Children Educational Sponsorship – empowering children and youth through education!

Contributed by : Joan Foo

We are learning English!!!

The Educational Skills Development programme is our latest effort to empower children and youth through education in Montalban. After two years of providing financial assistance for the children to attend school, we found some children lacking behind academically due to various deficits in their basic educational skills with English as a major difficulty for most.

In May 2009, we started our English Tutorial with 2 groups of children currently receiving educational sponsorship. Held once a week, the tutorial focuses on improving oral English and reading comprehension- two key elements of the language in which the children fare poorly. The children are encouraged to practice their oral English through a variety of activities, games and story telling sessions. Our hope is that through the tutorial, education, the children will receive the basic foundations necessary to fulfill the heights of their ambitions.

Introducing the Foot Socks..

What is it? A pair of socks with an elastic band around the edges that you put on to cover the OUTSIDE of your shoes.

Who wears them? Children attending public school in the Philippines
What is it for? To protect the floors from getting dirty and muddy.

In the Philippines, public schools provide free education for children but the schools themselves bear the cost of school maintenance and the hiring of personnel to clean the school compound. Usually, each child contributes to cover these additional costs. In the lower income neighbourhoods, the contributions are oftentimes insufficient, placing the onus of school cleaning and maintenance on each child.

Therefore, under the Children Educational Sponsorship Ministry, we assist the children in their school contributions like janitorial fees, classroom fees to buy a fan for the class and school items like floor wax (to clean the classroom floors) and footsocks! These footsocks come in one standard size and they are placed over each side of the school shoes to help the students keep the school grounds clean thus avoiding the need for extra janitorial services and help.

Lately they are appearing in multi-colours and fancy designs. What a treat!

Joshua’s Diary - part 2

“I am happy now!” declared an elated Joshua when he found out that he could finally enroll in school. What was even more indescribable was the joy that radiated from him as he received his new school bag, start up Braille set and radio at the Philippines Resources for the Blind on 25 June 2009.

We ended our last blog entry with an entreaty to our Lord to open a new way for Joshua to go to school in view of his visual impairment. Since then, our Lord has continued to take us on a miraculous faith journey, revealing His mighty hand in the doors that have sprung open for Joshua.

Right after the need arose for special education for Joshua, the Lord sent us a volunteer to help to research on the different service providers for the visually impaired in Manila. Through her help, we finally located and visited the Philipines Resources for the Blind (RBI), a non profit Christian organization who provides educational intervention and support for inclusion of visually impaired children in the mainstream schools. To our amazement, they informed us that they had just trained a teacher for the visually impaired at the very neighbourhood school where Joshua lives! All Joshua needed to do was to enroll in the school to receive the services free of charge. As he had never before received formal education, he would begin with individualized classes and, at a later date, be included in the mainstream class, while continuing his specialized education. He would not only learn academic subjects, but other necessary skills like Braille, self help skills and social skills to prepare him for an independent living. Best of all, Joshua would be able to attend school with his siblings in his community!

What providence of our Heavenly Father indeed!

At the RBI, Joshua had a free consultation with the optometrist who specializes in children with low vision. With the results, staff of RBI would liaise closely with Joshua’s special education teacher to meet his individualized educational needs. On that same day, Joshua’s parents were linked up with other parents of children with visual impairment for support and networking. Come 1st August, Joshua will receive a free white cane as it marks the “White Cane Safety Day” in the Philippines. Talk about a conspiracy of events and timing! We believe it is the generous provision of our Father who cares for every detail and need.

Today, Joshua attends special education sessions three times a week in school and he is, in his own words, very happy now.

Interview with members on Staff formation.

What is your main motivation in joining this Staff formation?
My main motivation for joining the staff formation is to fulfill my desire to be a servant of the Lord. I would like to take the step to respond to His call to serve the poor. It certainly is not an easy task to leave the comfort of home to live in another country but learning (through the teachings in Staff Formation) to surrender my own desires and allowing God to mould me to become more God-centered and acknowledging that God is working in me gives me the motivation to be part of the staff formation. - Andrina Tan

Interview with members on Staff formation.

