A year has passed for CAM Agri Project. Looking back, the Lord has taught us a lot of how to’s—how to manage the farm, how to deal with people, how to maximize the resources, how to bounce back from defeat, how to sustain the work, how to,… etc, etc. In all of these how to’s, we saw the hand of God moving and molding us in the way He wants us to be—ever trusting and leaning on Him. True, there were mistakes done, failures, discouragements, and disappointments. But in all of these, the Lord God sustained us and the Project is still existent and continuing despite its limited resources. The love, understanding, and support of some of the brethren provided encouragement during those times we were tempted to call it quits.
After four months of waiting, we have finally harvested the palay. The land yielded a total of 25-30 sacks of palay (yet to be milled). Much prayer was given for this palay as several typhoons threatened to destroy the crop. But thanks to God who shielded them from the harshness of the rain and blessed us with sunlight when it was time to harvest and dry it.
The number of our goats has also doubled to 12, with some of the does giving birth. God has also protected these animals as we have zero mortality to date.
We envision the year 2008 to be another exciting and faith-filled year for CAM as we continue on the above projects and embark on new ones. Lord willing, the plan to invest on high-breed goats will start this year. As a response to the government’s plan to construct a dam in Laiban, Rizal, the CAM management has been busy looking for an alternative farm. Please pray that we will be able to find one.
May you continue to support us this year and the coming years to come. God bless us all!
Showing posts with label CBC Mission Agri Project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CBC Mission Agri Project. Show all posts
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Look and Live
Before our meeting with Pastor Jed last September, when my wife and I were to present to him the not-so-encouraging financial status of CAM, we went through the process of thinking how we could sustain the project given the remaining resources and our limitations. We knew back then that Pastor would not be so happy with the numbers that we would show him and that he would ask us how we intend to continue.
We often hear Pastor Jed teach the idea of bi-vocational ministry in the pulpit – of doing the work of the ministry while at the same time pursuing a secular job. Though I am not a fulltime worker of the church, I know I must apply this for me to be able to continue the CAM Agri project (which we are convinced the Lord has called us to oversee, at least for now) and at the same time earn a living. After much thought and prayers, we then decided that we must align our business with that of CAM to lessen its operational costs. As CAM then has already been caring for three goats (under a 50-50 arrangement with the owner) and owned three goats (donation to CAM), we decided to pursue our long-time plan of starting a goat farm.
“’Cob, pag ipinadala ka na sa kung saan, tingnan mo ang ikinabubuhay ng mga tao. Magagamit mo ito para makilala sila, makapagsimula ng pakikipag-usap sa kanila, at magkaroon ng ideya kung paano ka din mabubuhay sa lugar na iyon.” This I told Jacob in one of our light conversations while were were in Tanay loading a sack of uling (charcoal). To cover the costs of our regular visits and shoulder a portion of the operational costs of CAM’s farm in Laiban and at the same time earn a living (while the goat farm is still at its infant stage and unable to generate income yet), we have been selling uling, camote, and buko. As these are the products of Tanay, we decided to sell these so that we don’t come down to Manila empty-handed. The Lord has been good in providing us access not only to the much-needed revolving capital but also to outside (of CBC) buyers.
I’ve been asking Jacob to accompany me to Laiban and Sto Niño, Tanay. This I do, not only to augment the labor requirements of the farm but also to expose him to the reality of and train him for the ministry. “Dapat matuto kang mag-adapt sa lugar na paglalagyan sa iyo para hindi ka lamang aasa sa sustento ng iglesia. Sa ganitong paraan, matututo ka ding makibagay sa mga tao na siyang pinagmiministeryuhan mo. Hindi ka pupunta dito na naka-barong o naka-amerikana o ipagwawagwagan ang iyong MA o PhD o di kaya naninilaw sa mga alahas na nakasabit sa leeg. We can reach them only if we touch their lives through caring – not empty babblings using the Word of God. Nakita mo na nga na naghihikahos, ‘di mo man lang maabutan kahit ano pagkatapos mong kausapin.” Jacob just nods in agreement. I can only pray and hope that somehow I’m able to positively influence this young man.
To date, the CAM owns 11 goats – the three donated by the brother mentioned earlier, two does bought last September and a newborn kid, three recently bought does and a buck, and the last one is again a newborn kid of the doe that CAM is taking care of under a 50-50 arrangement with the Christian owner.
