The Mission That Won’t Give Up

by Ginny Rezmierski

Some things are hard to stop.

In the Fall of 2024, the Philippine Mission Team had approximately $1,000 left in its FPC account.  The church budget, team fund-raisers, and personal donations had provided funds for that account over the years.  Since the team was no longer active, they decided to spend that balance on a final recognition of the hard working and dedicated community and a celebration of the Philippine mission.

A lovely Philippine Dinner Celebration was held.  One hundred and seventy-five people were fed delicious Filipino food cooked by a team of volunteers. Music and dancing were provided by our local partners, (PACE-MI) Philippine Arts and Culture Ensemble.  Love and fellowship were enjoyed by all.  However, after all bills were paid, low and behold, the account totaled $8,369.  Generous donations from members of the team and guests poured in.

In spring, 2025, the Philippine Mission Team, hoping to beneficially disperse the account balance, decided to invite our mission partners to submit proposals for one-time projects that would benefit Philippine children, youth, and young adults.  Four proposals were received. Through your generous contributions to this mission, we have now been able to disperse the available funds for the following exciting projects:

1)     In the Philippines, using a grant of $2,000, Silliman University, Negros Oriental State University and the Negros Oriental Library Association have partnered and will build, equip and staff a Reading Center in one of the poorest barangay where we have previously worked building homes—Candau-ay.

2)     In Michigan, using a grant of $1,980, the Philippines Arts and Culture Ensemble (PACE-MI) will develop and implement an expanded Children’s Summer Program to provide hands-on experiences to deepen children’s knowledge of Philippine traditions through music, dance and the arts.

3)     In Dumaguete, PH., using a grant of $3,000, the iHOME METRO organization in partnership with the Dumaguete City Jail, will upgrade the Women’s Bread of Hope Bakery Project. (a project first started by the FPC Philippine Mission Team) They will purchase metal baking tools, appliances and equipment to augment their existing tools, allowing the women to expand their bakery facility, increase living and earning skills, support continued rehabilitation of the incarcerated women, and provide income for the bakery.

4)     In Dumaguete, PH., using a grant of $1,300, the Special Needs Committee of iHOME METRO INC. will help Dumaguete City provide additional school supplies, activities equipment and basic hygiene supplies for the girls living in Casa Esperanza and the boys living in the Youth Home.  These facilities provide housing for children who are at risk, in conflict, incarcerated, delinquent and abused.

Who could have known that your generosity could have spread so far?

While the Philippine Task Force and its FPC account are now inactive, the Philippine Mission continues through the generous endowment left by the late Ward Bouwsma, a member of the team.  From this endowment, FPC annually provides scholarships for 50-75 students in the Dumaguete habitat villages to help them continue in high school or attend college. It also provides one nutritious meal each day for approximately 45 patients at the Talay Mental Hospital in Dumaguete.

Through Grace, some things are hard to stop.