What do you miss most from your home country?
What I miss most is my family. I miss the time spent with them.
Every weekend we would go sightseeing or eat out together, and every morning we pray together as a family. I pray that God will take care of them while I am here in the Philippines and learn to trust God in this process. – Yoo Hana

Interview with members on Staff formation.

What was most difficult for you during your time of discernment?
There were many struggles during my discernment time, many questions have come up:
1)Will I able to stay in other country(Philippines) for two years leaving India for the first time.

2)How will I able to live without my family & friends for two years. As my mother is paralyzed one side, I am also very concerned.

3)How will I raise funds since I have no prior experience.

The most difficult struggle was "how will I raise funds" for the air-ticket, visa, formation fees, monthly contribution for food & lodging and other needs & expenses that will arise during these two years. Since I come from a poor family, for me to think of such a huge amount is impossible and I don’t know any person who would be able to help me.

But Br Fritz, ICPE-Director of India helped me in raising funds for the air-ticket & visa. And also gave some money to pay for the formation fees and for my small expenses. But the remaining expense is still a great struggle for me for it is a large sum in comparison to the standard of living in India.

The only thing I can do is to trust GOD who alone can help me. Because he is my provider HE is "JEHOVAH JIREH". The LORD who call me Is "FAITHFUL GOD" HE will never let me down. HE will complete what he has began. – Denzil Rodriques

Interview with members on Staff formation.

What do you hope to achieve from your experience here in Philippies?

During the next few years here, I wish to get to know God and myself more than before and to be more united with Jesus.

In the past, I often felt that there is a something blocking me from getting close to God. I realized that I had a wrong concept of God in some areas in my heart because of my past hurts. And this caused a gap in knowing God more deeply.

First of all, I want to know who God is in my life and which area of me is blocking me so that I can come to know the truth. I want to be healed by God's love and I want to be fulfilled by God's Grace and i hope that I can love God and myself more than before, so that I can better share this love to others. – Caroline Song

Interview with members on Staff formation.

What are your expectations of being in Staff Formation?
At first, I was a little hesitant about living in a new environment because of my age. Also many people say that it is not easy to be a lay missionary and to belong to an international community. But when I joined the School Of Mission conducted by ICPE in Indonesia 3 years ago, all that changed. The last 2years have been spent waiting for the start of the staff formation. Finally I am able to join the Staff Formation by God’s great mercy. I don’t think I could come here now without God’s leading and help, sorting out my financial affairs, health, language, my married life etc. Now God has already began to give me various challenges and many opportunities to grow in Staff Formation everyday. I am sure that God is inviting me to his deep well of love and deep intimacy with him in the concrete… now. Therefore I expect that God will make me grow more now than ever before as a missionary, as a husband, as a God’ beloved son during the Staff Formation. – Domisiano Kim

Manila sights!

We had the privilege to go on a sight-seeing tour around Metro Manila led by Bro. Jun. It was a beautiful day of being with the locals. For best resuls, click on the extreme right button to 'Toggle Full Screen' :D

Manila Sights

Testimonies on the Choice Program for youth!

Contributed by: Theresa Choong

We have been running the Choice program for the youth who attend our weekly prayer meetings. June 14 marked the end of the Choice program, we all have been blessed by the program and by the sharing of stories and lives. Here are a few testimonies of how the program had touched them...

How have you benefited from the choice program?
The choice program helped me a lot in terms of growth and maturity. Attending the weekly sessions helped me discover who I really am and how’s my relationship with others going. Before, I was afraid of showing my real feelings to others for the thought of being ignored or rejected. But now I realized that by just being my self, not pretending to be somebody or playing any games would give me freedom to express what I really feel without hesitations. - Jonalyn


What touched me the most in the choice program?
The one that touched me the most in the choice program is the letter-writing portion. In this portion, I have reflected almost all of the topics that we have encountered. I have brought out my feelings especially to my father through letter, which I have not done before. Doing this letter, I realized how important are my friends and my father to me. When I was writing I felt like God is guiding me so that I could express my appreciation to them. I also realized that I am so blessed for God has given the gift of my family and friends. Through them, I always feel the love of God for me. I always feel how worthy I am. Building a good relationship with them makes me feel closer to God.

