Claire Buensuceso Gaurana is currently a graduate student in the University of the Philippines. She graduated cum laude from De La Salle University with a degree in International Studies. Her interests include reading and learning new languages. Claire is part of FFC’s Children Ministry as a teacher and the Youth Ministry as a junior core leader
The kids of Joshua Generation took on the “Missionary for a Day” challenge and went out today to spread the Gospel and give out hygiene kits and snacks to the other children in the community!
Following our lessons on the example of Paul, our children were eager to explain what they learned from their Sunday School classes. Using their ABC prayer handouts, they were able to share the Gospel to around 87 children in the communities of Piela.
We’re blessed that our Joshua Generation has the courage, enthusiasm, and joy to reach out to others and lead them to the Lord. Thank you to our workers, sponsors for this project, and those who prayed with us! We had full stomachs, clear skies, and renewed vigor in serving the Lord 😊
“Sana po palaging pasko! (I wish it was always Christmas!)” said a 7-year old boy from the Manalo community during Faith Family Foundation’s annual Christmas party/gift-giving for the children of Sampaloc 3, Dasmariñas, Cavite. Held on 17 December 2021, the Faith Family Foundation, in partnership with the Kids Ministry of Faith Family Church, hosted a Christmas party with 270 attendees, reinforcing health protocols throughout the 2-hour program.
During the party, the children were taught about the real meaning of Christmas with the hosts placing an emphasis on the reason for the season—Jesus. The theme of this year’s Christmas party was Celebrate Jesus, which was also the name of the Kids Ministry’s online fundraising concert. The children were excited as their performances during the concert were broadcast during the Christmas party. The halls of Faith Family Church were filled with the chorus of children’s voices singing along to Christmas carols.
Photography By: Jena Manabat
Before the actual event, children were also encouraged by the Faith Family Church to create hand-crafted Christmas cards which friends from the Department of Foreign Affairs, UP, ADMU, PUP and Nordlich Pharmaceutical readily purchased. Proceeds from the sale of the cards became the seed money to buy the children gifts of toys, school supplies, and health-related items, such as masks and alcohol.
2021 marks the 6th year of the Foundation’s partnership with donors Ms. Lalaine Perez-Ortega and Ms. Gibb Alfafara. God’s favor and love for the children is especially emphasized by this partnership as the children continue to be cared for through Jollibee food packs. Every year, it is always a treat to hear the children’s ecstatic screams when they learn about their Jollibee lunches.
Photography By: Jena Manabat
This Christmas party marks the community’s slow return to “normal” life. Last year’s Christmas celebration was a distribution of gifts and food packs to the different communities. The children were noticeably brighter and happier this year as they were able to see other children and play games together for the first time in a long while. What may seem like a simple party to other people is an unforgettable moment in these children’s lives—one that we are so blessed to help come true.
Faith Family Church’s Kids Ministry, in partnership with the Faith Family Foundation, recently held its first ever satellite Vacation Bible School (VBS) from May 19-21 2021. Operating within IATF guidelines, the Kids Ministry set up satellite VBS classrooms in 6 different communities, Ligaya, Martinez, Manalo, Fatima, Lote, and Silang. A total of 101 children attended the 3-day VBS under the theme Shield Squad, learning about both stories in the Bible and disaster risk reduction and management.
Similar to last year’s theme, Shield Squad 2021 sought to teach children about how to protect themselves from disaster by teaching children about how to stay safe during calamities. This year’s VBS incorporated relevant lessons about COVID-19 to ensure that students were well-informed about the new normal. The lessons were connected with stories in the Bible—the story of Noah and the ark was used in teaching the students about floods and typhoons. The relation of Bible stories and practical knowledge about natural disasters worked together to remind children that they were capable of becoming more than just victims. Throughout the 3-day VBS, the children displayed remarkable knowledge and absorbed the practical advice that was taught to them.
During the graduation ceremonies conducted on 22 May 2021, some students were selected to share some of their experiences during the VBS. The students shared heartfelt stories about what the lessons personally meant to them.
Valerie, age 12 from Ligaya, said, “Masaya po ako na nakasama ko yung mga kaibigan ko na makilala si Jesus at saba-sabay kaming humingi ng tawad sa Diyos.” (I’m happy that I was able to learn about Jesus with my friends and we asked for forgiveness from the Lord.)Another student, Samantha, from the Fatima community shared, “Alam niyo po, masaya ako kapag andito ako kasi lagi akong may natututunang bago.” (You know, I’m always happy to be here because I learn something new every time.)Joshua, age 9 from Manalo, talked about the preventive measures he learned and said, “Salamat po kay Jesus dahil meron kaming VBS at marami akong natutunan.” (Thank you, Jesus, because we were able to have VBS and learn a lot.)
Despite the limitations of the current pandemic, Faith Family Foundation and FFC’s Kids Ministry endeavored to hold the Vacation Bible School so that these children could have access to information about disaster risk reduction and management, helping them face the world with confidence in both practical and spiritual knowledge.