And so as we physically toil the ground of Laiban, learn from our past mistakes and embark on new activities, the Lord continuously toils the ground of our souls with these lessons in the ministry. Lord willing, as the goats come to age, the banana trees bear their fruits, and the palay be ready for harvest, we too have grown in spiritual maturity. Amen!
We often hear Pastor Jed teach the idea of bi-vocational ministry in the pulpit – of doing the work of the ministry while at the same time pursuing a secular job. Though I am not a fulltime worker of the church, I know I must apply this for me to be able to continue the CAM Agri project (which we are convinced the Lord has called us to oversee, at least for now) and at the same time earn a living. After much thought and prayers, we then decided that we must align our business with that of CAM to lessen its operational costs. As CAM then has already been caring for three goats (under a 50-50 arrangement with the owner) and owned three goats (donation to CAM), we decided to pursue our long-time plan of starting a goat farm.
“’Cob, pag ipinadala ka na sa kung saan, tingnan mo ang ikinabubuhay ng mga tao. Magagamit mo ito para makilala sila, makapagsimula ng pakikipag-usap sa kanila, at magkaroon ng ideya kung paano ka din mabubuhay sa lugar na iyon.” This I told Jacob in one of our light conversations while were were in Tanay loading a sack of uling (charcoal). To cover the costs of our regular visits and shoulder a portion of the operational costs of CAM’s farm in Laiban and at the same time earn a living (while the goat farm is still at its infant stage and unable to generate income yet), we have been selling uling, camote, and buko. As these are the products of Tanay, we decided to sell these so that we don’t come down to Manila empty-handed. The Lord has been good in providing us access not only to the much-needed revolving capital but also to outside (of CBC) buyers.
I’ve been asking Jacob to accompany me to Laiban and Sto Niño, Tanay. This I do, not only to augment the labor requirements of the farm but also to expose him to the reality of and train him for the ministry. “Dapat matuto kang mag-adapt sa lugar na paglalagyan sa iyo para hindi ka lamang aasa sa sustento ng iglesia. Sa ganitong paraan, matututo ka ding makibagay sa mga tao na siyang pinagmiministeryuhan mo. Hindi ka pupunta dito na naka-barong o naka-amerikana o ipagwawagwagan ang iyong MA o PhD o di kaya naninilaw sa mga alahas na nakasabit sa leeg. We can reach them only if we touch their lives through caring – not empty babblings using the Word of God. Nakita mo na nga na naghihikahos, ‘di mo man lang maabutan kahit ano pagkatapos mong kausapin.” Jacob just nods in agreement. I can only pray and hope that somehow I’m able to positively influence this young man.
To date, the CAM owns 11 goats – the three donated by the brother mentioned earlier, two does bought last September and a newborn kid, three recently bought does and a buck, and the last one is again a newborn kid of the doe that CAM is taking care of under a 50-50 arrangement with the Christian owner.
And so as we physically toil the ground of Laiban, learn from our past mistakes and embark on new activities, the Lord continuously toils the ground of our souls with these lessons in the ministry. Lord willing, as the goats come to age, the banana trees bear their fruits, and the palay be ready for harvest, we too have grown in spiritual maturity. Amen!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Nag CAM ka na ba?
I was eating in a fast-food restaurant once when a young man approached me to offer dried mangoes and macapuno. He told me that the proceeds will go to their scholarship fund. He then continued to say that he was once an out-of-school youth until a religious group took him and sent him to school. In return, he must sell the products of the manufacturer sponsoring their schooling.
I have also heard of other religious groups doing the same – engaging in commerce and trade to advance their cause. One of the more famous groups is the Good Shepherd convent in Baguio City. I suppose anyone who has gone to Baguio and has bought some pasalubong would not miss including Good Shepherd’s ube jam, strawberry jam, peanut brittle, etc. According to this group, their nuns are the ones who make these products, without a pay to advance their cause of spreading the Roman Catholic faith, including sending some children and youth to school. It is by doing these social activities that they are able to win the hearts of men.