Thanks to ICPE team especially to Ate (elder sister) Therese for introducing us the choice program, a lot of changes happened to our lives… - Jonalyn

How has the Choice program impacted your life and how has it influenced your relationships?
The Choice Program opened up my mind and heart to all valuable and precious things in my own life. Where do I truly belong?-that’s one of the striking question that I encountered in the program, I never thought that life will be as simple, but after weeks and months under this program things became clearer to me. I became true listener, value commitment in a deeper sense, learned to accept myself as I am. Moreover I started to treasure and thank my family, friends and people who been to my formation all these time. Most of all, I am able to take a big step to know GOD as my father, CHRIST as my friend and started to make a decision to be with God’s love and grace forever.

Words will be never be enough how can am I blessed and spiritually gifted in the CHOICE PROGRAM. TO ICPE especially Therese who inspired us in her own precious way , from the bottom of heart MARAMING SALAMAT PO! - Key Ann

Children's ministry testimony from our team members

Since March, two new community members from Korea, Hana and Carol, joined the children ministry. Since then, they have been part of the different activities we organized for the children and also a Easter Family celebration. Let’s hear …

…..from Carol who shares about the Easter Family Event attended by about 50 families :

“ During the family event, we organized games, skit, activities, teachings and action songs. I saw more joy in the faces of the families and children on this day compared with our weekly ministry. It is meaningful to experience God's presence through them. At the end of the programme was a family activity. Each family had to make a ‘paper house’ together, which acts as a candle holder. On the outside of this ‘paper house’ family members drew their faces. The session ended with a prayer, asking God for new hope in our families. I felt the holy presence of God. When I was a child, Easter was a time for us to share eggs. Now I know that Easter is not just about sharing eggs, but about sharing the new hope we have in Christ. This new hope can be experienced in our hearts and families. It was a great opportunity to learn the new meaning of Easter.”



…..from Hana about her experience teaching children:

“I’ve been part of the children’s ministry for 3 months. At the beginning, I felt that our team was too small compared to the numerous children who came for our ministry. This challenged me especially when I had to prepare for a teaching. On one hand, I felt joy and excitement when I was tasked to prepare for a teaching, but on the other hand, I was fearful because this is my first time planning for a session. I relied on Jesus for his guidance and assurance. I asked Jesus many times “Do you think I can do that?”

I also shared my fears with the team, who prayed for me. As I relied on God to lead me, I felt inspired about the teaching and saw His marvelous work during the session as many children enjoyed the session and listened to me attentively. I could see the Holy Spirit’s working through their eyes and attitude. I was very touched by the children’s enthusiasm to learn, zeal for God and purity.

What I’ve learnt from is that God works in simple ways. His invitation to us is to simply be in His presence and spend our time with Him like children. My attitudes have also changed. After giving teachings about ‘listening’ and ‘courage’, I was able to listen more to others and God’s voice; and had courage to confront the distractions in my life. I felt as if the teaching was for me.”

Back to School mass for children

2009 Community!

Our international community: From Czech Republic, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Korea, Netherlands!

Balikatan ministry update

Morning Group
Since the beginning of the year 2009, there was an increase in members of the morning session from a group of 25 to 35 and more! The turning point was the Life in the Spirit Seminar conducted in April 2009. After that seminar, our new Balikatan members became very alive and excited during our regular Saturday meetings.

Each week, with great enthusiasm, they participated in the times of Praise and Worship, small groups sharing and teachings. These teachings included the Ten Commandments, an introduction to Scriptures, and at the present moment, a series on prayer (a series of 7 teachings).


