Second Week – Mabuhay Agritech Project in Iloilo, Philippines

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Second Week Report on the Mabuhay Agritech Mission Project in Iloilo, Philippines

September 3, 2023

To:          Mike Stanley, Missions Committee, Westminster Presbyterian Church

From:    Zonia Velasco, Mabuhay Fellowship, Mabuhay Agritech Mission in Iloilo, Philippines

We have now completed 14 participants for our enrollment.  Another person was added this week.  They have automatically grouped themselves into two groups.  We have a 12 year old, and we questioned that he was the youngest, and we had second thoughts about making him part of the program, but his family insisted stating that his uncle and 3 cousins were part of the program and that he will be grouped with his family.  If he does not join, he will come home from school to an empty house with no food. They promised that they will watch out for him, and not work him too hard, give him more rest breaks and make sure he does not get a heatstroke.  He was also given a pre-test and was able to pass.

Typhoon Goring had landfall in Iloilo, last week, and brought strong winds, rain and flooding.  The students did not attend Monday and Tuesday because of this, but they voluntarily made up the time, and kept coming back to the fields on their own to check as they were afraid the rains eroded their plots.  They are also working Saturday and Sunday because they realized that the seeds they germinated are now  all ready to be transplanted, and they are also watchful as something was eating the tips of their tomato plants. 

They will be attending classes from 8am to 6 pm, with a rest period of 2 hours between 12-2pm for lunch and siesta, and they will have breaks in the morning and afternoon for snacks also.   Lectures are given in the morning.  They had their first lecture on soil, which they needed so they could test their soil acidity and fertility, correct it before they covered it with plastic mulch. The funds allowed us to purchase wide plastic mulches and they readily applied it to the plots that were already ready. 

Plot preparation was the hardest as they had to deal with clayish soil, add their additives, mix and retest for correct acidity/alkalinity.   They use coco-peat (they make these themselves from dried out coconuts), carbonized rice hull, river sand, and some charcoal, with vermicompost.  They also take care of the vermicast bin, and make sure the worms don’t die but keep liking and eating what they are being fed.

Formal training has started.  Because of the typhoon, the lectures have been delayed and adjusted as the students need to work on their plots to take advantage of the weather and rain.  They are trying their best to keep their plots up, and not be washed away by the rain.

We have ordered cacao and coffee plant seedlings for each of them to plant in the farm.  Both cacao and coffee have to be planted in shade, so they are also planting banana trees to provide fast shade.  There are two water reservoir ponds of 4x 4 feet at 3 feet in depth, and one has been planted with lotus.  The lotus roots has purified the water. The other pond has turned green from algae, and while they are trying to empty it and use up its water so they could scrub the walls of the pond, the rain came again and filled it up.  So for now, they have a lot of water they could use daily on each of their plots.

We had also ordered a small “bahay kubo”, a small one room bamboo house with a thatched roof that is 7’ x 11’.  It came yesterday, and the students were so excited, that they immediately cleaned the ground around the small house so they could plant flowers around that area.  They did not stop until they were done.  That area will become our “pollinator” plots.  They will also plant citronella herbs around the nipa hut to deter snakes and rodents.

This is our report for the second week. Pictures to follow.

Very truly yours,

Sgd.  Zonia Velasco

Mabuhay Project and Mission Director 

First Week – Mabuhay Agritech Project in Iloilo, Philippines

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First Week Report on the Mabuhay Agritech Mission Project in Iloilo, Philippines

August 26, 2023

To:          Mike Stanley, Missions Committee, Westminster Presbyterian Church

From:    Zonia Velasco, Mabuhay Fellowship, Mabuhay Agritech Mission in Iloilo, Philippines

Enrollment for the program started on Friday, August 18, 2023.  We had 13 participants present.

Orientation, overview of the program and a pre-test was given to assess farming knowledge to ascertain their strengths and weaknesses, so that the program could address these areas of deficiency in the future. The age ranges are from 15 to 42 years, and educational levels are from graduating high school for the older trainees, and still undergoing high school for the youngest one.  Those who are attending school will have make up classes after school hours and receive personal tutelage to catch up. Lectures will be in printed form also and given to the students.  They will also be provided with notebooks and pens.  