Despite the dark clouds and cold rain on 19 December 2020, the children of various communities in Dasmariñas, Cavite were still filled with Christmas cheer because of Faith Family Foundation’s annual Christmas gift-giving. In partnership with Faith Family Church’s Children Ministry, and through generosity of Ms. Lalaine Ortega and Ms. Gibb Alfafara, the Foundation distributed school supplies and Jollibee food packs to approximately 220 children.
Every December, the Children Ministry, under the leadership of Ms. Jena Manabat, usually hosts a Christmas Party for children in the surrounding areas of Sampaloc 3. In view of renewed health protocols, the Foundation opted for a gift-giving event instead—volunteers from the Children Ministry went to their respective communities and gave out Jollibee food packages and school supplies. The Foundation has been blessed with donations from generous sponsors—the Jollibee food packages were donated by Ms. Lalaine Ortega and Ms. Gibb Alfafara while various other donations helped in the purchase of school supplies and face masks for the children. The children were enthusiastic about receiving the school supplies which would help in their school modules, and were overjoyed receiving the classic Jollibee lunch. Digging into their food with fervor, children from different barangays in Sampaloc 3 still felt the Christmas spirit even with the gloomy weather.
The pandemic has changed life as we know it; this goes for the activities of the Church and the Foundation. Grand Christmas parties may not be held for a long time but the spirit of Christmas and Jesus’ birth are enough cause for celebration. This year’s Christmas may not be the same as it used to be but for these children, who are no strangers to hardships, these little moments of respite and expressions of God’s love for them will be imprinted in their hearts forever.
In collaboration with the Faith Family Church’s Kids Ministry, Faith Family Foundation launched the beginning of its Module Help Project on 25 November 2020. This project is aimed to help struggling students, whose parents are unable to give them assistance in their school work, cope with the challenges of online education. A total of 80 students have currently enlisted in Module Help with the number expected to grow as the project flourishes.
With the suspension of face-to-face classes by the Department of Education, the modules are the only mode of learning students can access, especially in low-income areas with poor internet connection. These modules, however, may be difficult to answer as students lack the proper resources and focus on passing requirements instead of learning.
Faith Family Foundation’s Module Help program takes volunteer teachers from communities to gather in small groups and teach students the material they encounter in their modules. Following proper IATF guidelines, these small groups are designed to help students with their modules and give them an opportunity to be in a learning environment. Presently, fifteen qualified volunteer teachers spend around four hours teaching students in various communities once a week to help them prepare for the submission of their modules.
From May 6 to May 10, Faith Family Church’s Kids Ministry, in partnership with the Faith Family Foundation, held its annual flagship event, the Vacation Bible School. With the theme Shield Squad, this year’s Vacation Bible School had a double purpose: to educate children on stories in the Bible while teaching them disaster risk reduction and management. Throughout the week, over 150 children attended the Vacation Bible School, participating in various activities, such as games, storytelling, and arts and crafts.
Guardians (aged 7-9) creating their own fireman hats after the lesson on Lot and his family escaping from fire.
This year saw an increase of participants with over 150 attendees. Children were separated into three levels: Keepers, Guardians, and Protectors. The Keepers were the youngest of the bunch, aged 4-6, but nonetheless as enthusiastic as the older children. The Guardians, aged 7-9, were the most eager in answering their teachers’ questions. Aged 10-12, the Protectors were the oldest group, taking care of the younger ones but still absorbing their lessons. Shield Squad: Secure in God’s Protection sought to remind children that they were not just victims, but heroes in their own right because of God’s protection.
To accomplish this, volunteers and teachers connected various disasters to stories in the Bible, such as Noah and what to do during a flood, to let children know how God’s people can overcome disasters and even help other people during it. To further ensure that the children would be prepared in the face of disasters, NDRRMC-Dasma held a seminar to orient children and their parents on what to do in certain disasters. The topics they discussed ranged from first aid to methods of evacuation during earthquakes. The children eagerly listened and were even able to demonstrate the knowledge they gained.
VBS participants demonstrating how to aid someone who is injured during NDRRMC-Dasma’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Seminar.
The Vacation Bible School is considered as the Kids Ministry’s flagship event because of how it touches the lives of children in the community. Head of the Kids Ministry, Jena Manabat, says that the Vacation Bible School “helps shape the moral values of the children that are based on the Word of God”. Throughout the week, the children were cared for, fed nutritiously by the gracious volunteers, and taught the Word of God by the teachers. During the graduation ceremony, certain children, such as 10 year-old Tristan Luciano, were handpicked to share their experience with all of them expressing how God’s presence in their lives has impacted them positively. While this year’s Vacation Bible School is finished, the work of making sure that children in the community are able to feel God’s love is far from over. The Faith Family Church and its charity arm are determined to follow up on the gains of this VBS by continuing their work with the kids and the community.
About 180 community children felt God’s love this Christmas
Shouts of excitement and peals of laughter could be heard at Faith Family Church as the Faith Family Foundation in collaboration with the Children Ministry hosted the annual Children’s Christmas party on December 22, 2018. With the generous donations of various sponsors, 190 children were able to eat heartily, play games, and celebrate Christmas. As an annual project of Faith Family Foundation, the Children’s Christmas party serves as a way for underprivileged children of the community to truly feel the spirit of Christmas.
