August 2021 Update
Dear <<First Name>>,
The story behind the story....we have been blessed to receive donations for several more boats and put put bicycle taxis to help families with livelihood in Palompon, Leyte. Most of the recent boat donations have be strategically placed in two villages. This has opened many doors and helped to establish trust and build relationships within the communities. Bible studies are in place in both areas and there are many new followers of Jesus in the villages. A new, simple church is being built in one of the villages through SOD support. Discussions are underway for a second church to be planted. SOD will not manage or operate these churches as that is not our mission. We will help with establishment of the churches, maintain contact and possibly add some support as the new churches are developed. Please continue to pray for more ministry opportunities as more boats are being finished and are soon to be distributed.
The new "Mary" boat is located in the San Guillermo village and the new "Marvin" boat is one of several boats in the other village where the new church is being constructed. We praise God for what He is doing as the blessings flow into these new communities.
The new Bible study in the "Mary" village area.
We continue to hold a Bible study each Friday among the put put drivers as well as a lunch fellowship with them on MWF. Please continue to pray for the families as their income is still quite restricted due to the scarcity of passengers.
One of our longest partnerships in Leyte is with Compassion Philippines and the TFB Church. SOD partnered with them to construct new buildings after Typhoon Yolanda and continues to have relationships with both ministries, especially in new outreaches. Recently, we helped to coordinate distribution of rice to the families of Compassion supported students.
The largest partnership during the pandemic has been with the Tebow Cure Hospital. SOD and Tebow Cure staff work together to identify, schedule, transport and house cases coming from outside of Davao to the hospital. We are blessed to be a part of the plan to complete 1,200+ life changing surgeries for children in 2021-22, focusing on cleft lip and palate repairs, burn contractures, treatable orthopedic conditions and some other pediatric surgeries such as hernia repairs.
During the pandemic it is not possible to hold clinics due to restrictions on gatherings. Recruitment usually is house to house based on referrals or through local pastors.
We are blessed to have two of our college scholars active again in recruiting patients from the mountain areas near Datu Salumay in the Marilog District. Mariel is now in her fourth year of college and Rachel is in her third year.
Three vehicles are in use most days to transport patients or to do field work. We are praying for a fourth vehicle to be able to help more families. Transportation to/from the hospital is one of the largest barriers to having a surgery.
Field work is done jointly with hospital and SOD funded workers. This is often the beginning point to pray with them and share the love of Jesus with the families, through actions more than with words.
Feeding programs continue carefully in partnership with communities, rather than in schools. It is unlikely that there will be face to face classes again for the next school year, beginning in September.
Bible distributions in partnership with the hospital continue on carefully, in small groups. These are also times were the services of the hospital are introduced and usually some cases are brought to the venue for screening for potential surgeries.
Clothing is also given out to the children at the events, especially the shirts and dresses from Dresses for Orphans, a USA based partner.
Families continue to be housed at the REST while having their procedures, such as for Wilson, who just received his first prosthetic leg.
Most of the senior high school and college scholars are finished with this school year. All successfully completed their classes. They have been receiving monthly support in the amount of P500 for senior high school and P1500 for college. We are grateful to all who are supporting the 29 scholars in the Datu Salumay area along with about 70 scholars elsewhere.
We continue to reduce expenses during the pandemic while maintaining our core services. This often has been possible through an increased focus on partnerships. We are blessed for your constant prayers and financial support. We are uncertain of the the impact of the DELTA variant here but trust God as we continue as best we can to serve others and intentionally make disciples.
"We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers"
I Thessalonians 1:2
Serving together,
Peter Cowles for the SOD Boards, staff and many grateful recipients of your prayers and blessings
