Apr-24, 2015:   VCS was a great success thanks to the Upper Javier student teachers Jessica (Virgie's daughter), Josue, Joyce, Thalits, and Arial.  Also thanks to Taytay UMC Missions Pastor Junh Singh for his support.  The Taytay UMC Missions Church in Upper Javier was packed to the brim and the children enjoyed the fellowship. 

 

Apr-10 thru Apr-14, 2015:  Brenda Paulk, former Music Director, St. Stephens UMC Houston, joined 3 new Harris Memorial College graduate Deaconesses Tangh, Elsha, and Jeannah for activities and singing at Upper Javier with the children.  Brenda played the guitar and taught the children to sing several songs in English.  The Deaconesses also taught the children several songs in their native language Tagalog, and Brenda sang along too.  Way to go Brenda!!  They had such a great time. 

 

2015 Feb-15:   Brenda Paulk has decided to join the team and travel to Upper Javier with Elizabeth Jackson.  I cannot be more excited to have a team member like Brenda to share the joy of the Lord with the community in Upper Javier.  Praise God for the many blessings of today and for the opportunity of tomorrow. 

2015  January 20 AM.   Gardening in the mountains is a new experience for me.  So much to learn.     To plant a seed and watch it grow.   Praise God for the soil.  Thanks Jon Fripp, Chapin Living Waters, for the bucket irrigation kits to catch and distribute rain water. 

2015  January 20.  As an individual volunteer in mission, I am  blessed each and every day to be able to share and teach (when I can) for empowerment of those within the community.   I also remind myself of Pastor Kevin Otto's comments to St Stephens UMC's church members each Sunday "...and use words as necessary.."  This photo is from the Natural Foliar Fertilizer training class where we were making fertilizer from Squash.   I was amazed and learned so much that day.
  

2015  January 19.   This past year has been an amazing period of growth.  The women of the Upper Javier community continue to amaze me, while I take a step back to pause in humility.  I have so much to learn from them as we continue down this path. 

During the last visit to Upper Javier a simple Crochet pattern was shared with the women sewers.  Within one day the women were hand-crafting items from crocheting colorful grocery bags.  I must add that their handcraft work is far superior than mine.  It reminded me that when God is with us, all things are possible. 

Vacation Church School was also held for preK & elementary school children for one week, and they had a wonderful time.  Approx 100 children attended.  Though the budget for daily snax during VCS was tight, we were able to feed all the children each and every day.. down to the last drop of soup in the kettle.  God will provide.

2014 March 7:  Today's Lent reading covers Mark 1:29-45.  As I finished the reading, I was drawn to the church program I placed in my bible from J.L. Valencia Chapel in Taytay dated June 2, 2013. Following is the short prayer from that program:
"Imno Ng Pagtatalaa at Pasasalamat"  "Where He leads me I will follow"

"Si Jesus ay tumatawag, Ito ang isinasaad; Krus mo'y pasani't lumakad, sa aki'y sumunod ka agad. Kung saan ako akayin, Ay duon ako lalakad, Hanggang sa aking sapitin, Ang hangganan ng Kanyang landas. Amen"

Informal translation, "Jesus is calling, it is stated: Thy Cross walking the path.  May the path I follow, have similarities as I walk, until I reach, the boundaries of His path.  Amen."

2014 February 13:   After weeks of prayer for God's direction, I am planning a mission trip to Upper Javier this spring. 

I kicked off my fundraising today to sponsor children's Vacation Bible school activities at Upper Javier.  I am also hopeful to lead another Sewing class and will purchase material locally for 8-10 women sewers, approx 4 yards per sewer.  Of course, feeding the children is always a priority too.  Upper Javier's Missions Pastor will lead the activities with assistance of Deaconess students from Harris Memorial College.  Included below is one of my favorite pictures from the 2013 trip!

I ask you to consider contributing to this worthy cause.  Reading stories and singing with the  children is such a humbling experience.  Contributing to the work livelihood sewing program is changing lives and families one at a time.  Please direct your contribution to the 501c charity organization, Together in Hope, Houston, TX.  The link to their website is shown on the blog homepage (on the right margin).   Note, include the notation:  2014 Upper Javier - Elizabeth Jackson.

Your generous support is appreciated.   God bless     Elizabeth

   

Dec-24 at 11:AM:  Maligayang Pasko. Kapayapaan ay sa iyo.  Merry Christmas Upper Javier, and Peace be with you.   Philippines is 13 hours ahead of Houston, thus it is early morning Christmas Day in Upper Javier now.  

Hangad ko'y Joy, Faith, at Hope sa ito kahanga-hangang Christmas Day. Narito, isang Kristo bata ay ipinanganak sa araw na ito. Ipaalam sa amin magalak. Noel.  I wish you Joy, Faith, and Hope on this wonderful Christmas Day.  Behold, a Christ child was born on this day.   Let us Rejoice.  Noel.

Dec-22:  I woke up thinking of Upper Javier this morning as I frequently do, and longing for the word of God.  I pray for the Upper Javier community.  Today’s church service focused on Mary’s humility, Luke 1: 46-52.  I was also reading Zechariah’s Song, Luke 1:76-79, in summary..   The child will be called a prophet of the Most High God. He will go ahead to prepare the way for the Lord. He will tell people how they can be saved and that their sins can be forgiven.…

May His light shine ever so brightly in this world as it did one night so long ago.  Merry Christmas and God bless Upper Javier, Dr Angie Broncano and the Community Development team of Harris Memorial College including Rubylin, Tonette, Eduard, Olivia.   A very special Merry Christmas to
Virgene at Upper Javier from St Stephens United Methodist Church.   We pray that God wraps his love and grace around her as she continues to fight serious health concerns.
 