They will be attending 6 days a week from 8am to 6 pm, with a rest period of 2 hours between 12-2pm for lunch and siesta, and they will have breaks in the morning and afternoon for snacks also.   The 12-2 rest period is necessary as it is very hot during midday, with temperatures going up to the high 30’s and low 40’s with high humidity.  The program will provide their food, and they will be cooking their own lunch daily.  Rice and water will be provided onsite, and other market and grocery items like fish and meat for cooking will be bought daily.  Some vegetables are already available on the farm and ready for them to pick and use. There is no refrigeration in the farm, and the farm is too far from their homes and stores for them to go home to have lunch.  This is also an indigent group with none to minimal family income.  There is most probably also no food at home.  Their 6 days a week is voluntary on their part as once they start planting, they must tend to their plots daily, and they are assured of a meal for that day.

Formal training will start on Monday, August 28, 2023, to allow the students to enroll in their schools this week.  It is school enrollment time in the Philippines right now.  

The weekly schedule of training will be lectures in the morning for the first 2 weeks, and field work in the afternoon.  They will be assigned vegetable plots and will have to grow three kinds of vegetables: those that grow above ground, root crops, vine crops.  They will also plant companion flowers and herbs to help control insect and pests in the farm like marigolds, citronella, tanglad, etc. They will be divided into teams and each team will plant at least 12 fruit trees. They will learn about the soil, how to test it for acidity or alkalinity, amend them to make their soil productive.  They will learn how to make cocopeat and charcoaled rice hull to add to their soil amendments.  They will learn composting, vermicomposting and learn how to tend to the vermicompost production in the farm.  They will also learn about organic and inorganic fertilizers.  They will make their own natural fertilizers, natural pesticides, from trees and other materials available on the farm.  They will make their own neem and madre de cacao sprays to use in the farm as needed. They will be able to identify and treat pests and fungi. They will learn basic grafting and marcotting techniques.   They will learn permaculture as the farm is sloping downhill in many areas.  They will learn how to make and dig their own water reservoir areas as a water source for watering their plants in areas that are uphill and too far from the well.  They will also plant pollinator plots of flowers, and dig a lotus pond to host dragonflies, salamanders and frogs that will help get rid of pests.   

They will do all of these in only 12 weeks (three months), and they should be able to graduate in mid-November.  Harvest should coincide with their graduation, as it takes vegetables 3 months from planting to fruiting and harvest.  They will be tested and retested within the 12 weeks, and their overall productivity will be assessed by graduation.  We will give cash awards for the best group.  Our funds will be used to supply materials, tools, pails, sprayers, pots, jars and containers for fermentation and storage of their organic plant fertilizers and pesticides, additional germination sheds, tarps, seeds, seedlings, and saplings for their project, trainers, etc.  Upon graduation, they will be able to start their own gardens in their own home gardens, to provide food for their own families, for the community, or sell them to the market providing additional income to their family.

Our funds had been forwarded as follows:

August 22, 2023 Wire transfer through Wells Fargo:  $3,262.00

August 24, 2023  through Remitly: $300.00

August 26, 2023  through Remitly: $1,500.00

Total:  $5,062.00  (extra $62 from a Mabuhay member donation)

Thank you for the support,

Sgd.  Zonia Velasco

Mabuhay Project and Mission Director

Rev. Dr. Dolores Corpuz-Bauzon Bio

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Rev. Dr. Dolores Corpuz-Bauzon in an MD (Internal Medicine), FACP (Fellow of American College Physicians). She had a busy and successful practice in the Carrollton, Dallas, and Plano areas for more than 20 years. She sold her practice to her physician employee so she could answer God’s calling to do biblical studies and be a missionary. She has been keeping her medical license active for the purpose of doing medical missions in different areas of the world such as Africa, South America, and Thailand. She and her husband, Grey Bauzon, go to the Philippines almost yearly for medical and evangelistic missions.

