| Grace Christian Mission October 9, 2006 Newsletter |
09 October 2006
Dear Brothers & Sisters in the Lord,
September 06 went fast but in it I learned precious lessons. Prov. 30:8-9 became my prayer
and GCM’s “Lord give us neither poverty or riches, but give us only our daily bread otherwise,
we may have too much and disown you and say, who is the Lord? We may become poor and
steal, and so dishonor the name of our God.” Stretching funds to meet primary needs is
GCM’s real way of life. The two schools for 25 years always had little money at the start of
each school year. As the students enroll they pay the down payment on their minimal
tuition fee, the monthly fee kept the steady flow of income - augmented by mission offerings of
caring friends sustained us. The big change came when a law was passed “have free Public
High school in every village”. Students of 5 villages enrolling in Grace Christian Mission
Technical School (GCMTS) stayed in their own Village High School. GCMTS Boso-Boso was
almost drained 450 to 120 enrollees. Christian parents and parents who want quality education
stayed.
The Lord comforted us by this Rom. 8:31-32 – “What then shall we say in response to these? If God be for us, who can
be against us. He who did not spare His own son but give Him up for us all, how will he not also along with Him
graciously give us all things” NIV. God’s blassing: Badian School – the Mayor of Badian did not allow another High
School in the Village – he gave scholarship fund for the students who could not pay the tuition plus – he donated the
roof for our stage - the enrollment of Badian increased.
Public High Schools become crowded – some cannot be accommodated. FAPE – Fund Assistance for Private
Education – an organization whose aim is to raise funds for poor students who can be accommodated in charitable
schools. It did well. The operation is under the Department of Education. Private Schools and students applying for
the scholarship are screened. This takes time – funds for the tuition are usually released in October – all our students
are under this scholarship – no payments from the students. GCM provided the needs of our 26 teachers June to
October, mission offerings of concerned friends help us in our time of crises with our little harvest from the mission farm
– this crises, came the idea of Livelihood Projects.
Evelyn, the mission secretary and I attended seminars on different Livelihood Projects and exposed ourselves at the
Coco Festival at our Mega Mall- Aug. 24-27. We interviewed some stall owners who were producing and exporting
Virgin Coconut Oil. We met the owner of a Coconut Husk Plant – which is in Bicol, they were very cordial – we asked if
we can visit their Plant – we visited – they showed to us how their different machines operated and offered to help us if
we go into this Industry. Badian has piles and piles just being burned - make use of them!
September 26 - two of our staff traveled with me from Caloocan City to the Bicol Region and on to Badian. We first
went to Legaspi City – inquired on the service of Smart Wireless for Badian – none yet – then on to the Coconut Husk
Plant and on to Badian – I laid the challenge to our teachers – all were excited and willing. 28th teachers on their
vacant period started with 20 pieces well matured coconut – 16 to 24 hours of fermentation on the coconut milk – it was
interesting to see how the coconut oil floats above the water, harvest time was 5 to 6 A.M. - but the staff who traveled
with me to Manila left at 4 A.M.
Projects & Prayer Requests – that we become expert on the production.
1. Making of Virgin Coconut Oil – for domestic use and export – Doctors who specialized on what VCO do to human
body said it is a Drug Store in a bottle – Our Secretary, Evelyn Galicia’s, taking 4 spoon full daily 2 after breakfast and
2 after supper. Terrible asthma each time she is attacked, kidney problem – scheduled for surgery, diabetes high
sugar, high blood pressure – after 6 months of faithfully taking VCO – her health improved, now she is well, strong and
active – Arsenia was relieved from her allergies and gas pains. We want you to try and see what God will do for you as
you learn to take VCO. Pray with us for coconut milk squeezer - $511.00.
2. Coconut Husk Fiber – made into strings/rope – into net – this prevents soil erosion – fine dust is washed – dried and
packed, course dust – died and also packed – use as fertilizer and soil conditioner – domestic use and exporting to
China & Korea. Machine for this - $12,250.00 – we hope to assemble one. Our friends assembled their own machines.