Three days remain til Christmas. 

Dec-21:  Father, we pray for your continued guidance.  Lead us in the direction you would have us serve today.  It's a few days before Christmas.  The rustle of shopping, wrapping, and abundance is a reminder that we need refocusing.  Jesus is the reason for the season. 

Isaiah 9:6 -->  A child will be born to us.  A son will be given to us.  He will rule over us.  And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Might God.  He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.

Father, may our work supporting the Philippines mission projects continue to be a blessing in your light.    Amen.

Dec-20:   Friday Fast.   Today was my last day of Fasting for the Philippines disaster relief efforts.  My total today was $18.23.  I had a wonderful experience today, in the form of a headache.  I woke up feeling poorly but knew that God would see me through the day.  When one focuses on others, then our trials become less.  We receive so much more in return than expected. 

My contribution made to UMCOR for Friday Fasting in December totals $75.00.   I am so very blessed.

Dear Lord, Thank you for this day.  Fill my heart with abundance, open my heart for caring, and let me share a smile of hope each and every day.  Father, please wrap those in need with your love and grace, and bless them with a seed of hope.   In your name Father we pray, Amen.

Dec-13:  Friday Fast.   Today was an overcast day with cool temperatures of 55 degrees Farenheit. This is the type of day one might wake up feeling hungry for a hot breakfast, but not today.  I am focused on the Philippines and those in dire need of fundamentals, ie, food, shelter, medicine, & any assistance possible.  Three Navy ships with 9000 Marines responded to the relief efforts.  CNN is reporting today that the death toll has risen to 6000 since typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on November 8, with 1800 still missing.  Let us not forget the least of these at this Christmas time.
My contribution today is $27.33.

Dec-6:  Total donation on this Friday Fast was $24.00.  After early morning prayer I felt prepared for almost anything.  Today's Friday Fast was a blessing spent in local community service, assisting one Boy Scout "Scott" working on his Community Service badge. We stood outdoors in the freezing cold with a few drops of sleet too!  Other senior volunteers (indoors) organized the collection of non-perishables at the library for the local Food Drive.  This food drive was held for approx 72 families in need.

Nov-30:   I received a new email from Rubylin (Dr Angie's team) re Harris Meml College students' food drive for PHI relief efforts. The repackaged the food items coillected and then traveled to
the communities of Tibiao, Barbaza and Culasi in Antique province, to distribute them to 1000 families.  God bless the students and their community work. 

Nov-29:  This 'Friday Fast' was a blessing, without the sense of needing food.  I was relaxed and confident.  I spent most of the day with family and friends, staying active.  It is interesting that people will choose not to eat in front of you while you are Fasting, even though one is comfortable.  The total donation for today was $26.33. 

Nov-23 AM:   Received email from Harris Memorial College Community Service Development team (Rubylin, Tonette, Olive, Eduardo, Ted, plus Dr Angie).  Harris College held a food drive to contribute to the PHI relief efforts.  The team wiht Harris students and Harris' Chaplain, Rev Charles Mendoza, packaged food items in preparation for the long transport, picture attached.  Some students joined the caravan for delivery to the impacted area of eastern Visayas, approx 13-1/2 hour drive, or 839 km (521 miles).

Harris Memorial College students food-drive 

 

Map of Philippines from Manilla area to eastern Visayas

Nov-22 Evening:   The amount saved in today's two meals for the "Friday Fast" total $13.66.  

Now, here is the rest of the story:   I woke up feeling terrific Friday morning, great attitude and energy.  After volunteering in the morning, I stopped for a late-lunch, and after praying over the food I was receiving, a light-bulb went off.   It's Friday, and I had taken several bites of sandwich already.  I asked the Lord for forgiveness towards the Friday Fast.  I have been focused on serving 3 local communities which lead me to forget my Fast commitment.  

Dear Lord;  Please help me stay on track for the Friday Fasts and to serve as you would have me.  Let me be a blessing to those in need in the near and far communities and in the Philippines. These things I ask each and every day in Jesus name. Amen.

Nov-18:  Good morning Lord.  Today is a great day.  The United Methodist organization asked congregations on Sunday to consider making a donation to UMCOR disaster relief in the Philippines, UMCOR International relief #982450:  http://www.umcor.org/

UMCOR website Nov-17 article indicates that Volunteers & UMCOR staff in Manilla, PHI with a caravan of 2 vehicles + a 42 foot cargo truck, began a 26-hour trek to typhoon-stricken communities in central Philippines.  Photo below from UMCOR website is Rev Alan Cabas, UMCOR Manilla office, loading a truck.  God bless their journey.

Nov-16 AM:  My donation totals $25.25 USD for Nov-15 Friday Fast for 3 meals.  I was very hungry by the end of the day. Next Friday will be better.  Following is a passage from reading this morning:  "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23.

Nov-15 AM:  Today starts the "Friday Fast" with Dr Angelito Broncano, Harris Memorial College, &  the 100+ Deaconess students in Taytay, Rizal province, Philippines.  God Bless Dr Angie and her team as they commit to save the money (Pesos) they would spend on food on Friday in the Philippines. They will donate it to UMCOR for disaster relief efforts.  My joining them in this goal seemed like a simple way to support their cause.

Waking up this morning at 6:30 am with my cat NaiPaul meowing for breakfast, I got up to feed him and realized I was hungry too.  OMG Oh my gosh....  It's Friday Fast day and I can't eat food today!  This will be quite interesting since there is so much advertising everywhere we go related to food & eating.  Ooops.. did I just really say that.  All I have to do is stop to pray, find that Peace and be still, and restart the day again.  

I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.  Philipians 4:13