From the teachings on prayer they found it most helpful praying ‘The Jesus Prayer’ in their busy lives. The prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God , have mercy on me, a sinner” can be repeated many times throughout the whole day. They shared that praying this prayer as they cooked, cleaned, walked, went to sleep and upon waking up, helps them to be constantly aware of God’s presence and also helps them to overcome their difficulties and feelings of sadness, irritation and impatience.

We also welcome two new team members to our Balikatan team - Domisiano from Korea and Andrina from Singapore who are presently going through Staff Formation in our ICPE Centre.

Afternoon Group
At the beginning of the year the members created the vision for their afternoon group
“To have a permanent Balikatan Community in which members are supporting each other.” They are very much aware of the fact that they themselves have to carry out this vision through:
• Living Christian Life
• Helping one another as much as possible
• Helping new members
• Reaching out to their neighbors and friends in their clusters
Encouraged and strengthen by this vision and strategies they started to follow the series of teachings on Christian character like speech, integrity, virtues etc., they were also helping out with leading sharing groups in the Morning Group and reaching out to their neighbors of whom some joined the Balikatan Meetings.

Joshua's diary

Here's the story of Joshua.

“ I want to go to school!”

This was Joshua’s immediate reply when asked what he would like to do if he could see. Joshua, age 11, was diagnosed with congenital cataract at the age of 5. Due to financial constrains, he could not afford the recommended surgery for cataract removal, and thus could not attend school.



Joshua’s plight was highlighted when he joined the ICPE Mission’s Children Ministry in Montalban. Through the efforts of our Korean partners in mission, sufficient funds were raised to cover his medical costs for the recommended surgery.

Thus, since January 2009, I had the privilege of accompanying Joshua for his series of medical tests and consultations at the University of East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Centre (UERM-MMC). Each hospital visit was long and wearying as it involved repeated consultations and oftentimes hours of waiting while standing in queue. In those moments, a restless Joshua would reiterate his dream in his raspy low voice, “Ate Joan, gusto kong nag-aaral!” (“Joan, I want to go to school!” in Tagalog).





Thus it was a shock for all of us when his recent test revealed a defect in his visual pathway. The doctors concluded that the surgical removal of the cataract would yield a minimal improvement of sight. At most, Joshua’s current vision of blurred shapes would be brighter after the surgery. Joshua would need to enroll in a school for the visually impaired.

As we walked out of the consultation room in silence, Joshua finally spoke up and said, “Ate Joan, gusto kong nag-aaral.” My heart went out to the little boy because for the first time, I heard the anxiety in his voice. That day, we prayed that Jesus, the Lord of all hopes would open a new way for Joshua’s dream to be fulfilled as we search for a suitable school for him.

ICPE’s first discipleship school for Singaporean youth!

The Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Office in Singapore, together with the ICPE Mission, launched a 5 week discipleship school from 3 February – 6 March 2009. The discipleship school, named ‘School of Witness’ (SOW in short), aimed to form a new generation of youth in Singapore. Four of us from ICPE Philippines joined Amilia from ICPE Singapore to serve in the School. There are altogether 17 participants who shared community living, lectures, cell groups, outreaches, liturgy and personal prayer time.



During the 5 weeks school, we held different sessions on topics such as God’s revelation as Father, God’s revelation as the Son, Holy Spirit, Sacraments, Stages of development, Forgiveness, Self-acceptance, Evangelization, Apologetics, Character Formation, Scripture, Worship, Church and Youth ministry.



The school was grace-filled. We saw how God faithfully led participants to greater freedom, new self –discoveries, a journey of healing and transformation. At the end of the school, participants shared that they gained insights and encountered God in new ways. We were blessed to see how each of them were renewed and fired up to go forth as witnesses of God.

Coming home - Marlene's sharing

Having first arrived as a volunteer, I was the youngest and least religious person of the group, I remember being intimidated and unsure of my own footing within the community. However, having endeavored to spend the next 3 weeks in the ICPE Mission home in Manila, I found that my experience here would not be confined to continual prayer sessions and household chores (as I first initially assumed). The ensuing days were compiled of different experiences, from running around with the kids in Montalban to teaching English in a barren classroom with nothing but a few chairs, I found an abundance of wealth and fulfillment every step of the way; a feeling new and revitalizing to me. One of the key elements which satiated my constant hunger for new experiences, was the community. One of the people I first opened myself up to within the community explained to me the beauty of God’s blessing in allowing us to share in a part of some one else’s journey in life.