3. Coconut Shell – Charcoal – powdered and made into briquette – for cooking domestic use and export – to Japan.
4. Cookies and Cakes – the coconut meat from VCO is dried – and mixed with flour and other ingredients, delicious!
5. Water from the VCO – for vinegar.
6. Jathropa – Bio Diesel – we have grown about a thousand. In less than 2 years – it bears fruit – bearing time – 48
years a farmer with his family of 5 will be kept busy picking – drying and pealing the seeds which will be kept away for
the oil. Processing Jathropa seeds to Bio Diesel is simple & easy. Jathropa plants have many medicinal values:
leaves, bark etc.
Jathropa pillings – fire wood when dried. Pray that by 2007 we can plant 5,000 Jathropa.
Prayer Requests:
1. For the visit of Don Byker and his group to GCM – Oct. 14-15th at the Home to worship with the children. Oct.
17/06 - the dedication of Badian’s school house no. III, Oct. 19/06 Board Meeting, Thanksgiving & Worship at the
Bosos-Boso Schools and Dedication of Pastor Roberto Sonio, 2006 Graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary, Master in Christian Education – as the school’s new Principal – Oct. 23/06.
2. Money to pay back – money for construction of the Elementary School house $30,000.00. This amount was used
in our time of financial crises.
3. Pray for the safety from typhoons of the 5,000 coconut trees in the hands of GCM – in June and September 28 –
very bad typhoons lushed the country – many coconut trees suffered, bearing fruits were greatly affected
4. Wisdom on how to get the Projects going, that we can organize a co-operative to run the projects.
5. Spiritual lives and dedication for the task.
Praises & More Prayers:
1. The financial aid of FAPE got into the hands of our teachers Oct. 2/06 as of now communications to Badian is not
yet restored, cell sites were destroyed by the Sept.28 typhoon – hopefully they also got their monthly love gifts.
Elementary Department – 153 children are using 3 rooms in the High School Department – Kindergarten, Prep –
getting ready for grade I, grade I and grade IV have classes on the morning, grade II and III classes in the afternoon.
Due to the congested condition of the children – by faith we took courage and started the construction of the school
house with very little amount that we had.
August 16/06 – at 7 am Ground Breaking Ceremony – Elementary children were the important people in the ceremony
– the High Schoolers joined them at 8:00 the workmen begun the work but stopped on September 30 – foundation of
six classrooms – standard size and little wall is going up. We believe God will provide the needs till finished.
Orphanage / Home – with the 70 children they are fine due to poor weather – typhoons & too much rain, few of the
children had colds and fever – the operation in general is ok – the 2nd Certificate of Accreditation was given to us,
meaning we qualified after hard inspections and meeting the requirements from 4 caregivers to 8, one certified Social
Worker – now 2, one doctor comes to treat the children once a month and one dietician visit once a month, one
bookkeeper, one Project Administrator and 2 cooks – all services are paid. The budget went up tremendously. Plus
tuition fee of the younger ones in the Elementary Department. $85.00 for each child in one year x 50 children
$4,250.00.
2. September 28 typhoon Melenyo lushed the country terribly but GCM did not suffer much about 20 banana plants fell
and 2 big branches of our big tree were broken – fell on our empty space, and not on the roof of the school toilet which
is close to it – office in the city - no electricity for only 7 hours and in Boso-Boso less than 24 hours, some places do not
yet have electricity – we heard Bicol Region do not yet have, no communication from Badian – in other parts of Manila –
5 days no electricity, the city was pronounced under calamity – many school houses were blown down.
3. High School enrollment which swooped: 450 to 120 is increasing – many parents see that GCMTS is giving a better
kind of education – teachers of the public elementary school put their children in GCM – Elementary Dept.
God bless you!