Brethren, we might think that what they are doing are all in vain for they do it to gain merit from the Lord and be assured of their place in heaven. But most of us will be embarrassed by their zealousness and their enthusiasm to promote their products and their work. I’m afraid that unless we capture that same zeal and spirit of voluntarism and cooperativism to advance the cause of Christ, it would take much longer time for us to realize our vision of sending missionaries to every province and we would see the cults and communists overtaking us and capturing the hearts of men for their own cause.
Last week, we harvested a portion of our tilapia. I was quite discouraged by the output because the tilapia did not grow and the volume was not as I expected. To recoup some of the losses, we decided to process the tilapia as “tilanggit” to command a better price. Again our Samuels (Jacob, Erwin and Lester) were there to help out to debone the tilapia and marinate them and again some of the brethren were willing to buy and patronize them. Needless to say, they were quite satisfied with the taste!
I remember a sister in Christ who would buy our camote and use it in almost every dish that she would cook. A brother in Christ also called me to tell me that he will entrust his goats to CAM’s care. He and CAM will then divide equally the kids that will be borne. Recently also, a Christian couple in the US (the wife being a former member of CBC) sent money for CAM. And we will never forget the giving of a Christian widow, who despite being recently operated on, continuously gives her weekly support for the CAM. Due thanks also are given to men and women of God who help us with the minute details of the operation and who do not fail to include CAM in their prayers.
For the remaining months of the year, the CAM will embark in the goat-raising project. We now have six goats in our care and we plan to buy more, including one high breed buck to upgrade the size and quality of the herd. The purchase will be done after we have constructed additional housing for them.
The bananas will be due for harvest November-December. We have recently harvested eggplants and sweet corn. These vegetables we just tried to see if they will thrive and yield a good harvest. This being the case, we intend to plant corn and peanuts when in season.
The fishponds are currently being restructured (deepened and widened) and nets will be placed to prevent predators from eating the fingerlings. We also plan to buy sex-reversed tilapia fingerlings instead in our next round. The pigs are also due for selling and I have instructed Nonoy to catch some young roosters for the consumption of our church workers.
Last August 25, the Samuels plus some of our ladies and men planted rice. Lord willing this will be harvested by the end of the year. It was such a blessing to see the brethren allowing their hands to be dirtied and their feet buried in mud as they subject themselves to a task that they are not used to doing. If only all of us can capture that spirit of cooperation, the ministry of CAM will go a long way! I know not all of us will be able to physically go to Laiban but everyone can help express support by some other way. As an example, one couple who can not join sent food for the brethren that day.
Little by little, we are capturing the spirit of voluntarism and cooperativism. Our earlier vision of our bahay kubo and of bringing only salt and kerosene whenever we go down to Laiban are slowly materializing. I pray that this will gain momentum.
Cornerstone, nag-CAM (cooperate, assist, minister) ka na ba? Mag-CAM na!
I have also heard of other religious groups doing the same – engaging in commerce and trade to advance their cause. One of the more famous groups is the Good Shepherd convent in Baguio City. I suppose anyone who has gone to Baguio and has bought some pasalubong would not miss including Good Shepherd’s ube jam, strawberry jam, peanut brittle, etc. According to this group, their nuns are the ones who make these products, without a pay to advance their cause of spreading the Roman Catholic faith, including sending some children and youth to school. It is by doing these social activities that they are able to win the hearts of men.
Brethren, we might think that what they are doing are all in vain for they do it to gain merit from the Lord and be assured of their place in heaven. But most of us will be embarrassed by their zealousness and their enthusiasm to promote their products and their work. I’m afraid that unless we capture that same zeal and spirit of voluntarism and cooperativism to advance the cause of Christ, it would take much longer time for us to realize our vision of sending missionaries to every province and we would see the cults and communists overtaking us and capturing the hearts of men for their own cause.
Last week, we harvested a portion of our tilapia. I was quite discouraged by the output because the tilapia did not grow and the volume was not as I expected. To recoup some of the losses, we decided to process the tilapia as “tilanggit” to command a better price. Again our Samuels (Jacob, Erwin and Lester) were there to help out to debone the tilapia and marinate them and again some of the brethren were willing to buy and patronize them. Needless to say, they were quite satisfied with the taste!