Within my first week here alone, I had been so warmly invited into the journeys of so many of the lives of the children in Montalban. It was possibly the most humbling and gratifying experiences of my entire life. However, my adventures did not end simply after leaving Montalban, instead, they continued within the home. Staying in a house with 14 other people who are all so different in nature has taught me so much about myself and inspired me in a multitude of ways to want to change my life for the better. Never imposing, but always approachable, I found a second home here within the community in my first 5 days which offered me a warmth and love I had never discovered before.

Perhaps the most memorable experience within the house was my first ever Prayer and Worship Session. I had never been “touched” by God up till this point and I never understood what people meant when they say that God had “touched” their lives. On the session itself, one line came ringing out to me; “God is a repairer” and we talked about opening up our lives to him to be repaired and at that moment a flood of tears and torrents of emotion just hit me. I had suddenly come alive again, after 5 years of not really identifying with my own emotion, I was now confronted by it and I could no longer escape. However these tears, were not of sadness, but of relief, of hope, of finally coming home. Home to Christ.

Name: Marlene Ditzig
Age: 18
Alumni of Class 2009 United World College of South East Asia
Soon to be student at Bard College, Annanndale Hudson, New York

Pentecost and ICPE Staff Formation Opening Ceremony

Pentecost Vigil Praise and worship

It was truly a refreshing time in the spirit today. For the first time in a long while, the chapel is filled with many people and lo and behold! we finally have the full attendance of the ICPE community in Philippines on this night. We started out the night with praise songs and we immersed ourselves in the spirit-filled atmosphere. We then prayed over each other in pairs and we could sense the spirit moving in the hearts of all present. What a great start for the Staff formation! We are truly dependent on the Holy Spirit to lead us to do God’s will, not ours!

We had Father Mark Grima mssp, from Malta who celebrated our Pentecost/ commissioning mass. There were a total of 30 of us from 14 different nations participating in this Eucharistic celebration. From Japan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Malta, Peru, India, Singpaore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Korea, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and of course the Philippines. They prayed over the new members in staff formation, asking God to give us strength and grace during this time of formation.





During the mass, each new staff formation participant presented a symbol as an offering to God as a representation of our journey ahead.

We had an Agape meal to celebrate the occasion. The menu included vegetable clear soup, chicken thigh in coconut gravy, brocolli and cauliflower with egg and rice – a must have in the Philippines! The cuisine is international, after all, we're from 14 different nationalities!



And through current technology, we received a personal message from our International directors and founders of ICPE mission, via You Tube! Giving us a deeper background into the beginnings of ICPE's pontifical recognition during the feast of Pentecost.


Jitka inspired us with a speech encouraging all of us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.



During the agape meal, the new members in formation were invited to sign a commitment to formation with the ICPE. This marked the beginning of Staff Formation for the entire ICPE mission! This is truly a witness to all those present, our friends from several communities, friends, and family. God bless us all!

Tariq, our children ministry volunteer

I am Tariq.b.John, a student of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (mssp). As part of my exposure to ministry in the Philippines, I currently volunteer with the ICPE to experience ministry to the children in Montalban. It has been about 8 months already and I join the group every Saturday. During these months, I felt that, the ministry had been conducted very faithfully through the planning of catechism and organizing different activities with different techniques and games to teach the children. I like the way that we always start the catechism class with prayer, first among us and then worship and praise with the children. Through that I really experienced the presence of God. Even though I am taking part in children ministry only, I can see some of the ICPE group members doing youth and family ministry. In a way, I can say we are not ministering only children but also taking care of the family in which they grow.

Living Letters - our April enewsletter from the Philippines!

ICPE Living Letters-Apr 09

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