Gratefully yours, Arsenia
Dear Brothers & Sisters in the Lord,
September 06 went fast but in it I learned precious lessons. Prov. 30:8-9 became my prayer
and GCM’s “Lord give us neither poverty or riches, but give us only our daily bread otherwise,
we may have too much and disown you and say, who is the Lord? We may become poor and
steal, and so dishonor the name of our God.” Stretching funds to meet primary needs is
GCM’s real way of life. The two schools for 25 years always had little money at the start of
each school year. As the students enroll they pay the down payment on their minimal
tuition fee, the monthly fee kept the steady flow of income - augmented by mission offerings of
caring friends sustained us. The big change came when a law was passed “have free Public
High school in every village”. Students of 5 villages enrolling in Grace Christian Mission
Technical School (GCMTS) stayed in their own Village High School. GCMTS Boso-Boso was
almost drained 450 to 120 enrollees. Christian parents and parents who want quality education
stayed.
The Lord comforted us by this Rom. 8:31-32 – “What then shall we say in response to these? If God be for us, who can
be against us. He who did not spare His own son but give Him up for us all, how will he not also along with Him
graciously give us all things” NIV. God’s blassing: Badian School – the Mayor of Badian did not allow another High
School in the Village – he gave scholarship fund for the students who could not pay the tuition plus – he donated the
roof for our stage - the enrollment of Badian increased.
Public High Schools become crowded – some cannot be accommodated. FAPE – Fund Assistance for Private
Education – an organization whose aim is to raise funds for poor students who can be accommodated in charitable
schools. It did well. The operation is under the Department of Education. Private Schools and students applying for
the scholarship are screened. This takes time – funds for the tuition are usually released in October – all our students
are under this scholarship – no payments from the students. GCM provided the needs of our 26 teachers June to
October, mission offerings of concerned friends help us in our time of crises with our little harvest from the mission farm
– this crises, came the idea of Livelihood Projects.
Evelyn, the mission secretary and I attended seminars on different Livelihood Projects and exposed ourselves at the
Coco Festival at our Mega Mall- Aug. 24-27. We interviewed some stall owners who were producing and exporting
Virgin Coconut Oil. We met the owner of a Coconut Husk Plant – which is in Bicol, they were very cordial – we asked if
we can visit their Plant – we visited – they showed to us how their different machines operated and offered to help us if
we go into this Industry. Badian has piles and piles just being burned - make use of them!
September 26 - two of our staff traveled with me from Caloocan City to the Bicol Region and on to Badian. We first
went to Legaspi City – inquired on the service of Smart Wireless for Badian – none yet – then on to the Coconut Husk
Plant and on to Badian – I laid the challenge to our teachers – all were excited and willing. 28th teachers on their
vacant period started with 20 pieces well matured coconut – 16 to 24 hours of fermentation on the coconut milk – it was
interesting to see how the coconut oil floats above the water, harvest time was 5 to 6 A.M. - but the staff who traveled
with me to Manila left at 4 A.M.
Projects & Prayer Requests – that we become expert on the production.
1. Making of Virgin Coconut Oil – for domestic use and export – Doctors who specialized on what VCO do to human
body said it is a Drug Store in a bottle – Our Secretary, Evelyn Galicia’s, taking 4 spoon full daily 2 after breakfast and
2 after supper. Terrible asthma each time she is attacked, kidney problem – scheduled for surgery, diabetes high
sugar, high blood pressure – after 6 months of faithfully taking VCO – her health improved, now she is well, strong and
active – Arsenia was relieved from her allergies and gas pains. We want you to try and see what God will do for you as
you learn to take VCO. Pray with us for coconut milk squeezer - $511.00.
2. Coconut Husk Fiber – made into strings/rope – into net – this prevents soil erosion – fine dust is washed – dried and
packed, course dust – died and also packed – use as fertilizer and soil conditioner – domestic use and exporting to
China & Korea. Machine for this - $12,250.00 – we hope to assemble one. Our friends assembled their own machines.