I remember a sister in Christ who would buy our camote and use it in almost every dish that she would cook. A brother in Christ also called me to tell me that he will entrust his goats to CAM’s care. He and CAM will then divide equally the kids that will be borne. Recently also, a Christian couple in the US (the wife being a former member of CBC) sent money for CAM. And we will never forget the giving of a Christian widow, who despite being recently operated on, continuously gives her weekly support for the CAM. Due thanks also are given to men and women of God who help us with the minute details of the operation and who do not fail to include CAM in their prayers.
For the remaining months of the year, the CAM will embark in the goat-raising project. We now have six goats in our care and we plan to buy more, including one high breed buck to upgrade the size and quality of the herd. The purchase will be done after we have constructed additional housing for them.
The bananas will be due for harvest November-December. We have recently harvested eggplants and sweet corn. These vegetables we just tried to see if they will thrive and yield a good harvest. This being the case, we intend to plant corn and peanuts when in season.
The fishponds are currently being restructured (deepened and widened) and nets will be placed to prevent predators from eating the fingerlings. We also plan to buy sex-reversed tilapia fingerlings instead in our next round. The pigs are also due for selling and I have instructed Nonoy to catch some young roosters for the consumption of our church workers.
Last August 25, the Samuels plus some of our ladies and men planted rice. Lord willing this will be harvested by the end of the year. It was such a blessing to see the brethren allowing their hands to be dirtied and their feet buried in mud as they subject themselves to a task that they are not used to doing. If only all of us can capture that spirit of cooperation, the ministry of CAM will go a long way! I know not all of us will be able to physically go to Laiban but everyone can help express support by some other way. As an example, one couple who can not join sent food for the brethren that day.
Little by little, we are capturing the spirit of voluntarism and cooperativism. Our earlier vision of our bahay kubo and of bringing only salt and kerosene whenever we go down to Laiban are slowly materializing. I pray that this will gain momentum.
Cornerstone, nag-CAM (cooperate, assist, minister) ka na ba? Mag-CAM na!
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Little Red Hen
After almost a month of going in and out of the hospital, I was finally able to visit the CAM agriculture project at Laiban, Tanay. I have seen some progress on the work. We have partially harvested the camote which was planted just two months ago. The tilapia fingerlings have reasonably grown. Our piglets are growing just fine. But one thing caught my attention -- there are already some chicks chirping around! The first ten chicks on site! After just a month one hen had already hatched her eggs.
The chicks today will be the chickens of tomorrow. And soon it will be chicken meat served on our tables. Now, it may be just few in number, but I believe it is a good start. Once in a meeting with CBC leaders, I was trying to motivate and encourage our brethren to be of help to our project. I told them, this little chicken will reduce the expenditures of our church. The bananas will be an additional income. I made some computations just to drive the point. Indeed, slowly but surely, it’s coming to reality. Soon we will reap our labor.
I was reminded of a story about a little red hen who had several chicks to feed so she thought of planting corn for their food. She knew it would be hard to do it alone, so she asked her friends to help her. She went to her friend, the duck, to ask some help, but the duck just quacked and said “some other day.” Then she went to the turkey but he just laughed with unbelief saying, it can’t be done. Then she went to the goose. The goose just agreed but didn’t come. But the hen was really determined. She planted the corn, watered it and took good care of it until it was ready for harvest. When harvest time came she asked her friends again to help her but they didn’t come. So she harvested it all by herself. When it was cooked the good smell reached the three animals which went to the hen to ask for some, but the hen ignored them. So they went home famished while the hen and her chicks were all full.
The hen received some discouragement. She was ridiculed. She was laughed at and questioned by her friends but she didn’t give up until she saw the fruits of her labor.
I had a privilege of going with the pastor last week to visit a pastor who was before a fundamentalist but was deceived to go to a charismatic group. He was abandoned by his Baptist sending church and found shelter and received help from a charismatic group. But now he realized his fault and is now willing to go back to the fold of fundamentalism. We don’t like these things to happen to our own missionaries laboring in the field. As the hen planned and provided the needs of her chicks, we must also do so for our missionaries future and present needs. There may be discouragements. Things may happen not the way it was planned. Some people may laugh at our ideas. Others may question its feasibility. Amidst all of these, we must remain focused on our goals. Like the hen, we must plant the corn and allow them to smell the sweet savor of our labors.
