39 orphans (ages 5 to 29) who will have very little or no chances at all to be adopted by foster parents. The orphanage needs supplies such as toiletries (bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, baby wipes/wet ones, adult diapers (medium & XL), laundry powder and food such as biscuits (not sweetened), canned goods and rice. Candies, chocolates, chips & sweet snacks are being discouraged. Whatever your heart desires to give will be highly appreciated but cash is the best option so we can appropriate accordingly. Thanks and God bless.

We were able to borrow a van from our church Pasay City Alliance Church while my brother ( Ricky V. Magrata) drove all the way from Olongapo with his wife ( Ate Tess) and daughter (Ruff) to do the shopping for the bulky items such as sacks of rice and diapers, baby wipes & alcohol from Bambang Manila.

Friends from Duty Free Phils came from Cavite also joined us while church mates from Pasay City Alliance Church and co workers from SM Cubao completed the team.

We almost got lost in Marikina but thanks to the offline map of our driver Toto, we easily found our way to the subdivision.

I was expecting that the boys of Cottolengo will be fragile and had to be escorted by staff or caregivers every time they move around, to my surprised, one boy was already waiting at the main entrance and when I asked him where can i find Ms. Von, he directed me to the office.

When we were unloading the supplies we brought, he and another boy started carrying the packages and arranged them on the push cart I found along the hallway. Both of them pushed the loaded cart about 50 kilos going to the area. When the boxes have to be unloaded, they carried the box to the top of the table, really strong boys.

There were already a couple of boys in the venue at the sound system, there is a small CD player, Joey appears to be the technician, since he was the one operating the sound system. One by one boys in wheel chair were arriving being pushed by their caretakers. As previously informed by the secretary, Ms. Von, there are 10 able boys while the rest are in wheel chair.

A couple of able boys helped in the balloon making.

We wanted to conduct activities that will be suited for all of them but as per Ms. Von there will only be 10 boys that can play with us or join the activities while the rest will just be happy seeing, knowing that there are visitors.

 Ate Ruby led the opening prayer while Kuya Milo hosted the activity, when he asked them to dance, all the able boys grooved to the dance floor.

When Kuya Milo asked for a singer, one by one six (6) boys volunteered to sing, surprisingly again, they have their own piece of song, the technician also knew already what song to play. Some of them were just humming while others have some recognizable words but there is also Josen who can audibly sing and have better voice than me.

My sister in law shared her thoughts on the experiences we had...

ang isa kong nasabi at naisip while we were there?  Sino ba talaga ang mas mapalad sa atin sila na walang maintindihan halos sa mundo o tayo na lahat ay iniintindi

...hesitant, scared that his looks will haunt me,  seeing that one,  that didn't  develop his fingers, both hands and feet,   plus his distinctive eyes.  But more than what my eyes see, I  start to see him from my heart.  I'd like to let him feel he's loved, he is normal and very special. His effort to do things like pumping balloons, tying it which is very difficult  for him since wala syang fingers for support yet he tried doing it over and over, with joy excitement, and the pride once it take form,  from a little flat balloon.   His joy that is so innocent, that made him kiss the balloon for a lot of times, brings the pain and unexplained joy to me I believe to us. I had been thankful for my life, so much so that I began to be more grateful with what the Lord has given me/us.

one thing that I appreciate so much in that place o wow ang galing, ung mga walang kapansanan, ang hirap turuan but them, I am so blessed with how they were raised up, I  felt the love and their concern for all those unwanted on our outside world, they knew WHEN to eat HOW to eat and WHAT to eat and  do after  and WHERE  to place after eating their plates, glass and spoon and the WHY not to eat more after what is served. I guess the secret for that because all those staff in cottolengo made them secured and loved as if they were not that so called special. Going there was never a waste of time it's worth it na tayo pa  ang makabog nila...

Meet my photographer, this guy is ecstatic every time he will be able to take photos from our cell phones, he would be grinning happily, almost jumping for joy and giggling once he gives you back your phone after taking his shot. So before we left I asked to him to take my pictures. His hands were shaking but he knows when he cannot see images from the phone so he'll give it back to you to fix it.

KAIROS - my missions awakening course

I attended the Kairos course on June 2015 under the sponsorship of Pasay City Alliance Church to all interested leaders of the church. My interest in studying during free time paved the way for my taking on the course and the schedule which will not affect my work.

The Kairos Course is a nine-session, interactive course on world Christian missions, designed to educate, inspire and challenge Christians for active and meaningful participation. It is ideally suited for local churches, organizations, or special interest groups such as Christian business people.

Majority of our classmates were from the Young people /Achievers group  of the Church and minority were the leaders of the different fellowship groups thus we have a diverse class.

The cousre facilitators or FACI came from different churches as well, our head FACI was Garicell, who happened to be a missionary to China and about to go on a short missionary trip to India.

Our classes were mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. The FACIs will join you in your journey to the course about missions.

There were lots of enjoyable activities but more of eye opening lessons and touch the heart messages.

Kairos course was only the start, there's more to what GOD is leading me to do. The seed for reaching the Unreached People Group was planted in my heart thru this course and I claimed that God will continue to direct me in the  right path to take, however little steps those maybe, I am willing to be lead for His glory.

We are  blessed that our senior pastor has an open heart and mind about missions and we are more blessed to have another church  pastor who is the head of Asian Center for Missions.