As early as 7:30 AM, the children enthusiastically started to arrive, greeted by the friendly volunteers of the Children Ministry. While waiting for the party, the children were asked about what they like most about Christmas. They could not help but exclaim, “gifts!” The prospect of receiving gifts greatly energized the children even more as they went around themselves and talked about what they gifts they might get from the party. Opening the party was a short message from FFC’s pastor, Nel Trinidad, telling the children how much God loves them as He had so graciously prepared this party with them in mind. This rings true as the party would not have happened without God touching the hearts of the numerous sponsors that donated to the party. Continuing the party, the children participated in different games.
a happy girl shows off her gift Barbie doll
Whether looking for chocolate coins in containers of flour or trying not to let balloons fall to the ground, the happiness of the children was impossible to miss. Holding up the prizes they received from the games, their smiles grew even bigger. Having been exhausted by the games, lunch was next on the program much to the elation of the children. Sponsored by Ms Gibb Alfafara and Ms Lalaine Ortega, a classic Filipino lunch was served: Jollibee chickenjoy and spaghetti. After digging into their lunches with gusto, the children finally received their gifts. Grouped by age, they were able to choose the gifts they wanted from a spread of gifts displayed at the bottom of the stage. Ranging from dolls to cars, there was something for every child. Watching the children open their gifts and play with them was the most magical moment of the party. These children, who have gone through many hardships, were bursting with joy at what they received whether it was a toy or school supplies.
children prepare for their next parlor game
“The purpose of the party is to make children happy especially those who are in the community around the Church who are less fortunate with the message of hope that is in Jesus,” states Jena Manabat, the head of the Children Ministry. Indeed, the Christmas party made the children overflow with happiness. The spirit of Christmas was also shared to them through this simple party, exposing them to the joy that Jesus can bring.
Faith Family Church saw its grounds packed with patients as another dental mission, conducted by the Faith Family Foundation, was held on October 7, 2017. Hailing from Jeremiah 3017 Dental Clinic, Dr. Eloi Crisostomo, Dr. Glenda Clamar, and Dr. Louis Clyde Bautista, along with their assistants, graciously lent their services to help 100 patients. Free medicine was also distributed to patients. Around 20 volunteers were also present to assist in various matters, such as registration, cleaning of medical supplies, checking the patients’ vital signs, and providing help to the dentists.
As early as 6:30 AM, patients had started to line up to avail of the free dental services provided by doctors from Jeremiah 3017 Dental Clinic. Patients of all ages registered, but a vast majority of them were young children, accompanied by their parents. For most of the patients, travelling to the dental mission was not difficult as many of them live in areas near the church. Dental missions like these are the only opportunity that some of the patients get to visit a dentist. Salvacion Bautista, 44 and mother of two, expressed her gratitude that events like these occur. “Yung dentista kasi doon pa sa may GMA. Mahirap pumunta at mahal pa magpabunot. Kaya pag naririnig ko na may ganito sa Faith, talagang pumupunta kami ng mga anak ko.” (I have to go to GMA to visit a dentist. It is hard to go there and the cost of tooth extraction is too high. Whenever I hear that Faith Family Foundation conducts events like these, I make sure to bring my children.) Others, like Christian (19) and Wilson (52), usually wait for dental missions to have their teeth extracted. They talked about how convenient and helpful dental missions were because they do not have to spend what little money they earn. Many of the patients had either been to past dental missions or had heard from friends and family members who had previously gone to dental missions.
The children, on the other hand, had nothing but smiles ready for the dentists. A few of them were nervous and scared to see the dentists, but were soon consoled by the promise of free ice cream. Peter Mupas, an ice cream vendor, set up his ice cream cart outside the make-shift clinic to console patients who had just had their teeth extracted. Alumni of the Faith Family Foundation pooled their resources together to hire Mr. Peter for the day. The ice cream cart surely made for a comforting sight after a bout of pain.
Patients get their treats after teeth extractions.
The dentists, veterans of dental missions, were nothing but professional, managing to do their tasks efficiently and effectively. Their bright attitudes also shone through while joking with patients to calm them down. Dr. Glenda stated, “This is my way to give back the glory to the Lord. I am thankful for His blessings and His faithfulness, so I want to give back. It is also fulfilling to serve in line with my profession.” Fulfillment is a big part of the dental mission for them, as Dr. Clyde mentions that his exhaustion is only second to the feeling of fulfillment and doing God’s work. Their success in their field is a gift from God, as Dr. Eloi says. “I believe God has called me to bless others because He has gifted me with this profession. I can use my profession to let others feel the love of God.” The dentists and their assistants have indeed let others feel the love of God through their excellent dental services that served 100 people.
Happy Faces All. Despite their exhausting whole day work, Doctors, volunteers and church leaders share a light moment at the close of the dental Mission.