The CAM agri-livestock project is not only aiming to provide our missionaries their needs but also to teach them how to turn stone into bread so to speak. As they see how we manage the project, we teach them how to sustain and maintain the work indigenously. Because of our limited resources, everyone must learn to roll up their sleeves. They must learn not only to preach and sit all day long in their study tables, as if it is all they need to do and either just starve the next day or just wait for their families or whoever can help them to provide their daily needs. It grieves my heart to learn of pastors who have exchanged their biblical convictions, like Esau, for one morsel of meat.
Also, remember that the whole agri-livestock project is subject to the vagaries of nature. The outcome can very well be a product of genetics. Even the prices are subject to the workings of the market. But we realize that though we can do something to lessen the negative results of these, we need to place them all before God’s throne of grace and ask for His blessing. This is one truth we want our missionaries to learn from the project. May God help us all.
The chicks today will be the chickens of tomorrow. And soon it will be chicken meat served on our tables. Now, it may be just few in number, but I believe it is a good start. Once in a meeting with CBC leaders, I was trying to motivate and encourage our brethren to be of help to our project. I told them, this little chicken will reduce the expenditures of our church. The bananas will be an additional income. I made some computations just to drive the point. Indeed, slowly but surely, it’s coming to reality. Soon we will reap our labor.
I was reminded of a story about a little red hen who had several chicks to feed so she thought of planting corn for their food. She knew it would be hard to do it alone, so she asked her friends to help her. She went to her friend, the duck, to ask some help, but the duck just quacked and said “some other day.” Then she went to the turkey but he just laughed with unbelief saying, it can’t be done. Then she went to the goose. The goose just agreed but didn’t come. But the hen was really determined. She planted the corn, watered it and took good care of it until it was ready for harvest. When harvest time came she asked her friends again to help her but they didn’t come. So she harvested it all by herself. When it was cooked the good smell reached the three animals which went to the hen to ask for some, but the hen ignored them. So they went home famished while the hen and her chicks were all full.
The hen received some discouragement. She was ridiculed. She was laughed at and questioned by her friends but she didn’t give up until she saw the fruits of her labor.
I had a privilege of going with the pastor last week to visit a pastor who was before a fundamentalist but was deceived to go to a charismatic group. He was abandoned by his Baptist sending church and found shelter and received help from a charismatic group. But now he realized his fault and is now willing to go back to the fold of fundamentalism. We don’t like these things to happen to our own missionaries laboring in the field. As the hen planned and provided the needs of her chicks, we must also do so for our missionaries future and present needs. There may be discouragements. Things may happen not the way it was planned. Some people may laugh at our ideas. Others may question its feasibility. Amidst all of these, we must remain focused on our goals. Like the hen, we must plant the corn and allow them to smell the sweet savor of our labors.
The CAM agri-livestock project is not only aiming to provide our missionaries their needs but also to teach them how to turn stone into bread so to speak. As they see how we manage the project, we teach them how to sustain and maintain the work indigenously. Because of our limited resources, everyone must learn to roll up their sleeves. They must learn not only to preach and sit all day long in their study tables, as if it is all they need to do and either just starve the next day or just wait for their families or whoever can help them to provide their daily needs. It grieves my heart to learn of pastors who have exchanged their biblical convictions, like Esau, for one morsel of meat.
Also, remember that the whole agri-livestock project is subject to the vagaries of nature. The outcome can very well be a product of genetics. Even the prices are subject to the workings of the market. But we realize that though we can do something to lessen the negative results of these, we need to place them all before God’s throne of grace and ask for His blessing. This is one truth we want our missionaries to learn from the project. May God help us all.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The Three Little Pigs
The story of the three little pigs reminds me of the time when I purchased five piglets for the CAM project. The story goes this way: the three little pigs were just weaned from their mother and they had no house of their own. So, they constructed their own. The first one built a house made of straw. The second built a house made of wood. The third built a house out of stone and bricks. Both the houses of the first and second little pigs were destroyed by the big bad wolf. Only the house made of stone and bricks remained where the two piglets came for cover and protection and were made safe.
