|
SEWING MACHINES
Here's a follow-up on the "sewing business" that was started in Palawan.
You will remember several new and used sewing machines that were sent via the "balikbayan boxes" last year. A sewing/tailoring business was started for some of the members of the church at Irawan. It appears to have become a thriving business and a good source of income as they continue to make school uniforms and graduation caps and gowns.
Some of the seamstresses come on certain days while others come on other days to work in place of the ones who do not come to work on those days. Some of them do the cutting of the materials, while others do the sewing.
It is interesting to note that when power brownouts occur, they can still sew with the manual sewing machines. Of course, the ones operating the electric sewing machines just wait until the power comes back on.
COUPLE WITH DISABILITY
They have a couple of members who have some disabilities (one who has a harelip and another who had polio as a child with shortened legs and walks with the aid of two short sticks) who are quite active as leaders in the church. This couple have started a ministry to reach other persons with disabilities.
They visit the disabled in their homes to help them get registered with the PWD (Persons with Disabilities) organization and they help them obtain their ID cards from Social Services. PWDs with proper IDs are able to obtain 20% discounts in transportation fares, from fast food chains, for medical care and for medicines.
Through these contacts they have started two Basic 10 small groups and some of their attendees have started coming to our church there. And although these two members with disabilities who started this ministry have college degrees, he in accounting and she, in Foods and Nutrition, they do not have regular jobs because government offices and private companies in the Philippines do not yet routinely provide for access for disabled persons.
Pastors Prom and Norma are thankful that the Lord led these people to Gospel Life.
SMALL GROUPS
Brother Thuds and Sister Imelda have been successfully organizing several Basic 10 small groups. They have 7 or 8 such groups at present. At one point they had 12 groups. Pastors Prom and Norma help teach these groups.
OTHER NEWS BITS
Work continues to go on at the City Church property in Puerto Princesa. Shrubs and small trees are being cleared. Coral and rocks are broken to make the area look better. The gazebo is completed and midweek prayer meetings are conducted there. Folks who live in town are happy they do not have to drive or ride to Irawan which costs quite a bit. They'd rather use the money to buy food.
Also, the two drivers they contracted with to carry passengers back and forth from the town to Irawan started to stay for the church services, and soon they also brought their families with them to church. They began having Basic 10 studies in their home and completed the course. Several church members celebrated their "graduation party" with them after completing the course.
The two drivers and four of their family members were recently baptized. | 