Dr. Dolly graduated from the Pastoral School of Christ for the Nations Bible Institute in Dallas in 2001 when she also became a licensed Ordained Minister by the Christ for the Nations Family of Ministers and Churches (CFN FMC). This privilege had been renewed yearly after giving the Administration of CFN FMC a report of good standing and continuous ministry. She is licensed to perform marriage, baptism, and other Christian liturgical rites. In 2007 she became a part-time student of Kings University and after seven years she graduated with a Master of Divinity degree. She was given a license to preach by the President and Founder of the University, Dr. Jack Hayford.

Dr. Dolly had been in ministry for more than thirty years: serving her first ten years in the Paraclete Ministry at Word of Faith, Farmers Branch (escorting the new believers to the altar where they publicly proclaim their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then discipling them). She served as cell group leader for Carrollton believers for ten years (Bible Study, Prayer, Fellowship), First International Assembly of God; Sunday School teacher for Adults for 24 years – 14 years with First International Assembly of God and 10 years at Praise Christian Fellowship; and Assisting Pastor for 10 years at Praise Christian Fellowship.

Since 2001 all her medical ministry and other ministries have been purely charitable: she has not received a salary for her services. God has been wonderfully supplying all her needs. For 15 years she and Gerry live in Plano by themselves as soon their children have their own families. They plan to continue to serve God and His people as long as God allows them to.

Rev. Emmanuel (Noel) Ilagan Bio

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About our guest Pastor
Rev. Emmanuel (Noel) Ilagan

Noel graduated with a B.S Industrial Engineering at the University of the Philippines in 1971. While studying in this university, he was a member of the UP Concert Chorus with Zonia.

From 1970 – 2000, he did professional work in human resource management and development with the Christian Conference of Asia, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, World Vision Philippines, and the Development Academy of the Philippines.

In 2002, he came to the US, and finished his Master of Theological Studies at the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA.

He returned to the Philippines, was ordained by the Lutheran Church in the Philippines in 2005, then served outside the country, as head of a Christian NGO in Cambodia from 2005-2008.

Currently, he is a member and pulpit supply for Christ Lutheran Church, Lover’s Lane, Dallas, TX.  He also writes devotional readings for their monthly church newsletter.

We are honored and blessed to have Rev. Emmanuel Noel Ilagan leading worship with us at Mabuhay Fellowship!

Human Experiences

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What are the greatest human experiences? Among the greatest human experiences are:

  • ​to be able to give when you almost have nothing;
  • to be able to help when you are too tired and weak;
  • to be able to love when insulted and injured; and,
  • to be able to praise God when everything seems down and difficult. ​

​There is a term for these: freedom of the soul and spirit.

Ray Madriaga Colorado

Christ as the center for Christmas

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If we want to put Christ at the center of Christmas holiday, talk to children about Jesus, not Santa Claus. Jesus is the ultimate model of giving. He gave healing, forgiveness, joy, hope, and redemption.

​Santa is a myth. In the ancient days of Europe, they scared children by telling them about a spirit that roams above houses. If there is a bad kid, that spirit comes down the chimney with a sack to take away the bad kid. We have modernized the myth by singing, “He’s making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty or nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.”

We even extended the myth by making Santa like God. “He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good…” These are attributes of the all-knowing God, so the song is idolatry. Yet, we sing it to our children every Christmas.

​We want to bring back youth to church? Most youth today find church boring. But those who knew Jesus personally find Christian life is exciting. Jesus gives more than any store could hold, including answering prayers.

Let’s go back to celebrating Jesus Christ this Christmas. Let’s not wish to Santa. Let’s ask the Father anything in Jesus’ name.

Merry Christmas!

Ray Madriaga Colorado

Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving Day is not just about what we received. It is about our relationship to The God who gives, and our faith that that relationship is worth celebrating together, whatever our conditions may be. This is why the Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving despite the hardship they experienced.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 The Bible (ESV)

Happy Thanksgiving Sunday, dear friends.

Ray Madriaga Colorado

Mabuhay Fellowship is supporting Missions in the Philippines

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Rev. Dr. Cal Sodoy is in the Philippines right now, and is organizing and teaching in the CPE program for pastors in different islands of the Philippines, from Panay to Negros, to Davao. Trained CPE pastors then are able to go to different islands and make their services available in hospitals, and other needy areas.