I was contemplating to build a good quality pig pen for our CAM project but the availability of funds did not permit me to do so. I thought, if I build a good and quality housing, I will have no budget to buy the piglets. We will then have a nice-looking pigpen with no pigs in it. On the other hand, if I buy more than five piglets, I will have no money left to construct the pigpens. So I reduced the number of pigs to five and made a very simple and economical pigpen just so we may be able to start the project. Thanks to Brother Erwin who has learned the indigenous principle that Pastor Jed has been teaching. He looked for indigenous materials to augment our meager provision for the pigs’ housing.
Brethren we have planned to increase the volume of our pigs this year that we may be able to address the present and upcoming needs of our mission works and of the church. We could do more for the Lord’s work without burdening so much the sending church as it has its own needs to address.
The vision is so great and noble that we should not allow the wolf to destroy it. I met an accident last April 11. My right arm was broken and was operated twice. That incident made me realize that what I built for CAM was made of straw and wood just like the houses of the two little pigs. I requested a meeting with the Pastor to come up with a more solid plan for the CAM projects so that every one would know the direction we are treading. Truly no one is invincible as GOD can take us home anytime He pleases. But the Lord’s work must go on, with or without us. Indeed, it would be a great privilege and blessing if GOD allows us to be a part or an instrument in fulfilling His purpose.
So we decided to put every thing in writing-- the plans and projections of our project. From time to time, we will publish it here not only to inform you but to encourage you to be part of it in prayer, in financing, as part of the work force or in giving encouraging words, suggestions and even constructive criticisms. We have devised different investment schemes which you can avail of. We also need donations for our capital expenditures so that our structures just like that of the last piglet will be able to withstand the attacks of the various kinds of wolves. Do not let the wolves of this world devour your resources. Use them for the Lord’s work that they may yield eternal returns.
MANY CHRISTIANS DIE POOR, UNDER THE CLOAK OF LIVING BY FAITH AND “SACRIFICE” FOR THE LORD BUT THE TRUTH IS THEY DID NOT PLAN OR DID NOT IMPLEMENT WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED. MOST OFTEN, IT IS THE LACK OF VISION AND PLAIN LAZINESS THAT DROVE THEM TO POVERTY.
I was contemplating to build a good quality pig pen for our CAM project but the availability of funds did not permit me to do so. I thought, if I build a good and quality housing, I will have no budget to buy the piglets. We will then have a nice-looking pigpen with no pigs in it. On the other hand, if I buy more than five piglets, I will have no money left to construct the pigpens. So I reduced the number of pigs to five and made a very simple and economical pigpen just so we may be able to start the project. Thanks to Brother Erwin who has learned the indigenous principle that Pastor Jed has been teaching. He looked for indigenous materials to augment our meager provision for the pigs’ housing.
Brethren we have planned to increase the volume of our pigs this year that we may be able to address the present and upcoming needs of our mission works and of the church. We could do more for the Lord’s work without burdening so much the sending church as it has its own needs to address.
The vision is so great and noble that we should not allow the wolf to destroy it. I met an accident last April 11. My right arm was broken and was operated twice. That incident made me realize that what I built for CAM was made of straw and wood just like the houses of the two little pigs. I requested a meeting with the Pastor to come up with a more solid plan for the CAM projects so that every one would know the direction we are treading. Truly no one is invincible as GOD can take us home anytime He pleases. But the Lord’s work must go on, with or without us. Indeed, it would be a great privilege and blessing if GOD allows us to be a part or an instrument in fulfilling His purpose.
So we decided to put every thing in writing-- the plans and projections of our project. From time to time, we will publish it here not only to inform you but to encourage you to be part of it in prayer, in financing, as part of the work force or in giving encouraging words, suggestions and even constructive criticisms. We have devised different investment schemes which you can avail of. We also need donations for our capital expenditures so that our structures just like that of the last piglet will be able to withstand the attacks of the various kinds of wolves. Do not let the wolves of this world devour your resources. Use them for the Lord’s work that they may yield eternal returns.
MANY CHRISTIANS DIE POOR, UNDER THE CLOAK OF LIVING BY FAITH AND “SACRIFICE” FOR THE LORD BUT THE TRUTH IS THEY DID NOT PLAN OR DID NOT IMPLEMENT WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED. MOST OFTEN, IT IS THE LACK OF VISION AND PLAIN LAZINESS THAT DROVE THEM TO POVERTY.
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