3. Coconut Shell – Charcoal – powdered and made into briquette – for cooking domestic use and export – to Japan.
4. Cookies and Cakes – the coconut meat from VCO is dried – and mixed with flour and other ingredients, delicious!
5. Water from the VCO – for vinegar.
6. Jathropa – Bio Diesel – we have grown about a thousand. In less than 2 years – it bears fruit – bearing time – 48
years a farmer with his family of 5 will be kept busy picking – drying and pealing the seeds which will be kept away for
the oil. Processing Jathropa seeds to Bio Diesel is simple & easy. Jathropa plants have many medicinal values:
leaves, bark etc.
Jathropa pillings – fire wood when dried. Pray that by 2007 we can plant 5,000 Jathropa.
Prayer Requests:
1. For the visit of Don Byker and his group to GCM – Oct. 14-15th at the Home to worship with the children. Oct.
17/06 - the dedication of Badian’s school house no. III, Oct. 19/06 Board Meeting, Thanksgiving & Worship at the
Bosos-Boso Schools and Dedication of Pastor Roberto Sonio, 2006 Graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary, Master in Christian Education – as the school’s new Principal – Oct. 23/06.
2. Money to pay back – money for construction of the Elementary School house $30,000.00. This amount was used
in our time of financial crises.
3. Pray for the safety from typhoons of the 5,000 coconut trees in the hands of GCM – in June and September 28 –
very bad typhoons lushed the country – many coconut trees suffered, bearing fruits were greatly affected
4. Wisdom on how to get the Projects going, that we can organize a co-operative to run the projects.
5. Spiritual lives and dedication for the task.
Praises & More Prayers:
1. The financial aid of FAPE got into the hands of our teachers Oct. 2/06 as of now communications to Badian is not
yet restored, cell sites were destroyed by the Sept.28 typhoon – hopefully they also got their monthly love gifts.
Elementary Department – 153 children are using 3 rooms in the High School Department – Kindergarten, Prep –
getting ready for grade I, grade I and grade IV have classes on the morning, grade II and III classes in the afternoon.
Due to the congested condition of the children – by faith we took courage and started the construction of the school
house with very little amount that we had.
August 16/06 – at 7 am Ground Breaking Ceremony – Elementary children were the important people in the ceremony
– the High Schoolers joined them at 8:00 the workmen begun the work but stopped on September 30 – foundation of
six classrooms – standard size and little wall is going up. We believe God will provide the needs till finished.
Orphanage / Home – with the 70 children they are fine due to poor weather – typhoons & too much rain, few of the
children had colds and fever – the operation in general is ok – the 2nd Certificate of Accreditation was given to us,
meaning we qualified after hard inspections and meeting the requirements from 4 caregivers to 8, one certified Social
Worker – now 2, one doctor comes to treat the children once a month and one dietician visit once a month, one
bookkeeper, one Project Administrator and 2 cooks – all services are paid. The budget went up tremendously. Plus
tuition fee of the younger ones in the Elementary Department. $85.00 for each child in one year x 50 children
$4,250.00.
2. September 28 typhoon Melenyo lushed the country terribly but GCM did not suffer much about 20 banana plants fell
and 2 big branches of our big tree were broken – fell on our empty space, and not on the roof of the school toilet which
is close to it – office in the city - no electricity for only 7 hours and in Boso-Boso less than 24 hours, some places do not
yet have electricity – we heard Bicol Region do not yet have, no communication from Badian – in other parts of Manila –
5 days no electricity, the city was pronounced under calamity – many school houses were blown down.
3. High School enrollment which swooped: 450 to 120 is increasing – many parents see that GCMTS is giving a better
kind of education – teachers of the public elementary school put their children in GCM – Elementary Dept.
God bless you!
Gratefully yours, Arsenia
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