Through his work in the Philippines, some members of the Mabuhay Fellowship are offering scholarships to his training programs. It also supports indigent projects for the betterment of each beneficiaries’ quality of life, through education and sustaining small family businesses to empower and improve the quality of family life among the impoverished areas in the islands of Panay and Romblon.

Let us lift Pastor Cal Sodoy and his team up in prayer.

We pray for God’s watchful eye to stay on them and protect them as they travel; for love, cooperation and harmony to bless their missions; for ample financial support; for things to go smoothly in all their international and inter-island travel and missions; for many lives blessed, touched and brought by his team to the Lord. Amen.

God bless you, Cal!

Medical Miracles in Haiti

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February 21, 2010 | retold by Tara Celeste

Ken Adams, MD was one of many volunteer physicians who went to Haiti with the International Mission Outreach in February 2010. He was there for 14 days.

We thank Ken for sharing his story. We thank him and other workers who donated their time, their expertise, their love and compassion to the people of Haiti!

Many prayer-partnered with Ken on his journey, for travel blessings for him and his team, for his wife and children who were left behind in Dallas, for the success of the medical mission work he was a part of, and for blessings to the people of Haiti!

God be praised!

Ken said that it was not an easy drive from the airport to the city when they arrived in Haiti. The ride to the city was long and tedious because of bad roads and traffic. He could see loaded trucks entering the city, and empty ones leaving and was glad that supplies were able to get in. That day and the next few days, he saw scenes such as what CNN news aired just after the earthquake showing the morbid devastation in this country. It looked like a war zone. He saw the “crumpled” hospital where 200 nurses died, some whose bodies were never recovered. He saw many “tent cities” where displaced families lived, with only a dirty creek providing them water daily. The air was infused with the smell of burning plastic, and in some instances they had to wear masks when they entered buildings because of the strong stench.

Many Haitians were homeless and lived off the street. Post earthquake tremors were common, and people did not want to sleep inside buildings which could collapse. So they slept in the street, some with mattresses, some with none. They got wet when the rain poured, as well as had to endure the heat which would go up to more than 92 degrees by day. Many families were separated, some had entire  families killed. Amputations were a common occurrence, some patients losing an arm, or both legs. Many children were orphaned.

Ken worked with doctors and nurses who came from other countries. He worked with medical teams from Germany, Bangladesh, Spain and the US. The North Carolina Baptist Men (surprisingly with women workers also) were there and had put in sinks in the basement of the hospital which became its kitchen. While he was there, he saw members of the US marine unit come on their off duty days to build shelves for supplies and medicine in the hospital.

Daily, the hospital where Ken worked at, had a long line to the ER and the triage area was always crowded with patients waiting to be seen. On his 8th day, he was sent with a nurse to a clinic outside Port Au Prince. The 19 mile journey took them 2 hours because of bad roads. That day, however, the two of them saw 209 patients.

Everyday was an exhausting ordeal for the volunteer medical staff. The hours were long, the physical state of the hospital and satellite clinics were not at their best. The medical conditions of patients they saw varied. Supplies and medicine were sometimes limited, sometimes unavailable. One of Ken’s pictures showed one of the doctors lying on a gurney, being infused with IV fluids as heat and exhaustion also got the better of him.

In the hospital, Ken worked in wound care, most times tending to patients who had been brought to the burn unit. One day, a patient was brought in, with second and third degree burns on half of his body, from his chest to his thigh area. Because of the severity of his burns, and because the hospital did not have resources for this extensive of a medical problem, they knew this patient was going to die. The best they could do for him was to just make him comfortable and ease his pain. But God stepped in, because the following day, a full plastic surgery team from Atlanta arrived, complete with skin grafts, burn medicine, etc. Yeayy! This man now had a second chance.

Death was particularly not uncommon in this hospital and in this country at this time. Ken’s group could not save everyone. But in a place where life and death hung in the balance at every moment, Ken, as well as others in his team, knew with certainty that the hand of God was everywhere. God works in mysterious ways, indeed!