Lidllida Children's Christian School Opens

I always enjoy coming to the Philippines and visiting the churches and people here. I consider it a great blessing to be able to come over through my secular job of recruiting nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists to work for the company that I am a part of - that is Liberty Healthcare. I have a saying - “I work by day and preach by night!” Seriously, it is wonderful to have a job that will allow me to travel and be able to use my off time for advancing God’s kingdom.

I noticed a great need many years ago when we were pastoring here before and shared it with the congregation. There was a need to develop children’s Christian schools in some of the underdeveloped areas where our denomination has churches planted. These schools would fulfill several purposes:

1. Give underprivileged children an affordable opportunity for a well-rounded education that include a Christian curriculum in addition to the normal reading, writing, arithmetic, social studies, sciences, etc.

2. Provide a means of self-supporting ministry for the sponsoring church/teacher

3. Provide an outreach opportunity to connect the church with the community and provide a community service

4. Potentially, if there was a profit, to provide additional funds for sponsoring pioneering workers (church planters) in other underprivileged areas

We shared this need and the church raised over $2600 in the past! We were certainly excited about this and worked diligently with the PFWBC-Philippines to get this up and running. On a previous trip, I visited that first “flagship” school located in the city of Ramon in the Isabella province that was set up and shared about that in a previous MISSION: NORTHERN PHILIPPINES edition (see http://www.pfwb.org and click on MISSIONS DEPARTMENT if you would like to review the article). We then were able to set up a second school in the mountains of Ilocos Sur in the tiny town of Lidlidda. What a blessing to see the second school get up and running!

Since that time, they have continued the process of getting the school accredited through the Philippine Department of Education and have made great strides in this goal. However, we found that there were still more needs. Part of the accrediting process required that the schools have a computer, basic playground, restrooms and a separate room apart from the church sanctuary designated as the “class room” and a library of materials. In addition, we needed to find qualified and licensed teachers. This required more funds.

As Regina and I came back to NEW BEGINNINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH as pastors, we again shared the burden and with the help of our congregation and some of the visiting Filipinos, we were able to raise another $1900 for this goal.

It was very important for me to visit this work and also to begin to provide some of the needed items for the success of the school. We were able to purchase 2 brand new computers and some educational software for the schools. We have made arrangements also to get 2 printers, build some more playground equipment for the schools and other needed supplies such as books, pencils paper, etc. The remaining funds will be used to help finish the rooms that must be added to the churches where the schools are housed.

It touched my heart so much to see the children’s expressions and excitement as we set up the brand new computer for them. They looked at it in amazement. They laughed and chatted about it as they saw the animated educational programs play out. It is sure to be a big help in growing the school and most importantly, raising up children with a Godly education and Godly examples through the ministries at the churches. Please take a look at the pictures below. I hope you enjoy them. Most of all, I ask that you keep this special work and these special kids in your prayers! Who says a small church can’t make a difference! Thank you NBCC.

God bless you, Pastor Ray

Lidlidda Children’s Christian School