Philippine Missionaries Testify of Cemetery Outreach
For years, more than 60 families have lived inside a nearby cemetery complex (Makati Catholic Cemetery, Makati Municipal Cemetery, and Manila South Cemetery), which is located less than one mile from the Church of God Asian Seminary of Christian Ministries. They sleep on top of the whitewashed cement tombs in makeshift housing with walls made of discarded tarps and fabric. During the day, most collect garbage to sell in order to feed their families. Without work and opportunity, they are trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty and death. They are the poorest of the poor in our community.
ASCM through our Community Transformation Initiative (CTI) has identified the incredible need of these families in our community and has set out to help. A team of ASCM students, faculty, and staff along with Pres. Rains and his family, Carol and Stephanie, reached out to them on March 12, 2011.
In an effort to connect these families to a nearby local church, ASCM teamed up with members of Church of God Praise Center Makati under Pastor Rey Calingasan.
Students ministered to the children and adults by providing a hot meal and distributing canned goods, rice, medicine, and vitamins. The children loved all of the activities for them which included games, Bible storytelling, and group sharing.
In an ongoing response to this dire situation, ASCM is making this a priority in its CTI program to minister both holistically and regularly to these families.
ASCM has also been initiating partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, the local city and barangay government, and other partners to lift the living conditions of these precious people and work toward better alternatives to improve their quality of life.
Scott and Carol Rains, President – ASCM
Project Number 0600104
© 2011 Church of God World Missions
